A wee trip down memory lane can be good for you?

 I’ve added the question mark because I have heard some heated argument over that statement.

Some agree it’s good to look back. Others are vehemently opposed to the idea, saying to look forward is the only way to go.

Me?

Well I would say I’m sitting on the fence, except that makes me think I sound as if I don’t have anny ideas on what is for my best, and it’s not like that.

For me, anyway, I think it’s best to do both, with a chunk of think about the now thrown in. 

I was looking through some old photos of places we’ve been to over the years, in various Novembers as well as other times.

Oh the happy memories.

Equally I’m enjoying the now, relishing in the fact that my knew knee is doing its job, our home is lovely and we have lots of great things, I hope, coming our way.

And giving thanks for what we have.

 

And on that note, I’ll head back to my WIP, a short story about a giraffe called Harold for a gorgeous 3 year old, and say, happy reading, take care, love Raven xxx

Myriad? How? Reckoned? What?

 Favourite words and how not to use them!

Except argh.

That is always useable.

 

It’s one of life’s mysteries, or should that be amusements, that some words can be…interpreted differently. In several ways!. Not always in a polite one.

You see, I, and I suspect many other writers have favourite words. Words we use unconsciously—, or indeed on purpose, lots of tinges. Often too many times in a short number of words. 

That might sound find to me, as I read the stuff over, either in my mind, or out loud.

However, it sounds very repetitive to someone who is reading it, who is shall we stay, one step away from the writing.

The number of times, when the great and sorely missed Doris O’Connor read my story after it was finished she’d laugh and say Raven, you’re myriading again. (I had a time where it seemed to creep in everywhere. A lot.) 

As an aside, her favourite thing was to split words that were actually one word. Caretaker was probably the one she split the most. Yes, it can be two words, but it wasn’t where she’d used it.

So one of the things I have to do when I read over is she k for certain things.

As I call it, de-ing, de-ly, de-how, why, what, and so.

A myriad times!

In other words…de-clutter.

Then I send it off to my editor who no doubt shakes her head and highlight all of the above I’ve forgotten.

Happy reading,

And if it’s mine please try not to wince too often,

Love Raven xxx

A shout out to Author Rachel Lake

 Why? Because she is not only a great author, but a very supportive friend. 

Sadly not one I’ve not been fortunate enough to meet face to face, but one day…fingers crossed.

When I’ve needed advice Rachel is one of the people I turn to and trust. 

She is a fabulous and prolific writer. I mean that in a good way. Her books are not repetitive or churned out. They are researched, and well thought out. I decided that before we even got a chance to ‘converse’. I love all her books under her various pen names. Darcey Boleyn, Cathy Lake, Rachel Griffiths, and Megan Attley.

Please check her books out. I have too many favourites to pick one. (and I don’t want to upset the rest 😉)

Ok, I really love the Rachel Griffiths Sunflower Street series.

And, I can share some covers.

There's lots more so why not pop over to Amazon and check them out?

Plus there's her website of course, which is

 https://rachelgriffithsauthor.com 

Yes okay this is a blog post about one of my favourite authors. There will be more in this thread.

(the midweek shout out)

Happy reading,

love Raven xxx

To cardi or not to cardi

 Frumpy or fashionable?

No not me, though which I am is debatable. 

I'm talking about the old favourite—or most hated garment—the cardigan.

Affectionately known as a cardi, or a woolly. 

Which are around in a variety lengths, materials and heat level, and for all ages.

As a child, I hated those home made ones. Knitted by my mum, aunty or grandmother. in the most scratchy wool known to man or beast. Usually three sizes too big 'so you can grow into it'.

Now though?

I'm a cardi convert. What's nicer, on a cold evening to wrap a big chunky cardigan around you?

Or to put a thin cotton one in your bag, just in cse you might need it later.

They don't need to be scratchy, or three sizes too big anymore. They can be as big—or small—as I fancy. And of course in a variety of weights and colours, and go with anthing be it jeans or a posh frock. (Until recently I had a photo of a very elegant evening cardi I have. Which of course I've lent to a friend. I can't find the photo or take another picture. Just imagine thin, black, 3/4 sleeves and with bugle beads around the bottom!)

I hate having to get rid of one. Even if it does have a hole under the arm, only four out of seven buttons andis misshapen. It does for warmth not elegance when I'm in the house or picking veg from the garden.

It's good to think, 'ah new cardigan time',and panic when no shop seems to have any in!

Then, phew. Winter stock and some are thin!

I've restocked!

Have a great week, 

and remember I have a mid-week shout out on Wednesday

love Raven xxx

Pics courtesy of pinterest

Better later than...?

Never...

Or is it?

I say that because today went pear shaped very quickly.

Not in a really bad way but in a series of oh blooming 'eck' sort of things.

For instance.

I put the washing in the machine...

turned it on...walked away. 

Time to make a coffee, pick some carrots for dinner, drink coffee, tidy up, and once the washing was finished and drying, start to write a blog.

 

About, of all things, trying to juggle time to sit down and finish the latest WIP, in between doctors, dentists, shopping, not ignoring my other half etc, etc.

I noticed my laptop needed charging, took it into the study so it could get a bit of boost while I sorted the washing and drank my coffee. Then I'd be set up.

Meanwhile the vacuum cleaner got stuck under the sofa.

I helped (as in gave probably not very useful advice to my other half) to get it moved.

The washing machine beeped it had finished the wash. I went to get the washing out and...

ARGH

I noticed the dosing ball was sitting on the work surface. 

Full.

I could imagine it laughing and saying...

That load of washing sure got wet. I did it again.

Went to get my laptop so I could write a blog and get stuck into my almost finished wIP.

Only to find I hadn't plugged the blasted thing in.

I plugged it in!

As it was on around 10% charge and the study not tne warmest place, I gave in and went to get the veg ready.

Ah...

Those lovely potatoes from the garden we'd been using?

All gone.

Took a very deep breath and cussed under my breath.

We went to the nearest supermarket seven or eight miles away. At least it wasn't closed.

Got the potatoes!

Gave in and went for an alcohol-free spritzer.

Came home, and here we are.

So the blog I was going to do, is now on hold for another time.

Watch this space,

Hope your day was better,

happy reading,

love Raven xxx

NB all illustrations courtesy of Pinterest

This blog is brought to you by:-

the sound of me tearing my hair out as I reread my two Christmas stories, and find stupid typos and contradictions.

(source: pinterest)

Hopefully normal service will be resumed next week.

Why do I think that?

Because by then they will have been checked, corrected as best I can, and sent to my editor to groan over.

Until then, very sorry, all I can think of is brids not birds vice not voice and a very rude word instead of cant.

Let's hope your reading is more understandable,

love, Raven xxx

Is that it?

 Okay, that's a bit of an ambiguous title, I admit it. But it's how I feel this week.

(source: pinterest)

Or, I should say, how I felt.

I'd only got 5k left to write on my WIP. 3 now but I have worked out the ending so that's for the next couple of days.

Then I realised I was doing the dreaded what next, urgh...stuff.

Which on reflection was a bit daft. (okay, a lot daft) I had a book to finish.

But I still had a niggle of 'when what?' 

Trying to get a clear head and buck up,  I decided to tidy up my iPad and delete stuff that was no longer needed. So filled with zeal I opened pages.

I discovered over 30k of a medical I'd started, subbed and had it rejected so fast, I doubt they'd looked further than my name and said 'nah', she doesn't write medical stories.

Which was true in the fact that I hadn't before but...

Anyway, I started to read it.Half an hour later, I remembered what I was supposed to be doing, so put it to one side.

But you know? I'm going to finish it after this Christmas story is done and dusted. Even if it doesn't get subbed, I will have the satisfaction of writing 'the end'.

Plus, as I prepared the paperback for New Beginnings of Bryony Bennett (out 10th October, New PB cover, will show it as soon as I can) I got the idea for another story set in the same area, featuring one of the minor character who was in a couple of the books set there.

Maybe I need to call them a series?

Watch this space

Happy Reading,

love Raven xxx