Hello lovely people!
I'm sorry I've been away so long. My temporary break turned into a massive hiatus.
I'm working on getting back to my writing, and getting back on schedule, but first things first: I've moved!
Well, not me, personally, but my site and my blog. If you're interested in seeing what I'm up to now, please go to:
http://cdmeetens.me.uk
I look forward to seeing you all there soon, and hearing what everyone has been up to.
Wednesday, 19 March 2014
Monday, 2 January 2012
Some announcements
The start of a new year. A new beginning. Something like this tends to make me re-evaluate various items, but I'm behind on that right now (yeah, yeah, I know, the year's just started and I'm already behind - doesn't bode well, does it?)
Due to my "behind" status, I'm going on a little hiatus. During that time, I'm going to work out some changes for the blog and hopefully (fingers crossed) make some good progress with my rewrites.
Before I disappear off into the web-o-sphere, I have a few things I'd like to mention:
1) I loved participating in Laura's SantaFest, and thank you so much to whoever made me this lovely blog award. I will be awarding it out to other worthy souls when I reappear.
2) I'm so glad I joined a critique group at the very end of 2010. Critiquing others' work, and having such talented people critique mine has definitely made me a better writer. I feel that's one of the better things 2011 gave me.
3) I've been awarded the Great Comments Award by The Golden Eagle and Cherie Reich - thanks, guys!
Generally, the award is supposed to go to the 20 most recent commenters, but my blog is still a tight-knit community, so I'm going to restrict the list to 10 on this occasion, and here they are:
I think that's about it. Thanks for all your support on my blog over the last few months. Hope to see you again soon :).
Due to my "behind" status, I'm going on a little hiatus. During that time, I'm going to work out some changes for the blog and hopefully (fingers crossed) make some good progress with my rewrites.
Before I disappear off into the web-o-sphere, I have a few things I'd like to mention:
2) I'm so glad I joined a critique group at the very end of 2010. Critiquing others' work, and having such talented people critique mine has definitely made me a better writer. I feel that's one of the better things 2011 gave me.
Generally, the award is supposed to go to the 20 most recent commenters, but my blog is still a tight-knit community, so I'm going to restrict the list to 10 on this occasion, and here they are:
- Sonia
- Stephen Tremp
- Laura
- T F Walsh
- Misha Gericke
- Lynn Kelley
- Shevi
- Murees Dupé
- Sarah Gilman
- Autumn Glazier
I think that's about it. Thanks for all your support on my blog over the last few months. Hope to see you again soon :).
Saturday, 31 December 2011
Things that make New Year's Eve fun
- Alcohol (I threw a party one year, and I've never seen my fridge so full of alcohol - it's never been like that again, either)
- Auld Lang Syne (can't see the New Year in without that traditional song)
- Food (whether at a party enjoying nibbles, or having a snack at home to make sure you stay awake until midnight, food is always good :)).
- Winnie the Pooh stories (bear with me on this - when my sister and I were little, and my parents went out to a New Year's Eve party, we'd end up at my grandparents. Their neighbour always came in to see the New Year in with them, and my sister insisted on telling her a Winnie the Pooh story… every year! It became as much of a traditional for a while as wishing everyone a Happy New Year!)
- Someone to kiss at midnight (not necessary, but can be nice - even if it's the cat. Actually, thinking about it, maybe the cat is a better choice.)
Whatever you're doing tonight, hope the New Year brings you lots of good things.
Image: Idea go / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Wednesday, 28 December 2011
Tangled Tides - Karen Amanda Hooper
Tangled Tides by Karen Amanda HooperMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
On her eighteenth birthday, Treygan turns Yara into a mermaid against her will… and that's just the beginning. Tangled up in an underwater world of mysterious merfolk and secretive selkies, Yara discovers both sides want her for her ability to fulfil a broken a promise and open the sealed gateway to their realm, but they are battling over how it should be done. The selkies want to take her life, but the merfolk want something far more precious...
I'm stingy with my 5 stars, I admit it, but this book certainly comes close. If I could award half stars, I would. As it is, I've got to settle on 4, but I do believe it deserves more.
I enjoyed this book a lot. It starts fast, with just enough time to introduce the main characters, before Yara is whisked away. As a new mermaid, we learn about her world along with her, the author adding information as it is pertinent to the story. I never felt as though I was being given a history lesson. The author's attention to detail, while never overstepping into the realms of the description detracting from the story, paints a stunning underwater world, with a hierarchy and a history - all the details needed to believe a place is real, including the mythology behind its creation.
Yara was very easy to like. A stubborn, compassionate girl, who wouldn't just take Treygan's word for anything in the beginning, she ultimately grew into a character who had the strength and courage to help everyone, if only she could summon it.
I loved watching Treygan change from being exasperated by Yara to letting his feelings for her grow, despite the side of her she didn't know - the side that would keep them apart.
I was also intrigued by Rownan. I think part of me expects a clean-cut villain, but I can't even describe Rownan as a villain. The author created a very rounded character, with strong motivations, that helped me understand why he acted the way he did… even when I didn't like it.
The plot kept up the pace, with moments of action interspersed with moments of learning and character development. I got to halfway and didn't want to put the book down. By the final third, the story hurtled on to a conclusion the author cleverly kept hidden from the reader, despite the first person POV.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fantasy, some romance, and has a love for all things under the sea, real or mythological.
Saturday, 24 December 2011
The Night Before Christmas
"Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house,
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse."
Merry Christmas, everybody!!
And to all of you who don't celebrate Christmas, Happy Holidays!
Image: digitalart / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Wednesday, 21 December 2011
Flash Fiction - Casey and the Christmas Present
As we're only a few days from Christmas, I thought I'd be festive, and give you all a bit of Christmas flash fiction. This story features characters from my novel, "Casey and the Hereafter".
Casey is an unusual fourteen-year-old with some unusual friends, one of which she's decided to buy a Christmas present for. But what do you get for someone several millennia-old whose job involves erasing information from a book?
Casey stared into the shop window. The edges were framed by sparkling lights and potential Christmas presents littered the base, surrounded by a pile of white stuff, which she guessed was supposed to be snow. A book about some celebrity… a board game… a cute grey teddy...
Gah! She swung away from the window and walked up the street. She could just imagine Az’s face if she gave him a teddy bear: “Well, he’s great, love, but I’m not sure what I’ll do with him when I get back. Perhaps the Ferryman would like something to cuddle.”
She shuddered. The thought of those bony fingers wrapped around the soft toy, those empty eye sockets staring at its grey fur… Another shiver rippled through her. Yes, OK, everyone needed a little love, but the Ferryman was a walking skeleton! “And don’t you tell me I’m discriminating against the dead, Az,” she mumbled, and shoved her gloved hands further into her coat pockets.
The breeze kicked up, whistling through her jacket. Was that laughter? She rolled her eyes. Trust him to be listening.
So, back to her problem. What did a mere teenager get an all-powerful being that already had everything he could possibly want – except perhaps time?
Hmm… Time. She could work with that.
A few day’s later, after bundling her parents and that golden-haired demon known as her little sister, out to do some late-night Christmas shopping, Casey knelt on her bed, peering out the window. Fake icicles dripped from roofs, lights twinkled in trees, and a bunch of carol singers walked from house to house. She hummed along to, “We Wish You a Merry Christmas”.
Her lightbulb flickered. She glanced at it. It dimmed, grew brighter, and died, cloaking the room in shadow. Beneath her, tiny quivers vibrated through the bed. Her chest of drawers shuddered, and the ornaments on her bookcase jangled together.
Casey returned to the street view and tried to suppress a smile. The guy had to make an entrance, didn’t he?
The mini earthquake came to an abrupt halt and light returned to the room.
“Ever heard of a door, Az?”
A deep chuckle came from behind her. “Most people expect the dramatics, Casey, love.”
“Doesn’t drama take more of your time?” She turned.
A man, who appeared to be in his late twenties, rested against her wardrobe, arms folded, as though he was part of the furniture. His pristine suit shone bright white on one side, while the other did its black-as-night thing. The grin stretched across his face spluttered into a frown. “Don’t get me started, love.”
He unfolded his arms and sat on the bed. “What with expectations and a rise in violence, I need all the time the Bosses can give me. Or, maybe just a way to pause it for a while.”
He gave her a wry smile, and she tried to look sympathetic, holding back the grin that wanted to make a break for it. Az was going to love the gift!
“I got you a present.” She pushed the small, gift-wrapped box towards him.
Az’s brows vanished into his black hair. “A present?”
“Goes with this little thing called ‘Christmas’. A season of giving? You might have heard of it?”
“I know what Christmas is, love, but we’re usually not involved with human affairs like these.”
“Well, consider yourself involved.” She grabbed his hand, and slapped the gift on his palm.
Az’s expression mirrored her sister, Lily’s, whenever Casey did something remotely nice for her.
She sighed. “It’s a present, not one of Marcos’s special packages. You see this?” She gestured to the wrapping. “It’s called ‘wrapping paper’”.
His eyes narrowed. “The Ferryman hasn’t been for a visit for a while, has he? Shall I fetch him?”
A shiver went through her. “That’s playing dirty, Az, but, fine. You open it when you want. I’ll just sit over here, and be all angelic sweetness and silence.”
Az’s mouth pulled up at the side. “I doubt you’re capable of that, love, but thanks for the laugh.”
Casey scowled, which only increased Az’s grin. She gave up trying to hold onto the expression when he removed the red, Christmas tree-dotted paper, and opened the little box.
Would he like it?
He extracted the small chrome object, and scanned the white face with its black numbers, followed by the large button on the top. One brow quirked. “A stopwatch?”
She nodded. Good? Bad? Not getting it at all?
“I’m the Angel of Death, love. Not an athlete.”
Not getting it at all. “You’re a jerk. Turn it over, will you?”
He twisted the stopwatch to view the back, and his eyes scanned the inscription engraved there: For someone who needs to stop time every now and then.
She held her breath.
A smile curved his lips, tenderness softening the lines on his face. He caught her gaze, and, for once, his eyes weren’t black holes of nothingness. Light sparked around the edge of the iris, and warmed the emptiness. “Casey, love.” His voice came out husky, none of the usual magnificent resonance. “It’s perfect.”
Casey is an unusual fourteen-year-old with some unusual friends, one of which she's decided to buy a Christmas present for. But what do you get for someone several millennia-old whose job involves erasing information from a book?
***
Casey stared into the shop window. The edges were framed by sparkling lights and potential Christmas presents littered the base, surrounded by a pile of white stuff, which she guessed was supposed to be snow. A book about some celebrity… a board game… a cute grey teddy...
Gah! She swung away from the window and walked up the street. She could just imagine Az’s face if she gave him a teddy bear: “Well, he’s great, love, but I’m not sure what I’ll do with him when I get back. Perhaps the Ferryman would like something to cuddle.”
She shuddered. The thought of those bony fingers wrapped around the soft toy, those empty eye sockets staring at its grey fur… Another shiver rippled through her. Yes, OK, everyone needed a little love, but the Ferryman was a walking skeleton! “And don’t you tell me I’m discriminating against the dead, Az,” she mumbled, and shoved her gloved hands further into her coat pockets.
The breeze kicked up, whistling through her jacket. Was that laughter? She rolled her eyes. Trust him to be listening.
So, back to her problem. What did a mere teenager get an all-powerful being that already had everything he could possibly want – except perhaps time?
Hmm… Time. She could work with that.
A few day’s later, after bundling her parents and that golden-haired demon known as her little sister, out to do some late-night Christmas shopping, Casey knelt on her bed, peering out the window. Fake icicles dripped from roofs, lights twinkled in trees, and a bunch of carol singers walked from house to house. She hummed along to, “We Wish You a Merry Christmas”.
Her lightbulb flickered. She glanced at it. It dimmed, grew brighter, and died, cloaking the room in shadow. Beneath her, tiny quivers vibrated through the bed. Her chest of drawers shuddered, and the ornaments on her bookcase jangled together.
Casey returned to the street view and tried to suppress a smile. The guy had to make an entrance, didn’t he?
The mini earthquake came to an abrupt halt and light returned to the room.
“Ever heard of a door, Az?”
A deep chuckle came from behind her. “Most people expect the dramatics, Casey, love.”
“Doesn’t drama take more of your time?” She turned.
A man, who appeared to be in his late twenties, rested against her wardrobe, arms folded, as though he was part of the furniture. His pristine suit shone bright white on one side, while the other did its black-as-night thing. The grin stretched across his face spluttered into a frown. “Don’t get me started, love.”
He unfolded his arms and sat on the bed. “What with expectations and a rise in violence, I need all the time the Bosses can give me. Or, maybe just a way to pause it for a while.”
He gave her a wry smile, and she tried to look sympathetic, holding back the grin that wanted to make a break for it. Az was going to love the gift!
“I got you a present.” She pushed the small, gift-wrapped box towards him.
Az’s brows vanished into his black hair. “A present?”
“Goes with this little thing called ‘Christmas’. A season of giving? You might have heard of it?”
“I know what Christmas is, love, but we’re usually not involved with human affairs like these.”
“Well, consider yourself involved.” She grabbed his hand, and slapped the gift on his palm.
Az’s expression mirrored her sister, Lily’s, whenever Casey did something remotely nice for her.
She sighed. “It’s a present, not one of Marcos’s special packages. You see this?” She gestured to the wrapping. “It’s called ‘wrapping paper’”.
His eyes narrowed. “The Ferryman hasn’t been for a visit for a while, has he? Shall I fetch him?”
A shiver went through her. “That’s playing dirty, Az, but, fine. You open it when you want. I’ll just sit over here, and be all angelic sweetness and silence.”
Az’s mouth pulled up at the side. “I doubt you’re capable of that, love, but thanks for the laugh.”
Casey scowled, which only increased Az’s grin. She gave up trying to hold onto the expression when he removed the red, Christmas tree-dotted paper, and opened the little box.
Would he like it?
He extracted the small chrome object, and scanned the white face with its black numbers, followed by the large button on the top. One brow quirked. “A stopwatch?”
She nodded. Good? Bad? Not getting it at all?
“I’m the Angel of Death, love. Not an athlete.”
Not getting it at all. “You’re a jerk. Turn it over, will you?”
He twisted the stopwatch to view the back, and his eyes scanned the inscription engraved there: For someone who needs to stop time every now and then.
She held her breath.
A smile curved his lips, tenderness softening the lines on his face. He caught her gaze, and, for once, his eyes weren’t black holes of nothingness. Light sparked around the edge of the iris, and warmed the emptiness. “Casey, love.” His voice came out husky, none of the usual magnificent resonance. “It’s perfect.”
Monday, 19 December 2011
The magic of lights
These lights were multi-coloured. Not plain white, or silver, or blue. They were red, and pink, orange and green… (and no, I'm not about to break into that rainbow song ;) ). I loved the way they lit up the tree and glistened off the tinsel.
As our artificial tree had a high base, I would spend a few minutes of most evenings lying on the carpet on my back, head beneath the branches, staring up at the lights through the green. To me, it seemed I'd entered a fairy land, and anything was possible.
Something happened a few years ago that put my love of Christmas on hold, but this year found me struggling to put my own tree together, spreading out branches, creating a bizarre pattern with the tinsel, and hanging up tree ornaments I'd gathered years before.
The best part?
Turning on those lights.
Still multi-coloured, still shades of red and blue and orange lighting up my tiny hall and playing over the plain cream walls. My tree isn't high enough for me to stare up through its branches, but something about those lights is still magical to me.
Do you find anything magical in Christmas decorations? Or do you have any ornaments for your tree that have special meaning to you each time you hang them?
Image: Salvatore Vuono / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)