MY BLOG
A different kind of send-off
September 7, 2012, 1:56 pm
Thanks to Chris E for sending me the link (below). I have to say that it makes me very proud that my dual nationality entitles me to call myself a New Zealand citizen.
Since researching for Secret Smile, I have a far greater affinity with our fighting forces. The rigours that personnel from any of our services have to endure are horrific enough but to do so when the country you represent is ambivalent about why you’re there must sap one’s resolve.
(See the Secret Smile page for details of organisations that help the wounded and comfort the bereaved. If this touches you - get your hand in your pocket!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVMO32rdffg
September 7, 2012, 1:38 pm
Eta Ingham Lawrie
My writing buddy Jenny dragged me to a local exhibition of wall hangings. Wow – not the usual uninspiring, overpriced amateurish offering at all. If you EVER have the chance to view this lady’s work, don’t miss it. The prices are extremely reasonable and she runs courses as well.
The craftsmanship is exquisite. The crossover from abstract to illustrative takes place as you walk further away from them – suddenly from amongst these swathes of stunning colour, you can see heather covered hills and stone walls and a flock of sheep. Or a waterfall between massive rocks onto which a blossom tree is clinging. I could go on (and on and on).
Unfortunately there is no dedicated website but I have managed to find this picture.
August 25, 2012, 6:10 am
A huge thank you to the people who have posted reviews on the Kindle site for Unmapped Country. I am so glad to hear that people are ENJOYING it ! I guess the description 'a Victorian novel' can put a lot of folks off and although I was hugely encouraged when my small reading group got caught up in the story, it's gratifying to see that the wider audience has too.
Anyway, I said I'd keep you posted on other reviews, so . . . Maria Grazia has posted a review on one of her two sites (http://flyhigh-by-learnonline.blogspot.co.uk/). Picture of review below. In the near future she will be featuring an interview we conducted via email and a giveaway of a download of Unmapped Country. What a star ! She has also submitted the review to GoodReads - another great site to visit (http://www.goodreads.com/) if you're looking for reading inspiration.
What amazes me is that so many people are happy to give up their time - the only incentive being a free book - to post reviews. And so erudite. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised, after all it's just another outlet for writing and I know when the bug bites it's difficult to stop scratching.
Talking of which, I must plough on with final editing of In Her Fashion. I'm not entirely sure when it will be ready to launch on Kindle (perhaps when I stop finding typos) - again 'watch this space'.
Quote of the blog:
“Everything comes to him who hustles while he waits.”
Thomas Edison (fourth most prolific inventor in history, holding 1,093 patents in the US alone
and a pretty sharp businessman by some accounts)
Discoveries
July 31, 2012, 1:29 pm
Don’t you love it when friends recommend a book and they get it right? Well, just finished Janet Evanovich Hard Eight (thank you, Gill). Must say it was a great relax after all the Victorian research and I did laugh out aloud on several occasions . . .
Stephanie Plum’s elderly neighbour is complaining (as ever) . . .
“Another thing,’ he said, ‘half the men in this country have breasts. I’m telling you, it’s from those hormones they feed the cows. You drink the milk from the cows and you grow breasts.’
Ah, I thought, if only it was that easy.
Anyway, back to more serious things. I’ve had a great time trawling through websites and blogs in the interests of getting Unmapped Country out there. Gosh, you could easily spend your whole life reading about other people’s literary loves. And how many books? I’ll never read all those suggested.
Special thank you to Claire of thecaptivereader.wordpress.com who has introduced me to a little known play by A A Milne (do visit her blog – there’s a great excerpt featured). I’ve ordered it from the wonderful Amazon – thinking it could be a piece the Ashdown Pantomimers might be interested in performing. Mmmm – have to think about costumes.
Also had interest from a couple of literary bloggers who want to do a review of Unmapped Country – very encouraging. I’ll keep you posted.
Quote of the blog: ‘If I’d asked my customers what they wanted, they would have said a faster horse’ Henry Ford (one of Steve Jobs favourite quotes - easy to see why!)
Always plenty to talk about