tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12997487574743861242024-03-14T04:03:04.975-07:00Script AlchemyAnnelisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18404801255562567591noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1299748757474386124.post-49758135275702257212023-07-27T09:15:00.003-07:002023-07-27T09:18:43.922-07:00<h2 style="text-align: left;"><b>It's time for every single person's vote to count. Please sign:</b></h2><script src="https://actionnetwork.org/widgets/v3/petition/sign-the-petition-for-proportional-representation?format=js&source=widget&referrer=[object Object]"></script><div id="can-petition-area-sign-the-petition-for-proportional-representation" style="width: 100%;"><!--this div is the target for our HTML insertion--></div>Annelisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18404801255562567591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1299748757474386124.post-13124232614776410222019-04-28T05:34:00.000-07:002019-04-28T05:34:11.398-07:00Sometimes one needs to not write about anything...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqa6jTB4DjSaQWOmB6I0te8axTVRb0Hf9-lwlYg4WP3sYDrJJJ8hH74wgRBTgoAH7KvqwvnSsVzbR1QlbnD2zc4yaAf1t7bRgYxottidxuFzLy3MinEDMSJ5lcAdPWo3mr0WdqRwPvSx2i/s1600/IMG_9902.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqa6jTB4DjSaQWOmB6I0te8axTVRb0Hf9-lwlYg4WP3sYDrJJJ8hH74wgRBTgoAH7KvqwvnSsVzbR1QlbnD2zc4yaAf1t7bRgYxottidxuFzLy3MinEDMSJ5lcAdPWo3mr0WdqRwPvSx2i/s320/IMG_9902.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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One thing I have recently realised is that, from the time I tried to have an 'author blog' I have blogged a lot less. In fact, I've almost stopped altogether, which is a great shame, since I used to enjoy it so much!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl3ECPFuYwoGdNTovnNvHKie8yUW5LgddLq4sxAK3OhUWDI3U3E_AVxKNpyX8tqewUWAdGz-BHomGwQbBASzSIquUiGzYjP21yzmoO9WIATY9DJ9oX4MQJfDk2GvR3_5ISYnPx51HV8E8S/s1600/IMG_0034%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl3ECPFuYwoGdNTovnNvHKie8yUW5LgddLq4sxAK3OhUWDI3U3E_AVxKNpyX8tqewUWAdGz-BHomGwQbBASzSIquUiGzYjP21yzmoO9WIATY9DJ9oX4MQJfDk2GvR3_5ISYnPx51HV8E8S/s320/IMG_0034%25281%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Back in the days... (I had to use that phrase, I do love it. It makes it sound so long ago. And I suppose it was over ten years ago... :-) ) Back in the days, when I had my blog <a href="http://wordsthatflow.blogspot.com/">Words that flow</a>, I loved writing every day. I loved adding colour images - my own photos, not stock images - and being creative. Funnily enough, trying to be a creative blogger, writing about writing and writers has actually done the opposite to my output. It's not that I don't like doing those sort of things. I do! I love them. But doing <i>only </i>them is not allowing for all the other sides of my creativity.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDvsgB-G0qeW_HURA2tPNcN99yCbmPXm59ta3ZJPw4AEW05vLH7XC8CfexcqOizqXn6Tuetuv-0vBlp4pkLznZVIRpQEQ9VFIM0jTGrzUQHa0myNbh62_cvgeQ-IxBqFvVpDxIy3Otg_Wi/s1600/IMG_0004%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDvsgB-G0qeW_HURA2tPNcN99yCbmPXm59ta3ZJPw4AEW05vLH7XC8CfexcqOizqXn6Tuetuv-0vBlp4pkLznZVIRpQEQ9VFIM0jTGrzUQHa0myNbh62_cvgeQ-IxBqFvVpDxIy3Otg_Wi/s320/IMG_0004%25281%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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So... over-exhausted by first Facebook then Twitter, I am returning to days of former - glory. Or, at least, days I remember to be filled with writing what I want and connecting with other bloggers. Connections I found to be more meaningful and ongoing. So....<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGdUJZig8PIFUNh-UND2vjhgQD5guuEvSK2IdQJXQCk8zRWrhHdME6PLHEyvv0Mrm2dvXdHO8MhgskNNN9LoBpOdZpLaZ2VRi_4kj4rQuWNEWEBdwDLuIHGQcz9osDZ7_5uvRLG_ynml7u/s1600/IMG_0139%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGdUJZig8PIFUNh-UND2vjhgQD5guuEvSK2IdQJXQCk8zRWrhHdME6PLHEyvv0Mrm2dvXdHO8MhgskNNN9LoBpOdZpLaZ2VRi_4kj4rQuWNEWEBdwDLuIHGQcz9osDZ7_5uvRLG_ynml7u/s320/IMG_0139%25281%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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...decision made. This is where I'm going to hang out if anyone wants to find me. This is where I'm going to call in every day and answer messages and re-connect with folk.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEOBojqWFzeulCDdgy6lr9GnPGvNDmlcs0LjjGpV_fzKAvVZNuBSe0fCI_Xd2rRmZzAP6FsTEcY55zOduzOXNQLcrWEe8rmgszdl-xeoUI2Ke6WFyqo6Kaa9q_immsJJPvdLICNe0D40mr/s1600/IMG_0214%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEOBojqWFzeulCDdgy6lr9GnPGvNDmlcs0LjjGpV_fzKAvVZNuBSe0fCI_Xd2rRmZzAP6FsTEcY55zOduzOXNQLcrWEe8rmgszdl-xeoUI2Ke6WFyqo6Kaa9q_immsJJPvdLICNe0D40mr/s320/IMG_0214%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Anyone else feeling burned out by social media? Come and join me on a more sedate and enjoyable 'getting-to-know-you'. If we know each other on Twitter and Facebook, I hope we can reconnect here... (I'm more excited about this than anything I've done for quite a long time! Yay!)Annelisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18404801255562567591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1299748757474386124.post-41749004890122051372019-04-01T18:19:00.000-07:002019-04-28T18:21:27.406-07:00Podcasts for authors and writers, both new and experienced<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh52L315rCRZs5sICrQppb06d8sIhQYddhyphenhyphenUCMTd0tCH1NhS3CiXT1qfpAuwBE9CjfTi-cerbUATdMU9Vss3ROUKl1KNNCFuTZP225emR0c305yZ-UtZzHKFMVpp3RNQMiQSTniDCcBzyNS/s1600/24067812_1522036014545507_6964239909446897987_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh52L315rCRZs5sICrQppb06d8sIhQYddhyphenhyphenUCMTd0tCH1NhS3CiXT1qfpAuwBE9CjfTi-cerbUATdMU9Vss3ROUKl1KNNCFuTZP225emR0c305yZ-UtZzHKFMVpp3RNQMiQSTniDCcBzyNS/s320/24067812_1522036014545507_6964239909446897987_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here are some of the author podcasts I listen to on a daily or weekly basis, which I get a lot out of. The Sell More Books Show I'll listen to without fail every Wednesday or as soon as possible thereafter for up-to-date news of what's going on in the book world, but the other shows I'll listen to whenever I get a chance. There is so much information and support for indie authors, it'd be a shame not to connect in one of the many places where authors hangout and give so much of themselves to share what they know or what they learn!<br />
<ol style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; font-family: Garamond, Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;">
<li style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title=":smile:"><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><i style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><a href="http://sellmorebooksshow.com/" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="http://sellmorebooksshow.com/">The Sell More Books Show</a></i></b> with Bryan Cohen and Jim Kukral [Bryan Cohen also runs the <a href="https://www.bestpageforward.net/" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="https://www.bestpageforward.net/">Best Page Forward</a> book blurb service and Jim Kukral also runs <a href="https://authormarketingclub.com/members/home/" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="https://authormarketingclub.com/members/home/">Author Marketing Club</a> which supports authors] - a regular show with 5 new tips and 5 of the latest news stories every Wednesday. I never miss this. It keeps me informed of the biggest latest news and is invaluable.</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title=":smile:"><a href="https://www.thecreativepenn.com/podcasts/" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="https://www.thecreativepenn.com/podcasts/"><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><i style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">The Creative Penn</i></b> </a>with Joanne Penn - Latest news and some great interviews of authors and other folk in the book world (agents, editors, publishers etc). One of the longest- (or perhaps <i style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">the </i>longest-) running author podcasts, since 2009, by a prolific author with plenty of insight into future trends.</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title=":smile:"><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><i style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><a href="https://bestsellerexperiment.com/podcasts/" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="https://bestsellerexperiment.com/podcasts/">The Bestseller Experiment </a></i></b>- with Mark Stay and Mark Desvaux. This is definitely one you'd want to go back and listen to from the beginning. The two hosts decide to write and publish a bestseller in a year, so they interview loads of top bestselling authors and learn from scratch everything you need to know to be in with a chance. They proudly succeeded in knocking Neil Gaiman from the top of the list for a short while... even more proudly received a message from him when they apologised. They continue to interview and produce excellent/useful shows.</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title=":smile:"><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><i style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><a href="https://selfpublishingformula.com/spf-podcast/" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="https://selfpublishingformula.com/spf-podcast/">The Self Publishing Formula</a> </i></b>- with James Blatch (carrying out most of the interviews) and Mark Dawson (usually discussing the interviews before and after). The interviews are of some great authors and other book world person and are well presented and well thought out. I usually get a lot out of listening to them.</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title=":smile:"><a href="https://writingexcuses.com/" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="https://writingexcuses.com/"><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><i style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">Writing Excuses</i></b> </a>- Another long running series (I think they're maybe into season/year 14 at the moment?) - The programs are short (15 minutes) but so packed with thoughts/ideas/tips and methods for writing. You can't go back more than a few years on Itunes, but if you can get back to the series on Elementals, it's one of the most useful series of shows you can ever listen to as an author. They not only cover every genre, but the elementals of every genre, eg using such things as horror, humor, adventure, romance etc in other genres. The panel of authors, which include hosted Dan Wells, Brandon Sanderson, Mary Robinette Kowal and web cartoonist Howard Tayler as well as many guest authors creates lively and unmissable discussions on all things writing.</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title=":smile:"><a href="https://authorlikeaboss.com/author-like-a-boss-podcast/" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="https://authorlikeaboss.com/author-like-a-boss-podcast/"><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><i style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">Author Like a Boss</i></b> </a>- Ella Barnard - this one might particularly appeal to women, but is for any author, with interviews gleaning tips to become better authors by 'working smarter rather than harder'. She's an enthusiastic interviewer and often has good interviews and asks good questions.</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title=":smile:"><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><i style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><a href="http://www.creativewritingcareer.com/" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="http://www.creativewritingcareer.com/">Creative Writing Career </a></i></b>- Stephan Bugaj (Pixar's Brave, Wall-E, The Incredibles), Justin Sloan (Telltale's Game of Thrones, Walking Dead, and Minecraft: Story Mode), and Kevin Tumlinson (Citadel, Lucid, The 30-Day Author) give you their advice on writing for books, movies, video games and more. This one has more of a bias towards sci-fi/fantasy, lit RPG and games as well as screenplays etc, but it's not all about that, and even in episodes where it is, you can still get a lot out of listening to authors talking amongst themselves on subjects of writing.</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title=":smile:"><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><i style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><a href="https://storygrid.simplecast.com/" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="https://storygrid.simplecast.com/">Story Grid Podcast</a></i></b> - Shawn Coyne, author of Story Grid and top editor at publisher, and Tim Grahl. I can't say I got really into this one, but a lot of folk hold store by Shawn Coyne's Story Grid method for checking your book has all the tropes it needs to succeed in each genre, having studied it for many years as an editor and picked out many a successful author. I found it a little long-winded and complicated, so I intend to go back and try listening from the beginning again and seeing if I can't understand it better!</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title=":smile:"><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><i style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><a href="https://madeleinedeste.com/write-through-the-roof/" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="https://madeleinedeste.com/write-through-the-roof/">Write Through the Roof</a></i></b> - with Madeleine D'Este - a show more aimed at beginner writers on improving the craft. Many great shows and also good interviews.</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title=":smile:"><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><i style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><a href="https://authormarketinginstitute.com/podcast/" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="https://authormarketinginstitute.com/podcast/">The Author Marketing Podcast</a> </i></b>- Jim Kukral again. Jim is an expert book marketer and has so many common sense and solid ideas for book marketing you should definitely check this show out. It's not long, but you won't regret listening in!</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title=":smile:"><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><i style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><a href="https://kindlepreneur.com/podcast/" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="https://kindlepreneur.com/podcast/">The Book Marketing Show </a></i></b>- Dave Chesson, creator of the Kindle Rocket (which is excellent for finding keywords for your book, by the way) and does a series of Youtube videos on being a Kindlepreneur. He's energetic and full of the most useful information, and if you sell ebooks on Amazon, you'll particularly want to keep up with Dave's show.</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title=":smile:"><b><i><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/relentless-authors-advertise/id1448966344">Relentless Authors Advertise</a></i></b></span><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title=":smile:"><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/relentless-authors-advertise/id1448966344"> </a>(or RAAD as Jim Kukral calls it) - another podcast by Bryan Cohen to follow his efforts to reach sales income of $10K a month through advertising, starting with advertising on Amazon and Facebook and going on to BookBub and others. Maybe a bit mind-boggling for those new to the business, but loads of great tips about what works and what doesn't for him. Fairly new at this point, but worth listening to up til now.</span></li>
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And three that have ended, but I found invaluable and that won't have lost their value even now:</div>
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<li style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit;"><i style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><a href="http://bookmarketingtools.com/blog/category/hangout/" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="http://bookmarketingtools.com/blog/category/hangout/">The Author Hangout</a></i></b> - with host Shawn Manaher<span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; color: #545454; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> - </span>sadly no longer running, but worth listening to the 145 available episodes - there are some corkers in there, very useful/fascinating/interesting interviews. I was really sad when they stopped broadcasting back in 2017, but many of the shows and interviews are as relevant today as then, especially for beginner authors. Listen from the beginning and learn alot.</li>
<li style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><i style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-weight: inherit;"><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><a href="http://selfpublishingroundtable.com/sprt/" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="http://selfpublishingroundtable.com/sprt/">SPRT</a></b></i><span> </span>(Self Publishing Round Table) - with a variety of hosts -<span> </span>weekly interviews and shows for indie authors by indie authors. Started as a chat show about other podcasts and news that was going on in the author world, but grew a large regular following Again, a podcast that ended in 2016, but they left a legacy of great interviews for inspiration and information.</li>
<li style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit;"><i style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><a href="https://self-publishingschool.com/sps-000-introduction-self-publishing-school-podcast/" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="https://self-publishingschool.com/sps-000-introduction-self-publishing-school-podcast/">Self Publishing School</a></i></b><span> </span>- Chandler Bolt - Lots of information in a short time from an authorpreneur. I was listening to a lot of podcasts, and stopped listening to this one, but it looks like it ended back in 2018. Although it wasn't my cup of tea as he pushed his business more than I liked, he also had a lot of pearls of wisdom there. (One that has especially stuck with me and stood me in good stead is that book marketing is like building a mountain with one stone at the time. Not to try and build the whole mountain at once, but every day add a stone to the pile. It seems to be working!<span> </span><span id="đ" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title=":slight_smile:">đ )</span></li>
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Annelisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18404801255562567591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1299748757474386124.post-27563914780470377142019-01-20T05:57:00.000-08:002019-01-20T06:25:23.862-08:00December Blues (Drabble)<center>
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<h2 style="font-family: "Century Gothic", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 24pt; letter-spacing: 2px; line-height: 26pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 6px;">
December Blues</h2>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "century gothic" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.6667px; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal;">by </span><a href="https://bookhippo.uk/?author=annelisa%20christensen&tab=drabbles" style="color: #3556af; font-family: "century gothic", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.6667px; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal;">Annelisa Christensen</a><br />
<div style="font-family: "century gothic", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 6px 0px;">
Originally published by BookHippo.uk on <a href="https://bookhippo.uk/?date=2018-12-07#hundred" style="color: #3556af; text-decoration-line: none;">07/12/2018</a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">December.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Always such a stressful month, what with buying presents, sorting out who will go to whose home for Christmas and New Year, what to do about the pets, preparing food, etc.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">All this on top of Christmas work parties, sorting out the Secret Santa and finishing off end-of-year stuff.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Just this last thing to do. Pull the switch on this murderer. So many bodies found buried in his garden. Shame. I hear he was lightning fast with his pen.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Oops! Power cuts announced all over the city.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Thatâs saved me having to put up the Christmas lights.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Like my previous drabble attempt, this one was written in the mood of authors murdering each other in drabbles, but with a touch of seasonal inspiration.
Connected drabbles following my last drabble but before this one include</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://bookhippo.uk/?drabble=2018-12-06">It's a Hard Life</a> by Lindsay Wade<br />
<a href="https://bookhippo.uk/?drabble=2018-12-05">Ghost Writer</a> by Irene C McCormick<br />
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Annelisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18404801255562567591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1299748757474386124.post-53793785538698867032018-11-30T02:52:00.000-08:002019-01-20T06:27:01.430-08:00Burying His Pain (drabble)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9H5HhcNHLt1NF2KbKGCGHUxiS5qbIgBMG9kzIi9eYU9LslNMa2ylUWlhxiUKmh5r09DwjgYF6bdFIizSweUhNbRIcovdJ8yr0pU2aqHBlCYXa1PLgSx6deab3POAvPQl7tLVlzM5Dd-ZP/s1600/IMG_3275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9H5HhcNHLt1NF2KbKGCGHUxiS5qbIgBMG9kzIi9eYU9LslNMa2ylUWlhxiUKmh5r09DwjgYF6bdFIizSweUhNbRIcovdJ8yr0pU2aqHBlCYXa1PLgSx6deab3POAvPQl7tLVlzM5Dd-ZP/s320/IMG_3275.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<h2 style="line-height: 26.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 24pt; letter-spacing: 1.5pt;">Burying His Pain<o:p></o:p></span></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">by </span><a href="https://bookhippo.uk/?author=annelisa%20christensen&tab=drabbles"><span style="color: #3556af; font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">Annelisa
Christensen</span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 107%;">Originally published by BookHippo.uk
on <a href="https://bookhippo.uk/?date=2018-11-28#hundred"><span style="color: #3556af;">28/11/2018</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">There was another murder last night. Everybodyâs talking about it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Despite all the arguments they always had, I know poor old Lindsay
Wade next door will miss his friend. He must feel awful after having that silly
fight with him the other day. Such a shame they wonât have a chance to mend the
fences between them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Yes, thereâs my neighbour now, still digging hard in the garden.
Heâs obviously taking it bad.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">âWhoo-hoo! Mr Wade!â<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">He doesnât seem very happy with me saying hello. Heâs coming over.
Why is he holding the shovel in the air like that?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />
*<a href="https://bookhippo.uk/?drabble=2018-11-28">This was written</a> in response to two other drabbles. The first, <a href="https://bookhippo.uk/?drabble=2018-11-12">What, no Drabble?</a> in which Mr Lindsay Wade implies other drabblers are buried in the garden. The second in which another author Irene C McCormick continued this storyline, seeing Mr Wade digging in the garden in <a href="https://bookhippo.uk/?drabble=2018-11-24">Digging Again?</a></div>
<div>
Mr Wade's drabble seems to have set off a spate of murderous drabble responses (I have another in the pipeline as well ;-) ):<br />
<ul>
<li></li>
<li><a href="https://bookhippo.uk/?drabble=2018-11-25">The Rubbish</a> by Linda Powell</li>
<li><a href="https://bookhippo.uk/?drabble=2018-11-26">Sorting Out the Freezer</a> by Pippa McCathie</li>
<li><a href="https://bookhippo.uk/?drabble=2018-11-27">No Peas From Irene</a> by Lindsay Wade</li>
</ul>
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</center>Annelisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18404801255562567591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1299748757474386124.post-14196877429392311302018-11-20T02:10:00.000-08:002019-01-20T06:27:32.783-08:00Kintsugi (Drabble)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOI5cceTIMdMoar8gMnviUmdLQ_WHmBdip5cz5EAvQdVUW6h6euTkyzHeIGB6MdPYe2mr4C-K7txvtSLs2l1LgC6-NjgPjmw51bpp51LdrSrHooJ2TEdEqYAXyRHEneVwvkHgSO6H4bZjx/s1600/mist+in+fields+015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="400" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOI5cceTIMdMoar8gMnviUmdLQ_WHmBdip5cz5EAvQdVUW6h6euTkyzHeIGB6MdPYe2mr4C-K7txvtSLs2l1LgC6-NjgPjmw51bpp51LdrSrHooJ2TEdEqYAXyRHEneVwvkHgSO6H4bZjx/s320/mist+in+fields+015.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 24.0pt; letter-spacing: 1.5pt;">Kintsugi<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">by </span><u><span style="color: #3556af; font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><a href="https://bookhippo.uk/?author=annelisa%20christensen&tab=drabbles"><span style="color: #3556af;">Annelisa Christensen</span></a></span></u><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: black; font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt;">Originally published by BookHippo.uk
on </span></i><i><u><span style="color: #3556af; font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt;"><a href="https://bookhippo.uk/?date=2018-11-13#hundred"><span style="color: #3556af;">13/11/2018</span></a></span></u></i><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Even entering the museum of our life together, I am
drawn by the memory of each gift, each apology that once mended a fight or
misunderstanding and made us stronger.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I sit in the tall-backed armchair, so old and
well-used the leather had scuffed and cracked in the place he had always sat in
that room. The chair was the one thing he never gave to me or allowed me to
use. From there I could see our broken life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Kintsugi: the Japanese art of mending cracked pots
with gold.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">There is no gold left to mend this last break.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</center>Annelisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18404801255562567591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1299748757474386124.post-47105472531832263052018-08-09T06:41:00.000-07:002018-08-09T08:59:27.097-07:00Sink or Swim? Create Space Vs KDP Select<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic-NSvETq43unpwnmEOEfdFD8uTydUP2dwp5aJFMv5BNS3D8av8uHfuU_fL9n7Gnt1dIG-mDmHTdMOhvvupbC7iS-uSr5H5SmrVvkfWpm6M-OPSs8mf0k5OuBTdc96_kD-GWnuHYgVUDAC/s1600/Create+Space+Vs+Amazon+for+paperbacks.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="776" data-original-width="1366" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic-NSvETq43unpwnmEOEfdFD8uTydUP2dwp5aJFMv5BNS3D8av8uHfuU_fL9n7Gnt1dIG-mDmHTdMOhvvupbC7iS-uSr5H5SmrVvkfWpm6M-OPSs8mf0k5OuBTdc96_kD-GWnuHYgVUDAC/s320/Create+Space+Vs+Amazon+for+paperbacks.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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There's speculation going around author circles that Create Space (CS) might be winding down. Have you heard it? What would it mean to you if your favourite print-on-demand (POD) service went out of business? Would you move over to Amazon's KDP Print (KDPP) as Amazon encourages you to do each time you print a Kindle book? Or do you feel honour-bound to stick it out and, watching the bow of the CS ship tip under the weight of the rising water, only scramble to the hull at the last seconds of the last minute when the end is inevitable?<div>
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<div>
Jump now or wait until there's no choice? <div>
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I asked myself the same question.</div>
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I jumped.</div>
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And I have to say I'm really happy I did. In a moment I'll tell you why I don't think you should wait, I share with you the pros and cons I found and why I wouldn't go back even if I could (the move is apparently irreversible; there's no going back).</div>
<div>
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<div>
So, before that, I must give a quick shout-out to the <a href="http://sellmorebooksshow.com/"><i>Sell More Books Show</i></a>, where twice recently this matter was brought to my attention. The show is my favourite author news podcast. Presenters Jim Kukral and Bryan Cohen - the most up-to-date duo in the author world - discuss 5 top-tips and 5 top news stories each week. (As a 'by the way', the next top show I listen to for news is likely <i><a href="https://www.thecreativepenn.com/podcasts/">The Creative Penn</a></i> by author Joanna Penn, who, if you don't know her, usually does a news item or two in her awesome weekly podcast).</div>
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<div>
Back to the matter in hand. Running round the park and listening to <a href="http://sellmorebooksshow.com/episode-220-rapid-fire-releases-gifting-multiple-copies-and-price-point-testing/">Episode 220</a> (other recent episodes on CS/KDPP are <a href="http://sellmorebooksshow.com/episode-223-author-mindset-silly-surveys-and-expanded-distribution/">223 </a>and <a href="http://sellmorebooksshow.com/episode-226-authors-direct-community-support-and-the-walmart-kobo-partnership-with-the-best-page-forward-team/">226</a>), I listened to Jim and Bryan ponder on whether the Amazon-run company was winding down on the back of yet another Create Space service being discontinued and discuss if they should move from CS to KDPP before it came to the crunch. After all, both companies apparently use the same printing press, the same staff, the same materials that go into the print books. With many of the author services no longer available was there so much difference between the two?</div>
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Well, yes, there is. But not necessarily what you're thinking. I've swayed the other way.</div>
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<div>
Jim and Bryan said they thought it might be a good idea to start moving over, especially if you have a lot of books. They both said they would start that day. Jim even opened KDPP and talked the listeners through how to transfer from CS to KDPP. It sounded simply enough. I decided there and then, even if I only had one paperback (<i>The Popish Midwife</i>), I might as well start finding out how to use the latter. After all, I hadn't used any but the POD service. I hadn't used the CD service nor the printing of larger numbers of copies for book signings. </div>
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<div>
It was as simply as it sounded, and within a lickerty-split it was all done and I clicked the publish button. Did I worry about it? A little. I had heard from some that Amazon 'did' Kindle brilliantly, but to go with Create Space for print copies. It made me a little nervous that I might be cutting out too soon. Perhaps I should stay with the company that best did the job they were created for. A frisson of concern whenever I saw in the Kindle community boards the guy's 'signature' saying <i>KDPP: good for ebooks, terrible for print</i>. However, after the transfer was made I quickly saw some pros for moving over.</div>
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<div>
First thing I noticed was the pleasure of seeing some little grey blips appear in the KDP Reports - my <b>paperback sales right next to the Kindle sales</b>.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgedDp10MfhMNMQP8DTjRdecoqEn0I0MjbXy2sq7tkcc23VkLoSiwBgoDt0M69biAnbdE4PWCTlMOzmc3a2aNTIKDoa6YNLHglMOWadGkympvIttkTvUBez99nITZVJ0a_8yoIdUQa-MfXE/s1600/paperback+sales+show+up.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="736" data-original-width="998" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgedDp10MfhMNMQP8DTjRdecoqEn0I0MjbXy2sq7tkcc23VkLoSiwBgoDt0M69biAnbdE4PWCTlMOzmc3a2aNTIKDoa6YNLHglMOWadGkympvIttkTvUBez99nITZVJ0a_8yoIdUQa-MfXE/s320/paperback+sales+show+up.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Paperback sales show up next to ebook sales</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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As well, the <b>paperback sales totals were added to the monthly totals at the bottom of the page</b>. Brilliant! I no longer had to add up totals on two different sites - ebook and KU reads on one and paperback on the other - I could see them all on one page! Bonus!</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRUOSB_QqoT0w83qVjEnAqJeCb-en2awVj39sfGVMncSTNbBVCe2wjvkbgKWnz0OKr09fqbj7mfNnKDOwjM13qKz9Gdve4Yk6VOHGJ7ndDu82RoFFn7vQ3hVkuwl5FRscBYAmfmvY5YAjK/s1600/royalties+in+one+place.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="522" data-original-width="1092" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRUOSB_QqoT0w83qVjEnAqJeCb-en2awVj39sfGVMncSTNbBVCe2wjvkbgKWnz0OKr09fqbj7mfNnKDOwjM13qKz9Gdve4Yk6VOHGJ7ndDu82RoFFn7vQ3hVkuwl5FRscBYAmfmvY5YAjK/s320/royalties+in+one+place.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Royalties for ebook and paperback sales in one place</i>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The next thing I noticed was one of the biggest and most important things for anyone using AMZ ads - the<b> paperback showed up in the drop-down list of books you can advertise!</b> Anyone who's been using the ads knows that if your paperback's listed on CS, you can't advertise it through the AMZ ads for some reason. But suddenly, what had been denied was now available to me - I could advertise not only my Kindle, but my paperback, not one ad to cover both.</div>
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Why is this so important?</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The paperback now appears on the<br />drop-down book choices</i></td></tr>
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<ol>
<li>For starters, when you advertise the paperback with a 'Sponsored Ad', you can specifically <b>use more paperback titles within your genre as </b><u><b>relevant keywords.</b></u></li>
<li>I found <b>book title keywords that are paperback-specific are more effective at selling paperbacks</b>. This might seem obvious, but actually seeing it in action was great. I presume it not only makes the ad more relevant to paperback readers since it will more likely appear on the pages of paperback books <i>but also</i> takes the reader to their preferred paperback version rather than the ebook.</li>
<li>I believe that often, when you create new AMZ ads for the ebook, the new one kinda cancels out the old one. Unless the old one really got going, the ad seems to favour the new one. However, since both are now listed through Amazon, <b>because the paperback is a separate listing from the ebook, when you advertise the paperback it seems to be treated like a totally different product and doesn't supersede the Kindle ads.</b> I haven't advertised long enough to be sure, but I believe the initial findings show that that gives you <i>two products</i> instea of a single title, either of which might be purchased by the reader, <b>in effect doubling your impressions and increasing your sales</b>. Certainly, both my paperback and Kindle sales have increased since I've been able to advertise <i>The Popish Midwife</i> as two individual products.</li>
</ol>
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<div>
One downside (but not really a downside as you're still one ahead by being able to have an extra ad for the title) is that you <b>can only create Sponsored ads</b> (the keyword ones) but not the Product Display ads, probably because they are mostly shown on Kindles and Kindle Aps on mobile phones. The product display option isn't available.</div>
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<div>
The other downside might be that you haven't got the option to do the bulk-buy thing to send to book-readings/signings or to clients in advance. Joanna Penn said on one of her recent episodes that she sells paperbacks to Amazon through CS (though maybe she might change over to KDPP if she knew the advantages of advertising the paperback) but also uses <a href="https://www.ingramspark.com/">Ingram Sparks</a> for all other outlets, and also for discount books and bulk sales. I'm still in the process of setting this up, so make your own enquiries to double-check this. Some podcast interviews interviewing Ingram Sparks staff members I've heard have, however, seemed to have confirmed it.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So that's about it. To sum up, my paperback sales have gone up (more than double), mostly I think, due to being able to advertise them separately, and I believe it's also helped my ebook sales. Also, I can now see all my royalty information for each title on one page on the Kindle Reports website. Very useful. Just being able to advertise the print book is great, having had that version sit and take only pot-luck views before. Now I can actually send readers to the version they prefer, using keywords more related to paperbacks, making it more likely they will be interested in the paperback than the kindle, so marketing is more focused to the reader likely to buy it!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The advantages, in my view, outweigh the couple of disadvantages for me, because I don't use the other services. If you do, you might want to think whether you would miss the above advantages of CS. But, though we don't know if the rumours are true, it might be best to prepare for that change find other outlets (eg Ingram Sparks) to provide the services not (yet?) available in KDPP. Perhaps there are some books more suited to one than the other. These might be the best to consider for moving over and trialling the sister-company for yourself. Personally, I'm loving the move and the increased sales. Worth thinking about, even for loyal CS fans and I won't be going back.</div>
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Annelisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18404801255562567591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1299748757474386124.post-84732220979629449942017-09-01T17:23:00.002-07:002018-02-18T05:40:34.887-08:00Readers' Favorite Bronze Award for The Popish Midwife!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Whoo hoo! Take a load of this - my very first award! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJgJTyF2Sy9z-RlojQCxV406UEgleLhlTB-yI1ugmPKz3ZxPJEyqx65fVLO9zWd3vg3TgC9ld1RqVzq4TzeLmnBQ3xQVjurfpSmdhpZ7Cyo7mtCocg5EUtPDI1o4WW5MHQcWN7vK-ORy-U/s1600/Readers%2527+Favorite+Christian-Historical+Fiction+Bronze+Award+2017.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="598" data-original-width="632" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJgJTyF2Sy9z-RlojQCxV406UEgleLhlTB-yI1ugmPKz3ZxPJEyqx65fVLO9zWd3vg3TgC9ld1RqVzq4TzeLmnBQ3xQVjurfpSmdhpZ7Cyo7mtCocg5EUtPDI1o4WW5MHQcWN7vK-ORy-U/s400/Readers%2527+Favorite+Christian-Historical+Fiction+Bronze+Award+2017.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
For immediate release:
Reader's Favorite recognizes "The Popish Midwife" in its annual international book award contest.<br />
<br />
The Readers' Favorite International Book Award Contest featured thousands of contestants from over a dozen countries, ranging from new independent authors to NYT best-sellers and celebrities.<br />
<br />
Readers' Favorite is one of the largest book review and award contest sites on the Internet. They have earned the respect of renowned publishers like Random House, Simon & Schuster, and Harper Collins, and have received the "Best Websites for Authors" and "Honoring Excellence" awards from the Association of Independent Authors. They are also fully accredited by the BBB (A+ rating), which is a rarity among Book Review and Book Award Contest companies.<br />
<br />
We receive thousands of entries from all over the world. Because of these large submission numbers, we are able to break down our contest into 140+ genres, and each genre is judged separately, ensuring that books only compete against books of their same genre for a fairer and more accurate competition. We receive submissions from independent authors, small publishers, and publishing giants such as Random House, HarperCollins and Simon & Schuster, with contestants that range from the first-time, self-published author to New York Times bestsellers like J.A. Jance, James Rollins, and #1 best-selling author Daniel Silva, as well as celebrity authors like Jim Carrey (Bruce Almighty), Henry Winkler (Happy Days), and Eriq La Salle (E.R., Coming to America).<br />
<br />
"When the right books are picked as winners we pay attention. We will be spreading the word about Readers' Favorite." --Karen A., Editor for Penguin Random House
Readers'<br />
<br />
Favorite is proud to announce that "The Popish Midwife" by Annelisa Christensen won the Bronze Medal in the Christian - Historical Fiction category.<br />
<br />
You can learn more about Annelisa Christensen and "The Popish Midwife" at https://readersfavorite.com/book-review/the-popish-midwife where you can read reviews and the authorâs biography, as well as connect with the author directly or through their website and social media pages.<br />
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Readers' Favorite<br />
LLC
Media Relations
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800-RF-REVIEW<br />
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support@readersfavorite.com<br />
https://readersfavorite.com<br />
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Annelisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18404801255562567591noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1299748757474386124.post-34907452770626974642017-08-26T06:57:00.001-07:002017-08-28T18:47:25.716-07:00Return of the RhymeWhat on Earth can my two books, <i>The Popish Midwife</i>, and my latest book, <i>A-Z Monsters (not) For Bed</i> have in common? Looking at the two covers and the content, I would quite understandably expect your reaction to be, 'Absolutely nothing!' and, presented with these two books, I'd probably give exactly the same reaction. In fact, two more different-seeming books there could not possibly be!<br />
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<table align="left" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="image: The Popish Midwife" height="320" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1468835344l/31136510.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="192" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Book cover: The Popish Midwife</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="image: A-Z Monsters (not) For Bed" height="320" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51ErLnSRGUL.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="192" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Book cover: A-Z Monsters (not) For Bed</i></td></tr>
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Just look at them. One, a historical novel, closely based on a true story, researched, written and researched some more over a matter of years. The other, what appears from the cover to be some kind of light-hearted children's book.<br />
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See? No connection.<br />
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Or is there...?<br />
<br />
Of course there is. You knew that. Otherwise why would I be telling you all about it! :-D<br />
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So, what's the connection? It's rhyme. Allow me to share the tie with you...<br />
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During my time researching <i>The Popish Midwife</i>, one of the things I most enjoyed was the seventeenth century coffee house and broadsheet satire, which made comment on anything and everything at the time. Nothing was sacred. Coffee houses and Taverns were the hotbeds of community news everyone slept in on a regular basis. There, amongst the smoke rising from clay pipes and burning rushlights or candles on the wall, could be read leaflets, broadsheets and newspapers about current affairs; and imbibers of dishes of coffee or cups of ale could catch up with gossip along with all the other regulars.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDQMIXVsz1swZ8x8fJmgTGQU4Ne7gOGG0txHqet14AsjLDheOfVc8Jdj0p4MEnLTRAD3Y7lJ5_DeiS186cLMJpZG4mHsQtlzVQkQzsiDFsRl2jtxVwYnh0XKmxlPflFMFv7wSKEGBWHT9z/s1600/A+message+from+tory-land+1681.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="962" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDQMIXVsz1swZ8x8fJmgTGQU4Ne7gOGG0txHqet14AsjLDheOfVc8Jdj0p4MEnLTRAD3Y7lJ5_DeiS186cLMJpZG4mHsQtlzVQkQzsiDFsRl2jtxVwYnh0XKmxlPflFMFv7wSKEGBWHT9z/s320/A+message+from+tory-land+1681.jpg" width="192" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Elizabeth mentioned in<br />"A Message from Tory-Land"</i></td></tr>
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The broadsheets were designed to be accessible to anyone who could read, with many a wood-cut image, annotated by little details, including labels of who a figure was, or some words they might have said. The writing was often in the form of columns and verses. They more often than not mercilessly mocked politicians, murderers, social figures and religious figures alike, anyone of interest from high to low. And they were often written in rhyming couplets. I presume this rhyming style made the news easier to read, being given in small bite-sized pieces, but I suspect there was also a second reason they were so popular, that rhymes are notoriously more memorable than straight sentences. A man reading the latest in the coffee house or tavern could go out into the street or home and remember all his favourite bits to recite to anyone he wanted, often verbatim.<br />
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I found out so much about Elizabeth Cellier through broadsheets and leaflets of satire and jolly rhymes, which I fondly imagine the writer having a riot of a time creating, laughing and guffawing over as he came up with each new idea and line, making the reading of long passages so much more fun and entertaining because, of course, news was openly considered entertainment back then. The wittier the better. Even life-and-death stuff, which is obviously very serious, was given a dash of hilarity to it. It helped to deal with the much harsher life events in a way that the living could feel comfortable with.<br />
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For instance, from the broadsheet <i>A Message from Tory-Land</i> (above left), there is information spilling out of every single verse, and covering religion, politics, murder, trials [Verse 7 is dedicated to Elizabeth Cellier]:<br />
<br />
[7]<br />
But dear Madam <i>Celiers </i>intrigue did miscarry,<br />
You see that 'tis dangerous to be unwary,<br />
these Hereticks must by all means be destroyed,<br />
And all the Church Rights by us be injoyed,<br />
Yet if we arm us, ram us, damn us<br />
these Heretick Dogs will find <i>Ignoramus</i>,<br />
Still it miscarries, it tarries, it varies,<br />
Yet never were days so blest as Queen <i>Maries</i>.<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
[<i>note: Queen Maries = Queen Mary's</i>]</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
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How rich is that! The voice of someone who lived through that time, their opinion on Cellier right there, right then. Through this verse, she was immortalised.<br />
<br />
and here's another:<br />
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The author of <i>Satire Upon the Jesuits </i>(below right) definitely doesn't have such a fine tuned sense of rhythm and rhyme as the author of <i>A Message from Tory-Land</i>, but he (or maybe, in secret, a she) certainly can ridicule and insult along with the best of them. He derides Catholic ceremonies of taking communion, casts aspersions on the priests, reflects popular opinion that Cellier, being a midwife, is as great a bawd, a whore, as all other midwives. That he brought her in to this verse is comment on how infamously she was tied to the fate of the Jesuits on trial and to the Popish Plot. [The lines re Cellier are highlighted by me.]<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnQfF5eIDmnUvqOXA4M59sucQs7RyuSJqj0V7FGjiMuV_JF-UmWe9owMTLnkNsrGlXoqKosQmC4sNgfZbdHj93jVtpzOrtKkzwtIZHExnhTJI8HnuGew-7RS8t60auR8Q5QMzzSehj5oH0/s1600/Cellier+in+Satire+upon+the+Jesuits.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="961" data-original-width="585" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnQfF5eIDmnUvqOXA4M59sucQs7RyuSJqj0V7FGjiMuV_JF-UmWe9owMTLnkNsrGlXoqKosQmC4sNgfZbdHj93jVtpzOrtKkzwtIZHExnhTJI8HnuGew-7RS8t60auR8Q5QMzzSehj5oH0/s320/Cellier+in+Satire+upon+the+Jesuits.jpg" width="194" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elizabeth Cellier mentioned in<br />
"Satire upon the Jesuits"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
'Hey jingo, sirs! What's this?' 'Tis bread you see;<br />
'Presto begone!' 'Tis now a deity.<br />
Two grains of dough, with cross, and stamp of priest,<br />
And five small words pronounced, make up their Christ.<br />
To this they all fall down, this all adore,<br />
And straight devour, what they adored before-<br />
'Tis this that does the astonished rout amuse,<br />
And reverence to shaven crown infuse,<br />
To see a silly, sinful, mortal wight<br />
His Maker make, create he infinite.<br />
None boggles at the impossibility;<br />
Alas, 'tis wondrous heavenly mystery!-<br />
And here I might (if I but durst reveal<br />
What pranks are played in the confessional:<br />
How haunted virgins have been dispossessed,<br />
And devils were cast out, to let in priest:<br />
What fathers act with novices alone,<br />
And what to punks in shrieving seats is done,<br />
Who thither flock to ghostly confessor,<br />
To clear old debts, and tick with Heaven for more.<br />
Oft have I seen these hallowed altars strained<br />
With rapes, those pews which infamies profaned;<br />
<b>Not great Cellier,* nor any greater bawd,</b><br />
<b>Of note, and long experience in the trade,</b><br />
<b>Has more, and fouler scenes of lust surveyed.</b><br />
But I these dangerous truths forbear to tell,<br />
For fear I should the Inquisition feel.<br />
Shoud I teall all their countless knaveries,<br />
Their cheats, and sams, and forgeries, and lies,<br />
Their cringings, crossings, censings, sprinklings, chrisms,<br />
Their conjurings, and spells, and exorcisms,<br />
Their motley habits, maniples, and stoles,<br />
Albs, ammits, rochets, chimers, hoods, and cowls;<br />
<br />
So much commentary, so many oft-spoken opinions; one can't ask for a more thorough summary and condensed view of the emotion and reaction of the the society. This richness made it so much easier to understand the different aspects of the seventeenth century society.<br />
<br />
We politically- and socially-correct people of today might have great trouble laughing at other folks' misfortunes in this way (and would probably get sued if we did!). Even to elude to something being funny, for instance, that certain politicians in the highest places might be double-dealing or siding with the enemy to the risk of the country, might elicit a strong reaction. Laughing about it would be seen as expressing that it's of no consequence, belittles it in many a person's eyes. It could be considered a tad too frivolous. Such serious subjects should be discussed and and thought about with gravity and solemnity... unless, of course, you're a stand-up comedian. And even then, there are those who would take offence at your making merry over a serious matter.<br />
<br />
Centuries ago, the way it was told and passed on was paramount. If it wasn't told with horror and excitement, it should be told with humour and memorable words if the news was to spread far. I expect those good at making up these broadsheet rhymes would probably have built quite a reputation for themselves, and possibly even been employed to write with the sole intention of getting the subject matter throughout the kingdom. Word of mouth wasn't quite as widespread as previous centuries, but it was still strongly relied on. Even more so in ancient times...<br />
<br />
Going back centuries before, to the Ancient Greeks and probably earlier, famous poetry, like the <i>Iliad </i>and <i>Odyssey</i>, were also written in verse, the tempo of which is kept moving by the short lines, and the names and events made memorable by repetition of description (<a href="https://chs.harvard.edu/CHS/article/display/5501">twenty five-twenty six thousand of them</a>! If I were to write a similarly long verse about Elizabeth Cellier, for instance, I might always call her 'the bold and brassy midwife', and that exact expression would be used each and every time mentioning her.). There was a reason for this. Back in the days when not everything was written down, and long stories were told by oration, there had to be easier ways for the storyteller to remember it all. Yes, some details changed each time of the telling, but most of it was remembered in chunks of ideas. When <a href="http://penandthepad.com/epic-poetry-rhyming-scheme-21932.html">Alexander Pope translated</a> The <i>Iliad </i>in the early eighteenth century, he used heroic couplets. Why? Not only because they were all the rage during the Restoration, but also they are very pleasing to the ear, and memorable.<br />
<br />
In the way songs are. In fact, back then, many stories were sung to music by travelling story tellers.<br />
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So, this is where I come back to <i>A-Z Monsters for Bed</i>, which I wrote in a concentrated poetry-writing period almost two decades ago. I was going through some difficult life-stuff at the time, much like now, and I found that writing humorous story rhymes were not only good at focusing the mind, but they also entertained me while I wrote them. Twenty six rhymes reflecting upon, and animating through story, various traits and characteristics that might be considered bad/monstrous (many of the monsters have such names as <i>Scurulous</i>, <i>Cantankerous</i>, <i>Xenophobia</i>). Only one - <i>Quantum Querulous</i> - was not a full story but a short limerick/riddle. I found the high concentration of rich language was wonderful to play with, and a story that might have taken a thousand words could be reduced to a fraction of that, to maybe one or two sides of A4.<br />
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But, most of all, I found one could conjure sharp images with a well-chosen line, a twist of word order, an evocation of a whole idea encompassed in a phrase, and the rhyme-ends helped to keep together ideas. Re-reading those rhymes, I understood how pleasing they are to write, how enjoyable and animated they are to read. For instance, a few years later, my young niece enjoyed one of the story-rhymes so much, she learned it by heart to recite at school (apparently it went down well). When I was working in my son's school, I read some of the rhymes to the ten-year-olds, and they loved them. I mean, really loved them. They were engrossed and smiling, and remembered particular bits of them afterwards. To me, this is an indication of how much easier and more fun it is to learn in such a way, and I can't help thinking what a shame it is that rhymes as a form of poetry, and rhyming stories in particular, have gone so out of fashion.I believe that kids these days might find them refreshing.<br />
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I know there are still many authors that do write children's rhyming books, but it seems to be mostly for the very young. What about the older children and adults who would get so much out of the funny verses? I decided, I'm going to bring rhyming back. Ok, not on my own, but I'll start by writing more of it (I'm working on a book of Halloween story-rhymes I hope to release for Halloween 2017). And I will discover as many works of this art as I can, and share them with all who are interested on a separate page of this blog. I hope to encourage in you, the older reader, a re-discovery of the fun of rhymes too. If you do, please share with me in the comments below, and share with everyone else you can:<br />
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The other bonus, by the way, is that in this time-focused society, where we are all overwhelmed with the many things we should do, and have to-do lists growing out of our finger tips onto many pages (mentally or otherwise), so we never feel we have time for anything, the shorter story-rhyme is a perfect solution to give you a giggle during your coffee break, or share reading with your child later...<br />
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Finally, I'll leave you with a rhyme for the coronation of King William III (William of Orange) and Queen Mary when King James II escaped to France in 1689. I hope you can read it.<br />
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<script src="//z-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/onejs?MarketPlace=US"></script>Annelisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18404801255562567591noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1299748757474386124.post-28926355096209282112017-06-13T12:56:00.000-07:002017-08-26T18:26:14.680-07:00Rhianna Lynch: Advocate for the WorldI don't know why it's taken me so long to get around to doing this post. I should've done it years ago! My post is not only about an amazing person, but I'm proud to say, she's my daughter too. It's about time you met Rhianna.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAyFEWNxqW2Ju5kxfOXYauIhD8mGB-M0thk4dfeFjimuAJAmOjLvwSRySOBYA5ptcrvGKt44_71eikV-C2uzhN-UjRJygSbttvzXyp3JRuPtdjlbLEQy6eRhJ4fHk3JavuY3S2bvfPwY96/s1600/Rhianna+Lynch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="682" data-original-width="682" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAyFEWNxqW2Ju5kxfOXYauIhD8mGB-M0thk4dfeFjimuAJAmOjLvwSRySOBYA5ptcrvGKt44_71eikV-C2uzhN-UjRJygSbttvzXyp3JRuPtdjlbLEQy6eRhJ4fHk3JavuY3S2bvfPwY96/s320/Rhianna+Lynch.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><b>Rhianna Lynch</b></i></td></tr>
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To get to know Rhianna, I'll take you back a few years, when Rhianna was fifteen. She was a quiet, but hard-working, student at school, achieving good grades and looking to be set for A-levels and university. But, then, anxiety set in - anxiety about school, friends, work, you name it she had it. She became so anxious about school, she couldn't go in. Her anxiety turned to Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), which became so severe she would take several hours to simply get up in the morning, get dressed and come downstairs. Then, it would take further hours to do anything, like having breakfast and readying herself to go out. School became something that just wasn't going to happen.<br />
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Even with the help of a home tutor, Rhianna found it difficult to study, and when it came to taking her GCSEs, there wasn't a hope in Hell of getting in to school, so she took the exams at home. Unfortunately, there was so much stress related to sitting them, she took very few. It looked like A-levels and that prospect of university were out. She couldn't go back to studying any time soon.<br />
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But, Rhianna, being Rhianna, was determined to be useful, She loved animals more than anything, and wanted to help with rescuing them. She wrote to many rescue centers to volunteer, but most wouldn't, or couldn't, take her because she was too young to volunteer on a regular basis. The minimum age was sixteen, they said. Turned away from one after another, Rhianna determinedly plodded through the list she had of local places, until - jackpot! - one center wrote back that, although they were unable to take her on, there was a new place in Kent which was extending out from its London base to create a new center in High Halden: <a href="http://www.retreatanimalrescue.org.uk/">The Retreat Animal Rescue</a>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitprWnvimx7SPDxs3fYdDNN2odm9hahWNrbYLHRPotEtEJiZt2zr-Pv43i-WoVH_WnV2ZJXTs3iF7b06KFYdBqzBu1_GfPvfa6l0NcUEK4wn2kDkVSqTy9YAzo_NqkxnRKRDHZZMbzUpBX/s1600/Retreat+Animal+Rescue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitprWnvimx7SPDxs3fYdDNN2odm9hahWNrbYLHRPotEtEJiZt2zr-Pv43i-WoVH_WnV2ZJXTs3iF7b06KFYdBqzBu1_GfPvfa6l0NcUEK4wn2kDkVSqTy9YAzo_NqkxnRKRDHZZMbzUpBX/s1600/Retreat+Animal+Rescue.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><b>The Retreat Animal Rescue</b> logo</i></td></tr>
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Rhianna contacted the center and was invited to visit. As it turned out, the place was so new, they had only just moved there. Many of the animals had no enclosures, so ran around the farm buildings together - what an amazing sight to see dogs, geese, pigs happily mixing with ducks, goats, chickens and turkeys! They really didn't mind. The dogs, Billy, the founder, told us, were often the breeds that people considered dangerous, even though the actual dogs themselves had never been a problem. Some of the dogs, though, <i>had </i>been a problem, maybe even bitten someone, but they were all equally treated with love and kindness, and the place has a no-kill policy, so no animal is put down unless in irreversible pain. Every bird and mammal had a name. Each animal was seen as unique with a right to happily live out their lives. The only thing asked of volunteers was that they respect all animals by not eating meat or animal products on the site. That was easy. Rhianna had been a vegan for some time at that point.<br />
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Being one of the first volunteers at the Retreat, Rhianna was privileged to not only watch the center develop, but be part of that process too. It wasn't long before she decided what she wanted to be 'when she grew up' - she wanted to run a rescue center like the retreat. Twice a week, she came home with stories of the animals - some happy, some sad. She loved the animals dearly, and cried when one had been so maltreated it died, or when they became critically ill with the diseases they often had on arrival. Many of these animals came to the place in a very bad shape. Some had been privately owned, but many had been kept in small cages or pens to be eaten by people. Most had sores on their skin; birds were raw where they'd lost feathers; many had foot diseases where they walked in their own muck. I was actually witness to some new arrivals once, and it was the saddest thing to see animals that had been so ill-treated, yet the happiest thing watching them run free for the first time in their lives!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifVz9I3jc_an66Ms72kib47lU_JC8ekafzlanD5cOXqHs3aRUvpMf5uSXZt7h8Sh5IPXWr39JQrmdetmp6_RbflI8JgyVnF_Y4aeDNfr89BomwaCECA7SL2DPFiKvQmviQQnitA_R9w9s5/s1600/The+Retreat+Animal+Rescue+open+day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="345" data-original-width="500" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifVz9I3jc_an66Ms72kib47lU_JC8ekafzlanD5cOXqHs3aRUvpMf5uSXZt7h8Sh5IPXWr39JQrmdetmp6_RbflI8JgyVnF_Y4aeDNfr89BomwaCECA7SL2DPFiKvQmviQQnitA_R9w9s5/s400/The+Retreat+Animal+Rescue+open+day.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><b>The Retreat Animal Rescue</b>, High Halden, Kent</i></td></tr>
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So, two years on, and Rhianna had many a tale to tell about running such a place. There were incidents of animals getting dumped at the gate, or awful gales that blew the chicken coup into the fox run (you can guess what happened there!) or a fire that burnt a barn down, killing many of animal friends. There were happy stories too. Like when someone managed to save two thousand ducks, or a goat that would've been slaughtered slowly with a knife for some religious festival or other. The center was soon brimming with recuperating animals. Incidentally, I helped out a couple of times there, and even though I do a very manual job, which includes a lot of lifting of equipment, I can tell you, I was a weakling compared to my daughter. She could shovel and carry with the best of them!<br />
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Unfortunately, OCD hadn't finished with Rhianna yet, and there came a bout where she couldn't leave the house again. Once she was able to get it under control again and venture back out into the world, and look for work, still wanting to work with animals, she volunteered at a doggy daycare place closer by. Why volunteer, you might ask? Well, not able to be consistent, she didn't feel yet able to commit to regular work, so considered it unfair to take the place of possibly more reliable workers. However, she still managed to go there for several days a week, getting there on her itty-bitty ('It-might-be-slow-but-it-only-takes-a-few-more-minutes-to-do-the-journey-than-you-take, mum!') moped, whilst still going back to the Retreat whenever she could on the weekend.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYOMSOLt25E_v6CpZHGzt_KhtfXut5rlfOxP7m7aPG5NQwHu3xdKv5N09bWAQqAemtB9k75UzcyvcEZiG1-lKFAgJ3WxFS7Z1k8zPep8XsnRdJ-uUrq-AEzzYpVn15o0A66B2zhWb_9fzj/s1600/Animal+Pen-Pals.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="400" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYOMSOLt25E_v6CpZHGzt_KhtfXut5rlfOxP7m7aPG5NQwHu3xdKv5N09bWAQqAemtB9k75UzcyvcEZiG1-lKFAgJ3WxFS7Z1k8zPep8XsnRdJ-uUrq-AEzzYpVn15o0A66B2zhWb_9fzj/s200/Animal+Pen-Pals.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><b>Animal Pen-Pals</b> logo</i></td></tr>
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It must've been sometime around then, in 2014, that Rhianna started her Twitter account <a href="https://twitter.com/animalpenpals">Animal Pen-Pals</a>. She wanted to raise awareness of some of the issues surrounding animals. Like the people she worked with at the Retreat Animal Rescue, she strongly believes every life has value, and no animal should suffer at the hands of people. She started tweeting about issues close to her, about animal welfare and abuse, always adding the web address <a href="http://www.chooseveg.com/">chooseveg.com</a> to give those who feel the same way, or who are ready to take the next step, the information they need to help them. She wanted to provide information about <i>how </i>to do it rather than tell people they <i>should</i> do it.<br />
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She then did something I've always thought incredibly brave for someone suffering (on top of OCD) with diagnosed <a href="http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Anxiety/Pages/Introduction.aspx">Generalised Anxiety Disorder</a> (GAD) and shying from social interaction - she ordered a whole bunch of leaflets from animal welfare charity organisations and headed into the nearest town.<br />
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Many people have this image of vegans as hard-nosed extremists, in-your-face about the morality of every aspect of your life. I once waited for Rhianna to finish handing out the leaflets. A more different image she couldn't have portrayed. She stood quietly to the side of the road, not looking anyone in the face, so one almost didn't notice she was standing there. Not once did she push herself on someone. Not once did she go up to someone and hand them a leaflet. I've never seen anything like it. People actually came up to her and asked her for the leaflets! And they asked her about vegetarianism and veganism and why she was giving out the leaflets. If asked, she did, of course, talk to people. And there were folk who told her they would think about reducing meat, and one even chucked away the burger he was eating as he walked away. She would come home with the pile she'd taken with her gone. Each time she went out, she took more with her, and often came home empty-handed.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuY_5C350uHHlQEjA9CY4g2KkY9E2xrRip0fkGPer2e6-s4itUSjQUR5vFi9CB2n2sYJCLL-PYfxXII0AYHqolKtF2O2PLJDLhrGqA7CLKHjqYtofuGBBDxNQ-no-WvN-ffcxM52dvJfNZ/s1600/IMG_7504.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuY_5C350uHHlQEjA9CY4g2KkY9E2xrRip0fkGPer2e6-s4itUSjQUR5vFi9CB2n2sYJCLL-PYfxXII0AYHqolKtF2O2PLJDLhrGqA7CLKHjqYtofuGBBDxNQ-no-WvN-ffcxM52dvJfNZ/s320/IMG_7504.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Me with my daughter, Rhianna Lynch<br />at the Climate March, London 2016</i></td></tr>
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On top of this, she started braving up to support other causes she believed in. Her first ever protest was outside the New Zealand embassy with 15 other people, delivering a petition to protect the 55 remaining Maui dolphins.That was followed with protests about the cruel slaughter of the diminishing<a href="https://dolphinproject.net/"> taiji dolphins</a> and environment marches amongst other things - each time having to deal with so many anxiety issues - going out without support, catching a train, finding her way to the locations the protests/marches took place, conversing with others at these events. Every part of these things, fears and anxieties most of us learn to overcome, was a battle for her. And yet she did them anyway, such was her strength of belief, will and character. I know I couldn't have done it when I was her age.<br />
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Meanwhile, trying to save the planet and life on it, she often posted about the issues close to her on Facebook, and was overjoyed when told by a couple of friends they were going vegetarian or vegan, and by another that, because she'd re-posted a PETA article about <a href="https://twitter.com/peta/status/843220473936732160">how to help a turtle across the road</a>, and what to do if you see an injured one, a follower was able to know what to do when he came across a turtle and <a href="https://twitter.com/GrantFairchild0/status/736168753289891840">so was able to save its life</a>. What most people don't know about my daughter is that she regularly suffers from depression and suicidal thoughts, at which times she feels she is worse than useless, and that the world would be a better place if she didn't live in it. Everything she does, every life she saves, every person or animal she helps... that all gets forgotten, and she only believes herself to be a 'bad' person. I've always thought how strange it is that one of the nicest, most caring, considerate, pro-active in saving the world person could so negate everything she does!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5U3_N1incGmfhc8CsOnt5rQpDBQt3ZoC5tpO1K0GfUO9hiFt_u3Oy13r3CmVwqFpYhTZ2iev-_ZUDaC8qxaiOeT5VfxJL8V-72kEgjN4sxVYyCRWlh32S8wjPr3xPogFQePPgZDMui2vL/s1600/Rhianna+Lynch+in+jellyfish+hat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="997" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5U3_N1incGmfhc8CsOnt5rQpDBQt3ZoC5tpO1K0GfUO9hiFt_u3Oy13r3CmVwqFpYhTZ2iev-_ZUDaC8qxaiOeT5VfxJL8V-72kEgjN4sxVYyCRWlh32S8wjPr3xPogFQePPgZDMui2vL/s320/Rhianna+Lynch+in+jellyfish+hat.jpg" width="199" /></a></div>
Rhianna tells me, for every person that goes vegetarian, 30 land animals' lives are saved each month (so, fish excluded). Veganism saves more, but even doing the '<a href="http://www.badcredit.org/news/meatless-monday-is-better-for-you-and-your-wallet/">Meatless Monday</a>s' makes a huge difference. So, for her, even if someone only cuts meat on one day a week, it's better than never changing habits. Not only does it save lives, but the environment too, not even starting on the health and financial benefits a person can gain. So, let's talk about the fish thing, and the environment, and Rhianna's latest campaign, for which she had a respectable social reach of nearly 1.5M people.<br />
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Rhianna's interest in fish, marine life and the effects of our treatment of the oceans developed further with her involvement in saving threatened mammals, such as the taiji dolphin and whales. She came to realise it wasn't only the mammals that were dying out there, but fish too. But then, who cares about fish? They're just food, aren't they? They're just insignificant creatures that swim up and down in a robotic manner, aren't they? Not according to research, Rhianna says. She's read books and articles, watched videos, spoke to others about marine life, and became more convinced than ever that we as a human race have seriously neglected a rich part of the ecosystem. Not just the environment they live in, but the animals within it. Well, as someone who respects all life - the miracle of something actually living, breathing, reproducing, rather than being inanimate mineral - I still thought of fish as kinda stupid creatures that, if you put them in an aquarium, were quite happy to swim back and forth, because they know no better and care less. Rhianna tells me I should read a book called <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/What-Fish-Knows-Underwater-Cousins-ebook/dp/B01L9WDJBY">What a Fish Knows: The Inner Lives of Our Underwater Cousins</a> by Jonathan Balcombe.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><b>What a Fish Knows</b> by Jonathon Balcome</i></td></tr>
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'<i>Honestly</i>,' she says, <i>'one of the reasons I believe it would be good for people to read the book is that most people think fishes are unthinking, emotionless animals, but they are actually capable of complex thoughts and emotions, and their lives, which matter to them, deserve protection.</i>' She started her recent <a href="https://www.thunderclap.it/projects/51615-oceandeadline?locale=en">#OceanDeadline</a> Thunderclap campaign at the beginning of January 2017, and her <a href="https://www.change.org/p/pledge-to-eat-less-fish-or-go-fish-free-before-2050?recruiter=110435360&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink&utm_campaign=share_petition">Pledge to eat less fish or go fish-free before 2050!</a> soon afterwards. Both aiming at raising the issues of fish in the public eye. Then she emailed hundreds of charities which might care about those issues and twenty or so big ones said they would support her and helped her develop her Thunderclap pages.<br />
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Unfortunately, it's easy to say you'll add your support, another thing to actually do it. Though some charities gave her feedback about her original page and helped her improve it, Rhianna was disappointed when none of the charities that had pledged their support followed through, even with some friendly reminders. She reduced the 'minimum needed to send out tweet' to 100, believing, without the support she had been banking on, she would never achieve her original goal. Nevertheless, she didn't give up. She continued to tweet and contact folk about the campaign. She passed 100 supporters and raised the goalpost to 150. Then 200. The supporters (she thanks profusely!) kept coming.<br />
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And then disaster struck... for her campaign at least. The whole point of a Thunderclap is to have everyone tweeting and posting the #OceanDeadline hashtag on social media, with the aim to hopefully have it trend for a while, and catch folks' attention. Rhianna picked the day - 8th June - to coincide with <a href="http://www.worldoceansday.org/">World Oceans Day</a>, to tell people particularly about the fish aspect of the oceans. Of course, what can never be predicted is politicians and politics. Theresa May chose 8th June for a General Election. Well, once announced, we didn't hold out much hope for the #OceanDeadline to trend, but it had been started, and she would finish it. On the day, of course, politics understandably took the trends by storm. I knew Rhianna was waiting by the computer at home, hoping beyond hope that her hashtag would trend for even a minute. As it happened, it didn't. Even with 265 supporters, her hashtag really was a drop in the ocean of election tweets. To say she was disappointed is an understatement, after all her hard work.<br />
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But, when I got home from work, expecting to be faced with pessimism and depression, Rhianna said, 'Next year I'll start the bar at 250! It's too important a topic to give up on, just because success didn't come first time round.' Then again, how do you count success? Having 265 supporters and a social reach of nearly 1.5M is no mean feat for a campaign in its infancy. What do you think? If you think such efforts to make a difference in the world are goals worth going for, please find Rhianna at <a href="https://twitter.com/animalpenpals">Animal Pen Pals</a> on Twitter and give her a little support.<br />
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<i>Proud mum of Rhianna Lynch</i></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzJ_w9NQkSB-nJMBuldmSCtzxcEYccfHzYh-lVTNJe2npK8_10w-ufYfy2VssNdrd9N_V9sWP8hHTHQtWq2_CUAzANRP1dKH5r9giQgZz9HQooETOfa5lxe6OH6Kn-XmvY_yjJU9TFC9dS/s1600/Rhianna+Jazz+and+Sparky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzJ_w9NQkSB-nJMBuldmSCtzxcEYccfHzYh-lVTNJe2npK8_10w-ufYfy2VssNdrd9N_V9sWP8hHTHQtWq2_CUAzANRP1dKH5r9giQgZz9HQooETOfa5lxe6OH6Kn-XmvY_yjJU9TFC9dS/s320/Rhianna+Jazz+and+Sparky.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Rhianna with our dogs, Jazz & Sparky</i></td></tr>
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Annelisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18404801255562567591noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1299748757474386124.post-86530530004274437662017-04-03T22:00:00.000-07:002017-08-26T19:13:24.368-07:00READ MY MIND NOW!Today is a special day, one I've been waiting for. Maybe you've been waiting for it too if you've seen what's coming...
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Yes! It's here. Read My Mind magazine is here, and it's free!<br />
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Lots of competitions (most of them free) for writers, artists, illustrators, lyricists... this is our community magazine, where we come together to enjoy music, film, travel, history, literature and all manner of uplifting things. It's where we can support each other and celebrate each other and the life we are part of.<br />
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Want to check it out? Go no further. Here is the first copy (you can subscribe for free below the magazine):<br />
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<b style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://eepurl.com/cBEDZP" target="_blank">Subscribe Here</a></span></b></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>***</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.mcgrathhouse.net/blogs/blogs-by-rachel-mcgrath/2017/04/limitless-chance-published/" style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #888888; font-family: georgia, utopia, "palatino linotype", palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">LIMITLESS â Your chance to be published!</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(see magazine for further details of entry)<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh78mBq1rF1a_P2MrejuC-So7nYZ7w2Mmckk-S6Y-XHTUZ2Nfp6gLLVCj4gOTExZLFhGIVRe1QSLOnqJnsOSiFaxRodFLql5fBO-hJvASuzpoAaT7R2GecgfcET7sMSQfh0TVa_k_z3XuVi/s1600/LIMITLESS+KINDLE+COVER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh78mBq1rF1a_P2MrejuC-So7nYZ7w2Mmckk-S6Y-XHTUZ2Nfp6gLLVCj4gOTExZLFhGIVRe1QSLOnqJnsOSiFaxRodFLql5fBO-hJvASuzpoAaT7R2GecgfcET7sMSQfh0TVa_k_z3XuVi/s320/LIMITLESS+KINDLE+COVER.jpg" width="207" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="font-size: 12.8px;">
<i>Limitless</i></div>
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<i>cover by </i><i style="font-size: 12.8px;"><a href="http://www.mcgrathhouse.net/" target="_blank">McGrath House</a></i><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSoDTe4HCaNwxlzuKUvIWJIhCHOQK7GMrA70fC17HFbjFPjLwD9y_uFBhQOlMJUiKcGTwpPgIKaT09-BxxKZB4IEA6mrCaaSJq171qHHaJ4loPWdvlEzwf_xnLlEDh546LBB5YEHyaufsE/s1600/AMAR+25+-+Ribbon+Logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSoDTe4HCaNwxlzuKUvIWJIhCHOQK7GMrA70fC17HFbjFPjLwD9y_uFBhQOlMJUiKcGTwpPgIKaT09-BxxKZB4IEA6mrCaaSJq171qHHaJ4loPWdvlEzwf_xnLlEDh546LBB5YEHyaufsE/s200/AMAR+25+-+Ribbon+Logo.png" width="200" /></a>Win a place in Read My Mind's anthology supporting <a href="https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/limitlessbook" target="_blank">The Amar International Charitable Foundation</a>: <span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;"> </span><br />
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Annelisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18404801255562567591noreply@blogger.com2London, UK51.5073509 -0.1277582999999822351.1912379 -0.77320529999998222 51.8234639 0.51768870000001777tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1299748757474386124.post-70761880474441720762017-03-16T20:25:00.004-07:002017-03-16T20:41:11.735-07:00New Magazine: Read My Mind <div style="text-align: center;">
With spring arrives a new magazine, as fresh and positive as the season
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBDtc61DVEPq2HqmIzig8IZW3OOvOUpE0DNfj4QI24qlmlyTY1vkdXYg9tnm3zgFPh-SnX-5EMOgY75xgIA4OEpyBXAxuQJXIG19OMFEFZnR3HmWPLSHsaeiV7pr4gXSwdA_gPVMDEsChT/s1600/Read+My+Mind_SpringEdition.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBDtc61DVEPq2HqmIzig8IZW3OOvOUpE0DNfj4QI24qlmlyTY1vkdXYg9tnm3zgFPh-SnX-5EMOgY75xgIA4OEpyBXAxuQJXIG19OMFEFZnR3HmWPLSHsaeiV7pr4gXSwdA_gPVMDEsChT/s320/Read+My+Mind_SpringEdition.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>
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April 4th 2017. Mark this date in your calendar. I can't impress on you enough how excited I am about the date. This is the date of the first ever <i>Read My Mind</i> magazine, the brainchild of <a href="https://www.blogger.com/profile/06552686400733940251">Lily Amis</a>, a talented artist, editor, producer and author who's had an extraordinary life. Last June, <a href="http://www.scriptalchemy.com/2016/06/interview-lily-amis-author.html">I interviewed Lily</a> for Script Alchemy about her unusual background. Since then, she has designed a beautiful magazine, with the idea that it should be full of interesting articles to entertain and educate you, a collaboration of international bloggers to bring together the creative community and, most importantly, a magazine especially for the world's creative community. Read on...</div>
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Not only full of articles to enrich your life and be an oasis of positivity in a world of uncertainty and disillusionment, <i>Read My Mind</i> also contains tantalizing snippets and facts to inform you - perhaps you'll find an interesting tidbit to tell your friend or workmate over that most important cup of mid-morning coffee: elevenses.</div>
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Let me introduce the blogger team and the columns they write:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8UZisajrF28WVy1EkdxWW3TO5rzDkPEj_KDIM4kMgDpqDP878lDyKCQsusRhhe92KBJprMz8MOxGOv0d_JVaspuk84wwiM_dEGb7YvwmgeBGEgKNQcjvZtxonegsEfyJMYN0F8o0Xbpf0/s1600/Read+My+Mind+Team.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8UZisajrF28WVy1EkdxWW3TO5rzDkPEj_KDIM4kMgDpqDP878lDyKCQsusRhhe92KBJprMz8MOxGOv0d_JVaspuk84wwiM_dEGb7YvwmgeBGEgKNQcjvZtxonegsEfyJMYN0F8o0Xbpf0/s320/Read+My+Mind+Team.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lily and Sima of <i>nasSima-design</i>, surrounded by the<br /><i><b>Read My Mind</b></i> magazine contributor team</td></tr>
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<b>Publisher, Concept, Editor-in-Chief, Head Writer and Layout</b>: creative mother-daughter duo : website: <i>n</i><a href="http://www.nassima-design.com/nassima_e/index_e1.html" style="font-style: italic;">asSima-design</a> <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>The Travel of Mind</b>: <a href="https://www.bibianakrall.com/bio">Bibiana Krall</a> ( on <a href="https://twitter.com/Bibiana1Krall">Twitter</a>)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>The Publisher Mind</b>: <a href="http://rachelmcgrath.net/">Rachel McGrath</a> (on <a href="https://twitter.com/rjg27">Twitter</a>)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>The Literature Mind</b>: <a href="http://elainechissick.wixsite.com/chissickchat">Elaine R.Chissick</a> <o:p></o:p>(on <a href="https://twitter.com/ElaineRChissick">Twitter</a>)</div>
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<b>The Historical Mind</b>: <a href="http://www.scriptalchemy.com/p/about-me.html">AnnelisaChristensen</a> <o:p></o:p>(on <a href="https://twitter.com/Alpha_Annelisa">Twitter</a>)</div>
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<b>The Life of my Mind</b>: <a href="http://www.angelm.net/index.html">Angel M.</a> (on <a href="https://twitter.com/AngelM_Author">Twitter</a>)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Trevorâs Mind on Hollywood</b>:
<a href="http://trevorsviewonhollywood.weebly.com/">Trevor Pacelli</a> <o:p></o:p>(on <a href="https://twitter.com/PacelliTrevor">Twitter</a>)</div>
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<b>The Inspirational Mind</b> &
<b>LilyWoods Mind</b>: <a href="http://www.nassima-design.com/index_Lily.html">Lily Amis</a> <o:p></o:p>(on <a href="https://twitter.com/nasSimadesign">Twitter</a>)</div>
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<b>Grants Mind on Life</b> & <b>Grants
Mind on World Sport</b>: <a href="https://niume.com/profile/13794#!/posts">Grant Leishman</a> (on <a href="https://twitter.com/GLeishmanAuthor">Twitter</a>)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Music Judges</b>:<o:p></o:p></div>
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Welsh Singer <a href="http://jameskennedystuff.com/about/">James Kennedy</a> <o:p></o:p>(on <a href="https://twitter.com/jameskennedyuk">Twitter</a>)</div>
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Swedish Singer <a href="http://carl-lindquist.com/">Carl Lindquist</a> <o:p></o:p>(on <span id="goog_1778680762"></span><a href="https://twitter.com/Carl_Lindquist">Twitter</a><span id="goog_1778680763"></span>)</div>
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British Composer <a href="http://www.joldrini.com/">James Oldrini</a> <o:p></o:p>(on <a href="https://twitter.com/JamesOldrini">Twitter</a>)</div>
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<b>Magazine Cover</b>:<a href="http://www.mcgrathhouse.net/"> McGrath House</a> <o:p></o:p>(on Twitter)</div>
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<b>Magazine Trailer</b>: Bibiana Krall<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Magazine Editor</b>: Lily Amis, Grant Leishman and Angel M.<o:p></o:p></div>
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and one more very important contributor - <b>you</b>!<br />
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'Er,' I hear you say, 'I have no idea what you're talking about. I haven't sent anything in.' <br />
'Yet,' I say, 'but you will, once you find out about our super competitions.'<br />
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And I'm right, right?<br />
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In this first issue, there are not only plenty of great reads for you to discover new authors, music, artists, movies, history and other exciting finger-on-the-pulse stuff, but also the chance for you to be one of those discoveries. The launch issue has eight, yes eight, competitions to inspire you to join in... before I go further, how about subscribing now, so you don't miss these fantastic opportunities?<br />
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<i><a href="https://t.co/gdVfMsMjtD">Subscribe for Free</a></i></div>
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So, like I say, one of the top ideals of <i>Read My Mind </i>is for this to not only be inspirational, and be a beacon of enjoyment in a sometimes dismal world, but to also give the creatives among you - authors, writers, songwriters and artists - the opportunity to light up other readers with your own inspiration. There is a contest here for everyone. There's a contest here for you. You only need subscribe (again, I emphasize, for free, and you can always unsubscribe if you don't enjoy it - we're that confident you will) and immerse yourself in another world for a while.</div>
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<i style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Artists</b>: Look out for the Society 6 Artist Contest</span></i></div>
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<i style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;"><b>Lyricists</b>: Find the Song Lyric Contest</span></i></div>
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<i style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;"><b>Authors </b>and <b>bloggers</b>: Check out the Writing Contests</span></i></div>
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<i style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;"><b>Readers</b>: Competitions for you too </span></i></div>
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Did I say, most of the competitions are either free or nearly-free to enter? It might be unusual in this costly world of ours, but it's true. we don't want to make money off our friends. There are enough businesses and people out there ready to do that.) We want to make this our gift to you, the reader. The only condition on entry is that you are a subscriber. In case you missed that link...</div>
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<i><a href="https://t.co/gdVfMsMjtD">Subscribe for Free</a></i></div>
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And for winners of our exclusive contests (see <a href="https://niume.com/post/279562">Grant's post</a> for details of some of the competitions), you will be featured in this glamorous magazine for everyone else to admire!</div>
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This is going to be BIG!</div>
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Annelisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18404801255562567591noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1299748757474386124.post-21252616435362463642016-12-06T12:03:00.000-08:002017-08-26T18:55:05.198-07:00Interview: Farloft the Dragon<h1>
Interview with Farloft <o:p></o:p></h1>
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<b>Well, I never thought
Iâd be interviewing such an unusual guest, but this particular one caught my
attention (he's impossible to ignore). When I heard
he was visiting my friend, Theresa, I just had to grab the opportunity, pull
him aside and ask things Iâm dying to know on the subject of his life with dragons.
How is he such an expert on the subject? Short answer, he is one.</b></div>
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<b>Meet Farloft
the Dragon.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqC3YL6zFaYyrlfZbfhVkIW_R4Bh8KrW75stueamqG3hOW2W8splIHtU01fAr3eh4C_V950IaMFs2tpmdA3LvKpvhudnWJ9ZthfZ7J5mdTGsbuZ2FSC5irLXIF-Db4pwywVo960VnsCayF/s1600/farloft_headshot_by_bluekite_falls-d7rye4a.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqC3YL6zFaYyrlfZbfhVkIW_R4Bh8KrW75stueamqG3hOW2W8splIHtU01fAr3eh4C_V950IaMFs2tpmdA3LvKpvhudnWJ9ZthfZ7J5mdTGsbuZ2FSC5irLXIF-Db4pwywVo960VnsCayF/s320/farloft_headshot_by_bluekite_falls-d7rye4a.png" width="295" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Farloft Blowing Heart Shaped Smoke Rings<br />(Artwork: Bluekite-Falls)</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b><br />Hello, Farloft.
Before we start, I have to say, thank you for allowing me some of your valuable
time here (Ehm...might I ask you to please face away from me when you talk. Your
breath is still hot from that last outburst.)<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Farloft: There are many misconceptions about dragon, Milady.
Let me illuminate you right now with one. First off we do not breathe fire
unless we want to. *huffs over Annelisaâs head making her hair drift* And, my
breath smells a bit like cinnamon, donât you think? <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><sniffs deeply> Actually, now you mention it, Farloft, mmmm...one of my favourite spicy smells, cinnamon. Breath this way as much as you want, just no fire please.</b></div>
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<b>So, let's start with how you first met our mutual friend, Theresa Snyder, your biographer and scribe. She tells me you met in a different time and place. Can you
tell me something about this other dimension? And how do you find her each time
she is reborn?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Farloft: We originally met in <i>Kerth</i>. She was the daughter of
the Captain of the Kingâs Guard. Her older brother was my best friend and he
introduced us when she was about five years of age. I tell about our lives
together at that time in my chronicle <i><a href="http://www.theresasnyderauthor.com/farloft/#vol6">Dragon Memories, Dreams &Reflections</a></i>.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeuVmm746UQKAEJ-BAcp8-wHDlv38OK4rFrU4DHI_4ya17jIkyYMEsi6c7gqWYJbjObi_7VFtHDYpYaqOPAzIm7kd-c0ZveSdIeBS29Z3bfrByesV712SaXQjURj0ljkw_-dQ6ZxQ6ZJ9-/s1600/Farloft+Chronicles_Vol+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeuVmm746UQKAEJ-BAcp8-wHDlv38OK4rFrU4DHI_4ya17jIkyYMEsi6c7gqWYJbjObi_7VFtHDYpYaqOPAzIm7kd-c0ZveSdIeBS29Z3bfrByesV712SaXQjURj0ljkw_-dQ6ZxQ6ZJ9-/s320/Farloft+Chronicles_Vol+6.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Dragon Memories, Dreams & Reflections<br />(Cover Art: Sarah Hyndshaw)</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
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Theresa insisted we have tea and I wear her bonnet. I have loved
her ever since.</div>
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As to how I find her each time she reincarnates; I feel her
soul when it is reborn. *ruffles wings and shakes wedged head* It is as if we
are âheartboundâ. My clan can fold time and space, so I zone in on her and
âjumpâ. That is also how I come each month to visit her and Tweet. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA8dpCwCMC3UJAhH4RYqYQ34yNlct3jCetq41a-6mDWWjLmrcYz9BuastYn6LIoKZnbcBqwh7u53WOewJhFFu2uXlRdq_M39SaqZO0xk49QLvxtfAVnjgBCIiVsJfsYXLAqAt-ejU-Yn20/s1600/bonnet_farloft_by_bluekite_falls-d80gj4l.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA8dpCwCMC3UJAhH4RYqYQ34yNlct3jCetq41a-6mDWWjLmrcYz9BuastYn6LIoKZnbcBqwh7u53WOewJhFFu2uXlRdq_M39SaqZO0xk49QLvxtfAVnjgBCIiVsJfsYXLAqAt-ejU-Yn20/s200/bonnet_farloft_by_bluekite_falls-d80gj4l.png" width="184" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Farloft drinking tea wearing<br />Theresa's bonnet<br />(Artwork: Bluekite-Falls)</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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</div>
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<b>I did wonder how you did that. Another thing, you seem to have an
affinity with humans. Tell me about <a href="http://www.theresasnyderauthor.com/farloft/#vol1">James</a>, and why you adopted him rather than
returning him to the humans he came from? <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Farloft: At first it was a matter of necessity to keep him
safe and free from harm. Later, we became so attached to one another that I
wanted to have him around permanently. He had no family and, since there had
been a change in his circumstance (which I cannot go into here without revealing what you humans call âa spoilerâ), it was inevitable that I should adopt him.
*grins*<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>As he seems to have adopted you. I understand you donât
get on so well with all humans and some cause you and the kingdom a heck of a lot
of trouble. You donât get a peaceful time, do you! Perhaps youâd like to tell
me something about the people who make your life so difficult. And, then, how
about sharing some of the ways you like to grab yourself some peace in between
battling these wizards, kings and dragon hunters?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Farloft: There is good and bad among all clans of humans. I
guess you donât call them clans, do you? In any case, I have met good and bad
wizards, good and bad kings, and even, though it might seem impossible, I have
met bad and good dragon hunters. And, for good or bad, you humans all have short
lives, so we dragons mostly outlive the bad that arrive and we mourn the good
that depart.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Peaceful times for me are spent with my family, sunning on
the rock ledge above our cave entrance. I love watching the younglings fly and
passing on my wisdom to them with regard to life and its pursuits.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTWzynlQr56dRksqMXhQngdtoFm1tbKDchQtPzfTyyARL7XC5MUVsvF10qEZEackzv-GTozJkZgB3TiCXUteY2BUNvGniFcSFApQLgelvIuQSsM8hfiNzAN5-J_Lddau-vZo4o1504sBpd/s1600/pool_side_farloft_by_bluekite_falls-d7rymk4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTWzynlQr56dRksqMXhQngdtoFm1tbKDchQtPzfTyyARL7XC5MUVsvF10qEZEackzv-GTozJkZgB3TiCXUteY2BUNvGniFcSFApQLgelvIuQSsM8hfiNzAN5-J_Lddau-vZo4o1504sBpd/s320/pool_side_farloft_by_bluekite_falls-d7rymk4.png" width="288" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Farloft above his cave at sunset<br />(Artwork: Bluekite-Falls)</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b><br />I know what you mean about the good and the bad... there is always a mix of both; it's something we have to accept. Thinking of the good, I know from Theresa,
youâre not the only dragon who pops in and out of our
dimension<span style="color: red;"> </span>and visits her. Would
you like to introduce some of your friends? Where do they hang out when theyâre
not visiting here?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Farloft: Theresa has met an inordinate amount of dragons on
Twitter. They all seem to hang out there. That is why I chose to come visit her
once a month to chat with the friends I have made and meet the new dragons she
has met while I was gone. We do a Dragon Selfie each year. This is the one from
2016. *chuckles* As you can see we have loads of fun.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnj1s95r2E8IMyTazVKA9NRDDlhFhCwXoprrjmwuQvslnxdUlBlZ9NKIQkWIboV0g1z72PRJ1kEAtXGNcta9Hkd9VLPFr4xssADE4mBMcQLUL7_E-YLbTPm0wldcO6YyzYGWFuCsPlPOJM/s1600/2016+Dragon+Selfie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnj1s95r2E8IMyTazVKA9NRDDlhFhCwXoprrjmwuQvslnxdUlBlZ9NKIQkWIboV0g1z72PRJ1kEAtXGNcta9Hkd9VLPFr4xssADE4mBMcQLUL7_E-YLbTPm0wldcO6YyzYGWFuCsPlPOJM/s320/2016+Dragon+Selfie.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Dragon Selfie<br />(Artwork: Kitsooki)</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b>Wow, so many of you. And what splendorous creatures you all are. I would give anything to be at one of your conventions and see you all together like this! But, I gather not all dragons are as friendly as your
friends of <i>The Last Kingdom</i>. Thinking of 'the bad', didnât I hear something about how one of your old
companions turned up and caused havoc? That mustâve been quite upsetting for
you. What happened?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Farloft: Thrax was always a bit impulsive. We were young
when we were friends. I was fresh out of the nest and we adventured together.
It was our misfortune that a dragoness came between us. Dragons are long lived
and therefore often hold grudges for a <i>very </i>long time. That was the case with
Thrax. I wish we could have resolved the issue without violence, but when he
involved my family I had to put an end to it. *deep frown furrows brow* I tell
our story in vol. 4 of my Chronicles, <a href="http://www.theresasnyderauthor.com/farloft/#vol4"><i>Too Many Dragons</i></a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi7nXheA_e3-tFaYzWXMWJEIsJv9K7gUNQ9j4ixPfB1Yi6I6g_h5eeNajPaxc_W_3RllcbV2rERCpRA_rEUedXxCZec1pmN1rYmFK0j1QTkqcf3dzNATOeox8x0o35_V6sHOd3zvtQh9OW/s1600/Farloft+Chronicles_Vol+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi7nXheA_e3-tFaYzWXMWJEIsJv9K7gUNQ9j4ixPfB1Yi6I6g_h5eeNajPaxc_W_3RllcbV2rERCpRA_rEUedXxCZec1pmN1rYmFK0j1QTkqcf3dzNATOeox8x0o35_V6sHOd3zvtQh9OW/s320/Farloft+Chronicles_Vol+4.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The Farloft Chronicles Vol 4<br />Too Many Dragons<br />(Cover art: Sarah Hyndshaw)</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b>Such a shame, to hold a grudge that long. Talk about constantly blowing on embers that should've long died out! </b><b>Oh, that reminds me, when my daughter heard I was interviewing you for Script Alchemy, she
insisted I ask you:</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>'<i>Does breathing fire ever give you a sore throat?</i>'</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Farloft: On the contrary, breathing fire clears the throat
of a dragon. I tell the story of how my clan members learn
to breathe fire in my <i><a href="http://www.theresasnyderauthor.com/farloft/#storybook">Farloftâs Storybook</a></i>. It is quite a sight to see the
younglings practice. *grins toothily*</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYWmlWW_qPWJyiuUnS0XaHgeSSjwJF_Pw-d4cdF9MZPYMVcds2tWjs8ZURPutAo5NFS_UToI2qzVDHMn3KEHWF5GZhYv-aKa4kTl4RLk_4OI5PJ2BwWwYi2ctAxAbBJtT_2Me15a5NMgHy/s1600/47_by_bluekite_falls-d98czbr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYWmlWW_qPWJyiuUnS0XaHgeSSjwJF_Pw-d4cdF9MZPYMVcds2tWjs8ZURPutAo5NFS_UToI2qzVDHMn3KEHWF5GZhYv-aKa4kTl4RLk_4OI5PJ2BwWwYi2ctAxAbBJtT_2Me15a5NMgHy/s320/47_by_bluekite_falls-d98czbr.jpg" width="314" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Little Dragon<br />(Artwork: Bluekite-Falls)</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b><br />Aw, cute. </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Well, health was something I hadnât thought of before. It has me thinking, what other health hazards does a dragon have to deal with?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Farloft: As to other ailments, my clan is not susceptible. Being around humans, I have on occasion caught a cold, but I have very intense healing powers and I'm over it in no time.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Looking at that youngling above, I don't think he's going to be blowing his own trumpet for quite a while yet, not when he's still struggling to blow a smoke ring. What about you, though - I hear you might want to toot your horn? You donât have
to answer this if it isn't true, but Iâve heard rumours you might be visiting
Hollywood in the near future. C</b><b>an you give us a hint - i</b><b>s it true? If itâs all hush-hush, please feel
free to say so, but... are you planning on breaking
into the film industry?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Farloft: *tilts wedged head and winks* I am not at liberty
to speak about it at this time. However, if you have my autograph in one of my
books, you should keep it safe in your hoard. It might be worth something in
the future. *grins toothily*<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Ooo...that sounds very intriguing. I'll be keeping an eye on your <a href="https://www.facebook.com/FarlofttheDragon/">Facebook page</a> to make sure I don't miss anything.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Before you fly off, I have to tell you, Farloft, weâre all very proud
of your friend, Theresa. Itâs great that sheâs chronicled some of your exciting stories. Will you be sharing any more with her? If so, when might the
next story of <a href="http://www.theresasnyderauthor.com/farloft/">The Farloft Chronicles</a> be available? Also, can you tell me why you
asked her to write them for middle school children,<span style="color: red;"> </span>when
the stories would be a delight for adults as well? Certainly, I know of a couple of
youngâun whoâve loved them, but I believe their parents did too.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjjUM9-erhmat4P5h_M0DDmKiWCT3TKfuxSDMdBh04V6_JbkNj9bTaqzHC1u5jPX7ztwJOSXBJz_71AE74LDmBVE-0sx9Vv-oFEzLLKYz_J_FekXGM5AaDyFyXXWa09CS6PM_OaMvWQuus/s1600/Farloft+Chronicles+series.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="108" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjjUM9-erhmat4P5h_M0DDmKiWCT3TKfuxSDMdBh04V6_JbkNj9bTaqzHC1u5jPX7ztwJOSXBJz_71AE74LDmBVE-0sx9Vv-oFEzLLKYz_J_FekXGM5AaDyFyXXWa09CS6PM_OaMvWQuus/s320/Farloft+Chronicles+series.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The Farloft Chronicles</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Farloft: My original Chronicle was written for Theresaâs
nephew, who was nine years old at the time. That is why the books were
initially written for middle school children. But dragons are loved by
everyone, so when Theresa published my Chronicles they found an audience with
the adults who read them. As time has passed I have even dictated <a href="http://www.theresasnyderauthor.com/farloft/#storybook">a hatchling book</a> for the little tots you humans have. It contains coloring pages. I like to
think Theresa and I have built a collection of Dragon Stories for All Ages.
*sticks out chest with pride*<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Thank you so much for
sparing some of your precious time, Farloft, and apologies to our friend Theresa for
hijacking you the moment you came to visit. </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Before you go, would you mind
sharing some details where people can find your excellent stories, or where
they can chat with you personally (I know you appear regularly on Twitter⌠it
would be great if you tell us something about this and anywhere else people can
find you.)<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
Farloft:<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAVxWrYPkfhX1S-L5HEbiM2d-GtRDXBTvks5S6jFlCVklRy_UJQAcCQlXBTdQpBuQ5qDhPMS5HTS9l7VtzlyVLNCDCvAzmJympMbMRsEIgJ53TKMz1HQ-Ih_x5fbbtFsTFFabagCQJqeo9/s1600/Theresa+and+Farloft.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAVxWrYPkfhX1S-L5HEbiM2d-GtRDXBTvks5S6jFlCVklRy_UJQAcCQlXBTdQpBuQ5qDhPMS5HTS9l7VtzlyVLNCDCvAzmJympMbMRsEIgJ53TKMz1HQ-Ih_x5fbbtFsTFFabagCQJqeo9/s320/Theresa+and+Farloft.png" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Theresa Snyder and Farloft the Dragon<br />Friends across time</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b>Twitter</b>: I will
be <a href="https://twitter.com/TheresaSnyder19">here on Twitter with Theresa Snyder</a> the last Friday of each month</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Facebook</b>: Keep
track of my progress in show business on my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/FarlofttheDragon/">Farloft the Dragon</a> page (Hollywood Here I Come)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Website</b>: All my
books are on Theresaâs Website: <a href="http://www.theresasnyderauthor.com/farloft/">Theresa Snyder: Farloft Chronicles</a> </div>
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<b>My Blog</b>: <a href="http://farloftsrhetoric.blogspot.com/">Lots of fun art, contests and stories</a></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!-- END OF AMAZON AD MORE FARLOFT BOOKS-->Annelisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18404801255562567591noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1299748757474386124.post-44045192577731727692016-12-01T14:30:00.000-08:002017-08-28T16:11:59.031-07:00Interview: Jill Corley (Editor and Beta Reader)<div class="MsoNormal">
Iâve read many interviews of authors and writers, and even done
a few on <a href="http://www.scriptalchemy.com/p/interviewees.html">Script Alchemy</a>, but it occurred to me that thereâs a group of people
more important, or at least <i>as</i>
important, as the authors in the book industry. Thereâs a group of people the
industry canât survive without, and thatâs the readers. Today, Iâm interviewing
Jill Corley, an avid reader, reviewer and editor.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaTRrIHH5h_qGhDaVH7_BaAVi78gOTaasIOrJlF4DUcq2YPUT4QcUe4M6FoRVDmDAGqyocG4NvYL_uYayl82EsJ6aALNkhIjIgUG-_S70qnGx5Yaj_fI06-3MnYGze2loTzazZ0DURahk5/s1600/me4+by+kiera+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaTRrIHH5h_qGhDaVH7_BaAVi78gOTaasIOrJlF4DUcq2YPUT4QcUe4M6FoRVDmDAGqyocG4NvYL_uYayl82EsJ6aALNkhIjIgUG-_S70qnGx5Yaj_fI06-3MnYGze2loTzazZ0DURahk5/s320/me4+by+kiera+%25281%2529.jpg" width="284" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Jill Corley: Editor and Beta Reader</i></td></tr>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Hi Jil<span style="background-color: white;">l<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">,</span> <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">H</span></span>ow are you doing?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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Iâm doing well,
thank you.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>I've been following your reviews on Facebook for a while, and I know you on Twitter, so it's good to see you here.</b></div>
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<b>Before we get into talking about your reading and editing, how about we get
to know a little about you first. Whatâs your favourite way to pass an hour or two on
your own? Apart from reading, reviewing and editing, do you have any other
pastimes or hobbies? <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRhHSBW6qyvp6nbzFBQ0exTrKRr21qhTM2rq9tv23h4lnLfHVt5j3ONKklacM62UaXn45fDpw9ppTvPTj230n35DbfytwROmE-cVkLAgAjU5T0msV5h-VQsATXFIEmInpXm7ySB9HSF2Em/s1600/Shadow+and+sinkerball+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRhHSBW6qyvp6nbzFBQ0exTrKRr21qhTM2rq9tv23h4lnLfHVt5j3ONKklacM62UaXn45fDpw9ppTvPTj230n35DbfytwROmE-cVkLAgAjU5T0msV5h-VQsATXFIEmInpXm7ySB9HSF2Em/s200/Shadow+and+sinkerball+2.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Jill's dog, Shadow, playing<br />with a sinker ball</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5QY2aX4iBJPi7Y7TfTJ7rJgsetiFmmTXm4UI0PCEqrZWu3OAeSJq9Ll8kp9gvrkytBPNdTan53YgowWWTg6NCO9xrQYAtQHKC62gg6fSt3H6QAKhTT3h7cx4c6rVQqQx6ko-qDjj_2KlC/s1600/Shadow+and+sinkerball.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5QY2aX4iBJPi7Y7TfTJ7rJgsetiFmmTXm4UI0PCEqrZWu3OAeSJq9Ll8kp9gvrkytBPNdTan53YgowWWTg6NCO9xrQYAtQHKC62gg6fSt3H6QAKhTT3h7cx4c6rVQqQx6ko-qDjj_2KlC/s200/Shadow+and+sinkerball.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Shadow gets the better of the ball</i></td></tr>
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I love spending time with my dog, Shadow. He is my best friend and go-to guy for all
things silly. Several times a day we
play with his big sinker-ball until we are both exhausted. Then I sit on the porch swing with a cup of
coffee while he chases the squirrels out of our yard. He still doesnât quite get why he canât climb
a tree!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPXBj5yniGLj9vaDpSb65POdaEmCgYUMNC7Rcb8zsxQhPwa8TpvKzdy-QGjz9PnWlUkQ8VbcX3NJz2CkmPDMv7mhgUhVD3H3OkZe6hWd2gVqGz-jabM3dnEoAmR2OdJwchOgb3xLi8v-rt/s1600/Poconos3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPXBj5yniGLj9vaDpSb65POdaEmCgYUMNC7Rcb8zsxQhPwa8TpvKzdy-QGjz9PnWlUkQ8VbcX3NJz2CkmPDMv7mhgUhVD3H3OkZe6hWd2gVqGz-jabM3dnEoAmR2OdJwchOgb3xLi8v-rt/s320/Poconos3.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Pocono Mountains</i></td></tr>
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Decorating and DIY projects interest me. Watching Property
Brothers and Fixer Upper to get ideas is one of the things that can get me into
trouble because it adds to the honey-do list. </div>
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We take rides to the Pocono Mountains and I love to take
pictures of the scenery. With digital
the bad ones are gone so easily; no more developing film only to find they were
not well done. Iâm not bad, but Iâd like
to take classes in the future. We also enjoy visiting historic sites that are
within a day trip of our home. </div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
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Also, sitting on my patio enjoying my rose garden and the parsley
plant that grew over 100 swallowtail butterflies this year<br />
...and spending a few moments on social media trying to catch up
with family and friends. Meeting friends
for lunch or dinner is always fun, too.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcijgOpL8QMcbg8EvJs-BxMij1OePcQORGAvFAvgk4p54VJXWCYbya8hTm08MW6XuhKeNL5MVCt_zcjaHbkBx3ZHWYvrG3yoCQOrf885a4hpcRusVxGbgCVHvo4ZVGEWu4axx6fglqRHcj/s1600/Black+Beauty+by+Anna+Sewell+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcijgOpL8QMcbg8EvJs-BxMij1OePcQORGAvFAvgk4p54VJXWCYbya8hTm08MW6XuhKeNL5MVCt_zcjaHbkBx3ZHWYvrG3yoCQOrf885a4hpcRusVxGbgCVHvo4ZVGEWu4axx6fglqRHcj/s200/Black+Beauty+by+Anna+Sewell+%25281%2529.jpg" width="125" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Black Beauty by <br />Anna Sewell</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Shadow's so cute! and the colours in your pic of the Pocono Mountains are so amazing, it makes me want to pick up my camera and come and join you! I have to admit, I had to look up what a 'honey-do' list is... now I know (list of chores to get done made by your partner). </b><b>So, now we know a bit about what helps you relax, let's talk about your other life - reading. What's the
earliest book you can remember reading?</b></div>
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I read a lot of books when I was young, but the most memorable
was Black Beauty by Anna Sewell, <o:p></o:p><br />
which I read the summer between fourth and fifth
grade.</div>
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<b>Ah, I wonder how many hearts that book captured! It's funny how particular books stand out like that for the rest of your life. I understand you read a lot now. How
many books do you read? Do you review all of them?</b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9_4mUupBu3YgxdcCCGX0OucY6d0A54Cno3glIFY9qcy-y8V7yDXmB4uzzWYxumKAjxNxIc07O-FxuRS3o0BoooP7HYCm_eofG0WYnhkE_VtNS_PjfdVma0yVDFvUOXChA9m5SGsxVr1Tt/s1600/garden1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9_4mUupBu3YgxdcCCGX0OucY6d0A54Cno3glIFY9qcy-y8V7yDXmB4uzzWYxumKAjxNxIc07O-FxuRS3o0BoooP7HYCm_eofG0WYnhkE_VtNS_PjfdVma0yVDFvUOXChA9m5SGsxVr1Tt/s320/garden1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>When Jill isn't reading, she enjoys sitting<br />in the garden watching butterflies</i></td></tr>
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Iâve read as few as three and as many as ten in a
month. It depends on my family
commitments, the size of the book and my beta reading schedule. In this past
year, I have concentrated strictly on beta reading my promised books. Unfortunately, I hadnât the time to include
the ARC reviews. I hope to be able to read
them sometime soon. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Yes, I do post reviews. All art is subjective and is based
on an opinion that is influenced by the readerâs own life experiences. I do reviews when I can give three to five stars. I am a tough critic, but I feel I am
fair. I will always list, with reasons,
what I like and donât like about a book.
I also find reviews helpful when deciding whether to buy a book;
however, a bad review wonât stop me if I have an interest to see what the
writer has to say.<o:p></o:p><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC1cwot23qIsvdOYArIxkApGVyY6yldCklpOE_80uHrMpWQXyxje3hHU5URZgpIJeZS6A0ZLh_1S2T5pUPJ2SwzRb7DaslyyLFREI-9DKdxaYCuucWDbDZwjx8ZSdV2jLsljlG1h2ROLB3/s1600/garden2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC1cwot23qIsvdOYArIxkApGVyY6yldCklpOE_80uHrMpWQXyxje3hHU5URZgpIJeZS6A0ZLh_1S2T5pUPJ2SwzRb7DaslyyLFREI-9DKdxaYCuucWDbDZwjx8ZSdV2jLsljlG1h2ROLB3/s320/garden2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daffodils in Jill's garden</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>That's something I like to hear. It bugs me when people don't take a chance on a book or film just because other people say it isn't great. I've often found that my opinion isn't the same as others', and I've thoroughly enjoyed stuff that hasn't been given a top rating (and thoroughly hated stuff that has!) So, what kind of books do you most enjoy? Do you have a favourite genre?</b></div>
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I like things
that are hard to place in a specific genre.
I love mythology of all types, paranormal, romance/erotica, suspense/thrillers,
sci-fi, realistic fiction, magical realism, historical fiction and non-fiction,
mystery, legend/folklore, and humor. A
perfect book for me has all that and a few surprises.<br />
The only
types I donât read are full on horror or occult.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Image by Jill Corley</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Is it hard to
live your everyday life when you spend so much of your day in fictional worlds
and in different periods?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Not at
all. I have a great life and I love
living it, but without books it would beâŚless.
Reading relaxes me. What could be
better than daily travel without ever leaving your chair? I also learn something new with every book I devour. Reading enhances my life and is as necessary for
me as breathing.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>I understand what you mean about everything being 'less' without books. I think every reader and writer would. What about your editing... when did reading turn to editing, and why?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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From the very
beginning. I didnât really know what a
beta readerâs job was, so I guess I didnât conform to the expected version of a
standard beta; I always gave more. I
have an eye for spotting problems because I truly love to read; it is my
passion. Why not help someone when you have the opportunity? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If I am spotting things that have been missed by spellcheck
and/or problems with plots and character development, then it would surely be a
disservice to the writer if I donât bring it to their attention. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I also do it because I enjoy the creative aspect of helping
someone else reach their dream.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM-ctW7Snk3VWyfubAbWsuW_M_OQF0mdeLMEumjXqxuJpBTqVbG1lB7MCUdg1gVVatIxAoNYgRha0awaU4YAqSqPnxmachdFVymY79bHPEPG0xPdonfQJx8Q6FbxIWPYPseUMOxGtC_sT2/s1600/garden3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM-ctW7Snk3VWyfubAbWsuW_M_OQF0mdeLMEumjXqxuJpBTqVbG1lB7MCUdg1gVVatIxAoNYgRha0awaU4YAqSqPnxmachdFVymY79bHPEPG0xPdonfQJx8Q6FbxIWPYPseUMOxGtC_sT2/s320/garden3.jpg" width="216" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A rose from Jill's garden</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Well, it's not surprising you've become so popular with your regular authors then. What a gem you are. Some little
birdies (and many excellent testimonials) tell me your useful feedback and solid advice have made you really popular with
writers. So much so,
that you are turning a full time âhobbyâ into a full-time business. What
encouraged you to make this transition? And when is it going to happen?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Initial credit
goes to my husband because he suggested that I was doing much more than reading
and maybe I could turn it into a career.
I let the idea twirl around in the back of my mind and I did some
research, but wasnât ready to take the leap on just my husbandâs advice. <o:p></o:p></div>
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It was quite a surprise when several writers I worked with
encouraged me to begin charging for my services. After much more research and the blessings of
my husband and my very supportive (and returning) writers, I decided it was
time to make my dream a reality. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am set to officially launch my business <i><a href="http://jillccorley.wixsite.com/jillccorleyservices">Jill C CorleyServices, LLC</a></i> on Thursday, December 1,
2016. Services under my business will
be broken down into three distinct types and my website will explain what will
be done and how much it will cost. I
will also consider any combination of services, including query letters and
book cover selections.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>I'm sure you're going to be well sought after, from what I've heard.<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP_JtxFzO90XKtNkNCdEYHOLwXQGNXPkV0-kqYNpuCc6MRTT3-TbjdaCjgwg56Nc3_hjLZr1PrCdAkEW9LbaYE0-4Ol92pTg_q8rv7nScCi7oQjMs_AibtSx-M2Ylyte5lZf4hjgYDp71j/s1600/Poconos2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP_JtxFzO90XKtNkNCdEYHOLwXQGNXPkV0-kqYNpuCc6MRTT3-TbjdaCjgwg56Nc3_hjLZr1PrCdAkEW9LbaYE0-4Ol92pTg_q8rv7nScCi7oQjMs_AibtSx-M2Ylyte5lZf4hjgYDp71j/s200/Poconos2.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A tree growing around a<br />sign in Pocono Mountains<br />Image: Jill Corley</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</b><br />
<b>Just to clarify something, most authors realise the importance of the many levels of editing for such things as plot, charactes, pace, through to a 'search and destroy' on spelling mistakes, bad grammar etc before a book's ready for publication. </b><b>When you're editing, what sort of things do you particularly look out for?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My writers have
always received the full scope of my abilities, unless they have specified
otherwise. I prefer doing a deep edit,
which is where I catch everything I possibly can on the first run-through. I donât search for issues, I let them reveal
themselves as I read the text. Itâs
sometimes a concentrated effort if itâs a very complicated plot and the writer
has specific concerns. Usually, I untether my brain and thinking process so I can simply immerse myself into the
pages of the story. Since I didnât write
the story and Iâm reading it for the first time, itâs easier for me to spot the
issues than it is for the writer.<br />
<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
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</div>
<b>Spending so much time with books, have you ever
thought of writing yourself?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yes. Iâve done some ghost-writing during my time
as a beta reader, which I found enjoyable and rewarding. I am sure I will put fingers to keyboard
sometime in the future; or maybe pen to paper.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>If you every write a book, I'd love to read it, Jill. Thanks very much
for coming along today. Would you like to tell people where they can find you?<o:p></o:p></b><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><b>Email</b>:</span> jillccorleyservicesllc@gmail.com</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><b>Website</b>:</span> <a href="http://jillccorley.wixsite.com/jillccorleyservices">Jill C Corley Services, LLC</a>: <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><b>Goodreads</b>:</span> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/4551227-ravenous-reader-jill-c-corley">Ravenous Reader Jill C. Corley</a> [JCC]<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><b>Twitter</b>:</span> <a href="https://twitter.com/JillCCorley">@JillCCorley</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><b>Facebook</b>:</span> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/corley.jillc">Jill C. Corley</a><o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_KvhzIfguktmwypuydZajryyOjgE_p5Todod9Sb1OcuNpaQlT0ZX-5FT4V0-xCBZKfR0riZD8QnvucYCIsih9SVbMQmJFAgSp74RGuXRKi_QeteQjEyaEtWhHiUUhAr4YfDN5HONNxD_h/s1600/badkyard+at+daybreak.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_KvhzIfguktmwypuydZajryyOjgE_p5Todod9Sb1OcuNpaQlT0ZX-5FT4V0-xCBZKfR0riZD8QnvucYCIsih9SVbMQmJFAgSp74RGuXRKi_QeteQjEyaEtWhHiUUhAr4YfDN5HONNxD_h/s320/badkyard+at+daybreak.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>'Backyard at Daybreak'<br />Image: Jill Corley</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div>
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<!-- END AMAZON ADS WRITING BOOKS -->Annelisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18404801255562567591noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1299748757474386124.post-52268192162927229482016-11-17T12:03:00.001-08:002016-11-17T13:07:04.811-08:00Instafreebie Historical Fiction Giveaway<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUuolFRWisQZ9IoG4z01TBrM7x3N0tbVLHpKz4shs2E4JsnqTCbO0Xl8T6Mcm2_ew26Lp-P7kaUmTg6hHZQ9OBDFwl7i_-tLFGGR7PZl0B_1vSqD4gh3FAZDeREO0KARcXSMvL_XE4ZFdM/s1600/email+banner.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="118" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUuolFRWisQZ9IoG4z01TBrM7x3N0tbVLHpKz4shs2E4JsnqTCbO0Xl8T6Mcm2_ew26Lp-P7kaUmTg6hHZQ9OBDFwl7i_-tLFGGR7PZl0B_1vSqD4gh3FAZDeREO0KARcXSMvL_XE4ZFdM/s320/email+banner.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
It's November, coming up to Christmas. You're probably beginning to think about presents for others, rushing around trying to find 'just the right' gift for your partner, your parents, your children, that close friend who you always swap with, work's 'Secret Santa'... it goes on. So much to think about. And with Black Friday coming up for all our American friends, there will probably be plenty of opportunities to fill the stockings, build a pile under the Christmas tree and fulfil all roles as partner, friend, workmate etc.<br />
<br />
But... don't forget about you. Remember to take some time out and get some head space. Perhaps curl up on the sofa with a cuppa coffee or glass of wine and allow yourself to relax. Remember what that is? How often do we do something nice for ourselves?<br />
<br />
Do you remember how much you love to read book? Do you even give yourself time to read these days? That's more than I do. Not enough anyway. I used to read and read and read, all the time: when I woke, during breakfast, when I came back from school, during the evening meal (I did get some rollickings for that!) and then under the covers in bed. That was back when I just turned teen, I read so much, I lived more in alternate universes than this one - sci-fi, love stories, adventure stories, literary fiction, historical novels. I was hooked on reading.<br />
<br />
Hooked on reading? Wonderful! If there's anything in the world that's good to be addicted to, I thought, it's reading. But, these days, when do I find time to feed my addiction? It's hard to stop doing everything I '<i>should</i>' do, and do something I <i>want </i>to do, that's for sure. But I have a plan... a good plan. And that plan is to spend some time every evening reading novels, even if it's only a few pages of a book each night. I plan to take back some sanity, recover something of that youngster I once was. My TBR list is already long... time to shorten it.<br />
<br />
So now we're thinking about ourselves, maybe you'd like to hear about a special offer? For the next four days (17th-20th November) <a href="http://alexakang.com/home/instafreebie_historical/">I've joined up with a group of historical fiction authors to give away copies of our books for free.</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3wetfNhIS-5zWFHE2YGhrayQSrZGEdIoeiFkyNiU_mOG_QEftywsla1kzR4qJGEe2e-WWZF1HKsjIeiF6DaRgpblNQqVBmdBOaXDDD6ytEfcjGJNVGmLxfh2FQ7QWaO3lE1RkBTd6KcNz/s1600/Facebook+banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3wetfNhIS-5zWFHE2YGhrayQSrZGEdIoeiFkyNiU_mOG_QEftywsla1kzR4qJGEe2e-WWZF1HKsjIeiF6DaRgpblNQqVBmdBOaXDDD6ytEfcjGJNVGmLxfh2FQ7QWaO3lE1RkBTd6KcNz/s320/Facebook+banner.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
These authors of historical fiction, including historical romance and historical fantasy, have come together to offer their books for free. Any of the novels on <a href="http://alexakang.com/home/instafreebie_historical/">Alexa Kang's page</a> (in the images in this post) are included in the offer.<br />
<br />
What's the catch? Nope, no catch. It's easy-peezy. All you do is sign up to the mailing list of any or every book you fancy reading (there's no limit). It's a win-win. You get to download and <a href="http://alexakang.com/home/instafreebie_historical/">read the books for free</a>. And if, for any reason, you don't enjoy being on any of the authors' mailing lists, you can unsubscribe at any time. Of course, we each hope that you'll want to stay and get to know the author(s) behind the book(s), the person who put months, maybe years, into research and writing these stories.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoxd4rPZzJlGpOh7zxriJdFf9VJouOyETFD4HWyOQG1tIpurjh8fOY9_VToMVhacw3IwvdtkcGsyPn1YDWwgQzS2D_R78A060emNZIfjNY7HnLVMPjeSyinhKkpLr0wUtHeYxgGoj4IoLi/s1600/Facebeook+banner+%25282%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoxd4rPZzJlGpOh7zxriJdFf9VJouOyETFD4HWyOQG1tIpurjh8fOY9_VToMVhacw3IwvdtkcGsyPn1YDWwgQzS2D_R78A060emNZIfjNY7HnLVMPjeSyinhKkpLr0wUtHeYxgGoj4IoLi/s320/Facebeook+banner+%25282%2529.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Personally, I've already signed up to a list or two, and intend to sign up to a few more books. I love hearing about authors' lives, finding out what they're doing in between books. I also hope<a href="http://alexakang.com/home/instafreebie_historical/"> to find new authors I can follow</a> and read in the future.<br />
<br />
How about you? Do you see any novels here you might like to read? Go for it! <a href="http://alexakang.com/home/instafreebie_historical/">Grab them for free</a> while you have a chance :-)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6WAVlMSG0067hqgv2OWLmcslYO66vSf8Eb_2S5EcA1JWW8I3ynwaJHq2G3737TTIL6_of8nJBdhj2OHWbpus5KKMewpY2CsEooD0a23Xc3_hOEKCDlCkpFYUcQo8jhYtSJ7NF_dBpldel/s1600/Facebeook+banner+%25283%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6WAVlMSG0067hqgv2OWLmcslYO66vSf8Eb_2S5EcA1JWW8I3ynwaJHq2G3737TTIL6_of8nJBdhj2OHWbpus5KKMewpY2CsEooD0a23Xc3_hOEKCDlCkpFYUcQo8jhYtSJ7NF_dBpldel/s320/Facebeook+banner+%25283%2529.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Check out all the historical fiction, romance and fantasy novels on <a href="http://alexakang.com/home/instafreebie_historical/">Alexa King's page</a>. Help yourself to whichever ones you want.<br />
<br />
Well, I'm off to download a few... hope to see you there :-)<br />
<br />
<br />
Annelisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18404801255562567591noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1299748757474386124.post-43079710757109037702016-11-04T09:12:00.001-07:002016-11-04T09:12:39.086-07:00Dona Nobis Pacem<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiji3iWP80hjWsrxnxjAUIcaYocCc4vH7oYxyonoJiiJaR3iHBFW_ssDn37btaNe4-p7knL0Y66hcfbo3fz-pJKwwRWoOv0ag0I7XVVLL7fxL3zHpLjmrhwnLb1q4SF2s7ZYJXQT0UK_K30/s1600/The+Popish+Midwife+peaceglobe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiji3iWP80hjWsrxnxjAUIcaYocCc4vH7oYxyonoJiiJaR3iHBFW_ssDn37btaNe4-p7knL0Y66hcfbo3fz-pJKwwRWoOv0ag0I7XVVLL7fxL3zHpLjmrhwnLb1q4SF2s7ZYJXQT0UK_K30/s1600/The+Popish+Midwife+peaceglobe.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
No matter how busy you are today, take a moment to reflect on peace. We all want it, don't we? I think many of us have always wanted it.<br />
<br />
So, how come we don't have it?<br />
<br />
Today is BlogBlast4Peace.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://blog4peace.com/">Who are we, the peace bloggers</a>?<br />
<br />
<a href="http://mimiwrites.blogspot.co.uk/p/how-to-get-your-peace-globe.html">Make your own Peaceglobe</a> and make your stand for peace.<br />
<br />
Just do it. Sign up for Peace!<br />
<br />
<br />Annelisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18404801255562567591noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1299748757474386124.post-52221424246839434572016-10-23T02:59:00.000-07:002016-11-04T07:35:39.349-07:00Spotlights on The Popish Midwife HFVBT Book Tour and new addition<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
The spotlight has been turned on <i>The Popish Midwife</i> to kick off the <a href="http://hfvirtualbooktours.com/thepopishmidwifeblogtour/">HFVBT Tour</a> and how it shines!<br />
<br />
A 'spotlight' is where a book is featured... something said about the book, the author (in this case, me! :-D ) and any extra information about where to find out more.<br />
<br />
<b>The spotlight is shining brightly at: </b><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzGONVZKBDY46HlWByY95Dma0GtS6nGccq9rYoAh0Pafv33MT_-1UoqRI91fOSMmMhRhF0u72FQKlbQWZSUo8yldKb568bzN3Ssyg6EnSIL2ZF69FQB6k64LJrj4CLJ2tZnY7UraC2pWob/s1600/The+Book+Connection+-+HFVBT+-+Wed+19th+Oct+2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="108" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzGONVZKBDY46HlWByY95Dma0GtS6nGccq9rYoAh0Pafv33MT_-1UoqRI91fOSMmMhRhF0u72FQKlbQWZSUo8yldKb568bzN3Ssyg6EnSIL2ZF69FQB6k64LJrj4CLJ2tZnY7UraC2pWob/s200/The+Book+Connection+-+HFVBT+-+Wed+19th+Oct+2016.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>19th Oct: <a href="http://www.blogarama.com/books-literature-blogs/74759-book-connection-blog/16210529-spotlight-popish-midwife-annelisa-christensen">The Book Connection</a></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1C8sJmd-EF_sOkakbjvHgHNJt4SfQpMq7CsIDRdhDXsy7AkadJPP6nzKBXKeLl8TEtgvRmYWAriqc2WDmhGQL8iBFPLj5lqP06rpnjGbvqce69p242bDiom3HL4BMuO7E-a1U1CIB-dvy/s1600/Blogarama.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1C8sJmd-EF_sOkakbjvHgHNJt4SfQpMq7CsIDRdhDXsy7AkadJPP6nzKBXKeLl8TEtgvRmYWAriqc2WDmhGQL8iBFPLj5lqP06rpnjGbvqce69p242bDiom3HL4BMuO7E-a1U1CIB-dvy/s200/Blogarama.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">19th Oct: <a href="http://www.blogarama.com/books-literature-blogs/74759-book-connection-blog/16210529-spotlight-popish-midwife-annelisa-christensen">Blogarama</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFKzkzrgu8RktiUD9-FSg3fu2iGayLwCuFFGI87kc1UkHm8gtcsPMpNQBV2FnhBvuzOuyDCxRknKXTdOPak3c4_UfRIpP5kQtR-1SMhW_XATox0ta2jTxRWJQ7Vy9ei_SCAQEmyxMFaIGa/s1600/WHAT+IS+THAT+BOOK+ABOUT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFKzkzrgu8RktiUD9-FSg3fu2iGayLwCuFFGI87kc1UkHm8gtcsPMpNQBV2FnhBvuzOuyDCxRknKXTdOPak3c4_UfRIpP5kQtR-1SMhW_XATox0ta2jTxRWJQ7Vy9ei_SCAQEmyxMFaIGa/s200/WHAT+IS+THAT+BOOK+ABOUT.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">22nd Oct:<br />
<i><a href="http://www.whatisthatbookabout.com/promos/2016/10/22/spotlight-the-popish-midwife-by-annelisa-christensen">WHAT IS THAT BOOK ABOUT</a></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWVwC6gxnNvvRXR5qRVEMsfu_EdcXJ5oruXYEM0sQL2q7hY2YfWqbFCh7-dsx99o4awEDE1vN4_wn3HiYYDJ5RDN1493QdrPasvjKyb1cIQBlndPARmd9Rt2GA5RmBd9UpAWgHFcoav4Db/s1600/Spotlight+at+The+Broken+Tepee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWVwC6gxnNvvRXR5qRVEMsfu_EdcXJ5oruXYEM0sQL2q7hY2YfWqbFCh7-dsx99o4awEDE1vN4_wn3HiYYDJ5RDN1493QdrPasvjKyb1cIQBlndPARmd9Rt2GA5RmBd9UpAWgHFcoav4Db/s200/Spotlight+at+The+Broken+Tepee.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">25th Oct:<br />
<a href="http://brokenteepee.com/popish-midwife-annelisa-christensen-blog-tour-spotlight/">Broken Tepee</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtAiuWIqVFeJwfv6yShmJ_3YbNdhSAKHHJSXoo86n7Ky-Cq8i30wQNa5uDcj_7clYD5_t6prTwQkCxEOcpzCuzJ0BjZ9OXPx5tfk-9_T1czs9WCmQVS2vZfn6jVgDrDHSeEbpDWJJfSZ4Z/s1600/Spotlight+at+A+Literary+Vacation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="111" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtAiuWIqVFeJwfv6yShmJ_3YbNdhSAKHHJSXoo86n7Ky-Cq8i30wQNa5uDcj_7clYD5_t6prTwQkCxEOcpzCuzJ0BjZ9OXPx5tfk-9_T1czs9WCmQVS2vZfn6jVgDrDHSeEbpDWJJfSZ4Z/s200/Spotlight+at+A+Literary+Vacation.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">27th Oct<br />
<a href="https://aliteraryvacation.blogspot.co.uk/2016/10/spotlight-on-popish-midwife-by-annelisa_27.html">A Literary Vacation</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFcXgNhlP2nlev6_1OeCpo4RqLZJk7NEa82yTTOzwJSRYHngEHxVGdZ1guh1HGFZlAxs8Q3X8uqEgjLcHAB4lyVdSO3-FyejviIhIqYiWqCEvWSFdkMYjeuuFjRW_iIBgiq2tsEH02VYAJ/s1600/Spotlight+at+Passages+to+the+Past.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="111" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFcXgNhlP2nlev6_1OeCpo4RqLZJk7NEa82yTTOzwJSRYHngEHxVGdZ1guh1HGFZlAxs8Q3X8uqEgjLcHAB4lyVdSO3-FyejviIhIqYiWqCEvWSFdkMYjeuuFjRW_iIBgiq2tsEH02VYAJ/s200/Spotlight+at+Passages+to+the+Past.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">28th Oct<br />
<a href="http://www.passagestothepast.com/2016/10/spotlight-on-annelisa-christensens.htm">Passages to the Past</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjkSKWSqnA-md2AOjxdws52XHDHx3otmmFk2iqLnOJUUWZJ_1OHrrni9tPCOgC-p7rrviWQtsm9Lbf0tv3pYavS5jmeFJJnMrJHqKcMhCfUjkNowVvPeP3OJSjmm5qsoE4C6K9fUzDq1oA/s1600/Spotlight+at+Book+Nerd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjkSKWSqnA-md2AOjxdws52XHDHx3otmmFk2iqLnOJUUWZJ_1OHrrni9tPCOgC-p7rrviWQtsm9Lbf0tv3pYavS5jmeFJJnMrJHqKcMhCfUjkNowVvPeP3OJSjmm5qsoE4C6K9fUzDq1oA/s200/Spotlight+at+Book+Nerd.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1st Nov<br />
<a href="http://booknerdloleotodo.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/the-popish-midwife-by-annelisa.html">Book Nerd</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQrQQDgE9vDoQ9a4yXwTYn2T8VD5B1fBMJoUJ29CaLoN8AebAmI6FgpG2AXcv3diKfHnk_FugiAC9NrXPVlre179PkTiEW18KPJ5XkFp2ao1TLk2xZ7O-lkIqWDtllR_NNJcQK0LWz0ani/s1600/Spotlight+at+CelticLady%2527s+Reviews.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="113" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQrQQDgE9vDoQ9a4yXwTYn2T8VD5B1fBMJoUJ29CaLoN8AebAmI6FgpG2AXcv3diKfHnk_FugiAC9NrXPVlre179PkTiEW18KPJ5XkFp2ao1TLk2xZ7O-lkIqWDtllR_NNJcQK0LWz0ani/s200/Spotlight+at+CelticLady%2527s+Reviews.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2nd Nov<br />
<a href="https://celticladysreviews.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/hfvbt-alphaannelisa-popish-midwife-by.html">CELTICLADY'S REVIEWS</a></td></tr>
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<b>Guest Posts at:</b><div>
<b><br /></b><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqq4tqzbaQOCesis6jlg7HJj0AXAg27RK1PGZsW5T9UeG3qmYxluKX04k4jr7arJdH61KhL1trNjXL0DX1dMW8fIw1JWZjP2i2crJmZpIqpt0nkJTKZRZ0X3PBsGFlGa4xNWMhZq0nneQE/s1600/Let+Them+Read+Books+-+guest+post+-+Guy+Fawkes+%2526+the+Solemn+Mock+Processions.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqq4tqzbaQOCesis6jlg7HJj0AXAg27RK1PGZsW5T9UeG3qmYxluKX04k4jr7arJdH61KhL1trNjXL0DX1dMW8fIw1JWZjP2i2crJmZpIqpt0nkJTKZRZ0X3PBsGFlGa4xNWMhZq0nneQE/s320/Let+Them+Read+Books+-+guest+post+-+Guy+Fawkes+%2526+the+Solemn+Mock+Processions.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">4th Nov<br />Guest Post: Guy Fawkes and the Solemn Mock Processions<br /><a href="http://letthemreadbooks.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/blog-tour-guest-post-popish-midwife-by.html">Let Them Read Books</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqcmdiZGUxDIiVTiIEhMikvh9tAJW2-OT2W2wtHs-lOMAV7R-RwFCVUQtEFZdah-h3VmZLkGSv6DFo_RxWMIUyWEMnb7S6qeyQMbHbI4frOt4IXKxGamcddp5tKlX6wxKL77Gv5gusy9T2/s1600/Books%252C+Dreams%252C+Life+-+guest+post+-+satire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqcmdiZGUxDIiVTiIEhMikvh9tAJW2-OT2W2wtHs-lOMAV7R-RwFCVUQtEFZdah-h3VmZLkGSv6DFo_RxWMIUyWEMnb7S6qeyQMbHbI4frOt4IXKxGamcddp5tKlX6wxKL77Gv5gusy9T2/s320/Books%252C+Dreams%252C+Life+-+guest+post+-+satire.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">27th Oct<br />Guest Post: Laughter, the Seventeenth Century Tonic<br /><a href="https://staceyschneller06.wordpress.com/2016/10/27/the-popish-midwifeguest-post-blog-tour/">Books, Dreams, Life</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><br /><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Here's the rest of the tour</b> (check back regularly; tour still updating) Guest Posts, Reviews and Interviews coming up over the next three weeks:<br />
<br />
</b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<b>
</b>
<br />
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<b>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 34.24px;">The Popish Midwife</span></b></h2>
<b>
</b>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://hfvirtualbooktours.com/thepopishmidwifeblogtour">Blog Tour Schedule</a> </span></b></b></div>
<b>
</b>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">(Oct 20 - Nov 11th)</span></b></div>
<b>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3cAE4bgSMqBjq27xywVHWicOHI_n8IP6VVjd1nmY2XgLJMYPCNl2r2wZ8EnkExT888Mgh0jS-tGLOHfb0JxawmKcC9gkHpgxCWLEk8JUkmWqDBqvOiUHFmfbwX1_ZedTEvEVxE1Z1nqWn/s1600/04_The+Popish+Midwife_Blog+Tour+Banner_FINAL.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3cAE4bgSMqBjq27xywVHWicOHI_n8IP6VVjd1nmY2XgLJMYPCNl2r2wZ8EnkExT888Mgh0jS-tGLOHfb0JxawmKcC9gkHpgxCWLEk8JUkmWqDBqvOiUHFmfbwX1_ZedTEvEVxE1Z1nqWn/s320/04_The+Popish+Midwife_Blog+Tour+Banner_FINAL.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<h2 style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0d4a49; font-family: "eb garamond", garamond, georgia, "times new roman", serif; font-size: 24px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.2em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 4px 0px 6px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></h2>
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3c2313; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.35em; margin-bottom: 1.35em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: red;">Wednesday, October 19</span></strong></div>
<a href="http://thebookconnectionccm.blogspot.co.uk/2016/10/book-spotlight-popish-midwife-by.html">Spotlight at The Book Connection</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></strong><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: red;">Friday, October 22</span></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.whatisthatbookabout.com/promos/2016/10/22/spotlight-the-popish-midwife-by-annelisa-christensen">Spotlight at What Is That Book About</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></strong><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Wednesday, October 26</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://brokenteepee.com/popish-midwife-annelisa-christensen-blog-tour-spotlight/">Spotlight at Broken Teepee</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></strong><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Thursday, October 27</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://staceyschneller06.wordpress.com/2016/10/27/the-popish-midwifeguest-post-blog-tour/">Guest post at Books, Dreams, Life</a><br />
<a href="https://aliteraryvacation.blogspot.co.uk/2016/10/spotlight-on-popish-midwife-by-annelisa_27.html">Spotlight at A Literary Vacation</a><br />
<br />
<b style="text-align: start;"></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Friday, October 28</strong></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<a href="http://www.passagestothepast.com/2016/10/spotlight-on-annelisa-christensens.htm">Spotlight at Passages to the Past</a> </div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></strong><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Tuesday, November 1</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://booknerdloleotodo.blogspot.co.uk/">Spotlight at Book Nerd</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></strong><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Wednesday, November 2</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://celticladysreviews.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/hfvbt-alphaannelisa-popish-midwife-by.html">Spotlight at Celtic Ladyâs Reviews</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Friday, November 4</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent;"><a href="http://letthemreadbooks.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/blog-tour-guest-post-popish-midwife-by.html">Guest post at Let Them Read Books</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></strong><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Monday, November 7</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Review at <a href="http://sj2bhouseofbooks.blogspot.co.uk/">SJ2B House of Books</a></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #3c2313; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">
<strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Wednesday, November 9</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="color: #3c2313; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">
Interview at <a href="http://thebookconnectionccm.blogspot.co.uk/">The Book Connection</a><br />
<div style="font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #3c2313; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Wednesday, November 9</strong></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman";">
<div style="color: #3c2313; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">
Guest Post and Review at <a href="http://historicalfictionobsession.blogspot.co.uk/">Historical Fiction Obsession</a></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="color: #3c2313; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Friday, November 11</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Review at <a href="http://justonemorechapter.com/">Just One More Chapter</a></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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Annelisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18404801255562567591noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1299748757474386124.post-91505651583840344122016-10-20T08:27:00.003-07:002016-10-25T23:31:43.367-07:00It's Here! Come Meet Me On My Blog Tour<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 34.24px;">The Popish Midwife</span></h2>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://hfvirtualbooktours.com/thepopishmidwifeblogtour">Now on Blog Tour</a></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">(Oct 20 - Nov 11th)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<h2 style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0d4a49; font-family: "eb garamond", garamond, georgia, "times new roman", serif; font-size: 24px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.2em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 4px 0px 6px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
Blog Tour Schedule</h2>
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3c2313; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.35em; margin-bottom: 1.35em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
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<strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: red;">Wednesday, October 19</span></strong></div>
<a href="http://thebookconnectionccm.blogspot.co.uk/2016/10/book-spotlight-popish-midwife-by.html">Spotlight at The Book Connection</a><br />
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<br /></div>
<strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Thursday, October 20</strong></div>
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Spotlight at <a href="http://www.passagestothepast.com/">Passages to the Past</a> (postponed)</div>
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<strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></strong><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: red;">Friday, October 22</span></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.whatisthatbookabout.com/promos/2016/10/22/spotlight-the-popish-midwife-by-annelisa-christensen">Spotlight at What Is That Book About</a></div>
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<strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></strong><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Wednesday, October 26</strong></div>
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<a href="http://brokenteepee.com/popish-midwife-annelisa-christensen-blog-tour-spotlight/">Spotlight at Broken Teepee</a></div>
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Guest Post at <a href="https://staceyschneller06.wordpress.com/">Books, Dreams, Life</a><br />
Spotlight at <a href="https://aliteraryvacation.blogspot.co.uk/">A Literary Vacation</a><br />
<strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></strong><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Tuesday, November 1</strong></div>
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Review at <a href="http://booknerdloleotodo.blogspot.co.uk/">Book Nerd</a></div>
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<strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></strong><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Wednesday, November 2</strong></div>
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Spotlight at <a href="https://celticladysreviews.blogspot.co.uk/">Celtic Ladyâs Reviews</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Thursday, November 4</strong></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent;">Guest Post at <a href="http://letthemreadbooks.blogspot.co.uk/">Let Them Read Books</a></span></div>
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<strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></strong><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Monday, November 7</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Review at <a href="http://sj2bhouseofbooks.blogspot.co.uk/">SJ2B House of Books</a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="color: #3c2313; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">
<strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Wednesday, November 9</strong></div>
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<div style="color: #3c2313; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">
Interview at <a href="http://thebookconnectionccm.blogspot.co.uk/">The Book Connection</a><br />
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<br /></div>
<div style="color: #3c2313; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Wednesday, November 9</strong></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman";">
<div style="color: #3c2313; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">
Guest Post and Review at <a href="http://historicalfictionobsession.blogspot.co.uk/">Historical Fiction Obsession</a></div>
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<strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Friday, November 11</strong></div>
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Review at <a href="http://justonemorechapter.com/">Just One More Chapter</a></div>
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Annelisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18404801255562567591noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1299748757474386124.post-29708103686351456132016-10-19T19:44:00.000-07:002016-10-20T07:57:55.251-07:00The Nerve of the Gal Re-Writing History!<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">"You're not a historian, y</span><span style="font-size: 16px;">ouâre a fraud.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> How dare you write a historical fiction novel?"</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> I imagine readers shout. âYou shouldnât write a book you have no expertise
in!â </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">However, I take heart; Iâm in good company. As keynote speaker, </span><a href="http://www.tchevalier.com/"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Tracy Chevalier</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">
(author of <i>Girl with a Pearl Earring</i>)
said at the recent </span><a href="https://historicalnovelsociety.org/"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Historical Novel Society</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span><a href="http://www.scriptalchemy.com/2016/09/historical-novel-society-toe-in-water.html"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Conference (2016) in Oxford</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">, "It isnât like we all set out to
write historical fiction".<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiEUV-63_vFdbYlbKK-9huju3hlngPwK-XyVQ3q8_L16BLZFL4wCazXHXSSqgLG0NjkH4h-hDGKRLSRalq6iMlOG7otcFjlPb3IUdGwf8ZzOIvRQsm24krp6P6hA4rs7qIedbJQjmW-SFi/s1600/IMG_2362.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiEUV-63_vFdbYlbKK-9huju3hlngPwK-XyVQ3q8_L16BLZFL4wCazXHXSSqgLG0NjkH4h-hDGKRLSRalq6iMlOG7otcFjlPb3IUdGwf8ZzOIvRQsm24krp6P6hA4rs7qIedbJQjmW-SFi/s320/IMG_2362.JPG" width="295" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Author Tracy Chevalier speaking at HNS Conference (2016)</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">As it
happens, my experience of coming into historical fiction was much like Tracyâs.
Like for her, there came a time when I wanted to know about my ancestors: who they
were, where they came from, what kind of lives they led. I wanted to know
something of their occupations, things that happened to them, what events went on around them. Anyone whoâs done any genealogy will
know how addictive it is. Itâs like being a private investigator into your
ancestorsâ lives. You start off by just wanting to know their names, but soon
you want to know why this person or that person mightâve been absent at a
particular time during a census, or why another person might have come to stay.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">You might
find that neighbours or friends have an influence over one of your ancestorâs
lives, as happened when one of my ancestors, Robert Jamieson, a rather prolific
chap, named one of his children after a good friend of his, John Watson. Because of the Scottish naming tradition, the third son of that
child, Watson Jamieson, was named after his father. In Scotland:</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; text-indent: -18pt;">¡<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; text-indent: -18pt;">the
first son was usually named after the manâs fatherâs father</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; text-indent: -18pt;">¡<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; text-indent: -18pt;">the
second son after the mother's father and</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; text-indent: -18pt;">¡<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; text-indent: -18pt;">the
third son after the father.</span></li>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgROrvqBp2fjTxkIcPQWdqXmLgw678yg9FDIQ_Yt2lIh8Z7P0splBNTvuWq27kzhJ7PMElZLudKoJtqR1yUXy-V-lmPym2vgX5L29d-rkLe5PBwVRzkWchCC3_eubF1HvqaGKhXfvhGE3OR/s1600/genealogy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgROrvqBp2fjTxkIcPQWdqXmLgw678yg9FDIQ_Yt2lIh8Z7P0splBNTvuWq27kzhJ7PMElZLudKoJtqR1yUXy-V-lmPym2vgX5L29d-rkLe5PBwVRzkWchCC3_eubF1HvqaGKhXfvhGE3OR/s320/genealogy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Robert Jamieson named his son Watson<br />after his friend John Watson</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">(the girls
were likewise named after the motherâs mother, the father's mother then
the mother). That the first Watson Jamieson had children with
three women meant that two of his sons called their first son Watson. And those
boys, in turn, so-named their third son. The Watson name grew slowly along that line, and so Robert
Jamieson paid homage to his friendship with John Watson for generations after,
even if they didnât know it. There weren't many Watson Jamiesons in each census, and I soon found that all the ones that turned up in the UK were related to that original one. It was fun to work out how they related.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Anyway, I digress. My ancestor's doings caught me into the past. Discovering that my great, great grandfather was
the manager of the then prestigious Bellâs Pottery in Glasgow, having worked
his way up through the ranks from âpresserâ to âpotterâ to âmanagerâ was
another story I enjoyed researching. Some of my ancestors' occupations included a few weavers, a teacher, a potter, New Forest gypsies who tended to be simply called labourers (including one bought to trial for horse stealing) and a carpenter. So many little details brought each person to life.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwQxixWgEcFIO9sFUZsNoldf5C6cHd4iuFccAQbwvyUMAVsqFURzO7QTKLYcYppQZzqtD-6bQdlxRBcU38Ajh9FtQpGznXBWA5BRODj_nVNLwcmqn5XrbSEcb2EgNfi-FU3KsTfd9j6HsQ/s1600/genealogy+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="129" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwQxixWgEcFIO9sFUZsNoldf5C6cHd4iuFccAQbwvyUMAVsqFURzO7QTKLYcYppQZzqtD-6bQdlxRBcU38Ajh9FtQpGznXBWA5BRODj_nVNLwcmqn5XrbSEcb2EgNfi-FU3KsTfd9j6HsQ/s320/genealogy+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Genealogy: little snippets bring a person to life.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">From there,
it wasnât a great leap from being fascinated by my ancestorsâ past to loving
researching this new writing project when it fell into my lap. And it really did fall into my lap. In an online
auction, I had bid on and won some 300-year-old trial pages; all I wanted to do
was hold a piece of book that had survived that long. One of many trials in the reign of King Charles II, I yearned to hold it. Indeed, when I received it, I was in awe, hardly
wanting to handle or turn the pages for fear of destroying a piece of history. However, having read the first page, like any good book,
I was hooked. Gently and with reverence, I turned each leaf as if it would crumble
(as it happened, it was sturdier than I imagined but, once read, I only
turned those pages once more... to photocopy them so I wouldn't have to
handle them anymore. The guilt I wouldâve felt if theyâd survived over 300
years only to be destroyed by me wouldâve been too much to bear!)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPcazGS-wQy0NmGOunSW703eOOj9nxr9OXQlTZqu_iIo4LBvloK_nvE8IxAGvkwEafzLW7li4oHxX7dsDZG-uGjKl5Dm5AHtkd1pIo53COyZlKvIql7jRok3oBY3YSP6WM9RYUUJQmcy40/s1600/Holding+the+trial+of+Elizabeth+Cellier+in+my+hand.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPcazGS-wQy0NmGOunSW703eOOj9nxr9OXQlTZqu_iIo4LBvloK_nvE8IxAGvkwEafzLW7li4oHxX7dsDZG-uGjKl5Dm5AHtkd1pIo53COyZlKvIql7jRok3oBY3YSP6WM9RYUUJQmcy40/s320/Holding+the+trial+of+Elizabeth+Cellier+in+my+hand.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The pages that begun my journey<br />discovering Elizabeth Cellier's life</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Youâd think
I might straight-away run to the computer and look up Elizabeth Cellier, the
woman whose bold and lively personality had me turning the pages with the eagerness of an
undiscovered treasure map. But, to be honest, it was still early days for me on
the information highway and, though Iâd found out a heck of a lot about my
ancestors online, it never occurred to me that Elizabeth wasnât a total
unknown. Iâd never heard about her in history class. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Later, I leafed through the copy Iâd made of the trial and idly wondered whether there
would be anything at all online about this strong woman; I really didnât expect
there to be. I was wrong. Straight away, I was excited to find a copy of the original
trial documents. Then I found the book, <i>Malice
Defeated</i>, that sheâd written and the trial I'd got referred to. Excitement turned into a research frenzy. Digging
deep, I found lots of references to her, one reference leading to another. The
old genealogy bug raised its antennae and pretty soon Iâd pieced together that
this woman had her fingers in many pies â midwifery, writing, politics,
charity - but it was all in pieces. She was more fascinating than I ever gave her credit for and I wanted
to tell her story.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">But, hey⌠Iâm
no historian. Surely I canât write a historical novel without having expertise
in history?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirGUgVycR6h8670HMYVyJvzriPRpQ-Cwpiuqz28-FMV0PT93_Yof9NCdLgVLOuw2eSdz2Qa4EseaaEYHQtATaMume4wo4Mr8aCWOWu9C3KTNZBZWsfkPb9J9UunqOpeapZIYpB4qCg2nlc/s1600/malice+Defeated.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirGUgVycR6h8670HMYVyJvzriPRpQ-Cwpiuqz28-FMV0PT93_Yof9NCdLgVLOuw2eSdz2Qa4EseaaEYHQtATaMume4wo4Mr8aCWOWu9C3KTNZBZWsfkPb9J9UunqOpeapZIYpB4qCg2nlc/s320/malice+Defeated.jpg" width="169" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Elizabeth Cellier's story in her own words,<br />many of which are incorporated into<br />The Popish Midwife</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Itâs true, at
school I was more interested in the sciences, particularly physics and biology.
I was into robots, space and modern medicine. So, I put aside my
curiosity of the past to concentrate on the future. I have always considered history a weak
area of my education. And, yet, here â unexpectedly â was a story I wanted to, <i>had to</i>, write. How could I possibly be so arrogant as to think I
could write a story about a woman in a period I could barely remember basics
about, let alone have a clue how she might actually have lived? </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">But, that didn't stop me wanting to write her story. I </span><i style="font-size: 12pt;">really</i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> wanted to. It was a need. A compulsion.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">So, I wrote her story without any of
the detail, </span><span style="font-size: 16px;">everything I knew about my new heroine.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> I woke up at 6am and wrote for a while then, after I returned from
work, walked the dogs, fed my kids and did all the dreary things I had to do in
a day (Iâm talking housework â scurge of my life!) I would try and write a bit
more in the evening. A couple of months later, I had the story down from
beginning to end, but so many square parenthesis marks â<span style="color: red;">[âŚ]</span>â to show missing
facts, or things I needed to find out that it was almost more of them than
story. But, that was fine, I thought. I had to start somewhere, and getting her
story down was the hardest part. Ha! Little did I know!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF_bh_z1GfW2NkYhgXkM56ESw-lT5s4C0buQ0xlFW9qaPyxmuDm38tkZUXvijS9MSBw2ZfQzoq_dOKp9SbulYEkHoa9Si2Ts3rHDa6tf0L3DVN6pWkKJGHPWvR-Bu6UZ9X7AVQJWHl8bEB/s1600/TPM+early+draft+showing+missing+details.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF_bh_z1GfW2NkYhgXkM56ESw-lT5s4C0buQ0xlFW9qaPyxmuDm38tkZUXvijS9MSBw2ZfQzoq_dOKp9SbulYEkHoa9Si2Ts3rHDa6tf0L3DVN6pWkKJGHPWvR-Bu6UZ9X7AVQJWHl8bEB/s320/TPM+early+draft+showing+missing+details.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The Popish Midwife: Early draft showing some missing details</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">So, then came
the real work. Reading about every character in the book, finding out
everything I could about each of them, how everything I found fitted together
in wider society. All the time, I was building up a large file of images of
Elizabeth Cellier herself, I also added those of all other characters she
bumped up against, many of them being historically well known. The other people
Elizabeth related to needed to be real too. Luckily for me, Elizabeth had
related chunks of conversation in her book, which I integrated and adapted as part of the
dialogue in my book. After months and months of reading trial notes, as well as
broadsheets and pamphlets of the time, seventeenth century language became like
a second language to me (though I had to dampen it down a little for modern
consumption and readability â another topic for discussion entirely).<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">But it was
those other little details that took the most time to get right, like âwhat did
they eat and drink?â, âwhat did they use for lighting?â, âwhat were the roads
made of?â, âwhat was their knowledge of things, such as science?â. The latter
details, though I was so tempted, I didnât actually use, but put in a folder
for future consumption. The book was already growing too big! However, as any
writer and reader knows, you canât âfact-dumpâ. Itâs best not to simply use
everything you find, but weave only whatâs relevant to your main character into
the story as she interacts with these things. Iâve read some excellent stories,
where itâs obvious the author has just been so excited to find out all the
little everyday details that theyâve felt they simply <i>have</i> to fit them in somewhere, either that or theyâve felt that putting them all in will make it more ârealâ. I put in
only a small amount of my research, but, hopefully, the rest of it has come out
in smaller ways. Sometimes, it's a case of just knowing a detail can stop you making a <i>faux pas</i> of stating something untrue.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">And then,
the editing.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The editing
is so hard for any book. One read-through after another, picking up different
things each time. But editing historical fiction, thereâs an added problem. Say
you have to cut a scene by two thousand words (Elizabethâs second trial scene,
I discovered, was eighteen thousand (yes, seriously!) words and even I knew it
was too long) â what do you take out? If that was how it happened, would it
lose credibility if a certain part was removed? What if you removed a witness
or two? What if you removed a scene that had nothing to do with the story, but
was central to showing her character? One scene that I removed was of Elizabeth
Cellier meeting Samuel Pepys in The Tower of London. I havenât found one bit of
information that she met him, anywhere. However, she was a regular visitor to
The Tower, visiting and doing errands for the five lords imprisoned there for
their supposed part of The Popish Plot. Whoâs to say she <i>didnât</i> meet him? Or, why wouldnât she have had a conversation about
Pepysâs imprisonment, when it would obviously have been a great talking point
between the lords and of great interest to herself? But, while it wouldâve been
interesting for to me to put it in, it was a distraction from the story. I took it
out.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjobOqEGM7NnS8rJiC5g0dXGjc8Ro-lgltMYCALfYfrG90W3IHwDfZv0dY8v-1MHZ_VmBvm6x27g49M0XUW1nJO2XCScypuVAMGMopSPDqexP6xbRq7uot4IOiMqyv2mgaH8V12cEauEL6Z/s1600/TPM+one+of+many+notepad+research+files+%2528early%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjobOqEGM7NnS8rJiC5g0dXGjc8Ro-lgltMYCALfYfrG90W3IHwDfZv0dY8v-1MHZ_VmBvm6x27g49M0XUW1nJO2XCScypuVAMGMopSPDqexP6xbRq7uot4IOiMqyv2mgaH8V12cEauEL6Z/s320/TPM+one+of+many+notepad+research+files+%2528early%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The Popish Midwife: an early research notepad file -<br />lots of interesting bits n bobs</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Finally, </span><i style="font-size: 12pt;">The Popish Midwife</i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> was finished. I no
longer felt, or feel, ignorant about the subject matter. The seventeenth
century is no longer a gap in my knowledge. I found out so much about it, and
my heroineâs life, I almost feel I mightâve lived through that period. Where
once I feared being exposed as some kind of fraud, someone who knew nothing
about what I was writing, now I can confidently say that everything I wrote was
as accurate as I could make it. I became an expert by writing the story
I had no expertise in.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Funnily enough, recently,
when re-reading the first chapters, I actually came out in a cold sweat, hairs stood up on my arms, because I thought Iâd totally messed up a
detail about one of the minor characters, another real-life midwife whose story
Iâm now writing â Marie Desormeaux. I had called her a Huguenot, and yet I knew, yes,
<i>knew</i>, the whole reason Iâd discovered
her was because sheâd also been called âThe Popish Midwifeâ on a set of playing
cards. Oh my, how I fretted! If there was one wrong detail in the book, would
everyone point at me and ask how many other things were wrong? Would it destroy
my credibility as a </span><span style="font-size: 16px;">historian </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">story-teller? Would my rep be in ruins? I would have to
change it â obviously! But, there was a niggle. Why had I called her a
Huguenot, when she was obviously Catholic? I went back to my notes. Yep, there
it was, Catholic, BUT⌠yes! There it also was. She had begun life in London as a
Huguenot. What a relief! My rep was no longer in tatters.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">So, really, what
would be the big deal if Iâd made that âfactâ up? So what if I fudged a fact to
make it fit my story? Would that have been so bad?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF_zUDkk-OIMaRaCvAybid_eWNM9TKcgg_6HwhKajFXogvKdwoDpvZgDnpavMJ0kDa4y_i1de7g0EE62sjkVEEo7MJMVV2OuDuWuKtdsSSzOpst2zugNEFpcn8bCiojuAdGAghBJVBteP1/s1600/IMG_2371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF_zUDkk-OIMaRaCvAybid_eWNM9TKcgg_6HwhKajFXogvKdwoDpvZgDnpavMJ0kDa4y_i1de7g0EE62sjkVEEo7MJMVV2OuDuWuKtdsSSzOpst2zugNEFpcn8bCiojuAdGAghBJVBteP1/s320/IMG_2371.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A panel including authors Margaret George, Andrew Taylor<br />and Jenny Barden, discussing whether novels can tell<br />greater truths than history books</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">As </span><a href="http://andrew-taylor.co.uk/" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: windowtext;">Andrew Taylor</span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;">
said at that same HNS conference, âFirst and foremost, we are telling stories,
engaging the reader. The most important thing is the story. Without the story, it is
nothing.' </span><a href="http://margaretgeorge.com/" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: windowtext;">Margaret
George</span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> added, âThe gaps in sources leave wiggle room to answer the
question, âWhat makes them tick?â. Truth be told, there are a lot of pure
fiction stories simply set in the past, and there is nothing at all wrong with
that. And there are probably as many again where a person/event from the past
is used as a basis for the story, but where the story is all made up. Again,
thereâs nothing wrong with that. But, for me, having every known thing correct
was important. I wanted it to be as close as I could get it to real events, to
relive those few years with Elizabeth.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Of course, I
wasnât there, and canât really be sure of what happened. So my melded events
and facts with fictional scenes had to made sense to me, scenes I felt sure had
to have happened for the other known events to have happened. And thatâs what
makes the story fiction rather than non-fiction, even though itâs as close to
what I know as I can make it. Itâs the fiction that brings Elizabethâs story to
life, rather than simply describing events. Itâs the âsupposingâ what happened
in between, guessing what her motives were that make her story human.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">So now, if I
state the very first sentence again: <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">"You're not a historian, y</span><span style="font-size: 16px;">ouâre a fraud.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"> How dare you write a historical fiction novel?"</span> I beg to differ. I have <i>become</i> a historian of Elizabeth Cellierâs life, by my very research
of it. I didnât know anything but, through research, I now have a much better
understanding of the time. I take great satisfaction, though there may indeed be details Iâve missed
(for instance, the social knowledge of science, of which Iâm sure Elizabeth
would have some idea of, considering her intelligence and learning), I do know
that what I <i>have</i> put in is accurate
as far as I could possible make it. My point? I would advise anyone, now, not
to be put off writing a story they want to tell, but they worry they donât know
the period. Write the story, fill in the details after. Anyone can become an
expert if they put in the time and effort. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Have you ever been caught by a story you'd love to write, but didn't feel qualified to do so?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span>
<br />
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 107%;">The Popish Midwife</span></h2>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://hfvirtualbooktours.com/thepopishmidwifeblogtour">Now on Blog Tour</a></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">(Oct 20 - Nov 11th)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
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Blog Tour Schedule</h2>
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<a href="http://thebookconnectionccm.blogspot.co.uk/2016/10/book-spotlight-popish-midwife-by.html">Spotlight at The Book Connection</a><br />
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Spotlight at <a href="https://aliteraryvacation.blogspot.co.uk/">A Literary Vacation</a></div>
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Spotlight at <a href="http://www.passagestothepast.com/">Passages to the Past</a></div>
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Spotlight at <a href="http://www.whatisthatbookabout.com/">What Is That Book About</a></div>
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<strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Monday, October 24</span></strong></div>
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Review at <a href="http://www.historywomanperspective.com/">History From a Womanâs Perspective</a></div>
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<strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Tuesday, October 25</strong></div>
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Spotlight at <a href="http://brokenteepee.com/">Broken Teepee</a></div>
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<strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Thursday, October 27</strong></div>
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Guest Post at <a href="https://staceyschneller06.wordpress.com/">Books, Dreams, Life</a></div>
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Review at <a href="http://booknerdloleotodo.blogspot.co.uk/">Book Nerd</a></div>
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<strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Wednesday, November 2</strong></div>
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Spotlight at <a href="https://celticladysreviews.blogspot.co.uk/">Celtic Ladyâs Reviews</a></div>
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<strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Thursday, November 4</strong></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent;">Guest Post at <a href="http://letthemreadbooks.blogspot.co.uk/">Let Them Read Books</a></span></div>
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<strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Monday, November 7</strong></div>
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Review at <a href="http://sj2bhouseofbooks.blogspot.co.uk/">SJ2B House of Books</a></div>
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<div style="color: #3c2313; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">
<strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Wednesday, November 9</strong></div>
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Interview at <a href="http://thebookconnectionccm.blogspot.co.uk/">The Book Connection</a></div>
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<strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Friday, November 11</strong></div>
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Review at <a href="http://justonemorechapter.com/">Just One More Chapter</a></div>
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Annelisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18404801255562567591noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1299748757474386124.post-51149539756562446152016-09-06T18:23:00.002-07:002016-09-06T18:23:19.906-07:00Historical Novel Society - toe in the water[Excuse any name dropping... simply can't stop myself! ;-D ]<br />
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When I first saw the Historical Novel Society was to have the<a href="https://hnsoxford2016.org/"> 2016 conference</a> in Oxford this year, I was so excited. I opened up the conference guide and pored over the workshops, salivating over the topics and authors running them... I went to sign up, only to find just about everything was fully booked. The only spaces left were on Sunday. It was the last Sunday of the summer holiday, the following day I'd be back at work, full-on, no breaks til Christmas (tell a lie...there'll be the October half term, of course ;-) ). Thing is, though, I could quite happily have done every one of the ten workshops, but I could only pick two, being as they ran simultaneously, darn it. Even many of those workshops were full. So, pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey-style, I picked two of these choices:<br />
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First choice to come from these - really, how to choose?<br />
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<li>The Future of Historical Fiction (What do publishers, agents and authors see ahead?)</li>
<li>The 1066 Debate (Crown the King: William or Harold?)</li>
<li>Streets through the Ages (Everyday life as bedrock for Storytelling)</li>
<li><b>Foreign Rights and Translation</b></li>
<li>Secret Stuart Marriages (Navigating the politics of love at the Stuart Courts)</li>
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Second choice to come from these - all excellent topics:</div>
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<li><b>Confronting Past Lies (Can novels tell greater truths than history books; should novelists be concerned to try?)</b></li>
<li>Going Indie: Questions and Answers</li>
<li>Far and Strange (Writing about places remote and unfamiliar)</li>
<li>Time Slip; Time Travel (Making them work)</li>
<li>Working with an Agent v Going Solo</li>
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And that's just Sunday morning. Can you imagine how amazing to spend the whole weekend, from Friday to Sunday? I heard the mention of 'conference fatigue'. Me, a newbie? Can't imagine this. </div>
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So, anyway, today was the day... yesterday I was so conscious that the conference was going on without me. 'Conference envy'? Yep, I can imagine that. In fact, I experienced it. (Next time I'll be making a point of an earlier booking.) I'd decided to drive up, catch the Park-&-Ride into town, and, so nothing would go wrong, had printed out numerous maps of the town centre, the bus stops, the bus time-table, the conference guide, AA route-planner (just in case the sat-nav failed) last night before I went to bed. I only had a few hours before I'd have to get up at 5.30 to reach Oxford for the 9am start, so I worked out. 5.30 might have once been my favourite time of the morning, but, well, I just need every hour of sleep I can get these days. Coffee, more coffee, and I dived into the car, scrunched up wads of maps in one hand, notepad, backpack and the rest of my paraphernalia in the other. Later, I realised, I'd needed so little of it. Notepad and pen would've had me sorted!</div>
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Anyone who knows me might know of my dream-of-the-future of having a huge mansion (LOL) I could turn into a massive writer-retreat-come-place-to-stay-when-writers-come-to-the-UK. I dream of this place, where so many wonderful word artists can stop over for a little break, or while they do a book tour, or simply while they visit the locale... like a big commune. Yeah, never worked out the details, but simply like the idea of so many creative people in one place. Well, anyway, today was like the nearest thing I've ever come to that feeling. My first conference for writers/authors/readers...everyone interested in books. Everyone talking about books. Everyone thinking books. Heaven.</div>
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It started at the Park-&-Ride. I stepped on the bus and asked to be let off at the Radcliffe Observatory Quarter stop, as per emailed instructions. The bus driver pointed to the back and said she thought most of the ladies back there were going the same direction. I received a smile back as I sat down and said hello. I was comforted that they would know where to get off, so sat in silence and happily watched the outskirts of Oxford pass me by. The buildings seemed to age more as we neared the town centre. One of the ladies bounced up, ending my daydreaming, and pushed the button, saying we'd passed the stop! I hadn't seen a single sign of the building we'd been sent a picture of, but hey-ho, I was happy to believe someone who seemed to know. Four of us got off at the next stop. Turns out there had been a detour because of a circus setting up in the streets nearby, so we'd needed to walk. I chatted to the lady who had recognised we'd passed the stop as she led the way, walking fast because she was taking one of the workshops at 9.30. I was delighted to find I was talking to author of <i>House of Shadows</i> and historian <a href="http://nicolacornick.co.uk/">Nicola Cornick </a>(<a href="https://twitter.com/NicolaCornick">@NicolaCornick</a>), who was apparently presenting the first workshop - Stuart Secret Marriages - with someone I've been dying to meet - <a href="http://www.andreazuvich.com/">Andrea Zuvich</a> (<a href="https://twitter.com/17thcenturylady?lang=en-gb">@17thCenturyLady</a>) another 17th Century historian and author of <i>The Stuarts in 100 Facts</i>! We parted company at the entrance as she rushed to get ready for her talk.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGrGlXxMJUabS3qrup3RhHiJM9BVbtYaZOt-F6ixzt8XaqI_m28DCeASNt6nOUn34Nzn32XChkZrne-Eqr7xu70J__xMMk6gyI9Qvo-9GKK2AA1qFXMIePn-ORKT0MY64AUATCTRiqEMde/s1600/IMG_2387.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGrGlXxMJUabS3qrup3RhHiJM9BVbtYaZOt-F6ixzt8XaqI_m28DCeASNt6nOUn34Nzn32XChkZrne-Eqr7xu70J__xMMk6gyI9Qvo-9GKK2AA1qFXMIePn-ORKT0MY64AUATCTRiqEMde/s320/IMG_2387.JPG" width="240" /></a>My first impression, as I walked down the steps into a room full of tables, around which people drank coffee, tables laden with badges to be picked up, and at least one table laden with books. It's not like I haven't been to the London Book Fair a couple of times, surrounded by book stalls, but the atmosphere there is different. It's mostly about publishers and agents touching base, in my experience, and somewhat akin to a whitewashed hospital compared to this cosy, front room feeling I had here. This was writers, readers...it felt more fundamental. They were all into historical fiction. My kinda peoples.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAMLkmTQvKqlhVe5w2S1ZNUad72Sy8CA_uWBK3OrsxQHTX_QRyLfGgmkeJzHRnmw6rHOOn7FG_uxD6pZrPmUo9fJD7KvcBu9c4QYEq8uiyjjjQZ20AUmtNiEqA-2nKIiBPlZpORWDv3uSE/s1600/IMG_2454.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAMLkmTQvKqlhVe5w2S1ZNUad72Sy8CA_uWBK3OrsxQHTX_QRyLfGgmkeJzHRnmw6rHOOn7FG_uxD6pZrPmUo9fJD7KvcBu9c4QYEq8uiyjjjQZ20AUmtNiEqA-2nKIiBPlZpORWDv3uSE/s320/IMG_2454.JPG" width="240" /></a>I picked up my badge, and asked if there were any of those HNS conference bags I'd seen folk carry around? Sorry, all gone. Not the end of the world, but it would've been nice to have a little memento of my first conference. Well, that's where I could've hugged the lady handing out the badges there and then! "If you meet me after the workshops, you can have mine." OMG - how generous - it was such a friendly and welcoming gesture that made me feel 'I've arrived. I'm part of this conference!' The lovely lady who offered up her bag to me? None other than <a href="http://christinacourtenay.com/">Christina Courtenay</a> (<a href="https://twitter.com/PiaCCourtenay">@PiaCCourtenay</a>) - Whoo hoo! I didn't even remember at the time that we followed each other on Twitter. In fact, I was so bowled over by the whole thing, I think I walked around in another world, not quite recognising this was a synergy of real life and virtual life. Twitter friends come to life! Christina also introduced me to <a href="https://henriettegyland.wordpress.com/">Henriette Gyland</a> (<a href="https://twitter.com/henrigyland">@henrigyland</a>), another Scandanavian, a pleasure to meet.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKl69f5wKa21HfC1ry9UGUokRM9Mpe0urJpWj-HrY0YZU7JjWwFoG8JnTiYCDfwgmc-PcGM0RhDHySdPvUOBTd7WUplydfjI9fDozEdxf9Uj1OtDDhORlZzdaNaDuuxvCmc7AM4GHswisq/s1600/IMG_2350.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKl69f5wKa21HfC1ry9UGUokRM9Mpe0urJpWj-HrY0YZU7JjWwFoG8JnTiYCDfwgmc-PcGM0RhDHySdPvUOBTd7WUplydfjI9fDozEdxf9Uj1OtDDhORlZzdaNaDuuxvCmc7AM4GHswisq/s320/IMG_2350.JPG" width="317" /></a>First workshop I had signed up for was <b>Foreign Rights and Translation</b><i>,</i> chaired by <a href="http://blakefriedmann.co.uk/carole-blake/">Carol Blake</a> of <a href="http://blakefriedmann.co.uk/the-agency/">Blake Friedmann</a> literary agency; with other panelists as <a href="https://louiserogers.wordpress.com/">Louise Rogers Lalaurie</a> (<a href="https://twitter.com/LLalaurie">@LLalaurie</a>), translator of <i><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00U58XNO2">Tregian's Ground</a></i> and winner of Best Translated Book Award for Gabriel Wittcop's <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Murder-Most-Serene-Gabrielle-Wittkop/dp/1939663148">Murder Most Serene</a></i> and author of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Gondola-Maker-Novel-16th-Century-Venice-ebook/dp/B00IOBQ9VQ"><i>The Gondola Maker</i></a>, <a href="http://lauramorelli.com/">Laura Morelli</a> (<a href="https://twitter.com/lauramorelliphd">@lauramorelliphd</a>).</div>
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(I had a question to ask: "How does translating historical fiction differ from translating contemporary fiction set in the present?" In my mind was my concern about translating '<i>The Popish Midwife</i>', with such a lot of Ye Olde English... I wondered if it were even possible. For instance, how would a person translate the change of style and grammar, or the odd words like 'Forsooth!' or 'Gads!' into, say, Spanish or French?) Did I ask the question? Nope, not a bit of it. I was so carried away with the great interactive discussion about the use of agents, contracts and personal stories used to illustrate points, I totally forgot. Also, I was fascinated by how many folk came from the US and other places to the conference. And then the workshop was over, and my thought was to find Andrea as well as see where I was going next.</div>
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I didn't get far. The book stand, bulging with historical novels and history books, beckoned. Of course I had to buy something. Who can pass a book stand and not buy something? Then I realised I hadn't had a drink since the early hours of the morning, and maybe it would be a good idea to get a coffee. Got me a coffee (one of those classically small cups on a saucer - coffee gone in a gulp - needed more, but still too many things to do, people to meet).</div>
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It was already time to go to a keynote address by <a href="http://www.tchevalier.com/">Tracy Chevalier</a> (<a href="https://twitter.com/Tracy_Chevalier">@Tracy_Chevalier</a>) (author of <i>Girl with a Pearl Earring</i> and <i>At the Edge of the Orchard</i>) on '<b>Fact into Fiction: A Historical Novelist's Relationship to the Past</b>'. I must admit, I empathised a lot with how Tracy came to historical fiction, first through genealogy, then through realising that, to write any piece of fiction set in the past, if you don't know the answers already, you have to question everything - from 'did they eat at a table?' to 'did they eat with a knife and fork' and 'what did they eat?' You can't assume anything.</div>
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Like Tracy, when I started <i>The Popish Midwife</i>, I had no idea how many little details I'd need to find out. My similar line of questioning might have been:</div>
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<li>'Did men smoke in the coffee houses?' (yes, there are images of them doing so)</li>
<li>'What did they smoke?' (Tobacco. This was, after all, after Raleigh's time)</li>
<li>'What did they smoke with?' (clay pipes were the thing)</li>
<li>'How did they light the pipes, did they have matches or lighters?' (One method was to use special long tongs to pick a small ember of coal/burning wood out of the fire)</li>
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Tracy was interesting and had the audience give a knowing chuckle or two, but mostly had us rapt.</div>
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My next optional workshop was '<b>Confronting Past Lies</b>' - this was one I particularly wanted to be a part of, having constantly questioned myself, how much fiction was acceptable, how much truth should be in a biographical fiction. Could you stretch the truth? I wanted to tell Elizabeth Cellier's story as close as possible to the facts I'd found on her, and wrote every chapter based on something that illustrate those facts or filled in between the facts. But, even now, I feel guilty for putting in there one detail that <i>wasn't </i>fact, the only one I knew to be false. It was sacrilege, I was sure! I had called Elizabeth's French midwife friend a 'Huguenot', knowing full well she was a Catholic. She hadn't come to England to get away from the prejudice of the majority of the population, for that, too, was Catholic. Like Elizabeth Cellier, she was one of the religious minority, but I wanted her to be a Huguenot, a protestant. However, my conscience played on that one, until I simply itched to correct it!</div>
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On the panel of this workshop were three excellent speakers: Chair was author of <i>The American Boy</i> and T<i>he Ashes of London</i>, <a href="http://www.lydmouth.co.uk/">Andrew Taylor</a> (<a href="https://twitter.com/AndrewJRTaylor">@AndrewJRTaylor</a>) , Then there was <a href="http://www.jennybarden.com/">Jenny Barden</a> (<a href="https://twitter.com/jennywilldoit">@jennywilldoit</a>), author of <i>Mistress of the Sea</i> and <i>The Lost Duchess</i> and, not least, <a href="http://www.margaretgeorge.com/">Margaret George</a>, author of <i>Elizabeth I</i>. (see, told you I was going to name drop ;-) ) It wasn't long before there was a lively discussion about the similarities and differences between writing history and writing historical fiction. The historian has to guess much of the reasoning between sparse facts, but so does the historical fiction writer. Both rely on those facts, but "fiction can be truer than plain facts", because it tries to create the best scenerio to account for them, where historians can only state them. "First and foremost, we are telling stories," says Andrew. "Without engaging the reader we are nothing". What we know as true shouldn't be played with, but there are "areas of doubt" that we can create within. Then Margaret George added "Gaps in sources leave wiggle room to answer the question: 'What Makes them tick?'"</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkAvHOrwUij0mxtTQhap1df-WcGjgCXEkAogM0xPYmjnl4DkTPGSf_EeVtd-Mu3IGt8Lnw-z-WvtzYpZAUqukmU9Rv5CIOwV0niGF2iFlkPDvYERr0FhBPN-ch1zSS74L4imTmlpH3jkYf/s1600/IMG_2368.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkAvHOrwUij0mxtTQhap1df-WcGjgCXEkAogM0xPYmjnl4DkTPGSf_EeVtd-Mu3IGt8Lnw-z-WvtzYpZAUqukmU9Rv5CIOwV0niGF2iFlkPDvYERr0FhBPN-ch1zSS74L4imTmlpH3jkYf/s320/IMG_2368.JPG" width="320" /></a>The Historian adds theories and should try to be objective, whereas the novelist provides/ creates emotions and makes it more immersive. Sometimes there's a crossover - an increasing trend to use the art of fiction to write history more interestingly. Still, historians tend to cross reference their work, where the novelist more often postulates a single view of the events, but the novelist breathes life into the facts (Well, I think we all know that :-) )</div>
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So, before the conference wrapped up, we had a bit of fun in <b>The HistFicionist Challenge</b> - a quiz with the whole audience against Tracy Chevalier, <a href="https://cchumphreys.com/">CC Humphreys</a> (<a href="https://twitter.com/HumphreysCC">@HumphreysCC</a> author of the <i>Jack Absolute</i> series amongst others) and <a href="http://www.harrysidebottom.co.uk/">Harry Sidebottom</a> (author of the <i>Throne of Caesars</i> series amongst others). Not really a fair game, with three minds against a lecture room full of historical fiction readers, writers, enthusiasts... but such fun!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJjH3iAASWyjsUcyAI2Moy90CP5qIOcPSM0I7sv2QuqBZ3yULQi6gGAbi07HI5RvtCkFiehQCbA-Ymh7NRtntlm3ypizDZJhkjYFKmKq_yV5UcSYm6MZE6Hrag-5qs0lBH0OtABCxk1Q2Q/s1600/IMG_2376.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJjH3iAASWyjsUcyAI2Moy90CP5qIOcPSM0I7sv2QuqBZ3yULQi6gGAbi07HI5RvtCkFiehQCbA-Ymh7NRtntlm3ypizDZJhkjYFKmKq_yV5UcSYm6MZE6Hrag-5qs0lBH0OtABCxk1Q2Q/s320/IMG_2376.JPG" width="320" /></a>The buffet lunch was superb and, for once, there was more than only carrot sticks and houmous for us vegans. In fact, there was a lovely large tray of roast Mediterranean vegetable sandwiches on each table... plenty enough for everyone (I did like that idea that vegan food wasn't only for the vegans :-) ) I hijacked the table with Christina Courtenay, Henriette Gyland and a couple of others (here I go a bit fuzzy, but I do know that these amazing woman had made much of the arrangements for the conference). They were excellent company. I left them to find Andrea Zuvich, who I still hoped to see (I only found out later that I'd passed by her table where she was doing a signing...what a short-sighted mole I am! :-O ) and then left, feeling very satisfied with my day.</div>
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I arrived at the bus stop at the same time as Harry Sidebottom, and friend (I'm afraid I didn't catch his name) and we chatted amiably in the back of the bus on the way back to the Park n Ride, there to part company. In the car park, again I bumped into Christina and Henriette, swearing I wasn't following them (I was quite grateful my car was nearby, and I could click the door open, as proof I wasn't stalking them! ;-) )</div>
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The best thing about the whole morning, that toe dipped into the HNS conference, was the feeling of camaraderie, of friendship, of an extended family gathering. It might be that I bulldozed my way into some conversations, tagging myself onto folk who didn't know me, but they were so absolutely lovely not to show it, and not to judge. I hope I might meet all these people again, and grow our friendships and relationships deeper: it would be an honour to know each and every one of them more.</div>
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<b>Further Adventure: ('More?' you say.)</b></div>
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You'd think the conference would be enough for the day but, when I sat in the car, I made a snap decision - Great Missenden and Buckinghamshire couldn't be far away. Great Missenden being the place I'd discovered a record to show Elizabeth Cellier, real-life heroine of <i>The Popish Midwife</i>, to have been buried. 45 minutes. Over an hour closer than from home in Sussex. I set the Sat Nav and off I went. </div>
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As I approached Great Missenden, something like awe filled me. I was being pulled to Elizabeth's final resting place. In my mind was an old entry of a book that said there had been a brass plate in the chancery of the church, on which was written Richard Dormer and Mary Cellier. And then, in another place, 'Mrs Cellier the popish midwife, who was of the Dormer family, and is celebrated for her concern in the pretended meal-tub plot in the year 1679, lies buried in the chancel of Great Missenden Church' (truth be told, I didn't remember all that, only that there was some sort of plaque in the church :-) ):<br /></div>
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With the help of a couple of locals, I found the old church at the top of a windy road up a hill, hidden behind a small wooded area. I would have had trouble finding it if it wasn't for my helpers! But, it was worth the search. An aged and majestic church greeted me:</div>
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I thought to walk around inside, but I soon discovered that the silence of prayer wasn't on the cards for this Sunday. Inside, cream tea and music was being served, to the delight of a fair few people sitting in the pews chatting. I was greeted and asked if I'd come for the cream tea? On explaining my mission, as so often happens, I was passed from one helpful parishioner to another, until one lady on another table pointed to her husband and said, 'he's the one who can help you. The one in the red apron.' As it happened, he couldn't help me, but he tried. He showed me the book of all those who had died in WWII and the war memorial. He showed me where headstones had been used as a wall, and pointed out the old churchyard (as opposed to the newer council-run burial ground across the road) where I might walk between old headstones that had laid there for centuries.</div>
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He also told me a bunch of great stories from history books he'd been reading, entertaining me for some time! He left me with the warning to stay on the path in one area to the left, because it was dangerous, but told me, if I had an accident, he was on duty today, and could give me the kiss of life (I suspect he might not have said that if his wife had been in earshot! :-D )</div>
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On the way home, I wondered if I should be worried, when I stopped off at the service station and saw this van:</div>
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...but I was so hungry by that time, I decided to risk it for one of the service stations Mexican tortillas! </div>
Annelisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18404801255562567591noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1299748757474386124.post-29538072819713537472016-08-23T07:08:00.001-07:002016-08-23T07:08:22.038-07:00The Popish Midwife Book TourOne of the best things about having written a book? People reading it. And enjoying it!<br />
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One of the worst things about having written a book? Finding those people who're going to love it!</div>
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So, this is where a <a href="http://hfvirtualbooktours.com/thepopishmidwifeblogtour/">book tour</a> comes in...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC92A3qSzKXNcQ89Qe2hqFhdRLRcpbk3pZ58qw23ZrVh26fogSfU0eojbYf2HPONleWwKAdElXPrlSFCEyEtEWHp5pFN3Sn7FiAaVTy9JuZhX1VYRcK7R2ziC_w4tdnPpBjpHUCVy_DKm_/s1600/The+popish+midwife+%2528cover%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC92A3qSzKXNcQ89Qe2hqFhdRLRcpbk3pZ58qw23ZrVh26fogSfU0eojbYf2HPONleWwKAdElXPrlSFCEyEtEWHp5pFN3Sn7FiAaVTy9JuZhX1VYRcK7R2ziC_w4tdnPpBjpHUCVy_DKm_/s320/The+popish+midwife+%2528cover%2529.jpg" width="204" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The Popish Midwife<br />Annelisa Christensen</i></td></tr>
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In 'ye olde days', I would have had to wait for my publisher to organise a book tour. I'd have to load the car with books, prepare for reading, and signing (and hopefully having enough to sign I'd get hand-cramps holding the pen ;-) ). I might have turned up and there were loads of folk waiting for me, or I might arrive and find every seat empty, and the only people around were some half-curious readers looking for their next book on the shelves, wondering what was going on, and when it would start... not realising it should've already started (wow, I hope that never happens to me!)</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Annelisa Christensen displaying </i>The Popish Midwife<i> </i><i style="font-size: 12.8px;">in the Wine Rack, Wadhurst, arranged by</i><i><br />manager & ex-bookshop worker, Tara Lawlor</i></td></tr>
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And, say you, as an author, do have a reasonable turnout, and those who've heard of you are interested in your book, and what you have to say about writing it, and researching it, you'd have to speak to an audience... of actual people! I don't know about you, but I've never been a big one to speak in front of big groups. Funny, really, because I was made Head Girl at school, and had to frequently make announcements to a whole hall full of students and teachers. And I've done plenty of things since, where I've spoken in front of groups.<br />
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One of the biggest (and, now, I think bravest) things I did was <a href="http://baringitall.blogspot.co.uk/2007/01/finally-video.html">to have my head shaved off for cancer research</a> in front of the whole school. No, I didn't have to speak then, but I spoke in front of everyone several times to let them know <a href="http://baringitall.blogspot.co.uk/2006/10/blog-dedicated-for-bald-headed.html">why I was doing it </a> (in this post, I changed the name of my best friend, Julia, at the time, for her privacy). The students were marvelous, and were so moved, they all went out with their collecting pots and dug deep in their pockets for spare change every break time! - all in all, <a href="https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/baringitall">over a thousand pounds</a> was raised!)</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Annelisa Christensen before, during and after<br />head shave for cancer research</i></td></tr>
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Anyway, I digress. The point is, I've had to stand up in front of a lot of people many times, for one reason or another, but it still makes me nervous. I still have the memory of me, a painfully shy student at university, having to do a talk about my project in front a lecture theater of students. I can still remember the sweaty palms, the glazing eyes, the coughing when I started talking. I asked for a drink of water, and choked on it. The shame as, scarlet faced, I rushed out of the lecture hall. The further shame when the professor later found me and told me I should do a course in public speaking. Yeah, don't know why I felt bad about that, but I did. Maybe it was because I'd embarrassed myself in front of a lot of people and would rather forget about it, or maybe it was because I somehow felt inferior, because I had failed to do what everybody else in that room had done. </div>
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The memory of that talk (or lack of it, as it turns out) still rears up every time I think of standing in front of people. Do I feel judged? Yes, I guess so. All eyes are on you and everything you do, from stuttering or forgetting what you were saying to unconsciously scratching your bum! For a short while, you are the bug in the jar.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Public speaking -<br />like a bug in a jar</i></td></tr>
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So, I've been dreading, a bit, my first real book shop talk. I'm sure I'll get used to it. However, I am really, REALLY, looking forward to doing a virtual blog tour - how amazing is this! I can reach out to readers anywhere, focusing on the audience who'll like <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01IIQNWOI">The Popish Midwife</a>, and who love a good historical fiction based on a true story. I can find the folk who love to learn a bit about history, while being entertained at the same time. I can chat to people, answer questions, without actually standing in front of them - I could even be in my PJs with a glass of wine and who would know? (oh, unless I did a video interview, of course - I'd put my day clothes on then... ;-) )</div>
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The tour is just coming together, dates not yet finalised, but I would love to have you along to keep me company on my first step into the book-book tour world. The tour is being organised (even as we speak, by the wonderful Amy Bruno (<a href="https://twitter.com/HFVBT">@HFVBT</a>). Please say hi to her! :-)</div>
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From October 17th to November 11th, please come and say hello. My itinerary will be posted at <a href="http://hfvirtualbooktours.com/thepopishmidwifeblogtour/">Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours</a> soon - watch this space!<br />
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I'm posting a Mister Linky, in case any visitors to Script Alchemy are having their own virtual blog tour and would like to share...</div>
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<link href="http://www.blenza.com/linkies/styles/default.css" media="all" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css"></link><script src="http://www.blenza.com/linkies/loc_en.js"></script><script src="http://www.blenza.com/linkies/opt_defaults.js"></script><script src="http://www.blenza.com/linkies/misterlinky.js"></script><script src="http://www.blenza.com/linkies/autolink.php?mode=standard&owner=Alpha_Annelisa&postid=23Aug2016&meme=12626" type="text/javascript"></script>
Annelisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18404801255562567591noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1299748757474386124.post-81230446942668891782016-08-16T10:24:00.003-07:002017-08-26T19:40:43.993-07:00Interview: Paul Crampton (Author)<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Today, I've invited Paul Crampton to interview with me. A highly respected expert on historical Canterbury and author of novels, Paul - kind and affable and an absolute gentleman - tells about his books and how he deals with depression and anxiety</span></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> whilst writing them. It's a pleasure to invite him along and get some answers to a few questions I've been dying to ask!</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Paul Crampton: Novelist and expert on Canterbury</i></td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><b>Hi Paul. Before we talk about your latest book, let's hear a little about yourself. Tell me, what are your passions?</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">I love the history of Canterbury, of course and the cathedral in particular. Iâm passionate about music: classical, jazz, folk and, my schoolboy love, prog-rock! I also love my garden, where I grow wild flowers and old roses. And then I have my modest orchard, which is only three years old but doing well.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<b>What's prog-rock? I've never heard of that :-D</b><br />
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Prog-rock is short for progressive-rock, which was a name given to classically influenced album bands in the early 1970s, such as Pink Floyd.<br />
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<b>Lol that's me showing my ignorance :-) I believe, as a local historian, you occasionally give people tours of some of the old sites in Canterbury. You're a bit of a jack-of-all-trades, aren't you! Did I hear you say you also have your own weekly column in the local newspaper?</b></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Ah yes, the tours are only for friends, when they show an interest. The column is something Iâve been doing, in one form or another, since the late 1980s. Itâs currently called â<i>Paul Cramptonâs Canterbury</i>â, and I get a lot of feedback from it. Itâs also nice to help people trace, for example, a photo of their grandparentsâ house in the city. So many old houses were pulled down in the early post-war years. In fact, demand for these pictures was so high that I produced a book specifically about them called: <i>Canterbury Suburbs and Surroundings</i>. In 2010, I won the John Hayes Canterbury Award for that one.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCJVIvCVmLyUZsuVHT-NvEXJ9r5u-4ChG4vOBs6GMu8x39ngoVTQQXeHu6UNj8tmYG-OGlTY_Zirn5HxQRxPaPRGASl8ISyg4n8MuxET9WSldL-5yzmqcMEZqWTUjUrni0efs_menx4I5P/s1600/Paul+showing+off+Canterbury+pics.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCJVIvCVmLyUZsuVHT-NvEXJ9r5u-4ChG4vOBs6GMu8x39ngoVTQQXeHu6UNj8tmYG-OGlTY_Zirn5HxQRxPaPRGASl8ISyg4n8MuxET9WSldL-5yzmqcMEZqWTUjUrni0efs_menx4I5P/s320/Paul+showing+off+Canterbury+pics.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Paul Crampton, local historian, giving his friends<br />an informal tour of his favourite places in Canterbury</i></td></tr>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB">Wow, that's awesome, Paul! And it's so great that you can help people discover something about their past. So, I know the answer to this, but let me get to what you're dying to talk about. I know</span> <i>The
Dream Messiah</i> isn't your first published novel so, tell me, what else have you had published?</b></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Well, <i>The Dream Messiah</i> is the first one to be published
in the mainstream, and certainly the first one to reach a, potentially,
worldwide audience. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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But, yes, let's talk about the other books first. As you know, I'm well-known for local history books,
particularly about Canterbury, and have published around 18 titles to date...</div>
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<b>Eighteen? That's impressive. Sorry for interrupting. Please continue...</b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS2JcyWqQhnKDRa5UO-TQYMtjtqKDg2zjiPB14UnH85IPpBcf6MjKegrzj1WHSO1p1b4BK2TuHBnce4ioSJgYFYws-L-qBZ6BIV6k8x78I55ZsdsUEUDrWyXAOitQcR8uQx4BjjWUen_hr/s1600/Non-fiction+books.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS2JcyWqQhnKDRa5UO-TQYMtjtqKDg2zjiPB14UnH85IPpBcf6MjKegrzj1WHSO1p1b4BK2TuHBnce4ioSJgYFYws-L-qBZ6BIV6k8x78I55ZsdsUEUDrWyXAOitQcR8uQx4BjjWUen_hr/s320/Non-fiction+books.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Paul Crampton's local history books of the Canterbury area</i></td></tr>
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That's okay... As
for novels, I self published â<i>Strangers in Focus</i>â (2005) and â<i>Ronnie Darwin was
my Uncle</i>â (2006), both by Pen Press, which has since gone out of business⌠not,
I hope, due to my books! After that, I won a writing competition, which saw two novels being published: â<i>I
want to be Half Jewish</i>â, in 2008, and â<i>Tobyâs Burden</i>â in 2009. Sadly, both sank
without trace, as there was no follow-up, or publicity whatsoever.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_zvKONx4tcf9JH3seSj47fIOtWd_ICtZfTaMSLIR7KD6E1xEt0HxSZx2ZkYXJ2xuw88lWahAiNDey_wJBj52EMcvyIqDSkrLWUd9eJhuDI-cjniF07XQGXwJVMGdYBnD2BRMQuOefmZdX/s1600/Novels.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_zvKONx4tcf9JH3seSj47fIOtWd_ICtZfTaMSLIR7KD6E1xEt0HxSZx2ZkYXJ2xuw88lWahAiNDey_wJBj52EMcvyIqDSkrLWUd9eJhuDI-cjniF07XQGXwJVMGdYBnD2BRMQuOefmZdX/s320/Novels.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Paul Crampton's novels including his latest </i>The Dream Messiah</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><b>That was just over six years ago. Was there anything between <i>Toby's Burden</i> and <i>The Dream Messiah</i>? </b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">There were a few non-fiction books, but there
were some rather unpleasant personal issues and also some mental health problems to
sort out. You know... life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB">Yes, I know a bit about that. Maybe, if you feel like it, we can talk a little more about that in a moment? Just for now, let's talk a bit about </span><i>The Dream Messiah</i>, which seems to be gathering a lot of positive attention in the press... I believe there's a story behind the book. Please tell.</b></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Yes, there is. This goes back to my personal reaction
to 9/11. I hadnât thought much about Islam until then, so I began to research
it. And, to my surprise, I found out that the three main monotheistic
religions: Judaism, Islam and Christianity, had much more in common than they
had differences; after all, it was the same God. And, I had to question, <i>why
is there so much mutual hatred and mistrust?</i> It was then I decided to
say something positive about the whole subject.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><b>I can see from your overwhelmingly positive reviews that your message has certainly reached an audience that agrees with you! And part of that reason is your carefully chosen characters, and the events that bring them together. For a start, your main characters couldn't be more different from each other, could they. Your female character is Muslim,
isnât she?</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Yes: Hamila Rashid is a young, black,
Somalian refugee, in her 20s, who lives in modern-day London. The premise of <i>The Dream Messiah</i> is that she and my main
male character, Tony Hammond-Jones â a white, Bishopâs son from rural
Hertfordshire â begin having the same recurring dreams featuring each other.
And, as the blurb says: when they finally meet, they slowly realise they share
a destiny that has the potential to change the world forever. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTqivlIBU07Nm6aVP7zeYh8W2QkfNbdyXqySX2RHG5DWmod3E3aXVZem9a6UuZ9x8zjHarsr18ra0gvEOXmJQJDCPhc239Yg2o-8k2Y8_CF092MUvvwvjmbwhnl382zXE1zXQnA7ulkVbL/s1600/Photo+shoot+of+cover+illustration+for+Dream+Messiah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTqivlIBU07Nm6aVP7zeYh8W2QkfNbdyXqySX2RHG5DWmod3E3aXVZem9a6UuZ9x8zjHarsr18ra0gvEOXmJQJDCPhc239Yg2o-8k2Y8_CF092MUvvwvjmbwhnl382zXE1zXQnA7ulkVbL/s320/Photo+shoot+of+cover+illustration+for+Dream+Messiah.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Model for Hamila during photoshoot<br />for the front cover of Paul Crampton's</i><br />
The Dream Messiah</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><b>Is that a heavily pregnant Hamila on the cover illustration, and i</b></span><b>s that a clue to their shared destiny?</b></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Yes and yes; as is the bookâs title
itself! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguRIa1mAt3n5sPkgrJl9ZEDsYcrWlq1ppABWelWZfWRWpESE4hnErYxcOQShFQLSXKX9FWsqM8fwniAoK6LeTOyIFVJGiDhwIYeWIETjIJZDQvPpNdMzeNss5rQzPZ4fpPLlvWURfOEFNi/s1600/Hamila+and+Tony.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguRIa1mAt3n5sPkgrJl9ZEDsYcrWlq1ppABWelWZfWRWpESE4hnErYxcOQShFQLSXKX9FWsqM8fwniAoK6LeTOyIFVJGiDhwIYeWIETjIJZDQvPpNdMzeNss5rQzPZ4fpPLlvWURfOEFNi/s320/Hamila+and+Tony.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Hamila and Tony: main characters of</i> The Dream Messiah</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><b>So what do you feel about such a great reaction to <i>The Dream Messiah</i> so far?</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">I am delighted itâs been a very
positive one: 27 reviews currently on Amazon are anything to
go by. I would love to thank everyone who's read the story and left such good reviews. I really feel they've connected with the characters and understood what I was trying to convey. And I was very careful to be respectful in every way when writing the
book; after all, I want to convey a positive message, and causing offence is
not my aim, in the least.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><b>Did you find the book easy to write? </b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">After a period of research, the first
draft took me about six months to complete, which was fine. But writing fiction
doesnât always come so easily for me. As I mentioned earlier, I have a mental
health condition that means my life is governed by chronic anxiety and
depression. I've had therapy for this, and I found CBT invaluable. But I refused any medication. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><b>Any particular reason for that? I meant to come back to your mental health problems (thanks for talking about them openly. I know readers will appreciate that).</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Well, I feel my condition has also given
me my creativity, so itâs not all bad, and I donât want to blunt the creative
edges with drugs. Mind you, I occasionally self-medicate with alcohol, but have
got a better handle on that one recently. In fact, I donât drink at all at the
moment. All in all though, I wouldnât change the way I am. I write furiously
when Iâm in the mood, which is the way it is at the moment, thank goodness.
Last year though, I just couldnât touch my new work-in-progress. And the longer
I left it, the more of an issue it became; the more I was afraid to pick it up
again. But I finally managed to resume work in early 2016.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_f7p4BR2LguFWwHrByzjwCs4bj5g7FIO79Qz4CD_QKmPqigQC64j0pjUDqAnyE09-ZtzRS-Olge2GhYxj1e6HexJhVdwPfD0Xke0DtCD-mrRbdjhcaybmm0E66oprOyf1As3C0f9kF843/s1600/Newspaper+article.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_f7p4BR2LguFWwHrByzjwCs4bj5g7FIO79Qz4CD_QKmPqigQC64j0pjUDqAnyE09-ZtzRS-Olge2GhYxj1e6HexJhVdwPfD0Xke0DtCD-mrRbdjhcaybmm0E66oprOyf1As3C0f9kF843/s320/Newspaper+article.JPG" width="165" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.pressreader.com/uk/kentish-gazette-canterbury-district/20160324/textview">Paul Crampton's story hits the Kentish Gazette</a></i></td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><b>That's really interesting about the anxiety and depression actually being a source for your creativity. I recently saw a <a href="http://www.bustle.com/articles/90272-9-famous-writers-with-depression-from-sylvia-plath-to-jk-rowling">post on Bustle</a>, talking about the link between depression and creativity in some famous authors, including J. K. Rowling. I suppose there's nothing worse than dulling something that, ironically, makes you happy. Are you working on anything at the moment? </b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">I am in the advanced stages of a major
project that began in 2009. This is a trilogy of novels called: â<i>The Canterbury
Apocalypse</i>â. Itâs another religious thriller but, this time, itâs a conspiracy
trilogy that blends fact and fiction. Should I mention a slight similarity with
the writing of Dan Brown? Well, perhaps, but thatâll be one for others to
decide. In any case, I am having enormous fun writing this. The first book is
now ready, and I am currently putting the finishing touches to the second
volume. For the first time, I'm really able to merge my love of Canterbury history
with my fiction writing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4u4et4J0lgjq0HL3mVPhGRxe9vsTK6_0zKnaHT1DzMHVsqLJVhVtEXH_BEdWfkwFKGDJFKjXq8Vkwe9ccQz7jwWvM4AbyoMgnlLdYfZOJfZLLU2MDybMQpaUm7a-775aPE5kfwY-_Tg42/s1600/Newspaper+article+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4u4et4J0lgjq0HL3mVPhGRxe9vsTK6_0zKnaHT1DzMHVsqLJVhVtEXH_BEdWfkwFKGDJFKjXq8Vkwe9ccQz7jwWvM4AbyoMgnlLdYfZOJfZLLU2MDybMQpaUm7a-775aPE5kfwY-_Tg42/s320/Newspaper+article+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.pressreader.com/uk/kentish-gazette-canterbury-district/20160721/282127815827902">Another appearance: Paul Crampton in the Kentish Gazette</a></i></td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><b>The perfect combination :-) So, how do you see your life in five years time?</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">I would love to be earning my living as a novelist. I donât aspire to J.K Rowlingâs heights but, having said that, Iâm not setting any limits to my ambitions. In a recent interview, with my local history hat on, I was described as a novelist and writer, and it looked very good to see that title in print. </span></div>
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<b>Finally, where can we find you on the Internet?</b></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dream-Messiah-Paul-Crampton-ebook/dp/B019V3PLSW/ref=1462696680&sr">The Dream Messiah on Amazon</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=dp_byline_sr_ebooks_1?ie=UTF8&text=Paul+Crampton&search-alias=digital-text&field-author=Paul+Crampton&sort=relevancerank">Amazon Author page</a> (getting round to it)</div>
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website: <a href="http://www.paulcramptonbooks.co.uk/">Paul Crampton Books</a></div>
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Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/dreammessiah">@dreammessiah</a></div>
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Facebook pages:</div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/The-Dream-Messiah-1046421335393324/">The Dream Messiah</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/The-Canterbury-Apocalypse-1685831618371997/">Canterbury Apocalypse</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/I-love-Canterbury-Cathedral-and-its-Precincts-555869504591548/">I Love Canterbury Cathedral and its Precincts</a>.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV9J1Tw5WW3PruNW42q4nf6gJShP580zYKV-pmyGXR6fM3fc_XJkwBZmRJ1T5ruEqVesm25SjPiqTWBPm_OVMSrxYo9le_GQO__2Q5gPtJzqBFFVnP1hFh4KLYUzYQN0A0xOQFLo4103Et/s1600/cat+reading+The+Dream+Messiah.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV9J1Tw5WW3PruNW42q4nf6gJShP580zYKV-pmyGXR6fM3fc_XJkwBZmRJ1T5ruEqVesm25SjPiqTWBPm_OVMSrxYo9le_GQO__2Q5gPtJzqBFFVnP1hFh4KLYUzYQN0A0xOQFLo4103Et/s320/cat+reading+The+Dream+Messiah.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Cordelia the cat curled up with</i>The Dream Messiah</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><b>Further reading:</b></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span>
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Kentish Gazette: <a href="http://www.pressreader.com/uk/kentish-gazette-canterbury-district/20160324/textview">Novel turn for history buff: Modern Mary and Joseph story</a></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB">Kentish Gazette: <a href="http://www.pressreader.com/uk/kentish-gazette-canterbury-district/20160721/282127815827902">Tomb of king's illegitimate son 'raided' claims historian</a></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Kent Online: <a href="http://www.kentonline.co.uk/kent/news/worthy-reads-a67151">Wartime in Whitstable Remembered</a></span></span></div>
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Annelisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18404801255562567591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1299748757474386124.post-84074885934316808902016-07-04T10:13:00.000-07:002016-07-05T02:19:28.620-07:00Interview: Lexi Miles (author)Folk on Twitter know <a href="https://twitter.com/leximilesbooks">Lexi Miles</a> for her cheeky *giggles*, good humour and positive vibes. She's always there with upbeat comments and a smile. She is one of those adorable people who you just wanna hug. She's also an author so crazily in love, she spent her life pursuing her passion - writing.<br />
I discovered, she's also got a lot to say on this... :-)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Author: Lexi Miles</i></td></tr>
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<span style="color: red;"><b><br /></b></span>
<b>So, Lexi, hello and welcome to Script Alchemy. I'm delighted to have you come and answer some questions about you and your books.</b><br />
<br />
Thank you so much for having me Annelisa. It is my pleasure to be with you today. I love your website Script Alchemy, and we get along so well, so I am happy, honored, and thrilled that you invited me to do this! <br />
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<b>Thank you. Let's find out a little about you first, before we talk about your books. I've been checking out your bio, and see you've lived all over the place - Vegas, Los Angeles, Reno, California - where in the world is the spot that holds your dearest memories?</b><br />
<br />
Oh, thatâs a tough one. For my best and most precious memories, it is a bit of a tie between California, the Bay Area (near San Francisco), and Reno, Nevada. Those two places are where I have spent the most time and where I grew up. And, the weather is perfect in those two spots and the people are incredibly friendly. And to me that is important. (giggling a bit as I respond here)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Downtown Reno, Nevada, one of Lexi Miles' favourite places</i></td></tr>
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<b>And, where does your heart most desire to take you?</b><br />
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My heart most desires to take me out of the country to tour Europe or the United Kingdom. I also would like to go a little closer to home, back to Hawaii and Napa, California for some rest and relaxation.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Tahoe Shore</i></td></tr>
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<b>I see you have a lot of things you love, including, of course writing and reading, but also bowling, cooking, the beach, photography, spa days, fitness, dancing... and two sweet pups. If you had one day - one glorious day - how would you spend it? (It might be your last ever, so think of all the things you'd love to do and who you'd spend it with)</b><br />
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If I had to make one day countâreally countâI would spend it with my loved ones, including my pups and best friend Chloe Quinn, at the beach. Not doing anything except for giggling, talking, and wiggling my feet in the sand. I would be appreciating this magical immense world with profound beauty all around me. I would just be thankful for every moment and giggle that I had with them. That would be perfect! (Those are my favorite days, time with my love ones, beach or not.)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Lexi's Silver Yorkies, </i>Harley Quin<i> and </i>Poison Ivy</td></tr>
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<b>So, let's talk books. </b><b>You've recently released a novel - <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Custom-Fit-Holiday-Fever-Book-ebook/dp/B0191WUHGY?ie=UTF8&keywords=lexi%20miles&qid=1465126541&ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1">Custom Fit</a></i> - and a book of poetry - <span style="background-color: white;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Focused-Love-Lexi-Miles-ebook/dp/B01GANAIWU?ie=UTF8&ref_=asap_bc"><i>Focused on Love</i> </a></span>- and, I believe, you have a further seven (yes seven!) books to be released in 2016? </b><br />
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Yes, I do have seven that are very near to being released. I just find that so many things inspire me. That is code for 'I have a lot of ideas that dance around in my brain and I love sharing them'.<br />
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<b>First, give us a quick run down of what Custom Fit is all about. </b><br />
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So, you want to know about Custom Fit. Hmmm, how do I give you a snapshot of what it is all about? I have a structured synopsis, but today I will give you a fresh account of it, since I believe you are game. <br />
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What would you do if you found yourself walking into work and then being tasked to take clothes on and off of the extremely sexy man you are crazy about and have been for years? Well, that is what Sunni, our main character, faces at the top of the novel. Let me clarify, I know you are wondering with that sounding a bit spicy, Sunni is a style specialist and consultant with a long list of high profile clients. At the firm that she is working for, there is only one rule: no romantic entanglements with the professional contacts. However, throughout the book, even with the assignment only being for the couple weeks preceding and following the holidays, Sunni finds this to be harder and harder to uphold. What adds to that challenge is that Striker Clint, the alarmingly sexy actor and singer sheâs adored from afar, is her ultimate crush, who is even more gorgeous and chivalrous than in his movies. She soon has to decide, is a shot at being with him, her ultimate desire, worth giving up the career she has worked so hard for? What will she decided? Or will the blue-eyed dreamy Striker decide it for her? Will she cave to his persuasive charm?<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Cover: Custom Fit by author Lexi Miles</i></td></tr>
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This romance novel about actors and fashion was a blast to write and has a load of twists, scandal, humor, and sexiness. Itâs a highly fun read set during the time of Thanksgiving through the New Year, but is fun no matter what season. It involves fun social media references, romantic set-ups, and friendships. <br />
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Throughout all of the madness, I really like most how it is centered around and shows a sweet and intense love as they both deal with some pretty serious issues (past relationships and risk taking). There are some troublemakers, past and present, you are going to love to hate as well as some surprise characters that make you smile. Returning to the main characters, their forbidden relationship is a wildly sexy romance, making frequent trips to the brink of hot sexy love and will have the reader craving for more. It is a nice combination of attraction, strength from love, deep emotional connection, and searing passion.<br />
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<b>That sounds awesome. We need that kind of honest synergy between love and the sensual side of romance. They are not exclusive of each other, as some think. </b><b>Are your other seven books in this same genre?</b><br />
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Yes, the seven books that are coming out are all romance novels and in that sexy hot vein as Custom Fit. Each of the novels are so fire-hot you may need aloe as you read them! To answer your question further, some books are a part of series and others are stand-alone features. Although for the most part the novels are incredibly sexy that I write, outside of the handful coming out, the intensity of the hotness of each novel does change. I write a range on the spectrum of an arc from sweet to erotic. I do have to say, I ENJOY and most definitely like to spend my timeâa lot of timeâliving in the land of highly sensual.<br />
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<b>Do you want to tell us a bit about the other books?</b><br />
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Sure. Here's a quick break down of the seven coming to Amazon soon (not in order of release):<br />
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<span style="background-color: #e06666;"><i>Dangerous Listing</i></span>: A realtor named Piper rents out a listing and stumbles into a dangerous situation. She soon finds herself holed up with the ever sexy and mysterious Marko, and sheâs not complaining. Is danger just the thing they need to kick off their sexy romance? (Vol 0.5 in the Sensual Protection series, proceeds Private Lessons)<br />
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<span style="background-color: #f6b26b;"><i>Too Much Trouble</i></span>: A lawyer named Sela steps in to help her scam artist brother with a legal issue and ends up having to work for the powerful family that he has wronged to keep him out of hot water. More specifically, Sela has to work for the egotistical head of the family, the oh-so-sexy, Gavin Brooks, who she has butted heads with on more than one occasion. But will she find that the arrangement has its advantages? (Vol 1 of Sexy Law series)<br />
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<span style="background-color: #ffd966;"><i>Private Lessons</i></span>: Dorian DeVain, a travel agent, gets tricked into taking much needed self-defense classes by her best friend Piper. She is apprehensive, even given the looming threat of her past, until she meets the ultra-sexy brown haired instructor Jimmy Jalin. Will there be sexy benefits included with his training? (Vol 1 of the Sensual Protection series)<br />
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<span style="background-color: #93c47d;"><i>Convince Me</i></span>: Josephine Summers, a feisty red headed chef has just been blacklisted for declining her bossâ romantic advances. Determined for a fresh start, Jo has a chance meeting with the dreamy lawyer with the penetrating blue eyes, Roger, who convinces her to become his live in chef. After that things really heat up. Is Jo going find it difficult to keep things strictly professional? (Vol 1 of Seductive Recipes series)<br />
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<span style="background-color: #76a5af;"><i>Mix Matched</i></span>: Maxi is a bartender at a bar that the mega-hot Wolf Crane owns. Wolf, off the clock, is known for giving romantic help to others so they find their romantic match. She gets the idea to have Wolf use his skills to help her until she can get him to realize that she is his perfect match. Can she sway him to see her daydream for them? (Vol 1 of the Happy Hour series)(NanoWrimo Nov 2015)<br />
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<span style="background-color: #b4a7d6;"><i>Behind the Scene</i>s</span>: After an awful breakup, Markie has sworn off relationships. That is until a brief encounter at a cafĂŠ where she meets a devilishly handsome Johnny who steps in to help her shake a problem. Per her friendâs prior suggestion, Markie has just started one of the hottest romance novels out and Johnny notices it. Horrified when he picks it up and starts reading it aloud they soon fall into reading the story to each other. But will the love story stay within the pages of the book? (Stand Alone Novel)<br />
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<span style="background-color: #674ea7;"><i>Assisting Love</i></span>: Dixie, tired of not living to her potential, quits an assisting job and gets commandeered for an upgraded executive assisting one. She is under the impression it is for someone else but ends up working for and living with the reclusive Cliff, a fundraiser whisperer. She soon finds that she helps him let his guard down and he helps her tap into who she once was years ago. Can she manage to keep her desires for him in check or will she risk it all to see if they have a chance at love? (Vol 1 of Romancing the Roommate)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Books by Lexi Miles, author</i></td></tr>
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All of the stories, that are coming soon, show challenges that couples face and how they evolve as individuals and couples because of them. I think that love makes us the best versions of ourselves. You know, the most courageous people that we can be because we know that we are loved and accepted deeply. In my opinion, romantic love, centers us and makes everything about life more vibrant and beautiful. Love, in many ways, is like that spice of a secret recipe in cooking that makes life taste better!<br />
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<b>What made you start to write this genre? And what do you feel, knowing others are reading it? </b><br />
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Honestly, there are four main reasons I write romance. <br />
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The first, I love the romance genre. I am a mush. I adore scribing the magic of opening up oneself to another. That metaphoric nakedness is beautiful, raw, peaceful, and like art. Love, in all of its forms, especially romantic, is worth writing about and I love doing it.<br />
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Secondly, I got tired of reading about the bickering or âmommy-ingâ that some of these books act like is sexy or romantic. I personally am annoyed by too much of that. I hate it when a woman picks apart a man or he acts as if he dominates her. Granted, I do love a good DOM book and write some sexual tension with a bit of spunky flirty quip dialogue, but not that whiny stuff. Or the brain went out for lunch stories or immature actions I canât identify with. So, I was inspired to write because I wanted to do it, to add to the other books out there, and support that different view and offer a more unique alternatives for romance readers. I wanted to write something where women werenât so meek damsel in distress, stubborn, not independent, or gripe focused. And on the flipside I want to write men positively where the men werenât so one dimensional, negative stereotypical, emotionless, or jerks. I wanted to write something that gave more depth to each gender.<br />
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<b>Third...?</b><br />
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My next reason, I write romance because I like the naughty and fire-hot stuff. Some people may shy away from the beauty and physical fun you can have with your partner, but I think it is beautiful and thrilling to capture. Sex, sexual tension, and all of its spiciness is fun to write about time after time! <br />
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Finally, I just find it completely rewarding to weave together this fictional world and to sculpt something out of it. Creatively typing whatever my mind can come up with is refreshing. And really making it basic, romance is so fun to write! Thatâs why I write!<br />
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What do I feel knowing that others are reading it? Honestly, I hope they are enjoying it. I am happy to share the sexy and romantic stories that I do. My stories are also inclusive of all the genres, in a way, from mystery, quests, jumps through time, and strong storylines about all things in general with a definite emphasis on romantic love. I love that. I love what I writeâthe super sexy beautiful part of life. To me, knowing people are reading it feels as if I am sharing a good recipe with a friend. And it would be wrong to keep it to myself!<br />
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<b>You say in your bio you make all your male heroes 'confident with a good sense of themselves'. What other characteristics do they have in common? </b><br />
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Hmmm, good question. Let me think about this for a second. What do most of my male characters have in common? <br />
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They all have flaws, openness (once their walls come down), and are innocent in some areas (may not know how to cook, or they blush at things). Yet, still with that innocence, they are witty, sharp, intelligent, and knowledgeable (great at their jobs or handling the worst kind of threat). My male characters tend to all be incredibly strong (reader understands by the end of the story where that strength was forged in a younger part of his life). In some of the books, not all, a few of my male leads may have a frosty exterior (reputation of aloofness) or come across like jerks to others, but due to her spunk (or something else that jars them out of their routines) they warm up to their female counterparts. <br />
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In addition, for the most part, they have a good sense of humor, are gentleman, and see the best in my female characters. A common thread each male character possesses is that they are in the process of evolving in one way or another, just like the female characters. <br />
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<b>I like that idea...that the male characters are evolving too :-)</b><br />
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The idea of my writing is that the couple as a whole balance one another. It is a case where each uniquely answers or satisfies something that is missing that the other needed. It is kind of like they are the âperfectâ or imperfect recipe, if you will, blending together to have, her the sugar or him the spice, that makes sense for each individual couple created within the books. For example he may be super serious and she is a free spirit, yet each brings that brilliant balance to each other. It may not make sense to everyone around them, but it is exactly what the couple is craving for their life to be happy.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Cover: Focused on Love by author Lexi Miles</i></td></tr>
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<b>Do you think romances often create an image of men that perhaps a real man can never live up to, or an expectation in women readers that men should be like this and, so, all other men fall short and they find it difficult to find this 'perfect' man?</b></div>
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I loved reading romance growing up, I love reading it now, and in the back of my mind, I always thought of the characters as real in some moment of time; accordingly, in my head they were all flawed or more realistic than what was written down in the pages(for concise and story flow purposes). Which is why your question of âperfectionâ caught me off guard. Let me explain, when I read (and now write) books it is not in terms of 'is the guy perfect?' I know they burp among other things that all people do, but I view it more like a snapshot of moments the author is writing. <br />
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Snapshots are to highlight someone and not to show their flaws. Like when looking at a picture we all understand that the beautiful and deep layers (including the flaws) of a person are there, but we are capturing a moment of life. And now as I write, I try to think of the characters as stepping out of the pagesâliving and breathingâand I know the strengths as well as the flaws exist. (I do a whole character flesh out process and scenarios thing before I sit down to write. It is so that I really have a chance to get into the headspace of my characters, and so I know they arenât perfect. I am giggling as I say it, they're far from it.) And I try, as much as possible, to pull back the curtain and share the flaws as well as the silliness (or any other true feature) of the person to give a true to life texture to the characters in the book, so that they donât feel âperfectâ but real, as if you are living their life as they are living it. <br />
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Having said that, to actually answer the question, <i>can ârealâ men live up to the hot book guys? </i><br />
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On a real guyâs worst day, they are better than the guy that does everything right, so to speak. Flaws are hot, perfection, in that sense, is a snore. If I define perfection, to me it is the combination of a guyâs strengths and flaws. When men are striving to be the best version of themselves, no matter the bumps as they go, that is even hotter than that âperfect guyâ held up in some books. I think âfictional perfectionâ cannot scratch the surface of how awesomely unique and ultra-hot fellows are in real life. They are like diamonds and each part of them good or bad is like the glimmering facets that highlight the diamondâs handsomeness and shine. In my opinion, men are pretty darn amazing and sexy andâdespite how I tryâI canât come close to writing how incredible they are in truth within the pages of my book. But I still love trying to do it. (I am giggling here.) <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Do imperfections make for perfection?</i></td></tr>
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Now returning to the subject of the âperfectâ man of the books, I think my most exciting characters are the ones that are âperfection in their wayâ not some idea of it. You know, they may have to have the last word type, but a great sense of humor that outweighs it. That is better than a âyes honeyâ guy any day. I am giggling here because I know some people who prefer those, but I am not that way. I think that a couple should have the freedom to be exactly who they are and be loved by their partner for itâcelebrated even. <br />
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And, moving on to this, do I think women find it difficult to find this âperfectâ guy in ârealâ life? Hopefully not. At least I think of it as an aim for this type of guy deal that âusâ ladies look for. But to me, flaws are beautiful and as women we should prioritize whatâs important to us (of the characteristics that make those book guys so appealing) while we are looking for our match. And I think if you do that, use it as rough guidelines to what you desire, youâll find it. That perfect man, for you in real life (unpredictable, layered, sexy, and refreshing) will be even better than anything that you have read. At least that is what I have found.<br />
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<b>Well, that's given me a lot to think about. Thanks Lexi. Can you let us in a little on your plans for the near and far future? Let us know where you'll be and when in the upcoming weeks and months? </b><br />
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Yes, Iâd love to. <br />
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Coming up, I have the seven romantic releases I mentioned earlier, to be released in the next couple of months. These are: <i>Dangerous Listing</i>, <i>Too Much Trouble</i>, <i>Private Lessons</i>, <i>Convince Me</i>, <i>Mix Matched</i>, <i>Behind the Scenes</i>, and <i>Assisting Love</i>.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Cover: Food Party by Chloe Quinn & Lexi Miles</i></td></tr>
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I also have another project that I am excited about, because I love to cook! I am co-authoring a cookbook with romance author buddy, Chloe Quinn. The cookbook will be jam-packed with tasty recipes, cooking hacks, and something that sets the book apart from other cookbooks, it will include recipes that we mention in our books. It is our spin on 'dinner and a movie' which, in this case, is 'dinner and a novel'. Anytime I get a chance to work with Chloe on anything or to cook together, it's a blast for me, so I hope that you will pop out and grab a copy to share in the fun when it's released. Release date is a few weeks away, so I am really excited!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Chloe Quinn & Lexi Miles, authors of Food Party</i></td></tr>
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More details are listed on the press page of my website that I will include at the conclusion of the interview. In the early part of November, I will be participating in a signing in Las Vegas. I will be running a promotion around this as it gets closer, so stay tuned for the details!</div>
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And finally, in the not so distant future, July 13-27, I will be doing a special two week promotion âChristmas in Julyâ around my holiday books, where readers will get their first in depth look at <i>Close Quarters</i> Vol 2 of the <i>Holiday Fever</i> series as well as a few other surprises!<br />
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What to expect in the future are lots and lots of sexy and sweet romance books!<br />
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<b>Then, in the further reaching future? </b><b>What are your dreams for in a year or two?</b><br />
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Dreams, and my focus for a year or two, is to write scripts for TV and Movies. I am working on two right now. For one, think sweet <i>Hallmark </i>meets <i>Pretty Woman </i>and the other <i>Criminal Minds</i> meets <i>Person of Interest</i>. They are in the story-boarding process, and I am very excited about each of them! Also, I will be writing a couple books in a few other genres (That is code for 'I am dusting off my mystery and suspense skills'.) I am a romance lover all the way, but I do like the pulse racing action too!<br />
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<b>Something else I wanted to ask you, what is this Heat Zone people are talking about? </b><br />
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Well, I absolutely love and was raised on soap operas, so I decided to write a free weekly serial of that nature on my website, posting every Friday (when not on hiatus). It is my way of regularly engaging with readers in a fun way as they wait for the novels. Currently, the second season is winding down and I just opened up the ability to subscribe to it. There are a lot of enjoyable insider things, like character backstories, with the âHeat Zonersâ who are the diehard readers of the soap. They are a fun bunch, you should hear some of our super silly chats, groans and feedback on the episodes! I am so happy this came up so that I can give them a quick hello!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Author: Lexi Miles *giggles*</i></td></tr>
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<b>(For those who can't see, Lexi is waving) You were saying to me earlier, you have a lot happening on your blog you're rather proud of?</b><br />
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Yes, as I mentioned, I host it on my website and post twice a week, sometimes more often.</div>
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On <span style="background-color: #ffe599;">Thursdays</span>, I post blogs about random things or a blog within a series. Lately I have been sharing writer tips consecutive in the series and posts of that nature. Past blogs have included personal advice that has helped me: exercise information, past events, and extra cool and refreshing subjects like that! So, like I said, it ranges.</div>
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On <span style="background-color: #ffe599;">Sundays</span>, I post a recap of the events of the week and what I call a <i>power quote</i> to empower or encourage the person reading it. Kind of like 'powering up' the person like (careful my gamer side is about to show) in the video game Mario Brothers. You know, give them a powerful boost of support at the top of their new week!</div>
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In addition to these posts, I often post birthday shout-outs once a month, reviews, and other special events like Novemberâs NanoWrimo writing event. The blog can be subscribed to as well.</div>
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<b>Before we go, I think you just wanted to say something about your newsletter?</b><br />
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Yes, I'm glad you asked, because I typically forget to mention it. I touch in once a week with the individuals that follow my newsletter. There are giveaways, recipe shares, FREE content, oh and book release information. Thatâs important to say too. There are a lot of special things that happen in the VIP readers and friends list, but it is secret handshake stuff so thatâs all that I can say hereâ*giggles* Everyone is welcome! And it is a fun way to stay in touch! I know that you are a part of it, Annelisa. I hope that you donât mind sharing, what is one thing that you enjoy about it?<span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 15.84px;"> </span></div>
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<b>Lol Well, isn't that just typical of you, Lexi, to turn the interview round on me! I must admit, one of my favourites has been the inspirational quotes. They cheered me up and were nice to have in the mailbox. A great way to start the day :-) </b><br />
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<b>Thank you so much for answering all my questions.</b></div>
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Oh, I am so delighted and happy to answer your questions Annelisa. They were all fun, refreshing, and it was just nice to hang out with you like this.<br />
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<b></b><b>Thank you. Likewise :-) To finish off, let's let readers know, where can they find you?</b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Lexi Miles still giggling :-D</i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 99%;"><span style="font-size: small; line-height: normal;">I am on social media. I love Twitter</span></span> (<a href="https://twitter.com/leximilesbooks" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; line-height: 15.84px;">@leximilesbooks</a><span style="font-family: inherit;">) (daily chats, author writing events, randomness), but few know that I am also on </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/LexiMilesAuthor" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 15.84px;">Facebook</a> (author info posts, blog links, smiley touch-ins), </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/LexiMilesAuthor" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 15.84px;">Pinterest</a>(recipes, romantic quotes, giggles), and </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.instagram.com/LexiMilesAuthor" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 15.84px;">Instagram</a> (covers, day in the life stuff, fitness). I mix it up for each of the social media websites to keep it fun so that all of the information is fresh! Iâd love to see everyone there too!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Website:</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 15.84px;"> <a href="http://www.leximilesauthor.com/">Lexi Miles Author</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Email:<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 15.84px;"> </span><a href="mailto:leximiles.author@gmail.com"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 15.84px;">leximiles.author@gmail.com</span></a></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/LexiMiles" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 15.84px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Goodreads</span></a><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/author/LexiMiles" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 15.84px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Amazon</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Press Page: <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 99%;"><a href="http://www.leximilesauthor.com/press">www.leximilesauthor.com/press</a></span></span><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 99%;">
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<b>And, what was it you were saying about reviews? You don't want any? <wink></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 15.84px;">A</span></span>re you kidding? I <i>love </i>reviews! Itâs so fun, refreshing, and reenergizing (especially while doing intricate or tedious edits on another project) to hear the feedback from someone after they've taken that book journey with you on something you have written. So yes, whenever you can please drop a review on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/author/LexiMiles" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 15.84px;">Amazon</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/leximilesbooks">Twitter </a>, <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/LexiMiles" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 15.84px;">Goodreads</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/LexiMilesAuthor" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 15.84px;">Facebook</a> , or any social media. I appreciate those! And please do me a favor and let me know about it so that I can share them!</div>
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<b>Ha ha... nearly had you there. Thanks again for stopping by, Lexi. It's been a pleasure.</b><br />
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Thank you again for having me pop in to do this Annelisa!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Another of Lexi's Favourite places: Santa Cruz</i></td></tr>
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<b><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; font-size: small;">Bonus: extra places you can find out more about Lexi:</span></b><br />
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<a href="http://www.leximilesauthor.com/bio/">Lexi Miles Author Bio</a><br />
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<a href="http://silverbeanscafe.weebly.com/meet-the-author-lexi-miles-interview.html">Interview at Silver Beans Cafe</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.leximilesauthor.com/blog/confessions-of-a-writer-tag/">Confessions of a Writer Tag</a><br />
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Annelisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18404801255562567591noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1299748757474386124.post-46694901661812423522016-06-28T23:43:00.000-07:002016-06-28T23:43:07.733-07:00Announcing Winners of the 3-Book Giveaway!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Thank you so much for everyone who took part in the Giveaway!</b></span><br />
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Yesterday, the Giveaway ended, and three random winners were picked to receive a signed copy of The Popish Midwife. And they might even receive it before everyone else, because I get to have advance copies! :-D<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The Popish Midwife winners announced</i></td></tr>
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<br /><b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The three lucky winners of the signed book, in the order they were drawn, are:</span></b><div>
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(1) <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Jennifer Stone</b></span> (<i style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://twitter.com/JenStone4485" style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;">@JenStone4485</a> ) </i>from the UK</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Winner of The Popish Midwife: <b>Jennifer Stone</b></span><br />(image: Twitter)</i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(2) <b>April Parker</b> (<a href="https://twitter.com/AprilDParker">@AprilDParker</a> ) from the United States</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Winner of The Popish Midwife: <b>April Parker</b><br />(Image: Twitter)</i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(3) <b>Heather Wardell</b> (<a href="https://twitter.com/HeatherWardell">@HeatherWardell</a>) from Canada</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Winner of The Popish Midwife: <b>Heather Wardell</b><br />(image: Twitter)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Thank you to everyone who entered.</b> If you didn't win this time, keep an eye on my <a href="https://twitter.com/Alpha_Annelisa">Twitter page</a> for other ways to win or get your copy in the future, or sign up to <a href="http://scriptalchemy.us13.list-manage1.com/subscribe?u=2488d2981dda86910427e9820&id=ab9f940294">my mailing list</a> (no spam, only good stuff - latest is my never-before transcribed poem written by Elizabeth Cellier, who was the Popish Midwife)</span></div>
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Annelisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18404801255562567591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1299748757474386124.post-41951414587358886492016-06-20T19:59:00.000-07:002016-10-19T11:54:15.880-07:00Interview - Shellie Blum (Author)<b>Today, the book description of my guest, Shellie Blum, is a spot-on introduction to her and her life:</b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Shellie Blum</i></td></tr>
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Escaping instantaneous death and paralysis from a hangman's broken neck, and shattered right jaw endured in a horrific watersking accident is only part of this unbelievable story. Follow Shellie on her journey from the Ozarks to Egypt and even the back alleys of Hollywood streets as she perseveres through more than her share of grueling set backs. You don't have to be a waterskier to enjoy this inspiring true story told by the first female freestyle waterski ramp jumper in the World!<br />
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<b>Hi Shellie and welcome to Script Alchemy. I'm honoured to interview you today and highlight your memoir <i>Waterski Girl Wonde</i>r. I'd like to look behind the behind the book, behind the horrible accident, and find out a bit more about you.</b><br />
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<b>On the<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sflb5xP1fNs"> Channel 7 interview</a> back in the 1980s, before your accident, we get to see your skill on waterskis - not only were you fantastic and daring, but you look like you were really enjoying it. Are you able to ski now? Do you do any water sports at all, or are you unable?</b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Shellie Blum interviewed for Channel 7 1980s<br />(image: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sflb5xP1fNs">YouTube</a>)</i></td></tr>
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Thank you Annelisa, thatâs the thing about professional show water skiing. Itâs our job to make it look easy and fun. After all, we are performing. Itâs a skill to be working so hard, but be able to smile and enjoy yourself. Itâs an underrated sport for the athleticism it takes to do what we do, the audience is busy just watching and enjoying it. In competition water skiing no one cares or notices if youâre smiling. Performance show skiers are expected to ski anywhere, any time, in any kind of conditions, sometimes doing 4 to 5 shows a day. It takes a lot more stamina and athleticism than they get credit for, which leads me to the second half of your question.<br />
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I could ski, but donât! I wouldnât know how to hold back. I have never held back and, unless I can do âmy thingâ, it really wouldnât be enjoyable for me. For all of my water skiing days, I was performing. I was pushing the limits. I donât think I could ever hold back and, having been told that if I took any high velocity falls I would be endangering my life, I just can't take the chance. I do enjoy the water though. We have a Sea Doo and I play around on it. I get my water fix through the speed, sights and smells while riding my personal watercraft.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQMteWNIZHJAfQrEa5M5WC5l8Fa9kby2ffMwG4t4xyFj3vjgNI0ci3Hr4DUn2PyfgWgz5TPELRbmeevz9JCEk0tCTVeZG9GO930bIViIjAI-oYAzDmZ3LA_IcEoxKpLvVsU3kZfI26lGm0/s1600/Shellie+Blum+on+her+seadoo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQMteWNIZHJAfQrEa5M5WC5l8Fa9kby2ffMwG4t4xyFj3vjgNI0ci3Hr4DUn2PyfgWgz5TPELRbmeevz9JCEk0tCTVeZG9GO930bIViIjAI-oYAzDmZ3LA_IcEoxKpLvVsU3kZfI26lGm0/s320/Shellie+Blum+on+her+seadoo.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Shellie Blum on her Sea Doo</i></td></tr>
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<b>That's a shame you can't water-ski now, but I'm glad you found a fun way to carry on enjoying the water (I'd love to try that - it looks so cool!). </b><b>Apart from this, what other pastimes do you most enjoy now?</b><br />
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I spend a lot of my time on Social Media. Is that considered a pastime? I guess not really, but most of my day is spent communicating with my newfound family (friends) that Iâve made online. Iâm also trying to get exposure for my memoir. I try to find a not so annoying way of connecting with people but at the same time self-promote my book project. Itâs amazing the advice I get from fellow writers and even laypersons. Some of the advice is good and inspiring, some of it, not so much. In the beginning, my feelings would get hurt, when someone would say, âYou know, I wouldnât⌠(do this or that)'. Now, I just shrug it off and chalk it up to, âYou canât please everyone.â<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Shellie meets King Hussein<br />(image: <a href="https://twitter.com/shellieblum/status/656107604956065792">Shellie's Twitter</a>)</i></td></tr>
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<b>Thinking about other ways the accident affects you, I understand from your LinkedIn page that, even now, you still suffer pain from your accident? How harsh is that pain? Do you feel that that reminder is a good or a bad thing? I mean, do you ever feel the pain, curse it, then remember where it's taken you today?</b><br />
<b><br /></b>I deal with chronic pain yes but, compared to other people and what they have to go through, I try not to complain too much about it. I am blessed to be able to deal with it, and hope that maybe I can inspire others. I mean, you hear so much about people becoming addicted to pain pills. Not to sound too braggadocios about it, but Iâm proud of how Iâve been able to deal with my chronic pain.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrm9hHY2mFzd40Ya85qr2GQhx-oDY-bc7COG_PHig4bDHXvcj6S_v2j0rtiIRDChsVrN-yHdJ5ngihOBYc9Mu7KoQlJpUwMJC8svdbpR7nfTCiSTWZIjhdAlvnNqJwgOupf_gHGm7DWsjY/s1600/640_x-rays23.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrm9hHY2mFzd40Ya85qr2GQhx-oDY-bc7COG_PHig4bDHXvcj6S_v2j0rtiIRDChsVrN-yHdJ5ngihOBYc9Mu7KoQlJpUwMJC8svdbpR7nfTCiSTWZIjhdAlvnNqJwgOupf_gHGm7DWsjY/s320/640_x-rays23.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Shellie Blum x-ray after neck surgery<br />(image:<a href="http://www.waterskigirlwonder.com/slideshow.html">Waterski Girl Wonder</a>)</i></td></tr>
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<b>Do you feel that you developed the determination that had you trying over and over until you achieved your 'forward moving back flip', and was it that learnt determination that helped you work so hard at recovery after your accident? Or, did you always have determination to do what you planned to do, whether it was a really nifty ski move or whether it was to recover and live a normal life again?</b><br />
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This is one of those âchicken and the eggâ questions, or even, ânature versus nurtureâ questions. Did I learn determination or can some of those traits be inherited? Perhaps a little of both, everyone grows up with their certain set of experiences. And everyone is endowed with a certain set of genes. I do think, though, that a personâs strength of will can ultimately be the determining factor towards success or failure. And even more importantly is that the labels of success and failure are determined by a personâs own perception of reality. What one person considers failure might be another personâs success. (a nifty ski move learned or living a ânormal lifeâ) Iâve always gone with the idea that if I never give up, within my physical and mental limits, no one can say that Iâm not successful.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtKE2X-ew5u4XWKULv5P3GzDhvadDphl7JcQ3vvXXnxK2Sn8T0hpoKLqQU3dLLQ3iZsAXM8VRNPrNok6JTF-thV0FqhKdDXCU3HegtubNYg1SjmIrLwqiHMlxGdheHpDYwH4rzAJUHbZKI/s1600/934_cypress_gardens_backflip2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtKE2X-ew5u4XWKULv5P3GzDhvadDphl7JcQ3vvXXnxK2Sn8T0hpoKLqQU3dLLQ3iZsAXM8VRNPrNok6JTF-thV0FqhKdDXCU3HegtubNYg1SjmIrLwqiHMlxGdheHpDYwH4rzAJUHbZKI/s320/934_cypress_gardens_backflip2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Shellie Blum practicing the Back Flip (the Gainer)<br /> that eventually caused her accident<br />(image: <a href="http://www.waterskigirlwonder.com/slideshow.html">Waterski Girl Wonder</a>)</i></td></tr>
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<b>That's very inspirational, Shellie. But not everybody is so positive. In Susanne Jenkin's interview <a href="http://suzannejenkins.net/waterski-girl-wonder-shellie-blum/?utm_campaign=shareaholic&utm_medium=google_plus&utm_source=socialnetwork">Waterski Girl Wonder â Shellie Blum</a> you say you are disappointed how some people close to you haven't been as supportive as you'd hope them to be. Who has been supportive, and would you most like to thank?</b><br />
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Well, to be honest, Iâve grown past expecting support from people that I thought would be more supportive. This whole process of self-publishing has been an uphill battle. My expectations were likely too high, especially in the beginning. Iâll admit Iâve been somewhat Pollyannaish about the whole process. And Iâm glad that I have been. Itâs been a protective shield that I think Iâve had all my life. To not see the negative in others, to always be expecting the best and most positive sides of people. I donât even realize to this day when someone is put off by my enthusiasm for my memoir. I find myself naturally gravitating to the positive people. And in return, I think they have been gravitating towards me. They know who they are, and they know I am grateful for their support.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl0mq9ZjRLRGKbUQXpJjKXOnSQoWnPmXyeSt8e-J02hmwScI6LbM0kGS9gKinruzukVbmzpPrkMLMo9KNlr4dJN471dYIbh0uRvIutL-sBWy3-Y36UfNbL2Enz2gpv3oKpM0c7GmaMZ3PA/s1600/934_bob_forgiana23.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl0mq9ZjRLRGKbUQXpJjKXOnSQoWnPmXyeSt8e-J02hmwScI6LbM0kGS9gKinruzukVbmzpPrkMLMo9KNlr4dJN471dYIbh0uRvIutL-sBWy3-Y36UfNbL2Enz2gpv3oKpM0c7GmaMZ3PA/s320/934_bob_forgiana23.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Bob Forgiana - one of Shellie's best buddies after the accident<br />(image:<a href="http://www.waterskigirlwonder.com/slideshow.html"> Waterski Girl Wonder</a>)</i></td></tr>
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<b>What would you like to be the main message people take away from reading your book?</b><br />
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Keep on keeping onâŚ<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.waterskigirlwonder.com/assets/asset-1439492359890.png?v=0.028261084109544754" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.waterskigirlwonder.com/assets/asset-1439492359890.png?v=0.028261084109544754" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Waterski Girl Wonder (book cover)</i></td></tr>
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<b>I have to ask, now you've written a book, and your readers are giving it a big thumbs up (I've seen the reviews on Amazon!), you say in your interview on <a href="http://www.theledger.com/article/20160111/NEWS/160119909">Ledger.com</a> that you'd like to make the film of your memoir next. Do you have plans to write another book? Perhaps another non-fiction stemming from this one or, perhaps, an inspirational novel?</b><br />
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I think I might have another book in me, but Iâm really busy with trying to self-promote this first one. The ultimate success for it would be a movie. Wouldnât that be awesome? A true story action adventure movie with a female lead that never gives up, Iâd pay to see that movie! And see⌠some people will read that and think, âWho does she thinks she is?â And other people will read that and say, âThatâs Shellie, sheâs Waterski Girl Wonder.â And Iâll just leave it with, âHey, a girlâs gottaâ dream!â<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Shellie Blum reading</span><br style="font-size: 12.8px;" /><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">(image: </span><a href="http://www.theledger.com/article/20160111/NEWS/160119909" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Pierre Ducharme, The Ledger</a><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">)</span></i></td></tr>
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<b>Where else can we find you?</b><br />
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I am trying to line up being part of a couple of book fairs. If I can make that happen I will post about it on social media. Plus, Iâm trying to convince a couple of brick and mortar bookstores to add my book to their inventory. We will see how that goes.<br />
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<b>[Latest Update] </b>Interview with Jane Waters Thomas: <a href="https://youtu.be/oNuKxLjWs7Q?list=FLGpzBtilPiVvpDrUf2iAETw"><i>Writers Den #18; Jane Waters Thomas, Shellie Blum</i></a> (<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Oct 10, 2016)</span><br />
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<b>Other places to connect</b><br />
Website: <a href="http://www.waterskigirlwonder.com/">Waterski Girl Wonder</a><br />
Goodreads: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/12502070.Shellie_Blum">Shellie Blum</a><br />
On <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/pub/shellie-blum/27/560/106">LinkedIn</a><br />
On Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/shellieblum">@shellieblum</a><br />
On <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Waterski-Girl-Wonder-Shellie-Blum-Memoir/1447269872200562?ref=hl">Facebook</a><br />
On Amazon: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Shellie-Blum/e/B0167555II/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1">Author Page</a> Book: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Waterski-Girl-Wonder-Journey-Perseverance/dp/0996366903?ie=UTF8&qid=1454593850&ref_=tmm_hrd_swatch_0&sr=1-1">Waterski Girl Wonder</a><br />
On <a href="https://plus.google.com/+ShellieBlum/posts">Google Plus</a><br />
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<b>Read more about Shellie (then buy the book! ;-) )</b><br />
<i>Waterski Magazine</i>: <a href="http://www.waterskimag.com/waterski-girl-wonder-0">Waterski Girl Wonder, Shellie Blum's Memoir</a><br />
<i>The Right Perspective</i>:<a href="https://dottiedaniels.wordpress.com/2015/11/20/introducing-author-shellie-blum-an-author-spotlight/"> Introducing Author Shellie Blum (An Author Spotlight)</a><br />
<i>Susanne Jenkin: </i><a href="http://suzannejenkins.net/waterski-girl-wonder-shellie-blum/?utm_campaign=shareaholic&utm_medium=google_plus&utm_source=socialnetwork">Waterski Girl Wonder â Shellie Blum</a><br />
<i>The Ledger</i>: <a href="http://www.theledger.com/article/20160111/NEWS/160119909">Shellie Blum's memoir details life of stuntwoman on skiis</a><br />
<i>Curves Welcome</i>: <a href="http://curveswelcome.com/shellie-blum/">Interview with Author Shellie Blum</a><br />
<i>Just Fooling Around With Bee or The Bee Writes</i>: <a href="https://beehalton.com/2016/01/14/the-bee-talks-with-shelllie-blum/">The Bee Talks with Shellie Blum</a><br />
<i>Betrayal of Trust</i>: <a href="https://wrightba.com/2015/12/08/authors-corner-an-interview-with-shellie-blum/">Authorâs Corner: An Interview with Shellie Blum</a><br />
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<br />Annelisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18404801255562567591noreply@blogger.com5