Novel in Progress

 

Having given myself an early retirement, my private practise counselling cabin was transformed into my writing cave.  It is heated in winter and cool in summer.  All my needs, particularly coffee, are to hand.  So a few steps away from the house where I can leave behind ironing, cleaning, etc. has become my creative hive.  It's a 'she-shed' and rare visitors get to step inside, even OH (other half).

It has taken two years to complete the 98,000 words.  The sense of achievement and self-satisfaction in that alone is a great feeling.  It has been read by OH, a dear friend and now out to someone I don't know who worked in education.  Constructive criticism, notable mistakes or obvious boobs that are not always noticed by the writer is always welcome.  Having read it through several times I was beginning to loose heart but my beta readers, book loving friends and Twitter pals keep me going. 

I sent it to a publisher that I admired, had followed for three years on social media and felt excited about it leaving my computer.  Alas, I had my first rejection, with no feedback, no reason and no answers to my enquiring questions afterwards.  I was gutted, but nevertheless determined not to have that stop me now.  I have got this far and it is not going to be consigned to a drawer!  Besides which I have a sequel and a third book going on in my head.  Am I mad? I ask myself.

I have always been told I am good at writing - people loved receiving letters from me (in the days before emails!!) and I had self-published a children's book 30+ years ago.  More recently, well in the last decade, I have had articles published in professional and commercial magazines that have encouraged me to keep hopeful of living the dream - of one day having a paperback book in my hand with my name on it. 

Having that first rejection actually made me add three more chapters at the beginning of the novel, change the title and use a pseudonym.  So if this second publisher takes me on my own name will not be on the cover!  How dreams can change in the reality of the world.



To keep me going in the latter stages of writing I made a short video with Photo Story 3 for Windows.  It contains a few pictures like the one above that I would like as a cover for my book (it will probably be something very different), some photos of people and places along my journey that have inspired me, and some uplifting music to play as I watch the 2 or 3 minutes of pictures playing on my laptop screen.

I also downloaded Natural Reader to have my words read back to me.  I could 'hear' mistakes that I otherwise I missed when reading.  It was very useful.  It can be set to any language, gender of voice, pace of voice etc. and can be paused and saved at any stage.

I share these two ideas to any other budding writer.  I learnt many lessons along the way - I changed from third person to first person half way through so that was a nightmare to correct the first 50,000 words!  I plotted the theme from the beginning using a pin board and an A3 sheet of paper.  I cut out of magazines people who I could look at and picture as my characters and they became very 'real' in my head and 'came alive' in the written word.  They took on a life of their own and I was surprised at where my writing went from time to time.  The middle chapters were not planned but developed.

My second choice of publisher wanted a covering letter and synopsis as well as the whole novel (I appreciate publishers taking the whole novel rather than the first three chapters) but found that the letter and synopsis where quite hard to 'get right'.  In the end, as with the novel writing, I got to the stage of  "well that's the best I can do for now," and pressed the send button.

I am now about to start typing the sequel from notes I have been making in preparation.  Further progress can be followed on Sue Flint, Author page of Facebook and @tweetsue13 on Twitter.  Any encouragement is welcome in the comments box below or on social media.  Thank you for reading this blog.

 

Visiting Hitchin

I had three reasons for visiting Hitchin, Hertfordshire:

1. To reconnect with a dear friend;
2. To surprise a Twitter pal;
3. To see the place where the novel Summer Daydreams by Carole Matthews was set.

I spent three years living in Cyprus and as an ex-pat made friends with other ex-pats; several of us have returned to live in the UK at various stages of our lives and are now spread far and wide.  I travelled from the Midlands with one of these friends to meet another that we had not seen for ten years.  It was a lovely reunion with much laughter, reminiscing and catching up on life since sunny Cyprus days.  Naturally our friend wanted to show us around where she lived, so we saw Hitchin and Letchworth Garden City towns; a garden centre and Hitchin Lavender fields.

St Mary's ChurchHitchin Town

I was able to picture the 'handbag shop' and the 'chippy' in Summer Daydreams and enjoyed my amble around the quaint town of Hitchin.

 

I was also able to call into a supermarket and surprise a Twitter pal in her place of work.  It was lovely to be able to chat with her in person rather than short snippet of sentences on social media.  To put a voice and character to a small profile picture was a treasure.  We were able to chat about our writing pursuits and other interests.  So lovely to meet you Sarah.

 

Lastly a real treat was to visit Cadwell Farm, Ickleford to see Hitchin lavender fields.  Walking into the historic shop, that delighted my nostrils with the scent of bags of lavender, was a step  back in time.  I purchased essential oil, bath melts, honey and a small decorative mirror from the barn that housed the on-site café and souvenir shop.  Over in the fields the heat of the morning sun blazed down on the great expanse of rows and rows of lavender plants.  I could have laid down in the middle - forget heaven being paved with gold, mine is the colour purple and smelling divine.

 

www.hitchinlavender.com

There is, I am sure, a lot more to see if you have the time in North Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire.  Do look it up for places to stay/eat/visit: www.hitchinherts.com.  









 

Crafting

I set up a Crafting Group TEN years ago this November.  We have met every month and made loads of cards.  I was a novice back then, amongst avid crafters.  Some of the group watch/ed QVC and spent a fortune on items, had/have a stock that any craft shop would be proud of, and never sent a bought birthday or Christmas card.

Over that time I have stopped saying 'I have no imagination'; I have learnt that mistakes are opportunities to learn or make something up to cover it up; and have become 'quite good' at cutting and pasting.  Whilst my Crafty friends use die cuts and glitter pens, stamping equipment and Sissex machines, I have been content with packs of lovely papers, decoupage and easy to make kits. One friend is a super expert at parchment craft.  Words and terms of crafting have developed in my vocabulary over the years.  Of course, my crafting equipment grew too, from a bag to a box; from a box to boxes; and now a cupboard full.

We are happy cutting and pasting; chatting; laughing; sharing life events etc whilst surrounded by papers, cards, ribbons, gems, peel offs etc etc.  We have a Christmas meal together and when one or other of us are away on holiday or not well they are sorely missed.  The group and activity is SOOOOOOOOOO therapeutic - not only does focusing on a hobby lift our souls but the laughter and camaraderie is invaluable.  The fact that we make lovely cards is secondary now.

I have always had a creative side to me, as do the other ladies - one makes bespoke celebration cake, another sews bags and toys, another knits etc etc.  I have, over the years, painted stones, baked cakes (but not feeling they were good enough to donate to 'cake stalls' - that's changed; sewing, knitting and growing plants.  I have branched out to painting flower pots, re-creating a chair or two, designer pegs, board pictures and so much more.  (I wrote about selling my wares on a stall a few years back - scroll down to find the blog).

Recently I volunteered to make cards to raise money for a young girl to get into a ballet school.  I made 20 cards and was surprised at how much I enjoyed doing it for monetary gain, and, with my efforts.  I gave myself a 'very good'.  It has made me think about raising funds for a Cancer Charity - so watch this space (and/or Facebook & Twitter).  Here are just some I made earlier...

 
 

The Sweetest Taboo - Book Review

☆☆☆☆☆

If you didn't already know I am a Carole Matthews fan.  Recently I went to Mims Café, Nr Cannock where Kim Nash hosts a book club.  We all share our latest reads. 

"That's an old one," Kim says.  I am behind the times, I know.  Carole writes so quickly I can't keep up and I have 3 of her books on my bedside cabinet.

My head was not in a good place when I picked up this one.  I started and stopped and stopped and stopped.  I got stuck in the first chapters where there is a reference to the protagonist wearing a "Betty Boo" t-shirt.  My daughter is 'into' "Betty Boop" in a big way and I wasn't sure if this was a mistake.  I researched both looking for the answer. I was unaware there was a singer called Betty Boo.  I was still unable to continue; its a silly thing that stopped me from reading. 

Thankfully I had a weekend away on my own recently and some quality reading time.  So having got my head around the latest 'life' issue that had made me grumpy, I settled down with a cup of coffee on the sun-lounger in the countryside to hours of reading. 

Sadie Nelson gives up her boring UK life and follows someone she hardly knows to USA.  She loses her suitcase and that is the start of a fretful and fateful time in a new location, new friends, new job, new 'potential' romances.  She becomes involved with two 'non-starter' men and the sequence of events unfold in a mishmash of crazy happenings.  The reader is transported into the world of the rich and famous of the film industry; 'would be' actors; and WAGs. (Wives and Girlfriends).

It is an easy read, as are all Carole Matthews books. It is funny and tragic; full of missed opportunities, confusion and hopeful love.  Will she chose Gil or Tavis, the rich or the poor, or will she miss her UK London life and return 'home'?  Suspense to the end. 

As always a lovely, great 5 star read. 

Readers and Writers

I host meetings for READERS & WRITERS in Tamworth, Staffordshire.  Here's a snapshot of what you are missing!

 

• Venue - Christopher's Restaurant, The Peel Hotel, Aldergate, Tamworth have kindly let us use part of the restaurant that is separate from the main seating area.  We all purchase a lovely coffee, pot of tea, cake of the day and/or stay for lunch after 12.30 pm.  The waitress service is pleasant, quick and helpful; the surroundings are welcoming, clean and friendly.  It is central to the town centre with parking both at the venue and across the road in a public car park.

 

• Speakers - They are sooooooooooooo interesting.  First we heard from Kim Nash, Publicity Manager of Bookouture.  This fast growing publisher has obtained awards, top sales of new and already published authors and has a very wide following both in the UK and abroad.  Kim told us all about her role, how she just loves her job and is "living the dream" - doing what she likes doing most - reading new novels, reviewing and promoting them.  Her blogs and other social media entries are exciting, encouraging and makes you want to buy every book she promotes.  Check her out on Twitter at @bookouture or @kimthebookworm, Facebook, Blog: Kimthebookworm.co.uk.
   

• Next we met Sharon Rose, Author of four self published books journeying through her life's difficulties, in particular breast cancer.  (You can read my review of these lovely books by scrolling down through previous blogs).  Sharon's warmth and openness gave us an insight into living life in adversary and how to turn a negative situation into positive joy.  She raises funds for so many charities through the sales of her books and later this year she will be staging her own written play - Split Second - details on Twitter and Facebook.

 

• At our third meeting we learnt all about Blogging from Noelle Holten aka Crime Book Junkie.  Her passion for books, authors, blogging, writing reviews etc. oozed out and encouraged those of us who blog to do more of it!  Working full time doesn't stop Noelle from spending a very disciplined time in the evening on her laptop.  This was her first 'talk' to a group after blogging for two years and she conquered her fears of speaking out about her journey through blogging on Wordpress.  You can find Noelle on Twitter and Facebook and her blog Crimebookjunkie.co.uk.

 

• The second hour of our gathering sees some of the readers sharing what they have been reading since we last met, swapping books, titles of books, tips on apps, information about courses and competitions for writers, and Tina Williams, from Tamworth Literary Festival, tells us of dates for our diaries of events coming up in the months ahead.



We leave having been fed with enthusiasm, excitement, joy, friendship, food, drink and an ever growing love of all things bookish.  Do come along if you are in the area.  You can book in on Facebook - search for Readers & Writers, Tamworth. 

• Thank you for reading this blog, do leave a comment below.



Thorns of a Rose

Let me introduce you to Sharon Rose.  We knew each other nearly two decades ago when I was an office worker at Tamworth Health Centre doing lots of administration jobs for all the Community Nurses, Health Visitors and School Nurses of the town.  I loved that job.  I was there for 9 years, which was a long time for me as I liked to move jobs frequently.  Every home visit by the Health Visitors and Nurses had to be documented so the ladies (and one chap) would religiously fill in forms detailing by codes what they had done each day.  One of my jobs was to input this data onto computer.  It was mind numbing but my colleague and I were very proficient at it.  Another part of my job was to order uniforms for the nurses - green dresses for auxiliaries, light blue for registered nurses, dark blue for sisters.  I loved it when, after I had ordered these the nurses came to fetch them.  We would chat and perhaps have a cuppa and laugh.  Sharon worked at the Albert Road Surgery in town.  There were several other GP practises in and around THC as I affectionately called my place of work.

Life took me to pastures new and I lost touch with all those lovely people.  Then, recently at a Tamworth Literary Festival event, a voice attracted my attention, "Don't I know you?" and we reconnected.  Two days later we met again. This time I knew it was Fate that had bought us together for another season.  Sharon gave me her books to read and this blog is a short review of those books. 

 

You see after I read them I thought Sharon had written about her life in these books, not only as a therapeutic process for herself, but to share with others and to help others with the Thorns of Life.

When we have a bunch of roses, we tend to stare at the flower as a thing of beauty, which it is.  Its colour and petals are a feast for our eyes, its perfume an aroma for our nose, the green stem and leaves remind us that life is renewable in ways we can't comprehend until we are faced with life or/and death situations.   If we look closer, and if we are not careful, we will notice the thorns, which we probably think aren't so attractive but nevertheless they are part and parcel of the lovely flower.

 

 

In her books Sharon has shown her stem, her leaves and foliage, and the thorns that have caused her pain - breast cancer, relationship breakups, family troubles and tragedy.  Despite life's difficulties she shines through the flower that she is as a positive, fun loving, sassy, lively lady.  Each book sold raises money for different charities even though Sharon gave up her precious job of nursing when life went pear shaped.  I can't recommend these books highly enough, especially if you have known grief and loss, if you have cared for a friend or relative with breast cancer or known it yourself, if you have overcome difficult growing up years where mental illness of a parent was an acceptable norm, or have known someone who took their own life - then these little books will be a treasure on your bookshelves.  You wont forget Sharon Rose - she will encourage you, entertain you, make you smile and touch your heart.

 

"Don't just see the person before you as one human being; each person has their own story to tell.  We are all beautiful flowers clothed with layers of life". Sue Flint

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 









Coffee Break & Book

Get yourself a cuppa, pull up a chair, and take a short break.  Enjoy this book review of :

 

With or Without You by Carole Matthews

 

I guess at sometime or other in everyone’s lives we all have something that smacks us in the face – a tragedy, a death, an illness or a relationship breakdown.  Life is full of disappointments as well as pleasures.

 

These times of stark shocks serve to stop us in our tracks, get us out of a rut, make us make a ‘U’ turn or simply examine who we are, what we are doing and where we are going.  The immediacy of being without a choice to change sends us in a spin.  We act according to the ‘fight’ or ‘flight’ affect of the situation.

 

In this book the protagonist does both – she takes flight, runs away from all she has known and wanted and fights for her survival through the shadow of loss, hurt and devastating disappointment.  It is as real as anyone’s account of turning a loss into a gain, overcoming the damned cards dealt her and finding ‘herself’ amidst a group of strangers.

 

IVF can take its toll on any couple and Lyssa and Jake are no exception.  It drains them of energy, passion, vigour for their jobs, finances and lust for life outside of the baby-making zone.  They separate – time out seemed the only option to cope with the overwhelming situation of infertility.  Other people enter their lives.  Jake moves in with a female work colleague and Lyssa is befriended by her American tour guide in the mountains of Nepal. 

The scenes of trekking up mountains, smiling children and forest villages is very lively and colourful.  One cannot fail to 'be there' in the story.

 

After Lyssa's holiday the word CHANGE figures out of her CHAlleNGE and eventually she follows her heart.  The ending is magical, uplifting and if you are a sentimentalist like me, a real tear jerker.

 

Well done Carole Matthews on yet another fabulous novel.  Five Star Recommendation.

Disabled or Extra-Ordinarily Abled?

Life Through the Eye of a Crutch

If you were presented with two crutches to aid your every day walking I wonder how you would feel?  To be told you will never walk again unaided must be devastating news.  Michelle had this news in October 2015 due to an operation that went wrong.  Her journey of accepting this unexpected sequence of events has included coming to terms with the mobility aids that keep her upright and moving. 

Try to imagine making yourself a cuppa in the kitchen and, with two crutches, trying to carry it through to the lounge.  Or pushing a shopping trolley, getting in and out of the car, negotiating steps/stairs, opening a heavy door etc.  Tricky, to say the least.

Sitting overlooking the sea at Brighthlingsea in 2015, Michelle was thinking of what she had been through and how life would never be the same again.  I thought, “Life has taken on a different perspective now” and holding one of her crutches, took this photo.  “It was a symbolic moment for me as I was trying to come to terms with what had happened”.  She then posted the photograph on Twitter with the hash tag #LifeThroughACrutchLens. 

Following this Tweet, in June 2016, she posted:
 

“Just had an email to say my #LifeThroughACrutchLens pic has been chosen to be entered into a B&W masterpiece contest 📸 https://t.co/mN0iwSwMhw”

 

Wow, what a boost that must have been! 

 

And so the journey of #LifeThroughACrutchLens began.  If you are on Twitter you can search the hash tag and find all Michelle’s wonderful imaginative photos. 

“It's a bit of creative fun, something different, another way of expressing myself and when

the feeling grabs me I’ll take a snap!  I’ve always liked taking photos but it wasn’t until my life changed completely that I’ve started taking more.  I was distraught at the things I could no longer participate in, especially yoga and the feeling the yoga mat gave me, so I started to think how could I recreate that feeling of the yoga mat and ‘just being’ in the moment?  I realised I could still take photos, and making it a ‘mindful’ activity would allow me to ‘be in the moment’ and express myself at the same time.”

Michelle then went on to help others by creating a one-off hash tag chat hour on Twitter for crutch users which was really popular.  “From that GlamSticks™ came into my life,” Michelle tells me, “it’s been a really important part of my journey and led me to where I am now (she models for GlamSticks™).  Who would have thought so much could come from a photo!”

 

Sparkler Sticks

Kate Middletoe Sock -Michelle brought these fun socks
 on the day her leg brace was fitted as a reminder to
Keep Smiling.

Son clicks a picture of Mum

In December 2016 she was fitted with a leg brace which has brought about more challenges.  But even when Michelle is in pain and has to lie on the floor to get relief her faithful friends become a tool to see life from a different angle and appreciate things she may not have noticed or took for granted before.

How beautiful the ceiling light is!

 
You can read about the equally creative way Sharon from GlamSticks™ used her disability to share her passion for brightening up dull grey crutches on my next Blog (scroll down).

Also in the next Blog you can read how owning a pair of sparkly crutches gave Michelle a boost in confidence and raised her self esteem.  So much so she tells me, “that I even wear a skirt now.” 

Who says “You can’t?”  #ThisGirlCan   and does.  A positive outlook on life, a bit of fun and lots of resting time to be still in a rushing mad world can take you places you least expect. 

 

If you have enjoyed this blog and know someone who needs mobility aids to get about, do share this with others, you never know you may just start them off on a new journey of their own.  Do leave a comment below.  Thank you.
  

Positively Blingy

It is my great privilege to be asked to write about 

"Celebrating a year of  being a Glamsticks ™  Model".  

Below you will read about life being a two-sided coin as it often is.  Within the negatives of life there are positives to be found, joys to be had and changes to embrace.

It is a difficult one to write as no-one wants to have a party, blow candles or hear clapping and cheers for a pair of crutches.  The circumstances for anyone using them is often a painful tale and no fun in having to get in and out of cars with, trying to use a shopping trolley with, and so many other daily tasks that are often taken for granted by abled persons.  That said, these are not ordinary crutches - these are Glamsticks ™ and have transformed one young woman's life.

Michelle fell in love with them instantly and they became a 'must have' accessory as any young woman will know about with regards to shoes, handbags or fashion wear.  The glittery crutches match her looks and personality, they make her shine even more.  In no time at all she was the proud owner of her first set of sparklers -

"My grey crutches were boring and had no personality. Owning a pair of Glamsticks™    take the dull out of disability" she says.

A girl can't have enough bling!

Sharon of Glamsticks ™  and Michelle became Twitter Pals and Michelle was invited to be a  Glamsticks ™ model.  I have followed the success of both Glamsticks ™ and Michelle on Twitter, with total admiration.  The sparkly crutches certainly add confidence and enhanced glamour to their owner.  In particular I remember Michelle's joy  when she went to college and everyone admired her crutches.

"People approach me differently when I'm using them and tend to ask if they can touch them, take a photo of them and we end up talking bling.  If I am using other crutches then I'm more likely to be asked what's wrong with me and I'd much rather talk sparkle."

Michelle told me she feels different using these crutches as "when you have to use crutches all the time they kind of become a metaphorical accessory and no one wants boring ones.  We all choose accessories to finish off our outfits every day and a girl can never have enough bling."

Stunning affects under strobe lighting

Her first outing with her Glamsticks ™ was to an ELO concert at the O2.  "It was amazing and I felt very glam!  My crutches caught the lights and created stunning effects and I had so many lovely comments."

"My Glamsticks ™ tend to come with me wherever I go now but I will never forget going to Parellel London with them last year.  It was the first fully inclusive event and it was totally inspiring.  I'm looking forwards to where my Glamsticks ™ might take me next - rumour has it that it might just be a catwalk!"

Parellel London :

Sharon & Michelle

 


In celebration of her year I asked Michelle what modelling for Glamsticks ™ has meant to her.

"I'm extremely grateful to Sharon at Glamsticks ™ for sponsoring me, it was one of those moments where it all felt a bit surreal but it has helped build my confidence over the last year.  Having to face the trauma of a major life changing event has been really tough, to be told I'd have to learn to walk again are words I will never forget.  I am slowly trying to build a new life encompassing the new 'me' and being an ambassador for Glamsticks ™ has taken me to places emotionally and physically I never would have envisaged before - I feel, if I can help one person, or they look at me and say 'because of you I didn't give up' - then all the work I do with Glamsticks ™  will have been worth it.  It's not just about the bling for me, it's about connecting with others and having those hard conversations.  Some days are so hard and then others I feel like a warrior, but that's ok because I'm only human.  It's not about what I used to be able to do, it's about what I CAN do now and I hope my story and the part I play with Glamsticks ™ might help to inspire others".

 Glamsticks ™ have won the following awards :

• Winner of mobility product of the year 2011 and voted top ten best mobility product 2011
• Winner of BrightPigSEO Business of the week Award 2016
• #Queen of mobility aids, Jacqueline Gold
• #Wow Award 2016
• #businessoftheweek
• #MumsInBiz award

You can find these using the # (hashtag) on Twitter. 

 

I know that Michelle would never have considered modelling before she had her sparkly leg aids and that this last year has pushed her outside of her comfort zone and she says "even got me wearing a skirt".

Sharon's story, as to how she came to run this business, is immensely inspiring too.  She understands what disabled people require as she is living with disabilities and illness herself.  You can read about how Glamsticks ™ came to her and what other items she sells on www.glamsticks.co.uk; https://m.facebook.com/GlamSticks  or follow Sharon and/or Michelle on Twitter @Glamsticks and @Mwrites2

If you have enjoyed reading this blog can I ask that : 

•  you to join me in applauding these two lovely young women who are turning debilitating situations into positive, uplifting, inspiring stories.   

• and tell anyone who would benefit from a blingy boost about Glamsticks.