An Inspiring Interlude

Last weekend, we couldn't be bothered driving far for our usual walk by the coast so husband and I donned our practical footwear and headed off on foot to the local estate and woods just outside our village. We used to take the children there a lot at one time, as it's a wonderful natural adventure playground with lots of hidden paths and even a kind of assault course deep inside the woods. And at this time of year, the daffodils still provided a splash of gold to brighten up the various shades of green and brown.

It's a long walk from the entrance, some of which is gradually uphill, but what an inspiring morning out. Apart from the odd family car passing us by, the peace and tranquility enveloped us as we wandered past ancient trees and enjoyed the sunshine and bird song. We also like to chat while out for a walk, away from computers, emails and online work, taking the chance to catch up on each other's hopes and dreams for what we hope to achieve this year, or where we want to go together.

Then we came to one of my favourite views. From the little bridge, you can see part of the old Victorian kitchens at the head of the stream, and this time the colourful plants in the foreground only added to the beauty. I could stand there for ages just drinking in the scene, and allowing my creative mind to start weaving the beginning of a story or poem. The other hobby I enjoy is capturing the images and scenes on camera.

We only had a glimpse of the graceful large house at the top of the estate, and we bypassed the little shop and cafe and car park, preferring to keep to the solitude of being the only people walking the whole way that morning. As well as the exercise and fresh spring air, we both came back in a more reflective and inspired state of mind. As far as interludes go, it's one we're going to have to repeat!

Rosemary

Tagged, Lucky 7, and New Release!

I thought I'd put together a pot-pourri of a post today since several nice things happened recently and I don't want to delay mentioning kind authors.

First off - my good online writing friend, Paula Martin, tagged me on her lovely blog. For my sins, I need to answer the following questions before tagging a few other writers. So here goes!

What is the one book you couldn’t live without?

Oh - I have lots of favourites but I think I'd have to choose a good encyclopedia to quench my thirst for knowledge (if I wasn't allowed Internet access). At one time I'd have chosen Jane Eyre for fiction, but maybe Pride & Prejudice now.

 

What can you see out of your window at the moment?
 
A wonderful golden burst of forsythia against the freshly mown hilly back garden. And lots of birds flitting about or drinking from the bird bath.
 
What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever eaten?
 
For me, it was frog's legs many years ago on a cruise, since I was determined to be adventurous. Nice garlicky, oily sauce but too rubbery!
 
What fictional character would you most like to marry?

Mr Darcy or Mr Rochester - all that simmering passion!

If ever a fictional villain was going to win, who would you want it to be?

Well, I do like the fact Becky Sharp from Vanity Fair did kind of win at the end, although she was dreadful towards her child.

How many types of cheese can you name off the top of your head?

About eight!

If you didn’t want to be a writer, what would you want to be?

A singer, dancer or actress - or all three. But I wouldn't want to be anyone else, I'd want to be me (except when acting a role)!

Can you play a musical instrument?

I can still play the recorder a little. But I always wished I'd had the opportunity to play piano, and I'd still like to learn the flute. I adore music and love listening to my husband play the piano. My mother could play the accordian from ear when I was very young.

Do you own a Kindle or any sort of e-reader?

Yes, I've had a Kindle for over a year now and I love it for readign in bed, as it's so much easier than trying to hold a book. It's also great for taking on travels. But I still enjoy reading a print book downstairs.

If so, how many books do you have on it?

About 35 still to read and loads already finished.

You just got published. In a glowing review, someone calls you the next (insert name of famous author). Which author has to watch their back now you’re on the scene?

I wish! And yet, I have that same reluctance again to be the next anyone. I'd rather be unique! Unless I could write like Jane Austen, but that would never happen since she was a product of her own time.

Great fun! Now tagging the following bloggers with these questions so we can get to know them better:

Joan Fleming
Karen Edwards
Jean Bull
Myra Duffy
Gail Crane

The other lovely mention I received was when Mindy Hardwick tagged me in the Lucky 7 Meme Challenge.

These are the interesting rules:

1. Go thou to page 77 of your current MS
2. Get thee hence to line 7
3. Copy down the next 7 lines – sentences or paragraphs – and post them as they’re written. No cheating!
4. Tag 7 authors
5. Let each and every one of them know

Since my tween novel, Summer of the Eagles, was just released from MuseItUp Publishing on Friday in all e-formats, this is a good one to do! Watch out for news of my offcial online launch soon (once it's also on Amazon).

So here goes - this is an exciting bit in the second half of the book when 13 year old Stevie is in danger:

His grip loosened slightly, and Stevie pushed against him with all her strength. One arm released her as he tilted backward. She’d done it!
     But as she attempted to slip from his other hand, he lunged back at her.
     “Oh no, you don’t. I’m not finished with you yet.”
     This time, she noticed the glazed look in his eyes. She’d made him even angrier. How could she escape now?
     A loud swishing sounded beyond the man’s head.

Hope that's whetted your curiosity!

And now to pass the Lucky 7 Meme Challenge on to these authors:

Patsy Collins
Anne Johnson
Rosalie Warren
Sue Perkins
Pat McDermott
Linda Kage
Frances Garrood

Rosemary

Author Spotlight: Penny Lockwood Ehrenkranz

A warm welcome to prolific Pacific Northwest writer and editor Penny Lockwood Ehrenkranz who writes lovely stories in a variety of genres, including the following medieval romantic novella, Lady in Waiting. Penny kindly answered some questions for us today.

LADY IN WAITING: Blurb

Mabriona is cousin to the beautiful and spoiled Princess Alana. When Alana is forced to marry a man she despises, Mabriona is torn between her loyalty to her cousin and her attraction to the handsome Prince Blayne.

Tragedy befalls the cousins on the way to Prince Blayne’s castle. Servants, believing Mabriona to be Alana, refuse to listen when she tries to explain.

While she waits for Blayne to recover, Mabriona meets his equally handsome younger brother, Madoc, a bard.

When Blayne awakes, will Mabriona choose life with a future king, will she be sent home in disgrace because of her inadvertent lies, or will Madoc win her love with his poetry?

LADY IN WAITING Short Excerpt:

“Today’s the day, Mabriona,” Princess Alana said as Mabriona entered the chambers. She wiped tears from her eyes with an embroidered linen. “Prince Blayne will be here, and soon I’ll be his wife. I think the worst part of being father’s daughter is marrying someone I’ve never even met.”

“You’ve always known your marriage would be arranged for the benefit of the kingdom, Princess, but I’m sure he’ll be very nice,” Mabriona replied as she opened the heavy drapes covering the windows. She looked at her cousin and sighed. She wanted to feel sorry for Alana, but they’d had this discussion so many times. Mabriona was tired of it. Alana had known from the time she was a child that she would not wed for love. Why can’t Alana just accept her fate? Outside the day was as wet as the one before and the one before that.

“Nice? Who wants nice? I want someone handsome and dashing. A knight in shining armor who will love me forever. I certainly don’t want someone like my father who will make me do everything I don’t want to do.”

Lady in Waiting is available from MuseItUp Publishing, Amazon (US), and Amazon (UK)

Rosemary, thank you for hosting me today.

You write in a variety of genres, which do you prefer?

I enjoy writing everything from fiction to non-fiction, children’s to adult. I would say though that I am most comfortable writing fantasy as that is what I often chose to read for pleasure. It’s true what the experts say about “write what you know.” It doesn’t have to be personal experience to “know” something. If you read a lot of romance, you write romance, or if you always read mystery, you write mysteries. Although I have to say all of my stories tend to have a touch of romance, so romance is probably my second favorite genre in which to write.

What is the most difficult part about starting a new book?

For me, these days, it seems to simply be finding the time. In addition to my own writing, I’m an editor for a small publishing company. I find myself spending more time editing other people’s books than my own. When I do have time, though, I would say discipline is the hardest. It can be so easy to get distracted (the house needs cleaning, a cup of tea would be nice, the sun is shining…) and maybe that’s why I often prefer writing short stories to novels.

Does your writing ever conflict with your editing work?

I guess I answered this one above. Yes, it does. When I have a lot of books in my editing queue, it’s difficult to find time to work on my own stories. When I was first retired from my day job, I was better about making the time to write. For some reason, I seem to have very little free time for writing now. I really need to take a close look at what I do each day and carve out the time to finish the two WIPs I have going.

How do you promote your books and does it work?

I have a website and a blog. I’m on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google +, and Jacketflap as well as a couple of other sites, although I’m not active on all of them. I do virtual book tours when I have a new release. I email friends, family, and writing contacts. I also do press releases to my local papers. For print books, I approach local book stores.

Does this work? I doubt I’ll ever get rich with my writing, but I know I’m reaching people I might not otherwise. I think the big thing is just keeping your name visible.

Do you think eBooks are the future?

I doubt print books will ever go away entirely, but yes, eBooks are here to stay. Some books…photography, art, etc., wouldn’t be the same in an electronic format. Everything else seems to be fair game. I personally have a Kindle and love being able to carry hundreds of books around with me. If I finish one book, the next one is there to read. I used to think children’s picture books wouldn’t make the transition, but now I see more and more kids with electronic readers. It certainly has opened up the field to authors who might not have been published otherwise since epublishers have less to lose by giving an unproven author a chance.

Do you find time for hobbies?

I read for a living, but I also read at night for an hour before I go to bed. The good thing about working out of my home is that when the weather is nice, I can go out and work in my garden and not feel guilty. I also exercise a couple of days a week. In the evenings, I crochet while my husband and I watch some of our favorite TV shows or a movie. I enjoy cooking and trying out new ethnic recipes and that’s easy to do preparing dinner.

Any tips for new writers?

The one thing I wish someone had told me when I started out was don’t be discouraged by rejection. Even the very best writers get rejected…sometimes even after they’ve published a few books. It all comes down to being in the right place, at the right time, with the right story.

Of course, it’s critical that writers follow guidelines, grammatical rules, and have a good story to tell with a unique twist. It’s better not to follow the fads because by the time your book gets published, the fad might be long past.

Thanks for the great answers to my questions, Penny!

Penny's other published work available from the publisher: Love Delivery; Mirror, Mirror; A Past and a Future - also available from Amazon

Ghost for Rent, coming 2012-2013

Ghost for Lunch, coming September, 2013

Many Colored Coats, coming October, 2014

Boo's Bad Day, coming June, 2015
From 4RV Publishing

Penny Lockwood Ehrenkranz has published more than 100 articles, 75 stories, two ebooks, a chapbook, and her stories have been included in two anthologies. She writes for both adults and children. Her fiction has appeared in numerous genre and children’s publications and non fiction work has appeared in a variety of writing, parenting, and young adult print magazines and on line publications. She edits for a small traditional publisher. Visit her website and writing blog for more information.

Her three romance stories: Love Delivery, Lady in Waiting, and Mirror, Mirror are available from MuseItUp Publishing. Her middle grade novels, Ghost for Rent and Ghost for Lunch, will be released by 4RV Publishing. Her short story collection A Past and A Future is available at Sams Dot Publishing. Two picture books, Boo’s Bad Day and Many Colored Coats are also scheduled for publication with 4RV Publishing.

Spring and Summer (of the Eagles) Almost Here

I had a wonderful day out yesterday to Loch Lomond with my lovely daughter and husband for lunch at the Marina. As well as a delicious meal (my daughter's treat for Mother's Day), the beautiful scenery only added to the pleasure. My heart always lifts when visiting this majestic Loch, in any weather. Spring was definitely in the air, together with a little nip of a breeze. As usual in our west coast, a few clouds eventually spoiled the otherwise blue sky but didn't spoil our walk along by the shore. I'll try not to gobble up all the chocolates in one go now! And my clever daughter also put together some lovely music for me - looking forward to hearing what she chose once I start writing (she knows the type of music I enjoy).

My son phoned later in the day for a wee chat, as he and my daughter-in-law should be presenting us with our first grandchild in late May and they're trying to get everything ready for this major change in their lives. Can't wait!

Just had confirmation this morning that my first tween novel, Summer of the Eagles, should be released at the end of the week. I'm going to organise a cyber launch on my children's blog for one day next week, once I know it's definitely available. Watch out for details at the beginning of next week and we'll have an online party!

Hope everyone else had a good weekend.
Rosemary

Featured Author and Guest Post: Paula Martin

I am delighted to welcome wonderful writer and good blogging friend Paula Martin back to my reading and writing blog today. Paula’s new novel, Fragrance of Violets, is set in the beautiful Lake District and it’s obvious that this author knows her setting.

Paula has kindly written a very interesting post about the importance of knowing the background detail for any novel set in a real place, and she practises what she preaches! Thank you for this, Paula.

But first, an intriguing blurb and buy links:

Fragrance of Violets

The title comes from a quote by Mark Twain: 'Forgiveness is the fragrance that the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it'.

The story, set mainly in England’s beautiful Lake District, is about two people who need to forgive each other and also deal with other issues in their lives.

Abbey Seton distrusts men, especially Jack Tremayne who destroyed their friendship when they were teenagers. Ten years later, they meet again. Can they put the past behind them?

Abbey has to forgive not only Jack, but also her father who deserted his family when she was young. Jack holds himself responsible for his fiancée’s death. He’s also hiding another secret which threatens the fragile resumption of his relationship with Abbey.

Will Abbey ever forgive him when she finds out the truth?

Find Paula’s books on the Whiskey Creek Press website; Amazon (UK) and Amazon (US)

Setting my Novels

Many years ago, some scenes for a major British film were shot in my home town. We watched some of the filming one evening. When the film was shown the following year, of course we went to see it. In one scene, a bus pulls up outside the Town Hall. You could sense the reaction all over the cinema, with people muttering ‘Buses don’t stop there.’ In that split second, the illusion was lost as people with a personal knowledge of the location were distracted by an inaccuracy.

A minor detail, I know, but it has stayed with me, over 40 years later. I’ve read similar inaccuracies in books about places I know. Someone drives along Quay Street in Galway – nope, it’s a traffic free zone. Someone looks out from the White House and sees Pennsylvania Avenue beyond the Washington Monument - wrong, the Monument is south of the White House, and PA Ave is north.

In my opinion, writers must always take into account of the fact that one or more of their readers will know the place(s) in their book(s) unless, of course, they are completely fictitious. All the research in the world will probably not give you the information to avoid making an error which causes the reader to say ‘Buses don’t stop there’ (or similar).

This is why, so far, I have set my novels in places with which I’m familiar. His Leading Lady was set mainly in London, which I know fairly well. Fragrance of Violets is set in the Lake District, an area I know intimately. The village in this story is based on a real village, but I’ve given it a different name and ‘moved’ a few buildings around! Similarly, in my June release, Changing the Future, I’ve used a real Lakeland village (a different one) but given it a new name.

Eighteen months ago, I wouldn’t have dreamt of setting a novel in Egypt, but having spent two weeks there, I think (hope!) I absorbed enough to write reasonably authentically about Luxor and the Valley of the Kings. I had to do more research than, for instance, a novel set in the Lake District, but at least I had a basic knowledge on which to build.

When I was writing a fan fiction story, I set part of it in Galway City in Ireland. I’d never been there and, to my knowledge, none of the people on the loop where I was going to post it had been there either. However, I still wanted to make sure my setting was accurate, so I went over to Galway for a few days. I walked from the Cathedral to Eyre Square, and then down Shop Street and Quay Street to the harbour at Claddagh. Maybe I could have done that on a street map or even with Google street view but it wouldn’t have been the same. I was able to absorb not only the sights, but also the sounds and smells, as well as the whole atmosphere of the place.

In short, I need to experience a place for myself. Not simply to avoid basic inaccuracies, but also to help my readers to experience it too. I admire those writers who can use settings with which they’re not personally familiar, but I find I need to be comfortable with my setting in order to give it some authenticity.

You can find out more about Paula on her Website; Blog; and Group Blog (with 3 other writers)

Paula Martin had some early publishing success with short stories and four contemporary romance novels, but then had a break from writing while she brought up a young family and also pursued her career as a history teacher for twenty-five years. She has recently returned to writing fiction, after retiring from teaching and has had two more novels published, His Leading Lady in June 2011, and Fragrance of Violets in 2012’. Two more novels are currently awaiting release and she is working on a fifth.

Paula lives near Manchester in North-West England, and has two daughters and two grandsons. Apart from writing, she enjoys visiting new places and has travelled extensively in Britain, mainland Europe, the Middle East, America and Canada. Her favourite places are the English Lake District and Ireland. She’s also interested in musical theatre and tracing her family history.

The Morning After the Weekend

Once again, we had a wonderful weekend at the Scottish Association of Writers Conference. Just imagine members of writing groups from all over Scotland getting together for workshops, seminars and competition adjudications. Not to mention the eating, serious chatting, after dinner speakers, laughter and fun. And of course the Saturday evening disco, or poetry penthouse - I think you'll probably guess which one I stayed at until 11.20pm!

More importantly, almost every writer who attends the weekend goes home more inspired and encouraged to continue writing and sending work out. I had to work for my bed and board this year by judging a competition and giving a talk, but it was a great pleasure to do so as I do love sharing information with other writers, and hopefully encouraging newer members to realise the possibilities available.

We were lucky to have Nicola Morgan judging the Competition for children's writing, and Cathy MacPhail as an entertaining and inspiring after dinner speaker - just two of the well-published authors sharing their expertise.

So, even if I yawn my way through today trying to catch up on sleep, writing and proofs, I can't wait until next March!

Rosemary

Happiness, Happiness...

Many thanks to bubbly blogging friend Patsy who has kindly passed on this lovely Sunshine Award to me - just what we need up here in Scotland after yesterday's sleet! It has come in a good week too. I'm not posting an author spotlight today as I'm off to our annual Scottish Association of Writers Weekend Conference tomorrow. As well as judging one of the short story competitions, I'm doing a workshop on the Sunday and have to finish preparing it to run off the handouts. Last minute as usual, almost.

So in light of this being a Sunshine Award, my random facts are all to do with what makes me happy.

1.  Simple pleasures, and being an optimist as far as possible.
2.  A walk beside the sea, or in the countryside.
3.  An absorbing book or film.
4.  Listening to music.
5.  Dancing - of any kind.
6.  Singing - at home, or in a church.
7.  Reaching the end of writing a short story or novel.
8.  Interesting old buildings.
9.  Being with other writers at a conference or meeting.
10.Being with my family or friends.

Now I'd like to pass the award on to these sunny bloggers I enjoy visiting online:

Anita; Janice; Lindsay; Gilly; Jane and Ute

I'm planning to have a great weekend - hope you do too!

Rosemary

I Have a Cover for Summer of the Eagles!

I'm so excited this morning as I've just received the cover art for my first tween book, Summer of the Eagles, which should be published in ebook soon. I thought I'd give a little background to the choosing of a cover on this blog, as well as posting the cover on Flights of Imagination, and I want to show it off! Since I've only ever had one novel published before, once again I was a bit nervous about what kind of cover this book would have, if it would suit the story, and if I would like it.

Well, I am honestly delighted with this cover. Kaytalin, the cover artist from MuseItUp Publishing who normally does the tween book covers, emailed me two options. Her design of the cover is envisioned partly from the synopsis of the book, and partly from the Cover Art Form we have to fill in with as much detail as possible. It's great that we have the chance to see the two options and to approve, or not, before publication.

This was my immediate preference of the two and I can't believe how well it portrays the storyline - it actually looks like the Scottish hill path of my imagination, and the eagle off to the side is perfect! Even the girl doesn't look too old and I much prefer that we only see her back view. I also love the bright colours as the story takes place in the summer of the title. It doesn't hint at the danger, or the fantasy element of the strange boy in the hills, but the blurb will do that job. The girl and the eagles are the main focus of the book.

I am a happy bunny this morning!

Rosemary

Author Spotlight and Guest Post: Bill Kirton

A big welcome today to writer extraordinaire, Bill Kirton, who is based in the north of Scotland and writes very successfully in a variety of genres. You can read my interview (in 2010) with Bill here. I'm particularly delighted that the next book in his Jack Carston crime series, Unsafe Acts, is now available. In addition to the excellent story lines in this series, Carston’s own moral viewpoint and work satisfaction are gradually changing with each novel, providing extra layers of interest for readers.

Bill kindly provided the following post about writing in different genres. But first, here’s the blurb for his new novel.

Unsafe Acts

An offshore platform in the turbulent North Sea is a dangerous place…

…there’s the isolation, the machinery and the constant battle with the whims of nature. For Ally Baxter, a safety officer on Falcon Alpha, those whims take a deadly turn. When his workmates decide he’s gay, an evening ashore turns ugly as they indulge in some drunken queer-bashing. Later his body is found along the route the group followed.

For DCI Jack Carston, the case seems simple enough until a second murder is discovered. This time it’s the prostitute Ally always visited - a young mother with a baby son. Complications mount as Carston, in addition to his investigations, has to deal with an inexperienced officer under his command and a disciplinary charge brought against Carston himself by a vindictive superior officer.

The obstacles keep piling up, but more is to come when he finds evidence of a plot to wreck the platform itself.

Unsafe Acts is available from Amazon (UK) and Amazon (US)

You can find more information about Bill on his website and blog.

Chasing the unexpected

Writing’s a pleasure. Even if you can organise your time so that you can give regular slots, even whole days to it, it never feels as if it’s a routine. The great French novelist Stendhal always preferred l’imprévu, the unexpected. His heroes and heroines sought and revelled in surprises, unpredictable experiences, accidental meetings and the like. So even if, every day, you sit at the same desk, adjust the same keyboard, switch on the same monitor (or, if you’re a real writer, lick the tip of your stubby pencil and pull the sheet of paper towards you), you’re confident that your characters will take you to unsuspected places.

The same is true of readers, but with a slight difference. They know they’ll be taken out of their world but, quite often, they like the feeling of drifting into one with which they’re familiar, and which is peopled by weel-kent individuals. They want to revisit Harry Potter and his friends, or read yet another Dick Francis adventure featuring horses and jockeys. And this can pose a problem because, in a way, it condemns you to meet their expectations. If they’re used to you telling them about Chief Inspector Bloggs and his team in Auchtermuchty, they don’t want to pick up one of your books and find themselves in a spaceship crewed by Klingons on its way to the radioactive outskirts of the Crab nebula. But what if that’s where you fancy going? Do you indulge yourself and just sit watching the airlocks hiss open and shut? Or do you wave goodbye to the astronauts and trudge back into the Auchtermuchty nick?

I can’t really say it’s been a problem but I do feel the need to warn readers of the differences between my books. I’ve written five in my modern Scottish crime series, all featuring the same central characters. But I’ve also written a spoof crime/mystery, a historical crime which became a romance too, a fantasy novella about online role-playing games, a novel for children and plays and short stories about all sorts of other things. There are also the non-fiction books, but I don’t think my fiction readers are likely to be fooled into straying into a series whose titles all begin with the word ‘Brilliant’.

It’s true that most of my books are crime-based, but that’s because I’m fascinated by people and the bad – and good – things they’re capable of. For me, the human psyche is far more mysterious than any geographical or extra-terrestrial setting. So, whether I’m writing about murders in today’s Scotland, or figurehead carving in 1840, or following the absurdly extreme sociopathic antics of a policeman and a group of individuals who call themselves Eagle, Sparrow, Kestrel and the like, the process is the same. What’s happening to these people as I write may make me laugh, admire or love them, feel distressed, be disgusted – in fact contribute in many different ways to that all-important surprise factor.

So am I saying there’s no difference between writing romance, historical or modern crime, fantasy or satire? Well, yes. I always quote Isla Dewar’s response to a question from an audience, ‘You’ve got to give your characters room to dance’. If your characters dance for you, it doesn’t matter who or where they are – they draw you to them, make you part of their world, however alien, and demand that you tell their stories. With a genre such as satire, it’s maybe a little different because you’re using them to make points about other things, so you’re dealing with two levels of meaning, but I think that’s true of all good writing anyway. Underneath the main story, there are always so many others to be told.

The really nice feeling comes when readers ask you when you’re going to a write a sequel to a stand-alone book. It means they’ve entered its world and want to experience more of it. It’s perhaps the biggest compliment you can get.

OK, that’s enough for today. I wonder where I’ll be taken tomorrow.

Thanks for that very interesting post, Bill.

Bill Kirton was born in Plymouth, England but has lived in Aberdeen, Scotland for most of his life. He’s been a university lecturer, presented TV programmes, written and performed songs and sketches at the Edinburgh Festival, and had many radio plays broadcast by the BBC and the Australian BC. He’s written four books on study, writing and workplace skills in Pearson’s ‘Brilliant’ series and his crime novels, Material Evidence, Rough Justice, The Darkness, Shadow Selves and the historical novel The Figurehead, set in Aberdeen in 1840, have been published in the UK and USA. His short stories have appeared in several anthologies and Love Hurts was chosen for the Mammoth Book of Best British Crime 2010.

Photo by Sara Bain