Beyond My Writing Space

You have to see this!

2012-01-15T16:52:00.000Z

Family Magic Book Trailer

Those of you who have been reading my blog over recent months know I have seriously fallen in love with Patti Larsen's Hayle Coven Series ... since I learned how to share Youtube videos on my blog 2 days ago I figured you all had to see this!

I think I'm abandonning my latest bedtime read tonight - AGAIN!

Erin

Relexing Research

2012-01-12T12:14:00.001Z

One of worst things about my 5-9 (or 9-5 for some) and my student life, is it tires me out. I get physically and mentally drained. My head tightens up and I have to take breaks. I actually burn out after a few hours. Hence the 5-9.

As a writer, I never feel like this. I can sit at my laptop from morning until night, or get down 10-12k words in a single session and not feel like I've worked at all. But my time is restricted and when I'm physically and mentally burnt out and when getting the words down isn't an option the writer in me still needs to work.

Where else can you watch TV and movies, listen to music, or read magazines and books and still call it research?

TV and Movies help the mind create mental pictures of situations I've never experienced myself. For example, the television show Touched by an Angel helps the imagination figure out how my Agents of Devine Intervention can guard the lives of their clients. And the Movie Marley and Me gave me an insight into the world of canine ownership as well as bringing back some incredibly painful memories over the death of my cat Kiara, that I have brought into Valentina Secrets.

I draw a great deal of inspiration from music. Lyrics mean a lot to me and sometimes I pull a deeper understanding of a character because a particular song speaks to me about the character at that particular moment of their story. Duffy's I'm Scared instantly reminded me of Meg's situation in A Fairytale Ending? and Kelly Clarkson's You Can't Win speaks of Myleigh's awkwardness in Fake it to Make it?

The most important relaxing research, I think has to be the reading. Reading helps a writer to become a better writer. Magazines are a valuable source of information about what's selling, how to sell, techniques, tips, and books ... well... they're just fabulous source of everything. Characterisation, plot, narrative, speech, foregrounding. structure ... I could go on and on. I read a lot within the romance genre and the romantic comedy/chick lit/women's fiction genre because it helps me understand the conventions of the genre that I write. But I also like to read outside this genre, Dan Brown, Stephenie Meyer, Martina Cole, JK Rowling are all on my list of authors outside my usual reads. I also pick up lesser known authors and since being involved with writing communities online indie authors make my bookshelf too.

Many people tell me to take it easy, watch I'm not taking on too much as a student, writer and responsible adult but my writing life gives me the best of both worlds. I get to relax and research at the same time.

Erin

www.erincawood.co.uk

Post 2011 - Who am I? Where am I going in 2012?

2012-01-10T12:16:00.001Z

This blog post is 10 days later than it usually is. My non-alcoholic NYE celebrations allow me to be up bright an early on the 1st January to reflect on the year gone by, aim high for the year to come and to wish you all a prosperous new year. A belated Happy New Years by the way :-)

Last year I wrote:

Broken New Years Resolutions

To find a publisher for Life's A Ball - I have to finish it first.

To start writing and submitting my short stories for publication.

To keep on top of my blog entries and social networking and Internet marketing. They're important.

To find more readers and get more feedback for my work.

New Year's resolutions 2011

See above!

Well, I did finish Life's A Ball. I put it in a drawer and re read it found a few problems, re drafted it. Put it back in the drawer. I've been waiting to have it professionally edited.Short stories... well, I didn't think I was a short story writer until I knocked out 600 words at 2am for a university task and the feedback was 'easily the strongest task showing originality and flair in style of writing'. The introduction of university life has meant I haven't been able to keep on top of blogging or social networking, or finding more readers or getting more feedback on my work.

New Years Resolutions for 2012...

This year is different, there has been a monumental shift in my prospective brought on by a couple of life changing events. Firstly, yes I'm sorry I have to say the forbidden M word. migraines. They're here to stay. Between June and October I was suffering the most I have ever before including an over zealous doctor who thought maybe one migraine had caused permanent brain damage and sent me to see the stroke team. Now I have a tremor in my right hand from the recurrent loss of sensation down my right side. But the new meds are working fantastically and apart from the side affects and the occasional migraine I feel like my old self from pre migraine 2010 once again.

Secondly, my decision to go to university and pursue something that really interests me, my back up plan has really interfered with my writing life. I'm a student, but I'm also a responsible adult with bills and a mortgage. I have to work. And therefore I'm an employee. Writing is being pushed further down my list of priorities.... whoa! Stop right there! This should not be happening. How do I make it stop?

I've read a couple of really interesting posts this week that have really made me think about who I am and where I want to go in 2012.

Dean Wesley Smith wrote about writers vs authors. 12 months ago I was an author. Even though Life's A Ball? was one of five novels in The Pink Ribbon Collection. My focus was and has really only ever been about Life's A Ball? In the past four weeks alone I have had more ideas for novels than I've known what to do with. I've simply had to open a new folder on my desktop, jot a brief outline of idea down before returning to my current work in progress, Valentina Secrets: When In Vegas. I have planned three novels in the Valentina Secrets series and I have redrafted the plans for the three novels in the Devine Intervention Series and added a fourth. Not to mention I have the four remaining novels of the Pink Ribbon Collection, The four Starlight novels, single titles Finding Holly and Tinsel and Tiaras, and now I have fourteen other ideas currently waiting further development in my ideas folder. In Dean Wesley Smith terms I am definitely a writer. So in 2012 I need to remain focused on finishing one project before moving on to the next.

Kimberly Kinrade wrote about getting published. Is this the year I get published? I certainly hope so, or I fail one of my personal goals to be published before the big 30. This post didn't tell me anything I didn't already know but it cemented the fundamentals of being successful in publishing whether you self-publish or go mainstream. Its good to be reminded of whats important every now and again... there maybe things you neglect... like a certain website left half transformed due to the forbidden m word... mentioning no www-dots (erincawood.co.uk) LOL. So in 2012 I must remember the fundamentals to success in getting published.

India Drummond wrote about her choice to move away from mainstream and the success she's had with indie publishing. It wasn't the success that inspired me, but the planning and the targeting and the thinking beyond year one. Another author friend of mine Patti Larsen wrote about planning back in September during the To Be or Not To Be discussions, but I guess maybe I wasn't ready to listen, or to busy to hear what she was saying. But in 2012 and beyond planning is the key.

So who am I? and where am I going in 2012?

I'm a writer with a fascination for digital communication and web design driven to become a mature student and trapped in the world of paid employment. As the new semester begins and asphyxiates my free time I must plan my days wisely and ensure my writing life not only survives but flourishes. The steps I take today will change what I do tomorrow, next week, next month, and even next year. With this in mind I my aim is to write a plan not for this year but for the next three years. No more writing resolutions. The countdown to my personal goal has begun.

Erin

www.erincawood.co.uk

The Wild: Patti Larsen - Book Review

2012-01-05T05:30:00.000Z

So Santa Claus brought me a Kindle for Christmas and I've been itching to try it out... but with University and my part time job my writing time it limited - I've been saving my procrastination days for the excitement that is Patti Larsen's The Hayle Coven Series.

Just as you'd expect with so much heartbreak at the end of book 3 The Wild (Book 4) is tense from right the start. Syd and her mum receive the warning in Chapter 1 Syd is going to bring trouble to the coven once more. But why would she? Syd has everything she ever wanted right? She's powerless, ergo... She's normal! Without the magical complication her love triangle has just been made so much simpler and there are no coven duties to interfere with her social life. Syd's about to learn a valuable lesson in life... whether a witch, a demon, a daughter, a sister, a friend... a girlfriend... or a centuries old Sidhe princess... whoever... its the being a teenager and having no control that sucks.

Its time to take some action Syd style! Not the insecure little girl who didn't know what she was doing we met in Family Magic. Not the frustrated teen who couldn't quite control what was going on Witch Hunt. Not the scared young lady who shied away from her ability in Demon Child. But a determined and mature young woman with no access to any magic but ready to fight for her cause anyway.

Cast your mind over the three books before, everything that once was significant and seems forgotten is not. You don't need to have read these books to read The Wild, although I most certainly recommend you do for the sheer pleasure of it all. I've said it before and I'll say it again, the tiny attention to the details that keep these books real is amazing. The ending is both sad and yet so painfully real I wanted to cry for Syd.

Well I could go on all day! So sad my time with Sydlynn Hayle appears to have come to an end. But excited Patti is introducing a new Hayle shortly with Smoke and Magic.

5/5 - Come on, would you expect I'd give it anything less?

The Wild is available for Kindle and other Digital Editions

Erin

The Hayle Coven Novels - reviews you may have missed

Family Magic - Book 1

Witch Hunt - Book 2

Demon Child - Book 3

Book of the Month: Demon Child by Patti Larsen

2011-12-28T09:14:00.000Z

On the 17th December I learnt enthusiasm is infectious. I was over the moon to be asked to reviewing Patti Larsen's The Hayle Coven Series again.

Demon Child (Book 3) is explosive from the start. The chosen... the cleansing do gooders are out for revenge and Syd's demon half is no longer prepared to play nice with Syd. On top of this there's a new boy at school who's just waltzing in and swiping Syd's friends right from under her nose like he owns the place. Oh and that tasty little love triangle between Syd, the football star and the bad boy biker is tilting in the favour of.... well that would be spoiling it for you.

And this is just Syd's life! Add in the kidnap, betrayal, and coven apocalypse and you're in for so exciting stuff. There were times when I was actually on the edge of my seat. I was actually jaw dropped at the end... That so did not just happen! Thank God Patti Larsen publishes sequels within weeks because waiting for book 4 The Wild has been agony. Yes I know... its seems I may have a problem, but I'm a writer, words are my drug and Demon Child has been one hell of a rush!

So why is enthusiasm infectious? I tweeted as I went to bed at 4:00am "Just read @PattiLarsen's Demon Child (bk3 Hayle Cove) 5/5 it just keeps getting better. On edge of stuff". I found not only my tweet but Patti's Book was also mentioned in the Alex Beecroft Daily.

5/5 - If you're not addicted already you will be - My smashwords review says it all!

Demon Child is available for Kindle and other Digital Editions

Erin

The Hayle Coven Novels - reviews you may have missed

Family Magic - Book 1

Witch Hunt - Book 2

Book Review: Witch Hunt by Patti Larsen

2011-12-15T12:55:00.000Z

Once again I have been given the great honour of reviewing Patti Larsen's The Hayle Coven Series.

Witch Hunt (Book 2), is set six months after Family Magic. Syd and her wonderful sarcastic wit is back and juggling her magic with homework, her human first crush on the football star with her demon desire for the bad boy, and her social life with friends for her coven rituals and traditions. And yes, she still fights with her mum. I think I love this part at the start of book 2 the most because after everything that happened in Family Magic, this tiny little detail keeps Witch Hunt tuned in to real life.

Thoroughly enjoyed Witch Hunt as much as I did Family Magic. Again lost in Syd's world from cover to cover and rather disappointed when it ended. The sneak peak into book 3 - Demon Child, has me dancing with anticipation for the release date. Can't wait! I definitely have a new favourite author on my virtual bookshelf and a new genre on my reading list.

5/5 - Recommended for the young adult in everyone!

Erin

Witch Hunt is available for Kindle and other Digital Editions

Reviews you may have missed

Family Magic - Book 1 - The Hayle Coven Series by Patti Larsen

The Back Up Plan

2011-12-09T10:05:00.024Z

Every writer has dreams of world domination: Internationally best selling novels turned into box office hits, with chart topping stars recording the official soundtrack and merchandise flying of the shelves faster than it can be sold. The reality is only the few achieve this, many more achieve success as a full time writer/author, but its not as easy as it looks and when you're trying to break through the thick wall of ice there's the real world to contend with.

I'm talking about dreaded responsibilities.

I had a fantastic challenging career eighteen months ago, a bright shining future with a global company and I could go places all I had to do show the initiative. Step by step I was writing my first novel taking the time it needed, giving it the love, care and attention it needed, learning the processes I needed to learn before I achieved world domination. But what happens when the backup plan fails?

As you all know, I was made redundant last year. Yes I was a victim of the financial meltdown within the UK banking system. Reality descended, what if I never achieved world domination? What would I do with my life? I suppose in hindsight I could have finished my novel and gone for world domination, you only life once, right? Well, I'm too cautious to do anything like that. I was lucky enough to walk straight into another job. But the question remained unanswered, what would I do if I didn't make it? I couldn't be a call centre agent for the rest of my life. My flare for web design and social media marketing took me on an Internet search and in September, at 29 years old, I returned to school. I began studying a combined design and media studies course at University.

So forgive me if there are times when I go quiet, between writing novels, studying a degree, working a part time job, trying to read as much as I can, housework and socialising on the web, not to mention, being a girlfriend, daughter, sister, aunt, friend and now christmas.... Sheesh! Responsibilities (LOL!) there just aren't enough hours in the day!

Erin

http://www.erincawood.co.uk/

Introducing Tinsel and Tiaras: NaNo - WIP

2011-12-03T13:33:00.000Z

Well, my 30 days of literary abandon well and truly went bust. I managed a pitiful 1,500 words. As you can see my plan of using the 30 minutes bus ride to University to write on my Blackberry didn't work.

What did happen however was I came up with a fabulous new plot for a Christmas themed NaNo-Novel currently titled Tinsel and Tiaras. I'm currently working out the kinks to be able to spend my Christmas break writing this.

Looking forward to it. NaNo has come late for me this year I think :-)

Erin

Book of the Month: Family Magic by Patti Larsen

2011-11-30T10:58:00.000Z

I've had the great honour of reviewing Family Magic (Book 1) from Patti Larsen's The Hayle Coven Series earlier this month, and I'll be honest I really didn't know what to expect from a paranormal young adult about a teenage half demon half witch.

I'm 29, and although I dabble with the likes of Dan Brown, I'm a Rom-Com gal I read the likes of Katie Fforde, Marian Keyes, Madeline Wickham. I'm also a big fan of the Mills and Boon RIVA series (Harlequin Presents Extra in the U.S.) So I'm not the typical target audience. But I'm also a huge fan of the television series Charmed, and I loved Sabrina when I was younger. I fell in love with Harry Potter and read all seven books in seven weeks and I still remember every detail of the very first book I read for pleasure in high school, so I went in with an open mind. Until I opened the first page and realised it was in 1st person prose, I hate 1st person and dreaded reading the rest.

I love Syd. Her sarcasm is witty and she's takes that typical teenage 'me against the rest of the world' attitude does the things you wish you had done at school. In fact, the one and only time I stood up to the school bully, she hit me and I hit my head off a radiator and blacked out. No, not Syd, She gives a party of people food poisoning. Fantastic! She has a rocky relationship with her parents that stems from her desire to be one of the 'normals' and the resentment she holds towards them. They made her part witch part demon. But when the cards are down and her family are in danger she knows exactly which path to follow.

I read the whole novel cover to cover and to my surprise there was a sneak peak at Witch Hunt (book 2) in the back which left me aching for more and is out now! You can read my 5-Star review at Goodreads

5/5 - Recommended for a nostalgic trip down memory lane to the happiest days of your life!

Erin

Family Magic is Available for Kindle and other Digital Formats

My Tool Kit - Shay Fabbro

2011-11-01T07:00:00.002Z

Since I write scifi/fantasy, I MUST have a notebook with all of the information on my characters and planets. Now that I’m working on the last book in the trilogy, most of the information is in my head at this point. J

But it’s nice to have the info handy in case I need some little tidbit. My notebooks are full of all sorts of neat tidbits. One section I come back to over and over is the one full of potential character names. If I hear or see a name that seems particularly interesting, I write it down for future use. For me, naming characters can be challenging. It’s important to use names that fit the genre. I find it amusing when people read a portion of a fantasy book and complain that the names are weird. They wonder why the author doesn’t use names like Kate and George. ;) Honestly, would Lord of the Rings been as powerful if Frodo and Aragon had been called Fred and Carl? Readers of the fantasy genre want to be whisked away to a different world filled with strange creatures, magic, and names and places that are unfamiliar.

Shakespeare and Scartlet Letters - My Heroes - Deb Nam Krane

2011-10-25T07:00:00.005+01:00

For me, it's all about the delivery. In the modern world, we might call that marketing.

As a senior in high school, I loathed Hamlet. I tried to erase most of those weeks from my mind, but it might have something to do with the fact that we seemed to spend a lot of time talking about blocking. (AP English- what are you going to do?) However, my favorite college class prominently featured Othello. Oh the mental illness! The political conspiracy! The tragedy! Who was Othello? And why does Hell stare out from both Desdemona and Othello's names? I wanted to read everything of Shakespeare's after that, and when someone with an English degree remarked the next year that all of Shakespeare's works were about politics, I was indignant. How come now one had pointed that out to me before?

I had a similar experience with Nathaniel Hawthorne. Even though I spent an entire week out of school and sick my sophomore year of high school, I happily kept up with the assignment to read The Scarlet Letter . In fact, I couldn't put it down. The discussion when I came back about sin, penance and the history of witch burning transfixed me. The English teacher I had that year was one of my favorites out of my entire academic career. However, when I had to read it again the next year with a considerably less skilled teacher, Hester Prynne was delusional, Roger Dimsdale was irredeemably weak and Hawthorne was unbearable. Thankfully, an American history class I had a few years later found me reading a lot of Hawthorne's short stories and made me love him all over again. Again, might have had something to do with the fact that this class was taught by one of the best teachers I had in college who clearly thought Hawthorne was pretty cool.

No, I'm not all Hawthorne and Shakespeare. Possibly my all-time favorite author is Judith Krantz, and I'm not ashamed. There were the sweeping interviews in Vogue, the commercials on television and of course the made-for-tv movies- someone liked her, and why shouldn't they? Her main characters were fascinating women who overcame troubled family histories and some initial bad judgment to not only survive but thrive. And yes, there was a lot of sex and romance- to me, those were bonuses. I think just about every other person who knew her name went out of their way to tell me what trash she was, but I didn't care. If anything, the sneering made me want to read it more.

Is that childish? Probably, but it wasn't the last time someone's disapproval got me going. Why else would a thirteen year old pick up Lolita or twelve year old pick up The Picture of Dorian Gray ? These weren't trash, but at one point they had been considered a little naughty. So imagine my ever-so-slight disappointment when people started telling me how much literary value those works had. Pfft.

My newest writing heroine is Agatha Christie, which is funny because while one of my early goals was to be a private detective, it was never my intention to be a mystery writer (although one of my manuscripts does have a mystery as a subplot). I tried to read one of the Poirots right before I turned fourteen, but it didn't work for me. It's probably only because of the very well-done series on PBS that I tried again this summer. Now I've got a little bit of an addiction going (what am I going to do with myself after I've read all of them?). Wow, was she good- skilled and flexible. The Murder of Roger Ackroyd is a very different book from The Hollow , both of which are in a different style than Evil Under The Sun . If, some day, I could flow from one style to the other as easily as she did, I'd feel like I achieved something.

Who says marketing can't inspire worthy things?

Be True To Your Voice - Erin Cawood

2011-10-18T07:00:00.025+01:00

As a writer your "voice" is probably the most important tool you'll ever have. Without it you're ... well you're a chocolate teapot or a snowball in hell.

When I was younger, I discovered romance on the pages of a Danielle Steel's novel and between the sheets of Mills & Boon (Harlequin). When I first dreamed of becoming a published author the stories and novellas that I wrote at 14 reflected the voice of a romance writer.

Then I grew up and life got in the way and I lost my passion for writing.

I was a late comer in discovering Chick-Lit, such as Bridget Jone's Diary. Author's like Marian Keyes and Katie Fforde have become favourites of mine but it wasn't until five years ago did I rediscover my passion for writing. I was studying an A-Level in English Language and we had to pick a text and write it for a different audience, in a different genre, whilst keeping the story and the fundamentals the same. I turned a classic novel in the style of Bridget Jones and what I learned was that I was able to immitate writing very well. Soon after I began my first novel and my "voice" was still as it had ever been. But I wasn't feeling it anymore. My "voice" had evolved into the Chick-Lit, sassy, fun, rom-com style of writing.

Recently, as an unpublished author, I entered Mills & Boon's New Voices competition. I had a great plan for a chick-lit I've been working on over the summer and when I learned that New Voices was coming back this year I thought I'd use it. I made a fundamental mistake. I changed my voice to suit the traditional modern romance series. I should have aimed my entry for the new RIVA series which suits my voice and plot better. Within 24 hours of putting my entry in I regretted it. It wasn't me. It wasn't my voice. I couldn't be 1000% happy with what I'd done because I wasn't true to my voice.

You can mix it up, target a different audience, write in a different genre, have a different purpose for your writing but you have to be true to your voice. Its the most important tool you have.

Erin

Introducing "My Hero": A Rebel with a Cause - Kim Koning

2011-10-14T07:00:00.002+01:00

The hero of my stories is usually an underdog. My heroes are rough-hewn and rough around the edges. They have a rebellious streak and love bucking the system. They usually do not know they are a hero until push comes to shove an they are thrown into the white hot fires of adversity, conflict and tension. Even though they are underdogs, they are no cowards. They also don't have the bounties of life offered to them on a silver platter. They have had to fight for recognition and achievement every step of the way. They succeed through honour, integrity, loyalty and above all perseverance. They believe that if you do not stand for something or stand up for someone in life, you will fall for anything.

I love throwing my hero/oines into conflict and see how they get out of it. They never stand back from a challenge and though they will not create conflict, they will not flinch from it. They are also very strong-willed and stubborn.

For me there is nothing worse than a cookie-cutter hero or heroine. As a writer it is so easy to fall into the trap of making the most of your villain or antagonist. I don't want to read about some angelically perfect hero or heroine who annoyingly always knows the answers and swoops in picking up all the credit. I want a hero or heroine that I can see myself following and admiring and for me those have never been the "top dogs" in society. Rather it is the underdog who becomes the hero that makes the story for me every time.

Heroes should have flaws that they need to overcome and mine always do. You may not start off liking them in the beginning but towards the middle of the journey you are hanging on their every move and word and by the end you will fall in love with them. They will challenge you as the reader as they have challenged me as the writer. They do not like being told what to do or how to do it. They are by nature quite temperamental and they live by the heart. They are spontaneous and impulsive. They love adventure and thrive on living life on a dare. They are people who are not heroes because of their past but they shape themselves into heroes.

As for who are my heroes and heroines from old: Batman would be a favourite in the cartoon/graphic novel world, Zorro is another. Heathcliff, from Wuthering Heights, is one of my favourite heroes. Nobody said the hero has to be all good all the time. I also love the heroes and heroines found in Greek Mythology. They were always reluctant heroes but they believed in honour.

For me I love a hero that changes with the story. I love a hero who struggles against being seen as a hero. My heroes are not chosen they are made through their own mettle and their own wills. They will fight the good fight and even get dirty with the worst villains if that is called for but in the end they will not break their code of honour and integrity. For me, one of the most interesting heroes are the heroes that fight being a hero. But in the end that is what they are. They are the underdogs who will jump into a dogfight to defend another dog even if they are the smallest dog.

My heroes and heroines don't fit the mould of everyday society. They don't follow the rules. They fight for their own place in society and they make their own rules. They are rebels with a good cause and they will do whatever is needed to fight for that cause whether it be rescuing someone or standing up for what they believe in. You will want my heroes and heroines on your side because believe me they are better friends than enemies. You might say my heroes and heroines are heroic rebels.

___________________________________________________________________

Kim Koning is a writer, a reader, a blogger and an adventure traveller who always seeks the next horizon. Her first short story, a YA paranormal, was published in an anthology this year. She is currently in the submission process of her first novel, a historical paranormal. She can be found blogging and "Wrestling the Muse" at: http://kimkoning.wordpress.com

Other places she can be found online are: website - http://kimkoning.com/wp
facebook - http://www.facebook.com/Kim.M.Koning
twitter - @AuthorKimKoning

NaNoWriMo: 1-50k in 30days???

2011-10-11T17:29:00.000+01:00

Is it really that time of year again?

The weather here in England has only just turned miserable in the last few days, I think I can be forgiven for not believing we're in the middle of October already! National Novel Writing Month (Nanowrimo) is just around the corner! Eeek! How exciting!

NaNoWriMo is about just sitting down and writing, its about getting the words on the page. Forget all about the fluff and the pomp thats what December is for! November..is 30 days and 30 nights of literary abandonment ... November is just for the pure joy of writing.

So here were are... Mid October and the start of autumn. The leaves are turning, its started to rain and the wind's picked up. Its a perfect excuse for snuggling in the warmth with pen and paper and start planning for NaNoWriMo. If you're contemplating taking on the challenge this year I'd definately recommend some sort of planning. I completed NaNoWriMo in 09. I planned Devine Intervention down to the smallest of detail and hit 50k in 23 days. In 2010 I decided to write All Night Long just a few days before. There wasn't much planning and I hit 50k 5mins before midnight 30th November. It was like cramming for a really important exam.

I definately recommend getting an early start. I was getting up 2 hours earlier every day to do my NaNo writing. 1,667 words a day isn't very much. If you can get as many words written as possible to get yourself a head start then you allow for days when you won't be able to write. In 2009, I became a team leader in my 2nd week of NaNo. I was already at 25k before that happened because I knew the extra responsibility was going to affect my time. This year I'm at university and all of my end of module assignments are due in at the end of November. Those obviously get priority. So I'm going to utilise Blackberry Word2Go on my bus ride to and from uni.

Completing NaNo is a wonderful feeling. Its a challenge that you set yourself and knowing that no matter what life throws in your way you've been able complete it, that's worth a smile.

Erin

Posts you may have missed:

A Review of NaNoWriMo 2010

NaNoWriMo - Summary

Other NaNoWriMo Posts

Read an extract from Devine Intervention and All Night Long at www.erincawood.co.uk

Social Networking:A Whole New World

2011-10-08T08:00:00.004+01:00

If you've been following the debate this week then you'll know I've been putting in my two pennies worth. From time saving tips with apps like tweetdeck.com, marketing ideas such as email footers, advising you to think before you "speak" to achieve maximum effect, and the greatest tool ever invented - scheduling - available on blogger.com, tweetdeck.com and another time saving tool socialoomph.com.

I've had some fantastic responses to the TO BE OR NOT TO BE a writer debate on the subject of Social Networking. This week has been fun for me, as host, to see how people have interacted on the bloggosphere, especially because I've just started studying a degree which specialises in digital communications. Maybe its my fresh new look on the world as a 1st year student but I wanted to open your eyes to the differences between the way we communicate online. It really is a whole new world.

I hear people saying all the time "I don't get twitter" I didn't understand twitter either. It was a free for all and everyone could see everything and the character limit made life very difficult. I did very little tweeting. Then one day someone wrote #amwriting and I replied "what's #amwriting?" my dearest friend from across the pond, Lanetta, replied. All of a sudden I discovered a whole writing community on twitter that I never knew existed. # Hashtags are the best way to find a topic on twitter.

Professionally, we use social networking as a means for promoting ourselves and our products. I said before to think before you 'speak'. If you're tweeting "lost my car keys" ... why? think need to know basis. If you're trying to sell something then you have to make people understand what it is that there getting for their money. What does "lost car keys" present to the outside world. .... On the other hand ... if said lost car key inspired a fantastic poem, short story or chapter in a novel then capitalise on it.

But how do you draw people in when simply asking doesn't always work in the cyberworld?

Again its a matter of thinking before speaking ... "Learn how I lost my car keys & found a new chapter in latest novel ... ", "Is Romance Dead?....", "Wanted: Honest Feedback ... ",

We weren't born with innate marketing skills or even the ability to communicate digitally, at the end of the day it goes against the grain of everything were ever taught in school about the nature of the English language from spelling and grammar to proper etiquette and manners. But Social Networking is vital in every way possible for an aspiring writer, personally and professionally. Without the friends I have made on twitter I would never have discovered the friends I have in writing communities on Facebook. Without these people I wouldn't have learned half of what I know today.

Erin

Aspiring Writers Need to be Aware of the Demands on Their Time - Shay Fabbro

2011-10-07T12:00:00.001+01:00

Writing can be the most rewarding experience, especially for someone who has an idea that just runs away and the book practically writes itself. And then there are the times when one must wrestle with each and every word, fling it face-down on the blank page and give it an elbow jab for good measure.

Writing, like anything else, has its up and downs. Good days and bad days. It’s the drive and passion that keeps people going, no matter what their profession. They deal with the downs because they know that soon, everything will be up again. For people like me who have a day job and write on the side, things can get a bit more complicated. I am a biology professor by day, author by night. Once a writer gets wrapped up in their characters and worlds, everything else gets pushed aside. Many an hour are spent thinking about the characters, letting them have conversations in your head, working out plot twists, getting through writers block. So between the actual writing and the thinking, this doesn’t leave a lot of time for other things. Friends, family, spouses, etc often go by the wayside when an author is in the grip of the muse.

Another aspect to writing is the marketing/promoting, which can be an even bigger time sucker than the writing itself ;) It’s hard to be in the now when you’re spending time on Facebook, Google+, Twitter, websites, and blogs. But these things are necessary for an author to sell books. It can be difficult for family, friends, and/or spouses to understand why the author spends all their free time on the computer. Aspiring writers need to be aware of the demands on their time above and beyond the actual writing process and make an extra effort to put down the computer or pen and spend some quality time with loved ones.

Getting Noticed Offline Is Harder If We DONT Have An Online Presence - Deb Nam-Krane

2011-10-06T09:00:00.001+01:00

If an author was well-established in possibly 2002, he or she can probably get away without having a big huge, internet presence. However, that person is going to need at least a minor presence, even if it's only a website listing his or her books. For everyone else- especially those who aren't currently well-established- we need more. It's good to have at least a simple blog, but at the very least, they need to get on over to Twitter and start making some contacts. Social media, whether we're introverted or extroverted in our real lives, is essential for anyone who wants to gain notice for the simple reasons that 1) a lot of people are looking online and 2) getting noticed through offline venues is a lot harder now if we don't have an online presence.

So... no kidding; your four-year-old knows this. Social media is not a yes or no question, but I think all of us are still trying to figure out the best way of going about it. From what I've seen, writers face the same problem everyone else online does: avoiding the echo chamber. Many of the people I know- writers and non-writers- have talked about how much they enjoy finding a group of like-minded people. It's a big wide information super highway- there's someone for everyone, trust me. But when we start hanging out with those people exclusively- and when we're all talking about the same things- the conversations we're in and the knowledge we can generate together becomes stifled. It's the same problem the politicos, vegans, fashionistas and yogis have, but in our case it's a little worse. If we are, to some extent, responsible for recording and discussing the human condition, shouldn't we take all of the opportunities we can to thoroughly study it? What are we learning if we hang out with people who are more like us than not? And, oh yeah, for those who are really online primarily to sell some of their work, it just doesn't seem like selling to other writers almost exclusively is the best strategy, you know?

The only other thing I would say is that all of us- whether we're going the traditional or self-publishing routes- should approach our interactions with some professional decorum. I've seen a lot of things that have made me cringe: whether it's someone who started writing a few years ago bitterly complaining on their blog that they haven't been signed by an agent yet, an agent publicly accusing a publishing company of withholding royalties from a client, an author attacking someone over a negative review or someone on Twitter shilling their book every ten minutes (that is not an exaggeration). Social media- whether it's our blogs, Twitter feeds or Facebook walls- are public, and with very few exceptions, people want to see mature interactions there. Save the rants for your best friend- if you're going to be in business in public, be professional.

Social Networking. The Dos, The Don'ts, and the Huh?s - J M Kelley

2011-10-05T12:00:00.005+01:00

Ah, social networking. The key. The golden ticket. Open a Twitter account, shoot out your book’s purchase links, and sit back and watch the money roll in.

Right?

Wrong-o.

Don’t misinterpret me. I think social networking plays a huge role in getting the word out about your writing. If you figure out the fine balance between promotion and spamming, you’ve got it made in the shade.

But it’s not just about sharing purchase links. The online world offers so much more to enrich your experience as a writer. You can connect with your favorite authors, and even have legitimate dialogue with the ones who enjoy interacting with their fan base.

My favorite moment came when I took part in a “twitterview” and not only managed to have people chiming in, but someone bought my book mid-event. Sometimes, I find a plea for purchase tinged with the right amount of snark yields a random book sale. Personal interaction is always key.

Social media, it is a wonderful thing. But there are a lot of hitches I never considered. And a lot of hurdles I can’t always figure out how to clear.

See, the online world has a good side and a bad side. You have so much at your fingertips. You can link. You can blog. You can tweet. You can have a Facebook fan page, your own website. You can wear the letters off your homerow keys with all the ways an author can network online.

But how the heck do you get anybody to listen to you?

Ah, there’s the rub. Talking to the virtual brick wall. Believe me, some days I feel like that’s all I do.

There are so many authors online. It’s great. You can network with thousands of people who feel the same as you about writing and reading. You talk shop. Commiserate about writer’s block. Cheer along as someone makes fantastic progress on their manuscript. Cross your fingers as someone else sends a full manuscript to an agent for review.

It’s a giant online crew of people in the exact same boat you’re in. You love it. You want to hug all the authors surrounding you.

But then a nagging question starts to form: Am I marketing to other marketing authors and that’s it?

And then the next nagging question bullies the first one out of position: How the heck am I supposed to do this and keep my day job?

Sometimes, the despair sets in. I’m a blue collar girl living in an easy-access-to-the-internet world. I don’t have a desk. I don’t have a work computer. I don’t have a system for getting around my duties and getting online during the day. So how do I find a way to get readers to hear me when I can’t always be around to do the self-promotion?

I love social media. But how do I get it to love me ? The question I pose, kind readers, is this: How do you make the internet work for you ? What are the pros and cons you’ve discovered about the fine art of social networking?

J.M. Kelley

J.M. Kelley's debut novel, Drew in Blue , is a contemporary romance available from Lazy Day Publishing. Drew in Blue was nominated for Best Contemporary of 2010 by The Romance Reviews, and is a TRR and Night Owl Reviews Top Pick. Drew is available for download from Amazon, B&N, All Romance, and OmniLit. J.M.'s dabbles next in the paranormal realm with her short erotic romance, Laws of Attraction , included in the Lazy Day Publishing anthology, Indulgence , available on Amazon on October 19th. For information and news, please visit http://www.jmkelleywrites.com/

The Social Network Debate ! ! !

2011-10-04T18:33:00.082+01:00

This week is dedicated to Social Networking! I had a huge response on this topic alone. On the 5th Join J.M Kelly for the Do's, The Don'ts and the Huh?s - On the 6th Deb Nam-Krane tells us why Getting Noticed Offline Is Hard If We DONT Have An ONLINE Presence and on the 7th Shay Fabbro warns: Aspring Writers Need To Be Aware of the Demand on Their Time.

A Quick Tip from Erin Cawood:

The world of a writer can be a lonely place sometimes. There are times when you're locked away for hours, days, weeks, months, working on your masterpiece, or you may a have deadlines, or your muse may have abandonned you, or you've read your last manuscript after months or your characters aren't talking back to you. All of a sudden your world doesn't make sense to you anymore. That's when the first of many benefits of the time consuming social networking comes in.

There are thousands of like minded people on the web who understand exactly what you're going through.

When I first approached guest bloggers on the subject of "To Be or No To Be A Writer" I used social networking as an example of why its great to be a writer and why its not so great to be a writer. Never before have we been able to be in touch with readers, to have instant feedback, to be engaged, interact and connect they way we are able to with sites like Goodreads, Facebook, Twitter and, of course, Blogger. The problem with them is if you're a member to all of them, you would spend all of your life using them. My tip, tweetdeck or hootsuite or some other multi-social network desktop app. I use tweetdeck, it allows me to post to most of my social networks at once (or one at a time) and I only have the one screen open with a feed to notify me of any updates from all networks.

My Perfect Hero is Flawed - By Shay Fabbro

2011-10-01T07:16:00.000+01:00

I think writing heroes and heroines is the hardest part of writing. I think many (if not most) writers want to create heroes that are everything we’re NOT: perfect. It’s difficult for people to face what’s not perfect about themselves and therefore it’s easy to want to live vicariously through a character without flaws. But let’s be honest!

Readers don’t want to see page after page of ridiculous perfection.

They want characters they can relate to and the only way to do that it to create characters with flaws. But with just enough flaws to be realistic. It’s a tough balancing act, actually. I tend to give my characters flaws that are similar to my own, but exaggerated a little or just a tad different. I also use annoying tendencies I observe in other people. And if the writer REALLY knows what they’re doing, they will have their hero/heroine grow and change over the course of the book.

This is even more important in the case of a series. Nothing is worse than reading three or four books where the characters are exactly the same as they were in the first book. There must be some growth. I think this is particularly important for YA books. JK Rowling was superb in her treatment of the Harry, Ron, and Hermione. Each one grew and matured in their own way and changed over the course of the seven book series.

Shay Fabbro

Author of the Portals of Destiny series and The Adventures of Alexis Davenport series

Website: shayfabbro.com

The Blackberry vs. The Library - A Writer's Tool Kit - Deb Nam-Krane

2011-09-27T16:32:00.000+01:00

A year ago, I had a Blackberry. It let me be all over Facebook, Twitter and most of the rest of the Information Super Highway. I even wrote a number of blog posts from there- and not all of them were scattered and nonsensical.

It was great- except for the way it removed me from my life. It was great that I could obsessively email, catch up on the news, update my statuses and tweet with it, but despite what the good people at Facebook and Google have to say, only so much of our lives are electronic. I like people watching on the train and listening to the stories I compose about where they're coming and where they're going. I like taking in the sights as I go walking with my children; maybe just the right word will finally come to me to describe spring in Boston (other than "rare") or the onset of autumn (other than "eternal"). I'm fortunate to live in a place filled with history and contradiction; I can better observe and learn from it live and in person than through research on my handheld.

So I ditched the Blackberry and got a notebook and pen instead.

I jot down observations, make sketches of things I see and sometimes just clear my head with it. Sometimes I'll start drafting blog posts there or note revelations I have about my characters.

But when I go to write I'm happy to do it on a computer- in fact, I insist. (And while I can sit on the couch and edit, when I go to write large, new pieces I need to be sitting at a desk.) I love being able to use the internet for research, although I've found that I only get my initial ideas from what I find via a web search; if I want the real scoop, I need to get to a library and get a book.

So, for me, it's a notebook, a pen, a computer, a desk and a library- very 1990s.

Deb Nam-Krane

Born in New York City, raised in Cambridge and making a home in Boston, Deb Nam-Krane is thoroughly urban and her writing, whether on her blog or in her fiction, unapologetically reflects that. After hiding her interest in women's fiction and romance for decades, she came out of the closet in 2007.

When not writing fiction or being tugged on by her four homeschooled children, she can be found indulging her news and policy habit at Deb in the City . A history major, she was pleased to have the opportunity to write the History section of the upcoming Moon Thailand travel guide, to be released in late 2011.

Although she does her best to keep her blog focused on raising children in a city and within a budget, sometimes current events interfere.

She also blogs at the Jamaica Plain Patch and is a regular contributor to Moms Talk on the Jamaica Plain Patch and Literary Boston . When she can't strong arm an editor into publishing her book reviews, author interviews or thoughts on books in general, she takes matters into her own hands at Written By Deb . If you think she's a little bit obsessive about mythology, you might be right.

A longtime book reviewer, she is always looking for good things to read, but still prefers being able to hold a book and flip its pages.

This is My Job, Thanks

2011-09-23T00:01:00.001+01:00

I’ve been my own boss for almost ten years now in one way or another. I opened two small businesses even before I was a full-time writer, both of which taught me a great deal about the itty-bitty details and necessary workings of organizing my life around being responsible for my own livelihood without a safety net.

When I sold one business and closed the other in favor of writing as a career, I actually forgot that was part of the deal. Honestly, I still had THE DREAM in my head. You know the one. Write a best selling series, find the perfect agent, wrangle multi-million dollar book deal, live happily every after. Um, yeah

Okay, deluded. But I got over it. And decided after much disgust and frustration with the present publishing model that I would go it alone as an indie. Fabulous. Mind you, I still have a few projects out there with small publishers and will continue to do so, I think. But the bulk of my career is my responsibility. And honest, that’s exactly how I like it.

Here’s the thing. Being your own boss is fabulous when you have clients waiting for product or projects. Deadlines. A business plan.

Did I mention I somehow fell off the entrepreneur wagon and into the fairy tale of being cared for by those who knew better? Right, then. Last year, my first, I wrote five novels. For some, that’s brilliant. For me, it was a great deal of time wasted. But I was holding back, resting on my surety that any second now some brilliant agent would recognize my talent and make me a star.

I woke up at last thanks to the help of some fabulous friends and the understanding that I wasn’t happy just waiting. There were books to write and voices to still. I’d developed a plan over the years to get my work done in the past. Why did I abandon it? Starting fresh, I reevaluated, created a business model and a forecast schedule of writing and publishing and dove in

Much better. I have deadlines again, goals and landmarks to hit. This year I will have completed thirteen novels and published nine. Next year is even more ambitious. Why? Because I mean business again. Not fun and games, not some Hollywood dream (although I’m planning on some of that being involved, let me tell you). This is real life, and a real career. I have to treat it like that. Or I get nothing done.

And for the folks who ask me what I do and either a) think I’ve got it made because I have books out there or b) looks skeptical that what I do is a real job… I can only say this. Like you, I work hard every day. Harder sometimes maybe. Because no one else is looking out for me.

I’m a businesswoman. I’m a writer. And I love every minute of it.

About the Author:

Patti Larsen is a middle grade, young adult and adult author with a passion for the paranormal who writes a great deal of horror for someone who is afraid of the dark. She lives on the East Coast of Canada with her very patient husband Scott and four enormous cats.

Her new series, The Hunted (Run, Hide, Fight and Hunt), is available now at http://www.smashwords.com/ and www.Amazon.com

You can find her at

www.pattilarsen.blogspot.com

www.pattilarsen.com

www.pattilarsenbooks.blogspot.com

www.facebook.com/pattilarsenauthor

http://www.twitter.com/#!/PattiLarsen

and her work on Amazon.com.

Ordinary Men Are Heros! - Alberta Ross & The Sefuty Chronicles

2011-09-20T06:00:00.000+01:00

Thank you, Erin, for inviting me onto your discussion on Heroes,during my book tour.

What is ahero? Definition from the Oxford Dictionary

A man withsuperhuman strength, courage or ability, favoured by the gods; a demigod.
Man/womandistinguished by the performance of extraordinarily brave or noble deeds; suchas an illustrious warrior
Man/womanadmired, venerated for achievements and noble qualities in any field
Chief malecharacter in a poem, story or play.

As spinners of yarns we needheroes to lead our plots but which ones do we choose? How are we influenced by our pasts to formtheir characters?

When I was young I relished the‘myths and legend’-type heroes from the Greek and Norse lands such as Jason andBeowulf. All through my childhood I learntto admire knights and buccaneers, the Lancelot’s and Francis Drake’s ofhistory. Then there were the red-coatedbrigade of derring-do of the Victorian era. It doesn't do to examine theseheroes too closely though. Those Greeks and Norsemen were not particular whomthey raped and murdered. What is a knightof old except a killing machine, enjoying murder, rape and conquest? The buccaneerswere only pirates by another name – Johnny Depp’s character is Hollywood, truly!! Real pirates were the scum and outcasts ofsociety; they murdered, raped and stole. The Victorians may have brought a legal systemand civil service to large swathes of the globe but turn over that rock andit's the same old picture: murder, rape and conquest with a great deal of exploitation. Heroes are not such ‘nice’ folk if you don'tfit their picture of OK.

When I was young my real lifeheroes were the Edwardian explorers such as Shackleton and Scott of Antarctica. I drew up my code of conduct for lifefrom them. Truth, honesty, loyalty andthe value of friendships; a stiff upper lip just get on with it withoutcomplaint principle. Whether or not theylived up to these ideals isn’t really the point, as it never has been. Heroes are people you look up to. They are of their time. All those above reflect the events at theirtime.

But do we need heroes? It seems we do. They have been with us Isuspect since storytelling began. Lookunder the gloss, under the mire, and a pattern becomes apparent. We believe the myth of them. The killers are defending or enriching theirown, the looters are doing the same. Inan uncertain existence the ordinary downtrodden people of each place want tofeel someone cares about their problems. We all have this need.

Rulers/politicians don't seem tohit the right note in this respect! Wewant to know Robin Hood stole from the rich to give it all TO US. We want to know dragon-slayers would ride tolay down his life FOR US if the need arose. The knights’ code of honour was designed tomake women feel safer in a world where they were worth less than a side ofvenison. The buccaneers brought theirlooted gold back TO OUR country. As theVictorians did with their exploited looting and hey, if all these heroes killedand maimed on the way, they were doing it TO THEM, ‘them’ have always been athreat. Modern day heroes are those whoshow social mobility is within our reach. Talent, luck and charm can take us up therewith the super rich and if you're super rich you need not fear anyone – right? Wrong. One day you will want a hero of your own.

So who to choose amongst thismotley band of ne’er do wells? After allwe want our readers to like our heroes so we must create unrealistic ones. The motif of a hero if you like, not thereality. So the story becomes a fiction,rewritten to begin life again. Now themotifs of the above include charm, native wit and intelligence, courage inbucketfuls.

The knights’ code of honour isstill respected today, we 'know' they were 'parfit, gentil' men sworn toprotect the weak. But they really do not need to be dashing, they could beordinary men. The explorer can go armedwith cameras instead of guns. Thesailors can win races instead of despoiling.

So in The Sefuty Chronicles Ichoose the 'ordinary men' to be the local heroes. Those who stepped up to the mark when thegoing got tough. I also have an intrepidband who are the legends and demigods of the future (they are actually quiteordinary also!).

PS: We should throw in good looksand a six pack as well; young ladies have a subtext for their heroes:strong/good looking = virile = fertile = able to protect. Like the peacock'stail proves nothing.

Young men havea similar subtext for heroines: beautiful/fit = fertile = his genes more likelyto succeed.

Am I a cynic?

Where to find Alberta Ross & The Sefuty Chronicles

Alberta’sofficial website where detail of her books, extracts, readers comments andcontact details can be found http://www.albertaross.co.uk
Albertablogs about writing and self publishing http://sefutychronicles-albertaross.blogspot.com
Blogging about anything she fancies http://www.didyoueverkissafrog.typepad.com
Alberta can be followed on Twitter at http://twitter.com/albertaross

Introducing A Writer's Kit

2011-09-16T13:32:00.000+01:00

'A Tool Kit! ' My friend sniggered from behind her chardonnay "But I've seen you write an entire poem on a napkin with an eye liner pencil I'd hardly say you need a handy man's tool belt" That was an inspired moment and my lack of preparedness had one hand diving into my handbag and digging out the next best thing to a writing tool while the other was snatching at the passing waitress' tray snapping "Can I have that?"

Anyway...to the point of my brief flash back ... As the words begin to live inside a writer that fire bursts at any moment. Creative passion will be found anywhere and regardless of the situation being able to capture that inspiration by any means possible is important. Every writer needs a tool kit. Whether in the office, out and about doing daily chores, away from home for the night or a little longer myself and other writers to share how we prepare for life as writers. Stay tuned for the upcoming series on A Writer's Tool Kit

Erin

Introducing "My Hero!"

2011-09-09T14:57:00.000+01:00

Without a hero you have no story and yet unless your reading or watching the latest action thriller would you consider the main character to be a hero?

What is a hero?

A Hero is:

A person who is admired for having done something very brave or having achieved something great
The main male character in a book or film who is usually good
Someone who you admire very much

You'd think that as a writer I'd be more concerned with the second definition from the Cambridge Dictionnary... but actually ... for this series I'm interested in all three. I hope to bring an insight into the how creators of fiction think. How does an author form the hero of their novel? Do they draw the qualities from the heroes of modern day society? If they are writing heroes then who are the writer's heroes? I've invited several guest bloggers to join me in sharing their views on this subject and over the discussion will continue over the coming weeks.

Erin

Thought for the Day : How Do You Write?

2011-08-12T09:45:00.001+01:00

A friend of mine emailed me recently and asked me 'how do you write?'

I thought my response was quite inspired for five thirty a.m and decided it needed to be blogged...

Every writer's different some have a set schedule like a shift at work. You have to find what works for you. Once I've a plot going around in my head that's it. I hate the idea of having to focus on 'real life' LOL! I get consumed by the world I'm creating.

Stringing a few words together to form this world isn't as easy as it sounds. If you imagine everyone involved on a movie set, script writers, makeup artists, set designers, costume designer, actors, cameraman, composer, director, as a writer you are every single one of these people and you have to put into words each frame of the movie you have in your mind, They say a picture it worth a thousand words except you need to use as few of those thousand words as you possibly can while achieving the same effect.

Then once you're done you go through it with a fine tooth comb realise most of its crap! But you've got strong characters and there's enough sparks between them. The story line's got that something to keep a reader interested. So maybe...I never worry about the first few drafts. I free write, so let the creative process have control. If you can create any scene so detailed enough that you can taste, smell, feel, hear it in your mind and then put that into words so that other people can see what you see, smell what you smell... You get my drift... You can make anything happen and that's why I love it so much.

I'd love to know what everyone else's thought are on this?

Erin

Sugar or Spice? Character Recipes

2011-08-09T22:31:00.000+01:00

When my very first beta reader said she'd found herself screaming 'No don't do that!' at my female lead I was mighty impressed with my little old self. Not only had I created a believeable character but I'd put her in a situation where my reader was emotionally invested in the outcome... and we were only half way through.

So how did I come up with such an amazing character?... Hmm...

But didn't I just picked up a pen?

Imagining the character came naturally to me. How she looked? How she dressed? Where she worked? Where she lived? Her world built around the scenarios I put her in. So lots of little details, like she's a single mother with a network of close crazy friends who all have a story of their own to tell, came naturally too.

But it was the appearance of anonymous flowers and chocolates on Valentine's Day that began to build her character. The way she softened into the memory of a lost love. The chance first meeting where she'd accused said love of being a stalker and then captivated by his eyes she lost all ability to string words together. The way she sighed and then fell backwards through the door at the end of their first date! I discovered she had a fondness for luxury ice cream that night. The way she told him never to darken her door again when he told her that he was married. So I guess I learned a lot from three meetings with one guy. A) She's got a defence mechanism in her quick tongue and it gets her in trouble. B) She's got a soft centre though she'd never let anyone know. And C) She's honourable, no matter how much it hurts her, she'd never do anything to hurt anyone else if she could avoid it.

So now I knew something about the person she was going to be I could put her into an unusual situation and see how she'd handle it. I got to the depths of her emotions, the good and the bad. She's quick witted but she also developed the temper of a volvano. With one scene I was able to get real insight to her personality and it became evident that outwardly she's a wall of steel but inside she's as fragile as glass. As the novel developed it also became obvious that she's motivated by her desire to do exactly what others say she cant and her need to give her daughter the happy carefree childhood she deserves.

This particular character and novel has never had a plan, they never really had a beginning middle or ending when I begun, they've written their own destiny. (My tip for writer's block: grab a pen and a pad of paper and let the words carry the character wherever. One of the most significant scenes was created from a freewrite session such as this. Boy did I have fun that day!) After I'd built her world I enjoyed destroying because the real challenge was figuring out how 'she' was going to put it back together.

Erin

Character Recipes is the topic for this month's Fellow Writer's Blog Hop

Other blog hop topics include:

Writing Flashbacks - Talking A Walk Down Memory Lane - July 2011

Inspiration - Where Does It All Come From - June 2011

Judging A Book By Its Cover - I'm Guilty Are You? - April 2011

This Week's Crisis

2011-07-30T10:14:00.000+01:00

This week hasn't really been a usual week. The migraine decided to have a new symptom nausea... mmm ... not my most favourite of migraine symptoms I have to say and I've spent the best part of the week wondering why Gabrielle and Kyle from Devine Intervention's Halos at Dawn have decided to stop talking to me. So on Thursday night I decided to stop pushing the matter and move on to something more productive. I got out my first novel Life's A Ball? and had a read through.

Its the first time I've given LAB any thought in nearly three months

I so wish I hadn't.

It made me laugh. So I'm impressed with my little old self. But the perfect ending, the one which is the premise for book 3 and 4 and the whole reason for the final in the series, is no longer perfect! My world has just spiraled into chaos.

Oh what to do...?

Erin

Book of the Month: Nora Roberts Summer Pleasures

2011-07-23T11:20:00.000+01:00

After reading The Search I went out and bought another Nora Roberts. I was torn between picking up something from a series that I'd already read before or something new. Summer Pleasures is two classics in one and the blurbs spoke to my heart. Writers and photographers falling in love... awww!

Summer Pleasures The Basics: Second Nature: Perfectly poised in every way reporter Lee Radcliffe wants the first ever exclusive interview with the ever elusive Hunter Brown. The horror novelist agrees on the terms she spends two weeks camping with him. Trapped by his eyes that see into the depths of her soul Lee is soon realising its not just the interview she wants. One Summer: Free spirited Bryan Mitchell takes on an assignment to photograph one summer in across America with the brooding photojournalist Shade Colby. Its not the ideal assignment but she's determined to make it work, except the only thing they can agree on is the sparks that keeping igniting between them.

I absolutely loved Second Nature! I connected with the characters, as a writer I also understood both the successful Hunter Brown's opinion of writing for the joy of writing and Lee's fear of failure and therefore not completing her first manuscript regardless of this acclaimed author telling her that she was good. I got this one on every level and was disappointed I had to put it down to go to sleep, first thing I did was make a cup of tea and pick it up and start reading again. Gripped!

One Summer not so gripped. I did read from start to finish almost. But I was able to put down and pick up at leisure. It started off great. I was hooked but the more Bryan gave in to her fear. The more disconnected from her I became. I will say that Nora Roberts still created that magic with words that kept me involved, One Summer just wasn't for me.

So I'm not above admitting that now I'm hooked. 4/5.

Erin

Reviews you may have missed

The Search - Nora Roberts

A Perfect Proposal - Katie Fforde

Taking a Walk Down Memory Lane

2011-07-12T11:40:00.000+01:00

Uninspired by the idea of flashbacks I haven't paid much attention to the blog hop this month and in my defence I've had a migraine for 37days (I suffer from chronic daily migraine) and the second title from Devine Intervention is craving all the non-painful non-working hours. But this morning I thought I'd give it ago only to find out that ....

Maybe I should have listened to my teachers all those years ago and read the question properly!

So my writing flashback? What first piece of writing would I post and what advice would I give to my younger self?

Back in December 2009 I found a box under my desk of stories I'd written during my teenage years. These are my first novellas and I took a walk down memory lane. They're all hand written so I can't post them without typing them up and we all know if I was to do this I'd end up posting a re drafted version not the original - LOL - hey I'm being honest!

I think the one that stands as out the most exceptional to me was one about an orphaned girl who ran away from the children's home one summer and fell in love. This was actually the back story. My story began when she returned to the town of her first love after she left the children's home. Naturally true love doesn't run smooth and my character didn't get the happy ever after she went looking for. Her road suddenly looked very long and very lonely. Years of heartbreak followed before she found out who she really was, the knight in shining armour and her happy ever after.

I was swept away by this novella from start to finish. I was blown away by the characters because they jumped right off the page. I experienced emotional triggers that if I could have written then how I write now I'd have cried when the world came crashing down. There I was, twelve year later, slack jawed and blinking at the end thinking Did I really write this?

What would I say to my younger self?

My innocence was written all over it so I'd tell myself to stop living in a bubble! I'd suggest reading more newspapers and watching more TV because I never did that as kid and get some ideas about real life.

I'd tell myself to think about the setting the scene a little more. Props are good, my characters tend to put their fist through thin plaster boarded walls or throw expensive crystal vases when they're angry these days.

Another one of my most favourites is the senses: touch, smell, taste, hearing and seeing. There is a difference between the physical way something feels and the emotional way something feels, such as a kiss. The reader is living and breathing these characters. They need to experience what the characters are experiencing.

My final piece of advice would be a skill I don't think I've quite mastered yet myself and it would be to chose your wisely. A novel is 50,000+ words strung together over 175 pages. A published novel is 50,000+ words carefully crafted into an unput-down-able page turner. And Shakespeare isn't famous four centuries later for no reason!

I have re worked Finding Holly and I've every intention of making it one of my single titles but... I'm actually daunted by the prospect of taking on my fifteen year old self.

Erin

Writing Flashback is the topic for this months Fellow Writers Blog Hop

Other blog hops topics include:

Inspiration - Where Does It All Come From? - June 2011

Judging A Book By It's Cover - I'm Guilty Are You - April 2011

Where Does It All Come From?

2011-06-14T09:00:00.051+01:00

Its difficult to explain Inspiration. Having the imagination to create a world is fabulous, but where did it all come from?

I think the best and most relatable example I can give is 'Devine Intervention'. I was sat thinking about what would happen if there was an based office version of 'The X Factor'? and then I realised there was 'The Apprentice' but that didn't stopped a storyline from unfolding

... a young woman impresses a company director and he invites her to work for him in head office...

Obviously there has to be an antagonist to the protagonist and this would be the male lead.

... Unbeknown to the company director the vacancy has already been filled by someone who is more qualified and more experienced than our female lead. The director has no choice but to give them both a six month probationary period ... as a romance they will hate each other until they admit they actually have fallen in love and then one of them is fired...

For me, the most interesting character was not the male lead or the female lead, their lives grew and shaped around the story line. The most interesting character became the female MC's best friend, a kooky woman who lived her life by the forecasts in her horoscopes. Now, the inspiration from this came from personal experience. My stars me to buy shoes in October 2009 Sadly, I didn't. But what if I had? I decided on a star sign and began reading variations of horoscopes from newspapers, magazines, the Internet, annual forecasts with day by day forecasts and interpreting my secondary character's behaviour. I also used the week by week and month by month forecasts and built the plot in light of them. She took centre stage. But instead of being a crazy horoscope obsessed character, she became more spiritual, more open to destiny, more accepting of fate. She had the ability to guide others.

Her own story began to develop and then a ripple effect which inspired so much more and what was once dubbed 'Office Idol' is now a three part series called 'Devine Intervention'.

Erin

Inspiration is the topic of this month Fellow Writers Blog Hop.

Other Blog Hops - Judging a book by its Cover. - I'm Guilty Are You?

Posts you may have missed:

Using A Friend For Inspiration? - March 2011

Opposites Attact - February 2011

Recent Book Reviews and Spotlights:

The Search by Nora Roberts - May 2011

A Perfect Proposal by Katie Fforde - May 2011

Ordinary Angels by India Drummond - April 2011

Blood Faerie by India Drummond

2011-06-06T17:33:00.004+01:00

I got some great feedback from my readers who bought India Drummond's first novel 'Ordinary Angels' so I though you'd like to know that she's back! Blood Faerie is OUT NOW! and follows the story of Eilidh who, sentenced to death, has fled the Faerie Islands and sought refuge in an abandoned church in Perth, Scotland. But her exile is not to remain peaceful, a murderer is on the loose and Eilidh must choose between fleeing once again or using forbidden magic.

Erin

Reviews you may have missed

The Search - Nora Roberts

A Perfect Proposal - Katie Fforde

Ordinary Angels - India Drummond

Book on the Month: The Search by Nora Roberts

2011-05-31T20:22:00.009+01:00

FINALLY! I've found one I LOVED!

The relationship between the male and female lead characters jumped off the page!

On the search (no pun intended!) for a Nora Roberts novel that I'd fall in love with, I picked up 'The Search' because - believe it or not - because it was PURPLE! (Well the UK cover is Anyway! This is the cover from Amazon US)

The Search: The Basics - Fiona Bristrow is a professional Canine Search and Research trainer. Simon Doyle has a cute little puppy in need of training. He's moody, outspoken and the total opposite to friendly, straightforward and limitlessly patient Fiona. Professionally things are working out until a copycat serial killer decides to turns up the heat and Fiona's island hideaway is no longer safe. Whether he wants to or not Simon's instinct is to protect Fiona. Whether she wants to or not Fiona is falling for him.

I think the deference with this one is it was a feature length in comparison to the others I've read. It's well over five hundred pages, I'm a slow reader and I had difficulty putting it down. I had my nose in this one during lunch breaks from the minute I got home to the minute I went to bed. Hell, I even sacrificed my walk to and from work in favour of the bus to continue reading!

A definite must buy! 5/5

Well, she got me! I'm off to buy Black Hills.

Erin

Reviews you may have missed

A Perfect Proposal - Katie Fforde

Ordinary Angels - India Drummond

Christmas Fairytales - Nora Roberts

Book of The Month: A Perfect Proposal by Katie Fforde

2011-05-23T16:00:00.007+01:00

When it comes to escapism?
A Perfect Proposal by Katie Fforde is probably escapism at its best!

Recently I had some rather depressing news about my perma-migraine in the essence that its never going to go away. There's no cure. I spent four days wallowing in self pity over this news and then thought what better way to forget about my problems than in fictionworld?

A Perfect Proposal: The Basics - Sophia spends her whole life basically as a doormat for the rest of her family. So when she wakes up to how her family really see her, she swaps her life in England in New York, albeit for a few weeks, but they'll learn their lesson won't they? Whilst there she meets the lovely, English born, old dear Matilda. So when Sophie returns to England she hardly expects to hear from Matilda again, let alone expects her distrustful grandson, Luke, to seek Sophie out when he visits just a few weeks later. But Sophie would do anything for the dear old lady who took her in over the Thanks Giving weekend, even be hospitable to her infuriatingly arrogant grandson.

Loved it! Absolutely loved it! I read it from cover to cover in one sitting. It made me laugh. Almost cry. So I gave it to my BFF when I visited two days later and she sat down with it the following day and same. Cover to cover!

Perfect 5/5!

Erin

Reviews you may have missed

Ordinary Angels - India Drummond

Christmas Fairytales - Nora Roberts

Cocktails for Three - Sophie Kinsella/Madeline Wickham

Workin 9 to 5 (just a way my make my livin!)

2011-04-15T06:45:00.002+01:00

I have a 9-5 ... correction 9 to 5:30 (or other some variation of 7&1/2 hours and in one pattern or another working 5/7 days). This job comes with targets and a decent renumeration package should those targets be hit. My perma-migraine decided to make my life hell last month and now I feel on top of the world again I've been cramming in the hours at work to ensure I hit target. 10 days without a day off isn't easy in a demanding outbound sales environment in the middle of a big summer promotion.

So there I was, totally exhausted and ready for a nice long lie in on my first day off and what happens? I wake up at 6:30am

So I thought I'd say good mornin' and get on with tweaking with my website, I've a read through of Life's A Ball? to do and a few household chores that need my attention.

Erin

I'm Guilty, Are You?

2011-04-12T14:03:00.000+01:00

What attracts you to a book? Seriously think about it. Walking around a bookstore and seeing all the titles for the first time, seeing all the authors for the first time, what makes you pick up that book? As a reader I’m guilty of looking at the cover, then reading the title (the author only gets my attention if I’m a fan already) then I turn over and read the blurb to make the final decision. Is it for me?

As an author I’m my own worst nightmare. For me, writing is about making anything happen. As an author, you’re in control of your characters, the world they live in and the story you’re trying to tell. You can do anything you want to as long as your imagination can make it work. But it’s not as simple as it sounds, is it?

I’ll share with you a problem I came across when finishing the first draft of Life’s A Ball?
When I think of contemporary romance/romantic comedy genres, I think primarily female readers who are between 16-65 years old. I think strong female main characters that have the typical self-deprecating flaws, drop dead gorgeous males causing a bit of a drool fest and broken hearts, with a falling in love, a falling out, a happily ever after and by the end of it all the characters will be better off from their experience. Oh and let’s not forget a little bit of sizzle and a little bit of comedy too.
From the cover of most novels that fit into these genres, the above description is pretty much what you’d expect. Very few step outside this norm. But what I was finding with Life’s A Ball? ’s female lead was, as a believable character, Elle couldn’t follow the stereotypical characterization. In turn, the male lead wouldn’t follow the stereotype of a male lead and this had a ripple effect on the plot, right up to the climatic ending and those final words before ‘The End’.

My heart was saying go with the character, as long as the writing was good enough to carry out such a dramatic twist. Or rather than doing what she would do, should I listen to my head was saying and bend to the genre specifications. It wasn’t until I spoke to my beta readers about the first draft did I make the final decision about which direction I took.

My novel is different to its stereotype while keeping the style of its genre. Why would I want anyone to judge my book by its cover?

Erin

For More Opinions on Judging A Book By It's Cover See the Fellow Writers Blog Hop. http://gladiatorspen.blogspot.com/p/fellow-writers-blog-hop.html

Ordinary Angels by India Drummond

2011-04-06T18:56:00.002+01:00

I haven't had the chance to look into bringing you a book of the month for April yet, but I thought I'd give a quick shout out to all those who enjoy a sassy sizzling read. A friend of mine (across the pond) India Drummond, released Ordinary Angels this week. This urban fantasy/paranormal romance follows the story Zoe, who after a night of salsa dancing with an angel, finds a body and her best friend is the one accused of murder. Zoe has to stand up to the higher angels and resorts to less angelic behaviour, which in turn leads to Zoe questioning herself.

You can buy Ordinary Angels for Kindle from Amazon UK or Amazon US or for other e-readers at Barnes and Noble US

Erin

Using A Friend for Inspiration?

2011-03-28T15:00:00.001+01:00

I was recently talking to a friend and she was having a dilemma. I don't see it as a massive problem, but then we don't see each other very often and I haven't been able to witness the problems she's experiencing the only thing I know about it really is this conversation we shared through Blackberry Messenger (BBM). But her whole predicament inspired an idea for a novel.

When I mentioned this to my friend she was especially cool and relaxed about the whole idea. She's like the best friend a girl could ever ask for, and she's supper supportive, and she loves reading my work. This is not a friendship I'd risk, ever!!!

So, do I write the story?

1) Inspiration comes from anywhere and everywhere, life is one big muse and its the way we, as writers, interpretate this inspiration and mould the words that create the story.

2) Its never wise to use the people you know in a creative piece of writing, or using their personality to create the character. If you use people you do know borrow traits good and bad from many of the people you know to shape the character, until you have a feel for who this character really is.

3) Change their appearance, their dress sense, their likes and dislikes. Make the character unrecognisable to you and those around you.

4) I think the most important word of advice I could give is: Consider your friends feelings. It's their life and their ups or downs that have inspired what could potentially be a fantastic story. But I don't think I'd ever forgive myself if I'd broadcast her world and then she never spoke to me again.

Erin

Posts you may have missed

Read more at http://www.erincawood.co.uk/

The Starlight Series: As the Moon Rises

2011-03-18T16:43:00.001Z

From 80's Child Star to Self Proclaimed Rock Star

By day Ronnie is a shrud property developer and has a keen head for business. Her business venture with her best friend's brother and two other's is controlling everything to do with the property business across town. But as the moon rises Ronnie is drawn to the darkside, the wayward one of the Starlights still parties with the stars. She still rides on her childhood stardom and earns a pretty little side income from it.

She is not marriage material and there's no such thing as the right man. Men are useful for just one thing. So when Ronnie breaks the cardinal rule of friendship she learns the right kind of man will do all kinds of wrong to her life and to get it back on track Ronnie convinces her business partner to party hard with her on the Las Vegas strip.

Erin

The Starlight Series: When Darkness Falls

2011-03-15T09:00:00.019Z

From 80's care home to Regional Customer Care Manager.

An absent father and a terminally ill mother Tasha spent her childhood jumping between home and state care homes. Her possessions were those she carried in a small back pack until she found herself under the care of Greg and Evie Hughes.
Now thirty years old Tasha is one step closer to giving her children the life she never had when she is offered her dream job, National Customer Care Manager. There's only two catches. It's temporary and its based in Mercier, Spain. Less than twelve hours later her happy home is shattered and once again Tasha finds herself on a familiar doorstep and under the loving care of her foster parents.

Tasha waits patiently for the New Year, her new job, and her new life in new country. One question remains unanswered ... Is Mercier a legitimate means to run away from the pain of her husbands infidelity?

Join Tasha as she explores a window of opportunity only presented When Darkness Falls.

Erin

The Starlight Series: Beyond The Sunset

2011-03-08T09:00:00.002Z

From 80's child star to award winning romance novelist.

Love conquering over all is the back bone of Ally's world and her wild imagination is the only tool needed to fix her broken heart.

Time and time again the alternative endings to a love gone wrong and the failure to form a love strong enough to overcome all obstacles have become the words behind her secret alter ego, the number one best selling novelist Alissa Caldwell. Although, Ally has never lost faith in love. She gets up every morning believing today is the day her knight in shining armour is going to ride off with her into the horizon. But in all her years of dreaming of him, Ally's never once considered what would happen after they'd met.

Join Ally as she goes somewhere she's never been before and will she take Alissa Caldwell with her Beyond The Sunset?

Erin

The Starlight Series: All Night Long

2011-03-01T09:00:00.003Z

From 80's child star to deceiftul adultress overnight

Heartbroken, Christina prays she never has to relive this scandal. The book shop assistant sleeps all day and works all night with the legacy of stealing, and then marrying, another woman's husband.

When the infamous Miles Coles becomes more than a customer Chrissie must decide between the reawakening dreams once thought to be lost forever and the warning never to make the same mistake twice. Miles is married and Mrs Cole is the most watched talk show host on the other side of the Alantic. Will Chrissie step back in front of the flashbulbs and defend a life that's rightfully hers to claim? Or did losing her husband three years ago teach Chrissie an unforgettable lesson?

Join Christina as she learns to heal the past, live for the present and fight for her future... whatever and whomever it may hold.

Ultimate Bliss

2011-02-26T16:00:00.000Z

It's been a long time since I woke up with the urge to write. I honestly didn't think I'd have anything new to enter into this years Brit Writer's Award. But after a particularly bad migraine in January I lost all interest in writing novels. A couple of days later I woke up with these words in my head.

"I look at you, my heart it aches"

A few moments later and I had a whole verse and within thirty minutes I had the whole poem.

Ultimate Bliss was the first poem I wrote which triggered my entire entry for the Brit Writer's Award. It is the last poem in the collection and where the characters forgive and forget. They live happily ever after.

Erin

Read the poem Ultimate Bliss and more Poems written by Erin Cawood at erincawood.co.uk.

The Fireworks Show

2011-02-26T14:00:00.000Z

Following my poetry collection theme, a love story, for the Brit Writers Award, I had to have a fireworks show. The boy and girl must fall out before the end. This seemed simple enough. However, my heroine didn't have a reason to mistrust what she was feeling and my hero didn't have a purpose to walk away. Once I'd written the first poem in the collection, The Wounds of Another's Blade, I was able to complete The Fireworks Show. The big fight at the end where both parties call it a day and walk away from there relationship.

Erin

Read the poetry collectio 'A Love Story' and more Poems written by Erin Cawood at erincawood.co.uk.

Opposites Attract

2011-02-26T12:00:00.000Z

Soon after I'd finished Ultimate Bliss, I came up with an idea for the Brit Writer's Award competition. What if my collection of poetry followed the classic plot line of love story. Boy and Girl meet and fall in love.

Typically in a love story the boy and girl tend to hate each other in the beginning. There's a fine line between love and hate, as they say. So with this in mind I aimed Opposites Attract to be about the hating turning into the loving. It's the 2nd poem in the collection and is followed by ...
If Love Wasn't Measured in Flowers

Erin

Read the poem Opposites Attract and more Poems written by Erin Cawood at erincawood.co.uk.

The Wounds of Anothers Blade

2011-02-26T10:00:00.001Z

Following my poetry collection theme, a love story, for the Brit Writers Award, I had to have a fireworks show. The boy and girl must fall out before the end. This seemed simple enough. However, my heroine didn't have a reason to mistrust what she was feeling and my hero didn't have a purpose to walk away.

The Wounds of Another's Blade became the heroines story of pain. The anguish over questions left unanswered. The hurt she feels from the lies told by the one she loves. Staying with the idea of a love story, I wrote this poem for the heroine only. It became the first poem in the story and is followed by ... Opposites Attract

Erin

Read the poetry collection "A Love Story" and more Poems written by Erin Cawood at erincawood.co.uk.

Brit Writers Award 2011

2011-02-01T22:00:00.004Z

Well, its that time of year again. I've written three new poems for the Brit Writer's Award and sent of my poetry collection: A Love Story.

At last minute I changed one of the poems for a stronger one that fits the theme a little better.

I will be announcing the line up after the closing date of the competition.

Erin

Read the poem Fighting A Losing Battle and more Poems written by Erin Cawood at erincawood.co.uk.

The Starlight Series

2011-01-14T12:06:00.099Z

Teen musical sensation Starlight. (Think Jackson 5 meets the S-Club Juniors except there were only three of them so maybe a female version of Hanson in the days of Mmm-bop) hit the top of the charts when cheesy tunes and the hit factory was churning out number one after number one of what are now known as pop classics.

The girl group trio were inseparable. They'd grown up together, attended the same junior schools together, starred in the same musical performances and talent contests together. Christina (All Night Long), Ronnie (As the Moon Rises), and Ally (Beyond The Sunset) attended the open auditions for a manufactured girl group and were turned away. Two days later they were offered a deal by the man with midus touch in music.

They floated on the cloud of success until Tasha (When Darkness Falls) a misguided teen trying to cope with her mother's terminal illness, is placed in the temporary care of Chrissie's parents. Tasha becomes like a sister to Chrissie, and she has a huge crush on Chrissie's brother, who is Ally's boyfriend. The tension caused a rift and rivalry that had never been there before. Tasha goes back to her mother's care and when she returns her mother has passed away and a change in the musical scene means the Starlights are no more.

These girls have grown up, they're all at different stages in their lives, taken different choices and made different paths for their future. The Starlight Series follows their stories when within the same year these best friends forever each experiences road blocks in their path towards infinate bliss. Suddenly they each have to figure out what it is they truly want and how they are going to get there.

Erin

This Year Has to Better Than Last Year

2011-01-01T22:30:00.037Z

Happy New Years!

I hope you all had a fantabulous evening. I ended up in a pub in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, UK. There was barely anyone there and the comedian was quite rubbish. I felt sorry for the poor guy because he kept building up a bit of a chuckle and then dying time and time again. Once it was over it was karaoke disco! I haven't sung in public since I was Corfu 09 but I did and unfortunately I sounded rubbish, very unlike me but I couldn't hear myself very well and the track was in the wrong key. We (Paul, Mum, Dad, Aunt Ros and Uncle Rob) counted down and welcomed in the New Year on the dance floor amongst thirty or so strangers and we all crossed arms, linked hands and sung Olde Lang Syne. Very traditional.

Fortunately for me I don't drink so I get to enjoy this lovely day. I get to enjoy the breaking of a New Year, a new era, a new chapter in my life without the hangover. But it also means I'm alert and alive enough to reflect on the year gone by and everything I said I would achieve but haven't.

Things that happened in 2010

Mamma died in January - (Grandma)
I staretd suffering with severe migraines.
I entered my first competition - The Brit Writers Award and made it down to the final 1500 of 22,000 entries.
I ended up being admitted to the medical assessment ward after I started suffering with a reduced sensation down my right side and diagnosed with Migraine with Aura in March.
My father-in-law passed away of a sudden heartattack.
I spent a week in hospital after a particularly bad migraine attack.
I learned they were closing my department and despite being nominated and short listed for a coveted annual award I was not kept on for the final twelve months and was made redundant after 81/2 years.
My cat got really sick and I had to let the vet put her to sleep.
I got a new job, and started 6 days after leaving the last one.
I went to Cuba ! ! !
Someone very dear to me has brain aneuryisms and we're awaiting the consultants decision.
My sister's AVM has gone.

Broken New Years Resolutions

To find a publisher for Life's A Ball - I have to finish it first.
To start writing and submitting my short stories for publication.
To keep on top of my blog entries and social networking and internet marketing. They're important.
To find more readers and get more feedback for my work.

New Year's resolutions 2011

See above!

2010 has been one of the toughest I've ever had to go through. It seem that when I was just reaching the crest of one mountain something tripped me up and I was tumbling to the bottom of the other side and without any time to breath I was staring up at the next one. There were times when it felt like the world was crumbling under my feet and I was running and running and running just to stay on stable ground.

No the year hasn't been all bad. But I really do hope that 2011 is much better.

Erin

Book of the Month: Christmas Fairytales by Nora Roberts

2010-12-21T21:12:00.085Z

Deck the halls with bows of holly, fa la la la la, la la la la .... So I'm in the spirit of the season... It's Christmas and I usually love Christmas. I'm not a crazy loon who decorates every square inch of my house inside and out... in fact, for the last couple of years ... I've kind of lost the Christmas feeling and I haven't decorated at all ... (shush... don't tell anyone). This year we've plans to actually redecorate the living room so the Christmas tree and the decorations are remaining in the attic until we're finished... but they WILL go up before Christmas eve.

I was given a little extra help this year by Christmas Fairytales from Nora Roberts. Its three classic love stories rolled into one feature length novel and is part of the MacGregor Series. I particularly like the fact that I haven't read a single novel from the MacGregor Series and I didn't need to.

Christmas Fairytales: The Basics - Daniel MacGregor is the conniving and interfering, yet loving, head of the MacGregor family who wants to see his granddaughters Laura, Gwen, and Julia settled down, married and providing his wife (actually himself) with great grandchildren. So he finds them the ideal man and schemes to get them to fall in love.

Three nice stories:

a little humour, a little heartache

but I found the stories lacking in someway.

In both Laura's and Gwen's stories lacked the firework show at the end, the story ran along pleasantly and they all lived happily ever after with no real threat or danager, just the ambigouity of a general 'he loves me? he loves me not?'. In Julia's story, I put the book down twenty pages from the end and was in no hurry to pick it back up again. However, I connected with the characters, they were three unique heroines with three equally unique heros each one of them struggling to come to terms with falling in love and everything that entails and the story lines moved a long nicely.

Sitting on the fence with a non committal 3/5.

I enjoy her writing style, so I have decided to go on a quest to find a Nora Roberts novel that truly captivates me 100%. Any recommendations?

Erin

Read the poem Fighting A Losing Battle and more Poems written by Erin Cawood at erincawood.co.uk.

Reviews you may have missed

Cocktails For Three - Sophie Kinsella writing as Madeline Wickham
Digital Fortress - Dan Brown
Nora Roberts - Risky Business

Have You Seen My Christmas Tree?

2010-12-20T12:07:00.008Z

My beloved little angels, niece and twin nephews, had a decorate a christmas cake competition this year. It was for a fundraising event that got cancelled in the recent really bad weather. But the cakes were all sold and this is their entry.

Erin

Read the poem Fighting A Losing Battle and more Poems written by Erin Cawood at erincawood.co.uk.

And They Wonder Why I Want to Write? - Burrrrr!

2010-12-04T12:25:00.001Z

So here in the UK, where experience yet another really poor winter. Last year's winter was really bad with tempretures plummeting around the country for weeks on end. This year they're predicting the same. This snow is just going to keep coming.

So let me tell you a little bit more about how inconvenient this bout of snow is.

Remember how I had a cake to make and get to school for my niece and nephews? Well, I was called into work early because the buses were stopping running due to the ridiculous conditions. Traffic had come to a complete standstill and taxi services had completely stopped operating. I don't blame them. But I had to walk 2 mile in calf high snow that was only getting deeper to school carrying a cake then a further mile to work. And they closed the school on the day of the fair!

And they wonder why I'd rather be a writer, so I can work in my toasty warm home office and choose when I want to experience this weather. My God! My hair was frozen by the time I got to work it was that bloody freezing out there... Burrr!

Erin

A Review of Nanowrimo 2010

2010-12-02T09:40:00.000Z

My followers told me about NaNoWriMo in 2009. Its 30 days and 30 nights of literary abandonment. Anything goes as long as you hit a target of 50,000 words. Last years event bore the fruits of Devine Intervention, which has now developed in the last twelve months into a series. If I thought achieving this goal with a temporary promotion, additional responsibilities and very sick grandmother was easy in 2009 then surely 2010 was going to be a walk in the park.

Far from it. 2010's attempt at National Novel Writing Month hadn't even entered my head until the middle of October. I'd finished my redraft of Life's A Ball? and listening to a line in I think it was a Saturdays song and suddenly I had an idea for a character who worked the night shift and All Night Long was born. But I was days away from flying to Cuba and had decided to leave my netbook at home just incase I had any problems with the Cuban authorities.

I began All Night Long with nothing more than an idea for a character who worked the night shift in an airport bookstore and she was going to fall for a customer. Last year I learned that Freemind is the essential planning tool for something as crazy as writing a novel in 30 days. The month started well, I was fully rested from the holiday and had evening and weekends to myself I was well ahead of scheduled. But as we went into the second week I began working shifts and then suffered a migraines. Suddenly I was struggling to hit my daily target. The migraine set me back not only in terms of nanowrimo but also I don't get sick pay, and my performance against my targets are affected. I needed to put in the extra hours to catch up at work, earn back the loss of income... nano was becoming lower and lower on the list. by day 29 I'd suffered a second migraine and was 5,000 words off target. That's when I remembered I'd promised my niece and nephews a cake for their school fair.

Day 30, I'm up and I'm writing, a cool 2,000 words before I head to work for a 9pm finish, the first part of my lunch break was spent heading to the buy the ingrediants for both a christmas cake and a sponge cake. I still have know idea what I'm going to do until I'm standing at the cake and nut supplier in the market. That's when it hit me. I'm going to make a Christmas Tree. I get home at 9:10pm whip together the fruit cake ingrediants and almost die when I see it takes 4hours to cook. By now I have just over two and half hours to write 3,000 words. I've done it before I tell myself. 11:55pm: I update my status on the Nanowrimo website. My breath catches as I await the word calculator: I sigh with relief 50,033 words. But there's now rest for the wicked.... I've a sponge cake to bake, decorate and get to school by 12:00 noon tomorrow.

I got less than 5 hours sleep that night but I loved it! Bring on Nanowrimo 2011

Erin

Read the poem Fighting A Losing Battle and more Poems written by Erin Cawood at erincawood.co.uk.

Book of the Month: Cocktails for Three by Sophie Kinsella/Madeline Wickham

2010-11-22T18:22:00.074Z

Well, here's another author who never really appealed to me, but the world went Shopaholic crazy and I figured I'd give it ago and the intention was there to buy at least confessions of a shopaholic when I purposefully walked into a bookstore. But I found myself looking at "Cocktails for Three" Sophie Kinsella writing as Madeline Wickham.

Cocktails for Three: The Basics - Candice, Roxanne, and Maggie are completely different people and they each have a secret burden they try to hide. One is the fancy free and independant woman who has a secret yearning to no longer be the mistress but the wife. Another is an expertly organised magazine editor, whose talents don't help her struggles with life as a new mother. The last hides the guilt of a little girl trying to right the wrongs of her fathers doing. Three different women with three separate journeys. One friendship that blossomed over a monthly ritual of cocktails for three.

Hmm ... a different pen name usually means a different kind of novel.

So relaxing on the sun lounger by the pool in Cuba, and catching up on most of my reading. I dived into this easy going, not to light, not to serious novel that tackles some difficult life situations without trivalising them. I thoroughly enjoyed the story's twists and turns. But it was a little predictable at times.

Its a good read whether you're on a beach or just snuggling up with a good book. 4/5

Erin

Read the poem Fighting A Losing Battle and more Poems written by Erin Cawood at erincawood.co.uk.

Other Reviews you may have missed

Digital Fortess - Dan Brown
Risky Business - Nora Roberts
Partners - Nora Roberts

If Love Wasn't Measured In Flowers

2010-11-18T12:05:00.001Z

"If roses are red,

and violets are blue.

Then some time ago

I gave my heart to you.

But what if our love,

wasn't measured in flowers?

Would you measure it in

seconds, minutes or hours?"

Today is my anniversary with Paul. We've been together for 11 years. This year has been particularly difficult for both of us and we've had to hold each others hand and just be there through some excruiating times. The thing is ... I know these times are not over and they will continue into the new year. But today, today I write a poem for Paul. Just to let him know how much I love him.

Erin

Read the poem If Love Wasn't Measured in Flowers and more Poems written by Erin Cawood at erincawood.co.uk.

Book of the Month: Digital Fortress by Dan Brown

2010-11-02T20:00:00.002Z

Best Selling novelist Dan Brown never really appealed to me at all. What I knew of The Da Vinci Code I could write on the back of a postcard and still have room for the address. And to be honest, I knew enough as far as I was concerned. So imagine my surprise when, after I'd been forced to watch the movie (the things we do for love) I found that I had actually enjoyed it.

So there I was floating through a fantasy cloud that can only be found in an airport departure lounge when I stumbled across a buy one get one half price sale and Dan Brown. I indulged...

Digital Fortress is based around a secret invincible code breaking machine that incepts digital data breaks the code it is written in, reads the data and then lets it continue to it's destination. But when it encounters an unbreakable code the National Security Agency's head cryptographer, Susan Fletcher, must help find the solution before it cripples US Intelligence.
There is a lot of techno lingo in the beginning, it's a little mind blowing and because it is set in a world I have no concept of I found myselt wondering 'why are you telling me this?' However as the story progressed it becomes obvious. The details are well explained and by the time they become important I understood it.
There's a lot of twists and turns, when you think you've figured out the culprit you're wrong. It was exhilarating and I thoroughly enjoyed it. A little romance, a lot of suspence and I reckon it would appeal to both men and women regardless of your usual genre tastes.

Its a cracking read! 5/5

Erin

Read the poem Fighting A Losing Battle and more Poems written by Erin Cawood at erincawood.co.uk.

Reviews you may have missed

Nora Roberts - Risky Business
Nora Roberts - Partners
Lanetta J Sprott - Where Forever Begins

R & R Cuba - 2010

2010-10-30T21:21:00.000+01:00

After what I'd describe as probably one of the toughest years I've ever experienced Paul and I spent a huge chunk of my redundancy package on a much needed All Inclusive break in Varadero.

Now Paul and I booked a holiday in Cuba years ago. The long and short of it all is that after rescheduling it three times, there was a problem with the hotel just two week before we were flying and we ended up cancelling and spending New Year in Mexico instead. So when the last minute chance of a holiday in Cuba was handed to us on a plate. That's where we wanted to go... even if it was only for a week.

The ten hour flight was gruelling and it wasn't as immediately settling as either Mexico or Corfu, but still it was a million miles away from the world we live in and everything we've experienced in the past year.

Cuba itself is lovely, its surrounded by beautiful warm blue waters and actually white sand. But I have to say I was a little disappointed by Varadero. Its been built specifically for the tourists. They have this tourist buses that you can buy a hop-on/hop-off ticket for the day and believe me, you need it. The main stretch of Varadero centre is broken up over a very long distance and you could walk, but expect an early start and a late finish if you want to cover the whole stretch in one day. As for the night life, Varadero doesn't really wake up until about 10pm.

My holiday was relaxing and just what I needed to recharge my batteries and catch up on a lot of reading I've missed out on this year. And I do think that there is an element of high expectations from such a long awaited destination. So we've decided to go back to Cuba one day. But maybe not to Varadero.

Erin

Posts you may have missed

R & R Corfu 2009

Book of the Month: Risky Business By Nora Roberts

2010-09-17T14:20:00.040+01:00

For the last three days I've joined the ranks of the officially unemployed. My time at the insurance company came to an end this Monday and now I have time on my hands. For those of you who read my last review of Nora Roberts, you'll know I'm not yet convinced by all the hype. But I didn't pick up Risky Business because it was written by Nora Roberts. I bought Risky Business because it was set on the island of Cozumel, Mexico. If you know me well then you already know Mexico is one of my favourite places in the world and I've fond memories of my time in Playa del Carmen which overlooks the beautiful island of Cozumel.

Risky Busines: The Basics - When Liz's employee and lodger ends up sleeping with the fishes Jerry turns up asking questions about his twin brother's murder. Liz doesn't realise she is embroiled in the secret life Jonas lived until her life is threatened. As they embark on thier quest to learn what happened to Jonas Liz and Jerry are dragged into the criminal underworld and their own lives, and hearts, are put at risk.

For me, Risky Business was like being taken back on holiday

Already fondly connected with the setting of the novel I found myself easily slipping into the plot. I loved the contrast created between indentical twins Jerry and Jonas. The reason I stopped reading the standard Silouhette romance novels was that they all became a bit samey after the first hundred or two. The interesting thing about Risky Business I didn't see the twists in the plot coming. I actually enjoyed it!

Risky Business = 4\5

So far Nora Roberts has a thumbs down for Partners and thumbs up for Risky business. I guess maybe I'll have to go best 2 out of 3?

Erin

Posts you may have missed

Kiara Only Has One Eye - August 2010

Book of the Month: Partners by Nora Roberts - July 2010

Gernany 4 - England 1 - June 2010

A Fleeting Moment

2010-09-15T09:36:00.003+01:00

"For A Fleeting Moment you were by my side, Just a short comparison to this life long ride"

November 2007 I said goodbye to many of my friends in the Customer Retention Department and made a bold new step into the unknown world of Fleet Motor Insurance. Little was I to know this was where I was going to find a home. Somewhere I could work forever if my dreams of becoming a published author never panned out. I was happy, and when you have a psychogenic voice disorder being happy and comfortable in the place where you spend most of your life and with the people you spend most of your day with, is one of the most important aspects of avoiding reoccuring larengitis.

In my previous posts I've mentioned the looming threat of redundancy. Well, that day finally arrived and A Fleeting Moment is my tribute to a group of people who have been scattered into the big wide world like a starburst from the Fleet Department.

Erin

Read the poem A Fleeting Moment and more Poems written by Erin Cawood at erincawood.co.uk.

Kiara Only Has One Eye

2010-08-30T12:00:00.071+01:00

Kiara and I go way back. Way before I met Paul. I was sixteen when we met. It was after my granddad had passed away, only the second experience of death I'd ever had and within a year of losing my grandma too.

So there I was at my Dad's house playing with all the little kittens from a new litter. I don't remember how old they were at the time but they weren't old enough to leave their mum yet. And there she was. The most cutest thing I'd ever seen. She was all white and ginger and we connected instantly.

Kiara is my first pet, and by first pet I mean mine. Not the one my parents would ultimately end up looking after once the novelty wore off. But the one who would move house with me, and snuggle up with me, and make me feel better when I'm feeling down. She is mine. And soon Sasha, my tortishell and white cat, followed to keep her company.

So I'm going to fast forward through the next twelve years ...... where Kiara only ever snuggles up with me to sit between Paul and I on the sofa, or she wonders off during the summer and the only time I see her is when she wants food. Not to mention this annoying little habit she has of only ever wanting in or out of the house when we we're eating... why on earth I haven't buought a cat flap I will never know..... oh and nicking my brand new fluffy slippers, you know the ankle boots that have been all the rage this past winter, and carrying them around like babies ....and I'm bringing you to only a few weeks ago.

Kiara couldn't move her back legs, Paul rushed her to the vets and she had a clot in the main artery of her spine. They managed to sort her out but she's got a heart condition which means she's living on borrow time. If it ever happened again... the kindest thing to do would be to let her go.

Yesterday I couldn't find her. She was hiding in the shelving unit sleeping on my suede knee high boots with the five and a half inch heels, at least someone found them comfortable. She looked up at me, she meowed and then she went to get up, except she could move her back legs. She yelped when I picked her up. And I knew... today was the day she'd get her other eye back. Today was the day she went to kitty heaven.

Erin

Book of the Month: Partners by Nora Roberts

2010-07-16T13:00:00.179+01:00

Since my sister and my best friend have been reading my novels they've been telling me how fabulous Nora Roberts is. My sister is more into the J.D Robb novels but isn't she the same writer after all? I don't think theres anyone else's novels I actively see when I'm out and about. Now I don't know if this is my psyche going "ooh look Nora Roberts!". But I do think its entirely possible that the novelist critically acclaimed to be the most successful romance writer of our time could actually be everywhere. So I thought I'd give it a go...

Partners: The Basics - Southern belle Laurel doesn't like Yankee Matthew. Matthew's been hiding his true feelings for Laurel for years. When Laurel has to work on a story with Matthew she's determined to keep him at a professional distance. Laurel and Matthew end up stirring up trouble which leads them into several life threatening events broken up by their sexual chemistry and developing romance until the finale.

I'm far from impressed.

Nora Roberts is a literary genius. She must be.

What am I missing?

Yes I'd been drawn into the romance between Laurel and Matthew long enough to finish the novel. Their plight to investigate a sinister claim of wrongful death from a breaved sister was leading the pair into danager, heightening their wrought emotional experiences to the point of making errors in judgements that felt right when really they were supposed to be wrong. But isn't this the reason I stopped reading Sillouhettes / Mills & Boon / Harlequin? They're all a little but same old same old.

As an aspiring author myself I feel awful for slating the hard work that another author has put into their novel.... So I guess it just wasn't for me.

Partners = 2/5

Erin

Germany 4 - 1 England - An Overenthuastic Underdog's Story.

2010-06-27T19:01:00.003+01:00

What kind of a football fan would I be if I at least didn't mention the biggest football competition in the world?

I admit that I couldn't bear to see the score line (Germany 2-0 England) at 33 minutes and escaped into my writing space to block out the impending doom. Only to rush back to the family television after hearing the roaring cheers of the people living on my estate. I then tortured myself in front of the television until 86 minutes before I stormed off muttering "not gonna score 3 goals in 3 minutes". Once upstairs I, of course, brought up the game on the Internet and watched until the end.

With the final whistle having blown as I look over the facebook/twitter status of my friends and family I can see, hear, feel the disappointment in their hearts, or maybe it's my own. After a month like the one I have had, a week in hospital, two further weeks off work and not making it through to the last stage of the BWA 2010 I think to myself, my chances of winning something that will rocket my writing career is as likely as England winning the world cup. How depressing!

It makes you what to give up and throw everything you have into Plan B.

My Plan B is my 9-5. Its a decent monthly income, I work with and for some fantastic people, and surprisingly I enjoying what I do. But I've recently been informed that due a restructure of the very large corporation I work for my job is at threat. So what if there isn't a Plan B?

I adore the process of writing. I'm so passionate about the worlds that I can create inside my mind. I get quite worried when my characters refuse to speak with me. I live, eat, sleep, and breath my writing with only one thing having a position above it (My family) It makes me wonder, if there is ever a right time to give Plan A everything you have?

Erin

Posts you may have missed ....

Poetry by Erin Cawood-May 2010
Fictionworld-March 2010
Climbing Up A Steep Hill Wearing Roller Skates - February 2010

Check out the Competition New Updates - February 2010

Competition New Updates - BWA Unpublished 2010

2010-06-22T20:13:00.001+01:00

Well I finally learned my fate with the Brit Writers Award Unpublished 2010. I fell at the last fence and didnt make the final. While yes I am gutted about this, I am incredibly inspired to continue to enter competitions as this was the first competition I have entered and due to the fierce competition of the poetry category the organisers delayed the announcement of the results not once but twice. Out of over 21,000 entries to nine categories my entry made it through to the 3rd round and the last 1,500. This I am happy with.

Erin

http://www.erincawood.co.uk/

Does Anyone Else Have a Permanent Case of the Munchies?

2010-06-05T13:45:00.000+01:00

I'm sorry, you probably don't want to hear about my two month long attack of the munchies. But because my blog is about what a creative writer does when they're not creative writing, well I thought I'd share.

I am permanently eating!

I'm used to sitting at my desk all day with eating patterns that range from one end of the spectrum to the other. Some days I am so absorbed into fictionworld that if my lovely other half didnt make food for me then I'd never eat. Other days, while still completely absorbed I can munch my way through an entire pack of Rich Tea, Walker's Thai Sweet Chilli crisps (share size), a family bag of Cadbury's chocolate eclaires, Wine Gums, Fruit Bon Bons and I have been known to eat a 200g bar of Galaxy Chocolate with Caramelised Hazelnut faster than a normal 50g bar.... Mmm .... caramelised hazelnut ! ! ! and on occasions I can do ALL OF THIS this in just one day. Oooh, for those of you looking at the previous list and cringing at the fat content, I also munch away on Cherries, Grapes, Strawberries, Dried fruit... I love banana chips and dried mango, and I adore fresh pinapple chunks.

So I short ... I permanently have the munchies!

Erin

Read Poetry, Short Stories and Free Novel Extracts by Erin Cawood Online Now!

Post you may have missed...

Inside My Writing Space - Free E Book - April 2010

Maybe Fairytales Don't Come True - March 2010

Check Out My New Look! - February 2010

Poetry by Erin Cawood

2010-05-25T19:15:00.001+01:00

Lost WithoutYou

There are times when you feel the sky start to fall,
There are times when you feel you can't cope with it all.
There are times when you feel this great big hole,
A massive void formed from the life that was stole.

There are moments that will defy all time and space,
There are moments that will tear through life's delicate lace.
There are moments that you'll feel you're all alone
You have to stand tall and be strong like bone.

There are times when you'll feel lost in the rain,
There are times when you'll feel nothing but pain.
There are times when you'll feel it will never end
That no one understands or you've lost you're only friend

There are moments in life that will put you to the test,
There are moments in life that you'll learn who's best.
There are moments in life they'll be there to support you,
They'll hold out their hand in these times that are blue.

So look to the sky and see its still high above,
And find strength in the hand of someone you love.
Take comfort from the memories of the happy times you had,
Because they will help you through these times that are sad.

Erin

Read poetry online at erincawood.co.uk

Competition News ! ! ! Brit Writers' Award 2010

2010-05-11T19:02:00.000+01:00

Hi All

I'm through to the 3rd round! ! !

Again, I am utterly surprised that I've made it through. Out of over 21,000 entries my poetry collection "We Live, We Love, We Lose" is in the last 1,500 entries that are left across the 9 categories.

There 1 more round of judging before the 4 finalists are announced - so I will keep you up to date.

Erin

Erin's Book Shelf: Where Forever Begins... By Lanetta J Sprott

2010-04-30T19:03:00.006+01:00

I take great pleasure in introducing you to Jane Dodson and Thomas Flynn from Lanetta J. Sprott's historical romance Where Forever Begins.

Jane is a twenty three years old school teacher from Magnolia. Her father, along with her mother, runs the local store and her sister is married to Samuel Cox, a local bespoke carpenter. Jane's life is a simple one, and she doesn't complain about the lack of excitement brought on by the absence of the big city. In fact, Jane finds contentment in her small town life and the children she teaches mean the world to her.

Fortunate to find himself in a place of financial freedom, former Union Army Sergent Thomas Flynn finds comfort in his solitude. His accomplished much in his short life, including becoming a lawyer, traveling across America on a journey of self discovery and coming home to Boston to life of excitement chasing the most evil of evil men, as part of the Secret Service.

When Jane travels to Boston, a mission on behalf of her father's business, she mistakenly lands in the doorway of special agent Thomas Flynn's office. It seems they are struck by love at first sight but their brief encounter leaves both yearning to meet again and yet neither in the position of being able to contact the other.

Where Forever Begins is a magical story of finding love and Lanetta J. Sprott creates a wonderful web of interconnecting storylines similar to those found in blockbuster movies such as Love Actually and Crash. I found Lanetta's first novel a fascinating love story hindered by family, friends, long distance and work commitments. Once passed the first few pages I found that I couldn't put the book down and when I had to, I was eager to pick it back up. I felt sorrow when tragedy struck and rejoiced in both Jane's and Thomas's happiness. As a true romantic at heart I was longing for Jane and Thomas's to find Where Forever Begins.

Oh and did I mention ... Where Forever Begins is set in the late 1800's.

Other Great Reads By Lanetta J Sprott include Finding Closure.

Erin

One Day I'll Write A Novel ...

2010-04-29T23:28:00.005+01:00

Imagine you're standing in front of a mirror. C'mon indulge me for a second ... you'll see where I'm going with this soon enough... I would tell you to close your eyes but theres an obvious problem here... you can't read this with your eyes closed, hahaha!

So where was I? ...Oh yes! You're standing in front of a floor length mirror. Imagine you're wearing your favourite outfit, your hair is perfect, you're skin is radianting with the natural glow of summer, imagine how you're feeling in that moment.

Now imagine you've left the room and you literally run into someone who can only be described as a divine specimen of the human race. In that moment as your shoulders clash and the force of the blow, mixed with your parents insistance that you will grow up with manners, you twist around to apologise... in that one second when your eyes meet and you whisper a few courteous words... you realise that Mr/Mrs "Sex on Legs" has completely, totally, and utterly just undressed you with their eyes. I want you to imagine how incredible that feels.

Hold on to that feeling while l bring you to my point ...

"They", whoever they are, says that everyone has a book in them. There are many people who say they would love to write a novel. When I tell people that I am writing a novel the admiration, respect and support from people whom I least expected it from is sometimes overwhelming. It amazes me that so few of us actually do it. Why?

When taking on this challenge, no matter what is promised to you by others, there are no cheats in this industry. There are no quick fixes or magic formulas. There are, however, people who can tweak the recipe and there are people who can teach, and there are also people who may not teach but you can learn from anyway. There is a vast encyclopedia out there ready to help you turn your problem potion into to a magic spell just ready to be cast. You can touch the rest of the world with written word. But ultimately its you, sitting in a lonely room, typing away and creating a fictional world that you hope people will enjoy.

The deeper you travel in your imaginary world, the more you will want to be there. The more your characters come to life the more intricate everything has to become. Even the most outrageous fantasies need to be realistic and believeable. Suddenly, what was once an enjoyable hobby is a massive time consuming, thought provoking, tears and tantrums creating war against the dream of becoming a published writer. Sounds like hard work, doesn't it?

Maybe this is why people don't write novels. Maybe this is why people make their excuses and never get around to writing. Well, I have something to say to all those who say they'd love to write a book, but never do.

1) Forget about the planning, forget about the characteristics, and forget about what everyone else tells you about how you should write.

2) Sit yourself down, somewhere you're alone and without distractions - maybe a little chill out tracks playing at a low volume, if that works for you - and dont forget that all important something to write with.

3) Just let go. I mean it, forget everything you've ever been told about everything. JUST LET IT ALL FLOAT AWAY AND FREE YOUR MIND.

Now put pen to paper, or fingers to the keyboard and let your inspiration go for a walk into fictionworld.

This is your imagination, you can go wherever, whenever, however, with whoever and do whatever you want to... If you want to jump off the Eiffel Tower without a parachute and survive you can... (please do not try that in the real world ... its not recommended!) But if you can come up with a plausable explanation, lets say your character has the power to burst into rain and reform unharmed from the puddle the water droplets he or she makes. Then surely, anything is possible?

I'm not going to profess that I have all the answers in the world of writing, I'm no JK, William, or even a published writer, but I don't need to be to tell you that despite all of the nightclubs, theme parks and extreme sports in this world, and no matter how many times the god-like divine specimen undresses you with their eyes... do you still remember how that feels after all this time? No...? Well it feels like your floating on air and can accomplish anything.

I don't think you'll find another adrenaline pumping, thrill seeking confidence buidling emotional rollercoaster better than the one you can create with your mind.

As for the rest of it...? Well, you can worry about later.

Erin

Go on ... I challenge you to release the writer within ... if you dare!

Competition Updates - Brit Writers Awards 2010

2010-04-15T20:21:00.002+01:00

Hi All,

Back in February I entered a collection of five poems into the Brit Writers' Awards Unpublished 2010. The collection is called "We Live, We Love, We Lose" and begins with the inspirational poem Only You, then the life poem Insomnia, and the two love poems The Crush, You Won't See Me Cry, and finanlly the poem about the loss of a loved one Gorgeous As Always.

Its been about 6 weeks since the closing date and I've just recieved an email from the Brit Writers' Awards which informs me the the first round of judging has been completed and that

my entry has been selected to go through to the next round.

I am over the moon!

Erin

You can read these five poems by downloading my free poetry e-book Inside My Writing Space from my website.

FREE E BOOK !

2010-04-01T17:36:00.000+01:00

Over the last twelve months I have written some cracking poetry. This poetry has been on my website and my facebook/scribd and goodreads pages for everyone to read, I've had some fantastic feedback, made wonderful new friends.

Now I find myself in a place where I no longer have the room on my site to share these poems. With the release of A Fairytale Ending and the launch of The Pink Ribbon Collection getting nearer I need to focus on growing the free novel extracts and buy books on line area of my site.

So to all my loyal readers out there I am offering you the opportunity to Download for Free a copy of Inside My Writinf Space - Poety Collection 2010.

Inside My Writing Space includes the fun Romantic Poem "The Crush", the heartfelt "Gorgeous As Always" and the inspirational "Only You" and 11 eleven more poems, including a behind the scenes explanation of where the poems came from and my thoughts on poetry.

Download your free copy of Inside My Writing Space here.

Erin

Download Inside My Writing Space - Poetry Collection 2010 at erincawood.co.uk.

YAY I'm writing again!

2010-03-14T17:17:00.002Z

My week started with the first chapter in Life's A Ball?'s taking a dramatic twist ... the male lead Adam was about to say something incredibly profound ... its such a shame I wasn't able to hear him. The muse's return was only brief and now I'm back to playing with my website.

If you haven't checked out my site recently ... and by recently I mean in the last twenty four hours... then you should because it has new dynamic features.

Email Me! The new "email me" form makes contacting me easier than ever! Just pop your message on to the email form in the Contact Erin Page and press send. Your email is sent straight to me, without being stored on any third party servers and the great thing about modern technology is that your email will be delivered direct to my mobile phone so I'll get it wherever I am ... as long as I have a signal!

Erin Cawood Direct ... Keeping up with blog posts, website updates and news is also easier than ever! Just opt in to receive the newsletter and when anything changes it will be delivered direct to your inbox. The opt in form is on my home page!

I love it when my writing touches the hearts of my readers. I've had some really wonderful comments from readers on my Facebook Fan Page (theres a link on the left hand side). Fab Feedback is great and none has made me feel more proud than that given by Lanetta J Sprott a fellow author from Texas.

Lanetta J Sprott will be at Bloomin Fest (Somewhere in Texas) on the 3rd April 2010 to promote her books. (Where Forever Begins by Lanetta is a great read if anyone likes historical romances: Definate 5/5) Where the inspirational "Only You" will be available from her stall!

And finally ...

After much coersion and arm twisting (haha!) I am currently in the process of creating a free to download collection of poetry. Inside My Writing Space should be available by the end of March ... more to come on that later this month!

Erin

Fictionworld

2010-03-10T15:00:00.002Z

Everyone has somewhere ... a place where you don't have to travel far to go. A place that relaxes you.

Its a place that no matter what is happening around you, good bad or ugly, you can escape and find yourself lost in it's calming peace and serenity.

For an artist a simple brush stroke may take hours. For someone who loves to read ... you may find yourself captivated by characters with the real world all but forgotten about as you experience their epic journey because someone like me has found themselves lost in creating that story. This place ... My place... I call Fictionworld.

Erin

Read Poems written by Erin Cawood at erincawood.co.uk.

Gorgeous As Always & To Be As Big As Mama

2010-03-06T14:00:00.000Z

The Unknown Ending was about how I felt during the last twelve months of my grandmother's life. She bounced back from the edge three times in that year and I never really knew whether "this was it". No one did.

When my grandmother passed away earlier this year, once again I turned to my poetry to express how I felt about losing her. I wanted to give a reading at her funeral and to read something that meant as much to me as she did.

I intended to re write The Unknown Ending now I had the answers to "unanswered questions" But at times like these, when we're walking down memory lane we end up remembering the good times. A funeral is a celebration of someone's life and To Be As Big As Mama is the result of the all the great memories I have of my grandmother.

After her funeral, I still intented to re write The Unknown Ending. But it didnt seem to matter how I tried it simply wouldn't change. As a writer, sometimes you have to accept that tweaking will only make it worse. So I gave up the re write and started something new. Something deeper that would express how much death can truly affect us.

Writing has always been a form of personal therapy for me and Gorgeous As Always is the result of truly connecting with my feelings over my Grandmother's passing.

Erin

Read the poem Gorgeous As Always and To Be As Big As Mama at erincawood.co.uk.

Maybe Fairytale Don't Come True!

2010-03-03T15:00:00.000Z

Several years ago I returned to college to complete my A Levels. I work full time and I chose to study full time. It was the hardest thing I have ever had to do and I looked towards my loved ones whenever I needed a confidence boost. The responses I got were not inspiring nor were they what I needed to hear. I was ready to give up and my struggle on this path came very close to throwing eighteen months of incredibly hard work down the drain when one of them said to me:

"Maybe fairytale don't come true!"

What was I to do? Was I to accept my life is not in my hands? Am I to believe what I want means nothing in the grand scheme of things? Not a chance!

This is my life. I will do what I want with it!

There are some people in this world who do not believe that you are in control of your destiny. Where there is an element of fate, or divine intervention... or whatever it is you may believe in, there is something to be gained from "regret what you have done and not what you haven't" - For I now believe that shoulda, coulda and woulda are only excuses.

There is something incredibly powerful from the self confidence gained by believing "You can achieve anything you put your mind to" - Life is hard. Life is a constant battle to get where you want to be. No matter who is there for you, what they can do for you, at the end of the day there will almost always be someone or something standing in your way. Your army can not do this for you and it may come down to you against the rest of the world.

So when my older sister decided that she wanted to change her life by returning to college. I knew that at some point on this path towards her dream she would begin to feel alone, like no one else could understand and she would need some form of inspiration to continue when she wanted to give up and go back to the way things were.

Only You is about believeing in yourself, its about believeing that whatever "it" may be... "it" is worth fighting for and Only You can fight for it.

You are in control as long as you believe in "Only You".

Erin

p.s. My sister carries this poem wherever she takes her college folder. Its stuck to the inner side.

CHECK OUT MY NEW LOOK ! ! !

2010-02-27T13:32:00.001Z

What do you get if you cross an author, photosensitivity, and an absent muse?

A new website!

On the morning of Feb 1st I woke up with the most excruciating migraine I've ever experienced in my life! My attempt to attend the 9-5 ended at 8:55 when I walk into the office, turned around and walked back out! For the next 3 weeks my symtoms kept me away from the real world.

Week1 ... except for the visit to the doc, was spent in bed and contact with the outside world was made though the wonderful technology supplied by Blackberry internet.

Week2 ... spent hidding in a darkened room, without TV, Music, or noise in general. Thankfully I had my computer and my social networks to stop me from going insane without human contact. (Thank you to all who helped)

Week3 ... Although I attempted a return to work. I was still too ill to survive there and ended up back in the darkened silent room for another week ... except by this time my muse had chosen to escape the boredom and abandoned me in hope of finding something more entertaining.

Oh woe was me! I'm not a person who does boredom very well ... I'm a watching TV while surfing the web and reading a book kind of girl ... hence I usually spend my free time writing. Without my inspiration I am lost. So ...out with the old and in with the new....

erincawood.co.uk has been given a fabulous makeover and I'd love to know your thoughts ! ! !

Erin

Climbing Up a Steep Hill Wearing Roller Skates

2010-02-13T12:43:00.001Z

As an unpublished author I find that touching the world with the written word is sometimes like climbing up a steep hill while wearing rollerskates.

Constructive criticism is what helps a good writer to grow into a fantastic writer and getting feedback from readers is hard work, no one wants to hurt your feelings. I love my friends and family and wouldn't be able to do what I do without their love and support. But for every 1 reader who will ask a question or give me a reason why they don't like it, there are 25 more who will either say they loved it or won't say anything at all. I have a small following at the moment and finding new readers is hard work.

I joined a fan page on Facebook a few months, and to be honest I didnt pay much attention at all. It's called Premium Promotional Tips for Writers and it promotes a book of the same name written by Jo-Anne Vandermeulen. Well, the fan page posted something yesterday that caught my eye and off I went, sidetracked from writing Life's A Ball yet again, to read the sneak peek.

I was surprised to find in such a short extract 3 points that A; I never thought of myself and B; I could actually do myself.

So now I find myself on a mission to find new readers with 3 new strategies in my tool kit. The book itself is on my wishlist until payday, when I look forward to discovering more ways of promoting my writing and finding new readers.

Erin

Romantic Love Poetry

2010-01-21T08:00:00.004Z

Falling in love ... It happens to the best of us, it happens to the worst of us, and eventually it will happen for the rest us.

Love is such a powerful emotion. It can make you laugh, it can make you cry, it varies in strength from situation to situation and within each relationship the bond is different from person to person.

Do you remember falling in Love. There's something special about that first initial feeling. It's such a buzz and it's so different to anything else. The Crush is all about the discovery of this excitement and it's almost addictive nature when your just embarking on the first few steps of relationship.

Maybe the person you're in love with has no idea how you feel. Who hasn't been there? Whether it was the teen superstar that you idolised over or the boy in school that had you obsessed. Maybe she she sits in the seat opposite you on train? We've all been there at somepoint in our lives. Fighting a Losing Battle is about longing. It's about hoping for that one person who just to acknowledge you exist.

Maybe you're relationship is years down the road and you're still happy. Seasons of Love is all about the changes that happen within a relationship. Its a metaphorical look at the way relationships develope. It almost like the cycle of seasons.
But love isn't all happiness and smiles. Sometimes when the road is just too tough and love can't conquer everything its difficult for a relationship to last You Won't See Me Cry is about a relationship break up.

Romantic Poetry is written from the heart and its for that someone special. The One And for me, romantic and love poetry is all about expressing every side of love. The good, The bad and the damn right ugly.

Erin

Read the poem Romantic Love Poetry at erincawood.co.uk

Death Poetry

2010-01-11T21:28:00.002Z

When the unwelcomed heart shattering loss of a love one strikes within our lives, we fail to see the bigger picture; Death is simply a part of the circle of life. We feel the pain from the loss of our loved one. Left with so many unanswered questions we sometimes have to force ourselves to attend to this grief and although this is an incredibly difficult process, but without grief there can be no comfort.

The loss of my Grandmothers, eleven years apart, both struck cords so deep inside me. My Grandma died when I was 16, I'd never lost anyone before. It was the first time I'd experienced death, but also witnessed my family experience this too. Grandma is my younger self's tribute to my Grandma. My Mama died recently and during the last 12 months of her life I experienced something I'd never had before either; Preparation for the inevitable. The Unknown Ending took over six months to complete and only found its finalized draft and new title once the all the questions had been answered. When she passed away.

Life's Longest Mile, is a tribute to friends who both died within two days of each other, one a couple of years older than me, the other a couple of years younger then me.

It's not easy to swim inside the subconcious mind. To find the words as they formulate into thoughts about death. But only when we allow those subconscious thoughts flow freely can we begin to face the loss of that loved one. Death Poetry has been established in many cultures, religious practices and is present throughout history. To put pen to paper and create death poetry is an ancient practice to better understand the loss of a loved one.

Erin

Read the poems Death Poetry written by Erin Cawood at erincawood.co.uk.

Taking A Walk Down Memory Lane

2009-12-12T13:48:00.001Z

Once I discovered romance I would spend hours reading and writing about it. I was, and in some respects still am, a bit of a loner. I like to spend my time with the people I love I'm not a great fan of crowded places and once people go passed the drunk but still fun point of drinking, I find them intolerable. So I'm probably not the best person to go out night clubbing with! Ha-ha!

So when its freezing outside, like it is today ... and when I feel completely burnt out by the whole process of NaNoWriMo ... Like I do today ... and when I've done all the updates to my website that I possibly can, like I have today .... and I can't possibly spend the whole weekend veg-ing in front of the TV, like I did last weekend ... What can I do?

Then it hit me -or rather I almost broke my toe on it- I can take a walk down memory lane!

No I'm not going crazy! I have a box under my desk that most of the time is a foot rest during the countless hours I spend writing away. Inside this box, is a whole compendium of stories written by my younger self over ten years ago.

So whilst I'm stuck for inspiration for either Divine Intervention or Bridgewater Falls, I'm going to read, possibly publish works of yester year.

Erin

NaNoWriMo - Summary

2009-12-04T16:15:00.005Z

"Throw all caution to the wind" they say. National Novel Writer's Month is about not having to worry about the technical processes that are required in novel writing.

This is the first time I've done NaNoWriMo and I've followed the advice handed out by the many people out there. I spent a month planning my novel Divine Intervention. In fact I spent so much time preparing and planning that I thought if I didn’t stop planning, my plans would become the story.

Yet once the time came, and I set my alarm for six a.m. Sunday 1st November 2009, found it incredibly difficult to write the novel. The first few thousand words just rolled off the mind and puff ... it was all gone and I suddenly felt this incredible pressure. I had to write 50,000 words in the next 30days.

Beyond my writing space my life was a little crazy anyway, I was about to start a temporary promotion at work and I knew that towards the end of the month there would be little time left to write.

I guess you could say I - like many other people - am afraid of failure. My refusal to fail at National Novel Writing Month has turned Divine Intervention into unspeakable mess, the voice of Gabrielle is bland, and her exciting life as a guardian angel is not so riveting. My secondary characters are flat and my hero, Kyle, he would cower in a corner crying "please don’t hit me" if you some much as raised your voice at him. ...

Mmm.... A lot of work to do I guess. (Ha-ha understatement!)

On reflection, where I haven't enjoyed the pressure of getting up at 5:30 writing for an hour before going to work, working sometimes almost 12 hours and then coming home to write some more ... I have learnt that I am not a planner when it comes to writing. Knowing my characters strengths and their flaws, knowing their mannerisms and their lives inside out at the beginning doesn’t work for me. My characters grow with the plot and it's their growth that shapes the narrative voice.

I have plans for Divine Intervention. I am caught between two choices of “for whom? And where?” for what I do with it when the novel is completed. I’ll be looking at this from a business prospective rather that a creative prospective and once the audience and market is decided, Gabrielle and Kyle’s story will begin again.

Erin

Visit My Website

Introducing Divine Intervention

2009-11-30T12:16:00.000Z

After a false start as Agent of Divine Intervention caring for those at the point of life or death, Gabrielle is a gifted guardian angel who specializes in finance and employment, soaring towards the top of the career tree where she will become the agent responsible for recruitment and training. It is imperative that Gabrielle closes her latest two cases if she is to beat her closest revival Portia.

When Gabrielle has an unexpected connection to Kyle Alexander, a widowed father at risk of losing his daughters to social services, the office of Divine Intervention are caught unaware and no one can understand why Kyle is turning to Gabrielle for help.

An on-the-spot decision leads Gabrielle to abandon her clients and embark on her new role as a nanny for Kyle’s two adorable little girls. But soon Gabrielle begins to realise that all is not right with her new found client. Her insights to Kyle go beyond the walls of privacy and take Gabrielle somewhere she’s never been before.

Gabrielle must realise where Kyle is taking her before it is too late, if she doesn’t the temptation of Kyle Alexander will surely mean this immortal agent will have to face the angel of death.

Erin

From Mystice Mayhem to Divine Intervention

2009-10-31T23:03:00.048Z

"Changes are a foot ... well anyone who's seen the amount of shoes in my drawers at work could tell you that! theres erm ... a red pair, a white pair, a black pair, a purple pair. But if I'm going into new areas of my life then I guess I should buy a new pair! Mmm.... My stars told me to buy a new pair of shoes... I like it!"

I still find it a little bit strange that I can be in the middle of one novel and find inspiration for another one. There have been several "spin offs" from the Bridgewater Falls series that have entertained my mind for countless hours before I decided to put them to one side and most probably forget about them. But Mystic Mayhem just wouldn't go away. Its been patiently sat for almost 8 months waiting for the perfect opportunity to become centre stage and it all started back in March with the above quote.

I began thinking about a character who read her horoscope for the first time at 9 years old and was warned "beware of the storm ahead" and a few days later was caught up in the weatherman predicted "non-hurricane" of 1988. Lucky to survive the roof blowing off of the family home, Abigail becomes known as "Storm" (Abigail = Gail = Storm). Now some 20 odd years later she lives her life by what is predicted in her horoscopes.

Storm was never intended to be the main character, she was suppose to be the cooky BFF of the main character, Olivia, and Storm's obsession with horoscopes and predicting the future are having an bizarre real-life effect on the main character. Hence, the first title Mystic Mayhem.

But Storm seemed to want something more, something deeper, and during one of several researching sessions I stumbled upon a website about Guardian Angels. Suddenly the cooky BFF was lost and Gabrielle Taylor, an agent of Divine Intervention emerged.

Erin

National Novel Writing Month is a perfect opportunity for me to explore Gabrielle's story further. Keep up to date with my NaNoWriMo progress by Visiting my profile or go to my wedsite to learn more about Devine Intervention at erincawood.co.uk.

R & R Corfu 2009

2009-10-18T17:06:00.009+01:00

The Greek Island of Corfu (KerKrya) has to be one of my favourite holiday destinations. After a week in Sidari in June 2008, I couldn't turn down the opportunity to go again this October.

There's something about driving through Corfu that's relaxing, and it's certainly not the crazy Greek drivers or the mountainous roads that have almost vertical drops at the edge of the tarmac and no barriers.

As a non driver, I love being able to look down at the stunning views. The road winds it way through the green olive trees broken up only by the dotting of buildings as the mountain seems to reach down to touch the turquoise sea.

The resort of Sidari, I don't love as much as Playa del Carmen, Maya Riviera, Mexico (My #1 holiday destination). But there's something about Corfu, and Sidari, that makes me want to go back time and time again. It seems to be one strip of bars restuarants and gift shops, nestled with grocery shops supplying the locals with what they need. The beautiful thing about Sidari is that it is completely untouched by the necessities of the modern world. There are internet cafe's if you need them, there are cash machines and telephones if you need them, there's even a 1 hour laundrette and a photo shop if you need them, but there's a lack of McD's, Subway, Greggs, BK, Starbucks, etc that seems to have taken over the rest of the world. And it's this that gives Sidari that extra something special and visiting the north of Corfu has this tranquility about it that makes you instantly unwind. I slip into the relaxed pace and just start to love every moment of my holiday from start to finish.

Hotel Corfu Andromeda is amazing! It's the 2nd time I've visited this hotel and it was just as good the second time around if not better! The owner, Billy is friendly and fun, he never forgets a face and welcomed us with open arms like we were old friends. For self catering accommodation the rooms are spacious and we were provided with what we needed if we chose to eat inside our apartment. But the restaurant/bar on the complex had a great choice. We ate there for breakfast, before heading out for the mornings wandering (normally landing on either Sidari or Roda beach and ate lunch every day before enjoying the hottest part of the day around the super sparkling pool area at the andromeda. We ate dinner here 4 out of the 7 nights too. The 1st out of pure convenience and 3 because Billy's mama makes the most amazing greek food I have ever tasted. If I could have snuck her in my suitcase I'd have brought her home for the winter.

Kassioppi is a little fishing harbour and is absolutely beautiful. If you're interested in sight seeing you can walk among the ruins of Kassiopi Castle and the top ramparts offer an excellent view of the Albanian coastline.

We spent a lot of our time on Roda beach because it was nicer than Sidari beach. Corfu was badly hit by storms the week before we arrived and the sea around Sidari was murkier and there was more sea weed than there was on Roda beach. I'm cautious of not being able to see my feet in the sea and I hate the sinking feeling of sand. Normally I wouldn't go any deeper than my calves. But I was shoulder deep at one point and could still see the bottom.

Canal D'amour is just at the bottom of Sidari. Once your passed all the shops bars and restaurants and on the beach, there's a little path snuck within the hedges. The path leads to the cliffs and beautful rock formations from hundreds of years of sand stone layers and sea level changes. Most of my pictures were taken in Canal D'amour.

My writing took a back seat for a little while, and although I took my book with me I only looked at it once. I got inspiration for a poem called Warnings from Misty Mornings, but I was interrupted and never went back to it. I have my notes for it though and when the inspiration to rhyme again arrives I'm sure I'll finish it. The saddest part of any holiday is coming home, we sat on the balcony watching an amazing thunder and lightning storm roll in over the horizon and made plans to go back again next year.

Nine months to go and I can't wait!

Erin

It's All About Change

2009-10-05T09:30:00.002+01:00

October throws me back into a time of collecting horse chestnuts for playing conkers, or throwing handfuls of sycamore seeds into the air and watching them spiral their way to the ground like little helicopters.

It’s that time of year again where we bundle up the summer blankets in favour of the thicker warmer quilts. We dig into the back of closets and pull out the winter wardrobe and we wake up the heating system from its lazy summer sleep.

It’s that time of year where the world around us begins to change day by day right before our very eyes. The skies are a hive of activity as the birds begin to gather and migrate. The deer begin the annual rutting season and the trees turn from a wash of green to a splattering of red, oranges and yellows as the temperature plummets from summer warmth to cold enough to see your breath.

It’s that time of year again where the country goes a little pink crazy in support of breast cancer awareness month and the kids are doubly spoiled not only enjoy their first holiday of the new school year but also kicking off the run up to the festive period with a little trick or a lot of treats.

Even the time changes and we gain an extra hour of precious sleep as the clocks go back to signal the end of British Summer Time. Yes, its that time of year again. It’s autumn.

For me, This October is all about change. The shortening of day light hours means I am no longer able to walk to and from work. The month starts with a change of pace from my usually hectic life with a week of R&R. I’ll also be trading in all of my additional duties at the nine to five and refocusing on my long term goals.

The biggest change for the writer in me is the move away from my current work in progress (The Bridgewater Falls Series) for the next couple of months. I have finished Life’s A Ball (Book 2) and aim to strengthen the story by taking a step back, focusing my attention elsewhere for a little while and then go back to see what problems lie beneath.

In the meantime, I will be focusing up on the National Novel Writers Month. I will be taking part in NaNoWriMo and challenging my self to write a 50,000 words (175 pages) novel within the 30 days of November. October is the chance for me to work out the plot and the characters of what is currently known as Mystic Mayhem.

You can keep up to date with my NaNoWriMo progress here.

Erin

More about Mystic Mayhem at erincawood.co.uk.