#amwriting Update and the #15KinMay Challenge

We are reaching the end of yet another month and 2013 is flying by at an alarming rate. After my rather disastrous (non) participation in Camp NaNoWriMo, I found another writing challenge that was being run via Twitter. I decided to join the #15KinMay challenge, thinking that I could easily achieve that goal. It was not to be. I think I have managed about 5k words, maybe just over. Oh well, better than nothing I suppose!

My mood is up and down at the moment. I am veering between the romantic notion of the tormented writer wallowing in self-pity, and the practical modern woman who says "I can do this, I just need to be organised." Of course, it is not easy to wallow in self pity when I have a demanding toddler to attend to, and a baby growing ever-larger in my womb. Perhaps I can allow myself a little rest time while I embrace motherhood. My novel will still be there when I can return to it, and in the meantime I have plenty of other writing projects to keep me occupied...

How is your month progressing? Are you pressing on with your work, struggling with writers'  block, or finding challenges along the way? I am eager to hear from fellow writers and their experiences.

A Tormented Witch in Love Redeems (A Redcliffe Novel) #HDH

Hello and welcome to the Hump Day Hook. I think we have missed my Redcliffe novels recently, so here is a snippet from Love Redeems (A Redcliffe Novel), book 3 in the series and recently released. Enjoy!

“Could she really do that to me?” I asked faintly.
I looked from Danny to Simon, and finally at Jack.  They all stared at me, and I felt horribly like an exhibit at a zoo.
“She might,” Danny said, “If you give her the strength.  You have to fight her, Jessica.  Make her see that you are in control.”
I nodded slowly.
“I’m doing my best.” I said uncertainly.
A silence fell around us, and I could feel our energies shifting in the air.  Mine was turbulent, full of anger and anxiety.  Jack’s was cold and controlling.  Danny’s power was hot, forceful and full of promise.  Simon’s was similar but with less strength.  Eventually I moved backwards, feeling the need to break the tense emotion that filled the air.
“Jack,” I said, “You should get going.  You have work to do.”
He blinked, the only movement he made.
“Yes,” he said, and then he stepped forward to give me a kiss.  It was a peck on the lips, and he hugged me briefly, “You can control her,” he said, catching my eyes with his, “And you will resolve things with Liz.”

The Redcliffe novels are available in paperback and eBook formats, from retailers including Amazon, Smashwords, Barnes and Noble, and Waterstones. There will be more in the series, but first I have the small matter of expecting a baby to contend with…

Now, why not check out some more Hump Day Hook excerpts over on our blog? Or you can join us on Facebook. Happy Humping!

Book Review: Breastfeeding Older Children by Ann Sinnott

Here is my review of the book Breastfeeding Older Children by Ann Sinnott:

I borrowed this book from a friend when we talked about my continued breastfeeding of my now 2 year-old daughter. When she was born I had no specific plan for continued breastfeeding, although I realised it was not something that is encouraged in Western society. Reading this book gave me an insight into aspects of breastfeeding that I hadn’t really considered, and I liked the positive and thorough representation throughout. There were lots of quotes from parents about their own experiences of sustained breastfeeding, although I sometimes felt there were a few too many within a chapter or section. Overall I really liked this book, and I recommend it to all parents that are either currently breastfeeding or wondering whether to breastfeed their children. It is easy to read, it gives lots of information and further reading suggestions, but it does not seek to coerce parents towards breastfeeding as opposed to bottle feeding.

Free Legal Advice Show on Mid Cheshire Radio!

Tune in today (Friday 24th May) to Mid Cheshire radio for a special show where you can receive free legal advice on family law issues, property law and employment law. Two of our top local lawyers, Jill Shields and Julia Brown will be on air to share their knowledge and expertise for people in the area. The show will air  between 12pm and 1pm GMT.

Check out the website for more details at Mid Cheshire Radio, or find Jill and Julia on Twitter to interact directly.

The Vampire of Blackpool #HDH

Hello and welcome to the Hump Day Hook. Well, things are developing very quickly indeed all of a sudden, and today I share with you another excerpt from my rough first draft of The Vampire of Blackpool that was written for NaNoWriMo 2012. The manuscript has been requested for consideration by a publisher I contacted for a different project. So, who knows, there could be a few new releases this year…

“Meredith!” she called, hurrying over to me, “You came!”
She held a glass of wine in one hand and a small clutch bag tucked under her other arm.  I stood still as she approached, careful to keep my expression blank.  She faltered a little as she realised I was not so excited about her presence.
“Are you alright?” she asked uncertainly, “You look pale.”
I had to smile at her sweet naivety, and she tried not to gasp as she saw my fangs exposed.
“I am hungry,” I replied, “I have not yet found suitable food.”
“Oh,” she said quietly, glancing around her, “Where do you usually, um, find food?”
I simply stared at her, allowing my eyes to glow silver.  She caught her breath, momentarily struggling with her desire to appease me, and her as yet stronger urge to repel me using her magic.  I sensed the landlord approaching us before he spoke.
“You know the rules, Meredith,” Paul said levelly, “No feeding in my pub.  Take it outside.”

This was a snippet of conversation between the vampire protagonist Meredith Hanson, and her new friend and potential lover Samantha Morris. Now, why not check out some more Hump Day Hook excerpts over on our blog? Or you can join us on Facebook. Happy Humping!

*Image courtesy of Pinterest

A Snow Tiger Animal Familiar? Only in Redcliffe!

I am very proud of my adult paranormal romance series the Redcliffe novels, and that pride is compounded by the wonderful support and positive feedback I am receiving from friends and family who read my books. Of course, I want the books to reach people all over the world, but since I am an Indie author, I do what I can with a minimal advertising campaign and a busy domestic life to juggle.

One of my friends recently shared an image on my Facebook fan page that has made me smile, and also left me a little in awe. I did not want to share too much information about a character who makes her first appearance in the second novel, Love Kills (A Redcliffe Novel). She is a complete character, but she is not totally physical, which makes her something of an enigma I suppose. Her name is Suri, and she is the animal familiar, or power animal spirit, of our protagonist Jessica Stone.

I had never planned to include an animal familiar in the Redcliffe novels. Actually, I was not aware that Jessica was a witch until the story began to unfold at my fingertips. The whole process of writing the first three novels has been a wild and exhilarating ride, and I cannot give up the seaside town of Redcliffe just yet. There will certainly be a book 4 in the series, but I admit I have not yet begun to write it.

I have a few distractions (like being heavily pregnant) at the moment. No matter, I will get the job done, and I will not leave my adoring fans waiting for too long. They care about Redcliffe just as much as me, and for that I am eternally grateful and very very happy!

A New Writing Challenge #15kinMay

I am still battling with the manuscript for my vampire hunter novel, although a quick glance back through my recent chapters suggests it might not be as bad as I thought. I have decided to use a very loose approach to writing this story, and am simply sitting down whenever I have time, and writing a chapter here and there. I have no idea what comes next, and I still don't know how this story will end, but it will end and I will succeed!

It helps me to read the blogs of fellow writers for advice and support. One of these is Alison Wells, author of Housewife with a Half-Life. She recently wrote a very inspiring post about how we are always intent on hurrying and speeding towards culmination of our projects. Society has evolved in such a way that we continually feel the need to better ourselves, to be successful, and to prove our worth in some physical (and usually fiscal) way. At my time in life this is more difficult to achieve, since I am currently in the young parent stage. I have a toddler for whom I am the main carer while my husband works outside the home, and I am pregnant with our second child. Naturally, there are many distractions on my time and attention.

As it turns out, Alison mentioned the #15kinMay writing challenge currently trending on Twitter. The idea for this one is that we set ourselves a target to write 15,000 words in May, and we can tweet our progress each day and support each other as we go. I admit, I haven't really participated on-line just yet, but I have decided to use it as another tool for motivation. Surely I can manage to write 15,000 words between now and the end of the month? Well, truthfully my challenge is under-way  so I probably only need to write another 10,000 words which is easily achievable.

What are you working on at the moment? Do you have writers block or struggle with your WIP? Share your news and let us support each other.

Did you enjoy this article? Join my tribe today, and I will send you a fabulous FREE book to get you started… (be warned, my vampires do not sparkle, and my wolves will bite!)