Inspiration Hits at the Worst Possible Time #amwriting

Picture the scene: it is late morning, and I have finally made it into the shower after chasing my two young children for the past three hours. The baby is asleep, the older child is amusing herself with a quiet game. I breath a sigh of relief, step into the steaming jet of water, and lather up my shampoo. And that is when it happens. Something clicks into place, a flash of inspiration darts across my mind, and suddenly I have the most fantastic idea for a series of blog posts that might, just might, bring in enough readers and sharers to actually sell some books! Hallelujah! I have to write them down, now, this minute, before I forget.

But wait, I'm all soapy. I only just got in the shower, and if I go rampaging around the house like a mad thing, the dog will start barking, the baby will wake, and all will be lost. So I stop. I take a deep breath, I hold on to those inspirational thoughts, and then I hurriedly finish off with my shower. Diving out of the bath, I wrap the towel around me, hurry downstairs, find my notebook, and finally the words are recorded. Now I will not forget. Now, I have ideas. Phew! Oh, and there would have been a post-shower selfie to accompany this post if I had my mobile phone. But I don't. That is a long story involving my baby, my smartphone, and a concrete floor. You can guess what happened next...

See you next time! #amwriting

The Liebster Award – I’ve Been Nominated!

I had a wonderful email yesterday from James A. West, who informed me that he had nominated my author blog for the Liebster Award. I admit I have seen this award on a couple of other blogs and I felt slightly envious that nobody nominated me, so now I am a very happy bunny!

For those who are not familiar with the Liebster Award, it is available for bloggers with fewer than 300 followers. The nominee must link back to whoever awarded them, write 11 random facts about themselves, answer the 11 questions from the award giver, and then nominate another 11 bloggers and make up 11 questions for them to answer. It is fun, informative, and an excellent way to network and grow your audience.

Here are 11 random facts about me:

1. I am pregnant with my second child, due in July 2013
2. I have auburn hair (definitely not ginger!)
3. My husband is a slightly obsessed waste manager by trade, so our house often resembles a recycling facility in progress!
4. Aside from a 2-year-old daughter, I am Mummy to Baxter the Staffydoodle, Duck the Cumberland Slider turtle and Ashton the Yellow Bellied Slider turtle.
5. My professional writing career only began at around the time I first got pregnant, and now I have 3 published novels!
6. One day I will own a camper van. I just have to.
7. I love chocolate, especially Dairy Milk.
8. I am a ghost hunter, and have done overnight investigations in Scotland, England and Wales during the last 7 years.
9.  I read Tarot and Oracle cards.
10. Someday soon I would love to go on a solo writer’s retreat for a whole week, bliss!
11. When I make my millions, I will buy a lovely old house in the Cheshire countryside and a seaside home in Cornwall.

My answers to the 11 questions:

1. What is something you have always wanted to do but haven't done yet?                                        Obtain a camper van and go on a road trip round the UK.

2. If you were a Star Trek character, who would you be and why? (If you don't know Star Trek, don't admit it! Just make something up!)

I would have to be Spock. He is a legend!

3. What is one of your favorite movie scenes, and why?

In Ghostbusters 2, when the goo goes crazy, and the Titanic arrives down at the docks. Cracks me up every time!

4. Why did you choose writing? What drew you to it?

I was never going to escape it. English, especially creative writing, was my best subject at school and I lived in a dream world of imagination and fantasy (in fact, I still do).

5. What is your favorite book?

Ooh, tough question! Hmm, I will choose a fiction one, and say Matilda by Roald Dahl. It has always been a favourite.

6. Besides writing, do you do any other art? 

I enjoy creative card making and crafting bead jewellery.

7. What is one of your craziest travel stories?

Well, a few years ago I went on a road trip to France with my Mum and younger sister. Our car was stopped at Dover for an inspection, but Mum opened the boot, the guy took one look at our crammed in suitcases, and he just waved us on to the ferry! Then we got lost a couple of times, Mum forgot she should drive on the other side of the road and go the opposite direction on roundabouts, and finally we reached our destination in a remote rural village. It was a great holiday though!

8. Skiing or lounging on a beach?

Lounging on a beach, but with a book and magazine for company.

9. Coke or Pepsi?

Coke

10. Do you play a musical instrument? If so, which one? If not, do you want to?

No. I used to play the clarinet but gave it up when I left school. Sometimes I wish I hadn’t, but I have a lot of activities now so I’m not too upset.

11. Do you have any new writing projects that you can share with us right now?

Yes. I am currently finishing the first draft of a story about a vampire hunter who lives on a canal boat and travels the UK completing her jobs. Her life is turned upside down when she meets an ancient vampire who means more to her than she understands. It turns out they have a history that goes back centuries, and she has a lot to rediscover about her true self…

My 11 questions to pass on:

1. Do you have a motto and what is it?
2. Why did you start your blog?
3. Why should we read your blog?
4. Do you have an unfulfilled ambition and what is it?
5. Do you prefer dogs or cats?
6. Were you a geek, a jock, a weird kid or something else in school?
7. What is your favourite music and band?
8. What is your favourite movie?
9. Sweet snacks or savoury?
10. What is your passion?
11. Who do you admire?

My nominees:

Cycling Phoenix

L. VanHorn 

Crafts by Karen Louise

Dana Delamar

Jan Edwards

Jane Wakely

Janna Shay

Kathleen Grieve 

Sabrina Devonshire

Phoenix Johnson

The Wildwood Tarot

Congratulations nominees, and I look forward to seeing your responses!

Blog Lucky 7 Challenge - A Redcliffe Novel

I have been handed the challenge by WordzNerdzDebz, also known as the fabulous Debz Hobbs-Wyatt from Bridge House Publishing. She was one of the editors responsible for selecting my very first published short story The Teen Game in the Young Adult anthology Devils, Demons and Werewolves.

The challenge is to open your current manuscript or work in progress. Go to either page 7 or 77, whichever is juiciest. Copy the first seven lines on the page, and post them in your blog under this title. Then wait for your audience to react with excitement!

Here is my excerpt, taken from page 7 of my current manuscript Love Redeems (A Redcliffe Novel). It is the third book in my Redcliffe paranormal romance series, and this is from the very rough first draft in progress:

           “No!” I said, “I mean, yes,” I stuttered, “I just, I thought we needed a little space after what happened the other night.”
            Danny’s expression sobered a little as he stared at me.  He nodded.

            “I suppose that was wise,” he agreed, “But I will not be bullied by a tiger familiar.  Just learn to control her so she doesn’t force you to shift, and we will be safe.”
            The room spun around me and I swallowed nervously.

  

Now to pass on the challenge

Now I must choose 7 lucky and talented writers who have active blogs, and challenge them to the task. Here are my chosen few, from those who have not already done the challenge (I hope):

1. David J. Pedersen @got_angst
2. Sarah Luddington @BlakWulf
3. Craig Stone @robolollycop
4. Naomi Chance @Write_ShareNaom
5. Becca Campbell @beccajcampbell
6. Kirkus MacGowan @KirkusMacGowan
7. Rachel Chance @write_sharerachel

Have fun everybody!