Today my guest feature goes to poet, Stephen Cope. I was lucky enough to become acquainted with this special gentleman at Swanwick Writers’ Summer School. I loved chatting to him and his accent reminded me of home. Home as in where I was born – Liverpool.

Performance poet, Stephen has a lovely surprise for you all following his article, ‘Born Again Racer’. Without further ado, let’s go over to Stephen.

Born Again Racer

by

Stephen Cope 

Thank you Patricia for inviting me here today. I’ve always enjoyed writing my short poems especially when surrounded by the ludicrousness that is everyday family life. Navigating a sports mad son, a horsey wife and daughter, along with a koi pond and pet dogs certainly provided plenty of material. During the eighties I wrote numerous hobbyist articles on fish health,  and pond maintenance for several koi club newsletters and magazines under the pseudonym, Barely Coping!

Now that my condition has become a disability, the opportunity for a little humour hasn’t been missed. My need for orthotics and a mobility scooter haven’t escaped my attention. My poem ‘Born Again Racer’ inspired by my first scooter, was shown to Peter King, an amateur film and animation maker. This resulted in the animation now viewable on YouTube under the same name.

I joined the Heswall U3A Creative Writers group 5years ago, run by Laura Smith, a lady I’m sure many will know from Swanwick. During that time the group produced two anthologies of our stories and poems, with all profits going to two very deserving charities. Only this week our group completed its 38th Creative Writers Hour program on Vintage radio, a local internet station. I now have a collection of over 30 CDs, each with one or two of my stories or poems recorded for posterity!

I really enjoy my writing and hopefully will see my work published one day. The one story I’ve yet to write about is the day I was thrown out of the White House! I strongly believe that as a creative writer, when dipping into the real world we shouldn’t let the truth spoil a good story! And yes, I really was!

Thanks again Patricia.

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Thank you, Stephen, it’s been a pleasure. Do come again. I hope you get to see some of your poetry published as it deserves to be and I look forward to hearing your story about being thrown out of the White House.

And now for what everyone has been waiting for…

The surprise that was promised…

Stephen Cope performing his poem ‘Born Again Racer’ in animation form.

Click here to see the video on Youtube.

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I hope you all enjoyed that as much as I did. Let’s find out a little more about Stephen.

About Stephen 

Stephen Cope was born and raised in Liverpool. He married the love of his life, Catherine, and moved to Altrincham. Five years later they moved onto the Wirral, and have lived there ever since. For 31 years up to my early retirement he worked in the nuclear industry at a nearby Uranium enrichment plant. Stephen’s response when mentioning that to me was… Oh to write about that!

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Today I invite Mark Anthony Smith back over to my blog, but this time as a poet where he takes up the challenge to write a Haiku. And what a great job he’s done too. Don’t you agree?

You can find out more about Mark and his writing by visiting his website here.

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Remember you can now submit a short story with LESS than 100 words or a Haiku – you can submit more than one but please ONLY ONE AT A TIME and via the contact form here.  Read full guidelines.

All stories and Haiku will be published with a picture banner.

Copyright remains with writers.

Send in your submissions and let’s see Patricia’s Pen flooded with micro fiction and Haiku in 2020.

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I am excited to share this blog because Lexi Rees is not only my guest as ‘Chindi Author of the Week’, but today, she’s celebrating the launch of her new novel, Wild Sky, sequel to Eternal Seas.

This leads us on to the topic that Lexi is discussing today. ‘Writing a Sequel.’ Without further ado, it’s over to Lexi Rees. 

Hi Patricia, thanks so much for inviting me onto your blog today to chat about Wild Sky, the second book in children’s fantasy adventure series, The Relic Hunters, as it publishes TODAY!!

Writing a sequel

 by

Lexi Rees 

If you read many author blogs, you’ll probably have heard them discuss whether they are a “planner” or a “pantser”. The planner has every detailed of the plot sorted before they start writing whilst the pantser lets the writing evolve organically. Now, given I’m very organised usually, I was quite surprised when one of my editors described me as a pantser. “But I have a plan,” I protested. “No, you have an ending and a set of characters and some events,’ she insisted. I had to admit, that was probably fairly accurate. After all, one of my lead characters, Pippin, had just changed gender and name, and was regularly writing herself into and out of scenes at a whim.

When I started writing The Relic Hunters, I had in mind a series of challenges for Finn and Aria to overcome, like in Beast Quest or Percy Jackson. Although I started writing the sequel, Wild Sky before the first book was published, I was still only about halfway through by the time book one was released. Eternal Seas was getting great reviews and young readers were clamouring for the sequel – I needed to write faster. You’d think writing book two would be easier, after all the world and the characters are built but one thing I’ve learned is, it’s really hard when you’re a pantser because there are certain events and discussions that are now set in stone and cannot be changed! As a result, I quickly realised I need to be much more structured in my planning.

I’d heard lots of authors sing the praises of some writing software, a tool called Scrivener. It works a bit like a corkboard, or a wall covered in multi-coloured post-it notes, which makes it really easy to plan at a high level then add layers of detail, and to move chunks around. It’s been a life-saver. I’m not sure I would ever have managed to get all the threads sorted if I hadn’t had a system and my poor editors would have been pulling their hair out!

The other revelation to me from having a plan and using Scrivener is it has actually helped speed my writing up, in particular, I’ve discovered I no longer need to write in a linear form – I can dip in and out of scenes as the mood takes me. That appeals to my rebellious pantser tendencies, whilst still ticking the planning requirements. I’m a planning convert!

Anyway, the final instalment of the trilogy is carefully planned and the writing is underway. Watch this space! In the meantime, I hope you and your young readers enjoy Wild Sky as much as I enjoyed both planning and writing it!

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Thanks so much for having me on your blog. 

It was a pleasure to have you back again, Lexi and thank you for such an informative blog. I must try and get the hang of Scrivener. May I take the opportunity on behalf of my readers and myself to wish you the best of luck with Wild Sky. 

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Readers you will be pleased to hear that Lexi is running a Giveaway Competition to celebrate Wild Sky’s publication. But you need to enter to get the chance to win a copy of ‘The Relic Hunters series.’

Enter here

Blurb
After delivering the pearl, Finn and Aria thought life would return to normal.

But with the survival of the clans still in peril, they must continue their quest.

Can they find the next relic before the forces of evil?

Not everyone is who they appear to be

And time is running out …

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And look at these fabulous reviews:

‘This action-packed blend of magical fantasy with classic kids adventuring is a swashbuckling read for 8+ year-olds, peppered with soft line-drawings and propelled by a strong sense of urgency.’  (LoveReading4Kids)

‘Non-stop adventure with an exciting blend of magic and dystopia. Sinister villains, strange magic and thrilling adventure. I loved it!’ (Claire Fayers, author of The Accidental Pirates series, Mirror Magic and Storm Hound)

‘Raging seas, snowy lands, fortresses and monasteries – the quest for the relics continues at an exhilarating pace. You won’t put it down!’ (Jude Lennon, author of the Hal series and other books) 

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Click on the following links to purchase Lexi’s books.

Creative Writing Skills 

Eternal Seas 

Wild Sky 

About Lexi Rees

Lexi Rees was born in Scotland but now lives down south. She writes action-packed adventures and workbooks for children.

The Relic Hunters #1, Eternal Seas, was awarded a “loved by” badge from LoveReading4Kids and is currently long-listed for a Chanticleer award. The sequel, Wild Sky, is out on the 28th November.

She’s passionate about developing a love of reading and writing in children and, as well as her Creative Writing Skills workbook, she has an active programme of school visits and other events, is a Book PenPal for three primary schools, and runs a free online #kidsclub and newsletter which includes book recommendations and creative writing activities.

In her spare time, she’s a keen crafter and spends a considerable amount of time trying not to fall off horses or boats.

Links to find Lexi on Social Media and her website.

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

 

I feel privileged to invite talented non-fiction and fiction writer Elizabeth Ducie over as my Tuesday guest. I became acquainted with Elizabeth through Swanwick Writers’ Summer School. Today she’s come along to discuss the importance of asking questions when setting up as an Indie Writer. So without further ado, it’s over to Elizabeth.

 

Why Asking Questions Is An Important Part Of Setting Out To Be An Indie Writer

by

Elizabeth Ducie

I started writing fiction in 2006. But I have been writing non-fiction for forty years. My first independently-published book was my doctoral thesis, and glancing at it recently for the first time in ages, I was struck by how much things have changed since 1979. The text was prepared on a typewriter by my mother; the illustrations were photographs stuck in with glue. And the graphs were constructed using Letraset. The whole process was laborious and took weeks. And for a ‘proper’ book, the route was pretty much always going to be via a traditional publisher, which once again took a long time, a lot of effort, and an element of luck.

These days, I am a competent touch-typist who prepares her text directly on the laptop. Illustrations are jpeg files imported at the touch of a button. And graphs are constructed from a spreadsheet. I can set up and publish a book within a matter of days, should I wish to. Technology has changed; the barriers to publication are lower; and for many writers, the goal is to leave behind the ‘day job’ and write full-time. And that means taking the step towards being a small business owner.

But before ourselves out into the great unknown, there are a few questions we need to consider:

• What do I write, or what could I write? Are there more lucrative areas, like copy writing, which I could use part-time while working on my novel or collection of short stories? Is there an area in which I am an expert, about which I could write a text book?

• Is there anything else I could offer, such as editing services or training courses that I could fit around my writing, but which would keep me in the writing world?

• Who will buy my writing? Am I only aiming to sell direct to readers, or will I be aiming for magazines, purchasers of website copy, or other users of my words?

• How will I market my writing? If no-one knows about me, how will they learn about my writing? Am I up to date with social media, or will I be concentrating on face to face promotional activities?

• What are the financial implications of my plans? Do I have reserves that I can use? Do I need to keep a ‘day job’ for the moment? Can I switch to part time working in the interim?

To answer all these questions, we need to think, not with our creative hat on, but with our business one. I have always believed in keeping things simple. Simple goals; simple business systems; and simple approach to business. With a clear and honest view of our options and opportunities, we have a much better chance of making a success of our goal to be a self-employed writer. It just takes a bit of planning.

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Thank you, Elizabeth. I am sure my readers will agree that the above article was very informative.

Find out more about Elizabeth’s non-fiction and fiction writing by visiting her website and social media pages on the links below.

Website

Facebook

Twitter

But first, let’s find out a bit more about Elizabeth.

About Elizabeth Ducie 

Elizabeth Ducie gave up the day job after thirty years as an international technical writer and consultant to write full-time. She has published four novels and three collections of short stories since 2011. She has run her own small business since 1992 and started writing and lecturing about The Business of Writing  when she realised that few independent authors were fully prepared for the requirements of being a small business owner. She believes in simple business systems that free up maximum time for writing. She has an MBA from Cranfield and regularly presents workshops on The Business of Writing at conferences and literary festivals. Parts 1, 2 and 3 of the series deal with business start-up; finance systems; and improving effectiveness.

There is a workbook associated with these volumes, allowing writers to work through the process for themselves. Part 4 Independent Publishing was launched in August 2019.

All material is available in ebook format or as paperbacks.

Elizabeth’s fiction writing consists of a trilogy in the Suzanne Jones series as well as a standalone book, Gorgito’s Ice Rink.

 

You can find out more about Elizabeth’s books and how to order them on this link here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today’s challenger to write a story in less than one hundred words is Mark Anthony Smith. His response comes in the form of ‘Stick’ which may be read below.

My stockier, older brother is stuck in the woods. He has twisted his ankle and is in pain.

I remember my pain as he twisted my arm behind my back. I remember crying out as he hit me and pinned me down for borrowing his bike without asking. For once, I am stronger than him.

I pick up a thick stick from the branches strewn about. I feel the weight as I tap it against my leg.  Should I think about the consequences?  The anger that I’ve hidden repeatedly rises in my chest.

I barely recognise those terrified eyes.

99 words

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Great story, Mark.

Readers can find out more about Mark and his writing on his website here.

 

Thank you to Elizabeth Gates for inviting me over to her website to discuss ‘An Author’s Mind.’ I really enjoyed answering her questions. You can see the full interview here.

The sketch of the Palais in the interview was drawn by Helen V James and Bill Sheehy kindly gave me permission to use the photograph of Queen’s Park entrance in Bolton.

If you enjoyed the interview and would like a signed copy of House of Grace contact here for details.

Submissions open for the Haiku challenge.

I shall start us off  – this Haiku comes from my poetry collection in progress on myth, folklore and legend around trees.  I hope you enjoy it. I look forward to your submissions. Full guidelines and online submission form here.

 

The story challenge has been such a success that I thought I’d bring in a challenge for the poets too.

Haiku.

Rules of a Haiku 

No title needed.

17 syllables in total over 3 lines

Line 1 – 5 syllables

Line 2 – 7 syllables

Line 3 – 5 syllables

A haiku is normally about nature – however, I’m happy for you to submit on any subject (not erotica) but you MUST stick to the correct syllable count.

So now you can submit a story in LESS than 100 words or a Haiku

Are you ready?

I look forward to your submissions (Only one submission at a time)

Full Guideline and Online Submission Form  

 

 

This week’s guest, Rosemary J Kind, is not only a talented author but also a good friend from Swanwick Writers’ Summer School.  Today Rosemary has come to talk about her new novel Unequal By Birth, a sequel to the brilliant New York Orphan. So without further ado, let’s go over to Rosemary.

Unequal By Birth

by

Rosemary J Kind

When I wrote New York Orphan, it was my proof reader who said, ‘I can’t wait to read the next one,’ Next one, I thought, next one – there isn’t going to be a next one. New York Orphan was always intended to be a standalone novel telling a particular story. Then I went out to walk the dogs.

As so often happens, walking gave me thinking time. I joke that I discuss all my work with the dogs and in a sense I do. It’s when I’m out with them in the peace of the countryside that I get the time to clear my head of everything and think. As I walked that day, some of the scenes from New York Orphan played back through my head. Molly and Miss Ellie, on their train journey to Dowagiac, being joined by a somewhat inebriated gentleman who assumed that women travelling alone must be in want of a man. Miss Ellie making the farm over to Molly so she could go travelling around America. I began to see strands of a story ready to be woven together.

The first book finished in the 1860s, just the time that was approaching the campaign for equality for both women and the black community in America. I had inadvertently laid the foundations for another important story to be told.

Although when I write, I want to cover important themes, at heart my writing is about the impact those themes have on ordinary people. I don’t write about the ruling classes and the nobility. I write about men and women not so different from my readers, but in another time and another place. They are people who have to work to make ends meet and who face the traumas of life and death, but also love and hope.

In Unequal By Birth, Molly is a young woman running a farm. A situation which is still not the norm today, but was far from ordinary in America in the 1860s. Part of her land was bought from the Reese family, who lost it to the bank due to old Mr Reese’s laziness and drinking. His two sons have followed in their father’s footsteps, but despite their idleness believe that they have somehow been wronged by Molly, who is proving successful with the land Miss Ellie, her guardian, bought.

Threaded through the story of the Reese boys campaign of undermining the farm, is the bigger fight for equality, essentially for women, but for people of colour too. I can’t tell you too much of how that unfolds, as it will spoil a key part of the story. However, this time intentionally, I have laid the foundations for the next book which takes up the fight for justice both in the courts and in politics. Why does there need to be a fight for justice? Well, you’ll have to read Unequal By Birth to find that out.

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Thank you for that, Rosemary.  Having already read New York Orphan, I can’t wait to get started on Unequal By Birth. It’s downloaded ready on Kindle and on my TBR list.

Let’s find out a bit more about Rosemary.

About Rosemary 

Rosemary J Kind writes because she has to. You could take almost anything away from her except her pen and paper. Failing to stop after the book that everyone has in them, she has gone on to publish books in both non-fiction and fiction, the latter including novels, humour, short stories and poetry. She also regularly produces magazine articles in a number of areas and writes regularly for the dog press.

Where can you find Rosemary on Social Media – click on the links below 

Email 

Website

Alfie Dog Website

Facebook

Facebook Alfiedog

To purchase Rosemary’s books, click on the links below. 

 

Blight and Barney 

New York Orphan 

Unequal By Birth

Thank you for coming along today, Rosemary. I wish you the best of luck with the new book. Come back and visit soon.