Write up the Hill

The People's Friend Magazine and a Friendly Blogger Award

2011-10-14T11:45:00.000+01:00

Thank you Susan @ http://susanjanejones.wordpress.com/ for this award. Sue awarded me for the My Little Pony stories I wrote a few moons ago and for my Cresslethwaite stories in The People's Friend magazine. I think the next Cresslethwaite story will be in the Winter Special out in January next year.
So many of my Blogger Friends have this award already so I'd like to award it to the People's Friend Magazine 'cos, you know, it IS a Friendly Friend.

An Award and Some News as Well

2011-05-09T21:19:00.001+01:00

Thank you Suzy Doodling at http://susanjanejones.blogspot.com/ for this award.

I'm supposed to tell you seven things about me. Well, I only did that a couple of posts ago and I'm not sure I can come up with seven more.

I could start with the News, though.

I've just had another short story accepted by People's Friend.

I once won first prize in a Fancy Dress, I was a Teddy Boy.

My auntie took me to have my hair done teddy boy style and the barber (yes, really) burned my neck with the waving tongs.

I love making chocolate cakes and chocolate mousse.

I have been known to eat a whole (small) jar of nutella off a spoon.

Numbers 6 and 7 are a cheat:

I'm meant to name seven more bloggers for this award.

I don't want to put anyone on the spot. So...

If any of you who read my blog would like the award, it's yours as long as you follow the rules.

Did You Know...?

2011-05-01T11:33:00.001+01:00

May 3rd is Rowan Tree Day. This was when country folk used to take a sprig of rowan indoors to protect the building and its occupants against witches and disease! People also carried sprigs of rowan to ease rheumatism (hmm, might try that).

OK, so what has that got to do with writing? Well... I woke up this morning wearing my 'other' hat - the one that puts itself on my head when the muse thinks it's time to write a short story for a woman's magazine - and there was this character saying, "Rowan". I didn't know if she was telling me that was her name so I looked in one of my books of country lore and that's when I learned about May 3rd.
Rowan as a girl's name means red-haired one but the character talking to me didn't have red hair.
So, I suspect she either has a Rowan tree in her garden, or she'll be going somewhere there's a Rowan tree. Either way, the tree (or its flowers, berries or bark) obviously plays a big part in her story.
I guess I'll be spending the May Bank Holiday finding out why.
What will you be doing?

Mapping a Series and Authors for Japan

2011-03-16T22:32:00.002Z

Welcome to Hingle - My Fictitious Village
Click on it to see a larger version

This was my last year's birthday present from Husband up the Hill - an A2 map of the fictitious village 'somewhere in North Staffordshire' where the characters in my (proposed) series for 8 -10 year olds live.
I think Loretta, the graphic designer, has done a fantastic job; she had to work off my really, really rough and messy plan.
I always find having a map gets the muse working on more storylines.
So, what gets your muse working?

If either of my bids at Authors for Japan win, it will be one of the stories for this series I'll have critiqued.

Ooh, An Award and a Win and Hedgehog

2011-03-08T11:34:00.005Z

Thanks to Debs of Daydreams in the Shed
for this lovely award.
The rules are that I post seven things about me that you didn't know and then nominate seven other bloggers for this award.

1: Over the years, I have hand-reared seven baby hedgehogs
2: When we had fish and chip shops, I was known as the Mushy Peas Queen
3: I wrote most of the stories for My Little Pony comic for eight years
4: I get lost if I turn round twice
5: I can't drive (possibly related to#4)
6: Slugs make my ears pop
7: I love very sweet things to eat but can't stand sweet drinks
OK, so now for the nominations:

Aaaagh! Now I can't work out how to do the link thingie so I'll just have to name, Crystal Jigsaw, Shirley Wells, Amanda Ashby, http://laneswrite.blogspot.com/, http://nelldixonrw.blogspot.com/,

http://sallyquilfordblog.co.uk/ and The Real Nicky Schmidt @ http://absolutevanilla.blogspot.com/

And the 'Win' bit of this post: I won Kate Johnson's novel, The Untied Kingdom

Sick baby hedgehog
First Day

Baby hedgehog, Billie,
3 days later 1 oz heavier

Click the pictures to see larger version

The Winner of Run Rabbit Run is...

2011-03-04T19:55:00.002Z

Barbara Mitchelhill's dog, Ella, has picked the winner of a signed copy of Run Rabbit Run

Congratulations to Shirley Wells!

Email Barbara your address, Shirley, and she'll post the book to you.

Wow! Look at This!

2011-03-01T10:07:00.006Z

I asked Barbara what made her write a book set in WW2 and did she surround herself with items from that era.
Here are her answers:
Why I wrote a book set in WW2
After my Aunt Sarah, who was well into her nineties,
gave me a brooch with a picture of her younger brother, Fred, set in it, she told me something she must have been holding secret for over fifty years.
Fred had hated the thought of war and wanted to register as a conscientious objector.
But the shame on the family would have been enormous as all the local lads had left for the front. He never did register. Maybe Aunt Sarah persuaded him to join up. I don't know. But within a year he was a prisoner of war and died building the Burma Railway.
I became very interested in conscientious objectors and so I wrote Run Rabbit Run.

While I was writing the book, I didn't surround myself with WW2 items but I did do a lot of research, including the wonderful Whiteway colony in Gloucestershire.
But now I do have some WW2 items, ready for school visits.
One is a baby's gas mask which the mother wore like a back pack.

It's truly scary!

Barabara, thank you for the great answers.

Remember, if you have any questions for Barbara, post them in the Comments section on the post before this one.
You could win a signed copy of Run Rabbit Run
But, hurry! The draw will take place on March 4th.

Come and Meet Award Winning Children's Author, Barbara Mitchelhill...

2011-02-25T11:38:00.007Z

I've got a grandson called Damian so when I spotted some Damian Drooth, Supersleuth books, I just had to read them.
I enjoyed them so much I kept a look out for new titles from Barbara - her thrillers for 8-12 year olds are great, too, and Storm Runners won The Solihull Children's Book Award.
Dangerous Diamonds was nominated for The Stockport Children's Book Award 2010 (I lived in Stockport for years) and The West Sussex Book Award 2011.

The third coincidence was when I heard about Barbara's latest book: Run Rabbit Run

It's set in WW2 and I'm about to send out a proposal of a book for 8-10s set at that time. (I was more than slightly worried at first but, luckily, my storyline and theme is completely different.)
Run Rabbit Run begins in Rochdale and, although it was a long time after WW2, I lived and worked in Rochdale for a few year; Barbara also lived in Rochdale at one time but not when I was there.
Anyway, what with loving Barbara's books - and the coincidences - I thought it would be great to have her as a guest on my blog.

And here she is...

What's more, Barbara is willing to answer your questions.
Barbara, my questions are, "What made you write a book set in WW2?" and "Did you surround yourself with items from that era while you were writing Run Rabbit Run?"

Go and have a look around Barabara's website: http://www.barbaramitchelhill.com/ to see all the books she's written then ask your questions in the Comments section for this post.
Oh, and Barbara's offering a signed copy of Run Rabbit Run as a prize. On March 4th, official publication day, the names of those who've asked a question (or questions) will go in a hat and Barbara will get her dog, Ella, to paw out a name.

We Stopped the Cow Factory Farm... We WON!!!!!!

2011-02-22T14:39:00.003Z

Just had an e-mail from 38 degrees!
Last week, the business behind plans to build the UK's first US-style cow factory farm cancelled their plans.

Isn't that great news!
Go to their website www.38degrees.org.uk or see their facebook page to read more.

In other news... Keep a look out for an award winning children's author visiting this blog soon...

Please Help Stop Cow Factory Farms

2011-01-07T19:51:00.003Z

Ok, I know it's soooo long since I blogged - life and writing (lots of writing) ate up my time.
I hope some of my 'old' blog mates will see I have now posted and come and have a look.
Here is what broke my self-imposed 'no blogging' until I had something important to say.
I hope you'll all agree this is important!

Companies are planning to build huge 'mega-dairies' in Lincolnshire. These factory farms keep cows inside all year.
Please go and sign the petition.

www.38degrees.org.uk

It must be a Sign! March 1st of Many Moons Ago

2010-03-01T13:46:00.003Z

Do you believe in signs?

I was looking through old photos this morning and came across this one and...
It had a date on the back. March 1st 1990. Twenty years ago! It was the only photo with a date on so it had to be a sign, didn't it? Primple, the cat in the photo, was 15 - she died seven years later. Hmm, was it a sign telling me to write a book about a cat? Or...
Ooooh, the farmhouse in the photo is across the valley on the moors opposite our house up the hill and in one of my books that farm is where Claire Evans, a secondary character, lives. I think Claire, aged 11, must be telling me she wants a book of her own.

So forget Mad March Hares, I've got a Mad March Muse.

Does anyone else believe in signs?

The WIP that wants to be 'in progress'

2010-02-03T10:50:00.003Z

I’ve got the title, plot, theme, characters, the characters’ personalities – their GMC and loads and loads of notes. Heck, even though it will need fleshing out and the characters will probably give me a few surprises, I know the story.

So why am I finding it so hard to write the first line…first paragraph…first page? Or at least write something I’m happy with. It isn’t that I’m trying to start in the wrong place – more that I can’t find the right place.

Seeing as I know so much of the story already, why can’t I leave the first page for now and just get on with the rest?

I can’t work like that, though. I have to have a title before I can start writing and then get the first page right. OK, the opening might change if, after I’ve finished the first draft, I decide I’ve started the story in the wrong place or at the wrong time.

But to know that, I have to get to the end…and to get to the end I have to have a first page that really, really works for me…

Now you'll understand why I've been absent from the Land of Blog for a while and apologies to all my blog mates for not visiting.

P.S. Thanks to Jarmara and Carol for my Awards. I'll display them when my current problem is resolved!

Season's Greetings

2009-12-21T18:57:00.002Z

I tried to do this with cartoony pics but
when I downloaded them they kept repeating themselves.
I guess they knew I really meant my:
"Merry Christmas to ALL and a Happy, Peaceful and Healthy 2010"

Writing and Dodging Wild Weather to Walk Puppies

2009-11-16T16:56:00.004Z

I can't believe it's so long since I posted.

Time gets eaten up. I try to dodge the bad weather to take Tim and Ted for a walk, that often isn't possible, though, and getting myself water and windproofed adds on ages at either side of the walks.

I've been busy writing - 1 book finished and new one 'bubbling'. I think Autumn and early Winter are my most creative seasons.

How about you? Do you feel more creative at certain times of the year?

Tim and Ted are 10 months now and don't look like puppies any more.

These photos were taken last week on one of the truly gorgeous (but a bit windy) Autumn days.

Better Late than Never

2009-10-12T17:25:00.003+01:00

Due to circumstances beyond my control - aka sick computer - this Fabulouslyfantastic announcement is overdue!

My real-life writing mate and CP, Christina Phillips, has

a 2 book deal!

Here's the PM announcement:
Christina Phillips’s HIS FORBIDDEN PRINCESS, in which a Roman centurion leads an invasion into Cambria, and the druid princess who both defies and enthralls him, to Kate Seaver at Berkley Heat, in a two-book deal, by Emmanuelle Alspaugh at Judith Ehrlich Literary Management.

Doubly Amazing

2009-09-10T11:32:00.005+01:00

Penguin and the New Baby was one of the first picture books I had published.

I was talking to an editor on the phone about a completely different ms I'd submitted

and she said she was desperate for some picture books.

I 'wrote' 2 Penguin books there and then over the phone!

Unfortunately, that publisher went bankrupt before the hardback editions were published

but the paperback rights had been sold and they were published in 1992.

Yes, seventeen years ago - so I was amazed to see a recent review!

The second amazing thing is it was reviewed by a young girl taking part in

Premier's Summer Reading Challenge 2008-9

in Western Australia.

I've not shown her name, but here's what she said:

Penguin and the New Baby by Pat Posner and Alison Finch

I read Penguin and the New Baby written by Pat Posner

and illustrated by Alison Finch.

They had a new baby in the house and Penguin was sad because the baby cried a lot.

Then they went to the park and Penguin got to sit on the front of the pram.

Every one crowed the baby. The baby cried again.

When they went back home they feed the baby again

and the baby smiled at penguin.

I liked this story because they get a new baby in their house and because the baby smiles at Penguin.
Girl age 6 from Kinross 14 January 2009

OYEZ! OYEZ! HEAR YE, HEAR YE...

2009-08-17T10:42:00.002+01:00

Please go and congratulate Amanda Ashby my ‘genie-us’ friend – who’s also one of my crit partners – on her ‘djinnous’ news.

This is the announcement on Publisher's Marketplace:

Amanda Ashby's untitled middle-grade series about a girl who accidentally gets turned into a djinn (genie) the day before starting sixth grade and has to learn to deal with her new powers without her mom finding out, to Karen Chaplin at Puffin, in a three-book deal, by Jenny Bent at The Bent Agency (world English).

Takeover Tuesday!

2009-08-11T11:40:00.007+01:00

Edited to add: If you're wondering

why I've taken over this blog for the day...

Go here
http://sallyquilfordblog.co.uk/

My name is…
Well, it doesn’t matter what it is because it might

be changed anyway.
I am…
A girl.

I think I’m about eight or nine years old.

For a long time, I was running around

inside a head answering questions.

Sometimes, because the person whose head I was in

didn’t seem to like the answers,

I was asked to change them!

I got so dizzy, so hemmed-in, I kept yelling to be let out.

Eventually, I got my own way.

You’d think life would have got easier then,

wouldn’t you?

But it didn’t. I’ve spent the last few days

answering – or trying to answer –

Tim and Ted with a Plea to all you Animal Lovers

2009-06-20T14:24:00.003+01:00

"We're lucky. We get plenty of food but..."

The Animal Rescue Site is having trouble getting enough people to click on it daily so they can meet their quota of getting FREE FOOD donated every day to abused and neglected animals. It takes less than a minute (about 15 seconds) to go to their site and click on the purple box 'fund food for animals for free'. This doesn't cost you a thing. Their corporate sponsors/advertisers use the number of daily visits to donate food to abandoned/neglected animals in exchange for advertising. Here's the web site! Please pass it along to people you know. http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/

"Please click every day"

Tail wags

Tim and Ted

Big Squeeee for a CP!

2009-06-14T11:26:00.003+01:00

Christina Phillips - one of my three fantastic CPs, on the right in the photo - has just signed with the agent of her dreams.

We're all very excited because we all loved this book from its birth. Pop over to her

blog to read more.

"A good leak in June sets All Things in Tune"

2009-05-31T10:26:00.004+01:00

I so hope that old country saying won't come true in the House up the Hill. I wrote about a leak on March 28th. We've had two more leaks this month with water pouring through the kitchen ceiling again - in a different place from previously. This time it was the hot water cylinder - we're on spring water here which is great except for the fact it eats its way through copper. So plumber came and put a new cylinder in. Trouble was, as we found out the next morning, a joint (or something!) on the cylinder was faulty and let water out. *Sigh*

In spite of that, I have managed to write a synopsis and 2 chapters of a new book.

When do you write your synopsis?

I will never, ever again write one before getting a word of the book on paper. OK, I know you're not tied to the synopsis but once it was written, it was in my head and it made it much harder than usual to get the 'magical' first lines right.

The 2 Ts aren't in the book as themselves - but in a way the 2 human MCs have a lot in common with Tim and Ted - and there are puppies in it who do some of the things T&T do.

Speaking of Tim and Ted...

"Do you think we've grown?"

"It's June 1st tomorrow. Let's remind all our blog mates to say 'White Rabbits' three times over in the morning before speaking to anyone."

Book Covers

2009-05-08T15:10:00.001+01:00

Did You Make a First of May Wish?

2009-05-01T10:17:00.003+01:00

Right now: I'm frustrated because, in my head, I can see pictures to go with the text in my current WIP and the mock-ups are more than ever MUCK-UPS!

So, what's that got to do with the header? Well...

On the first day of every month I try and remember not to speak to anyone until I've said 'White Rabbits' three times and made a wish. If on the First of May you wash your face in early morning dew, then say 3x White Rabbits, then make your wish (all before uttering a word to anyone) your wish has more chance than ever of coming true because May dew has magical properties. Hmm...

If I hadn't spoken to Husband up the Hill and T&T before remembering the date, I would have done the above and my wish would have been: "I wish I could draw!"

So did you make a wish this morning? And if you didn't, what would your wish have been? You can tell me, because I washed my screen with May dew and that might help your wish come true!

*Edited to Add
I've just read about AV's Ms Bo: Absolute Vanilla... (and Atyllah)
So my May Day wish is for Ms Bo's safety and happiness now she's making her journey into the big wide world.

On a Writing Roll

2009-04-15T15:05:00.005+01:00

I started writing a new book on Easter Sunday. I've just finished chapter four - aka 8,002 words. But I've made myself dizzy by imagining I was riding on an out of control...

There must be a better word than 'dizzy'.

Disorientated, giddy, wobbly, woozy,

wibbly-wobbly, dazed, dazzled.

Any suggestions?

Tim and Ted's Busy Day Posing...

2009-04-08T17:43:00.006+01:00

And there are some more photos over at http://shirleywells.blogspot.com/ cos she's the one we posed for!

Tim and Ted brought me Good Luck...

2009-03-30T23:13:00.005+01:00

...an agent for my children's books. An American agent!

OK, I meant to show another photo not a repeat, but I am so excited I can't work out how to delete the repeated one.

Writing while Puppies Sleep and...

2009-03-28T10:39:00.004Z

...mopping up leaks!

After a last but one edit of the picture book I wrote this week during T&Ts' nap times, I went to make a much deserved coffee. At first, when I saw the flood on the kitchen floor, one of the Ts had done a huge wee. In a way, I wish that had been it. But, no! Old house, old plumbing = water flooding from pipes inder the bath (or somewhere in the bathroom) down into the kitchen.

So I turned the water off, mopped up, phoned the odd-job guy and mopped up again - and again and again. Then I though 's*d it', threw a few old towels down, came back into my study to do the final edit and left Tim and Ted using wet towels as a skating rink.

Here's another of my fun mock-ups I did for my picture book.

Surprise! Surprise! Aka Double Trouble!

2009-03-23T13:50:00.004Z

Three weeks ago we went to see a litter of 5 week old rough collies.

They were born 3 days prematurely and we chose the tiniest (3ozs at birth; his siblings were 5 ozs and a bit).

We went to fetch our Tiny Tim on Saturday.

Tiny Tim

We came home with his best brother buddy, too - Tough Ted! (Well, Ted thinks he's tough but he's very laid back really!

Tough Ted

With thanks to Loretta for the photos. More to follow soon!

It Wouldn't be Royal, Horace!

2009-03-11T16:08:00.003Z

While I'm waiting to go to the next party... at Christina's http://christinaphillips.blogspot.com/
on Friday ... in between writing the book of my heart, I'm working on a new idea for an early chapter book.

I really love this stage of doing mock-ups (muck-ups?) so I can get to know my characters better.

How do you get to know your characters?

Parties and Prizes...

2009-03-02T15:23:00.002Z

Yet another good mate Nell Dixon is having a blog party to celebrate the release of her latest book. You can reads snippets from Animal Instincts and there'll be door prizes and a contest, too.

Also, don't forget to go and see my 'other side of the hill' friend, Shirley Wells and enter her unusual competition. The lucky winner will receive a signed copy of her third 'Jill and Max' crime fiction title: Where Petals Fall

Happy partying and competition entering, everyone.

Zombie Queen Party Time

2009-02-23T18:19:00.003Z

Zombie Queen of Newbury High is written by my 'real-life' friend (and now cyber friend as she moved from UK), Amanda Ashby. It's released in March so this year March will roar in like a lion because it's a brilliantly fantastic and fun book.

To celebrate its release, Amanda's holding a ten day party over at her blog and authors will be blog guesting every day. I'll be there on Thursday - probably Friday for us in UK.

There's also a chance of picking up a copy of Zombie Queen just by spreading the word of the party! So get spreading because it's a fantastic read!

"Still Under Consideration..."

2009-02-09T16:14:00.002Z

I first posted this picture on October 3rd. That was when I sent a proposal for a mystery series to a publisher. A week later (after speaking to the editor) I sent a couple of other proposals for a younger age group. So, when I opened a letter from the publisher this morning and read that my mss weren't suitable for their new list, I just pushed the letter to one side. It wasn't until Husband up the Hill picked it up and read it that I discovered

Stationmaster Ruth - Seaside Sleuth is still under consideration by the editorial team.

So hope rises again!

The letter was in a bundle Husband collected from the sorting office - postman hasn't been able to get to us for a week - and there was a couple of books I'd ordered in the bundle, too. One's a 'writing' book I read about somewhere, can't remember where, it's called Writing Magic - Creating Stories That Fly and it's by Gail Carson Levine (author of, amongst others, of Ella Enchanted and Fairest). I think an early night with some dark choccie is called for. I love reading in bed. And, yes, I'll have a notebook and pen with me as well, just in case I decide to do some of the writing exercises GCL sets.

Here's to a great week (with no more snow) for you all. Shirley, if you read this, please don't do your snow dance again!

Happy February

2009-02-01T10:25:00.002Z

Must do better! Thank you to all who emailed to see if I'm all right. I am! Well, apart from being freezing cold. That's one reason there's been a looong gap between blogs - my study is the coldest room in the house and, because we've got old sash windows, the wind howls it way through the gap. So I haven't been spending as long as usual in front of the computer. Plus, I've been writing the novella but it's slow going - only 3 chapters done so far, and they aren't very long chapters. See... Must do better!

Does your writing slow down in cold weather?

It's been a While, but...

2009-01-16T17:56:00.002Z

Yes! I got lost in my writing today. So lost I didn't hear the timer go off - the smell of burning got through to me though.

It's the first time for ages I've been so deeply immersed and, even though I had to throw the spuds away, I felt great.

Funny thing is, it isn't the 'Evacuee' one I'm working on, it's a 'just-born' story for a My Weekly Pocket Novel. There is a dog in it, but not a rough collie.

So if I wish for you (all my marvellous blog mates) to burn potatoes, too, you'll know I'm being cruel to be very kind.

I'm almost...Back in the Land of Blog

2009-01-04T12:17:00.003Z

I did try to blog a few days ago, wishing you all ‘good health, peace and successful writing' etc, but something weird happened.
I inserted a Happy New Year picture I’d downloaded from a free clipart place and when I posted the HNY picture just kept repeating itself. I deleted the post but had to delete each picture separately! There must have been over 100 of them and I swear as I deleted one a new one added itself.

Anyway, because there was also a bit of sad news in that deleted post it’s taken me days to manage to rewrite it.
We’ve had to return Tessa Buttons to her breeder (a friend of the breeder’s is having her and as the friend already has Tessa’s mum, I’m sure Tessa will settle in happily).
Tessa B was fantastic in every way except one. Whatever we tried – and we tried everything we, and others, could think of (except an electric collar) – we just could not stop her from chasing sheep. At first it was just a teeny run towards them and she’d come straight back when called. But then she started to ignore us when we called her and chased them further and further. I suppose some of it could have been down to that sheep who, in Tessa’s early days here, kept running to her for a nuzzle. But whatever it was we couldn’t let it go on because if we had it would have ended in tragedy. At least we rescued her when, at the time, there wasn’t anyone else who could and now she’s gone to her new home fit and healthy (and away from sheep).

Perhaps, as a true professional would, I should try and write it into a magazine story. Maybe one day…

To all my Blogging Mates and their Pets

2008-12-22T14:19:00.002Z

And a Happy and Healthy 2009 to you and yours and may wishes and dreams come true.

I Got an Award - Must Pass it On!

2008-12-11T20:46:00.004Z

Thank you to the delightful Debs debs-daydreams in the shed for this great award.The Rules that go with this award are as follows:

1. Every superior scribbler must name other super scribblers, although with so many brilliant super scribblers to choose from, it's almost impossible to do. Anyway, here are a few nominations:
Amanda's Writing Diary Christina Phillips Crystal Jigsaw Every New Writer's Journey Kate Hardy Sara Hantz Shirley Wells

2. Link back to the name of the blog that gave you the award: http://writeupthehill.blogspot.com/

3. Display the award and link to this post, which explains the award.

4. Add your name to the Mr Linky List, http://scholastic-scribe.blogspot.com/2008/10/200-this-blings-for-you.html some way down the page, as a record of who the superest scribblers are.

OK, I think I've made a right pig's ear of the links. Blame the bronchitis!

Tessa Buttons' First Snow of Winter

2008-12-04T20:05:00.002Z

A friend (Hi, Loretta) took these photos on Tuesday morning before the snow got really thick.

Gas Masks, the Blackout and Strange Scary Places...

2008-11-24T17:09:00.004Z

Aka the Book of my Heart

I've been wanting to write this (children's) book for a long time - probably since I first read 'Goodnight Mr Tom' waaaay back in 1980/1.

I used to talk to my Mum about it and, although she lived in Newcastle when WW2 started, she was never an evacuee. She loved my book idea and told me a lot about people she'd known who did go to a safer place - and those who came back after a few weeks and about Life on the Home Front.

So just over a year ago I decided I'd start writing it. But then...

Mum died and I couldn't bring myself to do it.

Maybe it was getting the first anniversary of her death over, or maybe it was one of my CPs niggling me to write it, or that I've got a two or three mss out with publishers and an agent and I know it will be a while before I hear anything. Whatever, the time feels right now.

As usual when I'm about to start writing something new, I make myself picture prompts while I'm getting to know my characters and the ups and downs of their lives.

Have any of you waited over 27 years to write the book of your heart?

A Question for Dog Owners

2008-11-16T17:27:00.002Z

Have any of you ever had, or known, a dog who seems spooked by a smell? On Wednesday on our usual afternoon walk, Tessa B suddenly let out one looooong howl then turned round and ran, barking like crazy, to a nearby drystone wall. She stood on her hind legs staring to the downwards fields, hair on end, wild look in her eyes. I hadn't heard any unusual noise and the fields were empty, the sheep out of sight. I put her on the lead, calmed her slightly and took her home. Indoors, she stared out of the window (facing the downwards fields again) carried on sniffing, barking, sniffing, barking.
She's booked in for spaying on Tuesday so, although I couldn't see any sign, in case she was having a phantom pregnancy and barking to protect 'the puppies', we took her to the vet. Definitely not a phantom pregnancy; the vet gave her a thorough check all over and said she's now in tip top condition. Vet couldn't shed any light on the spooked problem and suggested a DAP collar. We put it on her straight away. She's very slightly less spooked but not much and we sussed out when she sniffs it seems to be towards where the ram is about to - or has just done - his duty. The strange thing is, we've walked her really close to the ram and she didn't bat an eyelid. But all three times we've done that, the ram has been 'resting'. We have foxes, badgers, squirrels and weasels come in the garden so she's used to the smell of them - though I suppose there could be a newcomer who smells different.
I've asked farmers and a few blogging friends who have sheep farms if they've ever known a dog spooked by the scent of a ram but they haven't. Tessa B still enjoys playing out with her doggy friends but stops mid-play to sniff the air.
LOL, sorry for the smelly post but it's just so sad and worrying to see Tessa B acting this way, she obviously feels threatened by the smell; any thoughts, suggestions and/or advice will be very gratefully received.

The Draw Has Taken Place

2008-11-05T11:31:00.002Z

Congratulations, Honeysuckle! Please send Christina your email so you can receive a download of her fantastic novella.

You'll Never Guess What!!

2008-11-04T09:56:00.003Z

Christina Phillips (yes, THE Christina who guested here to answer our questions) has just been offered a contract by The Wild Rose Press for her Scarlet Rosette, Touch of the Demon. Pop over to her blog Christina Phillips to congratulate her.

THE Q&A Spot with Debut Author, Christina Phillips

2008-10-30T22:05:00.002Z

So here it is! Your triple chance to win a download of
FORETASTE OF FOREVER!

All you need to do to go into the draw to win is ask Christina a question here or comment over at http://amandaashby.blogspot.com/ or Sara Hantz's blog: http://sarahantz.com/blog/
where there are Interesting Interviews with Christina.The winner will be chosen and announced on Wednesday 5th November

CONTEST: A Date For your Diary...

2008-10-29T10:47:00.004Z

From Halloween until November 4th Christina will answer your questions about writing and her road to publication.

So, get thinking then come back on Friday when the Q&A Spot will begin in a new post and you'll see how you could win a download of FORETASTE OF FOREVER...

Another Award, Another Birthday, Another...

2008-10-25T09:47:00.003+01:00

Isn't it great? Tom Foolery held the TFX 2008 Writing Competition and all the entrants received a fantastic bespoke card as a prize - every card is different and all designed by TF herself so go to TF's and check them out!

Another Birthday. I'm 63 today! Time feels like the wheel on the card free-wheeling quickly away; I can NOT believe I'm so old. OK, old in years but young at heart (sometimes).

The third 'Another'? Unfortunately that was an agent rejection. The nice thing is that I got it earlier in the week so it hasn't blighted my day.

And please go and give Helen @ Fiction Is Stranger Than Fact a hug to let her know we're all thinking of her.

Party Time

2008-10-24T10:01:00.003+01:00

It's Book Launch Day for my fabulous friend and CP, Christina Phillips!

Please go and join the celebration and read an exciting excerpt of Foretaste of Forever at http://kayemanro.blogspot.com/

Friendship is a Sheltering Tree

2008-10-15T10:59:00.003+01:00

That's a quote from Samuel Taylor Coleridge.

So thank you all for the hugs and messages and for

being my 'sheltering tree'.

An Award that Cheered Me Up

2008-10-14T21:39:00.005+01:00

Mummy @ A Mummy's Meanderings awarded me with this. It was very timely because I'm feeling sad today. So, thank you, Mummy!

Edited to add: Thank you for all the hugs and emails. They help. A friend died on Monday.

The winners of this award have to answer these questions, in one word per question.... so here we go:
1. Where is your cell phone? Unowned
2. Where is your significant other? Workshop
3. Your hair color? Blonde
4. Your mother? Heaven
5. Your father? Heaven
6. Your favorite thing? Life
7. Your dream last night? Upsetting
8. Your dream/goal? Republished
9. The room you're in? Study
10. Your hobby? Countryside
11. Your fear? Loss
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Here
13. Where were you last night? Here
14. What you're not? Male
15. One of your wish-list items? Aga
16. Where you grew up? Various
17. The last thing you did? Log-on
18. What are you wearing? Leggings
19. Your TV? Off
20. Your pets? Chewing
21. Your computer? On
22. Your mood? Sad
23. Missing someone? Parents
24. Your car? Isn’t
25. Something you're not wearing? Pyjamas
26. Favorite store? Deli
27. Your summer? Mixed
28. Love someone? Yes.
29. Your favorite color? Autumnal
30. When is the last time you laughed? Today
31. Last time you cried? Today

OK, I also have to pass this award onto another 5 blogs that I love –
This is so hard; some of my favourite bloggers have already won this award
Crystal Jigsaw
Flowerpot Days
The Weaver of Grass
Wright Story
Pamela Terry and Edward

YAY FOR TAM!!

2008-10-08T19:43:00.003+01:00

Go and see Tam's News: http://wordyblog.blogspot.com/

Wearing My Children's Writer Hat...

2008-10-03T16:45:00.004+01:00

The main characters in my mystery series for children stay in a house that’s part of a coastal railway station. The first story is finished (25,500 words), the series proposal is on its way to a publisher and the second story is 'bubbling' nicely.

Over on Fiction Is Stranger Than Fact Helen has listed the soundtracks to her novel.
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. So…
Here are some of the songs I’d choose for my soundtrack:
"I Love the sound of a Whistle" Box Car Willie
"Ghost Train" The Bee Gees
"Bye Bye Black Smoke Choo Choo" Joe Glazer
"Peppermint Twist" The Sweet
"Rockaway beach" Ramones
"The Peppermint Rock Song" ???

Sticks of rock play quite a part in the first book.

Of course there's a dog in all the stories.
She's called Hilda.
The song for her is: Cat Steven's "I Love My Dog".

Something "Writerly" Now

2008-09-26T14:48:00.003+01:00

The 'good lucks' from all of you in the Land of Blog worked. So, many thanks *smile*. I had a letter today from the large print publishers. They've accepted Sunlight on Shadows. No publication date yet - hopefully it will be sometime in 2009.

Puppy Love - A Day in the Life of Tessa B

2008-09-24T14:25:00.011+01:00

Can I go and Play Out?

Follow me, Tessa B!

Mum, this one Growls!
He's scary! I'm not staying here.

I'll go where I'm appreciated.

Aaaah! Is this My...

Special Friend?

OK, sheep are meant to be 'No-Nos'.
But what can one do about Sheepish Puppy Love?

Getting The Creative Juices Flowing...

2008-09-16T15:09:00.007+01:00

I've been rewriting, editing and subbing but I haven't written anything new for the last three or four weeks.
That's partly because I couldn't decide what to write - if I could hear from the agent who has my full ms, maybe I wouldn't be dithering - partly because Tessa B has kept me busy and 'lot-ly' I didn't really feel like writing.

Now, I think I'm ready to start in on a novella for My Weekly. I've had the idea bubbling around for quite a time and I know I'm going to set it in my fictional North Yorkshire Dale - Skirradale. I've already got a model village and pictorial maps but I needed something new to get the creative juices flowing. So I found a 1950s kitchen for Lintie and mocked up a cover. Then, instead of opening a new document and writing those magic words Chapter One, I decided to blog instead.
My excuse is... if I start writing in the morning, I can happily carry on writing in the afternoon - and sometimes the evening - but I find it hard to start writing in the afternoon. Does anyone else have this problem?

NEWSFLASH... Annie Bright is blogging again! Go say 'Hi' http://anniebrightisofficiallycrazy.blogspot.com/

Something Else Nice Happened Today...

2008-09-04T14:26:00.007+01:00

Warning: A bit of a 'Me...Me' Post

This Pocket Novel was accepted about eighteen months ago and published last December and I really like the 'moody' cover. Today is the first time I've seen it! My author copies went awol and my local newsagent doesn't get the My Weekly Pocket Novels (can you believe that)! So a big thanks to editor Tracey for 'plundering' the MW stores.

Now I'm sending a copy to the Large Print publishers - hoping they'll want to publish it, too!

Edited to Add

Yummy Palets Bretons recipe for TF:

4 egg yolks240g butter 120g castor sugar300g plain flour, siftedMilk, to ‘wash’ the cookies
1. Beat together the egg yolks and castor sugar till light and creamy.
2. Cream the butter then beat into the egg and sugar mix till well-combined.
3. Slowly add the flour, about 1/4 cup at a time, making sure to mix well after each addition.
4. Once all the flour has been incorporated, tip the dough onto a large square of cling wrap and press into a ball shape, then refrigerate for 30 mins.
5. Remove from the fridge then roll into a long, thick sausage. It should be about 5-6cm in diameter. Place back in the refrigerator 1 hour.
6. Preheat oven to 375degrees F. Gas Mark 5. Slice the dough into rounds about 1-1.5cm thick.
7. Place rounds on a baking tray lined with baking paper and lightly flatten with the palm of your hand. Give each round a milk wash, then lightly trace a lattice pattern into each one with a fork.
8. Bake for 15-20mins till the top of the biscuits looks golden; remove and let them cool on the tray.

Oh...Oh! Just Look at This!

2008-09-03T10:46:00.006+01:00

Lane sent me (us) this Friendship Award!

Thank you so much, Lane.

OK, so I need to pass it on and it's an impossible choice because everyone who visits my blog has been so fantastic - supporting me through the bad times and sharing my ups and downs. So I'm going to pass it on to the inventors of electricity, computers and batteries, because without them Blog Land would never existed and I would never have met such wonderful people. I must give a special mention to Womag because, to start off with, it was her blog guided me to most of you. And, as the Award will surely bring 'warm and fuzzies' to all who receive it: Here it is again for Crystal Jigsaw's Amy - a lovely little girl who shares her stories and rhymes.

Some Days are Great...Today STINKS!

2008-08-30T11:29:00.005+01:00

So, the great days are the Tessa B Days! She's a fast learner!

Last time I went close to those white things I got smacked.

Best to ignore them. Mum called me a 'Very Good Girl.'

Will I have to 'Get Down?'

No. Let Sleeping Dogs Lie.

Today stinks...I got four rejections!
All sympathies gratefully accepted (sigh).

By Popular Request...Introducing Tessa Buttons

2008-08-22T14:26:00.015+01:00

In a way it hurts to post these photos just a week after Charlie-dog left us.
But I'm sure he and all our other pets, who are in the land over Rainbow Bridge, are happy Tessa Buttons feels so much at home already. And Tessa says:
Am I pretty or am I pretty? I feel SO happy here. I can hardly believe I can go all over the house, or that either Mum or Dad, and often both at once, are around to love me all the time. Just think, I'll never feel lonely ever again!

Next stop was the kitchen!
Food for Tessa? I like!
Then I explored the garden

I've got a lead on in case I run off.
As if I'd run away from my new home!

Tessa's Third Day
Hey, I get taken for walks lots of times every day now. And I'm such a good girl Mum and Dad let me off the lead to run and play. There are things called sheep, I started to chase one but Mum smacked me. She said that was the only thing she'd ever smack me for. I've promised Mum and Dad I'll try hard never to chase any.

Ok, I can see I need to work on layout (sigh) but, hopefully, you won't notice how messy this is because you'll all be too busy looking at Tessa.

Added Sunday 24th Aug: We know for sure now Tessa Buttons isn't pregnant. So glad, but it's going to curtail her new-found freedom for a while.

A New Writing Competition in...

2008-08-21T18:32:00.003+01:00

...this month's Company magazine out NOW! Galaxy Ripple and Little Black Dress (Headline) have teamed up with Company to search for a new young (sh*t, does that let an OAP like me out?) writing talent. The winner gets the chance to have her (or his, I guess) short story of no longer than 2,000 words published at the end of a forthcoming LBD book + 5 runners-up go for lunch with Headline and have the chance to ask Julie Cohen for advice on becoming a bestselling author.
Closing date 16th Sep.
Happy Writing!!

Do things happen for a Reason?

2008-08-18T15:46:00.004+01:00

We've never been without a dog - or dogs - for thirty years. When Charlie-dog died we thought we would maybe get another dog in a few months time when we'd had time to mourn but it would only be if a dog needed us.
I even contacted Collie Rescue to say in a few months we'd go on the list for rehoming a dog who needed rehoming. I was told we were too old to go on the list and anyway there was a long waiting list (that's good it means there aren't many rough collies needing help).
Then on Sunday afternoon we get a frantic phone call from a breeder who'd heard we might be looking to help an older dog in the future. She desperately needed someone for an eight and a half month old girl rough collie puppy who needed rehoming. Needed them like right NOW, she was off on holiday and couldn't take the puppy herself, she'd been on the phone all morning and couldn't find anyone.

We dithered for a while, but then decided the timing of Charlie-dog leaving us and this phone call was fate or something. We wouldn't have brought a pup into the house with an old boy like Charlie, it wouldn't have been fair to him.

And, we couldn't really turn our backs on the situation. So now we have Tessa. I think she'll settle in happily and, although we feel a bit emotional about not having long enough to grieve for Charlie-dog, I like to think he and our other dogs we had down the years are happy we're helping Tessa. Am off to the vet with her now to get her checked over.

Added after vet appt. Vet says Tessa's in good condition - except for her weight and lack of muscle. Proper walks will sort that one out. She got fed on junk food and fish and chips etc and some cr*ppy cheap dog food. I was worried she might be pregnant although she is a bit young to have had her first season; it can happen from 6 months, thought that's rare. Vet doesn't think she is but hard to be 100% certain because she's so plump and it was hard to tell by just feeling. We're going back in 10 days and Tessa aka Buttons might have to have a scan.

R.I.P. Charlie-dog

2008-08-15T14:26:00.003+01:00

So, Charlie-dog went off over the Rainbow Bridge at midday today.

He was fourteen so really it should be a celebration of a long happy life.

Bye, Charlie-dog.

Well, I Never Did in all 'me' Born Days!

2008-08-07T18:06:00.002+01:00

Matt's comment on my previous post got me thinking about some more strange things 'wot' are said in this part of the world.

Here's a few to be going on with:

When referring to dodgy market traders:

"H/She’s as sleazy as a cows udder."

Boasting about the undoable:
"If tha can do that I can knit fog."

Q. How do I look?

A. A mon (man) on a mad horse wouldn’t notice you.
Or if your legs were a bit bent: You couldn't stop a pig in a ginnel (narrow passageway between buildings).

Anyone got any strange saying from their neck of the woods?

Hen, Historic Racing Cars and Agent Request YAY!

2008-08-05T14:34:00.003+01:00

The hen who came in from the storm to eat cornflakes in my kitchen before going to a new home has been laying eggs. OK, I know that's what hens do, but still, it's nice my rescued hen is doing it.

And I think the hen brought me luck as well as eggs because one of my completed my children's novels is on its way to an agent!

Have started a sort of show-blog for Husband who scratch-builds miniature Historic Racing Cars in the House up the Hill. Please click on the picture on my blog and go visit.

Congratulations to Annie Bright of Writing and Stuff

2008-08-04T18:27:00.002+01:00

SQUEEEEE!

Annie got a Grade 2 Pass for her OU Creative Writing Unit.
Hope you'll all go and congratulate her.

Pictorial Maps

2008-08-04T16:01:00.008+01:00

Click to get bigger view

OK, I told TF I'd see if I could show a pictorial map I made on here - so you can all see how I so can not draw! This is a map I drew for the main village in my fictional North Yorkshire Dale - Skirradale.

Needless to say (sigh) I can't make the pictures line up like they should.

Each house, shop or cottage industry has a number or name and also the names of the people living or working there.

So I've Got a New Character...

2008-08-03T12:04:00.003+01:00

...and a bit of an idea of her story. I know roughly what she looks like. But I need to know more about her.
I always need to know far more about my characters than I ever use. Once I know about their childhood, their likes and dislikes etc, I like finding out more about where they live. They can't always live in my area or my house.
So, it's time to look at some of the models/collages I've made over the years.

The one above is one I made for my children's mystery series (as yet unpublished - sob). But, hey, nothing is ever wasted; I can use my fictional seaside town, based on a real area along the North Yorkshire coast, for my new character's story.

OK, so the pictures haven't come out very clearly, the foreground is a station on a preserved railway line - play spot the train - the background is the houses and shops in the seaside town.

To be honest, I'm not that sure how I managed to get the pictures to appear at all, it took me three tries. And now I can't get them where I want them to go!
They'll have to stay like this because I'm ready to start scribbling more notes about my new character.

Day of Distractions!

2008-07-29T22:00:00.001+01:00

Charlie-dog is a lot better so today was earmarked for finishing the Christmas story I started last week.

Distraction the First (well, it could have been one but I was good and didn't let it be):

My book from Lucy Diamond arrived. Over You has a fantastic cover and the blurb on the back cover is intriguing. But I didn't dare open the book because I knew if I did I'd never get my story finished.

Distraction the Second:

A sudden and very heavy downpour. A neighbour, his 2 greyhounds and his gorgeous son (almost a year old), dressed for a walk in the sun - well, the neighbour and his son were dressed for a walk in the sun - in need of shelter. The delightful distraction of a house full of dogs, a baby to read to and play noisy games with lasted an hour.

Distraction the Third:

When the rain stopped and we waved our unexpected visitors off, another visitor arrived. This time a half-drowned hen. Yes, a hen! If you've seen the picture of our house up the hill, you'll have noticed we've no near neighbours. So heaven knows where the hen came from.
She was very tame and walked into the house and through to the kitchen as if she owned the place. I made a couple of phone calls but the 2 families way down in the valley who keep hens hadn't got an awol one. We couldn't keep her, the fox and her cubs come into our garden every night. Phoned someone who is known for giving a good home to stray hens, ducks and even a turkey found wandering on the main road.
An hour later he and his wife arrived to collect the hen (not showing much surprise when I said it was in the kitchen eating cornflakes) and, naturally, stayed a while for a brew and a chat.

Distraction the Fourth:

Waved off the hen and her new owners, came into the study to finish the story. A few minutes later, husband knocks on the window and tells me to 'Come outside, quick'.
This time it was a lamb who'd fallen down the narrow gap in front of the barn door. It's such a narrow gap, impossible to work out how the lamb fell down it. She hadn't rolled down or she'd have been on her back (no room to turn herself over and stand) but she was on her feet.
Somehow I lowered myself down and managed to lift the lamb so husband could get a grip on her and pull.

Luckily, that was the last of the distractions.
I've finished the Christmas story! Can't let it sit as long as usual, am sending it off tomorrow.

And also tomorrow... I'm going to start reading Over You.

Don't know how to get the time to show GMT; it's now 22:40

SQUEEEEE!

2008-07-26T20:44:00.000+01:00

I entered a competition on Lucy Diamond's blog - had to make an anagram from Lucy Diamond Over You.
And I won! My prize is a signed copy of Lucy's book.
Lucy now has a 'write a limerick' comp on her blog with a fantastic prize for the winner, so hop over to her blog and enter. http://beinglucydiamond.blogspot.com/ Hmm, you'll probably have to copy and paste that - I haven't mastered the link thingie yet.

When I read about that comp, it reminded me of the first prize I ever won. It was for a limerick and I was 8. And, yes, I can still remember it:
I thought I saw an elephant
Floating in the sky
I looked again
And saw it was
A red and white bow-tie.

How Time Flies!

2008-07-18T11:53:00.000+01:00

It’s almost three weeks since I became a blogger and, OK, I haven’t blogged very often so I guess I’m not a real one yet.
I have been writing, though. I now have 8 short stories out at different magazines and 2 more written. I’ll let them ‘sit’ for a few more days before re-reading them – then off they’ll go.

What are your favourite things about Christmas?

I’m asking because over on "Writing and Stuff", Annie mentions Christmas stories.
That brings me back to the title of this post. Time does fly and if I don’t get a move on I won’t have time to write and sub stories for the Christmas-time issues.

Oh, and I bet time seems to be flying for Sara Hantz, too. It’s her birthday so why not pop over and wish her Happy Birthday?

Source of Inspiration

2008-07-02T11:49:00.000+01:00

Womag made a comment on my previous post that reminded me of how often I use the area I live in as a source of inspiration. In my novella 'Prescription for Happiness', Rose and her little niece lived in my ‘house up the hill’. A story I’ve just sent to one of the women’s magazines has a local moorland setting.
The strange thing is, more often than not it’s a character – or characters – who appear in my mind first. Then when I get to know them, whether they are old or young, married or single, alive or a ghost, they so often end up living here. Sometimes it’s here as it is now, other times as how I imagine (or know from research) it was in earlier times.
Although my Pebbledown Bay series for children is set in a fictitious seaside area, things that have happened here sneaked their way into those books and, similarly, some of the animal happenings in the books I wrote in the Animal Ark series were based on experiences I’ve had here.
It isn’t as though I’ve always lived in this area, I was born and lived in Middlesex for eleven years and I’ve lived in a few different parts of Cheshire and Lincolnshire and in three different places in Lancashire as well.
So, referring back to Womag’s comment – I guess I do find living here a source of inspiration.
Who else finds inspiration from the area they live in or visit regularly?

Does Practice Make Perfect?

2008-06-30T22:29:00.000+01:00

I hope it does because I've struggled for hours to post this er... post! I've been trying so long, and losing so many posts, I can't remember now what I wrote. So, for now, 'Welcome to my Blog'. You can see from the picture why it's called Write up the Hill - the larger oblong building on the left of the winding path is where I live and write....

That's all for now, hopefully this post will stay posted. If it does, I just might write another one sometime in the near future.