author of celtic, medieval, gothic and fairytale inspired fiction
It’s Sunday again and with it comes the third installation of Story Prompt Sunday!
I hope you enjoy it!
Today’s opening line…
I was taught to fear the dark.
And please, if you’re up for it, and it inspires you, share what you’ve written in the comments below!
The internet went out and I had no choice.
And of course I had no contest pre written and there’s only so much cell data available on my mobile phone.
So, I’d love to say I’ve been busy writing up a storm, but sadly no internet meant my kids didn’t quite know what to do with themselves and I had to deal with the cries of boredom.
But it wasn’t a total loss and some new words have been written. And some editing got done on two stories which means everything is moving forward.
While I was away, I did create a group where fans of my work can gather. I’m hoping to grow my readership and this seemed like a logical first step.
You can find the link here. It would mean a lot if you joined. And there’ll be a sneak peek for my upcoming novelette Pendragon coming very soon if you do decide to join, which won’t be shared anywhere else!
Anzac Day. It’s a national day of remembrance held every year on April 25th
It stands for the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps And commemorates all the Australian and New Zealanders who served and died in all wars, conflicts and peace keeping missions and was originally devised to honour those who had served in the Gallipoli Campaign, the first engagement of World War 1. (1914-1918)
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
As we won’t be partaking in the Dawn Service this year, I have decided to share a recipe for Anzac Biscuits. Yes, I said biscuit not cookie.
ingredients
method
For those of you reading this blog post and thinking: but I don’t have/can’t get my hands on any golden syrup there are substitutes, like honey, corn syrup and molasses.
Click here for more information about those substitutes and others that you can use in place of golden syrup.
It’s time to SHARE what you’re working on!
The rules are pretty simple, if you want to play along.
Just share up to 500 words in the comments from something you’ve been working on.
I’m struggling to share again this week because I’ve been finishing up Le Fay and readying it for publication but I can share something else.
This is a snippet taken from an unpublished novel that Morgan features in as a side character. It’s not evident here, as she appears later on. But it’s still where it all began…
*I may have started writing this story after being inspired by the movie 10 Things I Hate About You starring Heath Ledger. Despite the fact that he died too young I still consider him one of the best actors to come out of Perth, Western Australia.
Isabeau stepped down from the curb, her arms full of books. She was rather keen to drive home for the weekend and forget all that had happened at school the previous week. Only when she looked up she came face to face with a guy gawking at her. He was leaning across the hood of her canary yellow Jetta and while she could have sworn she’d seen him before she couldn’t recall where or when.
“Nice car,” he said with a smile that went all the way to his eyes. It was then that Isabeau remembered where she’d seen him. He’d been lingering on the school grounds earlier that day; although how he had remained unnoticed by both staff and students alike was a mystery.
“Are you following me?” Isabeau asked ignoring his compliment of her car. The Jetta was anything but nice; it certainly wasn’t new and if she’d had her way it would have at least been given a new paint job but as her father had been the one to buy the vehicle it would have to wait until she could come up with cash of her own.
“No. I was across the street, saw the car and figured I’d introduce myself,” he said as he extended his hand. “Name’s Lincoln Aster.”
Isabeau eyed his outstretched hand warily but didn’t shake it. “Because of the car?”
“Yes,” Lincoln let his hand drop back to his side.
“Right.” Isabeau shifted the pile of books in her arms, pulled the car key from her pocket as Lincoln moved across the body of the car to block her path to the driver’s side door.
“Why aren’t you afraid of me?”
“Should I be?”
“Most people are,” he admitted.
Isabeau scoffed. “I’m not most people.”
“Clearly,” Lincoln noted as he moved aside just as another car came and parked at a ninety degree angle to her own. A guy with frosted blonde hair stepped out.
“Oh, come on!” she called. “Do you mind?”
A young man, no older than twenty-five, winked in Lincoln’s direction and Isabeau stared at him, mouth agape. “Not at all.”
Isabeau got in her car, and closed the door.
“What are you doing? You can’t―”
But Isabeau ignored his outburst, choosing instead to turn the key, gun the engine and shift the car into reverse before hitting the accelerator and rather violently shoving the other car out of the way.
“Oops! Guess I just did,” she said. “Seeya ‘round Lincoln.”
“Yeah seeya,” Lincoln muttered aloud as he watched Isabeau drive away.
“I hope that the girl was well worth the damage that was done to my car,” he said as he approached Lincoln.
“Yeah, she’s definitely worth it Jake,” Lincoln replied. “Don’t worry, I’ll find away to fix the car.”
“You’d better man, ‘cause as of right now I’m walking and you know how I hate walking.”
“You won’t be if we head over to Sam’s and get him to bring the tow-truck,” Lincoln replied.
“Now you’re thinking on your feet angel-boy,” Jake said.
So, what are you waiting for? Bring out your WIP for WIP Wednesday!
There is a lot of conflicting advice surrounding this topic of why you should write daily or why you shouldn’t. Some, compare it to exercise by saying that you wouldn’t exercise daily so why would you want to write daily?
Well this is one mum of four who does exercise daily. Yes! And by exercise I don’t mean lifting weights or anything that strenuous… once upon a time I used to be able to do pull ups with absolute ease, but my upper body strength is not what it use to be, but I do walk up to forty-five minutes a day. I listen to music, I clear my head, and I inevitable plan out various scenes in my head.
Then I come home and I sit down and write what’s been flowing through my head for those forty-five minutes.
It shouldn’t come as a surprise. I’ve talked about this topic before. But I think it needs to be mentioned again.
If you don’t write daily, you can’t hope to hone your skills as a writer, can you?
But what about writer’s burnout? Yes, it’s real and its completely different to writer’s block. But here’s the secret to surviving writer’s burnout.
DO NOT STOP WRITING!
I know, you think I’m crazy. I promise you I’m not.
Writing is hard. It’s often slow and painful. You think you’re never going to get to the end of the story or novel you’re writing. But I promise you, you will. If you keep at it. It’s not a race. It’s a marathon and in a marathon you have to pace yourself. If you don’t you won’t be able to keep up. And yes, sometimes I fall into a pit of anxiety worrying over deadlines and if I can actually write those 5,000 words that some anthology calls ask for. It’s scary and mind numbing. I tend to shy away from sci-fi for this very reason.
But at the end of the day, all you can do is try. Strive for those high possibly unattainable goals and maybe, just maybe you might get lucky enough to reach a few of them.
Publishing is harder. Trust me. And you do need a thick skin. I confessed to a friend in the early hours of this morning that I still feel as if my writing isn’t worth a damn. And yes, publishers keep taking a chance on me, and I do – often – pinch myself being able to consider myself a published author. Both in paying and non paying markets.
Self doubt can cripple authors. Old or new. But it’s no reason to give up.
So here’s 5 reasons why you should write daily.
Now, I don’t write a lot as I usually aim for 300 new words a day. Not much at all. Take this past week for instance… not a lot of words of fiction written but quite a lot was accomplished on my blog. And let me tell you, when I first decided to pick up my blog a year ago and get serious with active blogging, I sucked at writing lengthy blog posts. I still suck at writing lengthy blog posts sometimes. But I stick with it.
Writing fiction is no different. Now, there was a time where I didn’t write daily. And my heart and soul suffered for it. You see, writing for me is an escape. It’s cathartic and it’s taken a while, but as much as the self-doubt still grips me, I love the feeling of getting that sometimes elusive acceptance email in my inbox.
But it’s not all about the stories I’ve had published. I do more often than not write for myself. I write what I want to read or about topics that resonate. I put my characters through hell because real life isn’t always easy and fiction is no different.
So, I ended yesterday on a bit of a high, having received an acceptance for my short story, Summer Storm to be published in Fantasia Divinity‘s Summer’s Splash anthology.
The contract has been signed and returned. Now I await edits.
The story itself is just over 500 words and picks up after the events of The Dawning of Spring, so if you haven’t picked up a copy of Spring’s Blessing: A Spring Fantasy Anthology, you may want to.
A little about the story appearing in Summer’s Splash…
Mercy, the newly crowned Queen of the Seelie Court, broods over her deal made with the Goddess of Spring, Ostara as the Midsummer festivities begin.
Today is the end of the sixteenth week of the 365 Writing Challenge and I failed dismally this week in way of words added to pieces of fiction and poetry. However, I did write an impressive 2,114 words on my blog. So, that’s a win in my book.
So, what have I accomplished in the past seven days?
Let’s list it shall we and find out!
And of course, the wait for contest scores continues, as does waiting to hear back on a few – 5 – submissions I’ve sent to publishers in the last month.
Of course, that list doesn’t include my work with The Horror Tree which can often be overwhelming or my work with Iron Faerie Publishing.
Until next week (or the week after that). Happy writing.
It’s Sunday again and with it comes the second installation of Story Prompt Sunday!
This week’s inspiration is space, as there’s been some activity with rocket launches recently.
I hope you enjoy it!
Today’s opening line…
The sky is dark and the stars a but a memory in our hearts.
And please, if you’re up for it, and it inspires you, share what you’ve written in the comments below!
I still, even as an adult find it totally bizarre that Easter doesn’t have a set date. Every year its in a constant flux.
So, this year, I decided to read up on the reasons why Easter appears to be in a constant flux, even though in reality it isn’t. Not really.
Let me explain.
According to the Church of Nicaea, way back in 325AD, it was determined that Easter should fall on the Sunday that followed the first full moon after the Spring Equinox. Which we all know happened on March 21st 2019 (technically the Autumn Equinox for those of us in the Southern Hemisphere). Coincidentally, there was a Full moon that fell on the Equinox this year, which was excluded because Easter has to fall between March 25th and April 25th, forcing them to go with the next one which fell on April 19th.
Which is why the dates move and Easter festivities are sometimes referred to as moveable feasts.
Chocolate eggs and rabbits are something of a modern invention when it comes to Easter. Although the Goddess Ostara or Eostre is the Goddess of Spring. Easter eggs and the Easter Bunny both featured heavily in the spring festivals of the goddess Ostara. The rabbit was her sacred animal and brightly colored eggs, baby chicks, and bunnies were all used at festival time to honour this fertility goddess.
And here’s the story of Ostara…
Already feeling just, a little bit guilty for arriving late one spring, the Goddess Ostara was appalled when the first thing she encountered was a little bird who lay dying on the forest floor, his wings frozen by the snow.
Filled with compassion, Ostara took him as a pet or, as some versions of the tale have it, her lover. Feeling sorry that the poor wingless bird could no longer take flight, she turned him into a snow hare and gave him the ability to run rapidly so he could evade all hunters.
Honouring his earlier life as a bird, she also gave him the ability to lay eggs in all the colours of the rainbow.
Whatever could the goddess Ostara have been thinking when she turned him into a randy rabbit? Eventually the decision backfired when the goddess became enraged with his numerous affairs.
In a fit of anger, she threw him into the skies where he unfortunately landed under the feet of the constellation Orion (the Hunter). He remains there to this day, and is known to us the constellation Lepus (The Hare).
Softening her attitude, a bit, Ostara allowed the hare to return to earth once each year to give away his coloured eggs to the children attending the Ostara festivals that were held each spring.
For those of you who may not have seen my latest interview with K. Matt, head on over to The Horror Tree.
The Horror Tree Presents… An Interview with K. Matt
Enjoy.
Which in this house means hot cross buns and the odd bit of chocolate for us and the kids.
Hubby fired up the BBQ despite the chilly Perth day which narrowly missed getting rained out.
Sadly, not a lot of writing was done but fun was had with friends which more than made up for it.
And now that they’ve left I’m curling up with my writing project trying to get some words down.
Wish me luck!
…You stumble upon the fact that blood makes a good egg substitute and you decide to blog about it.
Not grossed out yet? Then keep reading.
So, in an effort to get in the Easter spirit a little bit more I went searching the internet for quick and easy chocolate related recipes today… because while I love my go to chocolate cake, I didn’t just want cake. Turns out, my go to chocolate cake is easy as to make and I can do it in my sleep… so all the other fabulous recipes I found today will have to wait.
However, in the course of looking through all kinds of chocolate recipes I also stumbled across why blood is a good substitute for eggs.
The answer? It’s full of protein.
Of course, if you are squeamish at the sight of blood you might be better sticking to banana or apple sauce as an egg supplement. But I found it fascinating all the same.
So, now that you’re thoroughly creeped out, I’m going to share with you one of the easiest chocolate cake recipes I’ve found to date. My kids love it!
ingredients
• 1 cup self-raising flour
• 1/3 cup cocoa
• 1 cup caster sugar
• 1/3 cup butter (softened)
• 1/2 cup milk
• 2 eggs (lightly beaten)
• 1 teaspoons of vanilla
method
1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (160°C fan-forced). Line a 24cm cake tin and set aside.
2. Place all ingredients into a bowl and using a mixer, mix ingredients together on high for 4 minutes.
3. Pour into cake tin and bake for 35-40 minutes or until the cake springs back when lightly touched in the centre.
Alternatively, if you’d rather cupcakes, this recipe will easily make 12. Just bake for 15 minutes at 180°C (160°C fan-forced).
ingredients
• 100g butter, softened
• 2 cups soft icing mixture, sifted
• 1/3 cup cocoa, sifted
• 2 tbsp milk
method
1. Using an electric mixer, beat the butter until pale and fluffy.
2. Add the icing mixture and cocoa a little at a time until fully incorporated.
3. When this is fully combined add the milk and the chocolate buttercream will become light and fluffy.
So, what on your menu for Easter? Anything special? Share in the comments below!
It’s time to SHARE what you’re working on!
The rules are pretty simple, if you want to play along.
Just share up to 500 words in the comments from something you’ve been working on.
Its hard to share what I’ve been working on this week when all the stories have been sent out pending publication. To either be accepted or rejected.
So, instead, I’m sharing a snippet from the same universe as the one I shared last week. This takes place during Dragonsblood. Just prior to Queen Mab being killed.
*The asylum is modelled off Kew Asylum in Melbourne, Australia.
Ash put the key into the lock and turned the key. The locking mechanism turned with an audible click and the door was opened. Twisting the doorknob Ash throws open the main doors.
I step over the threshold and shove my emotions aside. Being back at Wellesmere wasn’t my idea of fun and if there had been any other alternative I would have gladly taken it, but Wellesmere was the only place with enough rooms and living space to house everyone.
“Ever think in a million years we’d see the inside of this place again Scarlett?” Ava asked.
I shook my head. “Nope.”
Walking inside, I can’t help but notice the fine layer of dust which coats the wooden floor boards, my shoe prints can be seen making a trail behind me. “Welcome to Wellesmere. Originally home to the mentally insane, it once moonlighted as a juvenile detention centre in lieu of a mystical holding cell for yours truly. I’d give you the history of the building as Sister Bernadette told it to me but frankly, I tuned her out within the first five minutes.”
“You lived here?” Ella asked stepping across the threshold.
I shrugged. “Three years off and on.”
“And you’re sure they won’t think to look for us here?” Mordecai asked.
“I can’t say for certain what they’ll do,” I said. “But, this place is a far better alternative than Cornwall.”
“Is it?” Emrys asked. “Because Tintagel seems really good right about now. The place is legendary.”
“And old, really old,” Robin put in. “No offence Sorcha.”
Sorcha Donovan snorted, clearly displeased. Tintagel, according to Zooey, was her grandmother’s ancestral home.
So, what are you waiting for? Bring out your WIP for WIP Wednesday!
In the light of the fire that destroyed part of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, I spent the day following the story and try to figure out a way to reflect on it while at the same time not rehashing everything that had been shared through all the various news services.
And as I was trawling through Pinterest an idea came to me.
What better way than to take a look at one of the iconic symbols of the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Gargoyle and share a writing prompt.
Gargoyles are a popular choice of architectural design on churches because of the long held belief that they warded away evil spirits, and to divert rainwater.
The word “Gargoyle” originates from an old French word “Gargouille” meaning “throat” but it also describes the gurgling sound of water as it comes down the down pipe.
Technically architects call a waterspout on a building a gargoyle. If a stone carving does not carry water and has a face that resembles a creature, it is technically called a grotesque. And a strange beast which combines several different animals is called a chimera.
As I looked up, I caught sight of a gargoyle.
Happy writing everyone!
Why writing isn’t a chore… and yet I have a list of things to keep me going through to the end of April. And I totally love it, despite how overwhelming it gets some days.
I spent the day organising my writing related to-do list, in between household chores and begging the Gods that it didn’t rain so the washing I had out on the line could actually have a chance to dry, whilst wishing like mad I had a dryer that worked, of course. It’s still not dry…
This is what I have so far… and I swear there’s things I’ve forgotten, so this list will likely be added to over the next few days.
Did I mention I’m trying to keep myself accountable this year? Well I am!
What’s on your to do list? Anything exciting? My mundane chore list isn’t as exciting as my writing one, but I’ll leave you with the image that is a household of 6 and no dishwasher. Yes, there’s tears and they’re usually all mine.