Well, that's summer over and done with. As soon as the 1st September arrives and the children are back at school it's time to make way for the autumn; leaves, rain, fog and colds!
This summer has been an up and down time. Early summer was amazing with some great sales, July was slower and quite frankly if I needed to rely on my August sales then I'd be a whole lot slimmer!
Needless to say I've been very busy over the past couple of months. In July I wrote a short story, (The Bamboo Mirror) which is about 9500 words. Following this I knuckled down and wrote a short story collection,Echoes of Life and Love which incidentally does include The Bamboo Mirror. This collection is about 25,500 words in all - and I've just added another to the same collection making it even more good value! I used to pooh-pooh short stories but actually they are a valuable tool. Where else can you get a good look at the different styles and content that your favourite author might write in? It is also a perfect exercise in which a writer can hone their skills, putting everything into a small piece of work; characters, good prose, description and an actual story.
So I'm a changed person ~ short stories are good!
Now we're into September and things have changed. My sales have picked up ~ yippee! ~ and already I've sold more this month than during the whole of August (9th Sep). So here's hoping that despite the coming colder and wetter months we all have some bright moments.
I've finally finished my new novel, Children of The Plantation. It's with my editor - who said and I quote, "it was a pleasure to read" - and I hope to have it published either at the end of this month or early October. There will be a paperback edition to follow the e Format. I've included a very short excerpt here.
The book is set in the present, and the 1950's and 1960's. It focuses on a family drama; love, envy, mystery and a deep dark secret. All good stuff I believe! Hope you enjoy your quick read.
If anyone would like me to notify them when the novel is available then please simply fill in the comment form. All emails will be kept private.
Thank you
Children of The Plantation.
Prologue
Opening the kitchen door she spotted a vixen standing near the refuse bin. Hermione clapped her hands and it shot through the hedge at the bottom of the garden.
Hermione’s heart was thudding in her breast as she considered what next to do. Casting a look around, she gave thanks that the clouds scudding overhead made it a dark night. This had to be done in complete privacy.
Giving herself a mental shake she crossed the damp grass to the shed and picked up a spade. A clod of earth still clung to the sharp blade from where she’d been digging in her vegetable patch earlier that afternoon. It seemed such a long time ago now. She paused, still not completely certain she was doing the right thing. Making up her mind she walked over to the newly turned earth.
The air smelt fresh after the rain shower and a light breeze blew the mixed garden scents her way while she dug. The hole was to be small but deep, especially as she had just driven the fox off. Satisfied she stood back and peered down into the soft loamy material, a sorry place for such a pathetic bundle.
Sick at heart, but knowing they had no choice, Hermione laid down her spade and walked back into the kitchen. She picked up the tightly wrapped package and carried it outside; it weighed no more than a couple of pounds as she gently laid it down into the hole.
Covering it with fresh earth she scattered pebbles around and knelt on the grass. Had there been any other choice? Whatever were they going to tell him when the time came?
This summer has been an up and down time. Early summer was amazing with some great sales, July was slower and quite frankly if I needed to rely on my August sales then I'd be a whole lot slimmer!
Needless to say I've been very busy over the past couple of months. In July I wrote a short story, (The Bamboo Mirror) which is about 9500 words. Following this I knuckled down and wrote a short story collection,Echoes of Life and Love which incidentally does include The Bamboo Mirror. This collection is about 25,500 words in all - and I've just added another to the same collection making it even more good value! I used to pooh-pooh short stories but actually they are a valuable tool. Where else can you get a good look at the different styles and content that your favourite author might write in? It is also a perfect exercise in which a writer can hone their skills, putting everything into a small piece of work; characters, good prose, description and an actual story.
So I'm a changed person ~ short stories are good!
Now we're into September and things have changed. My sales have picked up ~ yippee! ~ and already I've sold more this month than during the whole of August (9th Sep). So here's hoping that despite the coming colder and wetter months we all have some bright moments.
I've finally finished my new novel, Children of The Plantation. It's with my editor - who said and I quote, "it was a pleasure to read" - and I hope to have it published either at the end of this month or early October. There will be a paperback edition to follow the e Format. I've included a very short excerpt here.
The book is set in the present, and the 1950's and 1960's. It focuses on a family drama; love, envy, mystery and a deep dark secret. All good stuff I believe! Hope you enjoy your quick read.
If anyone would like me to notify them when the novel is available then please simply fill in the comment form. All emails will be kept private.
Thank you
Children of The Plantation.
Prologue
Opening the kitchen door she spotted a vixen standing near the refuse bin. Hermione clapped her hands and it shot through the hedge at the bottom of the garden.
Hermione’s heart was thudding in her breast as she considered what next to do. Casting a look around, she gave thanks that the clouds scudding overhead made it a dark night. This had to be done in complete privacy.
Giving herself a mental shake she crossed the damp grass to the shed and picked up a spade. A clod of earth still clung to the sharp blade from where she’d been digging in her vegetable patch earlier that afternoon. It seemed such a long time ago now. She paused, still not completely certain she was doing the right thing. Making up her mind she walked over to the newly turned earth.
The air smelt fresh after the rain shower and a light breeze blew the mixed garden scents her way while she dug. The hole was to be small but deep, especially as she had just driven the fox off. Satisfied she stood back and peered down into the soft loamy material, a sorry place for such a pathetic bundle.
Sick at heart, but knowing they had no choice, Hermione laid down her spade and walked back into the kitchen. She picked up the tightly wrapped package and carried it outside; it weighed no more than a couple of pounds as she gently laid it down into the hole.
Covering it with fresh earth she scattered pebbles around and knelt on the grass. Had there been any other choice? Whatever were they going to tell him when the time came?
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