#evernighties Family, friends and pets I've written into my books...

What's the saying? If you're not careful I'll put you in a book?

 Is this where I do a wicked evil grin?

Well, maybe not. Because of course there is more than one way to put friends, family or pets into a book. And acquaintances, arch enemies or simply people who get up your nose.

Openly where they know, are happy and pleased to see you have used their names, life, jobs, characteristics and so on. (Though I'm not sure how you ask a pet...well not all of them wink)

(Pic, pinterest)

And then where you don't use their names but base someone on them. Probably unpleasant because of something they have done and this way you can vent your spleen without getting into trouble.

That is very satisfying. And doesn't get you sent to gaol because only you know that say the tall, geeky looking guy called Fred in your book is really an arsehole called something else. (and in real life might be neither tall or geeky)

With other people it can be something else. A way of saying thank you for something. Of remembering.

For instance, my book, Bombers Moon has parts based on stories my mum told me about when she as a young girl was evacuated with her employment from London to Northamptonshire. The village hops, getting locked out, the in loco parentis foreman...

Others have names of people who mean a lot to me. I'm not naming them, as I'd probably miss someone out, but they all know who they are.

My cats appear every so often, as do a mate's dogs. Now I just need to work a budgie called Pandy into one!

Happy reading,

love Raven xx

It's Evernighties Thursday. Me... a pram... and a library book

this week...

My first memory...

Goodness that's going back a bit. Okay a lot. snigger

To when I was in my pram. 

(source pinterest)

One of those big old fashioned one that my three cousins had used before me. And my other cousin did after me. We were all very accommodating and came two years apart. I slotted in between cousins #3 and #4.

My first memory involves books. Funny that eh? 

I was sitting up in the pram, the hood was down. It was summer (or warm anyway) and we were outside a row of shops in Occupation Road, Corby, Northants. The town where I was born.

My mum was talking to Maisie Ramsay,  mum of my friend Sheena. We were on our way to the library (so mum told me many years later when I asked her about it). The books were at the bottom of the pram. Evidently I grabbed one.

And this is where the proper part of my memory starts. I can vividly see myself turning it over and over, trying to flip the pages. Eventually I gave up and began to eat it instead. That's when it was removed from my orbit. And I cried!

But my love of books has remained, although now I write them as well as reading them.

Oh and mum said it was a romance!

Happy Reading,

love Raven x

A regular but probably irregular post. Today the favourite thing i've written and why

Which means I'll do it when I can...

Not that I wear a nightie, Evernightie or not, but I love the idea of this blog. After all who doesn't like a wee peek into the mind of others.

So here we go...

The favourite thing I've written and why... Apart from those two magic words 'The End'.

And sadly I wrote that and bit my nail. 

(source—pinterest)

My favourite thing is either what I'm writing (or alternatively I think it's rubbish) or well... *scratches head* no idea.

I have things I think are written better than others. (Master springs to mind, that might not be a best seller but got to me) but favourite? That's like asking me whether I prefer chocolate or chocolate. 

(Answer, whatever chocolate I have handy)

So I sat and had a big think...

and I came up with

*Drum Roll*

The Tale of Rumple Rabbit

and

George, the Whatever Bird.

Now I guess you're scratching your heads and wondering what planet I am on. 

you won't have heard of them, very few people have, but I assure you they were very well received by their audience.

My kids.

Both had a beginning a middle and an end (well duh) and sad to say a moral. A well needed reminder about things that needed doing. As in Rumple Rabbit never put his clothes away tidily—in fact they were often thrown on the floor, even when his mummy had ironed them (Sound familiar anyone?) So mummy stopped ironing them and instead of a neat and well turned out rabbit he was, well, rumpled. 

Did it work? Nah, but my son still remembers the story. And now in his thirties he is evidently just the same *snigger*.

As for George, the Whatever Bird... that was a hoot and it did work. George had a terrible habit of answering any question with 'whatever'. (By the way, my son is not called George, or Rumple for that matter)

So his mummy would say, George what would you like for dinner, and he would say 'whatever.' 

I (and therefore George's mum) got mighty fed up with this. So the next time (in the story) George answered the what would you like for dinner question with whatever, he was both surprised and disappointed to turn up to the dinner table and be presented with a slice of bread, no spread. When he asked what it was, his mummy told him. 'That is whatever is today."

Did he learn his lesson? Oh no. So the next day it was a glass of water. By the third day in the story, when there was nothing on the tale, he gt the message.

So did my children... *Wink*

And that dear readers is a quick summing up of the favourite thing(s) I have written and why

Happy reading,

love Raven xx

I'm so pleased to say that at the moment I have two books out in January, two in March and one in May. If I get my act together there could be more.
Very happy.

Seven years ago, I'd never have believed I'd still be writing or had so many books out.To everyone who supported me, who still supports me, a very big thank you.
No, none are under my 'real' name, but I have no problem about anyone knowing it. However, I find it helps to have pen names. I put that 'hat' on, get into the mindset, and start writing.

So we have Raven for hotter romance, Kera Faire for dark romance, and Katy Lilley for sweeter romance.

I mustn't forget J. Lilley for YA either.

(You can find them all on Amazon, 

under whichever pen name you want to look at)

Writing is something I love. I was very fortunate that when I was first published, my then publisher let me try my hand at whatever I fancied. (Thank you Breathless Press) This gave me the chance to discover what I preferred, what I was okay at and yes, what not to touch with a bargepole. 

There's nothing nicer than having the opportunity to discover your strengths and weaknesses. 

I know I love Regency, adore writing stories set in places I've lived in or visited all around the world, can't write sci-fi or horror, and seem to be migrating to sweeter stories most of the time. Not all of the time though *wink*

Of course not everyone likes what I write, and that's fine. We all have our likes, dislikes and preferences. But that won't stop anyone who wants to write. We just grit our teeth, smile sweetly and get on with it. I tink in the first place, if you have writing in your blood, you write and hope others will read it. But you can't not write.

After all, what can be better than a coffee and a good book?

and on that note, I'm heading back to write

Want to know what? Ah well, you'll have to wait and see...

Happy Reading,

love Raven, Katy, Kera and J

xxxx