Sunday 17 March 2024

Should I stay or should I go now?

 I can't help singing those words, although I'm not in a singing mood. more of a hmm, should I stay with this WIP or go now and accept it's never going to get finished?



It's a dilemma. One I hate facing but at the moment I think it's needs must as the saying goes.

It's annoying. I've got the first 35k done. 

I've got the last 5k done.

But it's the bit in the middle that's defeating me and it is incredibly frustrating.

I've been messing with the story for months. It started off well, and I was racing along—well as fast as my three finger typing can let me race. 25k was written in a few weeks. Then life got in the way and I had to keep rereading what I'd written.

But still so far so good. Another 5 or so thousand words came in dribs and drabs.

Then, in a change to the way I usually write I sorted theending out. I knew it, knew what I wanted to say and also knew I needed to get it down so I didn't forget any of it .

Which was all well and good except for one thing. 

The enormous void.

The knot that connects the two threads.

I can't find how to make that knot. 

At the moment I have three options. Or I think I do.

One, accept it's not going to get the ends tied together. Leave it and write something else. (bBut I hate giving up and admitting defeat.)

Two, just keep plodding on and deleting as need be. (But plodding is boring and I don't want that)

Three, shorten it. Do a wee bow not a big knot. (But then I'd feel I was short changing everyone.)

So now I'm adding a fourth option.

Drink coffee, eat chocolate and read a book by someone else. Yes it is procrastinating, and putting off te decision. But as I've been faffing about with the thing for so long, a few days more isn't going to make much difference.

wish me luck.

Happy Reading,

love Raven xxx

(photos etc source Pinterest)



Sunday 10 March 2024

When you think I wish I was like *****

 I've been writing this last week, and as the WIP progresses, I'm discovering things about my heroine I hadn't realised. (Yes, okay because I hadn't delved that far into how I intended to 'shape' her) I also rather like her and her attitude which is a relief because I want her to feisty but nice with it.

To be the sort of person everyone likes and respects.

(Source: Pinterest)

If only we could all be like that.

I know we're all different, with our own individuality, but when I read something, or see something where a person is being at the least unpleasant and at the worst very bad or dangerous it does make me wonder. Why? What's the point?

Of course there must be a point and often it's easy to see it, but equally sometimes you can't fathom out that why.


And sometimes you never ever find out.

I was thinking about that as I reread some of my WIP and realised there was someone in it, who holds the clue to a lot of the things that happen in this book. And that person isn't nice at all.

Now I need to discover why they are as they are.

It's going to be a fun week.

Happy sleuthing,

love Raven xxx

(ps It's raining so I intend to hole myself up in my study, with coffee and write. wish me luck)


Sunday 3 March 2024

Not so much 'gizza job' as 'gizza break'...

 Years ago on British TV, there was a programme called Boys From the Black Stuff, and one of the characters 'phrase' was 'gizza job'.

Give me a job.

Well this week I feel like saying,

'gizza break.'

Just a wee one. Let me catch breath and smell the coffee. And reading something that makes sense would be good,

(Please, not one I'm trying to write. Not this week.)

If that makes me sound pathetic, well I've felt a right whingebag, moaning old sod these last few days. 

Old being the operative word in fact. Now yes, I know in some people's eyes I'm a geriatric. Probably a cantankerous one at that. Well past the 'oohh I'm eligible for a bus pass' age. However I've never really felt it as much as these last few months. I've always been off the refuse to grow old gracefully brigade. Get on with it and enjoy life.

Which generally I do. 

Sometimes though, I think damn and blast (or words to that effect) What the you know what? Wonder if it's moan time. 

Do the why me, snarl and frown. 

(source: pinterest)

Then think oh sod it, a negative attitude is so bloody hard to keep up or enjoy. (If you get my meaning)

However, this week, when the words didn't want to come, and the words that did come weren't the words that worked for where I'd written them, the 'sod it get on with it with a grin' frame of mind wasn't so easy to achieve.

So I decided to ignore the stupid outlook I had, ignore the WIP and do something else.

We went to Durham.

I'd forgotten how hilly it was and just how many cobbles you walked over, but it was so worth it. I forgot about words, except how to say please and thank you. 

Read a book, ate too much chocolate and relaxed.

Had an excellent gluten free meal in Tia's, mooched around the fabulous indoor market, and chuckled at the ducks on the river.

Laughed and explored and came home in a much better frame of mind.

Edited a short story I'd written and got it ready to sub.

Wrote two thousand words that make sense.

And realised that the mini break did me the world of good.

Oh and yes, I know I'm lucky to be able to do that. If we hadn't I'd have put on my wellies and wandered around the village for a while to clear my head.

But I enjoyed my lovely mini break much more. Realised I like the glass half full me much more than the glass half empty one.

Whatever you do, I hope you enjoy it.

Happy reading,

love Raven xxx

ps I've just got a new book out. The Match Up, from totally bound and also on Amazon

Sunday 25 February 2024

It's just a word...

 But a word that gives someone very unpleasant shivers.

What word?

Well that depends on who's talking (or writing)

There are certain words that are a real turn off—teeth gritters—to some people and not to others.

For me it's the word 'gotten'. I hate it with a vengeance and would write twenty words instead of using it. Got? That's fine, but gotten?

(source: pinterest)

No, no and no!

It gives me goosebumps. horrible ones. no reason, it just (another no, no it appears) does.

While we're at it, evidently horrible is another word that some people detest.

I did a straw poll amongst friends, and asked for words that they detest. That might stop them reading something or make them shudder.

It was funny just what repels some people and other's think are fine.

Just as well we're all different or the world would be a very limited and boring place.

So (that was one of the words on the no, no list) in no particular order, here's some people's bugbears.

Starting a sentence or paragraph with, and, so, when, that and why. Oh and just.

Using words that no one understands. I quite like that because then I need to look it up and I discover a new word.

Using words not in general usage like perchance in a Regency story. (Oops, I was guilty of that years ago.)

Myriad, moist, and actually.

Slang that you only understand if you're a certain age...

The list could be endless, but I decided to stop researching. I did wonder if some words could be used in specific circumstances, but generally (another no go to a couple of people) the answer was no. Find an alternative.

Therefore, no moist sponge cakes, or myriad of colours.

Duly noted.

What do you think?

Happy reading (and word avoiding)

love, Raven xxx

Sunday 18 February 2024

To Tea or not to Tea?

 As opposed to coffee, hot chocolate, cocoa or soda.

Not that I honestly know what counts as soda these days. to me (aged) it's soda water. Like fizzy water but more fizzy. 

(source: pinterest)

I know to other people it's cola or stuff like that.

All of which has nothing to do with my did I want a cup of tea question.

And why most people look at it and say hot water, slightly—very slightly—coloured.

It's been like that since I was advised, years ago to try and cut down on my dairy intake, and cutting out milk in tea was the easiest way, for me, to do it. But then I had to cut down on the strength of it as well.

Not that any of this bothers me, unless someone offers to make me a cuppa (or I'm on a plane) and trying to explain that in a mug of tea, a half a tablespoon of unmilked tea from someone else's mugful before its touched, is perfect. And it seems wasteful to use a tea bag for my hot coloured water!

Of course I can (and sometimes do) use loose leaf tea in a pot, but it's really much easier just to siphon off that one half-tablespoonful.

It's funny (or maybe not) just how everyone had their own ideas on how tea should be drunk.

Milk in first or last.

Teabag in mug—or pot.

(source : pinterest. My t-pots are in the dishwasher or the back of the cupboard)

Maybe you think it should be loose leaf only.

Assam, darjeeling, jasmine, Earl Grey? The options are endless.

(Source : Pinterest)

Then of course we have milk, lemon or just hot—or is it boiling—water.

It's a minefield.

But it is fun when I have to offer a character in one of my books a drink and work out what they will choose.

Cheers everyone

Happy drinking,

Love Raven xxx


Sunday 11 February 2024

If I put it in a book, you'd say it was too far fetched.

 What would?

Are you sitting comfortably?

Then I'll begin.

For a couple of weeks or so we were in Gran Canaria, getting some warm ( and hot) and dry weather.

Glorious sunrises 


Fabulous views


Great weather


even some egrets



So all in all lovely.

That bit would be ok in a book I reckon.

Then it was time to come home.

When we come to the Canaries, now we've 'moved south' (from Scotland)  we fly from Leeds Bradford Airport. The highest in the UK at 208 metres above sea level. 

So often the weather can be a bit dodgy, to say the least.

But we flew out on the one non windy day of the week. And landed early.

Perfect.

Anyway we set off home.

Snow, ice wind in UK.

But we notice our plane set off on time. All seems to be well. Flight sets off only ten minutes or so late. Good gluten-free food, smooth(ish) flight.

Then over the intercom...

"This is your pilot speaking. They are clearing the runway. We'll circle."

And the lovely husband and I puzzled as we couldn't feel the plane banking.

Then...

"Sorry we've got to divert to Birmingham. there will be buses to take you to LB. About two and a half hours."

Concerted groans around the plane, but safety first.

I read a book.

We land... get luggage, given snacks and water, get on the bus with wet feet

(It's pouring. Have to walk a few hundred yards to coach. Deep puddles.)

We wait... and wait.

Then set off...turn off motorway...

Into suburbs. Er what?

Coach stops. At a bus stop. Somewhere. Ten minutes later another driver gets on.

We set off.

He'd not been given the key for the loo.

Hmm.

We are told it will be about a three hour journey.

Half hour later...

We stop. No one seems to know why.

A few people get off and on.

Why did we stop?

Someone needed the loo, but the driver didn't bother to let people know anyone could nip to the loo

Cue grumbles.

Hot air... toasty. Someone moans.

Then freezing air. Through the speakers!

Lots of moaning.

We appear to be going the long way round.

Feels like the driver is lost. Round a city ring road the long way. Which is the wrong way!

Is it a wind up? Will someone get on the coach and go 'gotcha'?

We have to cross the pennines. Where it is still snowing...

That three hours is somewhat ambitious.

Flashing lights.

Oh, a rolling road block. No idea how long for.

Then we stop.

On the motorway.

For half an hour. No idea what the reason is.

We set off. 

Why have we gone past the turn off we need?

Yeah, you guess it. Missed the turn.

Driver takes the next one which is a smaller not so snow-ploughed road. We drive through less than salubrious suburbs.

Let's hope we don't get a flat tyre.

Almost five hours after we got on the coach, we get to LB airport.

Luckily the coach to our car park is waiting.

Eight inches of snow on car, but luckily only (hahaha only) raining.

We drive home through lots of deep and big puddles.

Almost seven hours from getting off the plane we get home!

And the irony of it all?

The plane which was due to land fifteen minutes before us at LB, did so. As did the one half an hour after ours.

Sods law eh?

Well as I said if I put all that in a book...

Happy Reading,

love Raven xxx







Sunday 4 February 2024

Where my trumpet is definitely blown

 This blog wasn't going to be about me jumping up and down with glee and having a celebratory glass of fizz.

I've been on holiday and written very little, but oh boy did it make me want to get writing again. The blog was going to revolve around recharging my (or your) batteries.

But then I got news of a book being accepted for publication and realised that I've got another book out on Tuesday 20th, and that's only a couple of weeks away

Which is even more reason to celebrate.

So I decided to say, yee ha look...


Romansa Castle where love is all around—if you dare take a chance on it.

 

When Lois McDonald discovers just what sort of person she has become, it makes her take a long, hard look at herself. She doesn’t like what she discovers and resolves to change. However, it’s not as easy as it sounds.

Now she has to do her best to create a new person and stick to it, even though many people are sceptical and it would be oh-so easy to be snappy and catty.

Zac Moncrieff is one of those people who doubts what he sees and hears. Nevertheless he is intrigued by this new Lois and wants to get to know her better.

They have to decide if it is worth putting aside past differences and seeing if the spark of interest between them will grow stronger. And if so whether they decide to become a couple.

https://www.totallybound.com/book/the-match-up

https://amzn.to/48XSGfF (UK)

https://cutt.ly/dwXWdA9r (.com)


This is the third book in the Happy Ever after at Romansa Castle series and I think it will be the last. so far anyway, I have no more stories in mind that are set there. But you never know.

(The other two are The Fix Up and the Match Up, and all three are available from Totally Bound— https://www.totallybound.com/ and Amazon. And all three are, or will be available in eBook and paperback.)

So that of course is one reason I'm happy. I will of course be even happier if someone preorders it or buys it.


Then I got the great news that an old and long gone out of print book which has been revised and updated has been accepted for publication by a new, and I think one that will be a fabulous publishing company, Bastet's Quill Publishing, 

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555201065631


I've been lucky enough to work with the publisher before and know that my book will be in good hands. Can't wait to see what we do with it.

And on that note, with recharged batteries and an urge to get this short story I am nearly at the end of finished, tidied up and sent away,

I'll just add,

happy reading, 

love, Raven xxx