Hello! It's been so long 😢

I have missed blogging! I have missed writing regularly and I have missed the lovely people I met on here years ago.

I have decided to try and post more regularly in the hope that I can connect with you all again. 

I don't have a great deal to report writing wise, but I am getting stuck in again. My resolution last year 2018 was to enter more competitions, I managed a grand total of three. I know. Sigh.

I did manage to come 3rd place in Grindstone's Flash fiction, I think the joy of that success must have overwhelmed me as I failed to do anything else writerly for the rest of the year! 

grindstone

Having just checked, there are no competitions open at the moment, but it's worth keeping an eye out.

They are very friendly and helpful, and they give written feedback on the entries, it must take them ages!

So here I am again 😊
With new optimism, it's a new year, let's get this darn book finished!! Yeah! (Obviously the New Year for me begins on February 13th.)

So hello again to everyone, I hope this finds you all well, I look forward to visiting your blogs again (those who still blog as I know a lot moved to Facebook etc)

Thank you for stopping by

Cate x

Bye for now, my lovely mum

My lovely mum passed away last week, she has gone to join my Dad, which was her wish since he died eighteen months ago.

I love you, Mum and Dad xx

I will miss her so much, as I do Dad, but this poem helps me remember, our loved ones are still with us.

Death is nothing at all

I have only slipped away into the next room

I am I and you are you

Whatever we were to each other

That we are still

Call me by my old familiar name

Speak to me in the easy way you always used

Put no difference into your tone

Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow

Laugh as we always laughed

At the little jokes we always enjoyed together

Play, smile, think of me, pray for me

Let my name be ever the household word that it always was

Let it be spoken without effort

Without the ghost of a shadow in it

Life means all that it ever meant

It is the same as it ever was

There is absolute unbroken continuity

What is death but a negligible accident?

Why should I be out of mind

Because I am out of sight?

I am waiting for you for an interval

Somewhere very near

Just around the corner

All is well.

Nothing is past; nothing is lost

One brief moment and all will be as it was before 

How we shall laugh at the trouble of parting when we meet again!

Canon Henry Scott-Holland, 1847-1918, Canon of St Paul's Cathedral

Words for my Dad

A message from Dad

I saw you standing in the pouring rain
Wishing I could be with you again
When it seems that your heart will break, 
just a moment is all it takes,
that little sound in your head, 
something that I might have said
A single feather in your path, 
a funny word that makes you laugh

I'm not as far as it may seem
Close your eyes and in a dream
There's an amazing world , I'm young, carefree,
By a beautiful lake, that's where you'll find me
And when the time for you is set, 
I'll be there waiting, arms outstretched
In the meantime, think of me and remember
I have not gone, I'm on a new adventure...


This is a poem I wrote, thinking of my Dad, who sadly died last year.
I was trying to find a poem for his graveside, but none felt quite right.
I am heartbroken to have lost him, but this is how I think of him,
watching over us, keeping us safe, spending time fishing by the lake.
He was always there for me, he was my friend, he was so kind, always happy.
 I will miss him every moment of my life.

Belated good wishes

Wishing you all the very best for 2015! So sorry I'm rather late with my good cheer, I think I must have been in a daydream since mid December :) xx

The Marmalade Plot is free today on Kindle

Free book today and tomorrow on Kindle!An adventure for ages 7-10 

When a young blue alien turns up uninvited and requests accommodation, Lena and Sam's lives suddenly get a lot more interesting.

 What with damaged ceilings, broken floorboards and a suspicious mother, it's all they can do to keep the secret. 

Especially when their least favourite classmate at school makes it his mission to find out what they're hiding.

Meet Marmalu!

The Marmalade Plot

I have finally put my children's book on kindle (also in paperback) :0
The link is on the right if anyone wants a quick peek.
The story is for age 7+

I can't tell you how many times this has been edited, loaded and uploaded repeatedly! I finally said, enough! It's there now, leave it be!

There is one problem, I wasn't able to edit the paperback subtitle, so it differs from the Kindle version, which is correctly subtitled 'The Xanlean Exchange', instead of 'Xanleans are everywhere' so I hope that's not too confusing. There are Xanleans in both titles so hopefully that will be OK. I think the only way around it is to unpublish and begin again but, phew, been there, done that!

 As I have probably mentioned numerous times, I think the traditional publishing route is so hard to get into, this may be just what I have been looking for, so I will see how it goes!

This process began in November, it is now February. I think more speed next time!
Sigh.
Right I am off to begin editing, stop for a break, and then procrastinate a little more until March or April.

Happy February! x

Happy New Year, everybody!

I have been doodling on my graphics tablet which was a Christmas pressie, it's great fun, but I need a lot of practice. I'm hoping to do some illustrations for one of my stories with it!

I hope you had a lovely Christmas x

I decided to give it a go!

I don't have high hopes of completing, but I've never taken part before, so NaNoWriMo here I come...

I don't know what I'm doing on there, but I finally found the widget above, how does it work, does it update itself??

Thank you for your lovely comments on yesterday's post!

Re boot required

I haven't posted since February. February? Is that really right? I'm checking. Can't be.
I can't believe it.

What have I been doing?
Really, I haven't been productive.
I've read a few books. I have finished writing a children's book. I have painted 1 picture. Just 1. Tut.
I painted it in summer, it was so hot I had to have a wide brimmed hat on.
Here it is, I put it in my living room. It cheers me up as it reminds me of the lovely (though brief) summer we had.

I have had all my short stories rejected, but considering I have only sent out 4 or 5 in the last six months, that's hardly surprising.

I had a problem with my very grumpy black cat upsetting the neighbour's cat. Amazingly this seems to have been resolved. I changed her food from biscuits to we sachet food. She seems to be happier, so maybe she was grump because of her tummy?
She's purring away, most of the time. So if I decide to have a halloween jaunt, I could take my trustee black cat with me! :)

Today I have re booted myself. I have been on my laptop all day. I started at 9. I stopped for a couple of tea breaks, and I made tea for everyone at 5pm. Apart from that, I have been sat here all day. My neck's aching now. (very worried about the double chin, but that's another story)

Anyway, today I have spent the day playing around with CreateSpace, I have decided to get a copy or two of one of my books. So I have done that, but now have to wait 24 hours for it to be approved or whatever it is they do.

'The Marmalade Plot'  It's a childrens book for age 7-10, about an alien who comes to stay. It's under the umbrella of 'The Xanlean Exchange' so with possible options of expanding the story with further tales.It's a story I sent to publishers some time ago, but on getting nowhere, I put it away and forgot about it.
This week I have been reading and editing it, I like it after all, so it's going to be my first printed book -  with some formatting errors. Hehe, never mind.

It has been very frustrating I re-uploaded the file about six times, the formatting kept going haywire, and it still isn't right, one or two chapter headings are in the wrong place. I have grown impatient and have submitted it anyway. Maybe it's my works programme, when I save as a doc, it just loses all sense of reason and doubles in size and moves my headings.
Oh well. I enjoyed making the cover at least. I can't wait to buy a copy even if it's not perfect.

In fact I can't wait for the email to say it's approved.
I will post again tomorrow, I want to show you the cover!

With so many writers self publishing now, I feel I'm being left behind, so after this I am going to take the plunge ever deeper and publish my precious teen novel. I've decided there's nothing to lose.



After selfishly waffling about my self, I want to ask, how are you all?
I hope you're all well and enjoying your writing!

Ooh and a bit of Halloween fun with Haiku competition, thank you, OldKitty!!

The KDP adventure!

      I have been wondering whether to go ahead and publish my Teen Sci-Fi novel on Kindle, as it is  now well over twelve years since it began life as an idea. It has ventured out to numerous different publishers over the years, with one or two promising comments, but the majority of standard rejections. I have also tried agents, again just the standard 'no'. So, is it really so important to me to be published by a traditional publisher? I keep asking myself this, as I'm sure many of us do.

    Anyway, I decided to just have a go and see how easy/difficult it would be and had the bright idea of putting a short 750 word children's book on.  Well that took me all of yesterday. I put the painting I did ages ago on as the book cover, and all has gone ok. Apart from the fact that it looks really 'home made'. I also have no idea how anyone would find the book, apart from me telling everyone it's there of course. I can't seem to get it in a category other than 'juvenile-general' and 'juvenile-bedtime/dreams', neither of which seem quite right!??

   But I've done it now. At first I was proud of myself just for figuring out the basics, then I was all scared about the fact that it's there for the world to see, and now I'm feeling a bit...deflated.

   

Here it is,
TUMBLY MOUSE SNEAKS OUT OF HIS HOUSE (Please excuse home-made cover)


I felt ridiculously cheeky asking for money for the story, but I don't really know what the done thing is!
It will be free to download on SUN 24th FEB, if anyone would like a quick read, or have children in need of a bedtime story. Sorry there's no pictures in it, that's a whole new ball game!

 Eeeek!

How do you feel about KDP? Have you had good experiences? I am a complete novice here, I don't even have a kindle (only the PC version).
As for putting the novel on there, I'm still undecided, it means so much to me and it's a scary world. :/

Overheard Conversations

I know a lot of short stories (or even longer ones) have come from a little tit-bit of overheard conversations, so it's always good to have an ear out!

Anyway, this is one I heard the other day at the supermarket:

Checkout lady says to customer:

"Hello, Happy New Year!"

Grumpy Old Man:

"Yes, Happy New Year." (Said without feeling)

Checkout Lady:

"Did you have a good time?"

Grumpy Old Man:

"No"

Checkout Lady:

"Oh, that's a shame."

Grumpy Old Man

"Yes we went away."

Checkout Lady:

"Oh, that's nice."

Grumpy Old Man

"Not really, there was only a double bed in out hotel room."

Checkout Lady (Looking a little wary):

"Oh."  (Meaning, please don't tell me any more)

Grumpy Old Man:

"Well I don't like sharing a bed, the wife takes up most of it, so I couldn't sleep."

Checkout Lady (trying to be positive):

"Aw.Well at least you got away for a little break."

Grumpy Old Man:

"Well, it was a waste of time, I put up with it for two nights, then we came home early."

Checkout Lady:

"Oh dear." (What else to say? She didn't want to sympathise)

Thankfully he was done then with his shopping and was on his merry way . The poor lady on the checkout looked at me as if to say, "I wish I hadn't asked!"

I mean, his poor wife! Imagine a husband announcing such a thing, his wife's holiday is cut short because he doesn't want to sleep next to her!

What a grump. He made Victor Meldrew look like a charming romantic.

I hope your' new year is off to a better start! :)

Happy New Year !

Just wanted to wish everyone all the best,
I hope this New Year brings all good things your way!
:)
xx

Here's Mischa doing her bunny impression, getting practice in early -it's not Easter yet!

A book fit for a novel

Thank you for your help with the never ending novel dilemma.

I did decide to change it, it wasn't quite right, I knew that, or I wouldn't have been dithering so much! So,  I put in the extra scene, I am finding it very tricky and time consuming to seamlessly weave the new events into the book, but it will be better when I'm done.

The reason I asked my teen to read it, is that she loves reading and writing and is very imaginative. She is in a group of young writers (online) and she is a very good critic.  It helps me to know what sort of things they like to read and write about, so her feedback is very constructive. Anyway I will be really glad when this story is properly finished as it has taken me way too long now, it's just getting ridiculous!

My new WIP is 20k words in, and I have just made the decision to hand write it at the same time, mainly because I got this lovely new journal for my birthday! So I have made a start and I think it is going to be helpful, I like to see words on pages, real pages. It is a spine chilling supernatural mystery thriller romance, hehe. Snappy genre.  I am really enjoying it, it is very spooky and sometimes I scare myself whilst working on it.:)

I wonder if anyone could recommend a publisher for this genre? That is, teen supernatural. I would very much appreciate any tips. I know of the mainstream publishers, but I was wondering about e-publishers?
Thank you!!

The never ending novel

I have been busy editing this weekend. I have checked over three short stories, determined to send them elsewhere (they have all been rejected numerous times).
Must post them tomorrow. I can hardly complain of getting nowhere if I don't send the stories in the first place.
I have also been editing the children's novel,  which has been 'finished' and waiting for a final edit for some time :)  (To date this story is now 12 years in the making)
Anyway, I have just found a bunch of notes, that I had mislaid some months ago, can barely even remember writing, although one page was clearly written at night in the dark, going off the diagonal scrawl of the pencil. Which leads to my new problem, some of the ideas on these notes are good. I like them, I want to put them in! Which means this story is not finished at all.
Will I ever finish it?
I have been contemplating having a copy of this novel printed, on one of the self publishing sites, just to see it in print, but have been dithering about whether it is 'ready'. I'm too afraid of uploading in case I get a flash of inspiration to add another scene here...or there...
I annoy myself so much! Grrrgh.
I think I will know when it's ready, maybe my hesitancy is just comfirmation that deep down I know it isn't ready yet.
Do you have the same worries?

News at Last!

No I'm not raving about Englebert, I have a story in The Weekly News.  This is old news to some of you, sorry about that.
I was lucky to get a copy as it was published the weekend after it was accepted, which I hadn't realised until I was informed by some kind and thoughtful fellow writers (Thank you!).

I don't know about elsewhere, but it is quite hard to find a copy of TWN here abouts, (Lancashire). So this one is now rather wrinkled (again I don't mean Englebert), as it has been at my mother's and read by everyone who will sit down long enough.

I am still really excited, it has been a long while since anything was accepted for publication and I was honestly thinking it might never happen again.

Also, I have been given this lovely award by Deirdra at
A Story Book World , which came out of the blue and
is very much appreciated, thank you! It has encouraged me to get on and finish that last chapter.




On a completely non related topic, the doll obsession continues as I have
discovered these cute clowns, which look very much like Strawberry Shortcake but are not related. So cute! I have acquired four and three quarters ( one is missing a top and shoes) out of the six. It's no wonder I don't get much work finished!

 

I just want the one in the yellow hat. Does anyone else rememember them? They were made

by Fishel Toys and were called Pick a Berry Circus clowns, they were fruit scented too.

I'm not sure what it is about them exactly but I think it's the cuteness, the little outfits and also the scent which really reminds me of happy childhood times. Aww. :)

Has anyone else been tempted to buy a long lost toy?

Too many dolls and not enough writing!

Yes that's my excuse.

Pitiful, isn't it? :)
Apologies once again for the long absence, I have being feeling a bit sorry for myself as I hurt my back a couple of months ago and couldn't do the usual things. I was even seperated from the laptop, just couldn't get comfortable enough to write or do anything much.
Anyway enough of that, it's getting better and I managed to do some editing of the children's book. It's around 15k words and I have been looking around for somehwere to sub to (not that it's polished yet, but to keep me busy!)
I have narrowed down to a few possible publishers that are still accepting unsolicited submissions,

Picadilly Press, (a favourite of mine as they are among the minority of publishers who hand wrote the rejection). They accept stories for 8-12 years, and accept email submissions which is always a bonus.

Phoenix Yard
They are particularly interested in stories for age 6-9.

Meadowside
Junior fiction of 6k-10k words ( a bit of trimming needed there then !)

Anderson Press
Junior fiction 3-5k.

This is a pretty short list, I know there are lots more possibilities, but I'm not organised enough at the moment. The thing is I've researched all the publishers so many times over the years sfor various stories I've written, but did I make a proper list of contact details etc? Did I heck. Organisation skills, zero.

This is a picture of a present I got at Christmas. So cute!

I have spent most of the afternoon in the garden, which is always very inspiring, it has been a lovely sunny day which makes a change. Maybe that's just what I need, a sunny boost!
Does the weather affect your writing I wonder?

XX

Sorry for the long break...

I have had a rather long break from writing and the internet! (some broadband issues) I mean to catch up with you all soon!

I've just been having a small panic because the present I ordered for my youngest (budding novelist) hasn't arrived. All she asked for this Christmas was a journal and a scrapbook. I was so proud that she wasn't demanding the usual teen stuff (ipods, wii etc)! Of course I wanted to get her a beautiful journal that she can keep but it hasn't arrived yet. Anyway I have also bought her some other things so she won't be gift-less, and I have come to the conclusion that if it doesn't arrive I shall just explain it has been delayed in the post! She's not the type to throw a tantrum (thankfully) so I should just stop worrying.

Christmas shouldn't be so stressful. I was talking to my eldest (21) about gift giving and how recently it is getting way too commercial, I dislike the television adverts forcing us to feel guilty if we haven't spent hundreds and hundreds of pounds.
We both agreed that the value of the gift is irrelevant , it is the thought that someone has put into it, which of course is absolutely true and yet... Later on I found myself doubting whether my gifts were sufficient. Why do I do that? I'd just been preaching about the true spirit of Christmas and suddenly I'm panicking and wondering whether to order a load of stuff on a credit card and have done with it.

Phew, it's ok. Deep breath. Back to reality. Sensible. I have put a lot of thought into what gifts everybody would like and that's that. They aren't hugely expensive, but it doesn't matter.
I hope you are enjoying the run up to Christmas (it's not always easy is it?).

Writing wise I had done absolutely nothing until last week. I saw an advert for the new 'Borrowers' on BBC this Christmas and it reminded me of a story I'd written years ago that I never finished.
So I have written a full plot, chapter breakdown and am over halfway through and I love it! It's my new favourite. It is a chapter book for 7-9 years and I am looking forward to completing it over Christmas. (There's optimism for you)

So that's something to keep me busy besides worrying about gifts and whether we can survive without brandy, cranberry sauce and a yule log.

I will catch up with you all soon xx

In my notebook ...

...There are lots of little phrases about cats and kittens.
The front cover is a kitten and the words, 'to own a cat is to join a worldwide community of devoted slaves.' Quite so.

Sometimes I think 'I should really tell that cat who's boss!' The cat then looks at me with that knowing stare. Hmm.

Another phrase is 'you can choose, a cat, or furniture.'
My furniture is looking very very sorry for itself.

Anyway, I love my little notebook and every page is full of titles of stories I've written and where I have sent them or intend to send them.
I was flipping through it yesterday to see how many stories are awaiting responses and found that I only have five out and about! Aggh. No wonder it's all gone very quiet.
At least a rejection in the post is proof that I made an effort.
I need to get some more posted out, I need more rejections!

On a positive note, I got my copy of 'Someone has to Die, Volume 4' from Spikethecat with my story in, which is very exciting! I have put it on my shelf so I can see it when I'm feeling deflated.

Sorry about the lack of posts! I blame the school holidays. I don't know why, I just do.

Go away with that camera!

I took about ten pics of Millie Moo today, but this is my favourite, I think it would make a good painting. I'll have a go when I'm in the mood. Procastination for the win!!

Seriously, she purrs the whole time, but has that look on her face that means she's aboout to get me! So basically she wants to kill me, but is happy about it. :/

Hehe, no, she loves me really x

deleting bit by bit

I have been trawling through the children's novel, looking for blidingly obvious boringness. What I did find, is that a lot of words are just unnecessary. I have been deleting them, ruthlessly.

For a small example, these few lines originally read:

David’s mum nodded and looked at David with a thoughtful expression, as if she was contemplating whether to say something more about the incident. She obviously changed her mind and looked at them with a bemused expression.
“Ooh, have you seen that girl next door?”

After a ruthless word cut,

David's mum nodded thoughtfully, David hoped there would be no more mention of the incident. To his relief, his mum suddenly looked bemused,
"Ooh, have you seen the girl next door?"

Hopefully David's mother's forgiving change of subject is still apparent, in less words.

I don't know, I think I will be at this editing lark for a long long while. What do you think, better or worse?

Interestingly, for anyone writing children's books, there is a competition to write the best opening paragraph in 300 words on 'An Awfully Big Blog Adventure' Thanks to Nicola Morgan's Help I need a publisher for the link.

It looks like fun.

Well, have a great day x