Can't think what to call this ...

 Because I know it will be a bit of a hotch potch.

No, not hop scotch, 

(source: pinterest)

hotch potch.

(and that I can not find a picture for.)

This and that. With a bit of the other added in.

To that,

I can now thankfully say I am just about lurgy free.

(source: pinterest)

Very few sneezes and I feel, well if not 100% a good 90+

And, I have some energy.

It's a pity it's too icy to venture out. However, hearing and seeing the geese flying over in their various skeins, is fabulous and I never tire of seeing them. There's always one who refuses to conform. Does his own thing and then flaps—and honks—madly, as he (or she) tries to rejoin the rest.

(source: pinterest)

Luckily we did manage a couple of walks by the coast this week. Absolutely freezing, but gorgeous. It really made me appreciate how lucky we are. To live near the sea and to be able to visit it in all seasons, and weather. We've even been walking on the beach and had snow! Sorry, no I didn't take a picture, I was more concerned in dodging the tide and getting back to the car before I was totally soaked.

That's just the beach on a cold clear, day.

The upshot of all this is I'm now ready to get stuck into a new story. I just have to make my mind up on what.

But before I went round and round in circles, trying to decide and getting nowhere fast, I had some fantastic news.

One of my very early books, which has been out of print for years, is to be revamped. Revised, rewritten and brought up to date. Then published.

To say I'm excited is an understatement. I love the premise of the story but it definitely needs something doing to it.

Luckily, the lovely Deadra of Bastet's Quill Publishing agrees and is happy to help me to do everything we both think is needed to make it shine. In fact, it's all down to her and her insight that it's going to be possible.

I know I'm going to have a busy few months, but I'm really looking forward to it. And then hopefully, at the end, we'll have a m/m, mystical and very sexy book for you all to enjoy. Watch this space.

Apart from that I've a good few ideas to think about. I just need to concentrate on one and not keep rereading the lot!

Wish me luck.

Meanwhile, I'm having a whale of a time, playing catch up with an old series, because I've got an idea for another story in mind. Another book in the Devon trilogy.

Will it work?

Now, that I'm not sure about. but I bet I can have fun trying to find out.

On another tack, it's six years since the late, great, and fabulous author, my bestie, Doris O'Connor passed. Even now I talk to her in my mind and hear her advice. Usually it's along the lines of, 'stop waffling, woman and get on with it'.

So the only answer, is yes, I promise.

Doris I miss you,

love Raven xxx

Sorry all...

 The lurgy has got the better of me.

Coughing and spluttering.

All I want to do is sleep.

(source:pinterest)

See you in the New Year.

Thank for reading my ramblings over the weeks, it is much appreciated,

love, Raven xxx

When the best lad plans go awol, again

 As in, I was all ready to write this week’s blog, when we were called unexpectedly, ‘down south’ to look after an almost three year old.

Exhausted is an understatement. It’s over thirty years since we had a three year old to contend with. By the time we got him into bed, I didn’t feel like food, drink and couldn’t even summons up the energy to have a shower. I fitted that in after the nursery run and before the washing, drying, hoovering, tidying…

Don’t get me wrong. It’s been great fun as well. Going on a Christmas light hunt.

 Making shopping lists in a new dinosaur notebook. Watching The Polar express umpteen times and not being able to get that blooming Ra Ra the Noisy Lion theme tune out of my head.

Making up Christmas stories about Santa and the reindeer and the Christmas Angel, and having to think up reasons to answer the ever asked ‘why’.

Thinking about a story of The Snowman and his Family. Then trying to remember it!

Realising we are going to be away from home for Christmas and all our presents aren’t with us, but we will have the bonus of spending time with ones we love.

Discovering that half the undies I’d shoved in the suitcase were the ones due to go into the rag pile. What a good excuse to go shopping.

And thinking well at least I can wish you all a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Plus, remind you to look out for the Christmas Angel who helps fix Santas Sleigh. (You’d need to have been there to know the story).

Thanks all for reading these blogs,

Love Raven xxx

Thanks for this that and a lot

I thought this week it was time to thank all those people who over my life have helped me (and maybe hindered but it all came right in the end) encouraged me and not actually influenced me per se, but shown me that sometimes there's more than one way to do something successfully. 

Not always a big thing, but something that helped. meant a lot, and stuck in my mind.

From being a child and learning adults can be bitchy (oh yes they can) but your parents understood and accepted what you said.

To a schoolfriend standing up to a bully, to giving you a cuddle when your boyfriend ditched you.

And as a grown up (if I ever really grew up... the jury is probably out on that one) being able to moan cuss, high five and talk things over with someone you trust not to share what's bugging you.

I've been lucky that way.

Especially when fourteen years ago I met a group of people who all wanted to write and yes of course be pyblished.

We all entered a competition, none of us won anything, but we formed a group to help and encourage each other. 

Take a bow The NutHouse Scribblers.

Gradually a fair few of us got published. Great rejoicing all round.

When I finished my first full m/s then my fellow scribblers helped me edit it, researched the best place to submit it to and yay, it was accepted.

There was a lot of celebrating for each and every one of us.

(Not just at New Year)

They helped me more than I reckon they ever knew.

As did my publisher and editors. The late lamented, Breathless Press gave me the determination to try various sub genres of romance and at various heat levels. And the sense that I could and should carry on writing. Not just for them, but to spread my wings.

Which I did.

On the way met a lot more of those amazing people I'm thanking, without mentioning any names. Because I'd be sure to forget someone important.

Thank you all xxx

I DID!

forget someone or some thing important...

Doris O'Connor and my lovely facebook group,

The Ravdor Chicks

Take A Bow

Thanks all of you for your help and support.

You see it's not always necessarily help in a big way. Although when people give up their time to read over something you've written and can point out your errors etcetera, check your knitting for dropped stitches and fix them, sort out a lock that's stuck, a leaking tap or welcome you to a village, club, society or whatever, it is so welcome!

Sometimes it's as little as one word. Good, or even nah. Or just the knowledge they know what you are going through. Plus, if they can't help you knowing someone who can.

Therefore to everyone who has helped me in my umpty-tiddly years on this earth, and of course to you my readers, both here and of my books. Without you, there would be no Raven McAllan, author. Or indeed, Kera Faire, Katy Lilley or for YA J. Lilley, so

thank you

Love Raven xx

 

When you look back and remember…

 Sundays of long—and not so long—ago.

I'm in a bit of a nostalgic mood today, not sure why,

I think it was listening to the Young Chorister of the Year competition on the radio that set me thinking.

Christmas is coming and all that. But memories weren’t just about the season.

They are Sunday School on a Sunday afternoon. The drunk who pressed a squashed bar of chocolate into my and my mate’s hands and how our parents told us to put it in the bin and gave us the do not talk to strangers chat. Actually we hadn’t, he’d just lurched in our direction, told us we were Bonnie Lassies and given us the chocolate bars.

Of no shops open in a Sunday, of moving to Scotland and finding shops were open, pubs shut at 9 ish and on a Sunday you could drink on a pub but not buy alcohol to take out.

I think a lot of these Sunday memories are because the news I thought I saw the other day was about one of the Scottish islands was only just about to get a Sunday service. (and I can’t now find that item saying which one)

It reminded me of what we didn’t and didn’t do.

Lots of reading, walks and picnics.

Sunday roast and the remains as cold meat or mince on a Tuesday.

I’m not saying it was better—or worse—than today. Just different.

Like getting a new Christmas jumper or a bonnet for Easter.

Happy reminiscing,

Love, Raven xxx

When it’s time to make another list

  Perhaps I should add NO just one list.

That says in big, bold letters—

JUST GET ON WITH IT!

Really, it should be enough. 

The trouble is, I am a list maker. If only I was a list follow-througher as well. It’s very easy to make them, but oh, boy, does it need an iron will to get on, do what’s listed and cross it off until the list is no more.

And I can say, without a word of a lie, I am not the best in the word at doing that.

Oh I can write the list, without any problems. 

Something like this.

Some of the things are more appealing than others.

 

I can soon cross off hunting out the new notebook, and deciding what’s for dinner. As in doing a rummage in the freezer.

Writing…Hmmm that’s not always so easy. Rereading?

Maybe. I need a coffee to do that

Ooops, forgot to add drink coffee to list. But then that’s a given.

The permanent marker? That’s not so easy. Where did I use it last?

Stamps. When I drive to the next village where I may or may not find a birthday card. 

Odd socks? Forget it. Not worth it. 

I never get them matched properly.

As for ironing?

That is always at the bottom of the queue.

After a blitz (or half a one) I end up with something like this…

How do you go about it all?

happy list making…oh, and afterwards I wrote 2k,

Love, Raven xxx

That mind gone blank moment

That’s me  today.

I had an idea for today’s blog. It was (I thought at the time—approx 2.15 am—) a good one. 

I had it all planned out. In my mind that is, sadly not here.

Because of course, when I woke up, I’d forgotten the lot.

Argh

That, once I’d stopped trying to remember what it was that I’d forgotten, made me smile, albeit wryly.

How many times have I—or you I imagine— thought of something, during the night, only to have forgotten what it was when you’ve woken up again. You know you did have an idea but not what it was.

So very frustrating.

And, what about thinking you need to do something, going to do it, can’t remember what it was and having to go back to where it was you thought of it, to then—sometimes—remember it again.

Unfortunately, I can’t go back two nights etcetera for the idea I had for this blog.

Hey ho.

My apologies for this non blog, blog. I’ll try to better next time.

Back to the wip. My heroine is about to get very annoyed and be extremely firm over her future.. In the best possible way.

Happy reading,

Love, Raven xxx