tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33573838181586313042024-03-18T01:16:48.417-07:00Jan BaynhamJan's Journey Into WritingJan Baynhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06356572488839476046noreply@blogger.comBlogger257125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3357383818158631304.post-78147506560982112202024-03-17T05:38:00.000-07:002024-03-18T01:16:14.454-07:00<p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Guest Post with Jacqui and Anna Burns</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnh4kKV6SdpMSNjM3HZpYKO6fqZ5gO_Dtsa57THzkG8BehzqkSoVHCWwly3sKjuBQkB3AFdQEv9L5t5iCALFu5UbX3TZn0Az52XwqxbzlU5nJREUovhplFk5X0ZlL6ghG_oHLVTmYvlBypDbgBElFXZOpONTh6zeW9fLYWm0wFQ19MVNm3Z5pFBUj7deLk/s257/Jacqui%20ansd%20Anna.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="257" data-original-width="196" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnh4kKV6SdpMSNjM3HZpYKO6fqZ5gO_Dtsa57THzkG8BehzqkSoVHCWwly3sKjuBQkB3AFdQEv9L5t5iCALFu5UbX3TZn0Az52XwqxbzlU5nJREUovhplFk5X0ZlL6ghG_oHLVTmYvlBypDbgBElFXZOpONTh6zeW9fLYWm0wFQ19MVNm3Z5pFBUj7deLk/s1600/Jacqui%20ansd%20Anna.jpg" width="196" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">This week I am delighted to welcome Jacqui and Anna Burns to the blog for the first time. Their situation is unique in that, as mother and daughter, they write novels together. People are always curious about how the set-up works. Now published by Allison and Busby, their third novel, <i><b>Poles Apart</b></i>, will be published on the 21st March.</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Jacqui and Anna, welcome. Please tell us about your new novel and writing as a duo even though you live two hundred miles apart. Over to you both!</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Jacqui </span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">- We started our first novel during
lockdown in 2020 and we had no idea if anything was going to come of it. We had
tried writing a play some time before this, but the Covid pandemic gave us the
space to take it further and see if we could finish a whole novel. We had the
germ of an idea after a cruise we took in 2019 when we stopped for the
afternoon in the Bay of Kotor in Montenegro. Why had we never heard of this
place before? We decided to set our novel there and it gave us a great excuse
to go back a couple of years later. We were thrilled when <span style="color: #2b00fe;">Honno</span> agreed to
publish it.</span></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtxpm1RuNq7wDk8OWKnRTIFIYg8b6s-lfJauInXb8ak9KaCLvk95i_GujOuQRND1VZ8tl8hCGAsLd5mIW1KsdVnbcACbMTXugdLKlBunW2l7Owz1NiPrVouUTyx0QU-DAKAhRXwdf_rzcXaDN841y5Kqln5AmY5q4LuhanzwH7sEyYy-ZOulrfGznl-v0L/s299/Poles%20apart.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="168" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtxpm1RuNq7wDk8OWKnRTIFIYg8b6s-lfJauInXb8ak9KaCLvk95i_GujOuQRND1VZ8tl8hCGAsLd5mIW1KsdVnbcACbMTXugdLKlBunW2l7Owz1NiPrVouUTyx0QU-DAKAhRXwdf_rzcXaDN841y5Kqln5AmY5q4LuhanzwH7sEyYy-ZOulrfGznl-v0L/s1600/Poles%20apart.jpg" width="168" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Anna</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> – We finished that first book, <i><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Love
at Caf</span></i></span><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">é</span></i><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> Lompar</span></i></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">, in five weeks and felt very pleased with ourselves. Naïve,
to say the least, and we soon learned about the process of editing and the time
and agony it takes. <i><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Poles Apart</span></i> is our third book and I have to admit
it’s our favourite. Not only is it set in Pembrokeshire, which is close to
home, but female friendship is at the heart of it. We have four main characters
– two each – and they all face challenges in their lives. Despite living in a
small community, the women are quite isolated. A pole dancing class brings them
together and, despite their different ages and circumstances, they form a close
bond.<o:p></o:p></span></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Jacqui</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> – It was such fun to write. We
wanted it to be funny but also poignant. A pole dancing exercise class seems so
out of place in a sleepy village, but it’s a great vehicle to unify the women
when faced with opposition from, let’s say the less enlightened, members of the
community. We wanted the women to push themselves out of their comfort zone and
it was wonderful to seem them develop and grow from their experiences, despite
being painful at times.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Anna</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> – We were ecstatic when Bill Goodall
agreed to represent us and he secured a two-book deal with the publisher <span style="color: #2b00fe;">Allison
and Busby</span>. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">People often
ask how we write as a duo and if we ever disagree. Well, of course we do at
times, but generally it works really well and it’s half the work – not just the
writing, but the editing and promoting, too. I have a one-year-old, very lively baby boy so
it’s marvellous to share the workload. I’m also back in work as a psychiatrist after
maternity leave. I write on my phone when he’s asleep. If you’re determined
enough, you’ll find a way to write! I would like to write my own novel in time
but I think the dynamic my mother and I have is quite unique. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Jacqui</span></span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> – We’ve written novel number four – <i><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Escape
to Pumpkin Cottage</span></i>, set in the Wye Valley – and we’re a quarter of the way
through number five. There’s no time to rest! My dream would be to have <i><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Poles
Apart</span></i> made into a drama for the BBC, like the wonderful <i>Men Up</i>.
Fingers crossed!</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="font-family: arial; font-size: 12pt;">Blurb</b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="font-family: arial; font-size: 12pt;"><i>Four women, one sleepy village ... It's time to give life a whirl.</i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 12pt;"><i>The Pembrokeshire village of Morlan is undoubtedly a beautiful place to live, but four of its female residents find themselves in search of something more.</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 12pt;"><i><b>Gwen </b>seems to have it all but in reality, her marriage is on the rocks. <b>Meg </b>has struggled with her health and her love life has barely got a pulse, but is she ready to shake things up? Recently widowed <b>Ivy </b>is fed up, but at seventy-two can she put herself first and revamp more than just her home? Mum of two <b>Summer </b>dearly loves her two children but is desperate to escape the sleep-deprived fog that has settled over her.</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 12pt;"><i>The announcement that pole dancing exercise classes are coming to the village offers something fresh and exciting to each of them, as well as the discovery of previously hidden strengths. As the group comes together, a bond is formed that will allow them to overcome the trials and tribulations that lie ahead.</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b><i>'Poles Apart is an absolute joy to read and a reminder of the value of female friendship.' </i>Helga Jensen, author of <i>'Fly Me to Paris'</i>.</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b><i>'This book is an absolute tonic. If you need a lift, read it!' </i>Luisa A. Jones, author of <i>'The Broken Vow'</i>.</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Social Media Links</b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Website:<o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><a href="https://www.annaandjacquiburns.com/" style="font-family: arial;">Mother and daughter writing team | Anna and Jacqui Burns</a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">X/Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/annaandjacqui">@annaandjacqui</a> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Amazon: </span><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Poles-Apart-uplifting-feel-good-friendship/dp/0749031905" style="font-family: arial;">https://www.amazon.co.uk/Poles-Apart-uplifting-feel-good-friendship/dp/0749031905</a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: 12pt;">Thank you both. Writing together obviously works well for you both and the new novel sounds wonderful. I'm very much looking forward to reading it. I wish you both much success with it and hope the sales soar. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Thank you for reading. I hope you enjoyed meeting Jacqui and Anna for the first time as much as I did.</span></span></p><div style="background-color: #f1fcff; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><div style="font-family: arial;">You may also follow me on:</div><div style="font-family: arial;">X/Twitter -<a href="https://twitter.com/JanBaynham" style="color: #00b39d; text-decoration-line: none;"> @JanBaynham</a></div><div style="font-family: arial;">FaceBook - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/JanBayLit" style="color: #00b39d; text-decoration-line: none;">Jan Baynham Writer</a></div><div style="font-family: arial;">Instagram - <a href="https://www.instagram.com/janbaynham/?hl=en-gb" style="color: #00b39d; text-decoration-line: none;">janbaynham</a></div><div style="font-family: arial;">Bookbub - <a href="https://www.bookbub.com/profile/jan-baynham" style="color: #00b39d; text-decoration-line: none;">https://www.bookbub.com/profile/jan-baynham</a></div><div style="font-family: arial;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: arial;">For more information about me and my books, please visit my <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/Jan-Baynham/author/B085DC6BKR?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1704378632&sr=8-1&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true" style="color: #00b39d; text-decoration-line: none;">Amazon</a> page.</div></div><div style="background-color: #f1fcff; color: #444444; font-family: arial; font-size: 15.4px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: #f1fcff; color: #444444; font-family: arial; font-size: 15.4px;">Did you know that all my novels are available to read on <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/kindle-dbs/hz/bookshelf?shoppingPortalEnabled=true&shouldPandoraUseNewSlot=true" style="color: #00b39d; text-decoration-line: none;">Kindle Unlimited</a> for those of you who subscribe?</div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #f1fcff; clear: both; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYJk8aJI1UP664GYVTzgP8If7bYHK-X-aZIaYr4GJ0jIHz8N29rgueyGPoyqo5e_YPpuUPZoKNUKWuq5VM4echgmL-yrriwq6NPV6mnqyMnWiSeLcYchPXIxAUoq35bZybdPab_u-aoWQI4hDtmCcYxCXEErsJ6cwbbUTU9wlxD0mpKEVUzcORNT75AIUn/s4032/My%20Novels.jpg" style="color: #0affa6; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYJk8aJI1UP664GYVTzgP8If7bYHK-X-aZIaYr4GJ0jIHz8N29rgueyGPoyqo5e_YPpuUPZoKNUKWuq5VM4echgmL-yrriwq6NPV6mnqyMnWiSeLcYchPXIxAUoq35bZybdPab_u-aoWQI4hDtmCcYxCXEErsJ6cwbbUTU9wlxD0mpKEVUzcORNT75AIUn/s320/My%20Novels.jpg" style="background: repeat rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 1px solid rgb(239, 239, 239); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="240" /></a></div><div style="background-color: #f1fcff; color: #444444; font-family: arial; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><span face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px;"><i>'I just adore Jan Baynham's books - they each read like a beautiful saga - stretching over a couple of generations, the stories just grab you and draw you in.' </i></span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span></p><div style="background-color: #f1fcff; color: #444444; font-family: arial; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><span face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px;">Amazon Reviewer 5*</span></div>Jan Baynhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06356572488839476046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3357383818158631304.post-13138019783507835352024-02-25T23:36:00.000-08:002024-02-25T23:37:36.840-08:00<p> <span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Guest Post with Georgia Hill</b></span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDqVxdWRe4fzOC2RdFmZqIKfI0VoUF5T8eEnXlgFBbztBWZoM3KvbyvdGqcG5y_Xv9WAlQ6NstVaHx8TMKt3o8MEmE9ylvL2EsSKfR_pZnO-UDBXm06vpLf5wKVjgfdAx7TWIOFHkNi2V9zH0oiXBEpP9dDpFDsP-5mtUXwpIvOjuT12bGncs8K9SOScsY/s1729/Georgia%20author%20pic.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1729" data-original-width="1728" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDqVxdWRe4fzOC2RdFmZqIKfI0VoUF5T8eEnXlgFBbztBWZoM3KvbyvdGqcG5y_Xv9WAlQ6NstVaHx8TMKt3o8MEmE9ylvL2EsSKfR_pZnO-UDBXm06vpLf5wKVjgfdAx7TWIOFHkNi2V9zH0oiXBEpP9dDpFDsP-5mtUXwpIvOjuT12bGncs8K9SOScsY/w200-h200/Georgia%20author%20pic.jpeg" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">It's a great pleasure to welcome the lovely author, Georgia Hill, back to the blog this week. Her latest novel, <i><b>New Beginnings at Lullbury Bay</b></i>, was published by Bloodhound Books on February 19th.</span><p></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">Georgia, welcome. I think you're going to tell us about how you create your characters. Over to nyou! <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 12pt;">Digging
Deep – Creating a Character</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 18.75pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 12pt;">Hi
everyone! It’s really lovely to be back on Jan’s lovely blog. Thank you for
having me back, Jan. Diolch.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 18.75pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 12pt;">I have to
admit to wracking my brain for a subject for this guest blog but a chance
comment on Facebook got me thinking about how I create my characters …<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 18.75pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 12pt;"></span></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiegjbOcrz7bBFKjAonn5Fg7DiK2rthSyO1MAe9FnwkEdnUKi65BljnFO86lgx9eX4i4s8dgP9wayqlhrX-_cKFOtPgDjaB_48z92rtfrndjDmf_lobW5zaDpFbA69DY9FbaSPIbdod27tiKSPBXz78YVsOVLK3E1RdpV_iliD-CsnGqZvFaSvU8tF_aH4f/s382/georgia%20cover.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="382" data-original-width="252" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiegjbOcrz7bBFKjAonn5Fg7DiK2rthSyO1MAe9FnwkEdnUKi65BljnFO86lgx9eX4i4s8dgP9wayqlhrX-_cKFOtPgDjaB_48z92rtfrndjDmf_lobW5zaDpFbA69DY9FbaSPIbdod27tiKSPBXz78YVsOVLK3E1RdpV_iliD-CsnGqZvFaSvU8tF_aH4f/s320/georgia%20cover.jpeg" width="211" /></a></span></i></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 18.75pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 12pt;">My new book,
which came out on the 19<sup>th</sup>, <i>New Beginnings at Lullbury Bay</i>, features
at its heart a florist’s shop. In it, Daisy the owner of <i>Va Va Bloom</i>
receives a mysterious order to deliver very specific flowers to an empty house
on the edge of town. Daisy, after having her heart broken, has given up on love
but then a handsome stranger comes into her shop and gets her romance muscles
a-twanging. Just her luck, then, that he’s buying flowers for his girlfriend. Could
it be the weird flower order and the gorgeous stranger are connected? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 18.75pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 12pt;">There are
many similarities between me and Daisy. I think we both have the same sarcastic
sense of humour, a warm heart hidden well, we both lost our fathers when young
and we both have teaching backgrounds. However, I think Daisy might look upon
my twenty-odd years of teaching with suspicion. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 18.75pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 12pt;">Daisy lost
her father when she was sixteen. She was at that vulnerable threshold, crossing
from childhood to adulthood when she was being asked to make the decisions
which would shape her later career. She was a Grade A student (unlike me) and
her specialist subjects were the sciences (very unlike me!). When the school
careers advisor suggests teaching, this is what she chooses. To Daisy, reeling
from the sudden death of her father, it seems the safe option. She’s concerned
about her mum and doesn’t want to cause her any problems by rebelling. I read around
teenagers’ grief processes and this fits into a pattern. Mum Jan is only too delighted
Daisy is headed into a secure career and encourages her all the way. Daisy
sails through teacher training but, when teaching at the very same grammar
school she attended as a pupil, begins to question her career choice. She can’t
understand why, when she was so good at learning science, she can’t <i>teach</i>
it very well. A crisis in her personal life leads her to make a drastic decision;
she studies floristry part-time at evening class, leaves teaching and opens a flower
shop.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 18.75pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 12pt;">As the
novel opens, she’s at that tricky stage, having run the business for five
years, of not being in quite the right position to expand and so is reliant on
Jan and part-time assistant Marion (although, if you read the book, it’s
questionable how much help Marion is!). Daisy’s working all the hours she can
and has little time for romance. And then a handsome man with dark eyes
brimming with humour, wearing a pair of snug-fitting chinos turns all that on
its head. Soon she’s re-evaluating her life all over again.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 18.75pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 12pt;">In my
research, I read that grief-stricken teenagers can make muddled or wrong decisions,
and this became the inspiration for Daisy’s backstory. There’s hardly a mention
of this in the book but that’s because it was part of the process behind
interrogating my main character when I was creating her. The reader doesn’t see
it in the book, but it informs everything the character goes on to do. Having
invested in a risky change of career, Daisy feels she <i>has</i> to make a
success of it, so it explains why she’s a workaholic too.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 18.75pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 12pt;">I loved
writing Daisy. She works hard, doesn’t really care much for ‘girlie’ stuff and,
while supplying flowers for Lullbury Bay weddings, doesn’t think she’ll ever be
lucky in love herself. I was desperate for her to have her happy ending. Does
she? You’ll have to read the book to find out!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 18.75pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 12pt;"></span></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSouozNjs0TkaIypxC_zmwekCLpB2Noj9Wy-voRHqzqQSMDpGB7kMzykLBJhg5lcb_S9NF-SO42sTE6um50uy95i8fKvZ9cEnUXIVeNCEP2G9A3QsSGeJvdcz6xgzznA-NcwW5FqNHo3N9p-njrVdGqvQ-MoHok7fxPZSf3CR0kKcNSZOGucCLWkRPSgzJ/s512/lulberry%20bay.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSouozNjs0TkaIypxC_zmwekCLpB2Noj9Wy-voRHqzqQSMDpGB7kMzykLBJhg5lcb_S9NF-SO42sTE6um50uy95i8fKvZ9cEnUXIVeNCEP2G9A3QsSGeJvdcz6xgzznA-NcwW5FqNHo3N9p-njrVdGqvQ-MoHok7fxPZSf3CR0kKcNSZOGucCLWkRPSgzJ/s320/lulberry%20bay.jpeg" width="320" /></a></span></i></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 18.75pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>About the
book:</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 18.75pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b><i>Daisy's started a new life with her very own flower shop on the English coast - but she doesn't believe love will ever bloom for her again...</i></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 18.75pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>A disastrous love affair and the loss of her father has made workaholic Daisy rethink her life. Now, instead of teaching grammar school science, she runs </i>Va Va Bloom<i> - a florist shop in the town of Lullbury Bay. She supplies beautiful flowers for special events in the Dorset community, including Lullbury's wedding of the year. But she has given up all hope of a wedding in her own future.</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 18.75pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>When Rick, a charismatic stranger, comes in to buy his girlfriend flowers, a spark ignites between them. Just her luck, then, that the only man who gets her heart fluttering is attached! But soon Daisy realises that this little town may yet change her life in more ways than she expected.</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 18.75pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><i style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">New Beginnings at Lullbury Bay</span></i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> </span>was out on 19<sup>th</sup> February and can be ordered here:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="http://geni.us/lullburybay">geni.us/lullburybay</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 18.75pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>About the
author:</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 18.75pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 12pt;">Georgia Hill writes warm-hearted and uplifting contemporary and dual narrative romances about love, the power and joy in being an eccentric oldie and finding yourself and your community. There's always a dog. It's usually a naughty spaniel of which, unfortunately, she has had much experience. She lives near the sea with her beloved dogs and husband (also beloved) and loves the books of Jane Austen, collecting elephants, and Strictly Come dancing. She's also a complete museum geek and finds inspiration for her books in folklore and history in the many places she's lived. She's worked in theatre, for a charity and as a teacher and educational consultant before finally acknowledging that making things up was what she really wanted to do. She's been happily creating believable heroines, intriguing men, and page-turning stories ever since.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 18.75pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="font-family: arial; font-size: 12pt;">You can find her here:</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Twitter/X <a href="https://twitter.com/georgiawrites">@georgiawrites</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Facebook </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/georgiahillauthor">https://www.facebook.com/georgiahillauthor</a></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Website </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="http://www.georgiahill.co.uk">www.georgiahill.co.uk</a></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Thank you, Georgia, for this interesting insight into Daisy's character. It's so true that what the reader sees on the page won't be all the details of the author's research that went into the book. However, your portrayal of Daisy wouldn't be the same if you hadn't researched teenage grief. I feel I like her already and am hoping she gets her happy ending. I look forward to finding out. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 12pt;">Thank you for reading. I'm sure you agree that Georgia's new novel, and especially the character of Daisy, looks and sounds wonderful. Writers, what research have you done that informed what a character went on to do? I'd love it if you commented and shared your thoughts. Thank you. </span></p><div style="background-color: #f1fcff; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><div style="font-family: arial;">You may also follow me on:</div><div style="font-family: arial;">X/Twitter -<a href="https://twitter.com/JanBaynham"> <span style="color: #00b39d;">@JanBaynham</span></a></div><div style="font-family: arial;">FaceBook - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/JanBayLit" style="color: #00b39d; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration: none;">Jan Baynham Writer</a></div><div style="font-family: arial;">Instagram - <a href="https://www.instagram.com/janbaynham/?hl=en-gb" style="color: #00b39d; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration: none;">janbaynham</a></div><div style="font-family: arial;">Bookbub - <a href="https://www.bookbub.com/profile/jan-baynham" style="color: #00b39d; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration: none;">https://www.bookbub.com/profile/jan-baynham</a></div><div style="font-family: arial;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: arial;">For more information about me and my books, please visit my <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/Jan-Baynham/author/B085DC6BKR?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1704378632&sr=8-1&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true" style="color: #00b39d; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration: none;">Amazon</a> page.</div></div><div style="background-color: #f1fcff; color: #444444; font-family: arial; font-size: 15.4px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: #f1fcff; color: #444444; font-family: arial; font-size: 15.4px;">Did you know that all my novels are available to read on <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/kindle-dbs/hz/bookshelf?shoppingPortalEnabled=true&shouldPandoraUseNewSlot=true">Kindle Unlimited</a> for those of you who subscribe?</div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #f1fcff; clear: both; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYJk8aJI1UP664GYVTzgP8If7bYHK-X-aZIaYr4GJ0jIHz8N29rgueyGPoyqo5e_YPpuUPZoKNUKWuq5VM4echgmL-yrriwq6NPV6mnqyMnWiSeLcYchPXIxAUoq35bZybdPab_u-aoWQI4hDtmCcYxCXEErsJ6cwbbUTU9wlxD0mpKEVUzcORNT75AIUn/s4032/My%20Novels.jpg" style="color: #0affa6; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYJk8aJI1UP664GYVTzgP8If7bYHK-X-aZIaYr4GJ0jIHz8N29rgueyGPoyqo5e_YPpuUPZoKNUKWuq5VM4echgmL-yrriwq6NPV6mnqyMnWiSeLcYchPXIxAUoq35bZybdPab_u-aoWQI4hDtmCcYxCXEErsJ6cwbbUTU9wlxD0mpKEVUzcORNT75AIUn/s320/My%20Novels.jpg" style="background: repeat rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 1px solid rgb(239, 239, 239); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="240" /></a></div><div style="background-color: #f1fcff; color: #444444; font-family: arial; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><span face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px;"><i>'I just adore Jan Baynham's books - they each read like a beautiful saga - stretching over a couple of generations, the stories just grab you and draw you in.' </i></span></div><div style="background-color: #f1fcff; color: #444444; font-family: arial; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><span face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px;">Amazon Reviewer 5*</span></div>Jan Baynhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06356572488839476046noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3357383818158631304.post-84577532969520509312024-02-19T00:42:00.000-08:002024-02-19T00:42:31.147-08:00<p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><b>Guest Post With Cass Grafton</b></span> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd5o0NYcUA-xOsB2UzlAJ3UiFjnLyDTuYKeDOhf1cOO6EEuORDda-rmuTJUVxd3ngZZyRrKugJ8PdhMIQFV5G_IYp9kWxUQDDR58dHW_DZgC6BztPdSKUPhP0JoIyK54Ot0U5FXnCORyDvXspW-422aYvLa9IrfdvmDcp2b8DKgBlIoGZIETQc0PXKcIxJ/s934/Author%20Pic%20cass.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="842" data-original-width="934" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd5o0NYcUA-xOsB2UzlAJ3UiFjnLyDTuYKeDOhf1cOO6EEuORDda-rmuTJUVxd3ngZZyRrKugJ8PdhMIQFV5G_IYp9kWxUQDDR58dHW_DZgC6BztPdSKUPhP0JoIyK54Ot0U5FXnCORyDvXspW-422aYvLa9IrfdvmDcp2b8DKgBlIoGZIETQc0PXKcIxJ/w200-h180/Author%20Pic%20cass.jpeg" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">This week I am very pleased to welcome the lovely author, Cass Grafton, onto the blog for the first time. Cass</span></span><span face=""Amazon Ember", Ember, amazon_ember, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> <span style="font-family: arial;">writes feel-good contemporary romances set in Cornwall and her new novel, <i style="font-weight: bold;">Escape to Polkerran Point</i>, will be published on February 22nd by Canelo.</span></span></span><p></p><p><span face=""Amazon Ember", Ember, amazon_ember, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">Cass, welcome. I'm looking forward to hearing all about your new book. It's over to you!</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><u>When
Research Becomes a Guilty Pleasure</u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Thank you so
much, Jan, for inviting me onto your blog to talk about the second book in the
Little Cornish Cove series, </span><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><i style="font-family: arial;">Escape to Polkerran Point</i><span style="font-family: arial;">.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">I had a fabulous
time creating the fictitious fishing village of Polkerran and its rather
special community of locals and then writing my first book,<span style="color: #2b00fe;"> </span></span><i style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">New Dreams at
Polkerran Point</span></i><span style="font-family: arial;">. Despite having plenty of memories from holidaying
extensively in Cornwall during the nineties, ‘I just need to do some more research’
became the perfect excuse to travel down from Yorkshire as often as I could. I
drew a map of the ‘village’, populated with houses and the names of who lived
where, the village hall, the church, shops, pubs and beaches.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifBKrwIidta-_BGDUNm_5hwtZrARnW6OeDh69ZeWvCYaUrjwYn8p0Bjn40cLCy23ohaNtcUo34xhggaxR9ErSrz8qnv6wfLxUCNGO-rZeN9YVf3ns-OmGO0xDiy52lcGDv-rM7iSyyqzZdinPb45h2MN25fB4kvM94cTXLIDBhySDquSjtCWDKK-exo9Lb/s2733/Series%20Banner.pdf.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1537" data-original-width="2733" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifBKrwIidta-_BGDUNm_5hwtZrARnW6OeDh69ZeWvCYaUrjwYn8p0Bjn40cLCy23ohaNtcUo34xhggaxR9ErSrz8qnv6wfLxUCNGO-rZeN9YVf3ns-OmGO0xDiy52lcGDv-rM7iSyyqzZdinPb45h2MN25fB4kvM94cTXLIDBhySDquSjtCWDKK-exo9Lb/s320/Series%20Banner.pdf.png" width="320" /></a></div>When that book
became the first in a five-book series, I happily sketched out an ‘idea’ for
the other four—this amounted to nothing more than a few paragraphs, the length
of the description you find on the back of a paperback book. Background job
done… or so I thought.<p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ9yB0f6X4rFsY7P2MLOtEENCJhpa9-7MGr1wSD7c0M_rsuWmBj7adr6O9zJHECIJzX4m5AZlS-ihGHwqD3iTC9PDvSAIptyyhN76dNTUpYXpdoPpjeG7eh6hLMjVc86cBWTPwE3OzgEYf7dLwR4ljx-BVg4UKQl6ICLggNxJP2judPYa72DHog1RLeFik/s3200/EtPP%20-%20Ebook%20Cover.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3200" data-original-width="2088" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ9yB0f6X4rFsY7P2MLOtEENCJhpa9-7MGr1wSD7c0M_rsuWmBj7adr6O9zJHECIJzX4m5AZlS-ihGHwqD3iTC9PDvSAIptyyhN76dNTUpYXpdoPpjeG7eh6hLMjVc86cBWTPwE3OzgEYf7dLwR4ljx-BVg4UKQl6ICLggNxJP2judPYa72DHog1RLeFik/w131-h200/EtPP%20-%20Ebook%20Cover.jpg" width="131" /></a></div>The time came to
start writing the second book, and I was excited. After all, I’d already got my cast of characters, fully formed. They’d all be waiting for me, ready to leap
into action—except I’d forgotten the whole ‘it’s a different story’ aspect to
the new book. My so-called research was only just beginning, and in this case,
I ended up delving thirty years into my own past.<p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Lauren is a
Yorkshire lass who’s forged a successful, high-flying career in a multinational
company. A party girl at heart, she’s taken a long time to commit to a
relationship, but almost as soon as she moves in with Kit, her world comes
crashing down.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">A restructure at
work, an unexpected pregnancy—which immediately ends her fledgling
relationship—and, all of a sudden, Lauren is unemployed, homeless and having a
baby.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Needing time to
regroup, she flees the north for the comfort of a few weeks with her best
friend, Anna (whose story is told in the first book in the series). Anna lives
in Polkerran Point, where she runs a bed & breakfast in her cliff-top home.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">And herein began
my two main dilemmas. Firstly, it’s more than 30 years since I was unexpectedly
pregnant, and secondly, although I live with someone who’s had a career similar
to Lauren’s, they are male and never had to make the transition from global,
jet-setting exec to being a work from home pregnant consultant.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">I am eternally
grateful to the lovely ladies I found online who were happy to share their
present-day experiences on how it all works these days, along with pregnancy
apps and the all-important timings for things like gender scans etc. It was a
stroll down memory lane with a twist—not quite as much fun as a </span><i style="font-family: arial;">G&T</i><span style="font-family: arial;">
with a twist, but close!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWj09X5eo70CRWGrv20wCSDQQgmbCCQM21h98ej2xnsmrvXzl-2qK6dJraaSQVNmE-VqwR3-2znZM4WulvXmxdoQZFoPMc2uOAEOq8TirsLbXfeeFHkT2l95SFE7gl80efjvDhPsDqCJii-vuXyFXm44KWQFO_0qFREFKfItsvnAHqpaNqczuLSk37OrH7/s4032/Cass%20books.jpeg" style="clear: right; display: inline; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWj09X5eo70CRWGrv20wCSDQQgmbCCQM21h98ej2xnsmrvXzl-2qK6dJraaSQVNmE-VqwR3-2znZM4WulvXmxdoQZFoPMc2uOAEOq8TirsLbXfeeFHkT2l95SFE7gl80efjvDhPsDqCJii-vuXyFXm44KWQFO_0qFREFKfItsvnAHqpaNqczuLSk37OrH7/w150-h200/Cass%20books.jpeg" width="150" /></a><span style="font-family: arial;">I also talked
extensively with the daughter of close friends, who had experienced some of what
Lauren went through, as she had transitioned from a successful career with
several high-profile multinationals to managing her own consultancy and working
from home with a little one in the wings. These insights on the pros and cons
of such a change were incredibly helpful in making Lauren credible and
relatable.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">I’d love to say writing
the next book was easier, but it features the regular use of boats and has a
musician as a major character. As someone who only ever learnt to play a recorder
(</span><i style="font-family: arial;">substantially </i><span style="font-family: arial;">more than thirty years ago) and knows as much about boats
as she does walking on the moon, writing the upcoming </span><i style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Christmas at Polkerran
Point</span></i><span style="font-family: arial;"> has been a whole new adventure.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">As for book four,
I’m already planning to spend the whole of March in Cornwall as I prepare to
start writing again. After all, if there’s one thing I have learned, it’s that
research is important!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Escape to
Polkerran Point</span></i><span style="font-family: arial;"> is
published on 22</span><sup style="font-family: arial;">nd</sup><span style="font-family: arial;"> February 2024, and although it’s part of a series,
it can be read as a standalone.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Thank you, Cass. It was interesting to learn that you were able to find ladies online who were willing to share their pregnancy experiences with you. Research is what makes the story authentic and the characters come alive on the page when a writer takes time over this. I think your book covers are stunning, by the way. Here is the <b>blurb</b> for your new novel:</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.5pt;"><span style="color: #0f1111;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Can fake dating turn into something more with a baby on the way?</b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.5pt;"><span style="color: #0f1111;"><span style="font-family: arial;">High-flying exec <b>Lauren Kirkham</b> is having a bad week. Unexpecedly pregnant, out of work and</span></span><span style="color: #0f1111; font-family: arial;">– when dumped by her boyfriend –</span><span style="color: #0f1111; font-family: arial;"> with nowhere to live. She needs a respite, and goes to visit her friend <b>Anna</b> <b>Redding</b> in Polkerran for a short stay.</span><span style="color: #0f1111; font-family: arial;"> Polkerran’s local handyman </span><b style="color: #0f1111; font-family: arial;">Daniel
Tremayne</b><span style="color: #0f1111; font-family: arial;"> is busy building his own ‘grand design’ on one of the cove’s
cliffs. With the TV crew due to turn up to film, expecting a happy couple, he
urgently needs a fake live-in girlfriend since he's also split with his ex.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.5pt;"><span style="color: #0f1111;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Can Lauren and Daniel solve their mutual
dilemmas by joining forces, and if so, will their hearts emerge unscathed?<span style="font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: #0f1111; font-size: 10.5pt;">A heartwarming and fun Cornish romance,
perfect for fans of Cressida McLaughlin, Jessica Redland and Phillipa Ashley.</span></b><span style="color: #0f1111; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18pt; mso-outline-level: 3;"><b><span style="color: #0f1111; font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Praise for <i>Escape to
Polkerran Point</i></span></span></b><b><span style="color: #0f1111; font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #0f1111; font-size: 10.5pt;">‘<i><b>A beautiful read set in Cornwall</b>.
Lovely and feel-good read with a great ending.</i>’ </span><span style="color: #0f1111; font-size: 10.5pt;">⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐</span><span style="color: #0f1111; font-size: 10.5pt;"> Reader review<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #0f1111; font-size: 10.5pt;"><i>‘<b>I love a sweet cozy romance and this book
has all the perfect ingredients</b>. I love how it has a fake dating trope… the
gorgeous scenery and descriptions don’t hurt either.’</i> </span><span style="color: #0f1111; font-size: 10.5pt;">⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐</span><span style="color: #0f1111; font-size: 10.5pt;"> Reader review<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #0f1111; font-size: 10.5pt;">‘<i><b>I loved this</b> second book in the
Little Cornish Cove series. <b>The characters are relatable and
believable, the community spirit was wonderful and the descriptive writing was
sublime.</b>’</i> </span><span style="color: #0f1111; font-size: 10.5pt;">⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐</span><span style="color: #0f1111; font-size: 10.5pt;"> Reader review<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Escape
to Polkerran Point </span></i></b></span><b style="font-family: arial;">Buy links</b><span style="font-family: arial;"> – one link for Amazon, Apple, Kobo,
Google Play, Waterstones, Bookshop.org, Hive</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://geni.us/ETPP" style="font-family: arial;">https://geni.us/ETPP</a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Social links</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Instagram - </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/cassgraftonwriter/" style="font-family: arial;">https://www.instagram.com/cassgraftonwriter/</a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Facebook - </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/CassGraftonWriter" style="font-family: arial;">https://www.facebook.com/CassGraftonWriter</a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">X - </span><a href="https://twitter.com/CassGrafton" style="font-family: arial;">https://twitter.com/CassGrafton</a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Thank you for reading. I'm sure you found what Cass had to say as interesting as I did. Writers, how do you go about researching for a new book? Readers, how can you tell if an author has spent time on research before writing a book? Please comment and share your thoughts. Thanks.</span></p><div style="background-color: #f1fcff; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><div style="font-family: arial;">You may also follow me on:</div><div style="font-family: arial;">X/Twitter - <a href="https://twitter.com/JanBaynham" style="color: #00b39d; text-decoration-line: none;">@JanBaynham</a></div><div style="font-family: arial;">FaceBook - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/JanBayLit" style="color: #00b39d; text-decoration-line: none;">Jan Baynham Writer</a></div><div style="font-family: arial;">Instagram - <a href="https://www.instagram.com/janbaynham/?hl=en-gb" style="color: #00b39d; text-decoration-line: none;">janbaynham</a></div><div style="font-family: arial;">Bookbub - <a href="https://www.bookbub.com/profile/jan-baynham">https://www.bookbub.com/profile/jan-baynham</a></div><div style="font-family: arial;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: arial;">For more information about me and my books, please visit my<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=jan+baynham&i=digital-text&crid=3E9AB7LMTZZOK&sprefix=jan+baynham%2Cdigital-text%2C102&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_1_11"> <span style="color: #00b39d;">Amazon</span></a> page.</div></div><div style="background-color: #f1fcff; color: #444444; font-family: arial; font-size: 15.4px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: #f1fcff; color: #444444; font-family: arial; font-size: 15.4px;">Did you know that all my novels are available to read on <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/kindle-dbs/hz/bookshelf">Kindle Unlimited</a> for those of you who subscribe?</div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #f1fcff; clear: both; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYJk8aJI1UP664GYVTzgP8If7bYHK-X-aZIaYr4GJ0jIHz8N29rgueyGPoyqo5e_YPpuUPZoKNUKWuq5VM4echgmL-yrriwq6NPV6mnqyMnWiSeLcYchPXIxAUoq35bZybdPab_u-aoWQI4hDtmCcYxCXEErsJ6cwbbUTU9wlxD0mpKEVUzcORNT75AIUn/s4032/My%20Novels.jpg" style="color: #0affa6; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYJk8aJI1UP664GYVTzgP8If7bYHK-X-aZIaYr4GJ0jIHz8N29rgueyGPoyqo5e_YPpuUPZoKNUKWuq5VM4echgmL-yrriwq6NPV6mnqyMnWiSeLcYchPXIxAUoq35bZybdPab_u-aoWQI4hDtmCcYxCXEErsJ6cwbbUTU9wlxD0mpKEVUzcORNT75AIUn/s320/My%20Novels.jpg" style="background: repeat rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 1px solid rgb(239, 239, 239); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="240" /></a></div><div style="font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><i>'I just adore Jan Baynham's books - they each read like a beautiful saga - stretching over a couple of generations. The stories just grab you and draw you in.'</i></div><div style="font-family: arial; text-align: right;">Amazon Reviewer</div><div style="font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐</span></div>Jan Baynhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06356572488839476046noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3357383818158631304.post-89359683961932480442024-02-05T00:24:00.000-08:002024-02-08T06:02:58.357-08:00<p> <span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Guest Post with Imogen Martin</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIHdETsvn6a_xaMNaEGnFmjHK_WvYlKRYFLs-f3wethM53aCuXR3iyr51VHzwQx0-MKepIU-9tWPsffw1iCVhX4r_I7xsvfAGqkGFIBgS6hnVOY1IcNp4Ac3fol1FT2CfsQmOfZv1xLk-s-LdJqt_rif3vzPIJ95zVBP2d-zxHHqeA9R9KMCllH-U1svsL/s498/Imogen%20Martin%20tight%20headshot.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="498" data-original-width="433" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIHdETsvn6a_xaMNaEGnFmjHK_WvYlKRYFLs-f3wethM53aCuXR3iyr51VHzwQx0-MKepIU-9tWPsffw1iCVhX4r_I7xsvfAGqkGFIBgS6hnVOY1IcNp4Ac3fol1FT2CfsQmOfZv1xLk-s-LdJqt_rif3vzPIJ95zVBP2d-zxHHqeA9R9KMCllH-U1svsL/w174-h200/Imogen%20Martin%20tight%20headshot.jpg" width="174" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">This week, it's my real pleasure to welcome</span><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> back Imogen Martin, another fellow Cariad author, to the blog. Imogen's second novel is to be published by Storm Publishing on February 7th. After the success of her wonderful debut novel, <i>Under a Gilded Sky, </i></span></span><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-align: left;">last September </span><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; text-align: left;">(</span><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; text-align: left;">You may read her blog post about it </span><a href="https://janbaynham.blogspot.com/2023/10/" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; text-align: left;">here</a><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; text-align: left;">.), </span><i style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; text-align: left;">To the Wild Horizon </i><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; text-align: left;">is already receiving rave reviews on NetGalley. After finishing an ARC of the novel last night, I'm not surprised; it's superb.</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; text-align: left;">Imogen, welcome. I think you are going to tell us what comes first when you start to write your novels. It's over to you!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; text-align: left;">Chicken or egg? Does the story or the research come first for
a historical novel?</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt;">Actually, for me, it’s neither. It’s the characters. I’m
interested in people, and more than anything, in people falling in love.</span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2HCiCJsMIsq0hxjG7ahFAvWazkKy-ladlEy6CnrH_6MuCSeF6hxGobZ-QNhXMYXkj64WKmXqdjyZoI_-rCkxr8fW76QTumOKTL2OJePqwOhJ__KoeLNvSD16FOeqvAg3hvsUaawxpapJtYRpsYQ52xTJxdtHeB9JRZYRLbz2EufV42p9yLgE7hUaUIrgM/s2339/To%20The%20Wild%20Horizon%20PB%20FINAL%20lower%20res%20(1).jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2339" data-original-width="1524" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2HCiCJsMIsq0hxjG7ahFAvWazkKy-ladlEy6CnrH_6MuCSeF6hxGobZ-QNhXMYXkj64WKmXqdjyZoI_-rCkxr8fW76QTumOKTL2OJePqwOhJ__KoeLNvSD16FOeqvAg3hvsUaawxpapJtYRpsYQ52xTJxdtHeB9JRZYRLbz2EufV42p9yLgE7hUaUIrgM/w208-h320/To%20The%20Wild%20Horizon%20PB%20FINAL%20lower%20res%20(1).jpg" width="208" /></a></div><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Authors are advised to find big obstacles for their
protagonists to overcome. They don’t come much bigger than the Oregon Trail:
2,000 miles and six months of danger and back-breaking work. These words were written
by Edwin Bryant, a pioneer who made the journey in 1846, the year I set my
novel: <i>“The trip is a sort of magic mirror, and exposes every man’s
qualities of heart connected with it, vicious or amiable.”</i> I put part of
this observation in the mouth of my heroine Grace Sinclair.<o:p></o:p></span></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt;">Grace has shot her landlord and doesn’t know if she has
killed him. Terrified about what will happen to her – and to her young brother
if he is left all alone in the world – she lies in order to get on the next
wagon train West.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt;">Grace is determined, brave and resourceful. She is also
vulnerable and has to struggle in a man’s world. Unfortunately for Grace, one
of the biggest misogynists is Captain Randolph, who is in charge of the wagon
train. Whilst the pioneers are going on a physical journey, Randolph’s journey
is one of changing attitudes.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd6dj5lgBwmXBRSqke7UxGRcJYIf7XamEFjql5fKyzVwRs5FToa1h4vwmbV9fYX3WFicgBs-IgWnpHPf0w4llfxQUCgWSahxsTQFXOpaq6fewa4JUHLRzFFKolSoC_gpC_jk2QlrOwXFJy2-eBfywcTllnldKWU25_T24xehv3D5jZgJ_0lrp4aS3WMP3m/s796/Cover%20of%20The%20Prairie%20Traveler.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="786" data-original-width="796" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd6dj5lgBwmXBRSqke7UxGRcJYIf7XamEFjql5fKyzVwRs5FToa1h4vwmbV9fYX3WFicgBs-IgWnpHPf0w4llfxQUCgWSahxsTQFXOpaq6fewa4JUHLRzFFKolSoC_gpC_jk2QlrOwXFJy2-eBfywcTllnldKWU25_T24xehv3D5jZgJ_0lrp4aS3WMP3m/w200-h198/Cover%20of%20The%20Prairie%20Traveler.png" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt;">But there is no getting away from the research, of course.
Luckily, I really love doing it and it deepens the novel. Captain James B Randolph
is partly based on a real person: Randolph Barnes Marcy. I toyed with using his
surname, but as I model my captain on Jane Austen’s Mr Darcy, I thought that
might be stretching things. Marcy is known for his frontier guidebook </span><i style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt;">The
Prairie Traveler,</i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt;"> published in 1859. It became an indispensable guide for
overlanders – and provided me with lots of authentic information, although it
is riddled with the racism of the time.</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I spent hours poring over maps, particularly the series
produced by Captain Frémont in 1846. I looked at photographs and paintings, read
about military equipment, and learned how wagons are constructed. I am a visual
person so I printed off images and made a collage taped to my office wall.</span></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtLbdleU6-cDmnBmzYAyHzZUWjqdiTDwVgdOxjLDL2HHUDlRPhKBvKDoVnCprQeayWOa_6iMF9vVUhyphenhyphenEipG5VRdkSVPCWEXmd02JMcZvD9XFEdUJXwmzmBdn5LlXx0PUjHK8deZQtb26ARvhdSEsV3csbyPbepAJ-odssLqm0gISvK5IELUtt3rQh455x7/s1512/Research%20collage.jpg" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="1512" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtLbdleU6-cDmnBmzYAyHzZUWjqdiTDwVgdOxjLDL2HHUDlRPhKBvKDoVnCprQeayWOa_6iMF9vVUhyphenhyphenEipG5VRdkSVPCWEXmd02JMcZvD9XFEdUJXwmzmBdn5LlXx0PUjHK8deZQtb26ARvhdSEsV3csbyPbepAJ-odssLqm0gISvK5IELUtt3rQh455x7/w200-h200/Research%20collage.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt;">I even spent a day on a firing range, to learn how a rifle
feels. Yes, this is me in the photo.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-no-proof: yes;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBPzzjZNCd_80MLE7C-mSk0pKYsqWwTx3Ax-_Sv8cn53pHVluJAHmNrXsh_5UCsI9shFuco5PtgdbSQSs6LR3N6srXOqA2bO-cwsPoX6cmrcWuFmH0uwFY-JMmPdgNRxXhYeOImGZWHOMa2W0NXtuWpQmbxc8wdXxAtypG2b0SNS1pzMCvjc6DBf0VduTx/s1600/Imogen%20practicing%20rifle%20skills.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBPzzjZNCd_80MLE7C-mSk0pKYsqWwTx3Ax-_Sv8cn53pHVluJAHmNrXsh_5UCsI9shFuco5PtgdbSQSs6LR3N6srXOqA2bO-cwsPoX6cmrcWuFmH0uwFY-JMmPdgNRxXhYeOImGZWHOMa2W0NXtuWpQmbxc8wdXxAtypG2b0SNS1pzMCvjc6DBf0VduTx/w113-h200/Imogen%20practicing%20rifle%20skills.jpg" width="113" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt;">I hope the research gives the book an authentic feel which
means readers can lose themselves in it for a few days. That’s what reading is
about, isn’t it? Using our imaginations to find out what it feels like to be
someone else. In </span><i style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt;">To The Wild Horizon</i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt;">, we’re finding out how two very
different people overcome challenges and fall in love.</span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Buying
Link<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>To The Wild Horizon</i>: </span><span style="color: #166ee1; font-size: 10pt;"><a href="https://geni.us/179-al-aut-am">https://geni.us/179-al-aut-am</a></span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Social
Media Links</span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Website: </span><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://imogenmartinauthor.com">https://imogenmartinauthor.com</a></span><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Twitter / X : </span><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://twitter.com/ImogenMartin9">https://twitter.com/ImogenMartin9</a></span><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Facebook: </span><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/ImogenMartin.Author/">https://www.facebook.com/ImogenMartin.Author/</a></span><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Instagram: </span><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/imogenmartinauthor/?hl=en-gb">https://www.instagram.com/imogenmartinauthor/?hl=en-g</a></span></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Author
Bio<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p><p><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Imogen
writes sweeping, historical fiction. Her first two novels are set in nineteenth-century America.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">As
a teenager, she took the Greyhound bus from San Francisco to New York. Over those
three days of staring out of the window at the majestic mountains and endless
flat plains, stories wound themselves into her head: tales of brooding,
charismatic men captivated by independent women.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Since
then, she has worked in a coffee shop in Piccadilly, a famous bookstore, and a
children’s home. She has run festivals and turned a derelict housing block on
one of the poorest estates in the UK into an award-winning arts centre.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">During
2020, Imogen was selected by Kate Nash Literary Agency as one of their BookCamp
mentees, a mentorship programme designed to accelerate the careers of promising
new writers.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Married
with two children, Imogen divides her time between Wales and Sardinia.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">She
hopes her books will bring you the tingle of a new love affair whilst immersed
in a different time and place.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Blurb</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>Missouri, 1846: In
the frontier town of Independence the sound of a gunshot shatters the night. As
the pistol drops from her hand and clatters to the ground, Grace knows she has
no choice but to leave. Now.</i></span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt;"><i>In this inspiring
and deeply moving story of love, courage and endurance, a young woman on the
run from the law sets off on a desperate journey of survival on the treacherous
Oregon Trail.</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt;"><i>Terrified she’s
wanted for the murder of her landlord, Grace is certain that, even though she
acted in self-defence, no one will believe her. Quickly packing the few
belongings she and her little brother Tom possess, they race to join the
line of dusty wagons preparing to leave for Oregon.</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt;"><i>As they set off, over
the perilous Great Plains, knowing the wild rivers and the Rocky Mountains they
must cross, Grace vows to do whatever it takes to protect Tom and get them both
to safety. She will prove herself capable of surviving the hardest journey of
her life.</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>This unputdownable
and heart-wrenching historical novel shows the true strength and resilience of
a woman’s heart, even when she has everything to lose and the odds are stacked
against her.</i></span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt;">What readers say
about <i>To the Wild Horizon</i>:</b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">“<b>Incredible!!!!!</b>”
Reader review, </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt;">⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">“<b>One of my
favourite reads of the year. I absolutely loved it.</b> A heartwarming,
enticing, and intriguing tale of courage, love, compassion and resilience. <b>This
story will keep you on edge until the very last page.”</b> Reader review, </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt;">⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">“<b>I absolutely
loved this book.</b> I couldn’t put it down. I couldn’t fall asleep because I
had to know what was going to happen next. <b>Incredible… I loved every second</b>.”
Reader review, </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt;">⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">“Truly special. <b>You
will be swept along in a truly epic and romantic tale of love, endurance and
hope</b>.” Reader review, </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt;">⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">“The <b>perfect
blend of adventure, romance, and a woman’s strength</b>. I fell in love with
Grace and her compassionate heart… <b>I couldn’t put this down</b>.” Reader
review, </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt;">⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">“<b>I did not want
this novel to end. I spent most of the night reading it.</b> What an awesome
adventure! I highly recommend it.” Reader review, </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt;">⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">“A fabulous book! <b>I
was hooked from page one. I couldn't put it down</b>.” Reader review, </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt;">⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">“<b>This book is
fantastic!</b> This is a story of hardship and struggle, but ultimately it’s a
story of love and survival.” Reader review, </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt;">⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt;">Wow! You must be thrilled with those reviews. Having just finished <i>To the Wild Horizon, </i>I must say they are very well deserved. What impressed me in both of your novels was evidence of the meticulous research you must have done and you've confirmed how important research is to you in this post.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt;">Thank you for reading. I'm sure like me you found Imogen's post very interesting, especially the bit where she spent a day on a rifle range learning how a rifle feels. If you're a writer, what is the most unusual piece of research you've done to give more authenticity to your novel? I'd love it if you shared what that was. Thank you.</span></p><div style="background-color: #f1fcff; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><div style="font-family: arial;">You may also follow me on:</div><div style="font-family: arial;">X/Twitter - <a href="https://twitter.com/JanBaynham" style="color: #00b39d; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration: none;">@JanBaynham</a></div><div style="font-family: arial;">FaceBook - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/JanBayLit" style="color: #00b39d; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration: none;">Jan Baynham Writer</a></div><div style="font-family: arial;">Instagram - <a href="https://www.instagram.com/janbaynham/?hl=en-gb" style="color: #00b39d; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration: none;">janbaynham</a></div><div style="font-family: arial;">Bookbub - <a href="https://www.bookbub.com/profile/jan-baynham">https://www.bookbub.com/profile/jan-baynham</a></div><div style="font-family: arial;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: arial;">For more information about me and my books, please visit my <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/Jan-Baynham/author/B085DC6BKR?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1704378632&sr=8-1&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true" style="color: #00b39d; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration: none;">Amazon</a> page.</div></div><div style="background-color: #f1fcff; color: #444444; font-family: arial; font-size: 15.4px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: #f1fcff; color: #444444; font-family: arial; font-size: 15.4px;">Did you know that all my novels are available to read on Kindle Unlimited for those of you who subscribe?</div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #f1fcff; clear: both; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYJk8aJI1UP664GYVTzgP8If7bYHK-X-aZIaYr4GJ0jIHz8N29rgueyGPoyqo5e_YPpuUPZoKNUKWuq5VM4echgmL-yrriwq6NPV6mnqyMnWiSeLcYchPXIxAUoq35bZybdPab_u-aoWQI4hDtmCcYxCXEErsJ6cwbbUTU9wlxD0mpKEVUzcORNT75AIUn/s4032/My%20Novels.jpg" style="color: #0affa6; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYJk8aJI1UP664GYVTzgP8If7bYHK-X-aZIaYr4GJ0jIHz8N29rgueyGPoyqo5e_YPpuUPZoKNUKWuq5VM4echgmL-yrriwq6NPV6mnqyMnWiSeLcYchPXIxAUoq35bZybdPab_u-aoWQI4hDtmCcYxCXEErsJ6cwbbUTU9wlxD0mpKEVUzcORNT75AIUn/s320/My%20Novels.jpg" style="background: repeat rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 1px solid rgb(239, 239, 239); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="240" /></a></div><div style="background-color: #f1fcff; color: #444444; font-family: arial; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><span face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px;"><i>'I just adore Jan Baynham's books - they each read like a beautiful saga - stretching over a couple of generations, the stories just grab you and draw you in.' </i></span></div><div style="background-color: #f1fcff; color: #444444; font-family: arial; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><span face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px;">Amazon Reviewer 5*</span></div><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></p>Jan Baynhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06356572488839476046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3357383818158631304.post-24117055614728958612024-01-29T00:21:00.000-08:002024-02-03T04:28:10.336-08:00<p><span style="font-family: arial;"> <span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><b>Guest Post With Morton S. Gray</b></span></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzJCiPit_Wzhz2f7hEAro_6oM0KXXPGyMRvw4tzI23E_ATjeW9dorZKH7ivFaZC3ZD_jl4zcgPISWFTMdMrDaa6JFSjgSUpTe45pGgyUNTWPxti3RFx0bNH0eVspgGg4Fh5XOsqPJmQY3JPrIaZ5RCVK6GYxOJjuOJQlQVrfpmOWthWRTU-mu_Ke3XjLYX/s550/Author%20pic.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="550" data-original-width="480" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzJCiPit_Wzhz2f7hEAro_6oM0KXXPGyMRvw4tzI23E_ATjeW9dorZKH7ivFaZC3ZD_jl4zcgPISWFTMdMrDaa6JFSjgSUpTe45pGgyUNTWPxti3RFx0bNH0eVspgGg4Fh5XOsqPJmQY3JPrIaZ5RCVK6GYxOJjuOJQlQVrfpmOWthWRTU-mu_Ke3XjLYX/w174-h200/Author%20pic.jpeg" width="174" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;">I am very pleased to welcome another fellow Cariad member to the blog this week. Her novel, <i><span style="color: #2b00fe;">A New Arrival in Borteen Bay</span>, </i>was published by Choc Lit, an imprint of JOFFE Publishing, on January 23rd. Described as '<i>a brand new and utterly heart-warming feel-good romance', </i>it is the seventh book of seven in her <i>The Secrets of Borteen Bay</i> series. </span><p></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">Welcome back to the blog, Morton. Thank you for taking the time out of what I know has been a full and exciting week for you around your publication day. It's over to you. </span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: arial;">What do
I like (and not like) about being an author?</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlXy4uDPxTHNTzvkeKQmO1K4-pQS1nWNVc4ZeAq70qLOnIJ88uMJduv-Sl1OM4gGajrJXAmbl7HNn8ZJqJwPQ132imatzgDMd1c9HwSiu7ZgU8Ksq6G2G-4B5SQB3BQ4oBzoa1efxdZrQb9CzYWw-0RVswzFgFOEMFIdF9LoL6j_1y3Swq-0rzN8IckTf-/s480/coffee%20pic.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="480" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlXy4uDPxTHNTzvkeKQmO1K4-pQS1nWNVc4ZeAq70qLOnIJ88uMJduv-Sl1OM4gGajrJXAmbl7HNn8ZJqJwPQ132imatzgDMd1c9HwSiu7ZgU8Ksq6G2G-4B5SQB3BQ4oBzoa1efxdZrQb9CzYWw-0RVswzFgFOEMFIdF9LoL6j_1y3Swq-0rzN8IckTf-/w200-h200/coffee%20pic.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;">I’m
sitting in a coffee shop writing this blog post for Jan. That’s one of the
things I like about writing – you can do it anywhere. I can’t remember a time
when I didn’t want to be an author and even though I’ve just had my seventh
novel published I’m still not sure it still feels real. I love the writing
process and particularly that time when I’m in the zone, totally wrapped up in
my story and my characters seem to talk to me, guiding me through the story and
insisting I write things down. I’m less keen when they do that in the middle of
the night or when I’m in the shower though!</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">I
particularly love it when a character seemingly disagrees with a direction or
decision I have made for them. It’s almost as if they become real people to me and
if I ignore their opinions the book won’t flow at all. That’s one of the
reasons I don’t plot my novels in great detail in advance as things rarely go
to plan. I particularly found this when I was writing </span><i style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">A New Arrival in
Borteen Bay</span></b></i><span style="font-family: arial;">, my latest published novel. In this one there are actually four
main characters, Skye, Adam, Buzz and Wynn, all seemingly with their own opinions
on the story! At times it was difficult to keep the four of them under control.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOg6jY-ogE5G7Q6OT53fZ4kQkuWG3GjnUSeQ_Xa3bWZT9TP6veJYobe0ytRBJZcPqdxgIjQpGJwPqif3YBFQGG0gc60dzqs7d9qqJgQH_jBVX-qxxBtLMRXmKo9vFBwv-Efw3uiPlye3AdP4I9RQh3g5kLPKrk4dDURtIgeo6hy9tiH1jrPk8c-140_9Ah/s640/A%20NEW%20ARRIVAL-cover-proposal-03.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOg6jY-ogE5G7Q6OT53fZ4kQkuWG3GjnUSeQ_Xa3bWZT9TP6veJYobe0ytRBJZcPqdxgIjQpGJwPqif3YBFQGG0gc60dzqs7d9qqJgQH_jBVX-qxxBtLMRXmKo9vFBwv-Efw3uiPlye3AdP4I9RQh3g5kLPKrk4dDURtIgeo6hy9tiH1jrPk8c-140_9Ah/s320/A%20NEW%20ARRIVAL-cover-proposal-03.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;">The part about
being a writer I find most difficult is keeping up a social media presence. Writers
tend to be people who like their own company as they have to spend such a long
time on their own wrestling with words. I personally am quite shy, known for my
teenage blushing, which is one of the reasons that I use a pen name. Morton S.
Gray can be much bolder than real me. Morton Gray can be confident in
interviews and on social media, but </span><span style="font-family: arial;">I’d still much
rather lurk in the background.</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp-q8_l2AVbdvNPnIyvOA82nm9u1O_fGRjc7yWAWSL4ul099kmISDh7Yf_U_13Wt2dOVgcJaPm_C1w9o5caC1qd1gKoDh1kRiCdljOl2JMnWx3MTn-TwGeG3X1AnkEIAL7nqkT7eASgJJx_mBCOLAaUCdnHbjMqLXO5ytaGVPdvJUP_dqjpvef8AuyIJQw/s599/paper%20backs.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="599" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp-q8_l2AVbdvNPnIyvOA82nm9u1O_fGRjc7yWAWSL4ul099kmISDh7Yf_U_13Wt2dOVgcJaPm_C1w9o5caC1qd1gKoDh1kRiCdljOl2JMnWx3MTn-TwGeG3X1AnkEIAL7nqkT7eASgJJx_mBCOLAaUCdnHbjMqLXO5ytaGVPdvJUP_dqjpvef8AuyIJQw/w200-h160/paper%20backs.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">However, I
have discovered that I am actually quite good at networking online and have
built up a solid base of writing friends, who all joined in when my latest
novel </span><i style="font-family: arial;">A New Arrival in Borteen Bay</i><span style="font-family: arial;"> was launched on 23 January 2024. I
was overwhelmed and thankful for the support, lovely comments and reposts.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">And what
happens when you’ve launched a book out into the world? Well, you start the
process all over again. Although, of course, you are rarely working on one
novel at a time. I am usually researching and writing, whilst the ones that
have been published are being promoted. So maybe one writing skill should be
listed as juggling. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Bio</b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Morton
lives in Worcestershire, U.K. She has been reading and writing fiction for as
long as she can remember, penning her first attempt at a novel at age fourteen.
She is a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association and The Society of
Authors.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Morton
worked for many years in the electricity industry in staff development and
training. She is a qualified hypnotherapist and Reiki Master. She enjoys
crafts, history and loves tracing family trees. Having a hunger for learning
new things is a bonus for the research behind her books.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Social Media Links</b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">You can
catch up with Morton on her:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">website/blog <a href="https://mortonsgray.com/">www.mortonsgray.com</a>, </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">on Twitter - </span><a href="https://twitter.com/MortonSGray" style="font-family: arial;">@MortonSGray</a><span style="font-family: arial;">, </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">her Facebook page – Morton S.
Gray Author - </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/mortonsgray/ "><span style="font-family: arial;">https://www.facebook.com/mortonsgray/</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">and Instagram - @mortonsgrayauthor
- </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/morton_s_gray/" style="font-family: arial;">https://www.instagram.com/morton_s_gray/</a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrXb9xm8ssg9Hro-7UpiGZIhVL1h5m3xrW3UXRFkCmO6y2xdafucgXk_4gmeZxbG9EUkpFAbBvrjvLTWfMG5ogYl8V5YuHUtPEZsoCT-LV16SWgMvrKcuPidOBbXD3A61N9RCwnwjyqBdlt4-IgLFnruNl_rMRH3lnjd0QBfUtiq6_sQO2i5JOvaXN30iJ/s640/Romance%20with%20a%20mystery%20to%20solve%20from%20Choc%20Lit%20an%20Imprint%20of%20Joffe%20Books-11.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrXb9xm8ssg9Hro-7UpiGZIhVL1h5m3xrW3UXRFkCmO6y2xdafucgXk_4gmeZxbG9EUkpFAbBvrjvLTWfMG5ogYl8V5YuHUtPEZsoCT-LV16SWgMvrKcuPidOBbXD3A61N9RCwnwjyqBdlt4-IgLFnruNl_rMRH3lnjd0QBfUtiq6_sQO2i5JOvaXN30iJ/w320-h181/Romance%20with%20a%20mystery%20to%20solve%20from%20Choc%20Lit%20an%20Imprint%20of%20Joffe%20Books-11.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="font-family: arial;">Buying Link</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7_g_MANbw_ItPAoFRg9Oct3-zeFdYAHpc_SyNb1uEQ1HsBxsuqIo7w-E9cl-2dvpfpEOW607nCBe_W8mTvM1eEgEezdwL7Mj-4MWMzygMN5V7-fynaHAQLqmxqQcRLrgm6OKIXBh71SxO0bzCJwid6oe77pFidwZbK45teA_OTw6VjiZINksCPiFqhhbs/s480/Author%20assets%20(10).png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="480" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7_g_MANbw_ItPAoFRg9Oct3-zeFdYAHpc_SyNb1uEQ1HsBxsuqIo7w-E9cl-2dvpfpEOW607nCBe_W8mTvM1eEgEezdwL7Mj-4MWMzygMN5V7-fynaHAQLqmxqQcRLrgm6OKIXBh71SxO0bzCJwid6oe77pFidwZbK45teA_OTw6VjiZINksCPiFqhhbs/w200-h200/Author%20assets%20(10).png" width="200" /></a></div><br />Published 23
January 2024 by Choc Lit an imprint of Joffe Books<p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Morton S.
Gray – <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/New-Arrival-Borteen-Bay-heart-warming-ebook/dp/B0CQDLYGPK/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3R22V8PILFYJV&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.dzlVE0_jK1wJPK8-XcAeMwIji6HfjuErAk94edv73SdKbB8ZUYUDXUE1j5WwkPesl993QMIvM35Czg_iayYiVsIgfAlYKUr_JYnAMQQ6nUV7OFJ9nJIexqrbHV4Zeb2dTl5P6uUp4VgOcolaFNNLYQ.6bFUEpxwqd6JenEhq6pueclKMiG_lvNUPu0ZAnp6B2I&dib_tag=se&keywords=morton+s+gray&qid=1705238157&s=digital-text&sprefix=morton+s+gray%2Cdigital-text%2C140&sr=1-1"><i>A New Arrival in Borteen Bay</i></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>BLURB </b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="a-text-bold"><b><span style="color: #0f1111;"><span style="font-family: arial;">FALL IN LOVE WITH AN UTTERLY IRRESISTIBLE, BRAND-NEW ROMANCE
ABOUT FRESH BEGINNINGS AND LETTING GO OF THE PAST.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="font-family: arial;"><span class="a-text-bold"><b><span style="color: #0f1111;">Skye knows it’s now or never.</span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #0f1111;"> </span></span><span style="color: #0f1111;">It’s time for her to reveal herself to the father she’s never
met.</span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="color: #0f1111; font-family: arial;">So
she hops on a plane from Dublin to the English seaside town of Borteen.</i><i style="color: #0f1111; font-family: arial;"> </i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #0f1111;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>But
between the father she’s just getting to know and her worried mother, Skye
realizes that the past is never that simple as a whirlwind of secrets turns
their world upside down.<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="color: #0f1111; font-family: arial;">And
now Skye has Adam, the hunky guy next door, to contend with. He’s determined to
show her there’s room in her life for love.</i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="color: #0f1111; font-family: arial;">Skye
thinks they’re better off as friends, but Adam has other ideas. Even when she
reveals a secret of her own.</i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="color: #0f1111; font-family: arial;">Will
Skye allow history to repeat itself? Or will she let go of the secrets of the
past and open herself up to the future?</i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #0f1111;">This uplifting and feel-good romance is perfect for fans of Beth
Moran, Shari Low, Jessica Redland, Sue Moorcroft or Isabella Connor.</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Thank you. Morton. </span></span><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="font-family: arial;">We often read about the inspiration behind a book or a writer's writing journey, but we don't often hear about what an author likes or dislikes about the 'job'.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> I loved the part where you say your characters are real people who talk to you and share their opinions in order for the book to flow.</span></span></p><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Thank you for reading. I'm sure like me you found Morton's post interesting. If you are an author, please share what you like best and what you like least about being a writer. How do they compare with what Morton has said? </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></div><div><div style="font-family: arial;">You may also follow me on:</div><div style="font-family: arial;">X/Twitter - <a href="https://twitter.com/JanBaynham">@JanBaynham</a></div><div style="font-family: arial;">FaceBook - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/JanBayLit">Jan Baynham Writer</a></div><div style="font-family: arial;">Instagram - <a href="https://www.instagram.com/janbaynham/?hl=en-gb">janbaynham</a></div><div style="font-family: arial;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: arial;">For more information about me and my books, please visit my <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/Jan-Baynham/author/B085DC6BKR?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1704378632&sr=8-1&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true">Amazon</a> page.</div></div><div style="font-family: arial;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: arial;">Did you know that all my novels are available to read on Kindle Unlimited for those of you who subscribe?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYJk8aJI1UP664GYVTzgP8If7bYHK-X-aZIaYr4GJ0jIHz8N29rgueyGPoyqo5e_YPpuUPZoKNUKWuq5VM4echgmL-yrriwq6NPV6mnqyMnWiSeLcYchPXIxAUoq35bZybdPab_u-aoWQI4hDtmCcYxCXEErsJ6cwbbUTU9wlxD0mpKEVUzcORNT75AIUn/s4032/My%20Novels.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYJk8aJI1UP664GYVTzgP8If7bYHK-X-aZIaYr4GJ0jIHz8N29rgueyGPoyqo5e_YPpuUPZoKNUKWuq5VM4echgmL-yrriwq6NPV6mnqyMnWiSeLcYchPXIxAUoq35bZybdPab_u-aoWQI4hDtmCcYxCXEErsJ6cwbbUTU9wlxD0mpKEVUzcORNT75AIUn/s320/My%20Novels.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><span face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px;"><i>'I just adore Jan Baynham's books - they each read like a beautiful saga - stretching over a couple of generations, the stories just grab you and draw you in.' </i></span></div><div style="font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><span face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px;">Amazon Reviewer 5*</span></div><div style="font-family: arial;"><span face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px;"><i> </i></span></div>Jan Baynhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06356572488839476046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3357383818158631304.post-80379197358456439172024-01-22T00:17:00.000-08:002024-01-22T00:17:31.161-08:00<p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Guest Post With Luisa A. Jones</b></span> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8nx4cODlxYsxoGMrFNTlH4yKDS40xBo5dVEe8M7d6i6a2KG9EFBLVHLgmt8SfI2rIpuCWlpw8U8IIackWCAbV0NHLDcVAJGS739-GqTEQI2XAh-4Aht9alme4ZUOFnkP0lsselOzSCtg26Jn1TouzzuwCwAjMIIz_oGOQaLAK3D9h4RqFE8hSzp4G06fF/s2095/Author%20photo%202022%20smaller%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2095" data-original-width="1872" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8nx4cODlxYsxoGMrFNTlH4yKDS40xBo5dVEe8M7d6i6a2KG9EFBLVHLgmt8SfI2rIpuCWlpw8U8IIackWCAbV0NHLDcVAJGS739-GqTEQI2XAh-4Aht9alme4ZUOFnkP0lsselOzSCtg26Jn1TouzzuwCwAjMIIz_oGOQaLAK3D9h4RqFE8hSzp4G06fF/w179-h200/Author%20photo%202022%20smaller%20(1).jpg" width="179" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;">This week I'm delighted to welcome author Luisa A. Jones back to the blog for the first guest post of 2024 and the first in my series featuring my fellow <b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Cariad</span></b> writers. The Cariad Chapter meets in person each month in Cardiff and on Zoom, also monthly, where RNA members come together for writerly chat from Norway, Italy, Cornwall, the Midlands and the South of England as well as those authors living locally in South Wales. Luisa's second historical novel, <b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><i>The Broken Vow</i></span></b>, is published by Storm today, 22nd January, so I'm honoured that she's going to share her publication day with us and tell us what it's been like writing a novel about a minor character from her wonderful first novel, <i>The Gilded Cage</i>. </span><p></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">Luisa, welcome. It's over to you.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Hi Jan. Thank you very much for inviting me to explain
how I tackled writing <i>The Broken Vow</i> using a minor character from book
1.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">In my first historical novel, <i>The Gilded Cage</i>, I introduced
Charlotte Fitznorton. Charlotte was a spoiled and dislikable character, rude to
her stepmother Rosamund, and oblivious to her sufferings. Encouraged by her odious
father and snooty aunt, Charlotte’s only goal in life was to bag herself an
aristocratic husband, and thus improve the status of the Fitznorton family. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdhyphenhyphenVGaHVnw1NQ41qs2xwoAxm6iUN3iC1JLx1ZXjdFYxfH3Cso-2dLiqtFag5Xaw6mSLmSUzDF2dXzEfnPyrPmvdRotSrnLIB0O-zxktEDqHRijYAO8LQinNXGDUCfeQsgHSNV0nwH6zP_xMTSpol2EXPGsFZ9e781HGFoXWE7IDs5vkYzsNjwt9mBPf6y/s641/The%20Broken%20Vow%20cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="641" data-original-width="417" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdhyphenhyphenVGaHVnw1NQ41qs2xwoAxm6iUN3iC1JLx1ZXjdFYxfH3Cso-2dLiqtFag5Xaw6mSLmSUzDF2dXzEfnPyrPmvdRotSrnLIB0O-zxktEDqHRijYAO8LQinNXGDUCfeQsgHSNV0nwH6zP_xMTSpol2EXPGsFZ9e781HGFoXWE7IDs5vkYzsNjwt9mBPf6y/s320/The%20Broken%20Vow%20cover.jpg" width="208" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;">The obvious topic for a sequel to <i>The Gilded Cage </i>was
a continuation of Rosamund’s story. However, the more I thought about it, the
more I was attracted to the idea of exploring what had made Charlotte such a spiky,
unpleasant character<i>. </i>I wanted to know whether such a selfish young miss
could mature into a young woman with a more generous and empathetic heart. I
was partly inspired by Jane Austen’s reference to her wonderful character Emma
as “a heroine whom no one but myself will much like”. Could I achieve a plausible
character growth with Charlotte, or had I made her too obnoxious? What would it
take to transform her?<o:p></o:p></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Charlotte’s redeeming feature in <i>The Gilded Cage </i>was
her love for her father, the hateful Sir Lucien. This didn’t manifest in
positive ways: she craved his attention and disliked her stepmother, whom she
saw as a potential rival for his affection. Charlotte’s growth would depend
upon her developing a better understanding of the harsh realities of the world.
She wasn’t an educated girl, and had been brought up with limited ambition or
expectation. As long as she got her society wedding and a handsome husband who
satisfied her father’s ambitions, she would be content. In <i>The Broken Vow</i>,
I needed her to discover that she could be more than a trophy wife, and that
marriage might not be enough to satisfy her in the long run. She needed to
witness and experience events which would force her to grow up; to make
mistakes, but ultimately to understand the satisfaction to be gained from doing
things for others and finding an interesting purpose in life.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">As well as encountering events which would make her confront
her mistaken ideas and become a better person, Charlotte needed a positive role
model. One of my favourite characters in <i>The Broken Vow</i> is Charlotte’s
friend Venetia Vaughan-Lloyd, a former suffragette, whose world view is poles
apart from Charlotte’s. Venetia’s experience of disability and past heartbreak,
and her charitable works, have given her insights into a darker side of life. She’s
a few years older, and more politically aware than Charlotte, with a better
understanding of what a woman might achieve. Her good-humoured honesty and
can-do attitude make her a perfect mentor.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">It was a joy to bombard Charlotte with problems which would
eventually transform her (with a little help from her friends). I hope readers
will love following her redemptive coming-of-age journey as much as I enjoyed
writing it. <o:p></o:p></span></p><h2><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">Links:<o:p></o:p></span></h2><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="http://www.luisaajones.com/">www.luisaajones.com</a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://twitter.com/Taffy_lulu">https://twitter.com/Taffy_lulu</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/LuisaAJonesauthor/">https://www.facebook.com/LuisaAJonesauthor/</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/luisa_a_jones_author/">https://www.instagram.com/luisa_a_jones_author/</a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://geni.us/332-al-aut-am">Booklink: The Broken Vow</a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><h1><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">Blurb:<o:p></o:p></span></h1><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Marriage was what Charlotte had been brought up to. After all, it provided a happy ending for all the heroines in the novels she sometimes read. So it would be for her... right?</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Born into luxury, Charlotte Fitznorton has always known a life filled with lavish parties and a line of suitors, all part of a future neatly laid out for her by her father, Sir Lucien. She is to marry well and continue the line at Plas Norton, the family seat. When Eustace Chadwycke - the son of a viscount - proposes just before leaving to fight in France, it seems Charlotte's destiny is perfectly falling into place. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Then, tragedy strikes. Her father dies unexpectedly, and her future hangs in the balance - threatened by her hated stepmother Rosamund's surprise pregnancy. News of Eustace, returning from the war broken by its horrors, leaves Charlotte fearing her engagement may be as fragile as her inheritance.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Determined to at least save her impending marriage, Charlotte pours her energy into turning Plas Norton into a healing place for Eustace and other war-weary soldiers. But small-minded townspeople, a bossy head nurse, and her newborn baby sister's arrival push Charlotte to her limits. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Just as hope is slipping through her fingers, a mysterious stranger arrives at Plas Norton. This newcomer holds the power to upend everything Charlotte has fought to preserve. Will she have the strength to protect her legacy, or could this visitor awaken a desire in Charlotte for a different life altogether?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>A beautiful and heartbreaking historical novel, if you loved anything by Fiona Valpy or Lucinda Riley, this book is for you.</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Author bio:</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Luisa A. Jones lives in South Wales and takes inspiration from the Welsh countryside, towns, history, and of course its people. Her writing explores the dynamics within relationships, the pressures that mental health issues can exert on people, and how these can be overcome. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Luisa studied Classical Studies at Royal Holloway and Bedford New College, University of London. Her previous jobs have included tour guide in an historic house; teacher in both primary and secondary schools; careers adviser; and corporate trainer/assessor.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Luisa loves using her creativity for crafting and baking, as well as writing historical and contemporary fiction with romantic elements. She and her husband are the proud owners of Gwynnie, a Volkswagen camper van built in 1974, which inspired the story behind Luisa's first book, <i>Goes Without Saying.</i> They have three children, a dog and two cats.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Becoming an author fulfilled a lifelong ambition. Her first historical novel in The Fitznortons series, <i>The Gilded Cage,</i> was released by Storm Publishing in 2023, followed by the sequel, <i>The Broken Vow</i>, in January 2024.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">Thank you, Luisa. After thoroughly enjoying <i>The Gilded Cage </i>where I met Charlotte Fitznorton for the first time, I can't wait to see how her character grows and changes in <i>The Broken Vow.</i> The stunning cover and intriguing blurb have made me even more impatient to start reading it.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Thank you for reading. I'm sure like me you found Luisa's post interesting. Have you read other books where a character changes and transforms as he/she matures? I'd love it if you shared the title in the comments. Thank you.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></div><div><div style="font-family: arial;">You may also follow me on:</div><div style="font-family: arial;">X/Twitter - <a href="https://twitter.com/JanBaynham">@JanBaynham</a></div><div style="font-family: arial;">FaceBook - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/JanBayLit">Jan Baynham Writer</a></div><div style="font-family: arial;">Instagram - <a href="https://www.instagram.com/janbaynham/?hl=en-gb">janbaynham</a></div><div style="font-family: arial;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: arial;">For more information about me and my books, please visit my <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/Jan-Baynham/author/B085DC6BKR?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1704378632&sr=8-1&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true">Amazon</a> page.</div></div><div style="font-family: arial;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: arial;">Did you know that all my novels are available to read on Kindle Unlimited for those of you who subscribe?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYJk8aJI1UP664GYVTzgP8If7bYHK-X-aZIaYr4GJ0jIHz8N29rgueyGPoyqo5e_YPpuUPZoKNUKWuq5VM4echgmL-yrriwq6NPV6mnqyMnWiSeLcYchPXIxAUoq35bZybdPab_u-aoWQI4hDtmCcYxCXEErsJ6cwbbUTU9wlxD0mpKEVUzcORNT75AIUn/s4032/My%20Novels.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYJk8aJI1UP664GYVTzgP8If7bYHK-X-aZIaYr4GJ0jIHz8N29rgueyGPoyqo5e_YPpuUPZoKNUKWuq5VM4echgmL-yrriwq6NPV6mnqyMnWiSeLcYchPXIxAUoq35bZybdPab_u-aoWQI4hDtmCcYxCXEErsJ6cwbbUTU9wlxD0mpKEVUzcORNT75AIUn/s320/My%20Novels.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div style="font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><i>'I just adore Jan Baynham's books - they each read like a beautiful saga - stretching over a couple of generations, the stories just grab you and draw you in.' </i></span></div><div style="font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Amazon Reviewer 5*</span></div><div style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><i> </i></span></div><div style="font-family: arial;"><br /></div>Jan Baynhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06356572488839476046noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3357383818158631304.post-79240556137289782632024-01-04T06:38:00.000-08:002024-01-06T07:32:24.695-08:00<p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large; font-weight: bold;">Reflecting Back and Looking Forward</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ZqJbzDr9LofoKXj_6FwTnU6nTqUFRV23GMEpIXmeemayUkfRe4LjFxJBkQ2-GatE_E04n8y9ijok2A4KJ6zXVK6pC682KJHGvLlcO8RG972Yvnh17GErjb4bfjiUY81PVTMIx6sJcjFmsbj5cW309Ne0x3QRpOwEmWoPBeez_0blJ0W3CJyVwTFftsXf/s1280/happy-new-year-2024-8470885_1280%20(1).png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ZqJbzDr9LofoKXj_6FwTnU6nTqUFRV23GMEpIXmeemayUkfRe4LjFxJBkQ2-GatE_E04n8y9ijok2A4KJ6zXVK6pC682KJHGvLlcO8RG972Yvnh17GErjb4bfjiUY81PVTMIx6sJcjFmsbj5cW309Ne0x3QRpOwEmWoPBeez_0blJ0W3CJyVwTFftsXf/s320/happy-new-year-2024-8470885_1280%20(1).png" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">HAPPY NEW YEAR!</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The blog is ten years old this January and when I started it back in 2014, the advice for would-be writers was to have a blog. <i>Jan's Journey into Writing </i>began. At the time I was writing short stories and only dreaming of completing a full-length novel. I made many friends online through the blog and I still like going back to read those early posts and especially the comments from readers. Over the years, though, the number of readers has diminished and certainly, those who take the time to comment are often in single figures. So, is the ten-year anniversary the time to stop and move on to a newsletter? Or can you successfully have both?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">In 2023, I wrote 23 blog posts. Fourteen of those were guest writers who wrote about their forthcoming books and for me, supporting other authors is one of the most rewarding features of running a blog. I love hearing about the 'stories behind the stories,' the research writers have undertaken and about their writing journeys. Until I get my newsletter started (which I should have done by now!), I shall continue with the blog if only to invite other writers to tell us about their books. Watch this space for news of a newsletter! </span></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIFElGCaHO8T8GYHcV-7ycq3zqfbhtG7joztXoB4xfX8-BU-qUPDYfVzHPwbREfUsXH0IiJDgQHmUzNmnGXkS1Jca8Q0A1pRN923qFzzySkOr-b26EJouj2dxWbwvhtOz0tuXmdP34zMnGBuL1E6ENBdbQke_7mxwIRpkYeYijtnMmFTwfh_o-oZH9OKqr/s907/The%20Secret%20Sister%20by%20Jan%20Baynham.jpg" style="clear: left; display: inline; float: left; font-family: arial; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="907" data-original-width="557" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIFElGCaHO8T8GYHcV-7ycq3zqfbhtG7joztXoB4xfX8-BU-qUPDYfVzHPwbREfUsXH0IiJDgQHmUzNmnGXkS1Jca8Q0A1pRN923qFzzySkOr-b26EJouj2dxWbwvhtOz0tuXmdP34zMnGBuL1E6ENBdbQke_7mxwIRpkYeYijtnMmFTwfh_o-oZH9OKqr/w123-h200/The%20Secret%20Sister%20by%20Jan%20Baynham.jpg" width="123" /></a><span style="font-family: arial;">2023 was an eventful year for me. In February, I submitted my fourth novel having extensively researched it the previous year with visits to the Italian POW Chapel in Henllan, near Llandyssul, West Wales, attending an open day at Hut 9 Prisoner of War Camp in Bridgend and a wonderful trip to Sicily itself. My previous publisher, Ruby, an imprint of Choc Lit, was taken over by a much larger publisher in March and <i><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><b>The Secret Sister</b></span></i> was published by JOFFE BOOKS in August. I have been delighted with the way that the novel has been received, both maintaining a fairly respectable Amazon ranking and with 809 ratings/reviews to date. Messages from readers about how much they have enjoyed the story have been very rewarding. My only problem now is that the old imposter syndrome is back with a vengeance and I worry about what readers will think of novel five. But, did I feel the same at this stage with <i>The Secret Sister</i>? </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Because my other novels were published during COVID, this time I was able to have my first proper book launch, that was shared with lovely Cariad author friend, Imogen Martin, whose wonderful debut, <i><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><b>Under a Gilded Sky</b></span></i>, was published by Storm in September. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ9CUK_hBXs9Gf4LnATfBh_13o2N0JqpgZXA1FA5l1pBSgW1KxFEd6zGF4ehDuo1qn4AXmnzSXiSM7Ad_4Oa8nO_rLuv1dSG17fCliuJbSOOUPwm4OpFtQKTHjjp75f9IbchBDkMLUhXrTIAMzEJ0pLikLDyJDLSeG59uRnhWCQaGd8cDadns5tK19AJfC/s3083/IMG_3592.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3083" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ9CUK_hBXs9Gf4LnATfBh_13o2N0JqpgZXA1FA5l1pBSgW1KxFEd6zGF4ehDuo1qn4AXmnzSXiSM7Ad_4Oa8nO_rLuv1dSG17fCliuJbSOOUPwm4OpFtQKTHjjp75f9IbchBDkMLUhXrTIAMzEJ0pLikLDyJDLSeG59uRnhWCQaGd8cDadns5tK19AJfC/w196-h200/IMG_3592.JPG" width="196" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;">In 2023, I did two library talks, one at Blackwood Library, Gwent and the other at Builth Wells Library in mid-Wales. They both took place before the publication of <i>The Secret Sister. </i></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">In August, I attended the RNA Conference in Imperial College, Kensington, my first since before the pandemic. It was excellent; I learned so much and enjoyed catching up with old friends and making new ones. The highlight was meeting the editors of my new publisher and spending time with them. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I went on two writing retreats, one day at Parc Bryn Bach, near Tredegar, with the writing group from Blackwood Library, and a four-day residential retreat with the Cariad Chapter of the RNA at Painscastle in mid-Wales. Being able to focus and immerse myself in my writing with other authors was wonderful. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I was pleased to attend the annual launch of the Worcestershire LitFest Flash Fiction 2023 Anthology again this year. Three of my flashes were included and I read out the one that had been shortlisted. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ7S8vISJrvub99pEcVrd5UamJa1PrWLHvRUvf9SaNDFST885Zjq94vfSvKPHI3h6w-xUgypYpUpK0tVxQIW9MbYP36dyACGt8da_tHPjdk18kwAUjSxdP0JO8S5QNiwFdVSJwQEsYbgldWuGmpqx2MCN-5Se25P4hRlcKkhhiPbGpbFuQSyjH0JpfUJNq/s1440/406204907_18283854538194411_2737467107528228531_n.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1039" data-original-width="1440" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ7S8vISJrvub99pEcVrd5UamJa1PrWLHvRUvf9SaNDFST885Zjq94vfSvKPHI3h6w-xUgypYpUpK0tVxQIW9MbYP36dyACGt8da_tHPjdk18kwAUjSxdP0JO8S5QNiwFdVSJwQEsYbgldWuGmpqx2MCN-5Se25P4hRlcKkhhiPbGpbFuQSyjH0JpfUJNq/w200-h144/406204907_18283854538194411_2737467107528228531_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;">I took part in NaNoWriMo again this year and wrote over 50,000 words of the first draft of novel five. I shall be telling you more about that in the coming months. The working title is <i>The Silent Sister </i>but I expect that will change. Are you like me? I have to have a title and cannot work with just a novel number as a title.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">A big thank you for your support in 2023.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">So what are my writing plans and goals for 2024?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Back in 2014, they were very specific when I was mainly writing short stories. Now, my goals have more to do with my novels:</span></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: arial;">to complete the first draft of <i>The Silent Sister</i> </span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">to edit and polish it until it is as good as I can get it</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">to submit to my editor</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">to make a research trip to Kefalonia where the novel is partially set</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">to start a newsletter and build up a list of subscribers</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">to attend the RNA Conference in August at Royal Holloway</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">to continue to support other writers</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">to start researching and planning novel six, to be set in Crete.</span></li></ul><span style="font-family: arial;"><div style="text-align: center;">Wish me luck! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Thank you for reading. Which do you prefer? Reading a blog or a newsletter or both? What makes you comment on a blog post? I'd love to know. Thanks.</div><div style="text-align: left;">You may also follow me on:</div><div style="text-align: left;">X/Twitter - <a href="https://twitter.com/JanBaynham">@JanBaynham</a></div><div style="text-align: left;">FaceBook - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/JanBayLit">Jan Baynham Writer</a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Instagram - <a href="https://www.instagram.com/janbaynham/?hl=en-gb">janbaynham</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">For morer information about me and my books, please visit my <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/Jan-Baynham/author/B085DC6BKR?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1704378632&sr=8-1&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true">Amazon</a> page.</div></span><p></p><p> </p>Jan Baynhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06356572488839476046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3357383818158631304.post-23709353943241931842023-11-27T10:18:00.000-08:002023-11-27T13:18:49.377-08:00<p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>The Castle at Painscastle</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhljAxyVCldJZb1pVG71klfkmSoe7zGvNvmjWzrI7V2oV5KaQT8i12EEmQ38EdwW9MOtaVGUtmtiWguczNmo6vR9v7UtvGUoxNlz5rV8PoyeDKiHWkRljsmBmVARvmQOtE1L2mTnvzUlQ5OYppD0wr02nxMigbnGUEiAiE0YqCMl2A2W6PzM3GBQAiQHdR5/s200/The%20Castle,%20Painscastle.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="150" data-original-width="200" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhljAxyVCldJZb1pVG71klfkmSoe7zGvNvmjWzrI7V2oV5KaQT8i12EEmQ38EdwW9MOtaVGUtmtiWguczNmo6vR9v7UtvGUoxNlz5rV8PoyeDKiHWkRljsmBmVARvmQOtE1L2mTnvzUlQ5OYppD0wr02nxMigbnGUEiAiE0YqCMl2A2W6PzM3GBQAiQHdR5/s1600/The%20Castle,%20Painscastle.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Last time my blog post was all about Cariad Chapter's wonderful first retreat in Painscastle, a small village just a few miles away from Hay-on-Wye. We'd all seen the photos on the website but</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> nothing compared to actually seeing the Grade II listed building where we were going to be staying. Named The Castle, the beautiful house, set on </span><span style="font-family: arial;">a working farm, has</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> been tastefully renovated yet very much in keeping with the time it was built. The creaky floorboards as well as the sloped ceilings and beams of the attic rooms were ideal for writers' imaginations to come alive. Who once lived there? What secrets did the families hold?</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGWUrMgLOA9NUd7IeOueHxCVOz0X_Mi3knonjrSm5iRLvK27hSlscQjRmO5yo9ZAcDoeETYMFjA6jmLv0GxCkchyphenhyphenAsAXrazQ6LRkbj8h-GJjPbxgmv7_MOSnBkqG1vVeze387nlhCycs5RBJ5Tgg56Uf412fdPS29x8rXqPkR_yzAj7Xvgq2HgXh6EQhN5/s1000/the%20way%20to%20the%20castle.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGWUrMgLOA9NUd7IeOueHxCVOz0X_Mi3knonjrSm5iRLvK27hSlscQjRmO5yo9ZAcDoeETYMFjA6jmLv0GxCkchyphenhyphenAsAXrazQ6LRkbj8h-GJjPbxgmv7_MOSnBkqG1vVeze387nlhCycs5RBJ5Tgg56Uf412fdPS29x8rXqPkR_yzAj7Xvgq2HgXh6EQhN5/w150-h200/the%20way%20to%20the%20castle.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;">It was even more fascinating when we ventured outside. After walking up through the garden, we travelled back hundreds of years when we came to the ramparts of the castle that gave the village its name. The castle site is on enclosed farmland with no public access so we felt privileged to be able to wander up from the house and see it for ourselves. All that remains now is a series of earthworks. The now grassy mounds show where a major stone castle once stood in a prominent position in a small village. Its location seems to be off the beaten track but it does, in fact, stand on one of the major routes from England into Rasdnorshire. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilaAMEu0hs7W5dbJK65zbpki654Y04b3p787aG83cI-U6yu_56TvYTMzau6pV8VzdP1bCOA67OBW8XdD2eGtOhZmRqquxkcyzQFQxu-usGVkOy1OjJ76vvEm_35XNdAdshRD7V_ZjxQv7V-SBehZ5YyEzk80jb7U346TFm5cU4uZwHSGtsW-_ALSBuaqvV/s2118/Info%201.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1594" data-original-width="2118" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilaAMEu0hs7W5dbJK65zbpki654Y04b3p787aG83cI-U6yu_56TvYTMzau6pV8VzdP1bCOA67OBW8XdD2eGtOhZmRqquxkcyzQFQxu-usGVkOy1OjJ76vvEm_35XNdAdshRD7V_ZjxQv7V-SBehZ5YyEzk80jb7U346TFm5cU4uZwHSGtsW-_ALSBuaqvV/s320/Info%201.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">The castle was built in the twelfth century by Payn Fitz John, one of King Henry 1's men, and after whom it was named. It was rebuilt in stone a </span><span style="font-family: arial;">century later due to repeated attacks by the Welsh. Painscastle castle had a chequered history; one of its most remarkable events was when three thousand Welsh men were slaughtered in a pitched battle between the English and the Welsh. It became the bloodiest massacre in Welsh history It was said that the River Bachaway ran red with blood.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_E4fbq-FsZwb4mT7h71SYociZ3kxAtb6Nk3bU1CnrKCpPJHxQs2X0VKf2nU-6e5ZcIJIijpPHWJ2j0OmoHeXGOx9vuHoBhUlQ-h4Ou_viSxHuVMGkEIx_B5wY5Y95p3tTuBFzaatCDVCla0uFTFT59MpU53ATq4JRJYSTbb5wvRvCMNRNWa3J6MN5jVgO/s4032/ramparts%202.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_E4fbq-FsZwb4mT7h71SYociZ3kxAtb6Nk3bU1CnrKCpPJHxQs2X0VKf2nU-6e5ZcIJIijpPHWJ2j0OmoHeXGOx9vuHoBhUlQ-h4Ou_viSxHuVMGkEIx_B5wY5Y95p3tTuBFzaatCDVCla0uFTFT59MpU53ATq4JRJYSTbb5wvRvCMNRNWa3J6MN5jVgO/w150-h200/ramparts%202.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;">On the east side of the castle is a derelict house that played a part in Painscastle's history. A white-washed manor house of lordship status, Upper House sits adjacent to the castle bank and is thought to date from the mid-fifteenth century. It would suggest that there was now a shift of power from the fortified castle to a nobleman's home which was undefended. The fact that the hall juts into the outside ditch suggests that by then the castle had lost its military role. Walking around the castle ruins with the panoramic views of the beautiful Radnorshire landscape all around made me think of all that had gone before and was part of the history of that small village we were staying in for a short time.</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3rdEc46ir1x0eqhHn58B5yV256CGqVh0HSj7EY8x9Da8X7G1iODoFzhBQTYyJRGCvVi-qqQVI37aWljBZ8sHMgeriXA35nesHlYuG-zgshO78TI0nSRg2kNKaneUuuHdmu0n2OLMaOnY_k5s_uOVR5q01isQnMn5vQ-IyGW-1SYVFKcipzCsmyAORT4O2/s4032/ramparts%20.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3rdEc46ir1x0eqhHn58B5yV256CGqVh0HSj7EY8x9Da8X7G1iODoFzhBQTYyJRGCvVi-qqQVI37aWljBZ8sHMgeriXA35nesHlYuG-zgshO78TI0nSRg2kNKaneUuuHdmu0n2OLMaOnY_k5s_uOVR5q01isQnMn5vQ-IyGW-1SYVFKcipzCsmyAORT4O2/w150-h200/ramparts%20.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p>Thank you for reading. I hope you've enjoyed hearing a little more about the place where the Cariad Chapter spent its writing retreat. How do places with a lot of history affect you? Have you been inspired to write by a location with a lot of history? If you have, I'd love it if you left a comment saying where it was. Thanks.</p></span><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_hvfK6XMKMVNGHqAwjWFFwRInwjR5_rBq8EDmcpF3vqmLi3_FzGvXnbhzT885wBf7bfvlwbE_eBsaxHShx222z5J0SdMYt-nAYs5BvAvDufCIQqRnGf_GhgI3do2hO4sF7vkWntNde0JTDxoaov6cg6h3zYIgKvMw47UIoNGPHP4XLvBuvdqP7xFB6rWk/s4032/ramparts%204.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_hvfK6XMKMVNGHqAwjWFFwRInwjR5_rBq8EDmcpF3vqmLi3_FzGvXnbhzT885wBf7bfvlwbE_eBsaxHShx222z5J0SdMYt-nAYs5BvAvDufCIQqRnGf_GhgI3do2hO4sF7vkWntNde0JTDxoaov6cg6h3zYIgKvMw47UIoNGPHP4XLvBuvdqP7xFB6rWk/w150-h200/ramparts%204.jpg" width="150" /></a></span></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><span style="font-family: arial;">The Radnorshire countryside features in all my novels. Even on a misty November day when this was taken, I hope you can see why. </span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;"><b>STOP PRESS</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiBhP_sYBDT7MjNHWSAijPLFVXjtAGmK6TdGjL6Ygb7rsbxPoOhQDra-L9V8apOrJrFmjmi412yzAdGnwP0FHQwvaP4zUHqiytvUiucpq7ZO0BTqvXiEVk_ZxrbV0l-tqgI9FIp0139zeUvUJ6FXfzd_lCgWYip4GZSf1do1Rlznr3FJJvLytWDtKZhqxS/s4028/me%20reading.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4028" data-original-width="2662" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiBhP_sYBDT7MjNHWSAijPLFVXjtAGmK6TdGjL6Ygb7rsbxPoOhQDra-L9V8apOrJrFmjmi412yzAdGnwP0FHQwvaP4zUHqiytvUiucpq7ZO0BTqvXiEVk_ZxrbV0l-tqgI9FIp0139zeUvUJ6FXfzd_lCgWYip4GZSf1do1Rlznr3FJJvLytWDtKZhqxS/w132-h200/me%20reading.jpg" width="132" /></a></div><br />Yesterday I attended the launch of <b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Worcestershire Lit Fest and Fringe Flash Fiction Anthology</span></b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> <b>2023</b></span> in which I was delighted to have three flashes included again this year. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">For the first time, it was good to see several members of the Blackwood Library Writing Group reading out their excellent flashes there as well. The group is run by my friend and librarian, Helen Beckett. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Here I am reading out my shortlisted Flash </span><i style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Body Beautiful</span>.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Copies are available from <a href="https://blackpear.net/">Black Pear Press</a>. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i style="font-family: arial;"><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMWwsrNuA5vdPQA_UUc5v1G1rqK3yciwTo5F-IuHSHUnyzQIBZhSo5tnQ744U4jDCGxrKJdurVqVxRQkfI80QFm-jxfR_J_n5k8HZdfmgt2a5IfpXWPxFMqEzKJsl1IbksIHC7SS6j0mwvQ_gVlbbE-Lq77ShwEGOZ12URjryKqfKYNTWJS2llH8zq6-u4/s4032/book.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMWwsrNuA5vdPQA_UUc5v1G1rqK3yciwTo5F-IuHSHUnyzQIBZhSo5tnQ744U4jDCGxrKJdurVqVxRQkfI80QFm-jxfR_J_n5k8HZdfmgt2a5IfpXWPxFMqEzKJsl1IbksIHC7SS6j0mwvQ_gVlbbE-Lq77ShwEGOZ12URjryKqfKYNTWJS2llH8zq6-u4/w150-h200/book.jpg" width="150" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">You may also follow me on:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">X/ Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/JanBaynham">@JanBaynham</a> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/JanBayLit/?locale=en_GB">Jan Baynham Writer</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/janbaynham/?hl=en-gb">janbaynham</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">For more about me and all my books, please visit my <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/Jan-Baynham/author/B085DC6BKR?ref=ap_rdr&store_ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true">AMAZON</a> page. </span><i style="font-family: arial;"> </i></div><br />Jan Baynhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06356572488839476046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3357383818158631304.post-9453829318116117042023-11-13T10:14:00.000-08:002023-11-13T10:14:21.952-08:00<p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>A Cariad Retreat</b></span></p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGGJqpt6bdFYHYmsD_dDSgpqqTHQVpqXkyqrjGUbPsnplvw8yTm7TgFweDXsLxd7geMoe3w2pjXFk6vmivAO-MnIZnDBwq0rSCQOjF_pCLOJq338gWmoCrGe27qxkT_d4te3BsWBfLlQxg7dke3-TTG9LFCI3OfZa93Rdccm2Za5WTQcQ_NpRJuUfsp2TF/s169/Cropped%20writing%20Retreat.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="115" data-original-width="169" height="115" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGGJqpt6bdFYHYmsD_dDSgpqqTHQVpqXkyqrjGUbPsnplvw8yTm7TgFweDXsLxd7geMoe3w2pjXFk6vmivAO-MnIZnDBwq0rSCQOjF_pCLOJq338gWmoCrGe27qxkT_d4te3BsWBfLlQxg7dke3-TTG9LFCI3OfZa93Rdccm2Za5WTQcQ_NpRJuUfsp2TF/s1600/Cropped%20writing%20Retreat.JPG" width="169" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Last week members of the RNA Cariad Chapter travelled to mid-Wales for our first-ever residential writing retreat. As a thriving (and ever growing!) group of writers, we meet in person on the first Tuesday of every month in Cardiff and also on Zoom every third Thursday evening of each month. Before the pandemic, we had enjoyed some day-long retreats and knew how much we felt we benefited from these. During COVID, these were replaced by online retreat days organised by </span><a href="https://jessiecahalin.com/" style="font-family: arial;"><b>Jessie</b></a><span style="font-family: arial;">. It was then we began to think about how wonderful it would be to spend some days away when we could just write without interruption and chat about writing with other writers.</span><p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv42cABlHZvt7MnzR7AEjopBO7Qn_K2QuyRrsc8HJNa-vWKcdv2EdDlQxPTp6yCAsRocwSwu4X3ApruNPujUz9ZkNKizyRi_SeoyL2dIFeYHK9ny1BGqqd9LIwjXivfAkiUcIJ2ygb-rUA2EahXuIuL606x_SCuRukpcFe6ZIiEvC9ZbFgpku6aAfwtG0K/s4032/The%20Castle,%20Painscastle.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv42cABlHZvt7MnzR7AEjopBO7Qn_K2QuyRrsc8HJNa-vWKcdv2EdDlQxPTp6yCAsRocwSwu4X3ApruNPujUz9ZkNKizyRi_SeoyL2dIFeYHK9ny1BGqqd9LIwjXivfAkiUcIJ2ygb-rUA2EahXuIuL606x_SCuRukpcFe6ZIiEvC9ZbFgpku6aAfwtG0K/w200-h150/The%20Castle,%20Painscastle.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">After gauging the interest within the group, it was down to the diligence of <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Books-Sue-McDonagh/" style="font-weight: bold;">Sue</a>'s searching and researching that she found a wonderful Grade 11 listed farmhouse in Painscastle, a small village in mid-Wales, not far from Hay-on-Wye, big enough to accommodate those of us who were committed to go. It has nine separate bedrooms and six bathrooms. It is extremely well-equipped and even boasts a hot tub!</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">To see inside the house for detailed photographs, please click on the link: <a href="https://www.holidaycottages.co.uk/cottage/73069-the-castle-at-painscastle">https://www.holidaycottages.co.uk/cottage/73069-the-castle-at-painscastle</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8IcGqRQQ1DZ_dVIC015kUtjoJOYawWvtfgfPi2tHV40EVZ5wg5jjwxhtbXigKlD8-tcFw7hsmVjr0c3qZhYQ06jhKzAPRRO8778WdxSP3q7g4dwDlbvud_0so_nyefYMbGCFczRwqhONj0znCatLNNpxB1HoAPJWHEFmNQtH2aGpYcBiFjvxql1RdXBl7/s4032/lunch%20at%20The%20Castle%20in%20Hay.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8IcGqRQQ1DZ_dVIC015kUtjoJOYawWvtfgfPi2tHV40EVZ5wg5jjwxhtbXigKlD8-tcFw7hsmVjr0c3qZhYQ06jhKzAPRRO8778WdxSP3q7g4dwDlbvud_0so_nyefYMbGCFczRwqhONj0znCatLNNpxB1HoAPJWHEFmNQtH2aGpYcBiFjvxql1RdXBl7/w200-h150/lunch%20at%20The%20Castle%20in%20Hay.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />As the house would not be available until the afternoon, we<br /> arranged to meet in Hay-on-Wye for lunch first at The Castle Cafe. It was there we met </span><a href="https://www.annaandjacquiburns.com/" style="font-family: arial;">Jacqui</a> <span style="font-family: arial;">and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/deeny.weeny/">Nadine</a>, who was visiting from Canada, for the first time. As writers, there was no way we could leave the book capital of Hay without a wander and visit to Richard Booth's Bookshop before travelling the short distance to the farmhouse. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxrFeS_-T7mP_EQLoMVfNZ153rBCuLAwq1jRErbYocyZCWIsC4ve7-U-FEX5RWaxdspnvCn7n8oUM6eCpRzW7R_q4j7GtplbvhTpAbJpcr4W9ISxGkm-J1o2ocGCghPHAViOOVSHmFtGNwtj9yTYsiD0Ne9fU2CAECVNe0t1pUJioYZnoazfSrW2EU-h5L/s4032/bookshop%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxrFeS_-T7mP_EQLoMVfNZ153rBCuLAwq1jRErbYocyZCWIsC4ve7-U-FEX5RWaxdspnvCn7n8oUM6eCpRzW7R_q4j7GtplbvhTpAbJpcr4W9ISxGkm-J1o2ocGCghPHAViOOVSHmFtGNwtj9yTYsiD0Ne9fU2CAECVNe0t1pUJioYZnoazfSrW2EU-h5L/w150-h200/bookshop%201.jpg" width="150" /></a></div></span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbV8AD2LpVVwFWp94lL-WQk3ZNlu2L4wlULZkQfnVy9dfpbIjuN1SAhabQ861-KHe-teGCR6LzzEX8ndLcZ98n_Bde9NxLvIy0DFsYF7VnXcItpKN1PqT3oTn7BzCuhK_QGVKYdPECg4kjiUsZrykfAhEwW6CAScBmASQ8YS60-GKY87g_uJ2AsEL6-mrt/s720/schedule.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="687" data-original-width="720" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbV8AD2LpVVwFWp94lL-WQk3ZNlu2L4wlULZkQfnVy9dfpbIjuN1SAhabQ861-KHe-teGCR6LzzEX8ndLcZ98n_Bde9NxLvIy0DFsYF7VnXcItpKN1PqT3oTn7BzCuhK_QGVKYdPECg4kjiUsZrykfAhEwW6CAScBmASQ8YS60-GKY87g_uJ2AsEL6-mrt/w200-h191/schedule.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Even though we'd all looked at the farmhouse online, on arrival, nothing prepared us for how beautiful the property was. After a wander around the house and allocating rooms, we met together in the large sitting room to talk about schedules for each day, writing plans and ground rules. We also decided on a rota for preparing meals and who would be making morning coffees and afternoon teas. By sharing this, it meant we could all spend maximum time writing or editing. Thanks are due to <a href="https://imogenmartinauthor.com/">Imogen</a> for her amazing organisational skills.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">So how did it go? My main aim was to continue with NanNoWriMo which I began on November 1st. writing the start of the first draft of novel five. With a working title of <i><span style="color: #2b00fe;">The Silent Sister, </span></i>the story is partially set in Kefalonia at the time of the 1953 earthquake and mid-Wales, and again in 1973 at the time of the twentieth anniversary of the disaster. Nothing was written on the day we arrived so my main aim on Wednesday was to try to catch up. Sitting alone at the huge dining table, I was able to immerse myself in the story without distraction. Over the day, I wrote 2868 words and another 2332 the next day. When it came to leave early on Friday morning, I was behind where I should have been in the NanNo scheme of things but I'd gained so much more than the 5200 words I'd written since arriving. In the evenings, we had a variety of things to do concerning writing; these included penning a seasonal flash fiction piece of 250 words, character development questions to answer and the step-by-step stages of starting a newsletter. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs4PIZp9nKHL0gybfRpkB09zjoxDH9moYhpMZNr5TIzV_4_x0S7BQw7wrBVmI0ftWj3IjV3IQelnkyzYlj2QFQHRssAvo9XeSzQ4Kdurma9pCLPak7nm9SM70ox9r0DGCAHkgx_fnuZ73E3PwfGOOy1TxTtjBqicK0WJdEr2JrFA-lL8skAG2D8JTI1tYG/s960/meal%20times.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="723" data-original-width="960" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs4PIZp9nKHL0gybfRpkB09zjoxDH9moYhpMZNr5TIzV_4_x0S7BQw7wrBVmI0ftWj3IjV3IQelnkyzYlj2QFQHRssAvo9XeSzQ4Kdurma9pCLPak7nm9SM70ox9r0DGCAHkgx_fnuZ73E3PwfGOOy1TxTtjBqicK0WJdEr2JrFA-lL8skAG2D8JTI1tYG/w200-h151/meal%20times.JPG" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">However, it was at meal times and coffee and tea breaks where I felt I gained most. I enjoyed making new friends, strengthening existing friendships, sharing book recommendations and listening to others talk about their books. Regarding my own novel-in-progress, I valued opinions about the three possible prologue Ideas I had and received advice on a possible plot idea where I was concerned my main character may lose sympathy with the reader. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvSP6ABG3803UscbhD6woZpMVC4GRz-0GTiFr2F-aYc7IwC-8sAAYbhvIWveACOQq4tZCj5bbYB0qStIOlv0Y88jF7xY6O9J9ubASw3vleHjauihjjG90YXcr7I6XY4CE5j71_Rj_PNILSs1uR87aBhWX43SaEu1BHN06dTTCm8nYx5itLCaZcUlXgWRko/s4032/rural%20radnorshire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvSP6ABG3803UscbhD6woZpMVC4GRz-0GTiFr2F-aYc7IwC-8sAAYbhvIWveACOQq4tZCj5bbYB0qStIOlv0Y88jF7xY6O9J9ubASw3vleHjauihjjG90YXcr7I6XY4CE5j71_Rj_PNILSs1uR87aBhWX43SaEu1BHN06dTTCm8nYx5itLCaZcUlXgWRko/w150-h200/rural%20radnorshire.jpg" width="150" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">In my WiP, I'm still in Kefalonia at the moment but when I come to write about the mid-Wales locations, I know that being in the heart of the Radnorshire countryside last week will inspire my setting. Who knows? A beautiful old farmhouse with an intriguing history and creaky floorboards may make an appearance. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Huge thanks to everyone who made the retreat such an inspiring experience. I loved every minute of it and can't wait for the next one!</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihfyJlqPEkZKn6uV3RxvD015MEVkrRoMcWMXA_qwbn8rJaxQHiC8nM6-E-7qxdSnSf8JoEkLQTRee1Rf1Qm40-GhwxiyFdw9iw-fSKQ39dyQS_Wf-henEqH-wHiRXmnM3AG5jnyqlMiiAdYFybHjTSLCroqo38N22AQZBFZljWd6nUaW4Pi4f0beDiYUVA/s1000/Sash%20window%20view.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihfyJlqPEkZKn6uV3RxvD015MEVkrRoMcWMXA_qwbn8rJaxQHiC8nM6-E-7qxdSnSf8JoEkLQTRee1Rf1Qm40-GhwxiyFdw9iw-fSKQ39dyQS_Wf-henEqH-wHiRXmnM3AG5jnyqlMiiAdYFybHjTSLCroqo38N22AQZBFZljWd6nUaW4Pi4f0beDiYUVA/w150-h200/Sash%20window%20view.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p>Thank you for reading. Have you been on a writing retreat? If so, what did you gain from it? I'd love it if you left a comment below. Thanks. </p></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Next time, I shall be blogging about the history of the farmhouse and Painscastle Castle from which it takes its name. I hope you'll call in. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">You may also follow me on:</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Twitter/ X - </span><a href="https://twitter.com/JanBaynham" style="font-family: arial;">@JanBaynham</a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Facebook - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/JanBayLit/?locale=en_GB">Jan Baynham Writer</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Instagram - <a href="https://www.instagram.com/janbaynham/?hl=en-gb">janbaynham</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">To find out more about me and my writing, </span><span style="font-family: arial;">please visit </span><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Jan-Baynham/e/B085DC6BKR?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1697900223&sr=8-1" style="font-family: arial;">MY AMAZON PAGE</a><span style="font-family: arial;">.</span></p></div>Jan Baynhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06356572488839476046noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3357383818158631304.post-57921939502432368312023-10-30T00:51:00.001-07:002023-10-31T03:29:08.332-07:00<p> <span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Guest Post With Imogen Martin</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #2b00fe; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY-0Ij13pa3iKJd7TJc6fqW70vtUl-12V6RZMlqyKb5aZ0qigpj6L4wrch9rTvrrC2WMsslRlj365KvvjVtu9f5UHDiHU82k0Ko55tnpw43FOV9b5qMDFgBW9Vyse5tPxkcGOvho7ZpaIaiDfRDp1x5vjtZirZyiFI4yVsYCIbF6SoXExZPQbM6xFZ3MID/s640/Imogen%20Martin%20headshot%20800kb.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="455" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY-0Ij13pa3iKJd7TJc6fqW70vtUl-12V6RZMlqyKb5aZ0qigpj6L4wrch9rTvrrC2WMsslRlj365KvvjVtu9f5UHDiHU82k0Ko55tnpw43FOV9b5qMDFgBW9Vyse5tPxkcGOvho7ZpaIaiDfRDp1x5vjtZirZyiFI4yVsYCIbF6SoXExZPQbM6xFZ3MID/w143-h200/Imogen%20Martin%20headshot%20800kb.jpeg" width="143" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">This week I'm very pleased to welcome fellow RNA Cariad Chapter member, Imogen Martin, onto the blog. Her wonderful sweeping romance novel,</span><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;"> <i><b>Under a Gilded Sky</b></i>, </span><span style="font-family: arial;">was published by Storm Publishing on September 15th.</span><p></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">Imogen, welcome. I was privileged to read an ARC of your novel before publication day and I absolutely loved it. Can you please tell us something about the background to your novel?</span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">Over to you!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy9ivzb48ZH4JizcGUbWS4LCGMX055hgzKkdNvfP9BeBrkRjoxyz1qjRiVVvkN25SZqNZ2K-hngXap0XLGavHBAe-iNiwP1nrzn5T-EREmLXkebJ9USyydG-j8hNmaN7Cz60jqyRP-4FWoKyMY44Zyqkh0t7_5mNcRUNGawdr1FYncsWijyD8RaSWJS8N2/s1281/Under%20a%20Gilded%20Sky%20COVER.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1281" data-original-width="835" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy9ivzb48ZH4JizcGUbWS4LCGMX055hgzKkdNvfP9BeBrkRjoxyz1qjRiVVvkN25SZqNZ2K-hngXap0XLGavHBAe-iNiwP1nrzn5T-EREmLXkebJ9USyydG-j8hNmaN7Cz60jqyRP-4FWoKyMY44Zyqkh0t7_5mNcRUNGawdr1FYncsWijyD8RaSWJS8N2/w131-h200/Under%20a%20Gilded%20Sky%20COVER.jpeg" width="131" /></a></div><p></p><p><span color="windowtext" style="font-family: arial; line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;">When I tell people my debut novel
</span><i style="font-family: arial; text-align: justify;"><span color="windowtext" style="line-height: 115%;">Under a Gilded Sky</span></i><span color="windowtext" style="font-family: arial; line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"> is set at
the dawn of the Gilded Age, they often ask me what and when that was.</span></p><p class="MsoBlockText" style="line-height: 115%; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span color="windowtext" style="line-height: 115%;">Here’s a
little bit about this fascinating time:</span></span></p><p class="MsoBlockText" style="line-height: 115%; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span color="windowtext" style="font-family: arial;">The Gilded Age is a period of
American history from the mid-1870s to the end of the 19</span><sup style="color: windowtext; font-family: arial;">th</sup><span color="windowtext" style="font-family: arial;"> century.
It was a time of huge industrial expansion which created untold wealth for a
few, new jobs for immigrants drawn to the United States, but poverty for many
including rural workers and African Americans. I hope I bring some of these
contradictions into my story.</span></p><p class="MsoBlockText" style="line-height: 115%; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span color="windowtext" style="line-height: 115%;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSNHj7Z_C7ZtOHIBfoD3bNAu_U0vqo2_UQsTQxDalQ_JwYOhhfVu4t91dOjmP8sSYfbvhGFMUfTOPJOJ7B3RJ9NmHlXnogktKiPxw2aJoTMmf53xJyCoYraVs-8D4li24vqAAl8tG2z860hYLrKqe5OcncM7HH46v7oEF6lP2VekJBlmKW1XSXNGYxJAeA/s640/Too%20Early%20James%20Tissot%201873.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="445" data-original-width="640" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSNHj7Z_C7ZtOHIBfoD3bNAu_U0vqo2_UQsTQxDalQ_JwYOhhfVu4t91dOjmP8sSYfbvhGFMUfTOPJOJ7B3RJ9NmHlXnogktKiPxw2aJoTMmf53xJyCoYraVs-8D4li24vqAAl8tG2z860hYLrKqe5OcncM7HH46v7oEF6lP2VekJBlmKW1XSXNGYxJAeA/w320-h222/Too%20Early%20James%20Tissot%201873.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><span color="windowtext" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: arial; line-height: 115%;">The
period was coined by historians in the 1920s and takes its name from </span><i style="font-family: arial;"><span color="windowtext" lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;">The Gilded Age: A Tale of Today</span></i><span color="windowtext" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: arial; line-height: 115%;"> published in 1873. The novel
was written by Mark Twain and Charles Dudley Warner (Twain came from Missouri
where my novel is partially set). Fun fact: my main character Ginny is given a
copy of this book by the male protagonist, Lex.</span><p></p><p class="MsoBlockText" style="line-height: 115%; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span color="windowtext" lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfaOv-3vKzGXL7ycdFq25epu5cPHa3cG0WKxULh4-gllVwU3pqs9NkmevOPm7FfGODP-raCvQX8Oru02-4NuRAEgbNGBp2VAd0wzTu4muEoboJ8eEXlelt_VtWz386VSQMOtcfi3OlqrkriWEYdSYR7Dt79MHFZa0CsF40l6wA68s3L0QzYuUwq236ztCG/s588/The%20Gilded%20Age%20Mark%20Twain%20Jpeg.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="588" data-original-width="370" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfaOv-3vKzGXL7ycdFq25epu5cPHa3cG0WKxULh4-gllVwU3pqs9NkmevOPm7FfGODP-raCvQX8Oru02-4NuRAEgbNGBp2VAd0wzTu4muEoboJ8eEXlelt_VtWz386VSQMOtcfi3OlqrkriWEYdSYR7Dt79MHFZa0CsF40l6wA68s3L0QzYuUwq236ztCG/s320/The%20Gilded%20Age%20Mark%20Twain%20Jpeg.jpg" width="201" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoBlockText" style="line-height: 115%; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span color="windowtext" lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The
period was driven by the rapid expansion of industry: oil, steel, railroads.
The West developed farming, ranching and mining with the railroads swiftly
taking products to the east and west coasts. Some of the impact is seen in the
book. Could my heroine keep her struggling farm going if she were able to get
cattle transported quickly to the big cities?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoBlockText" style="line-height: 115%; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span color="windowtext" lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">A
small number of industrialists and financiers became richer than anyone in
history. Sometimes called ‘robber barons’, their names are still familiar
today: JP Morgan, Cornelius Vanderbilt, John D Rockerfeller and Andrew
Carnegie. Around the top 10% of the country owned roughly 75% of the nation’s
wealth, and the bottom 40% owned nothing at all. My heroine has a wealthy aunt,
and her cousin is determined to find a rich husband for Ginny. The final part
of the story is set in Boston where I dig deeper into this privileged
lifestyle.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoBlockText" style="line-height: 115%; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span color="windowtext" lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Lots
of little things pushed me to the Gilded Age. I moved house and my new local
library was a ‘Carnegie library.’ What did that mean? I found there were
half-a-dozen in my area, each building unique and beautiful. Who paid for them?</span></span></p><p class="MsoBlockText" style="line-height: 115%; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span color="windowtext" lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ-eFDxlsDy7_BSU1wfe7V3atz-euLkE1b4jIbFRu1ZYxZGiX3ZAOONoEOugjY76D9dUxbbQghPTLnDv6nGWJ-mRLSjkmeUfycVLIAnxfNDszeE68D8SeGeC3zsfYunt0JF3Us5xoz0ogcRrqNHWe-xmAZtjHCps11UA8dh3zd0_lO5Wfuh6PnXrNQ3bWK/s1280/Inscription%20to%20Andrew%20Carnegie.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ-eFDxlsDy7_BSU1wfe7V3atz-euLkE1b4jIbFRu1ZYxZGiX3ZAOONoEOugjY76D9dUxbbQghPTLnDv6nGWJ-mRLSjkmeUfycVLIAnxfNDszeE68D8SeGeC3zsfYunt0JF3Us5xoz0ogcRrqNHWe-xmAZtjHCps11UA8dh3zd0_lO5Wfuh6PnXrNQ3bWK/s320/Inscription%20to%20Andrew%20Carnegie.jpeg" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoBlockText" style="line-height: 115%; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span color="windowtext" lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;">I
saw a biography of Andrew Carnegie in my brother’s bookcase (must get round to
giving that 800+ page tome back to him!). Carnegie was a poor boy from
Dunfermline who emigrated to Pittsburgh and founded a steel industry that made
him the richest man in the world. He wrote the </span><i><span color="windowtext" lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;">Gospel of Wealth</span></i><span color="windowtext" lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;"> and dedicated his later life
to giving away the money he had made. Hence, Carnegie Hall in New York – and
the libraries across Britain and around the world.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoBlockText" style="line-height: 115%; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span color="windowtext" lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;">Whilst
getting the historical detail as authentic as possible was important to me, </span><i><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Under a Gilded Sky</span></span></i><span color="windowtext" lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;"> is a sweeping, slow-burn love
story, driven by two characters I hope readers will fall in love with. I have
tried to give enough detail for readers to get a sense of place, but not so
much that they are trudging through a museum. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoBlockText" style="line-height: 115%; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;">Thank you, Imogen. I love hearing the background to a story and yours is fascinating. Your meticulous research shines through the novel and I definitely didn't feel like I was trudging through a museum. I was there with your characters at the time.</span></span></p><p class="MsoBlockText" style="line-height: 115%; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Blurb</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: arial;"><span class="a-text-bold"><b><span style="color: #0f1111;">1874, Missouri: </span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #0f1111;">It’s been a long winter. Every morning Ginny pulls on</span></span><span style="color: #0f1111;"> her father’s old leather coat before heading out to tend to the cattle.</span></span><span style="color: #0f1111; font-family: arial;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="color: #0f1111;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Since Ginny and her fourteen-year-old sister Mary-Lou were orphaned she’s discovered that Snow Farm is deep in debt, but she’s determined to hold onto it – the one thing connecting them to the memory of their beloved parents, and their only means of survival alone against the elements.</span></span><span style="color: #0f1111; font-family: arial;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="color: #0f1111;"><span style="font-family: arial;">But when a handsome injured stranger turns up at their door needing their help and shelter, he awakens feelings Ginny could never have imagined. Now she has something else to strive for: a glimpse of a life she never dared dream was possible.</span></span><span style="color: #0f1111; font-family: arial;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="a-text-bold"><b><span style="color: #0f1111;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>An utterly spellbinding story which celebrates the determination and courage of women who’ve learnt to rely on themselves alone. A breath-taking and vivid novel of courage in the hardest times and hope that lights the way in the darkness.<br /></i><br /><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span class="a-text-bold"><span style="color: #0f1111;">“Enthralled from the very first page.” Reader review, </span></span>⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">“Breath-taking.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">“Perfection.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Author Bio </b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Imogen writes sweeping, historical fiction. Her first two novels are set in nineteenth-century America.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">As a teenager, she took the Greyhound bus from San Francisco to New York. Over those three days of staring out of the window at the majestic mountains and endless flat plains, stories wound themselves into her head: tales of brooding, charismatic men captivated by independent women.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Since then, she has worked in a coffee shop in Piccadilly, a famous bookstore, and a children’s home. She has run festivals, and turned a derelict housing block on one of the poorest estates in the UK into an award-winning arts centre.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">During 2020, Imogen was selected by Kate Nash Literary Agency as one of their BookCamp mentees, a mentorship programme designed to accelerate the careers of promising new writers.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Married with two children, Imogen divides her time between Wales and Sardinia.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">She hopes her books will bring you the tingle of a new love affair whilst immersed in a different time and place.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Buying
Links</span></b></p></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i><b>Under a Gilded Sky</b></i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>multi retailer choice link</b><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>- all retailer options : <a href="https://geni.us/176-al-aut-ch">https://geni.us/176-al-aut-ch</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Social
Media Links</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Website: <a href="https://imogenmartinauthor.com">https://imogenmartinauthor.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Twitter / X : <a href="https://twitter.com/ImogenMartin9">https://twitter.com/ImogenMartin9</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Facebook:<a href=" https://www.facebook.com/ImogenMartin.Author/"> https://www.facebook.com/ImogenMartin.Author/</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/imogenmartinauthor/?hl=en-gb">https://www.instagram.com/imogenmartinauthor/?hl=en-gb</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Thank you for reading. I'm sure, like me, you found Imogen's account fascinating. We'd love it if you left a comment. Thank you.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">You may also follow me on:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Twitter/ X - </span><a href="https://twitter.com/JanBaynham" style="font-family: arial;">@JanBaynham</a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Facebook - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/JanBayLit/?locale=en_GB">Jan Baynham Writer</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Instagram - <a href="https://www.instagram.com/janbaynham/?hl=en-gb">janbaynham</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial;">To find out more about me and my writing, please visit <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Jan-Baynham/e/B085DC6BKR?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1697900223&sr=8-1">MY AMAZON PAGE</a>.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX7EjKho-RTBCJ5vGwPlHdfUx8y_uOi3tVhknvvK224GWbGM6GHLeMxlnB5QCBgmA0xxYHNYC80kExA-XTWI5_Uw8GFjfUEqLgCEyQg63YhpQW7c9jTsYCiLhTCnJNUmQ3JVUA0CCk3aU2A3IyJwx49RlZDVKVQ82jyISisdvEalupHipJ9hHDEGNAdyvh/s907/The%20Secret%20Sister%20by%20Jan%20Baynham%20(4).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="907" data-original-width="557" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX7EjKho-RTBCJ5vGwPlHdfUx8y_uOi3tVhknvvK224GWbGM6GHLeMxlnB5QCBgmA0xxYHNYC80kExA-XTWI5_Uw8GFjfUEqLgCEyQg63YhpQW7c9jTsYCiLhTCnJNUmQ3JVUA0CCk3aU2A3IyJwx49RlZDVKVQ82jyISisdvEalupHipJ9hHDEGNAdyvh/w123-h200/The%20Secret%20Sister%20by%20Jan%20Baynham%20(4).jpg" width="123" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
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<!--[endif]--></span></p>Jan Baynhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06356572488839476046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3357383818158631304.post-56135969319594993042023-10-23T00:48:00.000-07:002023-10-23T00:48:25.117-07:00<p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Guest Post with Jenny Kane</b></span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb_JTQ0w1mEmWoORpWNE6YGmWE9kGPYzTy0eGDCJF0AgYUIZ4IC2OGrkUDu83KQ-lSXfwLPbaokncceTZss5MY6ZMxqF7b2UUnwobhm2pYoR3LVqcq5sVVPGsLM0N9_fhJsSh2B5yzqH-g6gT2Y4HGTbtbpkk5VmuXf-M9aXZCrWnCC7e4_CEUP81fS1br/s3536/JK6%20by%20Mike%20(2).jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3536" data-original-width="3453" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb_JTQ0w1mEmWoORpWNE6YGmWE9kGPYzTy0eGDCJF0AgYUIZ4IC2OGrkUDu83KQ-lSXfwLPbaokncceTZss5MY6ZMxqF7b2UUnwobhm2pYoR3LVqcq5sVVPGsLM0N9_fhJsSh2B5yzqH-g6gT2Y4HGTbtbpkk5VmuXf-M9aXZCrWnCC7e4_CEUP81fS1br/w195-h200/JK6%20by%20Mike%20(2).jpg" width="195" /></a></span></div><p></p><p style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">This week I am delighted to welcome author, Jenny Kane, onto the blog. I'm always in awe of her work ethic and the number of books she has written alongside teaching amazing writing courses and workshops. Her latest novel, </span><b style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;"><i>Misty Mornings at the Potting Shed,</i></b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;"> was published by Aria on September 14th. </span></p><p style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">Jenny, welcome! </span><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">Can you tell us a bit about your new book?</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitSal8gvpLSlufplKBLhn-Go_Y2Jl6vse6Vev6gFYuQ8sKD8uxvdeyQ623TNlw9aNBp-7_PctpRK_ncr_wpMHgy6EHzAPZ0lbgqob2OmwvULiJzVGyP9sNynZ1d_N2-l4EUiDBSP7rF6qr_-JcdjluTi7FKdXIoPSxBo3fMuARZxyC4RnIsLDhX1L6H1j1/s641/Misty%20Mornings.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="641" data-original-width="418" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitSal8gvpLSlufplKBLhn-Go_Y2Jl6vse6Vev6gFYuQ8sKD8uxvdeyQ623TNlw9aNBp-7_PctpRK_ncr_wpMHgy6EHzAPZ0lbgqob2OmwvULiJzVGyP9sNynZ1d_N2-l4EUiDBSP7rF6qr_-JcdjluTi7FKdXIoPSxBo3fMuARZxyC4RnIsLDhX1L6H1j1/s320/Misty%20Mornings.jpeg" width="209" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><strong><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Misty Mornings at The Potting Shed</span></i></strong><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;"> is the third book in the bestselling, #thepottinghshed
series. <o:p></o:p></span></strong></span><p></p><p style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">It was so much fun going back to The Potting Shed –
a garden centre in Devon - to continue the adventures of sisters, Maddie and Sabi
Willand, and their friends Ed, Jo, and Sara. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">After the winter story, <i>Frost Falls at The
Potting Shed</i>, when Maddie and her sister Sabi, take on their late father’s
small plant-growing nursery, and begin to expand it into a garden centre, came
the springtime adventure – <i>Bluebell Season’s at The Potting Shed</i> – when
Jo arrives with his bright orange camper van, full of coffee and cake.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPnRdaAgRX0dGw9GuiRgtCLcV4EoIg7nS7soFiEBPxCwYNjQoF6M5ZdaA763ZITEn6wvohDYPAW82LurOwglieUXIR_jMKT1Ef1ZHgA8mE_TIkhw8dOlM_Y55yy73MjZsc36lPojUOsw5CIHqqwDALUzL73eQ_9x1wgzJwDlVQZEJ2b1xQjQTVqBx5_aGd/s275/autumn.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPnRdaAgRX0dGw9GuiRgtCLcV4EoIg7nS7soFiEBPxCwYNjQoF6M5ZdaA763ZITEn6wvohDYPAW82LurOwglieUXIR_jMKT1Ef1ZHgA8mE_TIkhw8dOlM_Y55yy73MjZsc36lPojUOsw5CIHqqwDALUzL73eQ_9x1wgzJwDlVQZEJ2b1xQjQTVqBx5_aGd/s1600/autumn.jpg" width="275" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Now,
autumn has arrived, and as with many of my novels, <i>Misty Mornings…</i>
delivers many challenges to the characters within its pages. From the problems
that come with having relatives with dementia, to the practical difficulties of
long-distance relationships, Maddie and the gang must face every day head on if
they want their business to continue to be a success. <o:p></o:p></span><p></p><p style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm;"><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Here’s little taster from the very beginning of the story…</span></span></strong></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>SEPTEMBER<o:p></o:p></i></span></p><p class="full-out"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>Flicking a switch, Maddie flooded the garden centre’s shop with light.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p><p class="indent0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>‘Sometimes I forget that this used to be the downstairs of my home. Other days I walk in and immediately picture Dad and me sitting on the sofa, right where the houseplant table is.’<o:p></o:p></i></span></p><p class="indent0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>Ed smiled at his girlfriend. ‘He’d love it that so many of the locals visit The Potting Shed these days.’<o:p></o:p></i></span></p><p class="indent0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>‘He really would.’ A warming glow of satisfaction filled Maddie as she nodded towards the till. ‘Are you okay sorting the shop float if I go and make sure Jo has enough change in the café?’<o:p></o:p></i></span></p><p class="indent0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>‘No problem.’ Ed took a pile of five-pound notes from Maddie and flicked them through his fingers.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p><p class="indent0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>‘Great. Once we’re open, I’ll man this till until Sabi has finished walking Florrie, then I’ll go and help Jo in the café.’<o:p></o:p></i></span></p><p class="indent0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>‘Do you want me to be on carry-to-the-car duty in between watering the polytunnels this morning?’<o:p></o:p></i></span></p><p class="indent0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>‘Please.’<o:p></o:p></i></span></p><p class="indent0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>‘After that, if it’s quiet, I thought I’d give the bluebell garden a bit of a tidy. It’s not messy as such but…’ Ed pulled a face.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p><p class="indent0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>‘It’s gone a bit straggly.’<o:p></o:p></i></span></p><p class="indent0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>‘The lack of bluebells doesn’t help either.’<o:p></o:p></i></span></p><p class="indent0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>‘Drawback of it being September.’ Maddie plucked a dead leaf off a nearby cyclamen. ‘I considered adding in a few shrubs, but somehow…’<o:p></o:p></i></span></p><p class="indent0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>‘You ran out of time?’<o:p></o:p></i></span></p><p class="indent0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>‘Don’t I always.’<o:p></o:p></i></span></p><p class="indent0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>‘There’s just so much to do.’ Ed grinned. ‘Maybe you should advertise for another member of staff? Sara’s proving a fabulous addition to The Potting Shed, but she only works part-time.’<o:p></o:p></i></span></p><p class="indent0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>‘In truth, I could do with that, <span class="italic">and</span> another full-time person.’ Maddie dropped the dead leaf into the nearest waste bin. ‘But we aren’t yet that comfortable budget wise.’<o:p></o:p></i></span></p><p class="indent0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>‘Sabi still insisting you pay one loan off at a time before you take on another big expense?’<o:p></o:p></i></span></p><p class="indent0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>‘Yes, and I’m grateful to her for it. It’s so much less fraught knowing my sister has a grip on the finances. Means I can get on with the gardening and people stuff, without waking up in the middle of the night stressing about bank managers and spreadsheets.’<o:p></o:p></i></span></p><p class="indent0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>‘Good job you have me working for free at the weekends then, isn’t it.’<o:p></o:p></i></span></p><p class="indent0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>Maddie slipped an arm around Ed’s waist. ‘You can just rest you know; you’ve had a hectic week lawyering. I love that you help here, but I don’t take it for granted. You might want to go walking on Exmoor, or simply put your feet up.’<o:p></o:p></i></span></p><p class="indent0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>‘Don’t be silly.’ Ed shook his head. ‘I love it. And it’s a welcome balm after a week in a cut-throat office.’<o:p></o:p></i></span></p><p class="indent0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>‘Cut-throat?’ Maddie saw the briefest flash of unease in Ed’s eyes. ‘You’ve never described your new job that way before.’<o:p></o:p></i></span></p><p class="indent0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>Ed brushed the comment aside. ‘Maybe cut-throat is a bit much, but the company I work for in Bristol is a very different type of legal business to Ronald’s laid-back old-fashioned solicitors’ office in Exeter. He was very much customer first.’<o:p></o:p></i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>‘Thank goodness!’...</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizNZgcDqZybTWIBcVt_hAPYCT32HsyhrHVaM40yS7w77gq-NwARkDSJrsaMos55HNYL3wSYELiXDgF_NlZmgg8nhGGXSElBsdCVKaXyG58rQefwlo6yuDF4ZFSyzvzITTkhuv70U22DxpTSv6ntJVrC5j1mFRAtcYUkzgTxyJaNxlc5D-h_ta8hJk3S6-I/s1920/pots-84454_1920%20(3).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1920" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizNZgcDqZybTWIBcVt_hAPYCT32HsyhrHVaM40yS7w77gq-NwARkDSJrsaMos55HNYL3wSYELiXDgF_NlZmgg8nhGGXSElBsdCVKaXyG58rQefwlo6yuDF4ZFSyzvzITTkhuv70U22DxpTSv6ntJVrC5j1mFRAtcYUkzgTxyJaNxlc5D-h_ta8hJk3S6-I/s320/pots-84454_1920%20(3).jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">Thank you, Jenny. That has certainly whetted my appetite to learn more of the story.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong><span style="font-family: arial;">Blurb</span></strong></div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong><i>Don't miss out on the third
lovely book in the brand-new series by #1 Kindle bestselling author Jenny Kane.</i></strong></div></span><p style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm;"><i><span style="font-family: arial;">Welcome back to The Potting Shed! As
Maddie and Sabi re-open the doors of their family-run garden centre. Business
is booming, and it's time to give back to the community that has kept The
Potting Shed afloat, by opening the Forget-Me-Not dementia café.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm;"><i><span style="font-family: arial;">But, as the doors to the café open,
Sabi is offered the chance of a lifetime, that could take her away from The
Potting Shed for weeks, café manager Jo's frail, elderly mother is taken ill,
and Maddie's partner, Ed, takes a job in a faraway city just when Maddie needs
him more than ever. A new member of staff is desperately required – who will
join Sara, Jo and Ivan as the busy autumn season fast approaches?</span></i><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p class="indentCxSpFirst" style="text-indent: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>If you would like to read <i>Misty
Mornings at The Potting Shed</i>, it is available from all good retailers,
including:</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="indentCxSpLast" style="text-indent: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0BN9CBCKQ/tag=lucyfelthouse-21" target="_blank"><b>Amazon UK</b></a><strong>, </strong><a href="https://amzn.to/478A7EV" target="_blank"><b>Amazon US</b></a><strong>,
</strong><a href="https://www.kobo.com/gb/en/ebook/misty-mornings-at-the-potting-shed-1" target="_blank"><b>Kobo</b></a><strong>, </strong><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/misty-mornings-at-the-potting-shed-jenny-kane/1142976380?ean=9781804549483" target="_blank"><b>Nook</b></a><strong> and </strong><a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/misty-mornings-at-the-potting-shed/jenny-kane/9781804549483" target="_blank"><b>Waterstones</b></a><strong> as an eBook or
paperback.</strong><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><strong>You can also preorder the story
in audio format: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Misty-Mornings-Potting-Shed-Book/dp/B0C62WLY5L/ref=tmm_aud_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=" target="_blank"><b>Amazon UK</b></a><strong>, </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Misty-Mornings-Potting-Shed-Book/dp/B0C635N5VZ/ref=tmm_aud_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=" target="_blank"><b>Amazon US</b></a><strong>.</strong></span></p><p style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm;"><strong><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></strong></p><p style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Bio</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">From the comfort of her cafe corner in Mid
Devon, award-winning author, Jenny Kane, wrote the contemporary women’s fiction
and romance novels, <i>Misty Mornings at The Potting Shed,</i> (Aria, 2023), <i>Bluebell
Season at The Potting Shed,</i> (Aria 2023,), <i>Frost Falls at The Potting
Shed</i>, (Aria, 2022), <i>Winter Fires at
Mill Grange</i>, (Aria, 2021), <i>Spring
Blossoms at Mill Grange</i>, (Aria 2021), <i>Autumn
Leaves at Mill Grange</i>, (Aria, 2020), <i>Midsummer
Dreams at Mill Grange</i> (Aria, 2020), <i>A
Cornish Escape</i> (2<sup>nd</sup> edition, HeadlineAccent, 2020), <i>A
Cornish Wedding</i> (2<sup>nd</sup> edition, HeadlineAccent, 2020), <i>Romancing Robin Hood</i> (2<sup>nd</sup>
edition, Littwitz Press, 2018), <i>Another Glass of Champagne </i>(HeadlineAccent,
2016),<i> </i>and <i>Another Cup of Coffee</i> (HeadlineAccent, 2013).<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Jenny has also written 3 novella-length sequels
to her Another Cup of.....books: <i>Another Cup of Christmas (</i>Accent Press,
2013), <i>Christmas in the Cotswolds</i>
(Accent, 2014), and <i>Christmas at the
Castle</i> (Accent, 2016). <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Jenny is also the author of quirky children’s
picture books <i>There’s a Cow in the Flat</i>
(Hushpuppy, 2014) and <i>Ben’s Biscuit Tin</i>
(Hushpuppy, 2015).<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Under the pen name, Jennifer Ash, Jenny has
also written </span><i style="font-family: arial;">The Folville Chronicles</i><span style="font-family: arial;">
(</span><i style="font-family: arial;">The Outlaw’s Ransom, The Winter Outlaw, Edward’s
Outlaw, Outlaw Justice</i><span style="font-family: arial;"> - published by Littwitz Press, 2016-2020), </span><i style="font-family: arial;">The Power of Three</i><span style="font-family: arial;"> (Spiteful Puppet,
2020) and </span><i style="font-family: arial;">The Meeting Place</i><span style="font-family: arial;"> (Spiteful
Puppet, 2019). She has also created several audio scripts for ITV’s popular
1980’s television show, </span><i style="font-family: arial;">Robin of
Sherwood. (</i><span style="font-family: arial;">2017 – ongoing</span><i style="font-family: arial;">)</i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial; line-height: 107%;">Jenny Kane is the writer-in-residence for
Tiverton Costa in Devon. She co-runs the creative writing business, <i>Imagine</i>. Jenny teaches a wide range of
creative writing workshops including her popular ‘Novel in a Year’ course. (<a href="http://www.imaginecreativewriting.co.uk">www.imaginecreativewriting.co.uk</a></span><span style="font-family: arial; line-height: 107%;">)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">All of Jennifer Ash’s and Jenny Kane’s news can
be found at <a href="http://www.jennykane.co.uk">www.jennykane.co.uk</a></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><a href="https://twitter.com/JenAshHistory"><span style="font-family: arial;">@JenAshHistory</span></a><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://twitter.com/JennyKaneAuthor">@JennyKaneAuthor</a><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://twitter.com/Imagine_Writing">@Imagine_Writing</a><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">Jennifer Ash </span><span style="line-height: 107%;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/jenniferashhistorical/">https://www.facebook.com/jenniferashhistorical/</a></span><span style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">Jenny Kane </span><span style="line-height: 107%;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100011235488766">https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100011235488766</a></span><span style="line-height: 107%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">Imagine </span><span style="line-height: 107%;"><a href="http://www.imaginecreativewriting.co.uk">www.imaginecreativewriting.co.uk</a></span><span style="line-height: 107%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">As Kay Jaybee (erotica- over 18’s only) you can
find her at </span><span style="line-height: 107%;"><a href="http://www.kayjaybee.me.uk">www.kayjaybee.me.uk</a></span><span style="line-height: 107%;"> </span><span style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Thank you for reading. <i>Misty Mornings at the Potting Shed</i> is part of a series. What is it that makes writing and reading a series so popular? I'd love it if you could leave a comment. Thanks.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial;">You may also follow me on:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Twitter/ X - <a href="https://twitter.com/JanBaynham">@JanBaynham</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Facebook - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/JanBayLit/?locale=en_GB">Jan Baynham Writer</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Instagram - <a href="https://www.instagram.com/janbaynham/?hl=en-gb">janbaynham</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial;">To find out more about me and my writing, please visit <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Jan-Baynham/e/B085DC6BKR?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1697900223&sr=8-1">MY AMAZON PAGE</a>. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnloQdBmCoG71I_CWMI7uRDH84O0pZx7aC0HM6x57E7p2uE5TfCP-wY2MpwVB2LqsUhh-tk8eNH1tQsbkRZCWFym10xvXf48YpvWuW9NGHqXDGZlgPIMrRmzbAaMBCsIT_06YrvVlKHyTXLJuBBU_GZyaiwvioJMF1VYQbmDuJXAW0JrUHksE4JcHvf6Ye/s240/81zGfxB4+WL.SR160,240_BG243,243,243.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="160" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnloQdBmCoG71I_CWMI7uRDH84O0pZx7aC0HM6x57E7p2uE5TfCP-wY2MpwVB2LqsUhh-tk8eNH1tQsbkRZCWFym10xvXf48YpvWuW9NGHqXDGZlgPIMrRmzbAaMBCsIT_06YrvVlKHyTXLJuBBU_GZyaiwvioJMF1VYQbmDuJXAW0JrUHksE4JcHvf6Ye/w133-h200/81zGfxB4+WL.SR160,240_BG243,243,243.jpg" width="133" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p>Jan Baynhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06356572488839476046noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3357383818158631304.post-33505861074576508902023-10-09T01:05:00.002-07:002023-10-09T01:08:25.270-07:00<p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Guest Post with Georgia Hill</b></span> </p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL8-qRy2CWspIqIhYE0DtGcWVCjhFIp1l0NkM50hiobZ3GPUMvuyXuILvf5m53znIFXJU4sAIodynnLzyyD5XkVUNqhNEVIWuJxfnZUiu_eut2z_0ex2IvchDAEjraVyL6W2iz_0Y8AmpwKtIY_wOhUJGdVO8_1Ngz1okGkvLOMgiJixOqeJB6vJO5VvBb/s640/Author%20pic.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL8-qRy2CWspIqIhYE0DtGcWVCjhFIp1l0NkM50hiobZ3GPUMvuyXuILvf5m53znIFXJU4sAIodynnLzyyD5XkVUNqhNEVIWuJxfnZUiu_eut2z_0ex2IvchDAEjraVyL6W2iz_0Y8AmpwKtIY_wOhUJGdVO8_1Ngz1okGkvLOMgiJixOqeJB6vJO5VvBb/w200-h200/Author%20pic.jpeg" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">This week I am very pleased to welcome author, Georgia Hill, to the blog. Her latest novel, <i><span style="color: #2b00fe;">New Beginnings at Christmas Tree Cottage</span>, </i>was published on September 19th by Bloodhound Books.</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">Georgia, welcome. I know that like me, setting plays an important part when writing so I'm looking forward to hearing about where your novels are set. Over to you!</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 12pt;">Huge thanks for inviting me onto your blog, Jan. I started out with good
intentions but got a bit side-tracked. As you will see if you read on …</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I’m a small-town girl. I grew up in the small market
town of Stourbridge, once in Worcestershire, now in the West Midlands. I loved
that it had a border of countryside around it delineating it from elsewhere. It
gave the place a definite identity, I suppose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">(As I’ve been writing this on a Sunday afternoon with
Radio 2 playing in the background, someone raised in Stourbridge and of my
generation has just written into Johnny Walker’s Jukebox Slot. The woman was my
age, had my voice and requested one of my all-time favourite songs – <i>Home
Thoughts From Abroad</i> by Worcestershire singer-songwriter, Clifford T Ward. We definitely
shared memories! Owen Owen, the department store, and occasional sightings of rock
legend, Robert Plant who went to school in the town. I’ll never forget spotting
him, returning as the conquering hero in the 70s, emerging from a pink Cadillac
and flinging his long hair back!)<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This triggered other memories. My little hometown once
proudly boasted a weekly market, three cinemas, Mark and Moody where I spent my
pocket money on vinyl, a vibrant high street and lots of excellent pubs. I
haven’t been back for ages but suspect things are a little different nowadays! For
ten headily exciting years I lived in London. I’ve also lived in Malvern Wells
a historic Victorian water cure town and in several tiny villages. Now, once again,
I live in a small town. This one, though, has a sea front as its southernmost
border. I love books set in small communities, I love to read them and I love
to write them. Moving from the city to the country or a tightly-knit community
is a recurring theme in my books. Can’t imagine why!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Back in the day, one lesson I taught was about how
settlements grow over time. Using squared paper, the children drew in the
natural geographical features, a river or hill say, and then added plastic
counting cubes (if you’re a teacher or parent you’ll know exactly what I mean).
We began with red cubes for a Roman town putting in the bathhouse and barracks,
yellow for medieval adding a market hall, blue for Victorian with factories and
mills, terraced houses and railways, orange for modern day development with its
out-of-town shopping malls and housing estates. You get the picture. I loved
building up the imaginary communities. Yes, it was simplistic, but it gave us
all a clear idea of how towns have a chronology and, if you look closely, you
can still see it. Always a good tip; look up above the modern-day shop fronts!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Of course, once you’ve created your settlement, you
then have to name it. I love maps and regional variations of names fascinate me.
Dorset is a county rich in fantastic place names. It’s been invaded by most and
the place names reflect its rich history. Who could resist Corfe Mullen,
Sturminster Marshall or Winterborne Zelston? It’s also a county which loves its
double-barrelled place names!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRXT7eEhnZ7MvhJ6wnlzbwhYvK4aTpG-f6B1WBVoxblYoTVz-l-6zs8anFGH2lTJdsQIiuDTjvZkwX-IFL_Bs4PMvFKEa_CWJ5g3tu2aPNVFw8iZkrjWgVVHJqeKRlr5ZlNDU5Ey7W7glxeghvM_nzc_bKe3CIm6SS5hT3i8r85NyMae53g6ul9o3tql1p/s1379/Picture1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="997" data-original-width="1379" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRXT7eEhnZ7MvhJ6wnlzbwhYvK4aTpG-f6B1WBVoxblYoTVz-l-6zs8anFGH2lTJdsQIiuDTjvZkwX-IFL_Bs4PMvFKEa_CWJ5g3tu2aPNVFw8iZkrjWgVVHJqeKRlr5ZlNDU5Ey7W7glxeghvM_nzc_bKe3CIm6SS5hT3i8r85NyMae53g6ul9o3tql1p/w400-h289/Picture1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Berecombe, where I’ve based ten novels, is an entirely
fictional Devon seaside town and is based on Lyme Regis. Which is in Dorset.
But only just! The name came to me after a little research. Combe always says
Devon to me (it means a hollow in the hills) there’s the village of Beer, and
also a hamlet called Beercrocombe in Somerset. To me, Berecombe sounds
absolutely as if it’s a real place in Devon. Readers have often asked me where
it is. For a writer a seaside town has a wealth of plot opportunities. They
have a high transitory population, often a small closely knitted ‘born and
bred’ community and lots of scope for newcomers moving in to stir things ups a
bit. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">When I had to invent a whole new town for a new series
of books, I decided to look further east for inspiration and set the books in
west Dorset. Originally the setting was to be a small market town in mid Dorset
but when the hero’s story emerged, I realised I needed, once again, to set it
by the seaside. Jago, my lovely grief-stricken hero, yearns to volunteer for
the RNLI but the aftermath of a family tragedy is holding him back. He’s also
an artist who’s lost his mojo. The glossy sands and wide seascapes of Lullbury
Bay set it alight again. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga5VUPEvEFCxPkzM6m2K0lWrTlNl0eWkn-oKKjdfH2vc_q43HkD43wPm90nfCbCwBUaDs47MGa_fB8UpGvdBnj2-vabt74VcCSL_mfiSK86PqawQ8Jpjvz4-2qVTheAAZGaPGo6-5MV24kLmnuWX6YN4lLRpM-YGT_x9WGgkOzBrVUSR34ksyKxALXG_AG/s1379/Picture2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1035" data-original-width="1379" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga5VUPEvEFCxPkzM6m2K0lWrTlNl0eWkn-oKKjdfH2vc_q43HkD43wPm90nfCbCwBUaDs47MGa_fB8UpGvdBnj2-vabt74VcCSL_mfiSK86PqawQ8Jpjvz4-2qVTheAAZGaPGo6-5MV24kLmnuWX6YN4lLRpM-YGT_x9WGgkOzBrVUSR34ksyKxALXG_AG/w400-h300/Picture2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 12pt;">Lullbury Bay has a strong resemblance to Lyme but has
bits of Beaminster, West Bay and arty Bridport mixed in. It’s bigger than
Berecombe which gives me more scope for plots, has a harbour, a vibrant high
street with galleries and independent traders, a bookshop with a community
café, a florist’s, a grammar school, a soon to be awarded Michelin starred restaurant,
an ancient church, public gardens and a bowling green, an art college and an
extremely steep hill nicknamed God-Almighty Hill as that’s all you can gasp out
once you’ve reached the top. It’s even still has a post office and bank - well,
I am writing fiction! There’s a ruined castle too. It features hardly at all in
the first two books in the series but it’s there should I need it. It’s just
the sort of small town I’d love to live in. And, by writing my books, I sort of
do!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I love creating my imaginary worlds. I don’t think
I’ve ever really outgrown that geography lesson with the squared paper and
counting cubes …<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKSweAsSA1Y1FNEWbBknbggd7WDpW9oJQTk-RHO587TIT4zSp7esEiyzhre63F4KtXbttWNjffFBl8gc3KMlrEy8Wkq2H4Z44iTcCIOM5MZJ7WwtJqXndL7RrO4-4_fFpv5Ni4Lui1FsjMYpjyYRqA2UfD_7pT-VaHvsBeXNctD6OsJAJ8uKSy_KV7HPLg/s602/cover.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="602" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKSweAsSA1Y1FNEWbBknbggd7WDpW9oJQTk-RHO587TIT4zSp7esEiyzhre63F4KtXbttWNjffFBl8gc3KMlrEy8Wkq2H4Z44iTcCIOM5MZJ7WwtJqXndL7RrO4-4_fFpv5Ni4Lui1FsjMYpjyYRqA2UfD_7pT-VaHvsBeXNctD6OsJAJ8uKSy_KV7HPLg/s320/cover.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 12pt;">If you’re intrigued by Lullbury Bay and want to spend
some time there, </span><i style="font-family: arial; font-size: 12pt;">New Beginnings at Christmas Tree Cottage</i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 12pt;"> was published
this September, with the second in the series coming out next February.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Here’s a little about it:</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">A contemporary Christmassy romance, full of cheesy
Christmas music and mince pies, it features my favourite hero!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The little town of Lullbury Bay goes all
out for Christmas and teacher Honor Martin loves it. After a bad break up she’s
settled into the simple pleasures of seaside life and Christmas is the high
point of her year. Glass artist Jago Pengethley, however, doesn’t share her
enthusiasm. A new arrival in town, he’s here with his mother and sister to
start anew after a devastating family tragedy. He doesn’t want to celebrate
Christmas ever again. But, to help his sister replace bad memories with good
ones, he accompanies her to all the various wild and wacky festivities Lullbury
Bay offers. They keep bumping into Honor and, as Jago gets to know her better,
might she be the one to teach him how to love Christmas again?<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">Thank you, Georgia. I love how you've created your fictional town based on real places and especially how you researched a suitable place name.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>About the writer:</b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Georgia Hill writes warm-hearted and uplifting contemporary and dual narrative romances about love, the power and joy in being an eccentric oldie and finding yourself and your community. There's always a dog. It's usually a naughty spaniel of which, unfortunately, she has had much experience. She lives near the sea with her beloved dogs and her husband (also beloved) and loves the books of Jane Austen, collecting elephants and Strictly Come Dancing. She's also a complete museum geek and finds inspiration for her books in the folklore and history of the many places in which she's lived. She's worked in theatre, for a charity and as a teacher and educational consultant before finally acknowledging that making things up was what she really wanted to do, She's been happily creating heroines, intriguing men and page-turning stories ever since.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>You can find more about Georgia here:</b></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Twitter/X <a href="https://twitter.com/georgiawrites">@georgiawrites</a><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Facebook <a href="https://www.facebook.com/georgiahill">https://www.facebook.com/georgiahill</a></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/georgiahill5681">https://www.instagram.com/georgiahill5681</a></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Website <a href="http://www.georgiahill.co.uk">www.georgiahill.co.uk</a></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Pinterest <a href="https://www.pinterest.co.uk/georgiawrites">https://www.pinterest.co.uk/georgiawrites</a></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Buying links for <i>New Beginnings at Christmas Tree
Cottage</i>:</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="http://geni.us/ChristmasTreeCottage">geni.us/ChristmasTreeCottage</a><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="http://mybook.to/Lullbury1">mybook.to/Lullbury1</a></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Thank you for reading. As a writer, do you use real places as your setting or, like Georgia, do you have a fictional location based on real places? As a reader do you like to recognise places where the book is set? I'd love to read your comments. Thanks.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">You may also follow me on:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Twitter/X - <a href="https://twitter.com/JanBaynham">@JanBaynham</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Facebook - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/JanBayLit">Jan Baynham Writer</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Instagram - <a href="https://www.instagram.com/janbaynham/?hl=en-gb">janbaynham</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 16px;">For more about me and my writing, please visit:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 16px;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Jan-Baynham/e/B085DC6BKR?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1696838342&sr=8-1">MY AMAZON PAGE</a><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">My latest novel is <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0CD86JDLF/">The Secret Sister</a>. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCYSgLo28wXY7zk0umZzR5j-hl-xag0lU4luAraX7bUBdJMYIil3YkeUHBcutu4UrF2TUvG8SjWB_YxboY-RbZBI92IR8kNq3HOuuWbEXl4jN2RlfFR3PlOeLuKhMhnH4ovtg4dWU8iCodQOAxEO9w0D2A06wJuTCU5cAkJNSg0vBrfY4OWn6l_SWWQ2L_/s200/51M4vykrEPL%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="125" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCYSgLo28wXY7zk0umZzR5j-hl-xag0lU4luAraX7bUBdJMYIil3YkeUHBcutu4UrF2TUvG8SjWB_YxboY-RbZBI92IR8kNq3HOuuWbEXl4jN2RlfFR3PlOeLuKhMhnH4ovtg4dWU8iCodQOAxEO9w0D2A06wJuTCU5cAkJNSg0vBrfY4OWn6l_SWWQ2L_/s1600/51M4vykrEPL%20(1).jpg" width="125" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p></p>Jan Baynhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06356572488839476046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3357383818158631304.post-66730996617194484402023-10-02T00:27:00.000-07:002023-10-02T00:27:35.365-07:00<p> <span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Guest Post with Anni Rose</b></span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGNUy8AhwjQNBZssLLbyUXe_bO5VULBxL9PW4B0VdS44pB49ME2111rHq0jL3mMETqvPmRktBz_UXIQKTXOO6tfKeItuPgseilRRUwYTTMpVs-F1LuB7L3OtZk64OInOnMk5BTpzJC-P1ffNignbz-3JTu2ttD39FaC7AHEY92KnkwEhZAqiMBrI-9nAYq/s700/Anni-Small%20(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="700" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGNUy8AhwjQNBZssLLbyUXe_bO5VULBxL9PW4B0VdS44pB49ME2111rHq0jL3mMETqvPmRktBz_UXIQKTXOO6tfKeItuPgseilRRUwYTTMpVs-F1LuB7L3OtZk64OInOnMk5BTpzJC-P1ffNignbz-3JTu2ttD39FaC7AHEY92KnkwEhZAqiMBrI-9nAYq/w200-h200/Anni-Small%20(2).jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">Today I'm delighted to welcome author, Anni Rose, back to the blog. <i><b>Recipe for Mr Banksy</b></i>, Anni's fifth novel in her <i>Recipe for Love </i>series, was published on September 19th by Choc Lit Publishing, an imprint of <a href="https://joffebooks.com/">JOFFE BOOKS</a> and I've invited her to tell us more about the story behind her book. </span><p></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">Over to you, Anni!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXSByfAtatG9EsfXJ7_MEqS7cIIaGIh6b-rzaah9H0Oc42KUpCGWAfI_DFWB_kbUcJEj67_iMuX42FZrTRxvN2D-py2liphASt-1bkGObAYH9uJVeGUTw7fOCi3EGodyw7hkdF7IEKj7fRJGz3rgFlepe4Tb3J89ulGCB3HhYzKfVoAA98WwuD0wEbtyUw/s2250/RECIPE%20FOR%20MR%20BANKSY%20Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2250" data-original-width="1410" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXSByfAtatG9EsfXJ7_MEqS7cIIaGIh6b-rzaah9H0Oc42KUpCGWAfI_DFWB_kbUcJEj67_iMuX42FZrTRxvN2D-py2liphASt-1bkGObAYH9uJVeGUTw7fOCi3EGodyw7hkdF7IEKj7fRJGz3rgFlepe4Tb3J89ulGCB3HhYzKfVoAA98WwuD0wEbtyUw/w202-h320/RECIPE%20FOR%20MR%20BANKSY%20Cover.jpg" width="202" /></a></div><p></p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><br /></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs7-6955EyNUuu_dU5b2ZQpeHvnLCVcsME0dbdTUdVVDrxGzjnnwUskx2PncM6MP4Hf5aaL6NIRB5r0VSIH9vpbGZ4bWFXm_eyhNDPWzZAM3PcONl9-RXonicqtk5EQ88uOHPl6SjolXnjpIMoTLgj8OwL9-LChlm3GzZoWpQr88yljk6rdb7yey_siL-W/s1137/Robbie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1137" data-original-width="882" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs7-6955EyNUuu_dU5b2ZQpeHvnLCVcsME0dbdTUdVVDrxGzjnnwUskx2PncM6MP4Hf5aaL6NIRB5r0VSIH9vpbGZ4bWFXm_eyhNDPWzZAM3PcONl9-RXonicqtk5EQ88uOHPl6SjolXnjpIMoTLgj8OwL9-LChlm3GzZoWpQr88yljk6rdb7yey_siL-W/w155-h200/Robbie.jpg" width="155" /></a></div><span style="text-indent: 0cm;">Thank you, Jan, for inviting me on to your
blog today to talk about </span><i style="text-indent: 0cm;">Recipe for Mr Banksy</i><span style="text-indent: 0cm;">. I know that you’re a Welsh cake
lady, but I’ve brought Toffee Crisps, they’re Robbie’s favourites, although I’m
quite partial to them too. Toffee, marshmallow, and rice crispies - what’s not
to like - my </span><span style="text-indent: 0cm;">grandmother’s recipe. Robbie is an important part of </span><i style="text-indent: 0cm;">Recipe for Mr
Banksy</i><span style="text-indent: 0cm;">, he was partly inspired by this image in Penge. He’s as
fascinated by graffiti as I am, which is why this book has been so much fun for
me to write.</span></div><br /></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />So, <i>Recipe for Mr Banksy</i> is <i>beauty therapist meets
a graffiti artist</i>, or in the words of my elevator pitch – <i>beauty therapist with
apostrophe issues meets disaffected doctor over a stolen can of paint</i>. No, that
wasn’t something the publishers used on the blurb! This book felt like a real
labour of love. My tribute to graffiti artists all round the world and maybe
one in particular! </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvumBtfr5V-BuD_pifQ8FDdR3xO8dc1a_Hm0xxoTJVm99NezJK0CaLzlxpnV5h-WPMBM4AFh_NSSq9pZ3I5RVCouC_AbFpKQrvFBH0Cd61Scnnb9PuVdnugj0XkJZuguK5twOaAmYEBhMqFmapw-7pgA6VTmGCVZQwB1EgAzlZMzChIY2y04dQ73wVbHup/s1843/Banksy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1843" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvumBtfr5V-BuD_pifQ8FDdR3xO8dc1a_Hm0xxoTJVm99NezJK0CaLzlxpnV5h-WPMBM4AFh_NSSq9pZ3I5RVCouC_AbFpKQrvFBH0Cd61Scnnb9PuVdnugj0XkJZuguK5twOaAmYEBhMqFmapw-7pgA6VTmGCVZQwB1EgAzlZMzChIY2y04dQ73wVbHup/w400-h125/Banksy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">One of my favourite graffiti for ages had to be the
PEAS on the M25 bridge near Uxbridge/Watford. I can’t remember not seeing PEAS
on journeys round the M25, but then one December I was driving up to see some
friends in Suffolk for the New Year and it had been amended to read, <i>Give Peas
a Chance,</i> which made me smile all the way to Suffolk and every time I saw it
afterwards. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEhmW3Oq3Y8f47pTnG4CeXyM7_3yX1cN2SARJRoJ5E9Yzg_0KB7GkPs0jOs9xBcAL0twCm8gTtQ_34EAI4pdiIL_6rq9gzJQFYmbKk9V1n8U5On3cj5GfrpYi8lzTsEHEIOR6VtabWeOhoKwkqNfI4-JBF_SI_8hSaoLm_TTvGjOtTMSe6gRyWpHFSITCZ/s677/GivePeasAChance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="344" data-original-width="677" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEhmW3Oq3Y8f47pTnG4CeXyM7_3yX1cN2SARJRoJ5E9Yzg_0KB7GkPs0jOs9xBcAL0twCm8gTtQ_34EAI4pdiIL_6rq9gzJQFYmbKk9V1n8U5On3cj5GfrpYi8lzTsEHEIOR6VtabWeOhoKwkqNfI4-JBF_SI_8hSaoLm_TTvGjOtTMSe6gRyWpHFSITCZ/w320-h163/GivePeasAChance.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">My favourite images are those with
humour in them. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDhemfd1GNhT8j0xTxMBM7gdYyPAWEHVO-Az3DaaRj_RzUKYemvIP7-SoQEx4G0pPGWqgP1mSe12Fcr4lXOIRZxbF3fYQkEiuOBtujpAUhNJvNj4aMuffAUuT3dHPWK29zbyiyWemXxY6W6KHrmy0K1sfuRLnYov13cVgKjGsVxvQeEFD93neMtC2gfmwG/s864/WinoParking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="864" data-original-width="576" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDhemfd1GNhT8j0xTxMBM7gdYyPAWEHVO-Az3DaaRj_RzUKYemvIP7-SoQEx4G0pPGWqgP1mSe12Fcr4lXOIRZxbF3fYQkEiuOBtujpAUhNJvNj4aMuffAUuT3dHPWK29zbyiyWemXxY6W6KHrmy0K1sfuRLnYov13cVgKjGsVxvQeEFD93neMtC2gfmwG/w213-h320/WinoParking.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMIc8fsVq2-QLat0XFcOlee0qLXoLWLOL1WOyBk1tMTZQ-zpXqHcOB3m3F2YCZPWnvLjUsTJ-QQPTnSBE5an5uiY1MS3W4WlHjQVRBSrz7WJ3NmtXsZkFSJzV7-jVv5t7CdaG1TVEx-jPRTasLNa4LOdlpo287H8badnocViNt5G-VjnsdIj0Ft9cze4Ei/s1024/Kerb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="687" data-original-width="1024" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMIc8fsVq2-QLat0XFcOlee0qLXoLWLOL1WOyBk1tMTZQ-zpXqHcOB3m3F2YCZPWnvLjUsTJ-QQPTnSBE5an5uiY1MS3W4WlHjQVRBSrz7WJ3NmtXsZkFSJzV7-jVv5t7CdaG1TVEx-jPRTasLNa4LOdlpo287H8badnocViNt5G-VjnsdIj0Ft9cze4Ei/s320/Kerb.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">Often, you have to keep your eyes open to spot some works, like this one, a miniature wheat paste, by Pablo Delgado, which when you realise the bricks in the wall behind it are probably what - two to three inches high at the most? You can see why his works are not always easy to spot. </span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; text-align: center;"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE5W7rhzjw9YDcebM1z3ld609RBcU2c3RomySOuslpXH6qNXta8A9PJdFc1NspkwOGEIN9y5ldyxs57KSVh-TO_QoOq6KWLjx4cRSRLvt0hBm9-AG0Yc2COm9zDBHyScm2JivyRy91kQ4KzOVI2mWorBq6TyIddcTozyDyBh6kixfPDrne9TClhpU9QaYQ/s768/ChewingGum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="576" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE5W7rhzjw9YDcebM1z3ld609RBcU2c3RomySOuslpXH6qNXta8A9PJdFc1NspkwOGEIN9y5ldyxs57KSVh-TO_QoOq6KWLjx4cRSRLvt0hBm9-AG0Yc2COm9zDBHyScm2JivyRy91kQ4KzOVI2mWorBq6TyIddcTozyDyBh6kixfPDrne9TClhpU9QaYQ/w150-h200/ChewingGum.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="150" /></a></p><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">But if you have difficulty spotting them, then you’re probably going to miss the chewing gum artist completely. Someone who brings his art to discarded chewing gum, usually underfoot.</span></span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE5W7rhzjw9YDcebM1z3ld609RBcU2c3RomySOuslpXH6qNXta8A9PJdFc1NspkwOGEIN9y5ldyxs57KSVh-TO_QoOq6KWLjx4cRSRLvt0hBm9-AG0Yc2COm9zDBHyScm2JivyRy91kQ4KzOVI2mWorBq6TyIddcTozyDyBh6kixfPDrne9TClhpU9QaYQ/s768/ChewingGum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiekTIxSCR8jdL3ut51Scd60PF9vhVQWtB-NfJHLllz1lDdnYejiIhS9MNYtWmWPcE-uynO35AvflZhd_WmnV9mxkMe_z9P6fJ0YHMZQcwFcn_4fgCPeIrazaJBaTvnme9m-iJMdjpOysXQ0abeKOgYcofOJ8Gdz6hEcVvB_mjEsaTNx75kXuLGrD-j56X8/s768/DanK.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiekTIxSCR8jdL3ut51Scd60PF9vhVQWtB-NfJHLllz1lDdnYejiIhS9MNYtWmWPcE-uynO35AvflZhd_WmnV9mxkMe_z9P6fJ0YHMZQcwFcn_4fgCPeIrazaJBaTvnme9m-iJMdjpOysXQ0abeKOgYcofOJ8Gdz6hEcVvB_mjEsaTNx75kXuLGrD-j56X8/s320/DanK.jpg" width="213" /></a></span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><span style="font-family: arial;">On the other scale, the lovely Dan Kitchener does
very colourful, complete walls, his wetlook images are among my favourites. <br /><o:p></o:p></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Thankfully, nowadays graffiti is becoming much more
accepted with many towns having regular street art festivals, while other towns
produce walking tours to celebrate their graffiti, which I think is fabulous.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFc8-Wy7FD4uB__icWhNZGZOMLC7ddL8YJ1Zp4PtnMmXMdK5dnDR-PUiJwFwHbqbFMc75eVqK5ojQJYhxJ9GBW_dgAPkZ0liRSlvUDgiTiNgQA2x-UDARaosoFOC0rlq7ke8bdW2umsVUuv0oBRx1B-3tQfK26U-8K3fEFkYYxnJksXgpzakgQWz2qQmYb/s768/CutandI.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="584" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFc8-Wy7FD4uB__icWhNZGZOMLC7ddL8YJ1Zp4PtnMmXMdK5dnDR-PUiJwFwHbqbFMc75eVqK5ojQJYhxJ9GBW_dgAPkZ0liRSlvUDgiTiNgQA2x-UDARaosoFOC0rlq7ke8bdW2umsVUuv0oBRx1B-3tQfK26U-8K3fEFkYYxnJksXgpzakgQWz2qQmYb/w243-h320/CutandI.jpg" width="243" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;">And of course, there is Banksy. My sister and I spent
my birthday weekend driving up and back to Glasgow recently to see his <i>Cut and
Run</i> exhibition where he showed a lot of his old stencils. He said about the
exhibition, ‘<i>These are the stencils I use to paint graffiti. I’ve kept them
hidden away for years mindful they could be used as evidence in a charge of
criminal damage. However, that moment seems to have passed, so now I’m
exhibiting them in a gallery as works of art. I’m not sure which is the greater
crime.</i>’ <o:p></o:p></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">We posed for a Polaroid photo while we were there
next to the picture of the wall at the Bridge Street Primary School. It was
well worth the journey; a fabulous exhibition and I hope he’ll go on producing
work for years to come. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Sorry, I’ve gone on a bit, haven’t I, but thank you
for having me on your blog today, it’s been really fun.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Not at all, Anni. I'm sure readers will have been as interested as I have been to read about your fascination with graffiti. I shall be looking more closely now when I see examples of this art form on our streets. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Blurb</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span class="a-text-bold"><b><span style="color: #0f1111; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><i>Daisy’s love life needs a makeover . . .</i></span></b></span><span style="color: #0f1111;"><i><br />
<br />
Beauty therapist Daisy is having one of those days.<br />
<br />
She’s just ended things with her boyfriend. Coming home to a huge ‘Sold’ sign
planted in their front lawn and hearing him planning to move them into a
caravan is the last straw.<br />
<br />
To top it off, her greedy landlord, who also happens to be her ex’s best
friend, is threatening to ruin her business.<br />
<br />
So it’s no surprise a spelling mistake in the butcher’s window is enough to
push her over the edge. And fixing it with a can of spray paint from a passing
graffiti artist only makes things worse.<br />
<br />
The graffiti artist is actually trainee doctor Jackson. Street art helps him to
relax when he’s not at his stressful job.<br />
<br />
Jackson doesn’t know what to make of the impulsive Daisy, but he can’t get her
out of his head.<br />
<br />
As Daisy fights to save her business, fate seems to delight in throwing her and
Jackson together.<br />
<br />
And boy do they make a good team . . . But can a passionate beauty therapist
and a sensible doctor really have a future?<br /></i>
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--></span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p><span style="font-family: arial; text-indent: 0cm;"><b>Anni Rose Biography</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0cm;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p><span style="font-family: arial; text-indent: 0cm;">Anni was born and raised in
Berkshire, she emigrated to Wiltshire eight years ago, where she now lives with
her husband, sister and two dogs.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;">As a child, she loved writing fiction, producing reams of
stories, most thankfully lost over the years. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;">On leaving school, the need to earn a living sort of got in
the way of any creative ambitions and she became an accountant where her only
published work apart from regular financial reports was the employees’
handbook.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;">A local writing course and an encouraging group of writing
friends re-ignited the fiction flame many years later and she went on to win or
be shortlisted in a number of writing competitions and had short stories
published in <i>Writers Forum</i>, <i>My Weekly</i> and Sophie King’s ‘<i>How to Write your Life
Story’.</i><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;">These days she would describe her writing as contemporary
romances with a healthy dollop of humour thrown in. She’s a member of
the Romantic Novelists Association and was delighted to have been signed by
Choc Lit. in 2020. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Away from writing, she can usually be found either walking
the dogs, on horseback, behind a camera, or enjoying one of her husband’s
curries or sister’s bakery treats.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-indent: 0cm;"><b>Social Media</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/AnniRoseAuthor">@AnniRoseAuthor</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Facebook: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/AnniRoseAuthor">www.facebook.com/AnniRoseAuthor</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Website: <a href="https://anniroseauthor.co.uk">https://anniroseauthor.co.uk</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/anniroseauthor/">anniroseauthor</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Buying links</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Amazon: <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Recipe-Mr-Banksy-gorgeously-uplifting-ebook/dp/B0CF62GY4F/">https://www.amazon.co.uk/Recipe-Mr-Banksy-gorgeously-uplifting-ebook/dp/B0CF62GY4F/</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;">Thank you for reading. Have you spotted an example of street art that's made you stop and smile or think about the meaning behind it?</span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;">You may also follow me on:</span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;">Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/JanBaynham">@JanBaynham</a></span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;">Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/JanBayLit/?locale=en_GB">Jan Baynham Writer</a></span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;">Blog: <a href="https://janbaynham.blogspot.com/">Jan's Journey into Writing</a></span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;">Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/janbaynham/">janbaynham</a></span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;">For more about me, my latest novel, <i><span style="color: #2b00fe;">The Secret Sister,</span></i> and my other books, please visit my <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/Jan-Baynham/author/B085DC6BKR?ref=ap_rdr&store_ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true">AMAZON</a> page. Thank you. </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoaZjlgzIgx1rtNYB_h1pdBrUqcSzzOoLP6XExthh9m8SdVsyZSR4KsU0PrmWKIeNksnSJ4dO54ADd3Gno_XHpIPyji7r5acF15JyaxTLYcoXtwnOYEfDf4foejmfp4w7AsC2QCKVTydOdlSYRCzRDAcKM7hYwLDJoQDr8aACoXQZ4yleTy6E9v8k7UPik/s500/51M4vykrEPL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="313" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoaZjlgzIgx1rtNYB_h1pdBrUqcSzzOoLP6XExthh9m8SdVsyZSR4KsU0PrmWKIeNksnSJ4dO54ADd3Gno_XHpIPyji7r5acF15JyaxTLYcoXtwnOYEfDf4foejmfp4w7AsC2QCKVTydOdlSYRCzRDAcKM7hYwLDJoQDr8aACoXQZ4yleTy6E9v8k7UPik/w125-h200/51M4vykrEPL.jpg" width="125" /></a></div><br /><p></p>Jan Baynhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06356572488839476046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3357383818158631304.post-87373902188903837212023-09-06T10:41:00.001-07:002023-09-06T13:27:09.416-07:00<p> <span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>The Secret Sister is Published</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgktIl57Mq_rJOqjdThDzLqp6eOWI1rDBUgLTVKzxPIoiAejkkBFCWkOMYwUwEY7NLnpMVhUZTFPnvloaNkpAT1_0HW4QGlv4we1BjK6aJXIu9peNBmKCfNGDkzamalugHFP2H964FZQWJ4f8gQDh77xt6WaHdoOXXkQryFddPY96yjTHkada-dPM9dZhIE/s500/TSS%20Cover.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="313" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgktIl57Mq_rJOqjdThDzLqp6eOWI1rDBUgLTVKzxPIoiAejkkBFCWkOMYwUwEY7NLnpMVhUZTFPnvloaNkpAT1_0HW4QGlv4we1BjK6aJXIu9peNBmKCfNGDkzamalugHFP2H964FZQWJ4f8gQDh77xt6WaHdoOXXkQryFddPY96yjTHkada-dPM9dZhIE/s320/TSS%20Cover.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">My fourth novel was launched into the world last Thursday 31st August and I have been delighted with the early reviews and messages I've received already. I thoroughly enjoyed writing the stories of Sara and Claudia and the fact that readers are enjoying it too means a lot to me. As always, Mr Imposter Syndrome was ever present in the days building up to publication day as I worried about what readers would think!</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">As with each of my previous novels, I enjoyed giving prospective readers a flavour of the new book by posting 'count-down' excerpts and snippets accompanied with an appropriate photo. These appeared to have gone down well with readers and I like to think they piqued their interest to download the novel. For those of you who may have missed them, I've expanded on a few that attracted the most interest and given the links for the others: </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibz8kMSlfCtAOCLdJpmj_W3lVec89Q7cebMHku9s-WJrezmqyCx0kpalKpG6_2kxlRacTOQXP_V2GN4574S3QYQoeIwRzvJgtAW7w1Cr-41kXIDOE2yKzXGGWNQzOb1rlkXCZqcK_H5olvKKdaI2KYJya_pjk10LEIsbQACzFuPPeZRusYDhymyZEWLQ2B/s1350/bunk.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1080" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibz8kMSlfCtAOCLdJpmj_W3lVec89Q7cebMHku9s-WJrezmqyCx0kpalKpG6_2kxlRacTOQXP_V2GN4574S3QYQoeIwRzvJgtAW7w1Cr-41kXIDOE2yKzXGGWNQzOb1rlkXCZqcK_H5olvKKdaI2KYJya_pjk10LEIsbQACzFuPPeZRusYDhymyZEWLQ2B/w160-h200/bunk.jpg" width="160" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><p style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>14 Days to Go </b></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>Carlo Rosso lay back on his bunk, drew on his </i></span></span><i style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space-collapse: preserve;">cigarette and blew out circles of smoke as he exhaled. The noise of fellow prisoners talking echoed in the air, which smelled of damp and mould… ‘So, this is where I’m going to spend the last years of the war.’ Miles away from his mother and from Sicily — the country he loved so much.' </i></p></span><p></p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span class="x3nfvp2 x1j61x8r x1fcty0u xdj266r xhhsvwb xat24cr xgzva0m xxymvpz xlup9mm x1kky2od" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; display: inline-flex; height: 16px; margin: 0px 1px; vertical-align: middle; white-space-collapse: preserve; width: 16px;"></span></span><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid0YSaSGuKuRQqPmGZhCbQDn1Bm5MXnQ1E1rCsJ7gXZN1Epd3fcHbJLLDMB18CaQhA1l&id=100063346862341">13 </a></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid0YSaSGuKuRQqPmGZhCbQDn1Bm5MXnQ1E1rCsJ7gXZN1Epd3fcHbJLLDMB18CaQhA1l&id=100063346862341">Days to Go</a>, <a href="https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid0363ZTYCTV6qwHwaRHLna5ZtrP68mrzynh1HHBgNKfXTgpn9ZdSXDoCzd1EkaFvURAl&id=100063346862341">1</a></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid0363ZTYCTV6qwHwaRHLna5ZtrP68mrzynh1HHBgNKfXTgpn9ZdSXDoCzd1EkaFvURAl&id=100063346862341">2 </a></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid0363ZTYCTV6qwHwaRHLna5ZtrP68mrzynh1HHBgNKfXTgpn9ZdSXDoCzd1EkaFvURAl&id=100063346862341">Days to Go</a>, <a href="https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid02Fr7GTGsFna4PmDTDDjn7exJDGnYZHCny3H5hE344U21zCntdTXUep12rDPgALU2Sl&id=100063346862341">1</a></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid02Fr7GTGsFna4PmDTDDjn7exJDGnYZHCny3H5hE344U21zCntdTXUep12rDPgALU2Sl&id=100063346862341">1 </a></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid02Fr7GTGsFna4PmDTDDjn7exJDGnYZHCny3H5hE344U21zCntdTXUep12rDPgALU2Sl&id=100063346862341">Days to Go</a>, <a href="https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid0Z5pU7icMWqU2QCbDLhTENQV1ABbmUnqLJYMUZYRtiTixwefiFMYSAqjqoh8rukkel&id=100063346862341">1</a></span><a href="https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid0Z5pU7icMWqU2QCbDLhTENQV1ABbmUnqLJYMUZYRtiTixwefiFMYSAqjqoh8rukkel&id=100063346862341"><span style="font-family: arial;">0 </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Days to Go</span></a><span style="font-family: arial;">, <a href="https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid02KCqCJLUib4og15SHSQ929r73FeyM7imZWnv2nX8xNhQDoUxP1ouoRd4Ss4kD1Y2Fl&id=100063346862341">9 </a></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid02KCqCJLUib4og15SHSQ929r73FeyM7imZWnv2nX8xNhQDoUxP1ouoRd4Ss4kD1Y2Fl&id=100063346862341">Days to Go</a>, </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>8 days to Go</b></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiff8y70X8_jdLR-I1WXCySDsApVGy2CDb0VnSI5ml36cwoupVcpu2_JrZmXog6sCE2uBmGHgHDqNbl9XilBPgnIFbM3zdBQabuNaBF7TPCzSldhJvFU2dcOqL_oEAEjvkKwHD6rnqV4gJARQjeOvHnfo231NOtlGrGPjWxYRb4R3YdX5hQjEosjRShCIjG/s1200/wedding%20cake.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1080" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiff8y70X8_jdLR-I1WXCySDsApVGy2CDb0VnSI5ml36cwoupVcpu2_JrZmXog6sCE2uBmGHgHDqNbl9XilBPgnIFbM3zdBQabuNaBF7TPCzSldhJvFU2dcOqL_oEAEjvkKwHD6rnqV4gJARQjeOvHnfo231NOtlGrGPjWxYRb4R3YdX5hQjEosjRShCIjG/w180-h200/wedding%20cake.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><span style="background-color: white; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>'The wedding breakfast was held at the village hall in Dolwen. Nell and Peggy had decorated <br />the room with the bunting left over from the VE Day parties, and friends had pooled their food coupons together to supply the sandwiches and cakes. Sara smiled when she saw the large, elaborate wedding cake placed on a square table in the corner. No one would guess how small the fruit cake was hidden inside the cardboard cover she and Menna had decorated with plaster and painted to look like a professionally iced wedding cake.’</i></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid0SuW8JwXJjQhjxdcYP3M6MRujTKrNcQjJPUZt9xeh3csgoez12f45sH8nRbJMAdpXl&id=100063346862341">7 </a></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid0SuW8JwXJjQhjxdcYP3M6MRujTKrNcQjJPUZt9xeh3csgoez12f45sH8nRbJMAdpXl&id=100063346862341">Days to Go</a></span><span style="font-family: arial;">,</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b style="font-size: 15px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2G6YGEsVK6QawHs0dbMiLrzY992VQYXh-PtCaC4feAHnSV1ovSSCjAkYCN2x4mbLqO8NN_sKXRG6Qq4KT89QyAwtVbienogiXOPlDbmvm-fLHKv5ObUauk3xwgRarbZOFkpcUeECkmJ9OwjYl5SdurR9_LYyabQmpVVHBPn7_n61gJhupWbNmRI9mw8kG/s1280/coffee.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="962" data-original-width="1280" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2G6YGEsVK6QawHs0dbMiLrzY992VQYXh-PtCaC4feAHnSV1ovSSCjAkYCN2x4mbLqO8NN_sKXRG6Qq4KT89QyAwtVbienogiXOPlDbmvm-fLHKv5ObUauk3xwgRarbZOFkpcUeECkmJ9OwjYl5SdurR9_LYyabQmpVVHBPn7_n61gJhupWbNmRI9mw8kG/w200-h151/coffee.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />6 Days to Go - </span></b><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>'Halfway along the street was a busy trattoria with delicious smells of freshly ground coffee wafting in Claudia’s direction. She smiled when she remembered her father turning his nose up at the Camp coffee her mam made him with hot milk. “Real coffee comes from roasted beans, not a bottle with a funny blue label, Sara,” he used to tease her. Spaghetti didn’t come in tins either, according to him.’</i></span></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><i> </i></span><p></p><p><a href="5 Days to Go"><span style="font-family: arial;">5 </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Days to Go</span></a><span style="font-family: arial;">, </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>4 Days to Go</b></span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRwPdTV0Ny9-2Vskdwl5bjKq_nOK0YaH-35MW7EsOMALDvxlF-hxV9I5qa0OvqxIpggMSrKutkr4sTfRr53qm9D1ZfqevwQbhh4DUtrYsP1LCFEiOF3rxJ6ITxfJZkJiV5g7O0otkYgjZkAxolBYSk9yrBp4eiASN4kOnk2oluNoq_JRmDIRpgq1RVyu-w/s1280/pots%20on%20steps.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRwPdTV0Ny9-2Vskdwl5bjKq_nOK0YaH-35MW7EsOMALDvxlF-hxV9I5qa0OvqxIpggMSrKutkr4sTfRr53qm9D1ZfqevwQbhh4DUtrYsP1LCFEiOF3rxJ6ITxfJZkJiV5g7O0otkYgjZkAxolBYSk9yrBp4eiASN4kOnk2oluNoq_JRmDIRpgq1RVyu-w/w150-h200/pots%20on%20steps.jpg" width="150" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i><p><i>‘Claudia took her time on the steep walk back up to the main town, stopping to browse the little shops selling handmade local crafts and jewellery, which lined the cobbled streets. On the steps of some of the shops were colourful ceramic pots containing scarlet geraniums, and the balconies above displayed more pots with showy plants.’ </i></p></i></span></span><p></p><p><br /></p><p><b style="font-family: arial;"><br /></b></p><p><b style="font-family: arial;">3 Days to Go</b></p><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip_yKlZ5ywsbX_EOn-TcRBELWW__WkB4GS3tbFlPo2bQYT3ozya61pNVUwCWdupj0AFcxEENhTpZdrlrlu146lwRYv_yHjcMaAJh-kpepHsA6NkT3dT4Z7m0vcdLjd2ZUlEYnKPJRnnwLcA2Wz2kd83gsJ_2aWeU6w0bnJzeWQH0OP-cOBWSH-2Vl53ijU/s1350/drawings.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1080" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip_yKlZ5ywsbX_EOn-TcRBELWW__WkB4GS3tbFlPo2bQYT3ozya61pNVUwCWdupj0AFcxEENhTpZdrlrlu146lwRYv_yHjcMaAJh-kpepHsA6NkT3dT4Z7m0vcdLjd2ZUlEYnKPJRnnwLcA2Wz2kd83gsJ_2aWeU6w0bnJzeWQH0OP-cOBWSH-2Vl53ijU/w160-h200/drawings.jpg" width="160" /></a></div>‘On the wall were what looked like children’s drawings of aeroplanes sketched in charcoal.<br /></span></i></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i><span style="font-family: arial;">“Different kinds of fighter bombers, even a parachute. Imagine being a child and having to spend your days (in these caves).” Alessandro’s voice was sombre. ‘No fresh air, no playing on the beach, just squashed in here with hundreds of people you did not even know. Poor bambini.”’</span></i></div><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid0JQXooymSneNGaRHzLWPKbWRZa1jiLqsu4aGicHnMjTataFjRWxKRP342d4grptQRl&id=100063346862341">2 </a></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid0JQXooymSneNGaRHzLWPKbWRZa1jiLqsu4aGicHnMjTataFjRWxKRP342d4grptQRl&id=100063346862341">Days to Go</a></span><span style="font-family: arial;">, <a href="https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid0jpRxhx2iDrH1yTTwJRX4wG9zDLdqTKKcnYpbjJVrhjMrF2kbK319TXprJvPsMYZTl&id=100063346862341">1 </a></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid0jpRxhx2iDrH1yTTwJRX4wG9zDLdqTKKcnYpbjJVrhjMrF2kbK319TXprJvPsMYZTl&id=100063346862341">Day to Go</a>.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhunu_y-g7VFCeLjHFtHpq9aXEasvDbu_-ZSXTRfa5U6k-xXQMa9LLRUeV3_vRR2xEgyN8tgRwX1uEGsOdkLPu2YjTkkp7jxp4SfKUCt877EDCowdyu8blw9kBVG3i58vyHTikyeFhI2lTDtoo-eP8tzN4OUVpVciI96yYGXi4nCvLc0u6zYEwQeZQsil2i/s1350/cebration%20day.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1080" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhunu_y-g7VFCeLjHFtHpq9aXEasvDbu_-ZSXTRfa5U6k-xXQMa9LLRUeV3_vRR2xEgyN8tgRwX1uEGsOdkLPu2YjTkkp7jxp4SfKUCt877EDCowdyu8blw9kBVG3i58vyHTikyeFhI2lTDtoo-eP8tzN4OUVpVciI96yYGXi4nCvLc0u6zYEwQeZQsil2i/w160-h200/cebration%20day.jpg" width="160" /></a></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYMWS5BsCcDrq_lvQ86LH8V1j-E4_7KgPlC_3fV2llYJSk9yBdRXWoFSnHl3sMK6l8Iav3z2VCtETTyZI-AvQNZdiI-oHQPDUzYmUgE_SrvMXHoz8c40v9TAVejv0H6_uJ-kmKSIxON6SJ-xKp01oMBYwoOc94AKyNIMfMV2l2NZWm3qQrRVaRV7mro5D6/s1280/arancini.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYMWS5BsCcDrq_lvQ86LH8V1j-E4_7KgPlC_3fV2llYJSk9yBdRXWoFSnHl3sMK6l8Iav3z2VCtETTyZI-AvQNZdiI-oHQPDUzYmUgE_SrvMXHoz8c40v9TAVejv0H6_uJ-kmKSIxON6SJ-xKp01oMBYwoOc94AKyNIMfMV2l2NZWm3qQrRVaRV7mro5D6/w150-h200/arancini.jpg" width="150" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>On publication day itself, I celebrated with an Italian meal at a local <i>trattoria</i> </span><span style="background-color: white; white-space-collapse: preserve;">with my husband for a celebratory lunch. The meal was superb - an Aperol Spritz <i>aperitivo</i> before Sicilian <i>arancini</i> to start, followed by ravioli, then Sicilian lemon tart. The <i>digestivo</i> had to be a limoncello as Claudia would have tasted for the first time in the novel.<br /></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; white-space-collapse: preserve;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7HaAloGWNAOZVhpJA8k_bP8IrLCTTTwTFZMHEGpxv_cm-d8N6BNg-i4eZJVL0H0kn9muIiM68tvNp3pSEIPZcdbvLDieMUf1tN-oMeeaIgw6cij-YM9lwOV45MGZ3A7OsVopUKjsv4nOhMiZxAuo2Y9gKGsPVKT0LuUbGcDtqFBiwXKeV-SWh6wPj2rZO/s4032/IMG_3774%20(2).jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7HaAloGWNAOZVhpJA8k_bP8IrLCTTTwTFZMHEGpxv_cm-d8N6BNg-i4eZJVL0H0kn9muIiM68tvNp3pSEIPZcdbvLDieMUf1tN-oMeeaIgw6cij-YM9lwOV45MGZ3A7OsVopUKjsv4nOhMiZxAuo2Y9gKGsPVKT0LuUbGcDtqFBiwXKeV-SWh6wPj2rZO/w150-h200/IMG_3774%20(2).jpg" width="150" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;">A huge thank you to all who have downloaded and read <i><span>The Secret Sister</span></i> already. I'd love to hear what you think about it. </span><p></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; white-space-collapse: preserve;">It was very exciting to receive the beautiful paperbacks that have arrived ready for the official launch next week. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; white-space-collapse: preserve;">You may order the ebook and the paperback <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Secret-Sister-breathtaking-family-sixties-ebook/dp/B0CD86JDLF/">HERE</a>. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i><span style="white-space-collapse: collapse;">'This is a beautifully written story where we are taken from the POW camps in Wales to breathtaking Sicily. </span><span style="white-space-collapse: collapse;">A family saga that deals with heartache, romance and mystery . A real page turner you won't be disappointed.'</span></i></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="white-space-collapse: collapse;">Thank you for reading. You may also follow me on:</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="white-space-collapse: collapse;">Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/JanBaynham">@JanBaynham</a></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Facebook <a href="https://www.facebook.com/JanBayLit">Jan Baynham Writer</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/janbaynham/?hl=en-gb">janbaynham</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">For more about me and all my books, please visit my <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Jan-Baynham/e/B085DC6BKR/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1">AMAZON</a> page.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p>Jan Baynhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06356572488839476046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3357383818158631304.post-62277948224295330592023-08-28T00:28:00.000-07:002023-08-28T00:28:40.518-07:00<p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b> Guest Post with Sue McDonagh</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz_IQZ7OpjI0ILSnmRhiUIOr5iGGPhR9g0ALhgAWeCwVaeS8nMnoOkstVWLW1i7Td-_PpLX1kpF4WDxUsfx6Ena85D1bFQoL77nM_IEQGYAB5BZIRxCT0ONMbiWvsPbYfhjwbaxUvMSNvNbg8GJB4pCIS05h-Y2EvIRBwoqdnYqQGyGt9sPtqCC6m4u9Ub/s208/download.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="208" data-original-width="140" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz_IQZ7OpjI0ILSnmRhiUIOr5iGGPhR9g0ALhgAWeCwVaeS8nMnoOkstVWLW1i7Td-_PpLX1kpF4WDxUsfx6Ena85D1bFQoL77nM_IEQGYAB5BZIRxCT0ONMbiWvsPbYfhjwbaxUvMSNvNbg8GJB4pCIS05h-Y2EvIRBwoqdnYqQGyGt9sPtqCC6m4u9Ub/s1600/download.jpg" width="140" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Today I'm delighted to welcome my very good friend and writing buddy, Sue McDonagh, back to the blog. Sue and I go back a long way and met in a writing group before either of us was published. And here we are now with Sue's fantastic fifth novel, <i>The Sea Sisters Swimming Club, </i>coming out tomorrow two days before my fourth. We are both published by <a href="https://joffebooks.com/">JOFFE BOOKS</a> under their Choc Lit imprint.</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">Sue, welcome back. I'm very excited about your new book on your behalf. Not only does it look fabulous with another of your own cover designs, but I've had the privilege of reading an ARC and can tell readers they're in for another Sue McDonagh treat. I'm going to let you tell readers about the story behind the novel. Over to you!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Thanks, Jan. They say you should write what you know. When I first started
planning this novel, my heroine, Fran was going to be stabbed while on duty. Fate
has a way of taking a hand though, and gifted me a six-week research period
that changed the book, and my life. In November 2021, I woke in
the middle of the night with a heavy, weighted feeling in my chest.
Indigestion, I decided. I’d had a busy day, eaten badly and rushed what I had
eaten in front of a Zoom meeting. Totally my own fault. I propped myself up on
pillows and dozed off eventually. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8rE_Xzkk2SjgeRsg6JNLAHOclSVz1vUUxckwLYSIUSh3sPAgzWdjZg4ArCWuwTHoEU-7v1JjQwPQEPB4Zm0LeKWdMD6BWroXO6q0iEZ5QITz_n3WrjXwAZX0deznY7gYujYlRsLem72TYcXPSEF1AdOCyCschovMfN9MQTo7q1kZ_s71Q9_3v2RmxE_1d/s1024/image1%20(2).jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8rE_Xzkk2SjgeRsg6JNLAHOclSVz1vUUxckwLYSIUSh3sPAgzWdjZg4ArCWuwTHoEU-7v1JjQwPQEPB4Zm0LeKWdMD6BWroXO6q0iEZ5QITz_n3WrjXwAZX0deznY7gYujYlRsLem72TYcXPSEF1AdOCyCschovMfN9MQTo7q1kZ_s71Q9_3v2RmxE_1d/s320/image1%20(2).jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The next morning, I jumped into a
minibus with half a dozen swimming mates, to head off to<br /> near Aberystwyth to
film a Visit Wales advert, in the sea. I felt ropey all day, rubbing my chest
constantly. Looking back, I don’t quite know how I forced myself to walk around
the shops, have a meal with everyone, walk back to our guest house – very, very
slowly – and then get up for a long day's filming in the North Sea, </span></span><span style="font-family: arial;">in my swimsuit.</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; text-indent: 36pt;">When I got home, pain
engulfed me after a cuppa and a slice of toast. Still not alerted by an erratic
heart-rate that went from 45 to 145, I didn’t even go to hospital until the
following day, after a retired nurse friend forced the issue. So convinced was
I by my self-diagnosed indigestion, I didn’t even take a phone charger, let
alone pack a bag. </span><span style="font-family: arial; text-indent: 36pt;">I didn’t see my own bed for six
weeks.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; text-indent: 36pt;">When the lovely cardiac
consultant asked me what I’d been doing during my not one, but two heart
attacks, which had damaged my heart and would need extensive open heart surgery,
I watched his eyes roll ever so slightly as I told him I’d been swimming. In the
sea. For six and a half hours. In my bathers.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; text-indent: 36pt;">‘It’s a good thing you’re
fit,’ he said, at last. ‘You’ll be here for at least a fortnight. Get someone
to bring a bag in for you.’</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; text-indent: 36pt;">‘So – definitely not indigestion,
then?’ I remember asking, weakly. I don’t think he bothered to reply.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; text-indent: 36pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjciAAiyaMUamyvuFbj5_hU0RFfhiBfXzYvUlGSDmUFD3W6E8AG6fw7mRkvv8FBdiDkArCAQSagDjG4jdjI17hQc_V6onscAG68eryvfMv4h9-j-h16pBOvga4cl9s6qzIpclx0x_icEQojTFIb3l0hnpffmHcNC6Z_4YNKrwuLVj0-vDEV12iOla66NVd7/s3088/image2.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2316" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjciAAiyaMUamyvuFbj5_hU0RFfhiBfXzYvUlGSDmUFD3W6E8AG6fw7mRkvv8FBdiDkArCAQSagDjG4jdjI17hQc_V6onscAG68eryvfMv4h9-j-h16pBOvga4cl9s6qzIpclx0x_icEQojTFIb3l0hnpffmHcNC6Z_4YNKrwuLVj0-vDEV12iOla66NVd7/w150-h200/image2.jpeg" width="150" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;">It was a scary prospect. Two of
my heart valves had simply blown apart. I’d had no warning beforehand, no
genetic heart issues, although I’d had advanced ovarian cancer in my twenties. </span><span style="font-family: arial; text-indent: 36pt;">The staff in my cardiac ward were
absolutely lovely. I was fitted with a heart monitor, the size of half a
brick, and I had nowhere to put it.</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; text-indent: 36pt;">‘Stick it down your pants,’ one
of the other patients told me. Brilliant idea. Until I went to the loo and
forgot all about it. I saved it just as it almost disappeared down the pan. The
staff rushed to shout at me through the bathroom door as I’d pulled all the
leads off myself and sent the monitor at the nurse's station haywire.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; text-indent: 36pt;">They were out in force a few days
later when, determined to have a shower, I collapsed, unconscious in the
bathroom with a massive gastric bleed that I knew nothing about. I came round
with my bed space rammed full of staff, and the doctor folding away those
paddles that bring you back to life. I have no idea whether they actually used
them.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; text-indent: 36pt;">I looked round at them all, and
said, ‘Sorry everyone. But at least I smell nice.’ Ever the entertainer… 🙈
My nurse friend told me they’d rather have me smelly than dead 🤣</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; text-indent: 36pt;">After four weeks, seven units of
blood and veins that collapsed after a scant hour or two, I think they were
pleased to see me off the premises to the hospital where I’d finally be having
surgery. I like to think that I brightened their days, occasionally. Especially
the evening they changed the battery in the heart monitor and water poured out
of it.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; text-indent: 36pt;">‘Have you had another shower?’</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; text-indent: 36pt;">‘Me? No,’ I lied, unconvincingly,
while my fellow patients outed me loudly. What can I say? I hate being grubby!
Perhaps this is why I swim…</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; text-indent: 36pt;">I gave Fran, my heroine, all my
hospital experiences - although I don’t mention them in any detail. It made
sorting out my often chaotic timelines easier, as I simply used my own calendar.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i style="font-family: arial; text-indent: 36pt;"></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="font-family: arial; text-indent: 36pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXlvA_7zOmIRpNXvaldIhRJeEz9f34u_unHWIsOyExzLQyz-r34cdQIsWcpdx8DwpgX18NRroPKEONV18Cx37rKtRFQCSo2go4KJOyu5m7NEO0RTdfY170hIDWXYWQyhFCaDqlkffJQt4pWrVxr5cfggGBye2v840Qxq6atPwbTg8WVManPQXQG-M2FGzU/s1080/image0.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXlvA_7zOmIRpNXvaldIhRJeEz9f34u_unHWIsOyExzLQyz-r34cdQIsWcpdx8DwpgX18NRroPKEONV18Cx37rKtRFQCSo2go4KJOyu5m7NEO0RTdfY170hIDWXYWQyhFCaDqlkffJQt4pWrVxr5cfggGBye2v840Qxq6atPwbTg8WVManPQXQG-M2FGzU/w320-h320/image0.jpeg" width="320" /></a></i></div><i style="font-family: arial; text-indent: 36pt;">The Sea Sisters Swimming Club</i><span style="font-family: arial; text-indent: 36pt;">
became a sort of therapy for me – writing took me away from the house when I
didn’t feel well enough to walk much, and allowed me to think through issues
like the terrible, livid scar that ran so obviously from neck to navel. I have
many scars, from my cancer, and two hip replacements, but nobody sees those. This
one is clearly visible in every top I own – and it’s a reminder of what
happened every time I look in the mirror. </span><span style="font-family: arial; text-indent: 36pt;">Now, eighteen months later, it’s barely
noticeable, even in a swimsuit, and I see it as a survivor's mark. A blessing,
and a tribute to the skill of my cardiac team. </span><span style="font-family: arial; text-indent: 36pt;">I dedicated the book to them.
Thank you again.</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i style="font-family: arial; text-indent: 36pt;">The Sea Sisters Swimming Club</i><span style="font-family: arial; text-indent: 36pt;"> is a comedy, which might seem strange for such a
terrifying experience, but hopefully, you already see the opportunities for
humour that arose during my stay in hospital. I laughed so much as I wrote it,
and I hope you enjoy it too.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; text-indent: 36pt;">Available to Pre-Order in digital
and paperback, it’s released on 29</span><sup style="font-family: arial; text-indent: 36pt;">th</sup><span style="font-family: arial; text-indent: 36pt;"> August, 2023. I can’t wait to
see it out there!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; text-indent: 36pt;">A huge thank you to Jan for
hosting me on her blog 😘</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">It's a pleasure, Sue. I remember the message you sent cancelling our meet-up for coffee, cake and writing chat. 'I've had a heart attack... well, two actually!' To see your amazing recovery and to know this new novel is a result of your writing 'therapy' has been wonderful. I wish you good luck with </span></span><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; text-indent: 48px;"><i>The Sea Sisters Swimming Club</i></span><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; text-indent: 36pt;">. I'm sure its sales will soar!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; text-indent: 36pt;">Buying links: <a href="https://amzn.eu/d/b41VFgS">https://amzn.eu/d/b41VFgS</a></span></p><p class="p1"><span style="font-family: arial;">Social Media links:</span></p><p class="p1"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span class="s1">
Facebook author page <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SueMcDonaghWriter/">https://www.facebook.com/SueMcDonaghWriter/</a></span></span></p><p class="p1"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/SueMcDonaghLit">https://twitter.com/SueMcDonaghLit</a></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Threads <a href="https://www.threads.net/@mcdonagh.sue">https://www.threads.net/@mcdonagh.sue</a></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">BLURB</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Fifty-year-old police officer Fran Doherty thought she had a good few years left in her. But if a heart attack while dancing the night away at a disco in a sequin dress isn't a sign to slow down, then she doesn't know what is . . . </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Fran's waved good-bye to the force and hello to her pension. but who is she without her job? She decides to get away from it all in Llanbryn, an idyllic seaside village in Wales. it beats feeling sorry for herself and watching <i>Homes Under the Hammer </i>all day.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Fran's soon taken under the wing of the Sea Sisters, a group of inspirational women of all ages and sizes who swim in the ocean. They challenge her to move on from the past and face her l</span><span style="font-family: arial;">ife-long fear of the sea.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">And the strapping Wyn watches her eye. He appears to be the local troublemaker, but perhaps Fran's got the wrong end of the stick . . .</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">The closer she gets to Wyn, the more she's unable to deny the feelings he brings out in her. And Llanbryn feels more like home with every passing day.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Fran feels more alive than she has in years, but Wyn has his own emotional scars. maybe they can help each other?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Thank you for reading. If you are writer, has writing ever acted as therapy for you? I'd love it if you shared your experience in the comments below. Thanks.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">You may follow me on :</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/JanBaynham">@JanBaynham</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Facebook <a href="https://www.facebook.com/JanBayLit/?locale=en_GB">Jan Baynham Writer</a> Page</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/janbaynham/?hl=en-gb">janbaynham</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">You will find more about me and my novels on my <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Jan-Baynham/e/B085DC6BKR/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1">AMAZON</a> page.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;"><b>STOP PRESS:</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;"><b>THE SECRET SISTER is available to pre-order for 99p. on Amazon and is currently available on NetGalley.</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;"><b>Publication day Thursday 31st August.</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;"><b>Please <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Secret-Sister-breathtaking-family-sixties-ebook/dp/B0CD86JDLF/">CLICK HERE</a>.</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrAo9dV-J2WRxXl93FqW9EpU5kCxQZk5bYiLbD1Y6KzhwyMoYJO90GL7AVDfa3rCkjBmtB7_8Wk9zIZCg_roOh0a5FmZWyELjiypOH-w7j6yPCi74JZXv_eh28LogKspUbORq46JQNZBoBn2N7uwsiyx0vEkwnKlHhunrMB8IZB67TACez-uwGI5DkbxnY/s500/51xcxiwEt2L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="313" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrAo9dV-J2WRxXl93FqW9EpU5kCxQZk5bYiLbD1Y6KzhwyMoYJO90GL7AVDfa3rCkjBmtB7_8Wk9zIZCg_roOh0a5FmZWyELjiypOH-w7j6yPCi74JZXv_eh28LogKspUbORq46JQNZBoBn2N7uwsiyx0vEkwnKlHhunrMB8IZB67TACez-uwGI5DkbxnY/s320/51xcxiwEt2L.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;"><br /><b><br /></b></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Jan Baynhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06356572488839476046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3357383818158631304.post-73421616921035342942023-08-22T09:45:00.003-07:002023-08-27T12:20:28.597-07:00<p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b> RNA Conference 2023</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzNB7SYV7UyzZEGMMiI9sVyc3YoKbKf6wQvPxcZiGS2sXCoNxsd5iiJrCNUBrS29ELysMQeeQkMi6CAbu22b5Wwc6qUAwQtKjENaj_xRZqCbHByakFgytnkUPafrBRzfGseEStC4ORZ20gKxFKkWE092ko9AYMZSfndeOc4VBanvCrcu6KN1FMRaTlFaRj/s3782/IMG_4346.jpg" style="clear: left; display: inline; float: left; font-family: arial; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3782" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzNB7SYV7UyzZEGMMiI9sVyc3YoKbKf6wQvPxcZiGS2sXCoNxsd5iiJrCNUBrS29ELysMQeeQkMi6CAbu22b5Wwc6qUAwQtKjENaj_xRZqCbHByakFgytnkUPafrBRzfGseEStC4ORZ20gKxFKkWE092ko9AYMZSfndeOc4VBanvCrcu6KN1FMRaTlFaRj/s320/IMG_4346.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div>It's now a week since I returned from the RNA Conference 2023. It was the first I'd been to since the conference in Lancaster in 2019 and the first one I'd been to in London. And what a success it was! </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9-zZEXhh-9LwtW2-CEjSpYS5iWu4gEOwtG0bbkkfNeVirImr4vB0wwCFAl4Ec_5jrG54iPXKHI43NFTjruioINuJxy0-yoiUbWp5OERWJTL6iZ1NbfrqSeoObO5dEZMbgiFgdSwcsBBnb_OwcPWAhM38dDFrfZPkDH1SywJGzI6tKyA9ogYKev6429kFg/s2048/b7ad84ca-8e35-4003-a387-79cf167e8a38%20(1).JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9-zZEXhh-9LwtW2-CEjSpYS5iWu4gEOwtG0bbkkfNeVirImr4vB0wwCFAl4Ec_5jrG54iPXKHI43NFTjruioINuJxy0-yoiUbWp5OERWJTL6iZ1NbfrqSeoObO5dEZMbgiFgdSwcsBBnb_OwcPWAhM38dDFrfZPkDH1SywJGzI6tKyA9ogYKev6429kFg/w200-h150/b7ad84ca-8e35-4003-a387-79cf167e8a38%20(1).JPG" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Five members of the Cariad Chapter left Cardiff Central Station early on Friday 11th August, only to find that the lovely Christina who writes as Ella Matthews had been sitting a few seats behind us, having got on the train in Swansea. In what seemed like no time we were all leaving Paddington by Tube and making our way to Imperial College in South Kensington where the Conference was going to be held. After dropping off our luggage (a largish case on my part!), we made our way to the Sir Alexander Fleming Building. From then on, it was all systems go with so much packed into the two days. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I think what most people get from the Conference may be divided into three parts:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">- the learning and finding out more about the craft and business of writing</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">- the opportunity to submit to industry professionals and have an appraisal of your writing. When things go really well, you may be invited to send your whole manuscript to the publisher or agent thereby avoiding being in the proverbial slush pile.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">- </span><span style="font-family: arial;">the socialising and reacquainting with other writers you've met at previous conferences or are familiar with online, and making new friends</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoplaNh75jDLNSZ5gVr3R0MV-rNTS5Wr_vxBjJ0VlrXEkHfrA-HwbhxTsO7UgUtVqytdHfbAkwi96PgB3oQj7ecmzhu4T4g1iBMXklqpBp7d4No-orNbIa_JJpAaUKRnt6ePG6KvtvkU2GQwDA7PMoVQqXFDeFntCTWC8xff4u_VikkfnyA3N85RxyU0k5/s960/IMG_4357%20(1).JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoplaNh75jDLNSZ5gVr3R0MV-rNTS5Wr_vxBjJ0VlrXEkHfrA-HwbhxTsO7UgUtVqytdHfbAkwi96PgB3oQj7ecmzhu4T4g1iBMXklqpBp7d4No-orNbIa_JJpAaUKRnt6ePG6KvtvkU2GQwDA7PMoVQqXFDeFntCTWC8xff4u_VikkfnyA3N85RxyU0k5/w320-h240/IMG_4357%20(1).JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">The Conference was organised differently this year There had been a wealth of information beforehand so that as delegates we were well prepared for what to expect. Although you could choose any, to help us decide, the talks and workshops were divided into three streams. Stream 1 was designed to be most suitable for newbies and aspiring writers; Stream 2 was most suitable for those authors who are more experienced/on the publishing ladder and looking to improve themselves; Stream 3 choices were most suitable for 'old dogs wanting to learn new tricks'. The sessions were led by experienced published authors or industry professionals. I attended two excellent practical workshops, <i>Scrivener for Beginners </i>by Vicki Beeby and<i> Introduction to Canva </i>by Jeevani Charika<i>, </i>and although I'm not a techie, I'm so glad I did. I just need to keep practising now. <i>Create a Connection: Newsletters </i>by Katie Sadler<i> </i>was just what I needed, as next on my marketing list is to build a newsletter.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Out of the other seven sessions I attended,<i> Writing Dual Timelines</i>, a talk by Kath McGurl, will prove to be most useful for me, I think. It was informative as well as giving tips and advice about how to link and weave two stories together and the order in which you write both stories. The final talk I attended before the close on Sunday was <i>Brainstorming Your Book, </i>by Fiona Lucas. I'd heard her speak before and she was as inspiring as ever.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The social side of the Conference was more inclusive this year. The organisers had ensured that anyone who was attending for the first time or who didn't know anybody didn't feel isolated or left out. It was so good to catch up with other writers and chat with authors I had not met before. After dinner on the Friday night, a Hopeless Romantics Quiz was organised. It was very enjoyable but it proved that I knew very little! The social highlight of the weekend was The Gala Party. Whereas in the past it was a formal dinner, at this Conference it took the form of a barbecue followed by a disco. The excellent DJ made sure the dance floor was never empty. And we danced until we dropped! </span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMDR9AJDiqm4wCi5fJXg_fc3TnvMYxnHXfSWkithmX86PyCYR8fhhCWNIjZp_wWECvzLXs9emnMXnRruedAhxDcPra0eBv1Y0dmZve08hXE5eo02VtOuk49WvpAGsiMNbuCIAsP9I0ofjMDctkpHN4Cp_pWWTWhbooLywdSA_URr967jAKnWjcsaZwI5M1/s2649/IMG_4328%20(4).jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2619" data-original-width="2649" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMDR9AJDiqm4wCi5fJXg_fc3TnvMYxnHXfSWkithmX86PyCYR8fhhCWNIjZp_wWECvzLXs9emnMXnRruedAhxDcPra0eBv1Y0dmZve08hXE5eo02VtOuk49WvpAGsiMNbuCIAsP9I0ofjMDctkpHN4Cp_pWWTWhbooLywdSA_URr967jAKnWjcsaZwI5M1/w200-h198/IMG_4328%20(4).jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-small;">Sally</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;">Before the music started, there were presentations for The Elizabeth Goudge Trophy for the best opening chapter of a novel with the theme of 'absence makes the heart grow fonder'. We were delighted that the winner was our lovely fellow Joffe/Choc Lit author, Sally Jenkins. The Joan Hessayon Award, given to the best debut novelist whose manuscript had gone through the RNA's New Writers' Scheme, was won by another Joffe writer, Katy Turner. Huge congratulations, Katy. A clean sweep for Joffe on the night! Our RNA Cariad Chapter member, Angela Sims, was also a contender.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdG2vQGCrpzxSBWffdZRs1FJgpBaISSOqyuCOkoebRUOIMfDwExgT8TWYcuk1u56s_BeAlnPrr26nbUkSLsxfXrLn6xdbBZm25xNJjQpSzqlcHHn-KEjPaQ6BNepdHGBZkFogE9MzIvNBLpX_u8Zsz0vcOtxV5CVnxBP9GTeXJE_N9JYgZvE9ieCrqw0Ki/s960/IMG_4325.JPG" 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/AVvXsEjdG2vQGCrpzxSBWffdZRs1FJgpBaISSOqyuCOkoebRUOIMfDwExgT8TWYcuk1u56s_BeAlnPrr26nbUkSLsxfXrLn6xdbBZm25xNJjQpSzqlcHHn-KEjPaQ6BNepdHGBZkFogE9MzIvNBLpX_u8Zsz0vcOtxV5CVnxBP9GTeXJE_N9JYgZvE9ieCrqw0Ki/s320/IMG_4325.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-small;">Cariad Members with Angela</span></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYCGzGiDDzZgLaIBcK9oGekbJjg0-QxHYwxlDdKOhd_rnGo9ZLMGsER2zhmh392BzY12D8dlxYx4IAA9ZsupqASW45AeYzhjnMFXwPwZhbrX0LoJgS0OYUg7AGvQvghEdx1_dMCCkWAu9cP1s_9tUL32aXASVGvbtEMG0nijAyhLndyZBQxbf0B1GpeOUz/s1993/dada7169-4a17-4b72-922a-8963283d89d2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="1993" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYCGzGiDDzZgLaIBcK9oGekbJjg0-QxHYwxlDdKOhd_rnGo9ZLMGsER2zhmh392BzY12D8dlxYx4IAA9ZsupqASW45AeYzhjnMFXwPwZhbrX0LoJgS0OYUg7AGvQvghEdx1_dMCCkWAu9cP1s_9tUL32aXASVGvbtEMG0nijAyhLndyZBQxbf0B1GpeOUz/w320-h246/dada7169-4a17-4b72-922a-8963283d89d2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-small;">Joffe/Choc Lit Authors outside Hotel 190</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8d5gPyzyfkvIbJeM9BVV_WkA42AiQ6IyGy7TG-Ub-KzJWwOpfVg-amYlazmAOMhSGhMW9Wh1iobxHQZqSG_5p4Yh5-JpR0yXBGXmTsmIPXnZcWsTnlklWcvVcE8n0OOHnvnzx7M54qUQKQIScm4wFROCuxvv2iYgVV1CaXcScQbjkPas8I1e3lH5-ljhf/s750/IMG_4321.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="365" data-original-width="750" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8d5gPyzyfkvIbJeM9BVV_WkA42AiQ6IyGy7TG-Ub-KzJWwOpfVg-amYlazmAOMhSGhMW9Wh1iobxHQZqSG_5p4Yh5-JpR0yXBGXmTsmIPXnZcWsTnlklWcvVcE8n0OOHnvnzx7M54qUQKQIScm4wFROCuxvv2iYgVV1CaXcScQbjkPas8I1e3lH5-ljhf/s320/IMG_4321.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">It was good to meet two editors from my new publisher, Joffe Books, in person. With my fourth novel imminent, I'd had a considerable amount of dealings with Emma and Jasmine online, email and Zoom, but nothing beats spending time with them face to face during Saturday. They invited those of us who are now Joffe/Choic Lit authors to join them at the smart Hotel 190 for pre-Conference drinks.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I thoroughly enjoyed the weekend, learned loads and met lots of lovely writers. I can't wait to go again next year!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Thank you for reading. You may follow me on:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/JanBaynham">@JanBaynham</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/JanBayLit/?locale=en_GB">Jan Baynham Writer</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/janbaynham/">janbaynham</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">You will find more about me on my <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/Jan-Baynham/author/B085DC6BKR?ref=ap_rdr&store_ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true">AMAZON</a> page.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;"><b>STOP PRESS: </b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;"><b>THE SECRET SISTER is available to pre-order for 99p. on Amazon and is currently on NetGalley. </b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;"><b>Publication day Thursday 31st August</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;"><b>Please <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Secret-Sister-breathtaking-family-sixties-ebook/dp/B0CD86JDLF?ref_=ast_author_mpb">CLICK HERE</a></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAThvac9Y10rr168rjwbXCB9cmP6O4G58--uRms5gxYJdd-ndSC6dnvYGZpqcL8Tkn42N54MuV9MoxvZpBNzrJya7T-hSgNvqTYzANykPRJrq2-dD6lDyYcw74pU0XzpjXYS3CZlH84HaIkUjB-6v4kUKpJWE5ofVvHoKJ0cjKbal2tpK0FOGulvvKKnyT/s907/The%20Secret%20Sister%20by%20Jan%20Baynham.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="907" data-original-width="557" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAThvac9Y10rr168rjwbXCB9cmP6O4G58--uRms5gxYJdd-ndSC6dnvYGZpqcL8Tkn42N54MuV9MoxvZpBNzrJya7T-hSgNvqTYzANykPRJrq2-dD6lDyYcw74pU0XzpjXYS3CZlH84HaIkUjB-6v4kUKpJWE5ofVvHoKJ0cjKbal2tpK0FOGulvvKKnyT/s320/The%20Secret%20Sister%20by%20Jan%20Baynham.jpg" width="197" /></a></div>Jan Baynhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06356572488839476046noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3357383818158631304.post-76126586899912168982023-07-31T00:26:00.000-07:002023-07-31T00:26:23.111-07:00<p> <span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Guest Post with Ella Cook</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6orkKQ2jAkflfiU6Ji2VGSph3TOrwAFFr8XhVcdefRfYYHwNEMDpwbCqXCR9_Q2toKk0kH_CSDtycP_jxTbv5Bs0r9ZiQlQgxBXdbKMbOPDwHPcb3ZzhByqX7jlUMJ_IUOu6tuu2PhDSOPndCvZyw_g0Dkb_QRme5VpXMa-M-YGVsRoKvBPlI4Q3nwAIh/s200/unnamed.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="150" data-original-width="200" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6orkKQ2jAkflfiU6Ji2VGSph3TOrwAFFr8XhVcdefRfYYHwNEMDpwbCqXCR9_Q2toKk0kH_CSDtycP_jxTbv5Bs0r9ZiQlQgxBXdbKMbOPDwHPcb3ZzhByqX7jlUMJ_IUOu6tuu2PhDSOPndCvZyw_g0Dkb_QRme5VpXMa-M-YGVsRoKvBPlI4Q3nwAIh/s1600/unnamed.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Today I'm joined by fellow Joffe author, Ella Cook. Her latest novel, <i>Healing Hearts in the Litlle Village</i>, was published on July 25th and is described as '...<i>a heartwarming romance about second chances.'</i> </span></span><p></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">Welcome to the blog, Ella. I think you're going to talk to us about confidence and mental health. It's over to you!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #26282a; font-family: arial; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; padding: 0cm;">Thank you. Something
happened recently that really shook my confidence – so I’m really grateful to
Jan for giving me space on her lovely blog to chat about it. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #26282a; font-family: arial; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; padding: 0cm;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXBlUtfPHdtUQ4x_q8Zt_QlnLWC0SZbh1xIwyD5KpU17HytB4cS3WZd3rpUR_SyLR5dvX6wqBg-7IWDRj7fDHLTP2Wr5M4zFLMStQpmm8jeTVy-2b6ihpRpCjxjc4JBIzMbE1wLlznj0TleF42DhCrB9kTHks1hgBpJZbEZnXwSq7m9c6JlLdNqL7yQ9zJ/s1080/HEALING%20HEARTS%20IN%20THE%20LITTLE%20VILLAGE%20Author%20assets%20(4).png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXBlUtfPHdtUQ4x_q8Zt_QlnLWC0SZbh1xIwyD5KpU17HytB4cS3WZd3rpUR_SyLR5dvX6wqBg-7IWDRj7fDHLTP2Wr5M4zFLMStQpmm8jeTVy-2b6ihpRpCjxjc4JBIzMbE1wLlznj0TleF42DhCrB9kTHks1hgBpJZbEZnXwSq7m9c6JlLdNqL7yQ9zJ/w200-h200/HEALING%20HEARTS%20IN%20THE%20LITTLE%20VILLAGE%20Author%20assets%20(4).png" width="200" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;">I
got my first negative reviews as an author: it’s actually about this new book
(be warned!)<br /><o:p></o:p></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #26282a; font-family: arial; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; padding: 0cm;">The
thing is, I thought I was prepared for this moment, that I knew how I’d
respond. I mean, I’ve been a business writer for years and had countless
critiques of my work. And like most authors I know, I got plenty of rejections
before I got that amazing ‘yes, we love your book and want to publish it’
moment.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #26282a; font-family: arial; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; padding: 0cm;">But
I wasn’t even close to ready to handle it. I don’t make any secret of the fact
that I have bipolar – I’m quite open about it because I think it’s something
people should feel able to talk about. What I am, most of the time, is stable.
I’ve worked really hard to be able to identify and deal with triggers, and to
be able to roll with the punches that life throws at us. Work stress? Fine.
Bereavements? Heart-breaking, but sadly a normal part of life. Health issues? Something
you just learn to deal with. Rejections? Part of being a writer.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #26282a; font-family: arial; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; padding: 0cm;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN3JuetR691snKppVz_232szhg5vZ3a44B53s-IebOSbHv488BGsu_9zr8Ac61DhOu6WtNNocsOwdDsb5pg0YATALYLd---cTDbfK_-L72U_zp6iEK5RQqTKkwDo_RxEa1_7_bPzNPWB49h6FucHZoRWU4lE21fsdloHBlfr0QNYcHNXVROUXFe7dbErU6/s1280/cloudy-g345f1eeb2_1280.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN3JuetR691snKppVz_232szhg5vZ3a44B53s-IebOSbHv488BGsu_9zr8Ac61DhOu6WtNNocsOwdDsb5pg0YATALYLd---cTDbfK_-L72U_zp6iEK5RQqTKkwDo_RxEa1_7_bPzNPWB49h6FucHZoRWU4lE21fsdloHBlfr0QNYcHNXVROUXFe7dbErU6/w200-h133/cloudy-g345f1eeb2_1280.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Bad
reviews? Just another, albeit less-than-pleasant part of being an author,
right? Well, actually, no. It was a
total meltdown that sent me into a depressive spiral – probably one of the
worst this year (I’m writing this in July, by the way). I’m only just starting
to pull myself together now – after a lot of tears, quite a lot of swearing,
and huge amounts of love, support and reassurance. <o:p></o:p></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #26282a; font-family: arial; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; padding: 0cm;">(The
good thing about having the rapid cycling flavour of bipolar is, that although
the moods swings can be vicious and severe, they tend to be much shorter
lived).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #26282a; font-family: arial; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; padding: 0cm;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdfSUwrxEy5s7TJL6FFLDQSMId1ijB79eZMuI3dTy8kKspmaPNWqoxFzZO42m0BrUaqg8IESwKc9Bo4LVWAWrEfrdTdm6BhKois8HOuChqmYC80IaonzwHa0PYryHGTUQ1oiquQML1R8JYLdQvAryIo6UM5YOVynW5Muq5unJM1SH5ATfoJNadNqvmE3Rr/s1920/Untitled%20design.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1281" data-original-width="1920" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdfSUwrxEy5s7TJL6FFLDQSMId1ijB79eZMuI3dTy8kKspmaPNWqoxFzZO42m0BrUaqg8IESwKc9Bo4LVWAWrEfrdTdm6BhKois8HOuChqmYC80IaonzwHa0PYryHGTUQ1oiquQML1R8JYLdQvAryIo6UM5YOVynW5Muq5unJM1SH5ATfoJNadNqvmE3Rr/w200-h134/Untitled%20design.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;">And
I’m really grateful to Jan today, because I promised her this blog before the
miserable-making reviews – and in nearly fifteen years of business writing I’ve
learned to write even when I’m feeling dreadful, and never missed a deadline
(and I’m not planning on starting now!). So it’s forced me to shine a light on
the shadows that a not nice review has brought back out to the surface. Much like
the shadowy monsters of some of the best fairy tales and fantasy stories, the
creeping darkness that unkind review brought into my world didn’t come alone –
instead it opened the door for years of self-doubt to return, bringing with it
the misery caused by years of that dreaded imposter syndrome, and memories of
all the times I – or someone else – told me I wasn’t good enough.<o:p></o:p></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #26282a; font-family: arial; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; padding: 0cm;">And
I realised that it couldn’t really be more timely than when I was writing a
blog about <i>Healing Hearts in the Little Village</i> – because it’s pretty much a
theme for this novel, although it wasn’t one that I’d planned. Our main
character Olivia Emery–she’ll probably tell you to call her Liv – is a highly
accomplished doctor who has studied some of the hardest and most demanding
types of medicine there is – and she really is very good at what she does. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8k8Amf11Tl2NRCGUSy8GYxurw5L96OE2gPJEMmIJxYG8GZm8gpCIvQUJyYrKyvHVXTKCJaL_jrIzfDmnh3vk57Pkm24bIBAN00KXglz0pnwLFYFmczpFicUiCv9dF0514TbCaa2Uq3guRaYJp9Iokw1qXogSbueSNpdOGmD-rpY2RzwJ0IotsxJCeNZvK/s1280/people-gace842ff4_1280.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1005" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8k8Amf11Tl2NRCGUSy8GYxurw5L96OE2gPJEMmIJxYG8GZm8gpCIvQUJyYrKyvHVXTKCJaL_jrIzfDmnh3vk57Pkm24bIBAN00KXglz0pnwLFYFmczpFicUiCv9dF0514TbCaa2Uq3guRaYJp9Iokw1qXogSbueSNpdOGmD-rpY2RzwJ0IotsxJCeNZvK/w157-h200/people-gace842ff4_1280.jpg" width="157" /></span></a></div><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #26282a; font-family: arial; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; padding: 0cm;">But
personally, she can be really, really very hard on herself. <o:p></o:p></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #26282a; font-family: arial; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; padding: 0cm;">She’s
a lot like a lot of people I know, and – if I’m totally honest – me. She
doesn’t always realise it, but she carries a lot of voices in her head and
baggage: unkind things that have been said to her in the past that she hasn’t
completely dealt with. And it’s not until she faces a new trauma that we learn
how much those past shadows still haunt her, and influence her behaviour. She’s
scared, so used to being hurt and let down that she almost expects it, and
therefore finds it really hard to trust people.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #26282a; font-family: arial; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; padding: 0cm;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi09ytfucbU_QOsLDw6Lq74DZapnn89JlkWCZ_ioBVL09flIDjGO3GkIUmafZeUc_zE6YZ3cAgIBtAmDuKMAtp1rv5ST_fqYClwUoctZEtoue5hpfmUb2GNFUBLDgpfRET0YZHZZnrCE1KYXBX9inXVmQsmlmhVSchyz2HX_dTMfT74zs0AA43gdk0Up14U/s4032/DSC_2448.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi09ytfucbU_QOsLDw6Lq74DZapnn89JlkWCZ_ioBVL09flIDjGO3GkIUmafZeUc_zE6YZ3cAgIBtAmDuKMAtp1rv5ST_fqYClwUoctZEtoue5hpfmUb2GNFUBLDgpfRET0YZHZZnrCE1KYXBX9inXVmQsmlmhVSchyz2HX_dTMfT74zs0AA43gdk0Up14U/w150-h200/DSC_2448.JPG" width="150" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Fortunately,
the rotten author who gave her such a dark back story (me again!) isn’t really
that mean, and wrote in a hero – and a glittery little fairy princess – who are
going to do their best to help Liv find some self-confidence again, to remind
her how to be kind to herself – and hopefully love herself again. This leads
me nicely to one of my favourite lines in this book, which I liked so much that
I had it printed on a mug! <o:p></o:p></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #26282a; font-family: arial; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; padding: 0cm;">So,
thank you, Jan – for reminding me that sometimes I need to take a page (or at
least a quote!) out of my own book…<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #26282a; font-family: arial; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; padding: 0cm;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsbxWsBBa4TKxu5Noi9YTbihRU9ccAjGJimxUYy9FtCXns4jEGlJZ8HV3iM9M1w8cPl4A6uRD9tEzil9RXk1IbJHkWtwsPbB1wg_TDFt8eKa8DfVFC3fFLKqcpZGmKWAV_Kk19aBJWzCzxuuPs9TlNjaFSsZ0AC-c-lE1xOxvOavv4K8USYRkjEsgxBYFC/s1280/cheerleader-g0d5896250_1280.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="853" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsbxWsBBa4TKxu5Noi9YTbihRU9ccAjGJimxUYy9FtCXns4jEGlJZ8HV3iM9M1w8cPl4A6uRD9tEzil9RXk1IbJHkWtwsPbB1wg_TDFt8eKa8DfVFC3fFLKqcpZGmKWAV_Kk19aBJWzCzxuuPs9TlNjaFSsZ0AC-c-lE1xOxvOavv4K8USYRkjEsgxBYFC/w133-h200/cheerleader-g0d5896250_1280.jpg" width="133" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;">And
to everyone else: make sure that the voices you pick to listen to, the<br /> ones
that influence your behaviour and how you feel about yourself, are kind ones.
Maybe when you’re next having a bit of a wobble, or a hard time, change the
message and story you are telling yourself… speak to yourself the way your
friends would talk to you. Or how you would talk to them. Instead of being your
own harshest critic – just for a few minutes try being your own, biggest
cheerleader. Because you are awesome, you are unique <i>and you are worth it.<o:p></o:p></i></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #26282a; font-family: arial; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; padding: 0cm;">You
might be surprised how effective a few minutes of self-kindness can be.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDXIWU_8AQN_3KBftAk-Aywk0-2fHzbL2Qpww6vN2A156u7-wy1JukHysv8wggbCZJ27PziLW5Nspl4IfUZ411pMkOXSnYoAGJq-4aMq2z4zNI10F5iP6Ww8ar_x1WPHZDyEgb8Vf8NBjM_mWUOtjD-OVNT7tB3dq1pxN7JCfmXHerpckA-Ohv9-O19qPE/s1280/love-ge2eb14698_1280%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="1280" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDXIWU_8AQN_3KBftAk-Aywk0-2fHzbL2Qpww6vN2A156u7-wy1JukHysv8wggbCZJ27PziLW5Nspl4IfUZ411pMkOXSnYoAGJq-4aMq2z4zNI10F5iP6Ww8ar_x1WPHZDyEgb8Vf8NBjM_mWUOtjD-OVNT7tB3dq1pxN7JCfmXHerpckA-Ohv9-O19qPE/w200-h80/love-ge2eb14698_1280%20(1).jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #26282a; font-family: arial; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; padding: 0cm;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimKS3aojpaoc3J32jpY0Sp_uolgKdrN2Dsptn8tXriLCVEOiIAlu8vbQfo9ZsZ98laR6CvYUHP3-I1KTNfxBVKyfQ8wsOXBeg0R5K4yZICvK6_cwUy3RoQj35kiWTAesFDXkvR8HXQcTJdZ8YkqdVJtDNra5pVWMKg-SepEXGEYQPp6BwETs-3ALfZanGq/s2418/_20230720_171412.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2418" data-original-width="1704" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimKS3aojpaoc3J32jpY0Sp_uolgKdrN2Dsptn8tXriLCVEOiIAlu8vbQfo9ZsZ98laR6CvYUHP3-I1KTNfxBVKyfQ8wsOXBeg0R5K4yZICvK6_cwUy3RoQj35kiWTAesFDXkvR8HXQcTJdZ8YkqdVJtDNra5pVWMKg-SepEXGEYQPp6BwETs-3ALfZanGq/w141-h200/_20230720_171412.JPG" width="141" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />And
now that I’m feeling a bit less sorry for myself, I’m going to go and pull on
one of my favourite happy dresses (made by Popsy, by the way – you cannot beat
them for feel-good, confidence-inspiring dressing!) – maybe skip around in some
flowers, and try to practice my own advice and be a little bit nicer to me for
a bit.<o:p></o:p></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #26282a; font-family: arial; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; padding: 0cm;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #26282a; font-family: arial; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; padding: 0cm;"><br /></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #26282a; font-family: arial; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; padding: 0cm;"><br /></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; padding: 0cm;">Thank you for your interesting post, Ella. I'm sorry you've had a hard time dealing with some negative reviews. Here's one of the </span><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">lovely comments and positive reviews you've had already for your new book instead</span><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; padding: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif;"><i>'A fabulous feel-good read from Ella Cook that will tug your heartstrings in all directions. Really great storylines for both Dr Olivia Emery and Dr Callum Mcpearson that will cleverly draw you in to a couple of heart-stopping moments when their tentative relationship comes unstuck.'</i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #26282a; font-family: arial; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; padding: 0cm;">About
the author</span></b></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 10.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 10.5pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #0f1111; font-family: arial;">Ella’s been obsessed with books since the moment she could reach
to pull them off the shelf by herself, and has wanted to write for as long as
she can remember.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 10.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 10.5pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #0f1111; font-family: arial;">She grew up in London where fairies lived at the bottom of her
Grandma’s garden, and she still looks for magic – and often finds it – in
everyday life.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 10.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 10.5pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #0f1111; font-family: arial;">She won the SWWJ Floella Benjamin Award in 2019, and published
her debut, BEYOND GREY with Choc Lit and Ruby Fiction in 2021. Her books are
now published by Joffe Books, who won the IPG Trade Publisher of the Year in
2023. She doesn't plan to stop writing any time soon.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 10.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 10.5pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #0f1111; font-family: arial;">When she emerges from her fictional worlds, she writes bids for
children’s services and lives in Warwickshire (where there are probably more
fairies) with her ever-loving husband who reads all her stories first and makes
gallons of tea in magical cups that keep drinks warm for whole chapters.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #26282a; font-family: arial; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; padding: 0cm;"><b>Weblinks </b><a href="https://linktr.ee/ellacookwrites">https://linktr.ee/ellacookwrites</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #26282a; font-family: arial; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; padding: 0cm;">Blurb</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span class="a-text-bold"><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0f1111;">One
broken-hearted city doctor. A countryside surgery in need of a new GP. The
perfect love story bound to get your pulse racing . . .</span></b></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0f1111;"><br />
<br />
<span class="a-text-bold"><b>Dr Liv Emery is at her wits end.</b></span> Her
perfect life was within her grasp. Instead she’s dealing with the fallout of
being dumped by her long-term boyfriend in the cruellest way possible.<br />
<br />
Then on top of everything else, a patient goes berserk on her. It’s the final
straw, and there’s only one thing for it . . . A new start.<br />
<br />
So she jumps at the chance to cover her former professor’s GP surgery in the
Cotswolds and waves goodbye to the city. And good-for-nothing men.<br />
<br />
Life in the village of Broclington is a far cry from London — and her cottage
is a welcome change from her old shoebox flat. But her relief is short-lived
after meeting her prickly boss Callum.<br />
<br />
But perhaps he has his reasons . . . It’s not easy juggling being a single
parent to a fairy-obsessed six-year-old while staving off bosses breathing down
his neck about funding cuts.<br />
<br />
The more Liv gets to know Callum and his daughter, the more she realizes she
may be able to help them — and the village practice — more than she could have
imagined.<br />
<br />
But will her time in Broclington be the healing experience she so desperately
needs, or could she end up heartbroken once again?<br />
<br />
<span class="a-text-bold"><b>Fans of Beth Moran, Alison Sherlock, Cathy Bramley,
Heidi Swain, Marie Laval or Lisa Hobman will fall head over heels for this cozy
romance full of heart.</b></span><br />
<br />
<span class="a-text-bold"><b>READERS ADORE ELLA COOK’S FEEL-GOOD ROMANCE:</b></span><br />
</span><span face=""Segoe UI Emoji", sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0f1111;">⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0f1111;"> ‘A lovely feel-good book.’ Rosamond C.<br />
<br />
</span><span face=""Segoe UI Emoji", sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0f1111;">⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0f1111;"> ‘Brilliant characters and a great insight into village
life.’ Gill K.<br />
<br />
</span><span face=""Segoe UI Emoji", sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0f1111;">⭐⭐⭐⭐</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0f1111;"> ‘A sweet story.’ Evangelia M.</span><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #26282a; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; padding: 0cm;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #26282a; font-family: arial; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; padding: 0cm;">Buying
Links<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #26282a; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; padding: 0cm;"><i>Summer’s
Christmas</i> (Broclington Book 1 – in case you missed it) </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #26282a; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; padding: 0cm;"> <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0CBKN1ZTJ/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i0">https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0CBKN1ZTJ/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i0</a></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #26282a; font-family: arial; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; padding: 0cm;"><i>Healing
Hearts in the Little Village</i> (Broclington Book 2 – don’t worry, it reads well
as a standalone novel, although obviously I’d recommend starting with Summer!) <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0CBKN1ZTJ/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i0 "><span style="font-family: arial;">https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0CBKN1ZTJ/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i0 </span></a><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Thank you for reading. Writers, how do you deal with things when your confidence in your writing takes a knock?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;">You may also follow me on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/JanBaynham">@JanBaynham</a>, on my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/JanBayLit/?locale=en_GB">Jan Baynham Writer</a> Facebook page and on Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/janbaynham/?hl=en-gb">janbaynham</a>.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;">To find out more about me and my books, please visit my </span><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Jan-Baynham/e/B085DC6BKR?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1690695884&sr=8-1">AMAZON PAGE</a>. <span style="font-family: arial;">Thanks.</span></p>Jan Baynhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06356572488839476046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3357383818158631304.post-9258201351949806872023-06-19T00:41:00.001-07:002023-06-19T00:46:39.995-07:00<p> <span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Guest Post with Luisa A. Jones</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBg3Y0Ou1dIOcA3suqLNFH5FYxGRVNMgc_xrlk8S59dYTd9mf9GuQUDfXvhCRygiS_lcYp2V6MLiRs70U6zkQjR6M4aX_ar2wDVxrB9uR5ckPldM4vkOBU-8bdJ85t3K37N62_2yCbmT1CQAbzvYEFQW03VuLBH83vPhThYTh9-4OaoYRvIfR4zc21xw/s2095/Author%20photo%202022%20smaller.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2095" data-original-width="1872" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBg3Y0Ou1dIOcA3suqLNFH5FYxGRVNMgc_xrlk8S59dYTd9mf9GuQUDfXvhCRygiS_lcYp2V6MLiRs70U6zkQjR6M4aX_ar2wDVxrB9uR5ckPldM4vkOBU-8bdJ85t3K37N62_2yCbmT1CQAbzvYEFQW03VuLBH83vPhThYTh9-4OaoYRvIfR4zc21xw/w179-h200/Author%20photo%202022%20smaller.jpg" width="179" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">This week, I'm very pleased to welcome the talented author, Luisa A. Jones, to the blog for the first time. Her first historical novel, <i><b>The Gilded Cage</b></i>, will be published by <a href="https://stormpublishing.co/">Storm Publishing</a> on Thursday 22nd June.</span></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Welcome, Luisa. I'm always fascinated by the research an author does when writing historical fiction so I can't wait to find out about some of the research you undertook for your new novel. It's over to you!</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Thank you, Jan, for inviting me to
share some insights into how I researched my historical fiction for <i>The
Gilded Cage. </i>I’ve read and loved all your books, so I feel honoured to be
asked to contribute to your blog. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgujunhX-_-GHf1ucFRN8AegqjwNjG4qE9YgqojFZsxe8PZrg93R8b0r-yYKGqn06I_BFiLgJMJXQoFpL_mMmqHEGVADsPkzDyFJX3P7ViluZliTgrlACHjCPC-ZyMyi5T7g2aHw5MvoOu6hAiAFVg2UQ0-Z5zpNORRxgww60RFySTFhkRgnRwnffSSiA/s1281/The%20Gilded%20Cage%20revised%20cover%20design.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1281" data-original-width="835" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgujunhX-_-GHf1ucFRN8AegqjwNjG4qE9YgqojFZsxe8PZrg93R8b0r-yYKGqn06I_BFiLgJMJXQoFpL_mMmqHEGVADsPkzDyFJX3P7ViluZliTgrlACHjCPC-ZyMyi5T7g2aHw5MvoOu6hAiAFVg2UQ0-Z5zpNORRxgww60RFySTFhkRgnRwnffSSiA/s320/The%20Gilded%20Cage%20revised%20cover%20design.jpeg" width="209" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Central to my protagonist’s story in <i>The Gilded Cage</i>
was her decision to learn to drive, and the confidence she gained from
attaining this skill. I set the story just before the First World War, not only
because I find it a fascinating era with its rapid technological and social
changes, but also because it was a time when it was still fairly unusual for a
woman to become a motorist.<o:p></o:p></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">My research revealed that, from the earliest days of
motoring, there were female drivers who were just as excited as men by the
speed and independence afforded by motor cars. The Ladies’ Automobile Club was
founded as far back as 1903. As motoring was so expensive, it was an option only
open to a privileged few, so around half of the Club’s founding members were
titled ladies. The annual subscription fee of two guineas provided technical
advice and information, driving instruction for ladies and their servants,
organised motoring tours, competitions, garaging to rent, and a social space to
meet at the luxurious Claridge’s hotel in Mayfair. Lectures were held on topics
such as “Motors and Morals”. As time went by, the club expanded into charitable
work, providing funds for a hospital bed for those injured in road traffic
accidents, and setting up a motorised field kitchen during the First World War.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">I loved learning about some of the famous women drivers of
the day. These included Dorothy Levitt, whose snappily titled book <i>The Woman and the Car: A Chatty Little
Handbook for Women Who Want to Motor</i> provided me with much inspiration (and
a fair bit of incidental detail) for Rosamund’s experience of driving and car
maintenance. Levitt was a Jewish
Londoner whose talent for motoring and boating led her to set land and water
speed records for women and made her a well-known celebrity. She took part in
(and often won) many speed trials, and loved to drive with her Pomeranian dog,
Dodo, on her lap. She was something of an innovator: it was Levitt whose
suggestion of carrying a hand mirror to see the road behind led to the
development of the rear-view mirror. </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">Please click on the link for a photograph of Dorothy behind the wheel -<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/carlylehold/48025764841/in/">https://www.flickr.com/photos/carlylehold/48025764841/in/</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Other notable female motorists included Aileen Preston, who
had a motoring school in London and called herself “the first woman to take up
motoring as a career”; and Muriel Thompson, a talented racing driver who won
the first Ladies’ race at Brooklands in 1908 and went on to become a volunteer
ambulance driver in the First World War, winning the Military Medal and the
Croix de Guerre for her brave service. The lesbian actress Vera “Jack” Holme
was noted as Britain’s first female chauffeur in 1911: a committed suffragette,
she was Mrs Pankhurst’s chauffeuse-cum-getaway driver. It struck me as I was
writing that such role models could be an inspiration to my protagonist. </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">Please click on the link for a wonderful photograph of 'Jack' in her role as chauffeuse to Mrs Pankhurst - </span><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/lselibrary/22143984233/"><span style="font-family: arial;">https://www.flickr.com/photos/lselibrary/22143984233/</span></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">In the Edwardian period there were several British
manufacturers of motor cars: the most famous of them, Rolls Royce, is of course
still in existence, although it is now owned by the German company BMW. I
decided to celebrate one of the less well-known marques, and settled on a
Wolseley limousine-landaulette as a suitably luxurious and powerful model to be
owned by a wealthy industrialist at that time. Only twelve of these are known
to still exist today, dispersed around the world. According to the 1913
Wolseley catalogue the specific model I wrote about cost £800; optional extras
such as a spare wheel, silk blinds, leather upholstery and a number plate would
have increased the cost. For comparison, a lady’s maid at that time might
expect to earn around £32 per year.</span></p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Please click on the link to see a photograph of the Wolseley 24/30 Limousine-Landaulette - </span></span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.maryevans.com/history/wolseley-24-30-hp-limousine-landaulette-10215539">https://www.maryevans.com/history/wolseley-24-30-hp-limousine-landaulette-10215539</a><br /></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">I was very fortunate in being able to confirm some specific
details with a member of the Wolseley Register veteran car club, having found
the group on the internet and contacted them via email. He kindly sent me
videos, articles and photographs as well as taking the time to answer my
questions about such topics as the top speed of a Wolseley 24/30
Limousine-Landaulette and whether the driver’s side front door actually opened
(it didn’t, which led to quite a few edits!).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">For so many of us even today, whatever our gender, the skill
of driving opens up a world of independence that can be truly life changing.
While many women drive and own cars nowadays, I can’t help thinking it’s a
shame that so few are well-known in the fields of motoring journalism or motor
sport. All the more reason, perhaps, to celebrate the achievements of those
bold “motoristes” of yesteryear. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">Thank you, Luisa. That's so interesting. Women living at the time in which you've set your novel had such a different life to one they would have had today. The motor-car and being able to drive is something we all take for granted. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>The Gilded Cage </i><a href="https://geni.us/98-Storm">https://geni.us/98-Storm</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial;">About the book:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>1897. Rosamund bows her head and steps slowly down the aisle. The satin of her gown whispers against the stone floor and a single tear falls into the bunch of yellow roses twisted in her trembling hands. Despite rumours of his cruelty, Rosamund has no choice but to become this man's second wife.</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>After her wedding, Rosamund finds herself trapped in Sir Lucien'Fitznorton's lonely country estate. As she wanders the chilly halls, made shadowy by drapes of heavy velvet, she longs for the lost comforts of her childhood home, where she was the beloved only daughter to a doting father, now buried miles away. As a young woman with no fortune of her own, only death can release her from this misery.</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>Until she meets Joseph, her husband's gruffly handsome new chauffeur. With his mop of salt-and-pepper hair and lilting accent, Joseph is from another world. One of clambering children and tea at scrubbed kitchen tables, the hollow scratch of hunger and long hours of hard work. Despite their differences, they find themselves increasingly drawn to one another.</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>But Sir Lucien is not only cruel, he's devious too, and soon Rosamund finds herself caught in a dangerous web of secrets and lies. Is Rosamund's fragile marriage nothing but a golden cage, trapping her between two men who desire her... and to what end?</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>One holds her captive and the other offers her a hope of escape... but who really holds the key to Rosamund's gilded prison?</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-indent: 0cm;">SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/Taffy_lulu">@TaffyLulu</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/LuisaAJonesauthor/">https://www.facebook.com/LuisaAJonesauthor/</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Website: <a href="http://www.luisaajones.com">www.luisaajones.com</a></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Thank you for reading. I'm sure you found Luisa's post as interesting as I did. If you write historical fiction, what have you researched that is commonplace nowadays? I'd love it if you left a comment. Thank you.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial;">You may follow me on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/JanBaynham">@JanBaynham</a> and on my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/JanBayLit/?locale=en_GB">Jan Baynham Writer</a> Facebook page. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I have just started an Instagram page, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/janbaynham/?hl=en-gb">janbaynham</a>.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial;">For more about me and my writing, please click on my <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Jan-Baynham/e/B085DC6BKR/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0">AMAZON </a> page.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4AlroHZ6FB6BOabjH_e2jfAUXhvD0Q_UAxg7wq7mkFqIbNDpz6AR9uR37LgsDCXIkT8I65Ab6QFTRk45nj-SjONnl2y_eK87uo0suB_rbchARCvjxBMJRg8BScN8HyNBLf-egETXTxGGUD0k5UQWnX4ZZp7XoAtv6-5UCXx7HJHDZU-ePY1xg4d9EdA/s568/banner.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="297" data-original-width="568" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4AlroHZ6FB6BOabjH_e2jfAUXhvD0Q_UAxg7wq7mkFqIbNDpz6AR9uR37LgsDCXIkT8I65Ab6QFTRk45nj-SjONnl2y_eK87uo0suB_rbchARCvjxBMJRg8BScN8HyNBLf-egETXTxGGUD0k5UQWnX4ZZp7XoAtv6-5UCXx7HJHDZU-ePY1xg4d9EdA/s320/banner.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyNYnSCReAb50lXrOpIuvu_zE3oOVw-iOAUQOHPDghoy3KsqV2YhmPKB6KBnEDn2Xr2h7JsCv5E4CGQ4MrioWYyUmIHmaalWdiuATlcLPnPWklYbX5DpNyMr2qglb2buxHj8oc9FIv7t16o7DTtC9JPt-lzq0UgWftm4hWkdyuj8ZCZRWK2vwQCx4LWg/s1230/340651922_943290713475203_5646469063827028316_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1228" data-original-width="1230" height="87" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyNYnSCReAb50lXrOpIuvu_zE3oOVw-iOAUQOHPDghoy3KsqV2YhmPKB6KBnEDn2Xr2h7JsCv5E4CGQ4MrioWYyUmIHmaalWdiuATlcLPnPWklYbX5DpNyMr2qglb2buxHj8oc9FIv7t16o7DTtC9JPt-lzq0UgWftm4hWkdyuj8ZCZRWK2vwQCx4LWg/w87-h87/340651922_943290713475203_5646469063827028316_n.jpg" width="87" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0cm;"><br /></p></div>Jan Baynhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06356572488839476046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3357383818158631304.post-20104368345647200832023-06-12T00:17:00.000-07:002023-06-12T00:17:39.594-07:00<p> <span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Guest Post with Jill Barry</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjizGFHyOEchdYaYFiPkxxtAF_qZ5HmqHqiJ6XSVVS528nfgx8yhpP2i1DPkQ2BbNx8jubClC6tuVu1a-SEi9QBntvEkhz-VzHlqX_m_z0zP--eHtSzvAu2k5piXQbdIF6gSkxdg2yWiwKWgTC17UtHYhf0O6uP1huURJvgTgJIkOrlY5PTAS3eN7wHeA/s4032/IMG_20190406_181859.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjizGFHyOEchdYaYFiPkxxtAF_qZ5HmqHqiJ6XSVVS528nfgx8yhpP2i1DPkQ2BbNx8jubClC6tuVu1a-SEi9QBntvEkhz-VzHlqX_m_z0zP--eHtSzvAu2k5piXQbdIF6gSkxdg2yWiwKWgTC17UtHYhf0O6uP1huURJvgTgJIkOrlY5PTAS3eN7wHeA/s320/IMG_20190406_181859.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">This week I'm delighted to welcome my very good author friend, Jill Barry (aka.Sandra Mackness) back to the blog. Her new book, <i style="font-weight: bold;">Love at War, </i>will be published by <a href="ROMAUNCE BOOKS">ROMAUNCE BOOKS</a> on Wednesday 14th June.</span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Sandra, welcome back. I know this new book means a lot to you so why don't you tell the readers more about you and your new novel, please? Over to you!</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Thanks, Jan. It's a pleasure to be back. So, who am I?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I can’t recall a time when I didn’t love
books, but never imagined writing them. I wanted to be a chorus girl. Or an air
hostess. I did achieve the latter! Much later, my writing career began with
short stories for anthologies and women’s magazines. Several of these stories
have won prizes, but my true love is the novel.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;">My tender romances are published by D C
Thomson Pocket Novels; these are also available from public libraries as large print Linford Romances. Other contemporary and historical
romances are published by Lume, now part of Joffe Books. My only psychological
suspense is published by Headline Accent.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I love learning more about my craft and since
the year 2001, have attended residential courses, run by Literature Wales, also
conferences organised by the Romantic Novelists’ Association and the Historical
Novel Society. Gaining my MA in Creative Writing gave me the confidence and
street cred to run writing workshops for adults, also to tutor students
attending InterHigh, an online school with pupils worldwide. I continue to
mentor aspiring authors, also to read for the Romantic Novelists’ Association’s
popular New Writers’ Scheme, something I feel hugely privileged to be involved
with.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In 2004 I moved to Carmarthenshire and
discovered Liz Fielding lived not far away. I began attending the chapter
meetings she ran, until Liz moved house and I somehow parachuted into meetings
which a group of local writers were holding in Cardiff. I enjoyed organising chapter
meetings and since then, the Cariad Chapter membership has snowballed. The
current organisers arrange Zoom sessions and workshops, also real-life meetings
where we discuss all sorts of writing matters. And eat cake! We’re also
supportive of one another on social media.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Throughout my writing career, I have built
relationships with local newspapers and radio stations, also public libraries. BBC
Radio Wiltshire, Radio Berkshire, Radio Wales, Chris Evans, formerly of BBC
Radio Two, and Showboat TV, an online streaming service,
have all interviewed me. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRD8bqgqA5vS0WaGDfPgTp-GtK6FekJwj3JzXRlwg5J1tZHMWHVkZ-gyLq-9Br8xFnArH4nowOqx25FYYriukTan1kerPnNNBu1ahgs3rJLg8Gxt8qflLQtC3g_aHsqqE8nrwYUMPwUEGA3YaUjUbcjDjnJbdg2UocurVz_5OEI0K6t6RHZUaJplvo8Q/s3949/+%20Love%20at%20War%20(002).jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3949" data-original-width="2768" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRD8bqgqA5vS0WaGDfPgTp-GtK6FekJwj3JzXRlwg5J1tZHMWHVkZ-gyLq-9Br8xFnArH4nowOqx25FYYriukTan1kerPnNNBu1ahgs3rJLg8Gxt8qflLQtC3g_aHsqqE8nrwYUMPwUEGA3YaUjUbcjDjnJbdg2UocurVz_5OEI0K6t6RHZUaJplvo8Q/w140-h200/+%20Love%20at%20War%20(002).jpg" width="140" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;">My research for <i>Love At War</i> has
been fun and, thanks to Facebook specialist groups, has brought me back into
contact with old classmates and a couple of forgotten relatives. My questions
have stirred up interest in <i>Love At War</i> which is my ‘Book of the Heart.’ </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQap3zbv6qEce5fiWW-tChdovQ6VUV-5w3I3X5hHYEmH5AEBeJGCNhUwHWMCte7j9vX6Pgxf-ZuCx0_m_CB4TMW6tj_WqWzahTH3H2vqdcgCI5EpcPVriOOfx5nm8wpmXqHNgqQLknwo7CfpI1UQ7xdPcC3h-daQAaEDLi0H-bs-NLUv19Vra5HXmkhA/s171/Whitmore%20Bay.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="119" data-original-width="171" height="119" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQap3zbv6qEce5fiWW-tChdovQ6VUV-5w3I3X5hHYEmH5AEBeJGCNhUwHWMCte7j9vX6Pgxf-ZuCx0_m_CB4TMW6tj_WqWzahTH3H2vqdcgCI5EpcPVriOOfx5nm8wpmXqHNgqQLknwo7CfpI1UQ7xdPcC3h-daQAaEDLi0H-bs-NLUv19Vra5HXmkhA/s1600/Whitmore%20Bay.jpg" width="171" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Whitmore Bay, Barry</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />The novel is a World War Two romance mainly set in my hometown of Barry in South Wales, and also in Bari, Italy<br /><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><table 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/AVvXsEi49a3fQnPHzvtzMBXuAOaidHQ8-d4YiCIOLkWC0iZKyj8S-3ZrpB695TtPfIW-12Sy4sLtrr_BHPri2iVddmqSJ4J7Bhqd4CA_-_0jAvewqC_iZhcAb5K4zs7XwR21-4pZ5bZzC8BLQpR20tA9t7jCMTqVugpnX43yMtSJK4H0o0QocBt13De_vSPzIQ/s843/Campbell's%20Steamer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="503" data-original-width="843" height="119" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi49a3fQnPHzvtzMBXuAOaidHQ8-d4YiCIOLkWC0iZKyj8S-3ZrpB695TtPfIW-12Sy4sLtrr_BHPri2iVddmqSJ4J7Bhqd4CA_-_0jAvewqC_iZhcAb5K4zs7XwR21-4pZ5bZzC8BLQpR20tA9t7jCMTqVugpnX43yMtSJK4H0o0QocBt13De_vSPzIQ/w200-h119/Campbell's%20Steamer.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Campell's Steamer</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br />I also hope to continue my enjoyable relationship with </span><i style="font-family: arial;">The People’s Friend</i><span style="font-family: arial;"> and </span><i style="font-family: arial;">My Weekly</i><span style="font-family: arial;">. I love entertaining my readers and have worked happily with various editors.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;">My varied career has influenced my plot
lines and my characters. Former roles include Secretary/Butlin Redcoat, airline
receptionist, hotel receptionist and flight attendant. I have also been
employed as Secretary/PA in industry and run a village guest house with my
husband. The old Victorian School we converted was haunted, but the little
ghost was friendly and provided inspiration!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;">There are still books I want to write, and
I’m delighted to have a TBW list as well as the TBR pile. Being an author often
involves a bumpy ride, but I’m still enjoying my journey.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Thank you, Jill. I am always in awe about how many novels you have written. I love the idea of having a 'To Be Written' list as well as a 'To Be Read' list. Having had the privilege to read an early draft of <i>Love at War, </i>I know readers are in for a treat when they read your latest story.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;">ABOUT THE NOVEL: </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>Love at War</i> begins halfway through World War Two when Anna Christensen has almost completed her business training. The daughter of a handsome Norwegian seafarer and his beautiful wife, Anna's looks attract much attention and it is this that drives the story of two men and one woman. Charismatic Captain Charles Milburn and his aide, 2nd Lieutenant Geoffrey Chandler, are both attracted to the depot's new shorthand-typist, but it is Charles, although engaged to be married, who finds Anna irresistible.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;">SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Facebook:
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/JillBarryBooks">https://www.facebook.com/JillBarryBooks</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/barry_jill">https://twitter.com/barry_jill</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Website: <a href="https://www.jillbarry.com">https://www.jillbarry.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Amazon Page: <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Jill-Barry/e/B00FE0GQJ0">https://www.amazon.co.uk/Jill-Barry/e/B00FE0GQJ0</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;">BUYING LINKS:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>Love at War</i> is available from Romaunce and Amazon in paperback and as an ebook:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="http://tinyurl.com/RomaunceLoveAtWar">tinyurl.com/RomaunceLoveAtWar</a><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Thank you for reading. Writers, do any of your career choices influence your plot lines or characters? Do you have a TBW list like Jill? I'd love to read your comments below. Thank you.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;">You may also follow me on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/JanBaynham">@JanBaynham</a> and on my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/JanBayLit/?locale=en_GB">Jan Baynham Writer</a> Facebook page.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;">For more about me and my novels, please visit my <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Jan-Baynham/e/B085DC6BKR?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1686553515&sr=1-1">AMAZON</a> page.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr0NqUPhnYvqHViVE0Ky-zgCzSY4mLisjXuk2Pe4K9N0O2oehbD5eStVU4EIqhnFTCAf0LOfCOAMW1E9rFkDkHkcFcmT2xIn_Hc36_tTIF2vgAVljdFmLzgh1LxwhCKyGnae2WCcrX51fIUltI-BGkoBz5DdJsB9c5pbkFukC6k9x-2NAw8t0KOs2z3w/s568/FMy2CDuX0AcwIO5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="297" data-original-width="568" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr0NqUPhnYvqHViVE0Ky-zgCzSY4mLisjXuk2Pe4K9N0O2oehbD5eStVU4EIqhnFTCAf0LOfCOAMW1E9rFkDkHkcFcmT2xIn_Hc36_tTIF2vgAVljdFmLzgh1LxwhCKyGnae2WCcrX51fIUltI-BGkoBz5DdJsB9c5pbkFukC6k9x-2NAw8t0KOs2z3w/s320/FMy2CDuX0AcwIO5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcciezxLWbVn6XgRTo7MmpLQCT7p8ZlgvvpD4Dx5cgnxMSKnDVbkcQmImscG5C1kDsFwKEXSaI_doQghqdVXLuhjCfSA26KpyYchns9O78Ur3X6Xa2w6cvzMSp6DBXUwAntnm-05oA9CYeuhnB-NTGNRyQPgW9diPtz_Fxyg8ccxB4XHZzZ0cun6DB_g/s1230/340651922_943290713475203_5646469063827028316_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1228" data-original-width="1230" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcciezxLWbVn6XgRTo7MmpLQCT7p8ZlgvvpD4Dx5cgnxMSKnDVbkcQmImscG5C1kDsFwKEXSaI_doQghqdVXLuhjCfSA26KpyYchns9O78Ur3X6Xa2w6cvzMSp6DBXUwAntnm-05oA9CYeuhnB-NTGNRyQPgW9diPtz_Fxyg8ccxB4XHZzZ0cun6DB_g/w200-h199/340651922_943290713475203_5646469063827028316_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p>Jan Baynhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06356572488839476046noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3357383818158631304.post-51800178499908062772023-05-23T10:23:00.001-07:002023-05-23T10:23:39.603-07:00<p><b> <span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">#HistFicMay - What's that about?</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipmyWvOMhs7d7ESY5OoAOD6MPXI3iRCu1Lt1FsAJ7FzqqJoapzTD43L2gigGuI-DHx5cyPeKeWdxA7uPQcolgkeeuawNBXFwSuyay4oxpTivFg0ovfvQyyNtbFhvm-RCGBGCRDlJtENieOMxZPEqbyxeB3smpnNpHCtHLmXpJXQZrBf-0eIFpZW3OPcw/s680/%23HistFicMay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="453" data-original-width="680" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipmyWvOMhs7d7ESY5OoAOD6MPXI3iRCu1Lt1FsAJ7FzqqJoapzTD43L2gigGuI-DHx5cyPeKeWdxA7uPQcolgkeeuawNBXFwSuyay4oxpTivFg0ovfvQyyNtbFhvm-RCGBGCRDlJtENieOMxZPEqbyxeB3smpnNpHCtHLmXpJXQZrBf-0eIFpZW3OPcw/w400-h266/%23HistFicMay.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">I came across the hashtag, <span style="color: #2b00fe;"><b>#HistFicMay</b></span>, by accident and I'm so pleased I did. Scottish writer, <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Virginia-Crow/e/B078QBNYFB%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share">Virginia Crow</a> decided to run a social media event on Twitter throughout May, giving an opportunity for historical fiction authors to spread the word about their writing.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Every day writers are invited to answer questions and accept challenges with posts, pictures and/or quotes, using the hashtag #HistFicMay. The first week was about introductions; the second was about research; the third was about sub-genres; the fourth is now about characters and in Virginia's words, 'the last few are random!' We could take part as often or as infrequently as we wanted to. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGW41U0g2SZfDFJ0lSkzRxiMi0lN8S5NXnZ6gqTy6818dbNws38ig_zmcLEp_sjZkRUMBWQPxhlcuBx4P4KKpC0x8ehDxbGExf8XIzLBJmgxm_YKFdxU1KYocMNusuM_tmtg2K-GkWftTTWQlIL54b1ttqVivLUj1MBKH8lcRsUKQBr9pc7V-4vRa_qQ/s2048/rural%20mid%20wales.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGW41U0g2SZfDFJ0lSkzRxiMi0lN8S5NXnZ6gqTy6818dbNws38ig_zmcLEp_sjZkRUMBWQPxhlcuBx4P4KKpC0x8ehDxbGExf8XIzLBJmgxm_YKFdxU1KYocMNusuM_tmtg2K-GkWftTTWQlIL54b1ttqVivLUj1MBKH8lcRsUKQBr9pc7V-4vRa_qQ/w150-h200/rural%20mid%20wales.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>I took the opportunity to answer questions and prompts about my new novel, with its working title of </span><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-style: italic;">A Tale of Two Sisters. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Having now completed my first set of edits, I found taking part proved to be an excellent way of reflecting on what this fourth novel is about. The novel is set in rural Wales and Sicily in 1943 and 1968. It involves a family secret, forbidden love and ultimately forgiveness, where two sisters work together to clear their father's name of a crime he did not commit.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBQvmT_-POKEJq-kDPiu1JYuAgVMoy4h3DB6VrsfEnJShxI_xnJFrD5W521uzpdCOOQXOjrMSklXtew5H6k_KBnlB005R8dMr8zHYR_tK0Z-_e1c97_o8isDXpimboUTjdQ8G-x1aQPuCJNDxaD1thBF_LPYcuZz5TvWzLs_9Y5L_EpJLkD0QPlV5Q3w/s2048/ortigia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBQvmT_-POKEJq-kDPiu1JYuAgVMoy4h3DB6VrsfEnJShxI_xnJFrD5W521uzpdCOOQXOjrMSklXtew5H6k_KBnlB005R8dMr8zHYR_tK0Z-_e1c97_o8isDXpimboUTjdQ8G-x1aQPuCJNDxaD1thBF_LPYcuZz5TvWzLs_9Y5L_EpJLkD0QPlV5Q3w/w150-h200/ortigia.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>My main character is Claudia Rosso. She is an artist who travels to Sicily from her native Wales to find out why her father, Carlo, a former Italian POW interned in a prison camp in mid-Wales could never return to his homeland when WW2 ended. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvsDEfYWDVhRPmBWDebspjRZsMpncziomH-13qYMXFeRtuNy_nEahndaXqg3SLgZpd3_D2Do6h6FwLeyWqfqZM9fNXy4zdN2uYhjuX-m7vG-t_28-3HNSk09RmimvX-wFGhdcLdT8-gksACb0vGIQqvWzvDjy0tkVa7QV2iLp_UfLct7lJfa45qyUJNA/s900/Heart%20Cave.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="675" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvsDEfYWDVhRPmBWDebspjRZsMpncziomH-13qYMXFeRtuNy_nEahndaXqg3SLgZpd3_D2Do6h6FwLeyWqfqZM9fNXy4zdN2uYhjuX-m7vG-t_28-3HNSk09RmimvX-wFGhdcLdT8-gksACb0vGIQqvWzvDjy0tkVa7QV2iLp_UfLct7lJfa45qyUJNA/w150-h200/Heart%20Cave.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;">When identifying a sub-genre in my novel on Day 15, I found this perhaps the most useful and I can see it will help when having to tell people about my writing. Yes, all my novels are set in different historical eras, but there are not necessarily about the historical events themselves. They are family stories about ordinary people living at certain times in history, having to deal with what that era demands of them. Therefore, I do not write historical fiction 'per se'.The sub-genre I identified was 'historical romance'. There is a love interest in all my books and in <i>A Tale of Two Sisters,</i> there is a love story in both the 1940s story and the 1968 one. Claudia is taken on her first boat trip by Alessandro and they visit a heart-shaped cave. They are just friends but could he have something more romantic in mind? On Day 17, the quote I chose to illustrate my sub-genre was from further on in the story.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1hdeYI1t6rKVmjaG_wjuZ2SxEs_Sg1x9RB9ctDlRQ-1df82wbsamnWoH_gnGf9QFZGhFzFK6LRJrQMqrxVpT34Ez0rOHgAjBThDEfQYtE5udVft2zF7RX0-GuhMQj3LxTOwts7eImBPfiq0pNB6OLbFfesQ8j8-wyCfg20vl7WZRUo03MdErrBYXmZQ/s680/holding%20hands.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="453" data-original-width="680" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1hdeYI1t6rKVmjaG_wjuZ2SxEs_Sg1x9RB9ctDlRQ-1df82wbsamnWoH_gnGf9QFZGhFzFK6LRJrQMqrxVpT34Ez0rOHgAjBThDEfQYtE5udVft2zF7RX0-GuhMQj3LxTOwts7eImBPfiq0pNB6OLbFfesQ8j8-wyCfg20vl7WZRUo03MdErrBYXmZQ/w200-h133/holding%20hands.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>'It was turning into a perfect evening. There was something quite sensual about being with someone who took your hand and kissed you gently, looking at someone with longing but knowing they weren't ready to love you back. Yet. That word was important.' </i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSb9uGzb6zvVjP0z4BTKccI2HaPf9WJJxOFEjH-qKMMwbqJyhuU8vhHssyr01CJ2gbNUU4lIwMS64iWvB2QbfxyfnyCdcm8dfm2OrBvYjnllKN1HlMtWvBaZJUSx0fSTJaqIZoA0rmoxo9W6imviyhgB3t9XzNPZodSMfq3RGaI8cxshM1PWIHJdwTng/s680/pow%20Presteigne.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="364" data-original-width="680" height="107" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSb9uGzb6zvVjP0z4BTKccI2HaPf9WJJxOFEjH-qKMMwbqJyhuU8vhHssyr01CJ2gbNUU4lIwMS64iWvB2QbfxyfnyCdcm8dfm2OrBvYjnllKN1HlMtWvBaZJUSx0fSTJaqIZoA0rmoxo9W6imviyhgB3t9XzNPZodSMfq3RGaI8cxshM1PWIHJdwTng/w200-h107/pow%20Presteigne.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Courtesy of G. Lancett</span></td></tr></tbody></table>The biggest pitfall for my sub-genre of historical romance was early on in the novel when I had to allow my characters to fall in love yet stay within the rules imposed on the POWs regarding fraternisation with local women. Even after Italy capitulated in 1943, that rule remained and if it was broken, the POW would be confined to the prison camp. Did I succeed?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">As well as thinking about my own novel, it's been so good to read the posts from others taking part. The benefit of Virginia's idea is that I've found lots of new historical novelists to follow. Many of their books sound wonderful and are finding their way onto my ever-growing TBR pile. When May is over, I shall continue to keep in touch by taking part in #HistFicThursdays. So a big thank you to Virginia! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Thank you for reading. Do you have a sub-genre in your writing? If so, I'd love you to comment and tell us all what it is. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Hopefully, next time I shall have more news about the new novel with a confirmed title, a cover and a publication date from my new publisher, <a href="https://joffebooks.com/">Joffe Books/ Choc Lit Publishers</a> . Watch this space! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">You may follow me on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/JanBaynham">@JanBaynham</a> and on my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/JanBayLit/?locale=en_GB">Jan Baynham Writer</a> Facebook page.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">For more about me and my books, please visit my <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Jan-Baynham/e/B085DC6BKR?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1684861816&sr=1-1">AMAZON</a> page where all the novels are 0.00p on Kindle Unlimited at the moment if you are a subscriber.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Jan Baynhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06356572488839476046noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3357383818158631304.post-49247496115611460462023-04-24T00:11:00.000-07:002023-04-24T00:11:37.872-07:00<p> <span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Guest Post With Sally Jenkins</b></span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijp0vwxnrXUVTG2p5F6J7p2wcoSSTQg0q6MgZ4Es4p9NewoUNduvOvro6nRziORpjUwjs3bPYl5_LpxY-hH6C_AiGsHhhrM1p3UU2QdEFKgm4AuCS-6-g4rAzB4sP8UNV8xS2xZ6IZBsvC_oJb-hjeClMlGv0ixhhbOIaMimWpOAusODSthqhOpNFcHA/s4000/Sally%20Jenkins%202022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijp0vwxnrXUVTG2p5F6J7p2wcoSSTQg0q6MgZ4Es4p9NewoUNduvOvro6nRziORpjUwjs3bPYl5_LpxY-hH6C_AiGsHhhrM1p3UU2QdEFKgm4AuCS-6-g4rAzB4sP8UNV8xS2xZ6IZBsvC_oJb-hjeClMlGv0ixhhbOIaMimWpOAusODSthqhOpNFcHA/w150-h200/Sally%20Jenkins%202022.jpg" width="150" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Today I'm very pleased to welcome fellow <a href="https://joffebooks.com/">Joffe Books</a> /Ruby Fiction author, Sally Jenkins, to the blog. Her debut novel, <i><b>Little Museum of Hope</b>, </i>is due to be published tomorrow, Tuesday 25th April.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Sally, welcome. I'm really looking forward to what you have to tell us about your new novel. It's over to you.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><i>Little Museum of Hope </i></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">When I give talks about my writing or mention it to
friends and family, one question pops up again and again: <a name="_Hlk131326742"><i>Is it autobiographical - did this happen to you?</i> </a>My
answer has always been an emphatic <i>No,</i> and I believed that to be true.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">However, on reflection, I’ve been lying. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpLast"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbWnvEOeWk4pCoScAvAk1HswHCUDuAq7EXqs7hjiLVH3z1_tIiRdOohdW0RS-bnGqsfADfsM8LOwIgG5kOB-Y28f_RZVXzfgAyQCzGQcpgRbDJ6sb7Q4VXsTmAFpwXjnZdrFdoOAXMhuyBCWKuM6bv27JnCL1nPF53KHwP5IxMCdAzjI7km18iQw547Q/s1170/Little%20Museum%20of%20Hope%20by%20Sally%20Jenkins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1170" data-original-width="762" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbWnvEOeWk4pCoScAvAk1HswHCUDuAq7EXqs7hjiLVH3z1_tIiRdOohdW0RS-bnGqsfADfsM8LOwIgG5kOB-Y28f_RZVXzfgAyQCzGQcpgRbDJ6sb7Q4VXsTmAFpwXjnZdrFdoOAXMhuyBCWKuM6bv27JnCL1nPF53KHwP5IxMCdAzjI7km18iQw547Q/s320/Little%20Museum%20of%20Hope%20by%20Sally%20Jenkins.jpg" width="208" /></a></div><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">In <i>Little Museum of Hope,</i> several characters
share chunks of their life stories with the creator of the museum, Vanessa.
None of these stories mirrors my own life but several of them draw directly on
tiny parts of my own experience. When I listed these, I was shocked at how much
of my life is in the novel: <o:p></o:p></span><p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Within the museum is the Mended Heart Café, also run
by Vanessa, even though she is a disaster at baking - like me! My cookery
teacher wrote on my school report: <i>Sally’s written work is far better than
her practical work</i>. Vanessa received the same diplomatic criticism.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Maxine is one of the first donors to the museum. She
shares the story of her teenage love affair with the boy next door and its dark
repercussions into her future. I never got as far as the love affair but I did
have a crush on our neighbour’s son and, like Maxine, watched for him out of
the window.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyXzHpwlAAWHHzL799UtgqXSiddbLy76TCH4C7WeMVKyB4HkA0SofLu9ZcK-_033DQrG_Eu4NCHlQvmEQ3wRmgSjRDTJXXJuvCWA8CPtg4cSM-i1kboB6DNil9HR1t_ZCT6XrfF1fmy6oLXK4py5lcwtLpedARaIMlFRbyiEA11qgSEYsJah3TgNevpw/s2558/Diagrams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2558" data-original-width="2079" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyXzHpwlAAWHHzL799UtgqXSiddbLy76TCH4C7WeMVKyB4HkA0SofLu9ZcK-_033DQrG_Eu4NCHlQvmEQ3wRmgSjRDTJXXJuvCWA8CPtg4cSM-i1kboB6DNil9HR1t_ZCT6XrfF1fmy6oLXK4py5lcwtLpedARaIMlFRbyiEA11qgSEYsJah3TgNevpw/w163-h200/Diagrams.jpg" width="163" /></a></div> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Stephen tells Vanessa how he learned to bell ring, in
order to cope with grief, and reveals that it created new problems in his life.
He donates ‘Diagrams’, a bell-ringing book, to the museum. I have been a church
bell ringer since the age of fourteen and I own a copy of that book – albeit
without the loving inscription found inside Stephen’s copy. My own experience
in bell towers was invaluable to accurately describe Stephen’s first trip up a
spiral staircase and into the ringing chamber.<o:p></o:p></span><p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Rose has a very minor role in <i>Little Museum of Hope</i>
but, like me, she discovers the benefit of a Speakers’ Club. Some years ago,
when I began to write seriously, I joined a Speakers’ Club because I knew I
needed to grow my confidence in order to promote myself and my books. It was
one of the best decisions I ever made!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I’m probably not the only 1960s (and possibly later?)
baby to have had to learn to walk by pushing a cute stuffed dog on a frame. My
Ruby Fiction editor put her hand up to this as well! When Joanne brings her old
family album to the museum it features a picture of her, as a toddler, in the
garden with a dog just like my own.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I work part-time in IT and, in the past, I’ve
struggled to make my job interesting enough to use in fiction. In <i>Little
Museum of Hope,</i> Karen has an office affair and her employer is an IT company
– finally giving me the opportunity to drop in a few tiny details to add
realism (not about the affair!).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Back to that original question: <i>Is it
autobiographical - did this happen to you?<o:p></o:p></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">New answer: <i>None of the things in Little Museum of
Hope happened to me in their entirety but there’s a little bit of me in many
parts of the book. Plus, there may be more than I’m owning up to here!</i><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">About <i>Little Museum of Hope</i></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><i>A jar of festival mud, a photo album of family
memories, a child’s teddy bear, a book of bell ringing methods, an old cassette
tape, a pair of slippers …<o:p></o:p></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><i>These are the items that fill the exhibit shelves in
Vanessa Jones’ museum. At first glance, they appear to have nothing in common,
but that’s before you find out the stories behind them …<o:p></o:p></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><i>Because Vanessa’s Little Museum of Hope is no ordinary
museum – its aim is to help people heal by donating items associated with
shattered lives and failed relationships, and in doing so, find a way to move
on, perhaps even start again.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><i>The museum soon becomes a sanctuary for the broken
hearts in Vanessa’s city, and she’s always on hand to offer a cup of tea, a
slice of cake and a listening ear.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><i>But could the bringer of Hope need a little help
moving on herself?</i><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Buying Links<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Amazon: <a href=" https://www.amazon.co.uk/Little-Museum-Hope-Guaranteed-heartstrings-ebook/dp/B0BW4SZXRQ/"> https://www.amazon.co.uk/Little-Museum-Hope-Guaranteed-heartstrings-ebook/dp/B0BW4SZXRQ/</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sally-Jenkins/e/B00B5DEMHI?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1682266364&sr=8-1"><span style="font-family: arial;">Sally's AMAZON page</span></a><br /></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">About the Author</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Sally Jenkins lives in the West Midlands with her
husband. When not writing and not working in IT, she feeds her addiction to
words by working part-time in her local library, running two reading groups and
giving talks about her writing. Sally can also be found walking, church bell
ringing and enjoying <i>shavasana</i> in her yoga class.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Get in touch or follow Sally:</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Website/blog: </span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://sally-jenkins.com/">https://sally-jenkins.com/</a></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Facebook:<a href=" SallyJenkinsAuthor"> </a></span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US"><a href=" SallyJenkinsAuthor">SallyJenkinsAuthor</a></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Twitter: </span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><a href="https://twitter.com/sallyjenkinsuk"><span lang="EN-US">@sallyjenkinsuk</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Instagram: </span><a href="@sallyjenkinsuk"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">@sallyjenkinsuk</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></a></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">Thank you, Sally. That was fascinating. I'm sure readers will now be guessing about which other autobiographical snippets you didn't own up to! I hope the novel does really well and your sales soar. </span></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #2b00fe; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpFJcBjv3ar3k05SXYiX14DdMzVYsHx1XPaofAydieHiZKykc53vvmSW-OuV8jXM5xNF5jmcjU6AseIDto6u4TU22VwBCrAeZs7N9qyNq_sShtOn1KvM7Q_fiXqJtBbWWg0DB9fdh65X64C5VFM8FDrV-scaarWvhJtkoyI2RNjLU-XDAEgeIx_n6o7Q/s1230/340651922_943290713475203_5646469063827028316_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1228" data-original-width="1230" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpFJcBjv3ar3k05SXYiX14DdMzVYsHx1XPaofAydieHiZKykc53vvmSW-OuV8jXM5xNF5jmcjU6AseIDto6u4TU22VwBCrAeZs7N9qyNq_sShtOn1KvM7Q_fiXqJtBbWWg0DB9fdh65X64C5VFM8FDrV-scaarWvhJtkoyI2RNjLU-XDAEgeIx_n6o7Q/w200-h199/340651922_943290713475203_5646469063827028316_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Thank you for reading. I hope you enjoyed reading Sally's post. As readers, do you wonder how much of a novel may be autobiographical? As writers, Do you include events and experiences from your own life in your novels? I'd love it if you commented below. Thank you.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">You may also follow me on Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/JanBaynham">@JanBaynham</a> and on my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/JanBayLit/">Jan Baynham Writer</a> Facebook page. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">For more about me and my novels, please visit my <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Jan-Baynham/e/B085DC6BKR?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1682267758&sr=8-1">AMAZON</a> page.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDr8-aY3FD7vHWL_RrjX-1CvLvZa73sl1JSS-g49ke7Gytr9_2EQQUIBfoyTC9rHxIhsgll99DVJUXSNgq0XUajRBGPoJlA1d3Q-Y3mLytyFFsJf__KLtBZKrC-hblh5-Y40EyOChFNgEttsnzFJu9suKje4anJD3N76mTtGFSQOdJhYMKe95I_ODvMQ/s568/FMy2CDuX0AcwIO5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="297" data-original-width="568" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDr8-aY3FD7vHWL_RrjX-1CvLvZa73sl1JSS-g49ke7Gytr9_2EQQUIBfoyTC9rHxIhsgll99DVJUXSNgq0XUajRBGPoJlA1d3Q-Y3mLytyFFsJf__KLtBZKrC-hblh5-Y40EyOChFNgEttsnzFJu9suKje4anJD3N76mTtGFSQOdJhYMKe95I_ODvMQ/s320/FMy2CDuX0AcwIO5.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/JanBayLit/"><br /></a></p><p>
<span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></p>Jan Baynhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06356572488839476046noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3357383818158631304.post-80341695680960202782023-04-17T00:24:00.000-07:002023-04-17T00:24:22.381-07:00<p><b style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Guest Post With Kirsty Ferry</b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUn_0Om47LwA9zwmk9dY2ObnxY7MzyRmGgCjGXhDnU07bytbfe5pjH_JCILrMWHZSVQWTCQBSA-5Yw9rbjczJRF1TBVROERYcrMfzSR3bc8uxJzoFhl-DuJcZ-_MUFMfhpfwp4aGZLpNWhbU75I0sedHideZbdB5LS1ZNnxluCPTCWund9BZUyOFYdGg/s405/Kirsty%20(1).PNG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="405" data-original-width="246" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUn_0Om47LwA9zwmk9dY2ObnxY7MzyRmGgCjGXhDnU07bytbfe5pjH_JCILrMWHZSVQWTCQBSA-5Yw9rbjczJRF1TBVROERYcrMfzSR3bc8uxJzoFhl-DuJcZ-_MUFMfhpfwp4aGZLpNWhbU75I0sedHideZbdB5LS1ZNnxluCPTCWund9BZUyOFYdGg/w194-h320/Kirsty%20(1).PNG" width="194" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Today, I'm delighted to welcome writer, <span style="color: #2b00fe;">Kirsty Ferry</span>, back to the blog. We are both authors with Choc Lit and Ruby Fiction, which are now part of a much larger publisher, <a href="https://joffebooks.com/">Joffe Books</a>. Her new novel, <i><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Bea's Magical Summer Garden</span></i>, is to be published tomorrow, the 18th of April. </span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Welcome back, Kirsty. First of all, congratulations on the publication of another novel in the Schubert series. I'm dying to know if this story is going to be the last in the series and if so, how you feel about that. Over to you!</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">I can’t believe this is the sixth Schubert the Cat book!
When I started a few years ago with </span><i style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Every Witch Way</span></i><span style="font-family: arial;">, I didn’t think for
one moment I’d end up writing six novellas about this magical, mystical black
cat. </span><i style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Bea’s Magical Summer Garden</span></i><span style="font-family: arial;"> wasn’t meant to have Schubert in, but
as any author will tell you, when we hit that creative block we just have to
set the work aside for a little and see what happens. In this case, Schubert
was pretty insistent about being in the book, so I had to give in and let him
appear, and the book came much, much more easily after that.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">I’d run out of McCreadie siblings by the time I started <i>Bea</i>,
although from the moment Bea appeared as a minor character in <i><span style="color: #2b00fe;">It Started
with a Wedding</span>, </i>angrily<i> </i>hacking back her overhanging plants at the
behest of The Man in the Big House, I knew she was going to be the focus of the
next book I wrote. It was just a case of finding a story that fit with her, and
going from there.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5uNHkbiCB77jjhHDhj9dZ-0hR54K0QWLn1NTqGkKAwVXO_u42aBAP97yqYyOchimmOu-PcznnxPe1uwTNEg55kwNzAZlgKtTs1mqplU3ukN63Ipd3xcsUR1UzWZLMJFCgYl2dqbSJgWNCfqaT5iNXD3We7xBr4VU6oCzuW5hE8qinqbHkei1_5LiA2A/s220/bea%20cover.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="220" data-original-width="165" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5uNHkbiCB77jjhHDhj9dZ-0hR54K0QWLn1NTqGkKAwVXO_u42aBAP97yqYyOchimmOu-PcznnxPe1uwTNEg55kwNzAZlgKtTs1mqplU3ukN63Ipd3xcsUR1UzWZLMJFCgYl2dqbSJgWNCfqaT5iNXD3We7xBr4VU6oCzuW5hE8qinqbHkei1_5LiA2A/w300-h400/bea%20cover.jpg" width="300" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">During lockdown, I had a lot more daytime TV on, and I
watched programmes such <i>as Homes Under the Hammer</i> and <i>Escape to the
Country</i>. I will often put them on ‘for the dog’ when I’m in the house
during the day now; but as he sleeps most of the day, I am the one that has the
guilty pleasure of peering into other people’s homes and seeing the
transformation of the auctioned properties in <i>Homes Under the Hammer. </i>I
must, however, confess to yelling at the TV when I feel people have just gone
on and wasted the <i>Escape</i> team's time, and I do occasionally mutter
obscenities at the smug people who buy an auctioned home to ‘add to their
portfolio of multiple rental properties.’ But it’s like poking your tongue into a poorly
tooth; it’s enjoyable in a weird way! And it certainly inspired this book.<o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">I have always loved old houses, and houses with secrets, and
although Glentavish House – the Big House in the book – doesn’t really have any
secrets, I liked the idea of someone buying a slightly run-down place and
loving it again. A sort of <i>Hammer in the Country</i> mis-mash, I guess! An
unfinished folly was also a lovely thing to imagine; it sort of brought the two
halves of the story together, and it fitted with the tragic life of Lady
Clementine whose husband hadn’t managed to build her the place she wanted
whilst she lived one hundred and fifty years ago. I did have a slight danger of
dwelling too much on Lady Clemmie’s potential ghost running around Glentavish in<i>
Bea</i>, and had to rein her in. Both Bea and Marcus, the other main
character, are a little too
down-to-earth to accommodate ghosts in their day-to-day lives, so the odd time
where Clemmie makes herself known should hopefully have a bit of a ‘less is
more’ feel. I do love writing my ghost stories, and may pick my timeslips up at
a later date; but for now I am enjoying writing more contemporary, humorous
books.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">And will there be a seventh Schubert book? At this present
moment in time, I just don’t know. My wonderful little publisher has now become
part of a wonderful big publisher, and whether I can indulge my own follies
with writing more Schubert books is for the future. But in the meantime, I do
hope you enjoy <i>Bea’s Magical Summer Garden,</i> and enjoy Schubert’s latest
foray into his wonderful, magical world!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2DQOP6gaN2m87zs2jtW0qNMvhs7-E2H11wabE5mA6NGDpsUpZK4TO2pbcujmurQjGNlZaruNcKvjYFsCSPSakF22o0vYKtWzE7KQhCbJj4BhvmQUlJvFRaQlyzi8y4Et5MDpdsadNIUyBgxlvZw1v3ItHgIoLLVgp148j9gFpJpkjQDgZPhBVtch8sQ/s600/600x200.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="600" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2DQOP6gaN2m87zs2jtW0qNMvhs7-E2H11wabE5mA6NGDpsUpZK4TO2pbcujmurQjGNlZaruNcKvjYFsCSPSakF22o0vYKtWzE7KQhCbJj4BhvmQUlJvFRaQlyzi8y4Et5MDpdsadNIUyBgxlvZw1v3ItHgIoLLVgp148j9gFpJpkjQDgZPhBVtch8sQ/w400-h134/600x200.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTFVXF08BNqYd8UdvXVcqxkzxyXoY04ABxsqhxzfcu30CEH-VXmv2P7z7aIgtGoaD3XoCpGTPW1eZlR97dRIdm5eJ_toIYa3VlR7N0-DVwg1-tM3mK-3OMwUGMvxW6Wt_NpdggYQtWKIhxPNK1f1SMZ2zjelUqQCMH7sGeHwDDhJzBVr61aXR1RHvpuw/s1230/340651922_943290713475203_5646469063827028316_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1228" data-original-width="1230" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTFVXF08BNqYd8UdvXVcqxkzxyXoY04ABxsqhxzfcu30CEH-VXmv2P7z7aIgtGoaD3XoCpGTPW1eZlR97dRIdm5eJ_toIYa3VlR7N0-DVwg1-tM3mK-3OMwUGMvxW6Wt_NpdggYQtWKIhxPNK1f1SMZ2zjelUqQCMH7sGeHwDDhJzBVr61aXR1RHvpuw/w200-h199/340651922_943290713475203_5646469063827028316_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></div></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>About the book</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: arial;">What’s
not to love about Bea’s Garden?<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Its higgledy-piggledy layout,
fascinating plants and occasional resident black cat makes it the most charming
place to visit on a sunny afternoon. Plus Bea has bees – and her Honey Festival
is sure to create a buzz.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">But not everyone thinks Bea’s
Garden is the bee’s knees.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The Man at the Big House next door
has been a thorn in Bea’s side for the longest time, with his unnecessarily snippy
letters about her beautiful climbing plants ruining his ‘clean lines’. Could he
and his poisonous project manager Carla pose problems for her Festival? Or can
Bea rely on the Man’s cousin – and her newest annual pass holder – Marcus
Rainton to fight her corner?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">With bee best friends, big black
cats, a secret garden gate and a surprising identity reveal, Bea’s Garden is
surely in line for its most magical summer yet!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><b>Bio</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">Kirsty Ferry is from the North East of England and lives there with her husband and son. She won the English Heritage/Belsay Hall National Creative Writing Competition in 2009 and has had articles and short stories published in various magazines. Her work also appears in several anthologies, incorporating such diverse themes as vampires, crime, angels, and more. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">Kirsty loves writing ghostly mysteries and interweaving fact and fiction. The research is almost as much fun as writing the book itself, and if she can add a wonderful setting and a do9llop of history, that's even better.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">Her day job involves sharing a building with an eclectic collection of ghosts, which can often prove rather interesting.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>For more information about Kirsty, visit:</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.twitter.com/kirsty_ferry"><span style="font-family: arial;">www.twitter.com/kirsty_ferry</span></a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/kirsty.ferry.author/"><span style="font-family: arial;">https://www.facebook.com/kirsty.ferry.author/</span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.rosethornpress.co.uk" style="font-family: arial;">www.rosethornpress.co.uk</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: arial;">Buying links:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="Kirsty Ferry (choc-lit.com)">Kirsty Ferry (choc-lit.com)</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">Thank you, Kirsty. That was so interesting. Your enthusiasm for writing ghost stories is clear. I love the fact that you can choose between your timeslips and your contemporary, humorous stories. Good luck with the sales of your new novel.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Thank you for reading. I hope you like the sound of Kirsty's latest novel as much as I do. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">You may also follow me on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/JanBaynham">@JanBaynham</a> and on my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/JanBayLit">Jan Baynham Writer</a> page on Facebook. For more about me and my books, please visit <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Jan-Baynham/e/B085DC6BKR?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1681646413&sr=8-1">MY AMAZON PAGE</a>.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAKhkpCS1JzGSz9nserOGE62ljxCZ0p62rOZuVr9NnQakeklaBnTPvrZwL5lPwnUrzdI8uN5biJnrsfzIIoKr5rO_sM_mLv-66HRQYRcPasVY5IRwR7nbEbFvyhHf-cxjnF5oVGv3HSfVko-YbAJ1lDr-c9L-B50UKXxXxwGh6_VMVztHuR1ermFzvaA/s568/FMy2CDuX0AcwIO5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="297" data-original-width="568" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAKhkpCS1JzGSz9nserOGE62ljxCZ0p62rOZuVr9NnQakeklaBnTPvrZwL5lPwnUrzdI8uN5biJnrsfzIIoKr5rO_sM_mLv-66HRQYRcPasVY5IRwR7nbEbFvyhHf-cxjnF5oVGv3HSfVko-YbAJ1lDr-c9L-B50UKXxXxwGh6_VMVztHuR1ermFzvaA/s320/FMy2CDuX0AcwIO5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>Jan Baynhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06356572488839476046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3357383818158631304.post-10961469831035495972023-04-01T06:28:00.000-07:002023-04-01T06:28:10.889-07:00<p> <b style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Stories in a Flash</b></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">This week, I met up for lunch with writing friends I made at a short story course run by Lynne Barrett-Lee almost ten years ago. We meet every few weeks and this time we looked at our flash fiction entries for a competition. I rarely write short stories or flashes these days so it was good to return to a genre I enjoy. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">What is flash fiction?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Here is a blog post I wrote back in 2018 and it was good to be reminded of what the judges of a flash fiction competition may be looking for: </span></p><div class="separator" style="background-color: #f1fcff; clear: both; color: #444444; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9D9DEbQnFJE/VeWZO9ibu2I/AAAAAAAADqU/jJAPEBMDv10/s1600/flash-fiction1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; color: #00b39d; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9D9DEbQnFJE/VeWZO9ibu2I/AAAAAAAADqU/jJAPEBMDv10/s200/flash-fiction1.jpg" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 1px solid rgb(239, 239, 239); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="200" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: #f1fcff;"><span style="color: blue;">Flash Fiction</span> goes by many names including micro fiction, short shorts, nanofiction. At my very first lesson on a short story course, I learned that a 'drabble' is a story in just 100 words and one of the most famous examples of flash fiction is a mere six words, attributed to Ernest Hemingway. <i>'For sale: baby shoes, never worn.'</i> The reader is left with so many images and interpretations that are left unsaid. Flash Fiction appears to have gained in popularity over the last few years and there are plenty of opportunities to submit your stories. In fact, there is now a<span style="color: #444444;"> </span><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://nationalflashfictionday.co.uk/" style="color: #00b39d; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: blue;">National Flash Fiction Day</span></a>,</span><span style="color: #444444;"> </span>held this year on Saturday June 24th. So what are the main characteristics of a Flash Fiction?</span><br style="background-color: #f1fcff;" /><br style="background-color: #f1fcff; color: #444444; font-size: 15.4px;" /></span><ul style="background-color: #f1fcff; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;"><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: blue;">Brevity.</span><span style="color: #444444;"> </span>It doesn't matter what the specific word count is, Flash Fiction condenses the story into the fewest number of words possible. You have to ask yourself if every word is essential to the story. This 'paring to the bone' is an excellent discipline for me as I tend to be very wordy when I start writing a story. </span></li></ul><ul style="background-color: #f1fcff; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;"><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: blue;">A beginning, middle and an end. </span><span style="color: #444444;">I</span>n spite of its concise form, the story structure and plot need to show a complete story. </span></li></ul><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: #f1fcff;">'</span><i style="background-color: #f1fcff;">For me, the basic fictional elements, such as character, setting, conflict, and resolution, still need to be present.' </i><span style="background-color: #f1fcff;"><span style="text-align: right;">Lindsay Stanberry-Flynn, </span><span style="text-align: right;">Competition Founder and Judge of Worcestershire LitFest Flash Fiction competition </span></span><br style="background-color: #f1fcff; color: #444444;" /><br style="background-color: #f1fcff; color: #444444;" /></span><ul style="background-color: #f1fcff; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;"><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: blue;">A twist or surprise at the end.</span><span style="color: #444444;"> </span>Not all stories have to have one but it makes the reader think, long after reading. Other people say that the last line of a flash fiction can take the readers elsewhere, to a place where they can ponder about the ideas in the story, making re-reads inviting. </span></li></ul><span style="font-family: arial;"><br style="background-color: #f1fcff; font-size: 15.4px;" /><span style="background-color: #f1fcff; font-size: 15.4px;">Every year since I began submitting in 2014, I've been delighted to see one or more of my flashes published in the annual <span style="color: blue;">Worcestershire LitFest Flash Fiction</span><span style="color: #444444;"> </span>competition anthology, having come second once and short-listed on a number of occasions. This then means I'm invited to the launch of the book each to read out one or sometimes two of my flashes. Fingers crossed that they will enjoy reading the three pieces I've sent off today</span><br style="background-color: #f1fcff; font-size: 15.4px;" /></span><span style="background-color: #f1fcff; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: #f1fcff; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px;"></span><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Et2SrW7Jlrc/VeWaTLjqYmI/AAAAAAAADqc/L9hq0dP-6Kc/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: #f1fcff; clear: right; color: #00b39d; float: right; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" height="104" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Et2SrW7Jlrc/VeWaTLjqYmI/AAAAAAAADqc/L9hq0dP-6Kc/s200/images.jpg" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 1px solid rgb(239, 239, 239); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: #f1fcff; font-size: 15.4px;">Do you like to write Flash Fiction? If so, how do you go about writing it? Do you start with a longer piece and chip away until all the superfluous words have gone or start writing with the tight word count in mind?</span><br style="background-color: #f1fcff; font-size: 15.4px;" /><span style="background-color: #f1fcff; font-size: 15.4px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: #f1fcff; font-size: 15.4px;"></span><span style="background-color: #f1fcff; font-size: 15.4px;">Thank you for reading. I'd love to read your comments about Flash Fiction. </span></span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br style="background-color: #f1fcff; font-size: 15.4px;" /></span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: #f1fcff; font-size: 15.4px;">You may also follow me on Twitter</span><span style="background-color: #f1fcff; color: #444444; font-size: 15.4px;"> <a href="https://twitter.com/JanBaynham">@JanBaynham</a> </span><span style="background-color: #f1fcff; font-size: 15.4px;">and on my</span><span style="background-color: #f1fcff; color: #444444; font-size: 15.4px;"> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/JanBayLit/?locale=en_GB">Jan Baynham Writer</a> </span><span style="background-color: #f1fcff; font-size: 15.4px;">Facebook page.</span></span></div></div><div><span style="background-color: #f1fcff; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: #f1fcff; font-size: 15.4px;">For more about me and my writing, please visit</span><span style="background-color: #f1fcff; color: #444444; font-size: 15.4px;"> <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Jan-Baynham/e/B085DC6BKR?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1680354914&sr=8-1">MY AMAZON PAGE</a>. </span><span style="background-color: #f1fcff; font-size: 15.4px;">Thanks</span></span><span style="background-color: #f1fcff; color: #444444; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="font-family: arial;">.</span></span></div>Jan Baynhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06356572488839476046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3357383818158631304.post-20688438654239525712023-03-13T00:06:00.001-07:002023-03-13T00:46:14.353-07:00<p> <span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Guest Post with Emma Bennet</b></span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw4LAgob7y76J2fYyoLllqdkFKy2DJLv5fDLkFNHLKpTCYAczntUj9Pi3J0hEvB3OjNIQWffPIZQflmOYFqGnyKIpte_KZ8ZwdRvL-vWVSxjgnPeEL4O4Xuoj_c5zZ76L2MPaGDTPbOUF60UJB36fAH8gxaMtgwAwnp9iXgGC5QT2BPk5vyBdm4-YjWw/s2046/IMG_2445.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1538" data-original-width="2046" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw4LAgob7y76J2fYyoLllqdkFKy2DJLv5fDLkFNHLKpTCYAczntUj9Pi3J0hEvB3OjNIQWffPIZQflmOYFqGnyKIpte_KZ8ZwdRvL-vWVSxjgnPeEL4O4Xuoj_c5zZ76L2MPaGDTPbOUF60UJB36fAH8gxaMtgwAwnp9iXgGC5QT2BPk5vyBdm4-YjWw/s320/IMG_2445.JPEG" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">Today I'm pleased to welcome romance author, Emma Bennet, to the blog to talk about the role YouTube plays in her writing.</span><p></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">Emma, it's over to you.<b style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></b></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><u><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Starting My YouTube Channel<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">I discovered the wonders of YouTube a few
years ago, but it was a while before I stumbled upon Authortube, the corner of
YouTube with writers producing videos. I was soon absolutely hooked! How I wish
this information had been available to be when I was writing my first romance,
<i><span style="color: #2b00fe;">The Green Hills of Home</span></i>, more than a decade ago. Not only is Authortube full of
writing advice, but there are lots of opportunities to take part in live writing
sprints, which definitely makes the writing process less isolating. I also love
watching author life vlogs.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">I mulled over starting my own channel for more
than a year before I took the plunge in March 2022.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">I wanted a channel for several reasons. The
main one was so that I could offer support and advice to other authors about
both writing and marketing your books. I also figured I would learn an awful
lot myself while researching for my videos. Becoming a proper part of the
Authortube community also really appealed, they all seemed very supportive of
one another, sharing one another’s videos, co-hosting live streams, and
shouting out about each other’s books. I discovered this to be true very early
on, and it’s made such a difference to my writing to have this wonderful group
of cheerleaders.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">There were many things holding me back from
starting a channel, however. Number one being the equipment I had - I didn’t
have a fancy camera, microphones, lighting and sound equipment. I didn’t even
have a lovely, quiet place to film: I share a house with five boys and two
large dogs! I began filming on an iPhone 5s, which I had to prop up on a stack
of books because I didn’t have a tripod.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Of course, I was also worried about making a
complete fool of myself, but I figured I just wouldn’t tell anyone I was doing
it for a while.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">So, one afternoon when all my family was out,
I recorded my first video. It was a ‘write with me’. The lighting was dreadful,
and the video quality wasn’t great. Oh, and I’d made the mistake of filming in
portrait instead of landscape. I also didn’t make a thumbnail for it. But, I
had officially had a video available and this is the way I would advise anyone
interested in doing the same to start. Try it out with what you’ve got so you
can see if it’s for you before you commit to buying a load of equipment.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">So, almost a year on, I’m on track to be
monetised this year, which would be amazing. I upload two videos and at least
one short (a video less than a minute long, like a TikTok) a week, as well as
hosting at least two live writing sessions a week. I’ve also been able to
collaborate on videos and live streams with other authors, and will be taking
part in the Authortube Writing Conference later this year.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Running a YouTube channel is definitely hard
work and isn’t for the faint-hearted, but I absolutely love it.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNTsvuRqmpwnZwMkixM0-QQ-dg3hIIXDV29GARYP9E5H4UA8zRRnI8zbWVdHhtXbRNU7N8mffOdGu6tw59TEBayR81xu5IeQDwKWWeyShXBTDdNQ_QzLm1Aq-_QdhjRETazy3mLwDK-HDo0NTIBln83LxLIMcV0XaBH2y2WLTcYaGMEZTijb2stc0WKA/s1920/filmstrip-589491_1920.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1637" data-original-width="1920" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNTsvuRqmpwnZwMkixM0-QQ-dg3hIIXDV29GARYP9E5H4UA8zRRnI8zbWVdHhtXbRNU7N8mffOdGu6tw59TEBayR81xu5IeQDwKWWeyShXBTDdNQ_QzLm1Aq-_QdhjRETazy3mLwDK-HDo0NTIBln83LxLIMcV0XaBH2y2WLTcYaGMEZTijb2stc0WKA/w200-h171/filmstrip-589491_1920.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Find me on YouTube at: </span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKJKt8kmDXrWQAGkTV1VHMQ">https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKJKt8kmDXrWQAGkTV1VHMQ</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">For everything about Emma, her website, her books and social media links, please click on:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://linktr.ee/emmabennetromance"><span style="font-family: arial;">https://linktr.ee/emmabennetromance</span></a><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">BIO:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>'Emma grew up and lived in London, before falling in love and moving to Wales to marry her own hero. Emma now lives with her husband, 4 children, and many animals a few miles outside a small Welsh market town, She can often be found in rivers attempting to control two overexcited chocolate labradors.</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>The author of seven romances, Emma also runs a YouTube channel (</i>see link above<i>) full of tips and tricks for writers, book recommendations, author life vlogs, and live writing sprints.</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>Emma likes (in no particular order): cake, books, Cary Grant films, prosecco, chocolate, guinea pigs, knitting, quilting and happily ever afters!'</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">Thank you, Emma. I'm sure I'm not alone in finding out how you came to run your own YouTube channel really interesting.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Thank you for reading. Have you got a YouTube channel like Emma? What are the benefits for your writing? Do you watch writers on YouTube? I'd love to hear your thoughts. Thank you.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">You may also follow me on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/JanBaynham">https://twitter.com/JanBaynham</a> and on my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/JanBayLit/?locale=en_GB">Jan Baynham Writer</a> Facebook page.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">For more about me and my books, including <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Her-Mothers-Secret-Summer-69-ebook/dp/B085CHV3VQ/">Her Mother's Secret</a> currently reduced to 99p, please visit my <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Jan-Baynham/e/B085DC6BKR/">AMAZON PAGE</a>. Thanks.</span></p>Jan Baynhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06356572488839476046noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3357383818158631304.post-53311910383108268952023-02-27T14:00:00.003-08:002023-02-28T00:10:13.778-08:00<p> <span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Me and My Lists</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_UhLzfIOvpSHXD1iz4IAlYbzh3dSGdTYz-vCka3ogIVFbV3GlnJ3WzMGB3vwuhNXkC7knVtx1cbyex75PEZI6eO38mTLehwzn44atDvSSqhSFyUA33Fbl54XzeK4QfJaJE7d7_n6CkDlEq89wAI3jfy6yiB47jHKRjGe2naEziAWCQ0ITSXK2YJal5Q/s4032/Mrs%20Hinch.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_UhLzfIOvpSHXD1iz4IAlYbzh3dSGdTYz-vCka3ogIVFbV3GlnJ3WzMGB3vwuhNXkC7knVtx1cbyex75PEZI6eO38mTLehwzn44atDvSSqhSFyUA33Fbl54XzeK4QfJaJE7d7_n6CkDlEq89wAI3jfy6yiB47jHKRjGe2naEziAWCQ0ITSXK2YJal5Q/w150-h200/Mrs%20Hinch.jpg" width="150" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">I'm most definitely a list person. There's nothing I like more than ticking off a list or striking a line through something that's been done. After getting fed up of finding random pieces of paper on which, to him, were a series of unrelated words, my husband found the ideal book for me. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mrs-Hinch-Little-Book-Lists/dp/0241461871/">Mrs Hinch -The Little Book of Lists</a> is listed as a best seller on Amazon so it makes me think that maybe I'm not alone in relying on lists. Each week and in one place, I can list what to buy, when to post birthday cards, keep track of dates of appointments, and when to meet someone. So could this little book help me with my writing?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzp5tAMKLYABG9W_2ziudE7q82qv_jqcbhQ3a28SKyIXyegbrzjNA2MNMCxuOGjAklDcAkqpK0mXP818zXJ1vQYZQFOjmjskA6NqlUb53qevVUDprwy76hDEZqJt_LhHWBIovJtaZxEaJwWrN37Lkpyw3gkEx8PKA73HRN0vhSMcL0gxFQDRMPsJHMaQ/s1920/list-g06bf52fc9_1920.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1357" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzp5tAMKLYABG9W_2ziudE7q82qv_jqcbhQ3a28SKyIXyegbrzjNA2MNMCxuOGjAklDcAkqpK0mXP818zXJ1vQYZQFOjmjskA6NqlUb53qevVUDprwy76hDEZqJt_LhHWBIovJtaZxEaJwWrN37Lkpyw3gkEx8PKA73HRN0vhSMcL0gxFQDRMPsJHMaQ/w141-h200/list-g06bf52fc9_1920.jpg" width="141" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">I read somewhere that finding a shopping list could be a great way into writing a story. Who does the list belong to? Can you tell from the items on the list the lifestyle of that person? How many others are in the family or do they live alone? Does the person have any pets? <span style="color: #2b00fe;">Have any of you tried this?</span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">When I was still at the querying stage and received a rejection for my novel, I would highlight all the positive comments in one colour to give me the motivation to carry on submitting and the suggestions for improvement and why the manuscript wasn't accepted in another. I would then list all the ideas I agreed with and enjoy ticking them off one by one as each was addressed. It must have worked because I was thrilled when my debut novel, </span><i style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">My Mother's Secret</span></i><span style="font-family: arial;"> was published by </span><a href="https://www.rubyfiction.com/" style="font-family: arial;">Ruby Fiction</a><span style="font-family: arial;"> as part of a three-book contract.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">When starting a new novel, I list my <span style="color: #2b00fe;">characters</span> and where they may fit in the story. What are they like in appearance, what are their personalities, do they have any particular traits, what are their backstories? The list of questions is endless. (See what I did there.) In that way, I get to know my characters really well from the outset.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Perhaps the main use of lists for me in the writing process is in <span style="color: #2b00fe;">editing</span>. Before submitting to my publisher, I spend considerable time self-editing and polishing the novel until it is as good as I can make it myself. F</span><span style="font-family: arial;">irst</span><span style="font-family: arial;">, I start with a complete read-through to see if the story flows without any plot holes, noting anything I find in the form of a list to refer back to and hopefully tick off. I do this on my Kindle and make notes as I read. Next, I ask myself a series of questions including these important ones:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">- does that scene move the story on?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">- does the reader need to know that?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">- is there anything that was set up in the novel that was not resolved by the end of the story?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpnGKO1iNmuCg3PCnKRdLr0mRdeMv2aV2vKKezcy60OUBmTeUKAirAy2f2T7bNR-oUWKUCnfhTqa61q9Y4pDcQ8w2OFz6Zc7iSho6z1Zqa6GEq9ZFA2H0ZOdRWvoJjQUWEMoKEpGk1baG5hHQgL9KTpN4d9hu5bLkvzMimvzEpVo6SX59kAQHvAUVX2g/s3264/final.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2633" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpnGKO1iNmuCg3PCnKRdLr0mRdeMv2aV2vKKezcy60OUBmTeUKAirAy2f2T7bNR-oUWKUCnfhTqa61q9Y4pDcQ8w2OFz6Zc7iSho6z1Zqa6GEq9ZFA2H0ZOdRWvoJjQUWEMoKEpGk1baG5hHQgL9KTpN4d9hu5bLkvzMimvzEpVo6SX59kAQHvAUVX2g/w161-h200/final.jpg" width="161" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">When it comes to line editing where I try to sharpen and tighten the writing, that is where lists come into their own. I look at whether I could have used a better word, expression, or sentence. Everyone is guilty of repetition; I certainly am. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">In novel four, my characters 'beamed' a lot and </span><span style="font-family: arial;">'hearts raced' too many times. By making lists of the words I overuse and other 'weak' words, I was able to use the 'Find and Replace' function on Word and hopefully improve my writing. Often, I needed more dialogue rather than reported speech which slowed the pace and to get inside the characters' heads to know what they were feeling.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I submitted novel four with its working title, <i><span style="color: #2b00fe;">A Tale of Two Sisters,</span></i> last week after I'd done as thorough an edit as I could. If the publisher likes it, </span><span style="font-family: arial;">I will then receive edits from my editor and work through those in the same methodical way that works best for me using lists. I'm</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> really hoping I can share Claudia and Giulietta's story with you. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Thank you for reading. Are you a list person like me? If you're a writer, do you find lists help you when writing, and at what stage? I'd love to hear your thoughts. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">You may also follow me on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/JanBaynham">@JanBaynham</a> and on my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/JanBayLit/">Jan Baynham Writer</a> Facebook page.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">For more about me and my writing, please go to my <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Jan-Baynham/e/B085DC6BKR?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1677534880&sr=8-1">AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE</a>. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Thank you.</span></p>Jan Baynhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06356572488839476046noreply@blogger.com0