#ThrowbackThursday and the #AtoZChallenge

Two years ago, I participated in the April #AtoZChallenge. I did it to explore themes in my Redcliffe novels series, and a method for keeping up with a regular writing routine. It was a lot of fun, but also a lot of hard work, and I decided not to actively participate in the #AtoZChallenge this year because I simply could not fit it in with my current daily schedule.

I decided to look back at my #AtoZChallenge blog post for 13^th April 2015. It was the letter K, and I wrote a post about one of the characters in my upcoming novel Eye of the Tiger (A Redcliffe Novel). She is a werewolf, and you can follow the link to read more. I had planned to release Eye of the Tiger earlier, but events intervened and so now I am rescheduling. Tentatively, I would like to release it at the end of June, but I am currently working with a cover designer and more updates will follow.

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I Dream of a Writing Retreat

We are halfway through the school Easter holiday, and I have not been near my manuscripts for weeks. I just can’t find the time lately. What with my domestic challenges, the need to develop my pagan housewife bog into a viable income generator, building my readership of the Redcliffe novels, and all the other minutiae of modern life, where do I fit it in?

I know that patience is a virtue, and I know that it won’t always be like this. My younger daughter starts primary school in September, and I will have five days per week in which to work during school time. Surely, I can do it then? But I want to do it all now! My stories are niggling, my characters are shouting, and they all need to be dealt with. I can barely think straight. A writing retreat sounds fabulous, but again, I cannot fit it in with everything else that is active in my life. One day… one day…

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!) 

“My Mummy’s a Vampire Writer”

I make no secret of the fact that I write adult novels. My children are only young, aged 6 and 3, and my eldest daughter is now of an age where she can read full sentences. I realised that I must now take care of what I am writing when she is in the room! I had a similar experience with our next-door neighbour a few years ago, so have been fairly secretive since then. I usually write my novels at night, when the children are in bed.

Anyway, I took my daughters to our local Scribe Festival recently. As a volunteer organiser, I took an active role in preparation of the event, and on the day, I wanted my children to get involved with the family activities. They loved it! I also wanted an author presence at the event, so I took my display banner and a collection of books to showcase. My banner has a vampire image on it, taken from the cover of my short story, Christmas with the Vampires. I thought nothing of it until my daughter studied the image for a while, asked a few questions about what that red stuff in the glass was, why was the lady lying down, and was the man a vampire? She began to look a little frightened as I explained that it was from one of my stories. Whoops!

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Book Review: Pretty Masks by C.A. Bell

Pretty Masks is the brand-new novel by C.A. Bell, and I was lucky to receive an advanced review copy to share on my blog. I must say; this book was not what I expected. Actually, I don’t know what I did expect, but it certainly wasn’t this. The book hooked me in, although I did get a little bit confused during the first couple of pages. Once I warmed to it, I was soon engrossed, and I finished reading it very quickly.

Pretty Masks by C.A. Bell

The subject matter in Pretty Masks is very dark and disturbing, not least because it tackles the issue of mental health. We meet Lois, who on the outside appears to be your average married woman. When she is betrayed by her husband, however, she reveals a life history of tragic events and experiences. The story unravels a mind twisted with pain and suffering, but there is no happy ending when the Pretty Masks are removed… Suffice to say, I believe this book is a good read. A very good read.

                                                      

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!) 

Embrace the Darkness for Vampire Month

We have almost reached the end of Vampire Month, although my vampires continue to haunt and delight me every day. At the moment, I am struggling to finish a first draft of book 5 in the Redcliffe novels series. The manuscript is called Heart of the Vampire (A Redcliffe Novel), and yet those pesky werewolves keep interfering!

Photo Credit #AtoZchallenge 

But enough of that. Today’s blog post on the Vampire Month website is a reflection on popular culture and the vampire image. I really like the Gothic photography that is featured, and I agree, vampires are sexy. There is no escaping the fact that we know they are disturbed and grotesque creatures in truth, but we prefer to see them as attractive. Could we say the same about our fellow humans? Maybe…

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!) 

Bridge House Publishing Author Event

My very first published story was The Teen Game, a short vampire story set in Manchester. It was featured in the anthology Devils, Demons and Werewolves by Bridge House Publishing, and is listed under my maiden name, Catherine Hargreaves.  I still remember the excitement I felt when I read the acceptance email as I was travelling out for a pre-wedding celebration with my mum and mother-in-law!

Later this week I will be attending an online author event with Gill James from Bridge House publishing. She is bringing together a group of authors and their books, and we will share our advice, our writing experience, and offer up a few new books and stories in competitions.

I believe Devils, Demons and Werewolves may be on special offer for the event, so sign up on the Facebook page, and I will see you there… You might even win a free book!

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!) 

SCRIBE Festival is Live! #ScribeFest

SCRIBE launches at 6:00pm today with a sparkling presentation by lecturer Elizabeth Williams. Join Elizabeth for a funny, entertaining, and very informative hour exploring The Fallen Woman in Victorian Literature. Tea and cakes will be served. Tickets are available online or you can pay on the door. No. 28, Hightown, Middlewich.  

Matthew Hall, writer of the popular The Coroner and Jenny Cooper series, has been an author, screenwriter and producer of prime-time drama for BBC1 and ITV for over ten years. Matthew will be talking about his intriguing career and his latest novel A Life to Kill tonight at 7:15pm in Middlewich Library. Tickets are available online or pay at the door. Middlewich Library, Lewin Street. 

We have a surprise addition to the SCRIBE programme. Dr Dick Shepherd is one of only 35 forensic pathologists in the country and he has featured in many TV documentaries about suspicious deaths. Dick joins us tonight for Life, Death and Taxis, a fascinating insight into the day to day work of a forensic pathologist. Dick will be in Middlewich library at 8:30pm. Book tickets for Matthew Hall, gain automatic free entry to Life, Death and Taxis and enjoy a rare and unmissable evening. Refreshments will be served. 

Phew, what a great start to #ScribeFest! Check back for more updates on Facebook and Twitter, and join us for the main event, The Crime Zone, on Saturday 25^th March in Middlewich town centre. And don’t forget to do the Book Trail and vote for your favourite shop window display.

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!)