tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78211915324725291942024-03-19T11:37:56.749+00:00KernowcreationsHistorical Time travelling adventure stories in the makingUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger67125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7821191532472529194.post-67447679178751175032014-05-14T00:26:00.002+01:002014-05-14T00:26:20.663+01:00Achieving the first milestone<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitpyh4wc9cLjcwixOGxrlQFvkRzRDZTB0RZhgYCQ5NVDAqpHikzJQX0NkuAJ3f_tlgs0AJ09rQInjUZfdyLmFxrmLJ6Qnzgf_B-2w_oYX6pSdIA0B07FBVta4qU4wDCSvkLYJ69FIKXKs/s1600/20131230_234242.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitpyh4wc9cLjcwixOGxrlQFvkRzRDZTB0RZhgYCQ5NVDAqpHikzJQX0NkuAJ3f_tlgs0AJ09rQInjUZfdyLmFxrmLJ6Qnzgf_B-2w_oYX6pSdIA0B07FBVta4qU4wDCSvkLYJ69FIKXKs/s1600/20131230_234242.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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Well another year on from my last blog post and at last I can report that draft 1 of Novel 1 was completed on the 30th December 2013. I was elated to finally get to write 'The End' on my manuscript and have begun the exciting task of editing. It feels amazing to have reached the first milestone but it is still a long distance to my goal.<br />
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As usual I have allowed stuff to get in the way but I am determind to get the first edit done by the summer. I have new ideas all the time but need to focus on this again now. I have a bottle of champagne waiting to be chilled then popped for the publishing deal I hope to get one day.<br />
I am starting a new job with Cornwall Dyslexia Association in June and hope that I will be able to knuckle down on the edit with a new structure. Thinking now about book 2 as well as revising book 1. I also have got inspiration for a dystopian YA novel too. Exciting to have lots of ideas, just need to get my time management and motivation sorted then off we go!!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7821191532472529194.post-53303409301968551952013-02-25T17:25:00.002+00:002013-02-25T17:25:30.269+00:00Inspiration and Motivation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7JzkvMyKZxjCnLKhGQvHHnEHRxX4NoRXfqSH0Q95VbtJ-UfGvtFFAubwhMbF0dndQzi0h6sgkslufSw8JUebEjNOeWz-mIutsK4QWgWsRjs2myP2kz7UewmQWWRXSnWIPrK4aL45YLK0/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7JzkvMyKZxjCnLKhGQvHHnEHRxX4NoRXfqSH0Q95VbtJ-UfGvtFFAubwhMbF0dndQzi0h6sgkslufSw8JUebEjNOeWz-mIutsK4QWgWsRjs2myP2kz7UewmQWWRXSnWIPrK4aL45YLK0/s320/004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
During half term, I managed to enjoy some dry, sunny (if chilly) weather with the kids and some friends and revisited the mine ruins at Wheal Peevor. They were behind the inspiration for my novel # 1 and they did not disappoint again. Walking around the buildings reinvigorated the story in my head and prodded my conscience as to why I had let other things crowd out my heart to write. Along with some good friends encouraging me to get back to it, I decided to examine why I had stalled.<br />
Simply I had lost my way in the book and therefore my confidence to keep going with it. I spent an evening replanning the second half in chapters, feeling very pleased with myself too. A few days later I wrote another 2000 word chapter, the first in over eight months. It felt great to meet up with my characters again, like a reunion with old friends. Now I am resolved to maintain the impetus and get this first draft done!!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7821191532472529194.post-67846221548320677462013-02-13T22:48:00.003+00:002013-02-13T22:48:42.548+00:00Chocolate - The Food of Love?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I entered a 100 word writing competition recently on the theme of chocolate. I didn't win anything but enjoyed writing this little piece about chocolate and love, which I thought I would post in view of it being Valentine's Day tomorrow. My story is about the complex relationship between love and chocolate with a little twist at the end. Enjoy.x</span></div>
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<strong><u><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Cocoa Loco</span></u></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Carrie methodically rolled the velvety brown, alcohol-laced balls of chocolate mixture between her hands. Only once she was satisfied with their accurate spherical form did she carefully douse each one with dark cocoa powder. Michael’s birthday treat had to be extra special. She knew that her homemade chocolate rum truffles were his absolute favourite. The recipe was a closely guarded secret and on this occasion she had decided to alter it to make it personal to him. Carrie arranged the truffles in three neat rows of four in a dark blue box, before securing it with a large silver bow. As she cleaned up the kitchen Carrie glanced down at tomorrow’s entry in her husband’s open diary. It read ‘8.00pm Maria, Room 55.’ “Oh I don’t think so sweetheart,” she murmured as she scrunched up the laxative chocolate wrapper and stroked the box lovingly, “Chocolates for a cheater.” </span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7821191532472529194.post-13346245816902670152012-06-26T09:35:00.001+01:002012-06-26T09:35:23.623+01:00Moving On<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm2fOpEYVo3fxsq2dS-8V1xpLtG5dydtJKRq09j2CPx1oLSkoOhUlxfvR9LdN6yNQV5D0SCpYniO7HEl9Cx10KqZIO8bNj3Hw4mn-daRidP-YEfYIUdFaTJuheHbeMQR4LIa7ZkufssDY/s1600/AnimalJokes06-Pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="177" rca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm2fOpEYVo3fxsq2dS-8V1xpLtG5dydtJKRq09j2CPx1oLSkoOhUlxfvR9LdN6yNQV5D0SCpYniO7HEl9Cx10KqZIO8bNj3Hw4mn-daRidP-YEfYIUdFaTJuheHbeMQR4LIa7ZkufssDY/s320/AnimalJokes06-Pic.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I had a great week after half term when my friend and fantastic author, Jon Mayhew, came to visit Cornwall and spent some time at my children's school. Chatting to him moved my mental focus on with the WIP and having done a fair bit more planning I have managed to relaunch the novel. This week alone I have written and additional 4000 words which is huge, as I have not written anything for over a year. It was the wake up push I needed and although Jon probably did not know his visit had this impact on me, I am so grateful that it did. So now the word count is over 30,000 words and we are heading towards half way which is exciting. If I can keep this focus then I will be finishing my first draft well within the goal that I set at the start of the year. It feels good to be writing again and as I am also reading it to my youngest at the moment I can already see places for improvement change and sharpening of the characters which is also positive. Liking the half full approach that I am having at the moment!! I feel this is achievable and not a crazy thing to do, unlike the penguin in the picture!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7821191532472529194.post-26695540021239307042012-05-21T21:55:00.001+01:002012-05-21T21:57:04.665+01:00What Inspires You?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This Saturday we enjoyed the amazing experience of seeing the Olympic Torch pass by our door and go through our village. A local lady carried it which must have been a wonderful experience that will give her a precious memory. It was inspiring to see the whole community out to celebrate the torch coming through. There was a feeling of warmth, community and celebration which has been absent from our country for a while. It also got me wondering what inspires people to be creative - whether it is to write, paint, sing or dance. What experiences cause us to be moved to respond creatively? I am often inspired by my surroundings. The natural world in all its splendour and diversity inspires me and I have drawn on it regularly for my novel. I am also inspired by history and the landmarks left that are reminder, such as the mine ruins at Wheal Peevor. I am also inspired by the achievements of the ones I love and those who battle adversity to overcome and achieve a goal. Inspiration is part of our soul and what makes us who we are. I enjoyed the wonder of seeing three birds of prey on my journey home from the leisure centre this evening, a stunning sunset and a long fluffy cuddle with my rabbits. These things today have inspired feelings, emotions and ideas. I want to be able to communicate these feelings in my writing so that those who read it may be as inspired as I am. I wonder - what inspires you?</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7821191532472529194.post-76154071608168920682012-05-05T23:36:00.001+01:002012-05-05T23:36:34.659+01:00Back After A Long Absence<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO0scOiVcJ9Gzn-DWXRXMDe3lklZxWO1_0938JpbpP0yHCsaeDNfPaadnkwJqlaRsm4A7Dua4hRoJTIiL6CIMkzECUmqRveQiP3MMGwa2z0spwzjcsDvhTmRWRnamwlJEUNGhWCwPc8pM/s1600/wheal+peevor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" mea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO0scOiVcJ9Gzn-DWXRXMDe3lklZxWO1_0938JpbpP0yHCsaeDNfPaadnkwJqlaRsm4A7Dua4hRoJTIiL6CIMkzECUmqRveQiP3MMGwa2z0spwzjcsDvhTmRWRnamwlJEUNGhWCwPc8pM/s200/wheal+peevor.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
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Wheal Peevor, nr Redruth</div>
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I cannot believe that it is nearly two years since I last posted on my blog! I have written since I last posted but my life has changed so much in two years that it seems the one thing that has not moved on much. We now own rabbits instead of chickens, I have changed job and I have succumbed to the wonders of Facebook and Pinterest! </div>
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On December 31st I made some New Year goals rather than resolutions so that hopefully by Christmas I can be encouraged that I have fulfilled some of my hopes and aspirations. </div>
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The main one for me is to finally finish the first draft of my book. I have written 26,000 words so far and have got to get back into the writing as I have literally 'lost the plot' and need some new inspiration and direction. In addition I have been planning the books that will follow on in the series. Focus is the key and making time for something important to me is a skill I need to learn more and more. I also need the discipline to write and not edit at this stage - so here is to the completion of The Gemini Watch (WT) by the end of December 2012. It feels good to be blogging again though - I have missed you guys out there.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7821191532472529194.post-76700629859416682572010-06-15T21:23:00.005+01:002010-06-15T22:01:29.056+01:00Blog Award and 10 things You Maybe Shouldn't Know About Me<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZrc8FUX6xeviLarh_Y1uET7n3wmLkYX1NeDihyphenhyphenwCS8wIR6RknMtay8AQMHhm4m6ydyVNoZG_P4zKD87zaHEG8Q5RtoGI9BbSl1yucuBUd0rN6EdZHRr_8ujiOZatBVyZFIa9DdoL0OUs/s1600/Honest_Scrap%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 194px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZrc8FUX6xeviLarh_Y1uET7n3wmLkYX1NeDihyphenhyphenwCS8wIR6RknMtay8AQMHhm4m6ydyVNoZG_P4zKD87zaHEG8Q5RtoGI9BbSl1yucuBUd0rN6EdZHRr_8ujiOZatBVyZFIa9DdoL0OUs/s200/Honest_Scrap%5B1%5D.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483098969913254946" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.wrightstory.blogspot.com/">Kat</a> very sweetly gave me this blog award with the challenge to reveal 10 things about me that I have not revealed before. My writing has been a little slow of late although I have rewritten my prologue from a different angle which has been useful. I am also waiting to hear some news (any news) from a Christian Publisher who asked to see the remainder of my manuscript that I wrote on the book of Daniel. I am trying so hard not to watch my email inbox so closely but it is difficult to resist. So to take my mind off a very busy week ahead I will have a go at this meme, of course I cannot remember what I have shared and what I have kept hidden, so I hope you will all still like me afterwards!<br /><ol><li>I was in total, absolute, complete and devoted love with Morten Harket (lead singer of Aha) when I was 13. It spawned a number of teenage fantasy love stories that I wrote for me and my friends who lusted equally over other members of the band.</li><li>I shook hands with Sir Cliff Richard when he opened our former church's new building in 1997.</li><li>I had to go on my hen night with nit solution on my hair as a client at work had kindly given them to me the day before. Funnily enough one of my friends also sat in the restaurant with nit solution on her hair that night as she had had a similar gift from a child she taught.</li><li>My nickname from childhood was Mickey and I only shook it when I came to Cornwall and have returned to Michelle again. Only my husband, parents and a couple of Cornish friends call me Mick apart from my Surrey friends who I grew up with.</li><li>I had a Saturday/holiday job for a number of years at Chessington World of Adventures and was a dab hand at making those huge clear balloons with cuddly toys in them.</li><li>My aunt runs Sealion Lodge - a holiday lodge in the Falkland Islands where you can see all sorts of amazing wildlife. She told me a story about the resuce of a baby Orca which had been beached nearby. Hoping to take my son there one day as he has a passion for marine wildlife.</li><li>I am very, very, very, very frightened of spiders - especially big hairy ones. I have had to try and master my fear to stop influencing my children but it is tough. I envy Kat's writing shed on one hand but think I would get no writing down for fear of arachnid invasion.</li><li>I studied medieval history at Reading University and have spent most of my working career in the social care sector- go figure!</li><li>I am a closet fan of Horrible Histories on CBBC.</li><li>I have an ambition to one day raise and train my own barn owl.</li></ol>Well there you go some small revelations about me!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7821191532472529194.post-6333017323729136252010-05-22T23:36:00.007+01:002010-05-23T00:03:21.466+01:00Getting Inspired Again!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm_DoIK5ENjLRgPGrru4yBmASFzwrpBxsdwwL4DUzOE1aIlORJnk3WiJPDo3fYtIcPIL91A1CKuHB1Cg0D6CZLlZnM_EjSrtiLk1t4cmkxHs1hvMWj6Tx-tFlT9dkqVKfsMHv7P8JUEo0/s1600/May+2010+011.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm_DoIK5ENjLRgPGrru4yBmASFzwrpBxsdwwL4DUzOE1aIlORJnk3WiJPDo3fYtIcPIL91A1CKuHB1Cg0D6CZLlZnM_EjSrtiLk1t4cmkxHs1hvMWj6Tx-tFlT9dkqVKfsMHv7P8JUEo0/s200/May+2010+011.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474227782282437266" border="0" /></a>I have been away from my blog for ages and have been busy with work, which is a tyrant when it comes to my writing as well as a million other things, and have subsequently dropped off my writing progress...and it was all going so well. However I am getting back on the horse and with a holiday imminent I am taking my laptop and planning some writing for the evenings when little ones are snoozing. I was able to revisit Wheal Peevor last week with a friend who was visiting us and it again inspired me to pick up the reins again. It is three months since I first visited it and the site was much greener and had a totally different feel to the stark greyness of February. I have also made contact with <a href="http://www.rj-anderson.com/">Rebecca Anderson</a> who has written, "Knife" and "Rebel" as a Christian writer of children's sci-fi and fantasy. Not only do we share writing interests, but she also likes A-ha and Doctor Who and has Cornish links. She has been very gracious in answering a very inquisitive email that I sent her and her answers to my many questions have given me new vigour to persue a planned route with some of my characters that I was uncertain of.<br /><div style="text-align: justify;">In addition I have also had a tentatively positive email from a Christian publishing firm asking to see the full manuscript of the Daniel material that I have written. It is just a request to see more, however anything that is not a straight, 'Thanks but no thanks," is an encouragement to me so watch this space.<br />The photo above is Wheal Peevor in May and the picture here is of a tunnel through a cliff at Portreath beach...just thought it was FAB. It conjured up images of smugglers, <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2U5PG-1uGBhN8H99nrD9GmChHXgG_fXjz0rA7_qoP1VxlsA9lBhYmEGe6ey0GBrVAG4cxGURAPT3OnLMoPvtFKIsvMH3NdoMSQdy61j1UPOoAYc9-BIqXJQIBFzxsSt-LKp4uH-jx0tc/s1600/May+2010+014.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 129px; height: 172px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2U5PG-1uGBhN8H99nrD9GmChHXgG_fXjz0rA7_qoP1VxlsA9lBhYmEGe6ey0GBrVAG4cxGURAPT3OnLMoPvtFKIsvMH3NdoMSQdy61j1UPOoAYc9-BIqXJQIBFzxsSt-LKp4uH-jx0tc/s200/May+2010+014.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474231692344072178" border="0" /></a>secret passageways to other worlds and it also just made me feel my pause in writing was over. The great thing about living here is that I do not have to go very far to experience the something beautiful and inspiring to help me lift a tired work head and work on the joy of writing again. It is extremely good to be posting again as I have missed hearing everyone's news and talking writing again.<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7821191532472529194.post-36709547750708238982010-03-21T20:55:00.003+00:002010-03-21T21:11:43.990+00:00Writing Progress<div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSpB_vRrSaeZYCF48cC5tox-MN0izMqzc9C1tv6QeJQpzx1cC0wWK-IaPxGhqdgS64swtcG9_Pf1CV0hG91yiP2lmCAHDQ12icwnlJ-EAhTXjiEcoPKwdatTSiC_zvXNTfeO5mJoJKlIw/s1600-h/Feather_Pen_and_Paper_by_graphitemonsta.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSpB_vRrSaeZYCF48cC5tox-MN0izMqzc9C1tv6QeJQpzx1cC0wWK-IaPxGhqdgS64swtcG9_Pf1CV0hG91yiP2lmCAHDQ12icwnlJ-EAhTXjiEcoPKwdatTSiC_zvXNTfeO5mJoJKlIw/s200/Feather_Pen_and_Paper_by_graphitemonsta.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451193978676724210" border="0" /></a>Well the inspiration gleaned from the visit to the mine ruins is definitely working. I sat down this past week and have rewritten three chapters. I have been able to use photos I took on the day to describe scenes and events in the early stages of the book. I have found my characters more believable and have been able to work the principle of 'showing not telling' through the MS so far. I find myself being uber-critical though, chopping every adverb I see, when actually sometimes they are required. Also I am worried it is not pacy enough; are my characters people will care about?; Are my plotlines too complicated for 8-12 year olds?<br />However all this worrying and self critique aside I am writing again and that makes me smile lots and lots. I felt lost without being able to write and making the time has meant my house is a mess and I am pressed with my other jobs to do, however a good friend reminded me today that I should be writing because I am passionate about it and not allow the guilt that so easily pervades my thoughts to stop me. Writing should be a joy, a blessing and a balm for the soul in a world that is an ever increasing 'microwave' culture. Yes being published will mean deadlines and more pressure, but to enjoy being creative within that is a privilege I hope to enjoy one day. I am looking forward to the prospect of being published one day and all that may bring, but for now I can meander down the river of pleasure, enjoying creating and experiencing the new worlds and new characters, I am creating, exciting my spirit and stimulating my creative senses.<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7821191532472529194.post-78617548546051681122010-03-07T23:10:00.009+00:002010-03-07T23:48:18.355+00:00Creative Evolution<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioplVDORFgzCuqNjG8WKMvw3osVVLUtKSNsCqxufdVz2MHDHiBU5ydA6vVzn1iR5gOUVrGKmxdxqrE0Bt1GnN8aCfFrxmbVLUZssfRfGCqEcTo5giDj7lX36x9gCOhpQgbu2jufXo_m1o/s1600-h/Wheal+Peevor+March+2010+064.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 111px; height: 148px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioplVDORFgzCuqNjG8WKMvw3osVVLUtKSNsCqxufdVz2MHDHiBU5ydA6vVzn1iR5gOUVrGKmxdxqrE0Bt1GnN8aCfFrxmbVLUZssfRfGCqEcTo5giDj7lX36x9gCOhpQgbu2jufXo_m1o/s200/Wheal+Peevor+March+2010+064.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446036324790222338" border="0" /></a>There has been a creative evolution for me over the past few days. It started when I visited some tin mine ruins nearRedruth, called Wheal Peevor, where I took over 60 photos of the ruins there. I had been looking for a place that would be the 'muse' for a few chapters in my book and this was it. I played a<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTZ-Rzk6qp1a2G9d0aQN1h3sNHB14Cewfei1khQLL_rbFI2uSahuDfxhvS2ywwbFFvp7JQ3uCLtFzt4oSazigubr7gi-iPKo14h2nQlpAUJ-Sv4zr-iFO_vau4qc_5UxlN2vjxgERbkG4/s1600-h/Wheal+Peevor+March+2010+051.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 148px; height: 111px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTZ-Rzk6qp1a2G9d0aQN1h3sNHB14Cewfei1khQLL_rbFI2uSahuDfxhvS2ywwbFFvp7JQ3uCLtFzt4oSazigubr7gi-iPKo14h2nQlpAUJ-Sv4zr-iFO_vau4qc_5UxlN2vjxgERbkG4/s200/Wheal+Peevor+March+2010+051.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446036922932883282" border="0" /></a>round with sepia to age some of the photos and the whole place was fantastically atmospheric and there is brilliant light the further west in Cornwall one travels. There was also an abundance of gorse that was brilliant yellow in flower. In addition we had the wonderful experience of having the the place entirely to ourselves...breathtaking.<br />Following the photography on Wednesday I was inspired to do some sketching of a scene in my new sketch book from one of the photos, creating the detail of a scene from one of my many <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy3K4PFG_BfLcbqaBqYYub9wW8OxAbSdxeLTeddgw5HJ0CFlqtI6vlcxFK5RSKHa7_JYVrxMdpSJjS0iGdTaH_7BZ8u_srEoyQbKpNfprZHrvlXXjASFIwN077-9NeubQfGPzDlINzc2U/s1600-h/Writing+007.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 97px; height: 131px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy3K4PFG_BfLcbqaBqYYub9wW8OxAbSdxeLTeddgw5HJ0CFlqtI6vlcxFK5RSKHa7_JYVrxMdpSJjS0iGdTaH_7BZ8u_srEoyQbKpNfprZHrvlXXjASFIwN077-9NeubQfGPzDlINzc2U/s200/Writing+007.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446037862021610226" border="0" /></a>photos. I am not gifted at all in painting or drawing, but the experience was useful in rounding the scene in my head. I was able to add the original picture and text detailing the scene which was really brilliant to help me visualise the scene in my head too.<br />The final stage of the creative evolution at this point was the story mirror. I had two 99p IKEA mirrors sitting at home ready to be decorated. My little five year old daughter wanted to do to fairy mirror, which involved pink tissue paper, glitter and grasses from the garden! It was lovely doing this with her and it also inspired me to do something for myself. I used the time to create<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU3DmMOBxgAZMMEMa5pKi3Pwjy8TJgoB1oumMboEM5Lbsy6Zr5adipJgaLtdrMwQgikdYMI3Netj5GgMAPAMJ4woSHIWwnQX2c68JcYBwWoeZPR_sYj6VN0cb4vWjxK1uOTZcPSplSbJc/s1600-h/Writing+001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 122px; height: 91px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU3DmMOBxgAZMMEMa5pKi3Pwjy8TJgoB1oumMboEM5Lbsy6Zr5adipJgaLtdrMwQgikdYMI3Netj5GgMAPAMJ4woSHIWwnQX2c68JcYBwWoeZPR_sYj6VN0cb4vWjxK1uOTZcPSplSbJc/s200/Writing+001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446038556702254754" border="0" /></a> a mirror that had hints and images about the novel I am writing at the moment. I was able to use words, pictures, colour and texture to create a feature that will hang above my writing desk as a constant source of encouragement and inspiration. The next stage, which will begin this week, is to actually write from all this creativity and create the scenes in my head and change what I need to change. This has inspired me, raised my self confidence and made me believe that what I am writing is worth reading too. I have been inspired to write by being creative in other ways and it has been an exciting couple of days. I hope the mirror gives enough hints to raise an interest in the story behind it.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfxHwnOtmFi_eqTeTbefxKiT7qNz5w0lfh4X_uczYf_KJMmJTeMUk-oiCsYnPIZzQ56ntr833FDbykRFpHdVSjonU7YM-zuZ8qeBnnwnRxjDKaqd-ntCXQNrvuJuG7RWG0cdVkiWT_MVg/s1600-h/Writing+006.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfxHwnOtmFi_eqTeTbefxKiT7qNz5w0lfh4X_uczYf_KJMmJTeMUk-oiCsYnPIZzQ56ntr833FDbykRFpHdVSjonU7YM-zuZ8qeBnnwnRxjDKaqd-ntCXQNrvuJuG7RWG0cdVkiWT_MVg/s200/Writing+006.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446041630431155714" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7821191532472529194.post-77313397045791443752010-03-01T13:18:00.006+00:002010-03-01T13:46:36.593+00:00Creative Writing<div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Qw_GkUZmUrJJtcCu8KmpfYp_lmdqPCFk8H_zw3FuDpZQrYYKTyX0zVeovTuWhoLOQnJ0nHRXsRHWzzULgaQuB9aS1RsRznBs5dlfWQw1UjWHfvt_zjL4EmKm0Eq_BIGY7QXlXg9cmSE/s1600-h/February+2010+022.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 170px; height: 127px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Qw_GkUZmUrJJtcCu8KmpfYp_lmdqPCFk8H_zw3FuDpZQrYYKTyX0zVeovTuWhoLOQnJ0nHRXsRHWzzULgaQuB9aS1RsRznBs5dlfWQw1UjWHfvt_zjL4EmKm0Eq_BIGY7QXlXg9cmSE/s200/February+2010+022.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443654663110388962" border="0" /></a>I am in the middle of restructing a number of things about my book before I can continue writing it. I have changed character names and I am off later in the week to Wheal Peevor - ruins of mine workings site - to help me sort out some opening chapters that I am not totally happy with. This weekend my five year old daughter asked me to help her make a notebook, which I happily did, deciding to make myself one too. I am no artist, as the picture below proves, however this did give me the opportunity to visualise a character on paper and add details about them to it to help me develop my characters and details of the book. The character below is one of my villans and I was very pleased as my art attempt inspired a whole backstory which is written around the picture. I am hoping to add photos and maybe ske<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdGhGR8yMVgKoKaxdf2KH88X6vw94nhQu4V2sLHRTe1VZy1oswB-QiLnU3JBCBihlpWjR66o3CWcZK7UiD3wYeF4HSDP-qcRonbglaPu4t5vL9BMHpSAGGIVnFfCwL4wLY14b2rK3trWE/s1600-h/February+2010+023.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdGhGR8yMVgKoKaxdf2KH88X6vw94nhQu4V2sLHRTe1VZy1oswB-QiLnU3JBCBihlpWjR66o3CWcZK7UiD3wYeF4HSDP-qcRonbglaPu4t5vL9BMHpSAGGIVnFfCwL4wLY14b2rK3trWE/s200/February+2010+023.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443659892059593522" border="0" /></a>tches of the mine workings to this sketch book as well as some of my central characters and places. Inspiration and motivation is coming in lots of diferent forms and I am feeling regenerated in my enthusiasm for my book again. The next stage will be chopping and changing chapter lengths as they are too long and full of adverbs! I have discovered that I use them quite a lot and need to look at my 'show not tell' pieces carefully. I will be writing new bits soon but feel I have to deal with these barriers before I can move on with it.<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7821191532472529194.post-52585975270341753892010-02-23T23:50:00.004+00:002010-02-24T00:04:33.582+00:00What's in a name?<div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKyUbaoFouu3g7on8RKxdCfSko2OkkL8n7ttdYLgcheft5J6qOBFdc3pUkQ9cp324PAeQaxBQp2oGzwj1MZMQw3nbN7k_bo4lXxuJ8hTZirGqz29Hx00qMZXOC2nN7fppOEqu72_zxg6A/s1600-h/February+2010+014.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKyUbaoFouu3g7on8RKxdCfSko2OkkL8n7ttdYLgcheft5J6qOBFdc3pUkQ9cp324PAeQaxBQp2oGzwj1MZMQw3nbN7k_bo4lXxuJ8hTZirGqz29Hx00qMZXOC2nN7fppOEqu72_zxg6A/s200/February+2010+014.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441592577705979058" border="0" /></a>The picture here is of Polzeath in Cornwall. The interesting thing about living in Cornwall is that so many of the place names describe where or what they are or were. For instance if a place name is prefixed by 'tre-' then it means 'farm/homestead' and 'chy-' means 'house/home'.<br />I have been musing over the significance of character names. It is easy to pick names that you link with people you have known including all their character traits and quirks. I am having a spring clean of my unfinished novel and have decided to change three character's names. I was feeling unhappy about these original choices, so I decided to research names that could summarise their character or personality. I have had an amazing time trawling the internet for Native American, African, Sumerian, Irish and possible even Middle Earthnames and meanings for inspiration. I have settled on some great names I would not have considered and I am very happy with how the group of characters now looks on paper. <a href="http://www.jonmayhem.blogspot.com/">Jon M</a> shared with me when he visited last week that a character in his book was inspired by the contents of his curry<br /></div>How do you choose names for your characters and do they secretly mirror the personalities of folk you know?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7821191532472529194.post-34400284895807443542010-02-18T23:40:00.004+00:002010-02-18T23:59:15.956+00:00Word Explosion Success!<div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZLbxoTPwsETmC43PoRtarLd2ddSX7EFmaVCdPSUD5ai_jJSEvXexO8_6FwyRlt-Zc0DttbmrziOsNUJzYEAInRJ7-IT3GYA99VVOErHHckj4LHXhLzYXyGhJHoDhu0ADFOxWAzAKyEyU/s1600-h/Mortlock.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 162px; height: 162px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZLbxoTPwsETmC43PoRtarLd2ddSX7EFmaVCdPSUD5ai_jJSEvXexO8_6FwyRlt-Zc0DttbmrziOsNUJzYEAInRJ7-IT3GYA99VVOErHHckj4LHXhLzYXyGhJHoDhu0ADFOxWAzAKyEyU/s200/Mortlock.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439732943498883250" border="0" /></a>I have been away from my blog a very long time and I apologise to all those who thought I may have fallen off the blogging planet. Amongst lots of other things (Christmas, snow, illness etc) I have been responsible alongside a colleague for the first Children and Young People's LitFest in North Cornwall. We had a number of workshops run by Caroline Binch, Bridget Crowley, Tim Bowler, Helen Dunmore and <a href="http://www.jonmayhem.blogspot.com/">Jon Mayhew</a>. Jon travelled from Cheshire to Cornwall to do two excellent sessions on Gory Ballads and Scary Stories, one of which was at Bodmin Jail, the other at Bude Castle. He had the largest turnout with 40 adults and kids at Bodmin and his book is not even out till April!! It was also fantastic because a parent came up to us at the end of his Bodmin session and explained that her son was extremely dyslexic and had been shy about sharing his story, however he had really been inspired by Jon and the session as a whole, which simply has to be a mark of success. It was also a joy to spend some time getting to know Jon and introduce him to a taster of Cornwall (and I don't just mean clotted cream scones!).<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-GJ_Y3Q__NcGMsLvr1FJOhQQALzSJVhJp74n86S2RX26WHH5-2zblfrfIqrVgoYo5FESwG-EaRUMr6NoD0eGhGfbAnitYedrTNilEmuWl87at8hm35vE79haGr0DzTNLiay26vCXtA0M/s1600-h/ingo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 114px; height: 114px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-GJ_Y3Q__NcGMsLvr1FJOhQQALzSJVhJp74n86S2RX26WHH5-2zblfrfIqrVgoYo5FESwG-EaRUMr6NoD0eGhGfbAnitYedrTNilEmuWl87at8hm35vE79haGr0DzTNLiay26vCXtA0M/s200/ingo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439736632399164802" border="0" /></a><br />In addition I went to the session with Helen Dunmore, most known for her Ingo books. She was gracious and approachable to all who came to see her... a real gem. So I think I can safely say that it was a great start and we have lots to develop and build on for next year. It also inspired and motivated me in my writing as I admit to having had little writing time, although I did submit a short story in January. I think I had lost a little confidence and needed some encouragment and inspiration to revisit it and pick it up again. This has begun with a spring clean of my blog with a new design and the intention to keep it regularly updated and more writing focused. It has been a brilliant week and a special thank you to Jon for traveling so far and doing such great workshops that inspired the children of Bude and Bodmin this week.<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7821191532472529194.post-61642650275183964192009-11-14T21:39:00.004+00:002009-11-14T21:53:39.732+00:00February Children's Litfest Update<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkfakxMNXmqxEsEbmKh2LGgy4KyRz4oakKHhZldxYNwYBrnUpWOr153TBDJ8i8QkDVVLshL01LinJ2Wg4vL5jCJML2tWycPSZyag-a58zM9cCjpIQ7-m_xu2VegTrd9zgnar8A-PplcD8/s1600-h/river_boy_02a.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 120px; height: 120px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkfakxMNXmqxEsEbmKh2LGgy4KyRz4oakKHhZldxYNwYBrnUpWOr153TBDJ8i8QkDVVLshL01LinJ2Wg4vL5jCJML2tWycPSZyag-a58zM9cCjpIQ7-m_xu2VegTrd9zgnar8A-PplcD8/s200/river_boy_02a.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404077631553832722" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicDAlbIGCZOOjOjcwWUuH-lRA9pFp3_uXXbjS2PjKRDMjELr-5Zm4zMP34sD7p706T1fQWIsSHN7g-QcKTlx7mgHUgsxO6aTJ1YKiKrOOQTBPIPZUodeMcjApo25AZAw4SM-KM54sG-MI/s1600-h/ingo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 120px; height: 120px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicDAlbIGCZOOjOjcwWUuH-lRA9pFp3_uXXbjS2PjKRDMjELr-5Zm4zMP34sD7p706T1fQWIsSHN7g-QcKTlx7mgHUgsxO6aTJ1YKiKrOOQTBPIPZUodeMcjApo25AZAw4SM-KM54sG-MI/s200/ingo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404077495282083906" border="0" /></a>Blimey it has been ages since I posted, time just slipped away from me. I have been very busy trying, amongst other things, to organise North Cornwall's first Children and Young People's Literary Festival. The event is themed around Myth and Magic, and with the help of some lovely people I have managed to secure Tim Bowler and Helen Dunmore to come and do sessions in the festival. I am working on trying to contact Angie Sage through her agent, but we also have lots of local talent. If he is still able I am hoping our very own Jon Mayhew may also do a session on writing scary stories! We have our own Victorian jail to hold it in, complete with resident ghosts! It is mayhem at the moment but I am hoping it is all coming together slowly and will be ready to launch.<br />I am at a loss for a name for the festival that will attract young people as well as children. Any ideas out there?<br />I have been doing lots of research for my book on living conditions of early nineteenth century Cornish mining families and the influences on their values and mindset. It has been fascinating but has made me decide to change loads in my book already. I also received an exciting ebay purchase today. It is a box that has a secret method to open and lock it - it involve tapping the box in the correct place to lock and unlock it. It is solid wood with a barn owl carved into it. I bought it because it has given me great ideas for a very important artefact in my book. Will post a picture next post.<br />I received my copies of the two books pictured above to read. I have read Ingo before but wanted to read it again and I had not read any of Tim Bowler's. 'Bloodchild' is his latest but I felt drawn to River Boy, at least for now. What are all you wonderful people in blog land reading right now?My current books ar, 'The Screwtape Letters,' by CS Lewis and 'Physik' by Angie Sage.<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7821191532472529194.post-46106795323503361632009-09-21T23:23:00.003+01:002009-09-21T23:33:14.048+01:00Tintagel Magic<div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy5PcbjudXcw3dBcZXlww2Phi8fMZE_AWBqiwh9QRHLnExzPJGJ_pFWevyOKEuGOrL2nJk0Ra_2lsP_ZgAfCs6zHRJXiOnzQLIQdV_zVYIgh2eA6aW6llwcrf8RjhBytbpMESdOYUNXBI/s1600-h/tintagel2-bov.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy5PcbjudXcw3dBcZXlww2Phi8fMZE_AWBqiwh9QRHLnExzPJGJ_pFWevyOKEuGOrL2nJk0Ra_2lsP_ZgAfCs6zHRJXiOnzQLIQdV_zVYIgh2eA6aW6llwcrf8RjhBytbpMESdOYUNXBI/s200/tintagel2-bov.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384050380501184898" border="0" /></a>I had a lovely time recently when a childhood friend came to stay. Among the many things we did was a trip to King Arthur's birthplace - Tintagel. The castle is in ruins and you have to cross a causeway to get to the part of the castle in the picture. It was stunning to be there again (I cannot take my kids as I get too nervous having little ones up that high and exposed!!) so I can only go when they are at school. The castle is on a headland and is opposite a couple of wondeful sea caves, one of which is aptly named merlin's Cave. You cannot fail to be inspired when you reach the castle - although it took a while to be able to breathe after the climb!!! I am hoping to return to St Agnes to the ruined engine house on the cliff (the one in my title picture) as opening chapters of my book are set there. Before the end of this week I will be back writing again.<br />I think the book cover for Mortlock is awesome Jon - as is the trailer! Well done Tam on Harriet's success! It is exciting to see people you have got to know via blogs having their first novels published soon.<br />I have been brave and revamped my holiday club proposal over the summer holidays. I recently submitted it again to another Christian publisher and await news ever hopefully!<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7821191532472529194.post-25079413359298585372009-08-27T23:18:00.003+01:002009-08-27T23:28:59.078+01:00Excitement and Potential Marital Strife!<div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjboYG0WC695lmHR0qi6Fg95MYzn-u9URkFbvFX82NSxiZnu6UuWo_jo0GhKunK0h6z0fWYsJxi5-U0LvcVqP2foFqK5vdspVa3sss5pnUoPJIC6v4j4q3u0arFwF1Qalmy5GuLUW4CFZ4/s1600-h/ghost+hunter.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 227px; height: 227px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjboYG0WC695lmHR0qi6Fg95MYzn-u9URkFbvFX82NSxiZnu6UuWo_jo0GhKunK0h6z0fWYsJxi5-U0LvcVqP2foFqK5vdspVa3sss5pnUoPJIC6v4j4q3u0arFwF1Qalmy5GuLUW4CFZ4/s320/ghost+hunter.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374771762756517970" border="0" /></a>This long awaited book arrived today and I am very, very excited indeed! Michelle Paver has been a real inspiration to me as a writer and her work is truly gripping. I defy anyone to read the first book and not be consumed with her characters and the attention to detail in order to create a stone age setting This is the last book in her series The Chronicles of Ancient Darkness, and I heard on a podcast that she wept quite a bit when she had finished it, as it was the end of the story for her characters...she would write about them no more. I wondered then what it would be like to write a series of books where you become besotted with the characters you create and travel with them as you create their stories, to then have to bring that to an end, never to write about them again. I am sure JK Rowling felt bereft when she finished her seventh book, as Michelle Paver did at the end of her sixth.<br />Marital discord could be prominent in my household as my hubby is as caught up in the series as I am and seems to think he will get to read it first as he thinks I should re-read the previous book (Oath breaker) as he has done in the last week, knowing that Ghost Hunter was on its way. I am not sure about this as I ordered the book, so we may end up reading it to each other!!!!<br />Also got my Children's Writers and Artists Yearbook 2010, so will be burying myself in that too!!<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7821191532472529194.post-45748916719199728312009-08-20T00:23:00.002+01:002009-08-20T00:29:56.723+01:00Progress<div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6rEJjGLWuV_53FdBt-FR_CaSA2P4TlS50sI9BUr3dnjaT6v9Rna8lIa-YXzNoOmQzG_4biIXXnEFNTN9TQbyic94pch97RpRZg1MQgbUq150ARrhIJoW9IXWIl2kj6iNIYcYce-B7Dfk/s1600-h/Barn+Owl.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 291px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6rEJjGLWuV_53FdBt-FR_CaSA2P4TlS50sI9BUr3dnjaT6v9Rna8lIa-YXzNoOmQzG_4biIXXnEFNTN9TQbyic94pch97RpRZg1MQgbUq150ARrhIJoW9IXWIl2kj6iNIYcYce-B7Dfk/s320/Barn+Owl.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371820058419310674" border="0" /></a>I found this wonderful image of a barn owl on Google and it has helped me think about the role of the barn owl in my novel. I now have a role, responsibility and a name for him. Research has been fab, especially the Barn Owl Trust website as they have a live webcam of a barn owl nest here in Cornwall. I have made lots of notes and plan to write him into the book very soon.<br />I also did the What Kind of Book are you? thingy over at Debs and spookily I came out as Sci-Fi/Fantasy - exactly the type of books I read and am writing!!! Go and have a go it is very cool - though I am not sure everything in the description is entirely accurate?<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7821191532472529194.post-40730442133051891702009-08-08T00:08:00.004+01:002009-08-08T00:24:08.500+01:00Having a 'Hoot'<div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqwApl4nKP4O3eKCMQKC1SlgEZePf9x-TJMPc-sEwEBgX3FvNLGaXl3cpfSQwyolfqhX_-QrHwvhEw0Xfx8UxntKipbrDNgyghRGHvLDki4IMrrmV4PnZXfbQMEypCyP7pkex6CYkT0eU/s1600-h/Owl+Sanctuary+09+022.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 190px; height: 248px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqwApl4nKP4O3eKCMQKC1SlgEZePf9x-TJMPc-sEwEBgX3FvNLGaXl3cpfSQwyolfqhX_-QrHwvhEw0Xfx8UxntKipbrDNgyghRGHvLDki4IMrrmV4PnZXfbQMEypCyP7pkex6CYkT0eU/s320/Owl+Sanctuary+09+022.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367363042497280562" border="0" /></a>Yesterday I thoroughly enjoyed a wonderful day out with my kids at the local Owl Sanctuary. It is a fantastic place that not only displays these incredible birds, but also rears owl chicks and rehabilitates rescued birds, including those hit by cars etc. They also do a flying display with a couple of the owls and my son and I were particularly thrilled to watch the falconer fly a barn owl. Barn owls are my absolute favourite; they have a hypnotic and inspiring serenity and beauty about them. My son shares my love of them and he had the particular thrill of being able to put on the falconer's glove and have the barn owl land on it. He is a sponge for natural history and fact finding at the moment, so it was a fantastic day for him.<br />It got me thinking about barn owls for my 'tween' novel. It has introduced another potential thread for my novel, which is great, but also has me worried that my story may have more threads than the Bayeux Tapestry and may therefore be too complicated to complete without ending up in knots!!<br />Really enjoying the summer holidays, although resigning myself to having very little time and energy for writing and therefore resolving to put all that energy into my two little people until September 2nd, when my youngest goes full time at school and I have a larger window of opportunity to finish my novel. In the meantime I will content myself with writing ideas I have on index cards and filing them under <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">' to be written'!!</span><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7821191532472529194.post-3103189995046357242009-07-23T21:10:00.003+01:002009-07-23T21:21:51.148+01:00Stress, SCBWI, Songs and Sheep<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGPjOp5IS7wdnnqeKc0Th1AaJ5vxNPclH6Dp1SXCq-HJMErMHsHb0GtHJlnCvv3QRnRSFFIk83p0waMZBjxQYF71_fGlg49jr88Ebm_bOCSIEkosq2TUQ6QhXpDLvqJSqsR0PCb1h3DUs/s1600-h/stress-picture-stress-relief-kit.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 252px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 244px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361750692805890978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGPjOp5IS7wdnnqeKc0Th1AaJ5vxNPclH6Dp1SXCq-HJMErMHsHb0GtHJlnCvv3QRnRSFFIk83p0waMZBjxQYF71_fGlg49jr88Ebm_bOCSIEkosq2TUQ6QhXpDLvqJSqsR0PCb1h3DUs/s320/stress-picture-stress-relief-kit.jpg" /></a><br /><div align="justify">Life in my little niche of Cornwall has been very stressful this past week or so, but there is light at the end of the tunnel. On Sunday we depart 20 miles south to Looe to do our annual Family Bible Week. I am heading up the 8-11 year old tent (with 40 kids in it!!). As well as helping to run the morning kids work I am puppeteering all week, which means six songs! I will have shoulders to rival olympic swimmers by the end of the week.</div><div align="justify">We are staying with dear friends of ours in Liskeard, so we will be having decent sleep (no ravaged tents for me this year) and good company! I also plan to take my little notepad and write virtually every evening (except maybe when we go and see Ice Age 3 with the kids!) Although Bible Week is hard work I do enjoy it and so do all the kids so it will be worth it. </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">On a different note I finally joined the SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators) yesterday. It was a promised Mother's Day present and I have finally got round to doing it. I am really keen to go to the conference in November but a bit nervous about travelling to Winchester on my own and need to find £170!! However it looks FAB so I am saving all my pennies and seeing what possessions I can sell on ebay! Off now to write up song words for puppeteers such as "I just wanna be a sheep...baa, baa, baa-ba-ba" - Great song but don't ask.<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7821191532472529194.post-52768240182365502492009-07-14T23:16:00.005+01:002009-07-14T23:33:08.109+01:00Highs and Lows<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwf1VNNBgVuvHUViF8yKDy-Dxgu7cZc3OjqxL52I7Ktg09RD5RiSxgHHaIHLtKVA0CGOdHMPRirLtkwgX6QYGZTthmR4cHvzRbhj7PrtH2k_c58dQTEAgdGN8D3Kwd2nXxDgI03osVPvA/s1600-h/P1010032.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358443704538582658" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwf1VNNBgVuvHUViF8yKDy-Dxgu7cZc3OjqxL52I7Ktg09RD5RiSxgHHaIHLtKVA0CGOdHMPRirLtkwgX6QYGZTthmR4cHvzRbhj7PrtH2k_c58dQTEAgdGN8D3Kwd2nXxDgI03osVPvA/s320/P1010032.JPG" /></a> I apologise for my terrible blogging at the moment. This past couple of weeks has been a series of highs and lows and it has meant that I have been through the emotional spectrum and had little time for blogging.<br /><br /><br />However here I am to share the highs and lows of early July!!<br /><br /><br /><ul><br /><li>High - Claire P has got a contract with an agent for 'Digging for Victoria' - FAB News</li><br /><li>High - Kat W has finished her first draft of her novel - well done mate</li><br /><li>High - Got the OK to organise Cornwall's first Children's Literary festival in February</li><br /><li>High - In connection with that, Helen Dunmore has expressed interest in being involved!!!</li><br /><li>High - My niece turned seven on Saturday and we had a lovely party despite the weather.</li><br /><li>High - Both my kids got great school reports</li></ul><br /><br /><p>And now for the Lows</p><ul><li><br />Low - Took my wonderful 7 year old son to see the Cleft team at The Royal Cornwall Hospital. Have been told he will need bone graft surgery in about 18 months time. He was born with a cleft lip and gum (see piccy above) and had his lip repaired at 10 days old. Since then we have put other surgery to the back of our minds, but as he now approaches 8 years old and more adult teeth are coming through, the time has come. He has to have a brace fitted first to widen the arch before they take the bone from his shin and graft it into his gum. Three days in Frenchay Hospital in Bristol! Sob!</li><br /><li>Low - Done diddly on my novel for two weeks</li><br /><li>Low - Stressed to eyeballs with work, delivering stuff and getting everything done for my schools before the end of term</li><br /><li>Low - Chicken problems -red mite infestation in chicken house. Chickens fighting and not getting on, one has gone broody and two have now stopped laying!</li><br /><li>Low - Point when I felt that I am wasting my time as I am probably not talented enough to even get my book finished, let alone read by an agent or a publisher!<br />So there we are...strange fortnight. I am quite stressed about my boy, although it is all at least eighteen months away as I had almost convinced myself he would not need it. Deep breath and big sigh. Hope to be sunnier than the weather soon!</li></ul>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7821191532472529194.post-2274014173499439602009-06-16T23:02:00.004+01:002009-06-16T23:18:42.704+01:00Just for Fun Competition<div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdSrPs78TIOKGAEJmNCCk5_sYs7k4ECEZhz22Bvsh7UgXUv0IxHF4TzxH-FB3-DLa4BKipgLRuu2iUt9azogB1JF4BQfhcIrtrvwe-HzjKTwIDGe0_LR2-6jmNG0Y_Gvg-5PoqK04IdKg/s1600-h/Wales+Holiday+2009+027.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348049693197506962" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdSrPs78TIOKGAEJmNCCk5_sYs7k4ECEZhz22Bvsh7UgXUv0IxHF4TzxH-FB3-DLa4BKipgLRuu2iUt9azogB1JF4BQfhcIrtrvwe-HzjKTwIDGe0_LR2-6jmNG0Y_Gvg-5PoqK04IdKg/s320/Wales+Holiday+2009+027.jpg" /></a> Having a good week so far. I managed to write about 3000 words over the weekend and I am hoping for a few thousand more this week. It is encouraging to begin to update the word count progress on my chart. Up to nearly 20000 and I am aiming at around 50000. </div><div align="justify">This picture was taken at Pembroke Castle while we were away on holiday in Wales a while back and Kat gave me an idea for a little fun competition I could have here on the blog. A useful writing exercise I do sometimes is to take a photo and write for thirty minutes about what the photo has made me think about. You can read a couple I did back along on my <a href="http://www.michellethirtysomethings.blogspot.com/">Thirty Somethings blog</a></div><div align="justify">I am sure you all have loads better and more productive things to do, however if you have time or a bit of a blank day and you would like to have a go, here's what to do.</div><div align="justify">Take a few minutes to look at the photo above and think about what it creates in your mind. Set a timer and write for thirty minutes. No editing once it is done. Email it to me at <a href="mailto:michelle.minniss@virgin.net">Michelle</a> and I will publish entries on the Thirty Somethings blog. May be able to dig out some prizes but really it is just for fun. Enjoy!!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7821191532472529194.post-72057256500875159712009-06-05T21:34:00.008+01:002009-06-05T21:56:38.442+01:00Home from Holiday...there's lovely!<div><div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2jWdxgbEvaBgG2ltNla59yfi3-qGki67u2-rx7y0htDcvlWCxPHI8-5Ym-lP41QOhLbxv4XU3eX_izKnu15L2Co2yDGiECq5OsUTkbF4wfwYbYajFPgTYu0fVMQoYaxrbncXQV5HygDU/s1600-h/Wales+Holiday+2009+057.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343945084048028066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 172px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 125px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2jWdxgbEvaBgG2ltNla59yfi3-qGki67u2-rx7y0htDcvlWCxPHI8-5Ym-lP41QOhLbxv4XU3eX_izKnu15L2Co2yDGiECq5OsUTkbF4wfwYbYajFPgTYu0fVMQoYaxrbncXQV5HygDU/s200/Wales+Holiday+2009+057.jpg" border="0" /></a> Well we are back from sunny Pembrokeshire and we have really relaxed! Thank you to all of you who were so kind and wrote encouraging things on my last post as I was having a terrible week. We had a fantastic family time away and although Andy had to leave the holiday for a couple of days to drive to Liverpool and then fly to the Isle of Man for his grandfather's funeral, we managed to have a wonderful time together. We did loads of activities including visiting Fun parks like Heatherton, where C got to Go-Kart, play Robot Wars and thrash his parents at mini-golf; and a dinosaur park with lots of dino info and things to do. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343947334234002018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 146px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 99px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6FOIwNTT3scIDZkOt9jXZllqQyfg8sS3h5Oa9RBJOmavjI-80XjwJsfiurFTOVhPn6ssBE8KAR3ZDo4wuQVSgZsE-E-nCQtU9YbcluVLdEJM8E2i6vaoaDr0UdGthFnBHAaQH1kESr5E/s200/Wales+Holiday+2009+028.jpg" border="0" />We also indulged the medieval historian in me and visited Pembroke Castle, where I got some lovely photos and got to see some birds of prey they were flying there that day. My 4 year old suggested I took the picture below of one of the corridors in the castle, which has come out really well as an inspirational picture for a story. We also did some brass rubbings and C chose a knight that turned out to be the very same Earl of Warwick that I wrote my dissertation on!!!! <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343947503950660930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 145px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 92px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC3IiXQB50CcylJkCAlWA4IH9QQCAPTDxi6YZJQuA5_jMstP_E805zUBXvTV_Zuoe7_pO0pHJQm216NHU7ylevtOwbt1Y9xSNwHzk1aN_A88cM9PDUhbC2MZQnYoQo2IGDUcObD91TDSk/s200/Wales+Holiday+2009+027.jpg" border="0" />I have included some photos for your pleasure,I am sure you will agree that the photo of the beach at the top looks like it could be in the Med rather than at Tenby! I also couldn't resist snapping this carpet of bluebells in the nature woodland walk near our cottage where we were staying.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343948495977110114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 159px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 115px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Zqp0xPTfz1al-4ruT3HfiVzC65uq_GdWlOnyeeHUfBikIGAyBTKCe265qLQ_1TFho1QMznegStYHD7PEwIp0mdU_00So25ZAq09sOvXm2nlW3EB_YNnfKvNyTPkSwASNI4fzAppxM98/s200/Wales+Holiday+2009+020.jpg" border="0" /></div><div>On the writing front I had a wonderful week, planning my novel out in scenes and tracking its development, so it is planned out to the end now and I have a vision for the way forward which is a huge thing for me as I was beginning to worry whether I would get lost in it a bit. I also wrote another three thousand words on the novel itself, started a picture book story and wrote a 100 word competition entry about an encounter with wildlife. I wrote about a magnificent encounter I had with a barn owl at about 12 midnight on a country lane near us on the way home from ASDA. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343947681376752194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 100px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 112px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmIc2TanlGonRFwQb5Wec5glpCCgqhTgQbY2p1rdmgJEKuS03Jpa3drJxc6fDnBTbuz_XMSfKKetfK9mWTs2di7cauSYIrM2uUFKnFZ3wD3D4QYv2oKowPQgXiUiq_8urCi9D61RcGwB8/s200/Wales+Holiday+2009+031.jpg" border="0" />I feel refreshed and ready to write, all I need now is time and no more stress from work to keep myself focused. Got lots of research to do too around young carers and head injuries! I have been reading a great little book about the dangers of mining in Cornish copper and tin mines as part of my research and it has been fascinating in a macabre sort of way!!</div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7821191532472529194.post-7509749621611791612009-05-20T17:47:00.005+01:002009-05-20T18:08:35.350+01:00Horrid week with a top 15% High Spot!<div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCCjLHq9e-quRqhcIYree_5R0APXzNbmLW9wGF_2BJMsVKAnQnD4i9IV7T3XsIl412ustOeLt_xGsZINYOkAuyKaV2ZPwb9ZHpVLfxfWIYg4nLqwtin3MhXArliOb6el0Yp0X01DP6G2Q/s1600-h/Camping+June+2007+026.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337950016017459970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 182px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 125px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCCjLHq9e-quRqhcIYree_5R0APXzNbmLW9wGF_2BJMsVKAnQnD4i9IV7T3XsIl412ustOeLt_xGsZINYOkAuyKaV2ZPwb9ZHpVLfxfWIYg4nLqwtin3MhXArliOb6el0Yp0X01DP6G2Q/s200/Camping+June+2007+026.jpg" border="0" /></a>This week has been tough for a number of reasons and I have been a bit of a 'car crash' emotionally over the past two days. Work has left me stressed and unappreciated at times and it all hit a head today when I walked out of a meeting before I either exploded with anger or broke down in a weepy puddle. We are due to go on our first ever family holiday on Friday to South West Wales and the kids are so excited, however my hubby's grandfather passed away yesterday and the funeral is on the Tuesday of our holiday...in the Isle of Man. Hubby is trying to arrange transport to get him there and back over the bank holiday which is proving very difficult. Quite an emotional week! Although I have now finished work till after the holidays, we still have our warring chickens to sort out and all the packing etc to do. Stressed is not a strong enough word!!!!</div><div align="justify">However in the midst of all this angst I received a letter today which gave me a lift and made me feel good about me for a while. I had entered the Children's Academy of Writers annual competition to write a short story for children. I had entered a lengthened and revised version of my Echoes story (the original version is on my Thirtysomethings blog). The photo above was the inspiration for the story. I did not win, neither did I get second or third, however I reached the top 300 out of 2000 entries, which apparently put me in the top 15%. The letter I received said lots of nice things such as...</div><div align="justify"><em>"To reach the final 15% you obviously have an understanding of young people that impressed our panel of judges. This is a quality that is invaluable to a would be children's writer...your 'way with words', indicates that with a little effort your natural talent could be developed to enable you to produce work of publication standard."</em></div><div align="justify">Now the cynic in me could say that these are nice things to say to encourage me to do their correspondance course, however to receive a letter like this during this week in particular has been an oasis in the desert. I have not switched on my book for over a week and was beginning to get that, " Who am I kidding?" about my writing. So to have a letter that gives me these comments, personal replies apparently only sent out to the top 15% (!), meant a great deal to me and gives me hope that I might yet one day see something I have written in print with a lovely cover sitting on the bookshelves in Waterstones.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7821191532472529194.post-79072602768106611912009-05-11T22:41:00.003+01:002009-05-11T22:56:47.492+01:00Picnic at Cardinham and Bullies!!<div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJfRMe-_Rs1tVqAXcIefettFn64KyROQIRs2pWMOqIfTAdcEQ1l7503plKY1yU2sdR4b2tg0zhSAnxQE86NvfehkpFYXE4109nuCaJLu21kaIeMoJRZ8pRRDlebWYLONkRlbUCD9c3XEI/s1600-h/August+2007+016.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334686275874812546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJfRMe-_Rs1tVqAXcIefettFn64KyROQIRs2pWMOqIfTAdcEQ1l7503plKY1yU2sdR4b2tg0zhSAnxQE86NvfehkpFYXE4109nuCaJLu21kaIeMoJRZ8pRRDlebWYLONkRlbUCD9c3XEI/s200/August+2007+016.jpg" border="0" /></a> We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves yesterday on a gloriously sunny Sunday. We had a church picnic at Cardinham Woods, which is a Forestry Commission beauty spot near us. It has a large green with inbuilt BBQ's and a river running through it (see above pic).</div><div align="justify">Apart from a small drama when my little lady's shoe became detatched from her foot and had to be rescued from the river by a kindly teenager, it was a fab day. All came home exhausted but feeling we had made the most of the sunshine.</div><div align="justify">Currently I am having to be a member of the Chicken Bullying Police. Three of our four hens have taken it upon themselves to bully the other one. They have always all got on fine, but I noticed one of them was missing quite a lot of feathers around her neck and head and she looked scrawny compared to the others. Today I caught them in the act and they were being really horrible to her, clearly terrorising the poor thing. We have not got the facilities at the moment to separate her, so we are making do with emergency plans until we can source a rabbit run to get her out and help her recover. At the moment she sits on top of the hen house and will not come down to eat or drink, so we are feeding her by hand and shutting the rest away so she can drink and peck in peace.</div><div align="justify">I know I should not create from misery, but it could make a good picture/story book about bullying. So please spare a thought for poor Belle as she recovers</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7821191532472529194.post-82208831712899675342009-05-05T12:56:00.007+01:002009-05-05T13:18:00.684+01:00Writing,Day, Fab Hubby and Spring Bank Holiday!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdvkEqVVC3SBai-zrlpYPALLnHySvlEZ_24E6bf4W64Z8VJWOERdywcBnL-qQ6ZCcg5mxow0fUH0kF-zMUlrZPexC5a4URFiAA1Y4hjGLAA1-1bgG5aDWh7gZ9awz2u36DlJisIF0mTqg/s1600-h/May+09+016.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332312774377498802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdvkEqVVC3SBai-zrlpYPALLnHySvlEZ_24E6bf4W64Z8VJWOERdywcBnL-qQ6ZCcg5mxow0fUH0kF-zMUlrZPexC5a4URFiAA1Y4hjGLAA1-1bgG5aDWh7gZ9awz2u36DlJisIF0mTqg/s200/May+09+016.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div>I love Cornwall all year round, but I particularly love spring and autumn. The wild flowers I can see when we are out and about near us are stunning. The bluebells and wild garlic are carpeting the woodlands at Respryn, near Lanhydrock and they are beautiful to behold. I found two little Cornish pixies exploring among the bluebells too! (see picture below) </div><div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332309372195494578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 196px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 131px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0IDzK0AhRN4ryqcwz03YYj8oqHarB6P4M4R7IHFRqzx0g_JRfM-ZmEMxbjnsxzWq0cv_loeAQcrOIgzjSsA-RzwlXB_gKA_H6y3-oqFxriwdJTM7IH590EdMgVLCRF9jkGftjEQRHY3s/s200/May+09+013.jpg" border="0" /></div><div align="justify"><div>We had a lovely walk on Saturday through the woodlands near us, enjoying the gorgeous spring weather and nature's bounty. I was in a particularly sunny mood as the day before my wonderful hubby had the day at home doing paperwork, and so sent me out to a very nice local cafe FOR THE DAY to write!!! I had from 10am till nearly 3pm all by myself writing and enjoying totally scrummy toasted Mexican chicken wrap for my lunch, plus numerous cups of tea. I wrote over 3,000 words amd completed a chapter and a half. I was also able to do some research for my book on early ninteenth century clothing as well as mining shifts and jobs and the households of bal maidens in the ninteenth century. I sat with my book, my new notebook plus memory stick and my imagination for a whole day. It was bliss!!!! I need now to keep my momentum going as I fear work will overtake me again this week. However I wanted to share my lovely walk, my fab day writing and exhort the praises of my hubby who child managed all day so I could do it!!!!</div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332312442592508338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 135px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 152px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrJUzb9Tg1r63dqOVI17fQ7CWIJsbBW9aihUCMNusQUmh8jfNVCjJB903jlx02NQC_O3866tv2Ju9t7SwgYMyHGrLw7Cf8WRVxRwAheM8mG2VP1OiqpTiNRUnK3uv3NsHIOYzMFeSzT_A/s200/May+09+015.jpg" border="0" /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4