28 Mar 2013

Five Sentence Fiction: FLAME

Hello!

Today is the day before the last day on my Tour Schedule.
I am not going to another blog tomorrow but staying here. Enjoying the fact that its Good Friday and I am not at work and also I hope to have something for a blog tour Finale.
Shockingly, I have not planned that far ahead yet! After all, I still have 24 hours’ish.

Flame was the prompt word and she let that float around her head for a while; flame of desire, moths to a flame, flame I wanna live forever!
She waited a while for the story to appear in her imagination and when at first it didn’t, she waited a little longer.
It had been a week full of uninspired moments, which for her was unusual, having always been quick to start imagining.

She tapped her right-hand forefinger on the ‘J’ key whilst she waited expectantly; braced for the words to start forming into sentences in her head, how hard could it be she thought, she only needed five.

So there she sat poised, waiting for a small flicker of inspiration to strike.
All comments welcomed, embraced, molly-coddled and tickled.
Kate x

27 Mar 2013

A cross-stitch tale!

The Suddenly Kate Show: Last stop on the Pasty Tour!: Hello! Wow! Its the last stop on the Pasty Tour :( and I will be posting a roundup on Friday so be sure to come back to check that out :)...

Last stop on the Pasty Tour!

Hello!

Wow! Its the last stop on the Pasty Tour :( and I will be posting a roundup on Friday so be sure to come back to check that out :)

It seems to have whizzed by, and all stops have been great, do you agree?

Well, todays will send us out on a high, as we are at Karen's blog, not only is there a smashing review but last night she sent me a picture of one of her favourite stitched pieces and I wrote her some very quick flash fiction. I am surprised myself by the result of that and it definitely has potential to be something longer.

So, what are you waiting for? Go check it out and if you havent read my book yet...erm...why? ;)

http://mystitchyramblings.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/the-pasty-tour-arrives-on-my-blog.html

26 Mar 2013

A to Z Challenge changed my life!

Hiya,

How're you all doing? In 6 days the 2013 A to Z Challenge will begin. It is a challenge whereby every day for the month of April you must post a blog. You can schedule these in advance so you have more time to read others blogs or you can write each day. As you all know I have been busy this month with The Pasty Tour...oh! who am I kidding! WE have been busy this month with the tour and so I won't be scheduling posts that far in advance but I may write them the night before.

You see, my job is changing, I am moving and I shall be working on the podcast and this is also happening  in April! No peace for the wicked as they say.

But I wanted to take a moment in advance of the challenge to tell you all how this blog hop changed my life. Some of you may know that I started writing fiction only six months ago, and that prior to that I had been writing music reviews, well prior to that I took part in this challenge. For those interested in what I wrote last year then check out my A to Z Challenge page which has links to all the posts from 2012 and will eventually have the 2013 links.

I came across it one day in February 2012 and thought it would be a great way of discovering new blogs. You didn't need a blog but it seemed to me at the time that it would be easier to have one and by writing a few words each day you could get to know people.  So I registered a blog with blogger and in my haste I called it Suddenly Seeking Blogs. That's right, this here blog used to be called that for a month. I read the tips from the organisers with great interest about how to do this, how to keep on top of things and follow the blogs you liked. One of the key points that came across was that you may find it easier to wrote if you have a theme.

I thought a theme sounded like a good idea, and saw a suggestion for one, it was about your home town. So I went to work devising a list of things in Milton Keynes that would represent each letter. After I wrote the list and thought about what to write, I realised that it wasn't for me because I wasn't inspired by it. I thought of some other ideas but the same thing would happen. As the day drew nearer, instead of working on a theme, I decided I need a background to make my blog look pretty. So I grabbed some felt and cut out the letters of the alphabet and then made the backing for them and the photographed them quite badly. But I can't draw and so I didnt really have a choice. Here is the end result:



As April neared I booked myself a trip to New York City and knew that I would have to schedule some of the posts. Although there was a mishap the rest went relatively smoothly.

I am one of those people who has spent their lifetime wondering when I will know what I want to be when I grow up and as such have dabbled in most things. Still, last March I was at that place and decided that therein lied my inspiration for a theme and that theme was to be CAREERS.

I write each day about why I would be good at that career and why I would be bad and it went quite well. Well enough that I still read some of those blogs and some of the people who followed me then still read this one. If you are one of those people say Hi in the comments! Go on, don't be shy, its our anniversary!  :D

When the challenge ended I was left hanging in May, I wanted to write yet I had nothing to write, I wrote a film review but it wasn't that exciting for me. At the same time I was discovering new music on Twitter, I was so impressed by some of  the bands that I thought I would show my support for them by writing reviews. So that is how I begun. My love of music lead me to writing in a very direct way. I then posted some poems and then eventually you all know what happened. So here I am 12 months later, a self-published author of my very own eBook, a novel written, on the cusp of my podcast and I have met lots of great people. All this wouldn't have happened without the A to Z challenge....it might have I suppose but we will never know as this is the only version of events.

When I started to think about this years theme I looked back over last years and was surprised to see the difference in my writing, but even more surprised to see that some of the careers I had said I couldnt do...I have done! Well, not as a career but I have vaguely touched on the topic in some small way. It made me think if this was something that had happened subconsciously and I even considered trying a theme that made me set goals that I want to achieve in the next 12 months, big or small but I worried that if I did that I would be less likely to achieve them.

For instance, I had writer on my list, radio dj, singer, actress to name a few. I may not have acted but I expressed my desire to play miss marple, which I didn't do BUT I did write a murder mystery novel. I never sang but I have written two songs that have been performed by a singer. I am not a radio DJ but I am embarking on a podcast, and I am now a writer.

So, what is this years theme? I announced earlier in the year that it would be Paranoid Solo Traveller but I am having my doubts as to how motivated I will be each day to write this. Maybe you have a suggestion that will prompt my brain into action?





25 Mar 2013

4/5 Book Review! [SPOILERISH]

Hi All

Nina kindly wrote a book review - but i must warn you of vague SPOILERS but if you are unsure about whether to get the eBook then read this.

Thanks to Nina for doing this as she has been the only host so far to write such a long review :)

If you don't want to see what she has written just know that she gave it 4 out of 5 stars!

http://topchochan.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/book-review-12-daysyoung-80.html

WIN a stiched prize! by Topcho :D The Pasty Tour lands in Bulgaria

The Suddenly Kate Show: The Pasty Tour lands in Bulgaria: Morning all! Its the first stop on the last leg of The Pasty Tour! Can you believe it has gone by so quickly? me neither. Well, you are ...

The Pasty Tour lands in Bulgaria

Morning all!

Its the first stop on the last leg of The Pasty Tour! Can you believe it has gone by so quickly? me neither.

Well, you are in for a great treat today, and that is an understatement!

Today I am hosted by another stitcher Nina from Bulgaria, and boy has she spoiled me with these fantastic interviews AND yes, she will be stitching  a prize for the giveaway for the lucky winner so get yourself entered pronto! lol If that isnt enough she will aslo be posting a review of the eBook - which will be the first one on the tour! Fingers crossed she liked it :D

Enough from me go and check out here post here:

http://topchochan.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/pasty-tour-stop.html

And feel free to leave her some comments and encouragement, its her first time doing something like this (I am so honoured) and she may do more! Yippee!

Thanks a bunch

Kate x

24 Mar 2013

Roundup of the third week on The Pasty Tour!

Hi guys!

If you have a moment check out the latest audio roundup of Marjie Myers Pasty Tour! I discuss last weeks tour stops, next weeks tour stops and announce the future of The Suddenly Kate Show!

Don't miss it and by all means LET ME KNOW! (this will make sense if you listen)



If you have time and something to share please feel free to in the comment section.

Thanks as always, Kate

23 Mar 2013

Catchup!

Hello!

At last a stitchy post :D Thats the good news! The bad news is that its not my stitching. Well one piece is but from about 25 years ago - its my first ever cross stitch adventure.

But first...I dont know how I havent posted this already and I think I simply deserve to tutted at, but I am about to post a picture of a Christmas exchange piece from Maursie at Maursie's cross stitch stuff. What makes it worse is that it is an absolutely stunning piece which I adore and arrived accompanied with a jealousy inducing postcard.

Best that I just show you!


The second and last thing is that I finally took a photograph of the very first cross stitch piece that I made about 25 years ago. It was in the days when I never knew all the crosses had to go the same way, and it was  on a printed tea towel that you just stitched over the crosses. I am surprised looking at it that I actually finished it as it is quite large for a first project.  I did have to choose all the colours myself as you bought the tea towel on its own with no instructions.  I gave it to my grandmother one Christmas and it has hung in her house ever since.





I am off to watch my 6yo niece perform in a stage show and hopefully this evening I will stitch some more on my sampler or one of my WIPs! Have a great weekend all and don't be a stranger!

Poem: TTFL

Hello!

I hope you you all are well. Last night I posted the latest installment of Girls Best Friend part 11 & part 12. It was very late and I apologise for that , but better late than never, hey?

As I laid my head on the pillow and started to dream before slumber a poem appeared in my head and I thought about ignoring it but it insisted and so I wrote it down.

Here it is....

Trust
Implicitly
Internally 
Moulded to your soul

Truth
Honesty
Honourably
Making up your whole

Faith 
Believing
Belonging
Owning as you grow

Love 
Regaling
Romancing
Serenading all to show

Life 
Learning
Lamenting
Ending as it begun; one breath.

Feel free to leave any feedback in the comments!

Girls Best Friend: Dinner & Supper

It was a late dinner and a late supper but with ten minutes to spare till I am officially a day late, whilst all you beauties are sleeping, I am posting this next part of the story! Let me know what you think? Should I carry on or leave it be...;)

Millie jumped and ran out onto the rue, she had that feeling of being alive again, and with head down and coat pulled up, she marched down the street in search of a bar or café that would be open.

She now had two envelopes she hadn’t opened. She had intended to do so when she stopped at an open bar. Then on a whim she had chosen to head to the contact Mr Rob had told her about. That’s where she was now.

The flat that she had the address for was easy to find and from the street she could see a light on in what she believed to be the persons flat. She had no choice and she was here now so she took in a deep breath and rang the bell.

She only had to wait about a minute until the door opened and she was face to face with Mr Robs contact in Paris. Millie wasn’t sure if she was delirious with a fever, had somehow ingested a hallucinogenic drug, or had actually suffered some kind of mental breakdown because there on the doorstep was Eddie.

‘Eddie?! But…I thought…you were…but Mr Rob?!...’ Millie couldn’t believe she was standing face to face with Eddie the security guard. Having seen him lying almost dead in reception, she wouldn’t have thought he could recover quick enough to be here in Paris, and without a scratch on him.

‘I’m Michael…Eddie is my twin…won’t you come in?’ the man at the door said.

Millie was relieved and curious and went inside. The flat was nice, much nicer than she thought Eddie could afford, much nicer than maybe even Mr Rob could afford. He led her into the lounge, told her to sit down and went to get her a drink. He was one of those people who never asked you what you wanted but rather told you. Millie found him intimidating but his smile and sureness calmed her, that and the overwhelming need to sleep.

When Michael returned to the lounge he found the young woman practically comatose on his sofa. Mr Rob had told him to trust her and that she would be able to do the deal. He wasn’t sure. She didn’t look like she could kill anyone.

Millie woke up with a crick in her neck and a raging thirst. As she sat up she remembered where she was and reached down for her bag but it was gone and so too was her coat. Panic rose in her throat and she jumped up and started looking around, for no reason other than she saw it in the movies, she started looking underneath the sofa cushions. Just as tears were stinging her eyes, Michael entered the room, ‘Millie? What are you looking for….underneath my sofa cushions?’ he asked. Millie blushed and said ‘my bag, I had a bag when I got here…where is it?’ ‘It’s in the hall with your coat and shoes. I left them there. I didn’t think you would want to sleep with them. So, can I offer you some breakfast?’ he said.

Millie was hungry and agreed and seeing as she had nowhere to go she might as well. It was all rather civilised and it gave Millie an opportunity to just sit and forget about what still lay before her. She was staring off into who knows where when Michael’s voice brought her back to the moment.

‘So Millie, Mr Rob tells me that you are going to do the job, is that true?’

‘Oh yes! Definitely. I don’t have a choice. I just don’t.’

‘You just…you don’t see the type that’s all’

‘Hmm…I know…you look at me and see this woman, maybe a little meek, maybe a little ditzy. But I have it in me and I can do this. I want to do this. I need to do this. Do you understand?’

Millie watched him as he watched her, his eyes roaming up and down her body as he came to rest his frown on her face, one that was set in steely determination.

‘OK. I think you might just do it.’

Millie felt relieved when he said that, she knew that he probably didn’t think she had it in her to travel alone to Marrakech but she would do it and prove all her doubters wrong. Michael seemed to relax after the conversation and he said he needed to go and collect a few things but would be right back. He advised Millie to make herself at home and he wouldn’t be long.

Finally she thought, a chance to open the envelopes that were accumulating in her bag. She pulled them out, a large A4 one from Anne and the kidnappers and a small A5 padded one from Justin. She wasn’t sure which to pick first and pretended she was on the TV show Deal or No Deal, she used to play this game a lot when making decisions, Elvis loved it. In the end she opted for the envelope from Justin. She wasn’t sure how he had an envelope prepared, it was almost as if he knew, an he could have done it whilst she was out.

She peeled the flap back and held her breath as she half tipped and half pulled out the contents.


· A key

· A LOT of money

· A letter

· A photo 


Millie was about to count the money when she heard the latch on the door go, she grabbed everything and stuffed it back into the envelope. She didn’t have time to put it into her bag and instead stuffed it up her jumper. It was the first thing that had come to mind. 

Michael walked across the room towards her and she pretended to look out the window, she thought he would mention the bulge under her jumper but just as he was about to reach her his mobile phone rang and he left the room. 

Millie looked at the photo. The person looked vaguely familiar but she couldn’t put a finger on who it was. The photo was quite blurry and it looked to have been taken a few years ago and she put that back in the envelope. The key had no markings or address or anything which she thought odd and decidedly useless. That left her the money and a letter. The notes were euros and at a guess she thought there was about two thousand euros there. It was enough to get her to Marrakech. She put the envelope back in the bag and slumped down onto the sofa with the letter.
 
She was about to read it when Michael was back. It would have to wait till later. Michael sat down next to Millie and said, ‘Ok, Millie. I have sorted out a guy who will give you a lift to Madrid. I have packed your case, I guessed your clothes size and that, you can buy more in Madrid if you don’t like whats there. The stuff you need for the job is in a false bottom of the case.’ Millie sniggered at the mention of a false bottom. The look Michael gave her would have frozen the devil himself and she covered it with a clearing of her throat. He continued ‘anyway, everything you need is there…I suggest you don’t lose this case, here is an envelope that contains new ID and some money and a number to call in an emergency and when the job is done.’ Millie was shocked, a new ID, was she some kind of secret agent all of a sudden? She took the envelope to add to her collection and half smiled at Michael. 

He was staring at her and she said, ‘erm..thanks?’. He shook his head in disbelief that this girl would be able to do the job. ‘Millie…’ he said ‘the man is waiting outside in a bright green Fiat…he’s your ride…you have to go now…’ and then he got up and walked to the front door and held it open for her. He wasn’t subtle thought Millie. She picked up her bag, her new ID and headed for the door. When she reached the threshold he put his arm across it blocking her, ‘the case Millie, you’ll be needing that, and Millie…’ she turned to look at him, ‘remember two things; one, don’t get yourself killed and two, you need to look like the ID…pronto’ and he lowered his arm. 

Millie thought that Michael was a very serious man and very different to Eddie the security guard, how could they be brothers? What nonsense was he going on about getting killed? They werent those kind of kidnappers. She grabbed the handle of the case and walked out on to the street. It wasn’t hard to spot the Fiat parked along it a little way and when she got there she opened the door and put her case on the back seat. She sat down in the passenger seat, put her seatbelt on, and pulled out the ID. Damn, she was going to be a redhead, she sighed and put it back in the envelope and remembered that she wasn’t alone in the car. Slightly embarrassed for not speaking or even acknowledging the driver, she turned to him ‘excuse moi s'il vous plait…ah!.....Mark?’ 

22 Mar 2013

Girls Best Friend: Brunch edition.

Hello! Yes, Girls Best Friend is back from its mid-tour hiatus...did you miss it? I had a few emails and tweets and texts from people, sorry, I wasn't convinced anyone would mind so much! lol I am glad you do.

So, today I shall post three times for this....mainly because I can't make you wait any longer now can I? Think of it as something to read with brunch, dinner and supper! As usual, comments are appreciated and who knows they might even affect the next instalment! See you back again at dinner time :D and thank you for your continued support.

As Millie reached the Arc du Triomphe she checked her watch and it was exactly 10pm. The city looked beautiful at night and she glanced around trying to distinguish between tourists, passersby and the contact. After a while, Millie was getting cold and impatient and turned to head back to the hotel, as she did so she came face to face with the kidnappers contact, she could hardly believe it.

'Hello Millie, don't you look a picture.'


Millie felt dizzy. Her head was spinning. She couldn’t quite believe what she was seeing. ‘Anne?! Wh…What are you doing here?...I don’t understand…’ Millie was shocked beyond belief to discover that Anne the receptionist was working for the kidnappers. Anne was always so quiet and kept herself to herself and Millie instantly felt like an idiot. Even more so because she had been worried about getting her into trouble with the flight changes. Then the penny dropped. That was why Denise and Mark were on the train, Anne had cancelled their flights and brought the date forward and she knew when Millie would be travelling, but Millie wasn’t sure why she was involved.

Anne never spoke and it sent chills through Millie.

‘Anne…why are you doing this? Where is Elvis? Where is Mr Rob?’

‘I’d love to stay and answer all your questions Millie but I have to be somewhere.’ And with that she handed Millie an envelope. Millie started to open the envelope when she felt Anne’s hand tightly grip her wrist… ‘open it at the hotel and do what it says Millie, if you know what’s good for you.’

Millie watched Anne walk away towards the metro station and found herself shaking her head in disbelief. She hadn’t seen that coming. Millie stuffed the envelope inside her coat and headed back to the hotel. As she walked along the boulevard cuddling the secrets to her chest she felt guilty for enjoying the cool night air as it blushed her cheeks and she thought of Elvis again.

Millie arrived back at the hotel and crept into the room, she removed her coat, put the envelope down on the desk and tip-toed into the bathroom to change back into her pajamas, all the time keeping an eye on Justin as he lay sleeping.

She closed the bathroom door and stood face to face with her reflection. She was still no clearer as to how she was going to sort out this mess she was in. The last instructions that she had from Mr Rob were to go and see a friend of his in Paris who would be able to help her with the details of where to find the diamonds. Since she had arrived in Paris she hadn’t had a moment alone to call the person and arrange a meeting. Now that she had potentially new instructions she wasn’t sure that she should contact Mr Robs friend. If that wasn’t enough she had a practical stranger who she was sharing a room with, an ex-boyfriend who was hiding something from her and causing a tornado of turmoil in her stomach, two colleagues out and about in Paris somewhere who might also be after the same thing, no money, no ID and two lives in her hands! She wanted to cry, she wanted to be able to trust Jay and for him to sort out the mess and for her life to return to what it was but that was the old Millie.

The new Millie was going to find some way to save Mr Rob & Elvis and she was going to do it on her own terms. She stared intently again at her reflection and gave herself the ‘I believe in you’ look when there was a banging noise coming from the bedroom. Millie rushed out to see Justin, wearing only his boxer shorts, rubbing the sleep from his eyes and haphazardly stumbling towards the door.

She grabbed his arm, ‘Wait!..’ Millie was worried, and she put her coat on, grabbed her remaining bag and the envelope and headed towards the window. ‘Millie?...Millie, what are you doing?’ Justin’s voice was full of concern as he realised what was happening and he was suddenly wide awake. There was more banging on the door and they both instinctively looked at the back of the door. Millie’s heart was pounding and she backed further towards the window. ‘Sorry Justin…I have to go…I have caused you enough trouble…’ she pleaded. ‘What?! You’re no trouble. Millie, you have to trust me. I can help you.’ he held her gaze, and the banging started again but this time there was a voice, ‘Millie! Millie Banloach! I know you are in there. Open this door right now Millie. You are being stupid.’

It was Jay and she was thinking maybe he had no ulterior motive after all, but when he called her stupid her heckles went up. She turned and began to climb out of the window. There was a small jump down and then she would have to contact Mr Robs friend sooner rather than later. She was about to jump when Justin grabbed her, he whispered in her ear as he shoved an envelope in to her hand, what was it with people giving her envelopes, ‘Take this Millie, it should help you get on your way. Be careful and I shall meet you in Marrakech. I believe in you.’ She turned to look at him, perched on the window ledge, the cool air, his hot breath on her neck, and those eyes boring into her, the banging again and Jay threatening to force his way in, adrenaline flooded her body. She didn’t know what was going to happen but she wasn’t going to have any regrets and she kissed Justin. It was very much a kiss from a 1950s movie but it was Paris after all.

Millie jumped and ran out onto the rue, she had that feeling of being alive again, and with head down and coat pulled up, she marched down the street in search of a bar or café that would be open.

21 Mar 2013

HOW TO move on after Google Reader

A simple guide on how to sync all your blogs from google reader to Bloglovin or Feedly.

The Suddenly Kate Show: HOW TO move on after Google Reader: I just thought I should remind you all of the upcoming death of Google Reader (July 1st - I think). So long, fair well, auf wiedersehen,...

HOW TO move on after Google Reader

I just thought I should remind you all of the upcoming death of Google Reader (July 1st - I think).

So long, fair well, auf wiedersehen, adieu!


I shall miss it, as I use it because it is joined in with my Google account and easy to link to as I use Google Chrome browser.

I know it seems like there is still a few months left but I anticipate that these smaller feed managers will be susceptible to falling down with increased traffic at the last minute, mainly due to Google Readers relative dominance.

There are a few options you have but the two that I have come across and favour are Bloglovin and Feedly. I have joined both. Why? Because although I use Google Chrome as my browser, and Feedly links in directly with that (as well as Safari and Firefox) which is pretty useful, when I am using an alternative browser I can use Bloglovin which is less stylised and similar to Google Reader.

It is really easy to sync your blog subscriptions from Google Reader to either of these and I will quickly show you how...why?...because I am hoping you will continue to follow me from another blog feed :D AND I know myself how annoying it can be to suddenly discover it is all gone and you can't remember all those blog addresses.

So which one?


Lets start with Bloglovin, I have noticed a couple of friends have added me on Bloglovin and they are stitchy friends or crafty friends as opposed to followers who read my music reviews or writing. It is a simple layout and very much in the style of Google Reader. So how to sync your feeds...


Step 1: Go to Bloglovin and create an account.
Step 2: If you are a Google Reader user you will be prompted after sign up to import all your subscriptions, I would recommend doing this at this point, however if for some reason you click the wrong button then fear not because it is still simple to do.
Step 3: If you missed the prompt after sign up, then go to account (top-right) and select settings, scroll to the bottom and you will see an import blogs button. Select Google Reader and wait for the account to sync.

The only problem I had was mine seemed to freeze on sync, I tried this a few times and it kept happening, but when I went to the site the blogs were there. So don't worry if this happens to you.

Bloglovin also has a page from the account menu called Follow Buttons and you can select one that you might want to add to your blog. Mine is on the top left-hand menu of my blog.

The other option which I have mentioned as will use too is Feedly.

I prefer the layout of Feedly, but I know that it wont suit everyone and there is nothing wrong with Bloglovin, but anyhow...

Go to the Feedly address...Feedly and you will see


You can see that it will connect to Google Reader. This is the option that I took. I also read that people were concerned that the back end of this site is linked to Google Reader but I have discovered on the Feedly development site that they are creating a replacement backend (as it were - hehehe) that will take over when Google Reader is 'switched off' called Normandy and that it should be a seamless transition. I hope so, but it is another reason to have the two. Back to this though...

Quite simply it asks you for permission to access your Google Reader and then syncs them. You can then easily manage your subscriptions. It is much better than Google Reader used to be in this way. I don't know how many of you ended up with duplicated feeds or had trouble cancelling subscriptions to inactive blogs? But I found that impossible to do on Google Reader even when it said it had.

This design is much more intuitive, when you are in the organise blogs screen, icons appear under each one including an 'X' for deleting. It will prompt you to remove from your feed, and this is a setting that you can change if you would rather not be prompted every time, and there is also a pencil icon if you want to edit the subscription too.

There is also a Feedly mini that sits on your favourites bar (much like with pinterest) and when on a site that you want to follow you can click it and it will add that to your feed.

This is probably the thing I like least - because there is no button you can add to the blog, you have to rely on the reader having it on their browser. But, saying that they are constantly developing it to for usability and to meet the needs of users. I personally will use both as I have heard only good things about the Feedly iPhone app.

Well, whatever one you choose, I hope to still see you around!

If you get stuck or have any questions, then feel free to let me know and I will help.

Thanks

Kate

Five Sentence Fiction: Conquer

Hello!

I hope you have been enjoying the tour posts and music reviews this week. As you know I have a small addiction to Lillie McFerrins Five Sentence Fiction. This weeks was unexpected and it took a moment before something came to me. I wanted to avoid the conquering purely of emotional turmoil as I have a tendency to go for that. I hope I have managed to express the character as he conquers both the mental and the physical whilst still giving a complete story. I do try to select a scene that hints at the past and nods to the future. Anyway, enough of all that waffle, as usual, all comments greatly appreciated.

Conquer

In the mad rush to bear arms and stand firm, young Michael had found himself pushed to the front of the army, he would be one of the first to battle.

He glanced behind to see if he could find a way to move further back, but the one thousand men and boys were staying close together, as they anticipated the Commanders signal.

It was not his first battle, he had been trained to fight for twelve of his sixteen years, but there would be no tomorrow if they were to lose today.

He couldn't let his fear defeat him, he was here to defend the lives of those he loved and he was prepared to do so to the death.

As the Commander gave the battle cry Michael and the others returned it in unison and moving as one they ran forward, weapons cocked, eyes wide, blood searing through their veins, the enemy in sight.

The Pasty Tour - Meet the Author hosted by Laura

Hello!

I should be in the land of nod but alas my brain is not switching off, so here I am about to release Laura's interview with me onto you...if you have followed this tour from the beginning you may know more about me than I do!

Here it is! I hope you will stop by and say hi.

The Pasty Tour - Meet the Author

20 Mar 2013

A poem: Skipping

I keep finding old poems just lately, and as I am having a mass clearout of my emails I guess it was inevitable that I would find this, a poem I sent to myself! lol

I hope you like it....even if it rhymes again :D

Skipping



Skipping down the lane
With optimism and joy
With everything to gain
Having fun with a new toy

Tripping on the ground
And falling to your knees
There's nobody around
To listen to your pleas

Pull yourself back up to stand
Brush the dirt from your dress
Things never go quite as planned
You never do impress

Raise your chin and dry your eyes
Forget about the past 
It doesn't matter how many tries
The memories always last

It's time to start again and skip
And fill your heart with passion
Next time make sure you don't trip
It's not a passing fashion. 

19 Mar 2013

Annalisa Crawford - Wake up, eat, write, sleep: The Pasty Tour!

The latest stop on my tour! Come check out what this fellow writer wanted to know.

I shall be replying to comments over there :D


Annalisa Crawford - Wake up, eat, write, sleep: The Pasty Tour!: Today I'm interviewing Marjie Myers, a brand new author who's just launched her first book, Twelve Days/Young Eighty. The Blurb ...

**NEW** EP review of Champagne for the People @Dukeanddarlings





I reviewed this band last year, check out the review of their first EP here, and have been eagerly awaiting their latest EP. If you follow them on Twitter you make think that they are more about the ale than the music but I think you’ll find they have a happy blend of both, having coined the phrase ‘aleternative music’.

As if to prove this very point they have produced an enjoyable 4-track EP on their own label Sweet, Sweet Records which will be released on Friday 22nd March 2013 and will be available on iTunes and Spotify.

This second EP from the band, formed in 2011, demonstrates how a band can grow musically together and they seem to have settled into a groove. This EP showcases a much more mature and natural sound from these guys.

The track listing is in this order:

1. Love's Labour's Lost
2. Whiter Than White
3. Don't Need To
4. Walk Away

Below is my track listing in order of preference, bear in mind that I have reshuffled this so many times as they are all good. The only thing wrong with this EP is that it’s not an album! I need more please. I can only imagine how good the album is going to be based on this EP. I recommend you check out their music if you haven’t already and if you have then this is a must have for your collection.

1. Walk Away
2. Whiter Than White
3. Love’s Labour’s Lost
4. Don’t Need To


Now what kind of review would it be if I didn’t ask them some questions? Carrying on from the first review…

You mentioned last August that you would be doing free gigs in Manchester, what made you decide to do this? And do you think this has contributed to a more relaxed and natural sound? And how many have you done to date? Will you continue?
The Ale-ternative nights, our free monthly shows, have been truly successful, both in that they have attracted some truly brilliant acts (check out the listings on our Facebook page) but most importantly that they uphold our integrity. We are not anti-promoters, per se, as often they can provide acts with the skills and experience necessary, but certainly we have been frustrated by some of the nights they have hosted in the past: taking money from friends; bands on a bill being musically incongruous; mid-week shows; lack of genuine interaction with bands and media alike. The nights are free entry as we take the hit, and the acts are mutually encouraging: we compere each night to ensure that each band is introduced and made to feel welcome; after all, we have manners.

March saw Ale-ternative #4 at the uber-cool pub The Castle Hotel in Manchester’s hip Northern Quarter; we have five more shows booked there until Summer. Come August, we would love to host an Ale-ternative show at a micro-brewery, as they seem to be the unsigned bands of the beer world, but this is very much a star in the sky.

We are delighted with how they have taken off so far, and certainly we play better on the night as you know that there is no obligation within the room, for supporters and performers alike, and that everyone is there because they want to. The ales may help, too, but there is no scientific research into this as of yet.

Last time we discussed a flash mob and you said you had been working on one (possibly not seriously), but you made mention to a song that you perform live called Momma Fle, did you consider putting this on the EP for those of us who can’t get up to Manchester to see you live?
The flash mob is on the back-burner for no reason in particular. Maybe we have a stronger online presence than when we first conjured the idea; we have certainly explored many different means of promotion, with the flash mob still a good thought. We expect it to be stolen by whoever is reading this.

We do wonder whether we should record our live sets to share, but being perfectionists we tend not to. Maybe we should relax more. Maybe we could record the whole Ale-ternative night and host online gigs. We expect this idea to be stolen also by whoever is reading this. But with regards to Momma Fle, they simply don’t make computers powerful enough to record that song in its entirety, or capture the essence of its ironic thrust; we only dabble in it live, really.

There were aspirations to have the EP out by Christmas, was it delayed due to not being able to choose a name? And what were the best ones you didn’t use? And why Champagne for the People?
Ironically, the EP was recorded for those that listen to our music in far-flung places, but only have access to the three songs we recorded: the delay probably left them sick of those songs and they have now lost interest, just in time for the EP release! The delay itself was just circumstance, the juggling of variables, karma...one does not rush karma, that’s sort of the point: we don’t feel like we have missed any boat, though. We promised each other after recording in March that we would not leave it so long again.

We must have created one hundred distinct EP titles. At least. ‘Loiter’ stuck for a long time. ‘Champagne of the People’ was the first suggestion and we couldn’t better it. For the record, most of those hundred possible titles were, shall we say, inspired and not very good. But we’re happy with the title; it rings bells with our ethos and is suitably charming.

For the first EP you had a trailer for it, you don’t have one this time, but what about a music video? Is that something in the pipeline and for any particular track?We had a mini-documentary arranged, which was exactly to explore the pride and/or pretention of unsigned music, but the producer postponed it very late on, unfortunately, due to personal reasons. He is still a good lad, and we understand why it didn’t happen then. A music video will occur if the EP is well-received; unsigned bands have a backwards alchemy, you know. ‘Whiter Than White’ is a favourite of ours, and always gets a lively response. Although it’s a song about divorce, it is quite empowering, and this would probably transpose well into a video.

When is your next gig?
Our next gig is Ale-ternative #5 on Friday 19th April. We have the fantastic Mog Stanley opening proceedings, we are on second with the headliners not able to reveal themselves until they come home from a national tour. Fancy it?

Ok, who in Manchester has a sofa I can sleep on? Lol! Check out the EP on Friday to avoid disappointment and see you at the gig...:D

Don't forget to follow/like them here:
Listen to their first EP on Spotify & buy it here.

18 Mar 2013

#Monday Mixer Replacement Service

Today there was no Monday Mixer and so I have written a 200 word piece of flash fiction to keep me off the streets!

Here it is, feedback always welcome...

Metaphorically speaking.

A single flippant off-handed remark was like botfly larvae, the speaker a mosquito depositing it beneath the skin, it burrowed deep as it grew from a minor problem into something much worse.

At first, she had swatted the mosquito away with a jolly smile and a roll of her eyes, but the damage had been done; her skin had been pierced and the message was carried along in her bloodstream to throb in her heart.

The paranoia would eventually take her hostage, keep her locked behind closed doors with curtains drawn, and eat away at any reason that wanted to interject to save her. The guilt and shame would eat her from the inside out and threaten to drown her in her own sorrow. Her brain would battle on in a foolhardy attempt to persuade her of her worth, to convince her that she needn’t feel these things, that words were words.

If she had received prophylaxis before the attack she would never have lost so much and even though the medicine she received afterwards; kind words, pearls of wisdom, others truth and tales of experience would diminish the symptoms, it could not hide the scars, they would last forever.

17 Mar 2013

Roundup of last week!




Today's roundup (recorded on Friday) is about last weeks stops on the tour! If you missed the posts  and want a summary then check it out!

Comments always welcome.

Day 6: Home again!

Morning!

Happy St Patricks Day to all those who celebrate it. Have a drink for me :D

Todays tour stop is for GigBlogUK

I spoke to Fee and I suggested that I could create a playlist for one of the two short stories. I opted for the Horror story: Young 80.

I have added notes on the playlist that indicate which scene the song is related to and they are listed in the order they would play through the story.

There are two tracks that I could not find on YouTube but if you look at the description on the playlist page on the main site you will see which songs they are and where they slot it.

If you have read the story you might be able to relate the scenes to the music, you might disagree completely - but either way feel free to let me know in the comments section below. Maybe there is a song that is not on there that you instantly thought of or you are thinking would be good for a particular scene. I want to know.

Just briefly I shall explain how went about selecting the songs for my playlist or at least as briefly as I can be :)

When selecting the music I decided that I would do so from music that I had been listening to in 2012 (when the story was written) and that had been released in 2012.

Having listened to the playlist several times myself I am happy with it but I must add that for me, the choice was not lyrically based. I went on the music, the feel that it generated and the tempo that best suited the emotional state of the main character Anna during each scene.

I hope that I have done so, so for those who have read the story, you will be the best judges. If you haven't read it yet then maybe listening to this playlist will give you an insight into the overall feel of the story. Maybe you could let us know what you think the story is about based purely on the playlist? Anyway,  have a listen and let me know!



I hope to see you all again on Tuesday when we are visiting the blog of fellow writer Annalisa Crawford.

Thanks

Kate x

16 Mar 2013

Albums of 2012: Which to buy?

Can you help me choose which of these Albums of 2012 I should buy?

The Waiting Room

Morning!

I am having a tough morning when nothing is going to plan. When I am stressed or upset I get possessed by my inner poet and you may have read some of the results of such on this blog. This is just one I have written and is helping me to de-stress and sadly only mentions my writing schedule. I wont bore you with all of the other things rattling around in my brain that I want to get done. Anyone going to join me in a protest to get more hours in a day?

So...without further ado...

The Waiting Room


Its dark and dimly lit
to warm the walls and glow
Lighting the many things waiting here
that this writer has to show

With tales of adventure and
a comedy or three
Some sci-fi and a thriller
a horror and murder mystery

Then there is the blog tour
with its many friendly hosts
yet dropouts have increased her workload
and she has to write more posts

Deciding to get organised
and sort them for once and for all
She took all of her ideas
and lined them up against the wall

Late last night she had them seated
in a pretty little row
all ordered nice and comfy
although the wait would be slow

Each one had a number
and would be called up to the plate
to take its turn in the spotlight
on any given date

As her eyes were closing gently
with the weight of a crazy day
Another idea came to mind
and begged that she should play

It wasn't even something
that she would normally try to write
her niece requested fairy tales
to help her sleep that night

So now the room is fit to burst
the sign says standing room only
there is only one thing she is sure about
she won't be getting lonely!


15 Mar 2013

Keebles World: The Suddenly Kate Show Blog Tour

Go check it OUT! 80s photo's to follow :D

P.S I love this girl! So please leave a comment an lets get this 80s party started!

Keebles World: The Suddenly Kate Show Blog Tour: I am not a writer, as you guys can probably tell. I am a very scattered, passionate, grammatical nightmare who rants continuously about sil...

14 Mar 2013

Five Sentence Fiction: Paradise

This weeks five sentence fiction prompt was 'Paradise' and here is my piece;

Paradise Lost


In the centre of the room she sat, not moving and barely breathing, her fingers clinging to the sides of the chair, the phone silent in her lap.

Overwhelmed by the waves of emotion crashing inside of her and threatening to burst their way out, she swallowed and forced them back down.

Her life had been changed irrevocably in a single moment, her paradise lost.

She wasn’t alone in her loss and she knew she would need to delve into the deepest reaches of herself and find the strength to carry on, to not spiral out of control as she thought she might.

Step 1: Breathe

Music Review: mylittlebrother


This band have been in my 'in progress' file for far too long!

I came across them on Soundcloud, I am not sure how exactly but I am very glad that I did.

The only thing I do know for sure is that it was September. I know this because, oddly for them, they have indirectly influenced my current novel. The novel came about from a short story series which I was writing at that time and that I then stopped writing in order to develop it as a novel during NaNoWriMo. Suffice to say they are interwoven into it in the following ways: Carlisle is a setting for some scenes in the book and one of the characters surnames is Mason.

But onto the music!....I would like to introduce you to...

mylittlebrother



1. I came across you on soundcloud via a recommendation, or at least I think I did, and wondered if you could give us a mini-bio of the band or a mega-bio whichever.

mylittlebrother were formed when a group of people who like music got together and, fuelled by gin and haribo, wrote and recorded some music.

I am sure you could add gin during the production process of haribo....hmmmm...anyway, I think we need a song...usually I would review the back catalogue of the band but with a new EP out since January and a tour in March, let’s focus on that EP for now.

So, they recently released their 2nd EP "HEY STETHOSCOPE", and have received airplay from BBC 6 Music, Salford City Radio, Radio Caroline, BBC Radio Cumbria, Sine FM and many more.

People have said we sound a bit like: Dennis Wilson, Syd Barrett, The Kinks, Clifford T Ward, Grandaddy, Sparklehorse, The Beatles, Graham Coxon, The Beach Boys... We are more than happy with this.

I could instantly hear the similarity with Dennis Wilson, it’s hard to put my finger on why though it’s definitely something about the vocal tone which is odd as they couldn’t come from further apart, in location and decade. But the lead singer of mylittlebrother does have a beard too.



Looking at the selection of artists it is most evident that they may be predisposed to a 60s tinge and in a good way.


2. Where does the band name come from?

My sister used to always introduce me to her friends as "mylittlebrother" rather than my name, so it is a tribute to her really.

I wonder if it seems odd at all now that everyone introduces them as mylittlebrother,  after all...I don’t even have a brother!

3. Who are you musical inspirations and when did you know that you wanted to be a musician?

I've played piano since I was 5, when I started getting lessons because my brother and sister did. I guess I've been influenced by everything I've heard since. My big inspirations recently have been Dennis Wilson (I became obsessed with Pacific Ocean Blue a couple of years ago, and the obsession hasn't gone..) and Jason Lytle of Grandaddy, who I've been a huge fan of since a friend of mine bought me Under The Western Freeway several years ago. I was raised on a diet of 60s pop, and am still hugely influenced by The Beach Boys, The Beatles, The Hollies, The Left Banke, The Zombies, The Turtles and lots of other bands with "The" in the name.

They may be influenced by the above bands but it’s definitely an accumulation of aspects taken from each as opposed to any kind of mimicry. The most 60s influence track on the mylittlebrother EP in my opinion is the title track Hey Stethoscope;



4. If you had to choose one track from the EP that best represents your band, which would it be and why?


I really don't know. I think each track represents a different side of the band. I guess ‘Lovers of Life, Unite!’ is probably the best reflection though, as it is based on the contradiction of wide-eyed optimism and fatalistic pessimism that seems to be a running theme on the EP.



I have also thought about this question...I do like ‘Lovers of Life, Unite!’ but for me a track that combines both the tenderness of the track ‘neither young nor foolish’ with the patter of ‘Lovers of Life, Unite!’ is Ghost trains.



5. There is now a lot of social media sites, online networks and gigs etc. How do you feel about these, friend or foe?

Definitely Friend. I wouldn't be answering these questions without them! And we certainly wouldn't have had the airplay or the fan base that we're building up.

They are definitely a band that I would like to see do a hangout as their sound is not over processed and an acoustic session would be good.

One of the songs on the EP is called Steve and I asked…

6. Did you know a girl called Steve?

Haha, no. A friend of mine wrote a new song and asked me if I though the title was weird. It was, so I decided to write a song with a daft title too. Steve is a great name for a person, but it's a bit weird as a song title, so it was perfect! But the fictitious Steve in the song is a really cool bloke who's trying to nick my girlfriend (thankfully it's not real!).

I was obviously not paying attention to who was Steve in this song! I really like the track Steve and I like the contrast of subject matter (serious) vs tune (upbeat). Have a listen:



7. What has been your most memorable performance/gig since you formed the band and why?

This is a really hard one to answer. It would either be an acoustic gig that Dan and I did in London, as it was streamed online so loads of people could watch it, or our full band gig in the middle of Carlisle for Carlisle Music City Festival last year. It's our home town, so meant a lot.

They are actually currently touring till the end of the month, so go and see them and let me know how they do. Details of the tour and dates/venues can be found on their Facebook page. They are playing in London tonight! If you can't make it you can watch them LIVE online by clicking here.

They have an older EP Nosedive on Soundcloud that I whole heartedly recommend you check out, my favourite track on it is Disney films...oh and My Hypocritical Friend (we've all been there!)...and ok then, Forty Eight, Blue Eyes.



8. You already had Nosedive EP out, how do you think Hey Stethoscope compares to it?

‘Hey Stethoscope’ is more of the same really, but the production is getting slightly better! All of our stuff to date is recorded in my bedroom, and in a rehearsal room nearby, and my production skills are rather limited. But they're certainly improving!

I am looking forward to hear what they do next. I love their style but I have a penchant on occasion for something a bit more energetic and fingers crossed there is one on the next EP. Yes, I know I'm demanding.

9. If you were invited onto BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge, what song would you cover and why?

Hunting High and Low by A-ha. Because it's brilliant and hugely underrated.



10. Finally, what’s coming up for you in 2013?

Throughout March I'm on an acoustic tour of England. I’m going to London, Devon, Bristol, Brighton, Dorset, Manchester and loads more.

And now for the grand finale! Enter the giveaway by adding your name to the comments or emailing me Kate or adding your name to the giveaway and you could win a signed copy! As well as their first video and its for the 'Nosedive'.




Find out more

Find us on Facebook at:
https://www.facebook.com/mylittlebrothermusic
And at:
www.soundcloud.com/mylittlebrother
www.youtube.com/mylittlebrothermusic
www.twitter.com/mlittlebrother




13 Mar 2013

Blog Tour! Day 4

Hello and welcome back!

Unfortunately, todays tour blog post never materialised, and I am wracked with guilt that there are loads of you waiting to find out more about the eBook and me...possibly!

I tried to come up with an idea...


...but nothing!

So...how about you ask me any questions you have about the eBook? about me? about the universe! and when five sentence fiction appears later I shall write it with you all in mind!

So....fingers poised at the keyboard...in 3....2...1...ask!

**update**
In answer to all the questions, here is a YouTube playlist.

11 Mar 2013

Monday Mixer: Play it again Sam...


After two great weeks with Monday Mixer I was apprehensive about participating this week, but I was inspired once again by such great prompts, I kept to just three and I hope that I have used them well enough.

Tell me what you think...but first...

Play it again Sam..

He stood, triumphant in the moonlight, looking down into the ossuary.  He was able to cast a shadow like no other and he wielded this power now as he beamed hungrily at the sight before him.

As each year passed he never grew tired of this ritual, if anything he had begun to thirst for this, and the wait had grown too long.

With his left foot he gently kicked the ladies reticule and watched as it tumbled down to join her where she lay, instantly drawing in the blood that lay in pools around her severed torso.

He gazed, enthralled, as he recollected the symphony he had conducted from her screams; as the pitch had altered with her shock, her fear, her terror and her despair.

He was getting close to perfect and he relished the prospect of further rehearsals until he would be ready for the main act.

Muppets For Justice: Marjie Myers Blog Tour

Its here and its hot! One of those is right, the other mildly amusing, so go to the latest tour stop and find out which!

Muppets For Justice: Marjie Myers Blog Tour: As a writer and Internet try hard, I have unfortunately found very little time to help out fellow writers.  That's why, when I heard tha...

10 Mar 2013

Girls Best Friend: Part 10

‘There you are Millie, I thought you’d done a runner on me’ laughed Justin back at the bar.

‘I haven’t Justin, but we are about to…’


Millie could feel her heart pounding in her chest and looked at Justin to see if he could hear it too. Justin smiled at her and went to the bar to grab some coffee and croissants that Millie had insisted they bought now in case they didn't have a chance later on. She wasn't really bothered but she needed a moment to gather her thoughts and to see if she could see Jay nearby. It looked like Jay had kept his word and was waiting for her by the toilets and she was relieved. Seeing him again had knocked her for six and stirred up a lot of feelings, most of which had been left unresolved, and just being near him made her feel vulnerable. Millie knew that he was lying about something and she wished she knew what, she didn't have time to find out and so relied on her gut instinct to not trust him, she had to be at the Arc du Triomphe at 10pm and it was 6pm already.

'Okay Millie, are you ready to go?' said Justin as he returned from the bar looking a little flushed.
'Yes, I'm fine. Shall we go. Actually Justin...where are we going?' Millie asked.
'Hey? What? Sorry I was distracted then for a moment, there is a man heading straight towards us, do you know him?'

Millie turned and looked behind her to see Jay almost marching along the station straight towards them and he didn't look happy. Millie had seen that look many a time before and she decided that she didn't have time for his macho dictator attitude and grabbed Justins hand and said, 'Quick Justin, we need to get out of here NOW!, which way?' Something in Millies eyes must have spoken to Justin because he went from laid back nice guy to man on a mission in about 0.2 seconds much to Millies relief.

An hour later, Millie and Justin were sat sipping wine at a cafe not far from Notre Dame. The cool air from the river blew across Millies face and she was reminded of the river that she walked Elvis along everyday at home. As soon as the thought of Elvis entered into her mind she felt guilty  Here she was at a cafe drinking wine and he was locked up who knows where having who knows what done to him, were they even feeding him? Did they care that he had allergies? Would they even consider that he had a delicate stomach and could only eat a certain brand of dog food? She snorted to herself as she thought they would find that out soon enough.

'You okay Millie?' asked Justin, 'You seemed miles away then'

Millie realised she had been sat in silence until that moment, just staring off into the distance for a good while now, and Justin had just let her. His interruption was welcomed and she wanted to be distracted from the thoughts of what was happening to Elvis.

'What should I do Justin?' she asked.
'What about?' he replied.
'What about? about being wanted by the police? about having my face splashed over the news? about finding my dog and Mr Rob before its too late about...' Millie clenched her mouth tight and swallowed as she fought the tears.
'about...?' said Justin, as if he wanted to know what else there could be, as if this wasn't enough already. Millie wanted to tell him about Jay, and since they had left the station he hadn't asked her anything he had just trusted her, but it would have to wait till this was all over.

Justin left Millie at the cafe to go and find them somewhere to stay, all she had said was she needed it to be by the Arc du Triomphe and when Justin had raised an eyebrow inquisitively, her response had been that she was still on holiday after all. As much as she wanted to trust Justin she had only met him that morning and what did she really know about him? No, she would do this on her own and tell Justin only when she knew the details herself.

The room was a twin and Millie didn't have to wait too long before she could hear Justin snoring. She went to the bathroom to put some clothes on over her pajamas and crept out the room. The temperature had dropped since earlier and she hugged herself as she headed along the Champs Elysee.

That morning before she had left home she had received a text message from an unknown number telling her that they knew where her dog was and that she should call them from a phone box for details. Millie had thought it was a hoax at first and chosen to ignore it. As she had walked to the station she had noticed a pay phone and decided that she had to phone and see. It was Elvis after all. Standing in the phone box she had waited for an answer, as she was about to hang up, she heard a voice, 'be at the Arc du Triomphe at 10pm tonight and our contact will tell you where your dog is'. They had then told her to delete the message and hung up.

As Millie reached the Arc du Triomphe she checked her watch and it was exactly 10pm. The city looked beautiful at night and she glanced around trying to distinguish between tourists, passersby and the contact. After a while, Millie was getting cold and impatient and turned to head back to the hotel, as she did so she came face to face with the kidnappers contact, she could hardly believe it.

'Hello Millie, don't you look a picture.'













Dont forget, 
If you want some behind the scenes insights then follow me @marjiemyers on Twitter (or my facebook page - see sidebar) and find out what happens to Millie inbetween scenes! You may even get to help her make big choices on her adventure.

9 Mar 2013

GIVEAWAY! Tour news.

Morning!

How are you all? Have you had a good week?

As you may or may not know, my Book Blog Tour kicked off on Tuesday when I visited The Grumbling Gargoyle.

Lynn was a great host and I am still reeling from the revelation that not only am I twinned with a Labradoodle but I somehow licked a pigeon? As a writer herself, she asked a lot of great questions and you really should go and check out the interview. If you like poetry then you won't be disappointed by hers.

Next up was a last minute replacement, as one of the hosts had to postpone, and was none other than the music blogger Mike over at Ralphs Life. Ralphs Life is a music blog full of wonderful reviews introducing you to a variety of bands and musicians that you may not know about. If music is one of your loves in life (it is mine) then have a look around his blog as you will be sure to unearth some gems. As it is a music blog we focussed on how I went from a Music blogger to an indie author and I had my own revelation about my writing. There were some really great questions and its definitely worth a look.

If that wasn't enough, I have also recorded post-tour date roundups after each day, so you can now listen to me drone on, and they are available on SoundCloud and on this blog below and will continue throughout the month. I should warn you that I do not edit them and pretty much talk into my phone and then post.


We have 3 new followers of this blog that have joined us this week, so a big hello and welcome to them! This is how I feel about your arrival;


My eBook is available via the link to the right or going to Amazon and entering Marjie Myers. I am happy to say that I have a few ratings and reviews (all five stars so far!) and its nice to think that people have enjoyed the stories. I even had a 4 star rating on good reads!

I think a lot of people who know me have bought the eBook and due to my Labradoodle personality were not sure about what they were getting especially as the first of the two stories is a rom-com. I managed to lure them into a false sense of security with a fun light hearted romance and then pull the rug from under them with my Horror. If you too are wondering, then why not take a punt and get yourself a copy?  Two short stories that won't eat up your day? Or why not do what a follower told me they did...she read the rom-com first and her son (who never reads) read the horror and they both loved them! A book to share. OK, enough of all that spiel because I really am not very good at it.

If you can't afford to buy one then worry no more because you have the chance to win a copy in the giant giveaway I am having. Get yourself entered, pronto! Link is in the right-hand sidebar at the top, click on enter link.



And FINALLY!

Next weeks tour details...

Monday, I shall be hosted by Addman at Muppets for Justice, its a really funny blog and we have kept with that fun style by adding a flourish of silliness to the interview, and I think he is also providing a review. I am most nervous because the first two blogs haven't contained reviews of the eBook, and have lulled me into a false sense of security! I shall be waiting with bated breath for Monday morning to come around, I hope you will join in and come hold my hand?

Wednesday, I am to be hosted by Emma at Prenatal Care At Home blog, this is a completely new style of blog that I will be venturing into and I don't know what kind of reaction I will get over there from her followers. It could be marvellous or a car crash so come and witness it with me.

Friday, I shall be putting my feet up and idling the day away in the USA! Its the only USA stop on my tour and its at  Keileys blog, Keebles World. Come over and meet this amazing woman! It should be an interesting interview for all those who look deeper into a story, peel back the layers and find the core themes of the tale. We look at themes running through the stories independently and how they interconnect & complement each.

If you have made it to the end of this then have a cup of tea and start planning how you will fit these blog visits into your week, if you miss anything you can catch up with the audio roundups at the end of each day.

I'm off to get Girls Best Friend; Part 10 written, so I shall catch you later!


7 Mar 2013

Second date on tour! Roundup.

Hi all!

It's a bit crazy but here is today's roundup :D


Kate

Five Sentence Fiction: Whisper

Morning!

Todays five sentence fiction prompt was whisper, and because I cam currently on tour with my eBook, I have decided to dedicate it to the Horror story half: Young 80.

These five sentences are not in the story, but I have taken a scene and written five sentences that could easily slot in. If you have read Young 80....do you think that this woud fit?

So without further ado....


An empty room can be so full your body is crushed into a ball.

A dark room can be so bright it burns your eyes.

A whisper can pass through you pulling at your senses; inhaling a hollow aroma, tasting the bitterness of nothing, seeing shadows swirl around, listening for an echo that won't come.

A cold room can make you sweat as if sat next to a furnace.

A silent room holds secrets that it never tells.

**ON TOUR** 2nd Stop: Ralph's Life

Morning!

Its time for the second stop on my Book Blog Tour and I have been kindly hosted by Mike over at Ralphs Life.

We discuss my blogging beginnings with music reviews and how that has developed into my writing and the relationship that I have with both.

I hope you will come along and have a read, they were great questions, and take the time to check out some of the other posts on his blog about music.

Don't forget to enter the giveaway (top-right sidebar) by clinking on the add your link button - in it to win it! hahaha

Also, if after reading the post you still want more then come follow me on Twitter (@marjiemyers or @tsk_show ) and say Hi, or if you have less time come over to Facebook and like my page (AuthorMarjieMyers) that way you wont miss a thing! Even if you really really really want to!

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So I have been keeping notes on all my challenges and updating as and when something happens to move towards that goal, this is the notes fo...