Books, books, books and one just finished!

At last my rewrite of Blazing Embers is finished. Several thousand less words and, so I believe, better for the trimming. There is much to learn in writing novels.
Over the past years, I have been taking note how other authors put words together. The last book we read is an old one — Sweet Thursday by Steinbeck. Totally different to our recent 'mystery' books, and quite enjoyable once we got into it.
I don't know if that book has influenced my new title for Blazing Embers, but it is possible. My novel is now called - To Have And To Hold. I have tried to draw out both the humour (plenty of that) and the pathos (not a lot of that but powerful). Now I want a new cover, something entirely different. I'm not rushing it as it must be right. When it comes to books, unless an author is well known, people do judge a book by its cover (initially at least).
Maybe this new version will be of interest to publishers. Certainly the interest in sex and the older generation has pepped up recently. The visits to my posts on this very subject continue to grow. I can't remember quite but I think approaching a thousand. So I intend to submit the manuscript to agents and publishers who publish humorous romance. Don't suppose there can be many.

Once I get myself straight I intend to do reviews of our reading again. I have a stack of books ready! Quite a lot were taken to Oxfam but I still have these. I will likely post the reviews on Wrinkly Writers.


See also Diary of an English Lady
My book sites: Magpies nest Publishing, Gladys Hobson — writer

The Blank Page Syndome

Jelly beans — oh dear, only three left!

The Blank Page Syndrome

I’ve got work to do. Another 100 pages of a new version of a novel to rewrite. But I’m tired, not sleeping too well and have things on my mind. I divert to getting blogs up to date just to feel a sense of having finished a task, however small.
I have ideas for stories put aside, having decided a few weeks ago to do this rewrite. But I know, in a way, the rewrite was started because those ideas were not flowing freely. Couldn’t have been could they? Otherwise it would have finished at least one story before starting the next and the next and the…. Oh yes, procrastination and all that. But as long as I am writing something the ‘thief of time’ will not win. Or will it?
I often sit down ready to begin. Decide I need a coffee or a cup of tea. Then back to the computer. Maybe a Kit Kat will give my brain energy? Break it up into small pieces to make it last. One minute later I wonder where it has all gone! Should have stuck to pinching my son’s tiny jelly beans. One bean can last ages because each has a wonderful flavour — 36 flavours in all. Nothing like change for stimulating the taste buds if nothing else.
Well, I’ve eaten a jelly bean. Post this and back to the serious stuff. We go for a walk into town in less than an hour. Nothing like a coffee in a café for …


Gladys Hobson — author
Diary Of An English Lady
Wrinkly Writers — my life's an open book
My Space, Gladys Writes
Magpies Nest Publishing.

Internet 'angels' in the authors/small publishers world of books.

Today I had my book Awakening Love (Stonehedge Publishing Ebook version) showcased at http://authorsandtheirbooks.blogspot.com by author Ernie Johnson.
There is a picture of the book cover and another of the author, plus a good snappy synopsis and one of the places to buy.
The synopsis reveals why the locket on the cover picture is highly relevant.
Visit http://www.ernierjohnson.net to find out more about this remarkable Ernie Johnson with his vast range of activities.

Not only that, but When Angels Lie (AG Press) is featured on http://bookeventcenter.ning.com/page/all-books. Carol, Author 101, is another remarkable author. She has showcased a great assortment of books by lesser known authors which are available on Amazon. It is worth taking a look. if you are an author in need of a good bit of publicity how about joining us?

Here is the synopsis for Awakening Love:
A tale of love, lust and passionate desire, authentically set in late 1940’s class-conscious Britain. Innocent, naive teenager, June Armstrong is determined to rise above her working class roots and succeed as a top dress designer. Her sexuality is dramatically awakened by war hero, and socially advantaged, Major Arthur Rogers (retired), twenty years her senior. The relationship, sealed by a gift of a locket containing a diamond for an engagement ring, is to be kept secret until June is eighteen. Various events, involving his family, job prospects and unforeseen factors to do with affairs of the heart, prove to be a challenge to their relationship.
Arthur’s ‘ladies man’ brother, Charles, is also in love with June but ruins his chances when he sexually assaults her. June becomes the catalyst for his remarkable redemption. She finds herself falling in love with the “new Charlie” when Arthur is abroad on business. Out of love for his brother and June, Charles withdraws from the blossoming relationship and returns to the Royal Navy.
But first Charles helps June gain employment as a trainee designer. Her boss and mentor — dynamic, sexy entrepreneur, Robert Watson — realises June’s potential and sweeps her along on a tidal wave of ambition. He has plans for a totally new business and she is to be his lynch pin. June is mesmerised by both Watson’s charisma and his renowned erotic sexuality (which she inadvertently witnesses in the stock room).
Robert Watson’s ability to draw out June’s creative genius eventually creates a bond, dangerous but thrilling, which he ruthlessly exploits — to the full!

Awakening Love is twice award winner!
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Sun and Rain

January is not a good month for cheer. Cold, dark and wet — sometimes snow and ice. But this year has not been too bad for us in South Cumbria (UK). I took these photos earlier this week: my 'jewels' (bright little plants - I have no jewellery!) in our front porch, and a scene from an upstairs window.
As for cheer? Well my Still Waters Run Deep is selling quite well at the local shop. Amazon UK have a page for it on line but the USA Amazon declare it to be Unavailable and out of print! Now where have they got that from? I have informed them otherwise but I expect they can't be bothered with small publishers abroad. A book selling at £5.99 is small beer to them anyway. It bothers me not. I am content to take it as it comes - no more hassle and frantic efforts to sell books or get known as an author. What will be, will be. Let's face it, not all hopes and desires can be fulfilled. Better to be realistic. I am greatly blessed to have a few 'fans' who look forward to reading each new book. Few or thousands? What does it matter? Writing is a gift to share. To be able to share it is great whatever the numbers.
So sometimes a ray of sun, sometimes a cold shower, some days a hard frost - but warmth comes to bring out the beauty that is often obscured from view by the coldness of our own heart, that is, if we allow it to happen. Life is for living NOT for regrets of what might be, or might have been.