Patricia M Osborne

My Writing Journey

Steampunk

Steven Smith

My journey to becoming a published author starts way back as a child. I’ve been an avid reader for as long as I can remember. I was reading Stephen King novels a fair bit earlier than might be advisable. On a completely unrelated note, it was around that time my loathing of clowns began. Go figure. At primary school, I remember a lesson where the entire session was given over to creative writing, crafting a story from our imaginations. I used to love these sessions, coming up with characters and adventures for them to take part in. Sadly, secondary school with all of the preparations for exams and qualifications somewhat got in the way and creative writing fell by the wayside for me.

I continued to read though. From time to time I’d dip my toe into something different, but often found myself reading and rereading the same things, often something by Stephen King or Terry Pratchett. In a bid to try new authors, I started a book review blog in 2015. Through this I discovered many new authors I’d not considered or come across before. It was from here, the idea of writing again struck me. It was one thing to review a book, but what was it like to be on the other side and actually try to write one?

I started out with an aim – to write a historical fiction novel based upon Jack the Ripper. I took a tour in London, got hold of maps of 1880s London and dove headfirst into some really indepth research. I was determined to get all of the little facts and details right. Sadly, this approach took its toll on me and my work. I lost my enthusiasm. After restarting more than once, ultimately, I gave up on it. I had written a few short stories around that time, but ultimately this seemed like the end for me and writing.

Then a spark of an idea struck me. It hit in the summer of 2019. It was just a little part of a character. Then another character came to me. And some snippets of conversations between them. Suddenly, ideas flowed and throughout the end of 2019 and on into 2020, I ploughed headlong into writing my steampunk adventure. Those characters became Captain Edison Crow, the leading man in my debut novel Chasing Shadows, and his childhood friend and accomplice Selah. Finishing the story was a time of mixed emotions. By the middle of May 2020, my journey had ended. These characters and locations I had spent so long creating and living with had said and done all that needed to be said and done. It was bittersweet. I was ecstatic to have completed the novel, but sad all the same. Chasing Shadows released on the first of April this year. The moment I held the first printed copy was something special.

During the lockdowns of 2020, I signed up to contribute a short story to a collection from authors ranging from novice to experienced. Over the last year I have continued to work on short stories to build my own collection in time. I am also working on the sequel to Chasing Shadows, As the Crow Flies. Now that the writing bug has well and truly hit me, I think it’s safe to say it is here to stay!

Thank you Steven for sharing your writing journey. I am sure readers are now itching to buy a copy of Chasing Shadows. I know I am.

To snap up a copy of Chasing Shadows pop along to Amazon for Paperback or Kindle or if you fancy a signed copy then contact Steven via the contact page on his website.

About Steven Smith

Steven Smith lives in Bedfordshire, UK with his wife and cat. He has always been an avid reader and enjoyed writing at school. Since 2015, he has reviewed books on his blog, Books and Beyond Reviews. In 2019 he set to work writing his debut novel, a steampunk adventure titled Chasing Shadows, which reached number one on Amazon. His short story Coming Home features in the collection of short stories, Connections. When he isn’t writing, reading and reviewing books, he loves to travel, go to theme parks, build Lego and play video games.

Find details about where Steven’s social media links HERE

Support an Indie Author today

Purchase a copy of Chasing Shadows HERE

The following authors will take part in ‘Celebrating Indie Authors’

on Patricia’s Pen Saturday 12th June 2021 – Saturday 19th June 2021

Steven Smith

Patricia Feinberg Stoner

Sue Wickstead

Colin Ward

Joan C Harthan

Anna Shenton

Suzi Bamblett

Patricia M Osborne

Something for everyone.

Steampunk Sci-Fi – Short Stories – Children’s Picture Books – Crime Fiction – Dream Interpretation – Historical Fiction – Time Slip – Family Saga

See Line up below for 12th-19th June 2021

Don’t miss it.

Since 2017 I have appeared on many blogs with either an article or interview. Over the next few months I will share a link to an interview, or publish an article.

The first link is an interview from September 2017 conducted by Jen Med’s Book Reviews. We chat about my book love choices.

Read the interview here

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House of Grace is the first book in my trilogy. Signed paperbacks can be purchased via my SHOP HERE.

Read the latest review:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Fabulous First in the Series

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 22 May 2021

Verified Purchase

I absolutely loved this story and couldn’t put it down. The author brought the characters to life from the first page. Grace is a lovely lead character, a strong and independent girl, who is determined to go her own way and marry the boy she loves, in spite of being born into aristocracy. Following tragedy she uses her skills and talent to support her young family, facing many obstacles she is determined to succeed in her chosen career. I highly recommend reading this and following on with the rest of the series.

If you prefer a Kindle version you can download for FREE on Amazon or buy.

Series with one click

House of Grace

Read more reviews on Amazon.

Watch out for a Poster of Events – drop the date (12th – 19th June 2021) in your diary and if you’re not already following Patricia’s Pen – now’s the chance to ensure you don’t miss out.

My guest today, Simon Elson, is my youngest author I have featured on Patricia’s Pen. At the age of twenty, Simon has recently had his debut dystopian novel, Hades Forest published. Here’s what he has to say.

Hades Forest

Simon Elson

The dystopian genre has always been my favourite type of fiction, yet I feel that some areas of the genre remain unexplored. Therefore, Hades Forest represents my attempt to bring the dystopian novel into the 21^st century. I have attempted to do that by exploring ideas around mental health, disabilities, and climate change. How do these very modern concepts exist within a dystopian society?

In addition, I took a great deal of satisfaction in creating a protagonist quite passive in his behaviour. Once more, I think this introduces a different dynamic to the events that take place. Perry, my protagonist, doesn’t choose rebellion; he stumbles into it by accident. 

Therefore, I really like that the hero of my story isn’t actually a hero at all – he’s not attractive, he’s not strong, he’s not particularly brave. But yet, I think he represents 99% of us, and I would certainly argue that the majority of us are inherently unpolitical, and only choose to be political when we absolutely need to be. That’s certainly the case with my protagonist.

My main inspiration for Hades Forest was George Orwell’s 1984. Although, my novel is slightly less bleak.

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To find out more about Hades Forest check out the blurb below.

In a dark vision of the near future, the Holy State of Borea is indoctrinating its citizens. No one is allowed to speak out against the government.

But even a repressive state cannot obliterate desire for freedom – not for Perry Benson, at least. Whilst his wife falls more and more in love with the state’s regime, he searches for a way out.

His path forward becomes clear, and he escapes to a distant forest. The repressive state cannot find him here – yet he is not the only one living between the trees.

Perry must fight for his life, and unravel the government’s secrets… before he is killed by one of the five tribes of Hades Forest.

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Order here for Amazon

Please Note:

Hades Forest contains explicit scenes and acts of graphic violence which some readers may find disturbing.

About Simon Elson

Simon Elson is a 20-year-old writer living in Chorleywood, a village near London in the UK. Despite achieving the best grades possible (A*) in his final school exams, Simon chose not to attend University at Oxford or Harvard, instead entering employment to give himself the time (and financial cushion) to pursue his dream of becoming a writer. He is now working on the sequel to Hades Forest.

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It is a pleasure to welcome back, a poet and friend, Brian McManus with his brand new poetry collection Solastalgia to be published by The Hedgehog Poetry Press. Brian has come along today to chat about his writing and in particular, his brand new collection. Without further ado, let’s go over to Brian.

Many thanks to Patricia for inviting me onto her site today as a guest blogger.

I’ve been writing poetry more seriously now for a number of years. Always an avid reader of poetry my interest in writing was triggered by my prolonged involvement in the aftermath of the Lockerbie bombing in 1988 with the death of 270 innocents, resulting in my book of poetry, prose and photographs recounting my experiences. Nowadays I have stepped away from the world of work and concentrate on my poetry and my research interests, and I’d like to talk about both of those today.

I come to you just as my new collection Solastalgia is being published to follow my pamphlet Liar Liar. The latter is a comprehensive commentary of the trauma of the Covid pandemic and the ineptitude of our government to manage it while Solastalgia further reflects on a time in our lives when we have all had to deal exponentially with the often complex and challenging vagaries of life, love, extreme loss and debilitating uncertainty in our once predictable and understandable world.

Reflecting, and remembering, is important. However, although we wouldn’t wish  to disassociate ourselves from our past, neither should we mourn it. There is a balance to be struck between paying homage, and around identifying the questions and the answers we need to work with as we move forward. The moment we are in is the only life we have.

So, in Solastalgia let us reflect then one last time on the aftermath of some of the soul-crushing events of our recent lifetimes, and pay our final respects to those innocent souls who were caught up in the tumult. Then, the old days are the old days, let’s move on.

I have a very special offer available on both of these books at the moment where you can buy both for the price of one (£5.99) postage free in the UK from my website – GO HERE TO PURCHASE THIS SPECIAL OFFER

What the future holds for my writing

My research interests now centre around the work and philosophy of the renowned Scottish poet and thinker Kenneth White. His philosophy of what he calls Geopoetics encapsulates a new way of living, a recasting of self and world outside the carnage of the present, which he offers as a freshly drawn cartography of existence, a reconnection to our Earth and the Cosmos.

I have started to introduce the Geopoetics philosophy into my work in progress and I have been honoured to contribute a little of it to compliment Patricia’s breath-taking nature poetry on a collaborative project we are working on together. We’d like to think we will have that published at some future point but safe to say there is a great deal more to uncover around Kenneth White’s philosophy and indeed his poetry and I look forward to discussing it with you again. In the meantime keep well, and stay safe.

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Thank you Brian. If you would like a reminder of Brian’s last visit on Patricia’s Pen where he discusses his writing methodology – go HERE

What a bargain – two books for the price of one. If you fancy taking up that offer then go HERE

About Brian

Brian McManus is happily married and lives north of Glasgow with his wonderful wife.

They have two grown up children of whom they are immensely proud and three lovely grandchildren.

Brian has stepped away from the world of work now but spent most of his days in public service and latterly in a senior leadership role with a major media company.

Most of his days are now spent reading and writing poetry, researching the subject matter to provide him with the material around which he writes.

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It was a pleasure to be invited over to fellow Swanwick Writer, Val Penny’s, blog today to discuss Why I Write Fiction.

Why not pop over HERE and read the article?

It gives me great pleasure today to welcome author, Dawne Archer, over to Patricia’s Pen to chat about her book, Trekker Girl Morocco Bound, and help raise awareness of thrombosis. Without further ado, it’s over to Dawne.

My Writing

Trekking the Sahara Desert

Dawne Archer

I wrote Trekker Girl Morocco Bound for a number of reasons, including commemorating the Sahara Trek which is something I will never forget. Despite the practical difficulties, it is an awe inspiring environment, starkly beautiful, exciting and dramatic.

I also wanted to raise awareness of thrombosis and as a kind of memorial to my Dad who died of a blood clot in his lung.

The trek was a big deal for me. I was in my early 50s and reasonably fit but it was a real challenge, taxing me emotionally and physically in ways I had never expected. I actually walked slowly and painfully, wearing a back brace and using two hiking poles to drag myself up the sand dunes, munching high doses of painkillers. You’ll have to read the book to find out why I was in such a state though, as that would be giving too much away!

In addition to this, I have inherited a clotting disorder which makes me prone to blood clots in certain situations. For instance, we are all at risk of a clot after an operation due to being immobile. I am 88 times more at risk so it is something I have learned to live with.

It was hard to relive my blood clot journey which was dramatic and emotional. Then I talk about losing my Dad and you can imagine how hard that was. Yet I felt it was essential to bring home to readers the reality of thrombosis and how it can affect anyone’s life, often without warning. Awareness is key to saving lives.

There is an underlying theme in my book which is that of an important friendship, renewed in later life and now deeply cherished. My friend Sarah and I jointly decided on this trek and the book tells you about meeting up again and our decision to do something important together. I can honestly say that it seemed like a good idea at the time.

Why do I support Thrombosis UK? This is what they have to say:

Our priority is for everyone to KNOW the Risks Signs & Symptoms of VTE and to support research to extend UNDERSTANDING into the PREVENTION and BEST MANAGEMENT of VTE. (VTE is Venous Thrombo Embolism, essentially blood clots in the veins such as DVT in the leg or a Pulmonary Embolism in the lung.)

Thrombosis UK is a registered charity in England (1090540) and I donate royalties to them.

Statistics on the subject are frightening. Did you know that 1 in 4 deaths worldwide are thrombosis related? Or that one person dies every 6 seconds from thrombosis around the world? I could go on but, as writers tend to be sedentary creatures, perhaps I should leave you with the thought that we lose 50% of the blood flow in our legs after sitting for only 90 minutes. I keep an alarm clock on my desk which rings every hour to remind me to get up and move around, grab a glass of water to keep well hydrated, anything to keep that lifeblood flowing.

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Thank you, Dawne, for such an informative blog. You are an inspiration and what a wonderful tribute to your dad.

About Dawne Archer

Dawne is lucky to be alive, having survived blood clots in her leg and lung aged 26. She vowed to live life to the full and has indulged her curious nature in travel as well as interviewing interesting people on the radio. Often roles are reversed and she becomes the interviewee in her quest to raise awareness of thrombosis.

Trekking the Sahara Desert may have been a step too far in her fundraising for Thrombosis UK but it was just the start.

Dawne tried her hand at writing and her first book Trekker Girl Morocco Bound is the result.

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I thought I would share a poem with you for this special day. Divine Marriage is published in Taxus Baccata published by The Hedgehog Poetry Press 2020.

When reading the poem I hope you can imagine the images and become part of it.

If you like what you read and fancy a signed copy or pdf version then visit my online shop.

Taxus Baccata is half price at the moment at £3.99 plus p&p or ONLY 0.99p for the pdf version.

Order safely via PayPal HERE.

It gives me great pleasure today to invite author, Valerie Poore, over to Patricia’s Pen to discuss her non fiction writing. Without further ado, it’s over to Valerie.

Writing Memoir

Valerie Poore

Anyone can write a memoir.

That’s a bold statement, isn’t it?

Even so, I think it’s true – although most people I speak to are convinced their life hasn’t been interesting enough to write about. I’d actually challenge that though. In my encounters with the great variety of individuals I meet in my job as a freelance teacher, I’ve learned that nearly everyone has some kind of interesting story to tell. And if that’s the case, then in theory everyone has the potential to write a memoir. I have to say I love reading them too, which in turn means that I also enjoy writing them.

But what was it that inspired me to write my own memoirs and why did I do it?

My first book, African Ways, was inspired by Peter Mayle’s A Year in Provence. I read it in 2005 after I’d been living in the Netherlands for a few years and as I read, I was reminded of the wonderful rural people I’d known and loved while living in South Africa during the 1980s and 1990s.

It occurred to me that rural people are similar wherever you go, whether in France, England, Spain or Africa. I knew I’d had a special introduction to South Africa on a farm in what is now KwaZulu Natal. So, when I finished Peter Mayle’s book, I realised I wanted to write about the people I’d known there and what it was like to move from the mod-cons of 1980s UK to a somewhat primitive rural environment.

This idea was my prompt to start writing, and since African Ways, I’ve written two other memoirs about my life in South Africa and five about living and travelling on a barge in northern Europe. Each of these books covers a specific period but none of them is a complete autobiography so I’ve been able to focus on different aspects of where I’ve lived and what I do.

I can’t say I set out to lead the life I have as I’m something of an accidental traveller. I also didn’t actually intend to write so many memoirs.  But what I’ve noticed is that people are interested in other people’s experiences if they’re different from their own, so transferring from a remote African farm to Johannesburg, South Africa’s biggest, baddest city was another adventure to share. And then moving back across the world to land up (or water up) on an old barge in the Netherlands was added fuel for my writing hobby.

My destinations have at least been unusual and because I adored South Africa, I could write about it with immense affection. The same goes for my watery world. Restoring an old and decrepit Dutch barge and converting it to a home was a huge learning curve, but I loved and still love it. In fact, my latest boating travelogue about our pre-Covid travels to France is just about to be launched and I write about our boating life regularly on my blog.

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About Valerie Poore

Val Poore was born and raised in England but at the end of 1981, she moved to South Africa where she and her family lived for nearly twenty years. She adored South Africa, but had to return to Europe in 2001. Since then, she’s been working as a freelance ESL writing skills teacher in the Netherlands. Val shares her time between a 120-year-old barge in Rotterdam and a cottage in Zeeland, both of which seem to take an inordinate amount of time to maintain. As a distraction from teaching, she writes and has written a total of eleven books.

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