Friday, November 6, 2020

Crazy Writers are Attempting to write 50,000 words in 30 days

Ever wonder how a writer gets all those words? Writers go to great lengths to get words on the page. NaNoWriMo is one of the most intense events in the writing world.

ON the first of November, as we do each year, thousands of writers around the world launched into the challenge of 50,00 words in one month, this month. (Why November? why not a month with 31 days?)

The rule is that you start on page one to write a book. Book pages must not have been written prior to November 1. However, my process prior to writing is an allowed activity. I start before I start by thinking about the book - a lot. ( Start before you start... how to launch into a new book. )

I have character sketches, I have a rough statement of the story, and limited, sketchy notes for the first eight scenes. My murderer has lived in my head for about fifteen years, so I know them quite well.

 



Last year I wrote the first draft of Mrs. Morrison Meets Murder, intended to be book #1 in my new series.  Throughout the year since, I realized that it wasn't Mrs. M's first murder event. That book will be renamed and moved to book #2 in the series.

And this year, I aim to do a rough draft of what will be book #1 in the Mrs. Mary Morrison and Murder series with a 60-something protagonist. I have potential scenes in my head. I have a rough character sketch of Mary, and a list of potential complications - one lines only.

And so the (new) story launching Mrs. Mary Morrison into the lists of boomer-aged sleuths began on November 1, 2020

Thursday, November 5, 2020

Children in the Age of Chivalry – Part Three - Pages by Rosemary Morris

For more information on Rosemary's novels please click on the cover above.
My novel, Grace, Lady of Cassio, The Lovages of Cassio, Book Two, sequel to Yvonne, Lady of Cassio, begins in the reign of Edward III. It will be published in October 2021. At heart I am a historian. My novels are rich in historical detail which requires intensive research, some of which I am sharing in this blog. Pages wore their master’s badge across the front of their tunics. They were the sons of the well-born. When they were seven years-old they became pages to a suitable nobleman. In return for their service they were trained for their future career as knights and educated with the lord’s sons by the household priest. It was not important for a page to learn to read but books about etiquette were written for them. Babee’s Book set out a page’s daily routine. First, he should rise early, wash his face and hands, make sure his fingernails were clean and comb his hair. Next, he should say his prayers or attend Mass. His deportment should be excellent. He should never scratch himself or sniff in public. During the day he was expected to greet everyone he met. He was repeatedly reminded to attend to other people at meals and not to grab this best food, and neither stuff his mouth full ‘as a pigge’ nor speak with food in his mouth. Instead of picking his teeth with his knife he should use a clean stick. He must wait carefully on his lord and lady, remove his cap, and bow before he addressed them. At every meal, on bended knee, he offered his lord wine and afterward brought water for him to wash his hands. Apart from learning good manners he learned how to be a superb horseman, how to wear armour correctly, and to use weapons. An adults’ full armour was very heavy. A page gradually became used to it and learned how to put it on and take it off correctly. He was also taught the complex rules to be observed when taking part in a joust at tournaments and for hunting and hawking. www.rosemarymorris.co.uk http://bookswelove.net/authors/morris-rosemary

Tuesday, November 3, 2020

Elongated Skulls by Katherine Pym

 

Buy Here

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Elongated Skulls

I’ve made attempts to write a different story of early earth, one of which is noted above, a story of ancient Sumer. As a result, I’ve been reviewing ancient civilizations, folklore, and religion. What I’ve learned is through archeological technological advances, old digs become new; little known peoples with shallow histories become complex.

 

Machu Picchu, Peru

Take for instance the Paracas Skulls. They come from Peru where so many unexplained structures still stand; where strange peoples resided then disappeared. Scientists have found evidence of man not linked to our species buried in the Pisco Province of the old Inca realm.

Lewis and Clark wrote in their journals of meeting along the route to the Pacific Northwest native groups who pressed boards against the heads of young children. They left the boards there until their heads were elongated. This deformity was apparently appealing to the eye. They were called Flat Heads.

Other civilizations around the world decorated their bodies with ink, or extended their lips with flat insertions. I should think this distortion would make it difficult to eat or drink. Some cultures allowed their aristocrats to grow long fingernails, forming them into spirals and decorated with jewels. Once their nails were in this position, they were incapable of doing the slightest task and had to be helped by another. From childhood, others stretched their necks from clavicle to chin with metal rings. Once done and their growing stopped, if removed, their necks would not support their heads.

How did cultures come about with these ideas? What caused them to think these deformities had worth?

Well, let us look at the Paracas find...

Skeletons have been discovered in South America whose heads were elongated, but not purposefully done. Their heads were this way by natural design. Does this mean somewhere along our ancient, shadowed history, our ancestors came upon people with naturally elongated skulls?

The Paracas burial site was large graveyard discovered in 1928 and filled with approximately 300 skeletons, all with deformed skulls. Peruvian archaeologist, Julio Tello, believes these remains have been buried about 3,000 years. The craniums excavated are 25-60% heavier than the ones you and I possess. They also contain one parietal plate as opposed to our two, another reason that suggests these skulls come from an unknown source.

Mr Juan Navarro, the owner and director of Paracas History Museum that houses several of these remains. In the past, he allowed samples of the skeletons to be DNA tested. “...samples consisted of hair, including roots, a tooth, skull bone and skin... documented via photos and video.”

The geneticist who received these samples had no idea what he had prior to his testing. Brien Foerster who authored several books on people of South America revealed the data from this DNA testing.

Unless data comes forth from other sources as a comparison, DNA tests show the specimens are completely separate from any evolutionary species on our earth. If there is an association with humanoids, then it happened centuries ago.

What will happen when more of our world is exposed due to melting ice sheets? What else will we learn of our earth and its “far far away” distant past?

 Of course, there’s a plethora of nay-sayers. They are all over the internet, like this one. But what if they are wrong?

 I contend over the centuries we have lost valuable information that would explain so many mysteries. What of the Library of Alexandria that was purposefully destroyed over a period of years, the first attempt by the Julius Caesar. They say the loss of ancient information is incalculable.  

We think none of the above will happen now, that all our collected data is safe. Wars couldn’t obliterate it, fires or earthquakes. More and more information is being electronically accumulated and stored.

Who reads paper books these days? Who goes to a bank? We can retrieve reading material, money and data from outside sources that go directly to our smartphones, our computers.  We have backups, and backups on top of that. Somewhere there would be a record.

 But what if our earth was struck by a strong electromagnetic pulse that wiped out our electronic data? This sort of energy could destroy all our stored records, the information that shows who we are.

 If anything of us remained, later peoples would consider our culture primitive.  An unfair assessment, but without data of our civilization, what else could they think?

 ~~~~~~~~~

Many thanks to:

The website Ancient Origins

All pictures are from Wikicommons, Public Domain (This work is in the public domain in the United States because it was published (or registered with the U.S. Copyright Office) before January 1, 1923.)

 http://www.peruthisweek.com/blogs-calm-down-the-paracas-skulls-are-not-from-alien-beings-102258

https://www.google.com/search?q=paracas+skulls&biw=1525&bih=679&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0CCwQsARqFQoTCILF6aa6qccCFVc0iAod3EsHOw&dpr=0.9#imgrc=262ZQsnBp_At3M%3A


 

Monday, November 2, 2020

Nanowrimo Mania! with Diane Bator



My newest novel, Drop Dead Cowboy, was written during Nanowrimo 2019. If you’re not familiar with the challenge, the goal is to write 50,000 words in the month of November, which works out to 1,667 words per day.

Since many authors find that to be far too many words to deal with, they will set smaller goals for themselves. Personally, I find writing about 1,667 words per day is a great challenge and have “won” the contest twice now. What does winning mean? That you've met YOUR goal! Of course, the program will only recognize the BIG goal: 50,000 words in 30 days.


Do you have to write a complete novel? 

No. Focus on writing to your word count for now. You can finish the book and edit later.


Do you have to write a novel?

You can write poetry, non-fiction, flash fiction, whatever you want to write. 

The biggest goal is to WRITE!


What kind of person puts that much pressure on themselves? Are you crazy?

Partly, yes. LOL! It's not so much pressure if you're working on something fun and new.

This year I fully intended to use the month to add a second book to one of my series.

Then I beta read a fantasy novel for a friend of mine and...suddenly, I not only had a whole herd of new characters, I had also fully outlined a fantasy novel. Apparently, I'm supposed to have fun with this one and create something totally out of my norm.


How do you prepare for something so overwhelming?

Actually, I'm one of those silly people who find this fun. This is my third year participating and all three times I've created something totally different than what I normally write. Each time I've managed to fit it into my daily life. It just takes a little extra determination and scheduling, paricularly if you have children, pets, or a significant other in the hosue. Or a day job.


Do people actually write readable novels?

I've manage to so far!

Drop Dead Cowboy was last year's project. The one I did before that is still on my shelf, but I'm working it into a new series of fantasy-type novels. It fits in well with a novel I'm writing with a friend of mine.

As for this year's book, it remains to be seen. So far it looks like a Young Adult fantasy/paranormal. Should be interesting!


Do you have to train to do 50,000 words in a month?

I hadn't thought about that. My training was simply writing a novel and working with prompts in my writing group.



How do I keep motivated?

There are a lot of great groups in your area. Simply search the "Community," reach out to other writers on social media, or even to friends. Last year I kept motivated because I had a good friend who sent me her daily word count and I had to keep up! This year, there are more of us. We have a great circle of friends who will poke and prod and make sure we're writing!

While writing is a solitary process, we all need a good support group, especially during times when every Write-In and gathering is now online.


Do I write on paper or my computer?

I use both. I write on paper then transcribe to my computer depending on where and when I'm writing. This year it may be mostly on my computer which makes it much easier to keep track of your word count.


Do you think you're up for the challenge? To find out more, simply head over to https://nanowrimo.org/.  It's not to late to join in the fun!

Happy Writing!

Diane 

To check out my books: https://www.bookswelove.com/bator-diane/




Happy Thanksgiving A Bit Early

 

 


The holiday season is almost upon us. My favorite time of year and it begins with Thanksgiving. Actually, in my house, it begins a week or so before.

Since we no longer host Christmas with my children – too many of them for our small house – the kids have taken over. However, we still do Thanksgiving dinner here – with a couple of the kids and the rest come over later for dessert – so I put up our tree and Christmas decorations before Thanksgiving.

When the kids were small, we used to put up the tree the day after Thanksgiving. Neighbors all told me we were nuts. Funny, how many trees and decorations I see on Thanksgiving, and even before now days. It warms my heart. Guess I wasn’t so crazy after all.

Anyway, as I said the holidays start with Thanksgiving. Of course, we have the traditional turkey and dressing (after the blessing – oh wait that’s a Christmas song) and then the other kids come over – as well as grandkids – and we have dessert. Usually more than we can possibly eat.

It’s been my tradition ever since my kids got married to give them something on Thanksgiving, usually a Christmas decoration of some sort. I was into ceramics for a while, so naturally they got ceramics, a Santa Claus ornament or statue. Then I was into woodworking and made them Santas, Christmas trees or other ornament. Eventually I was into red work embroidery and made them wall hangings of – who else – Santa Claus. I started quilting and yep, you guessed it, I made them table runners – no not of Santa Claus – and wall hangings (Santa of course). Eventually I started buying them ornaments.

My son and daughter in law begged me not to get them anything this year. They’re out of wall space and their tree is full of ornaments. I’ll have to see what I can come up with, because no way am I breaking that tradition. That’s part of the fun of the holiday season. Maybe I’ll be nice this year and look for Santa Claus candy, something consumable.

When I was younger, my mom started baking the day after Thanksgiving, making huge cans (potato chip cans and not the small ones) full of cookies. Back then everyone entertained and visited a lot during the holidays. Sadly, that practice seems to have stopped.  There wasn’t a weekend that went by without some aunt or uncle coming to visit. I loved those days. I don’t bake as much as I used to and certainly don’t start the day after Thanksgiving.

The first weekend in December, my daughters and I spent the days shopping. They used to help me pick out gifts for their children, but since their kids are all grown up now, (well most of them are, I still have a couple young ones) I don’t need to shop for them anymore. I’ve taken the lazy, safe route and give them cash. I’m sure they like it better. Once they’ve moved out or married, they join the ranks of the adult couples gifts, usually something homemade now since we’ve retired and money is tight.

Christmas Eve is spent with my siblings – two brothers and a sister. We’ve lost a sister and brother some years back and it’s not quite the same. Nieces and nephews used to join us, but that was back before most of them married. Now they have other families to share the day with and we’ve dwindled from a group of 37 down to 8 plus a couple nieces and nephews whose families are out of town.

I still love the holidays and look forward to them as much or more than any child. The hustle and bustle of getting ready, the family gatherings, and spending time with loved ones. I’m very blessed and thankful to have all my children and most of my grandchildren within twenty minutes of me. We miss the ones who can’t join us, but it’s still a lively group and growing by leaps and bounds. Not only are some of the grandchildren married or dating, they’re having children of their own. I dread the day when their parents decide it’s too much and they want their own families around them for the holiday. I know that day will come, maybe sooner than I think, and it’ll sadden me, but I do understand. We had to do it also as our kids grew and had families of their own. But for now, I’ll enjoy what God has so richly blessed me with. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.

Time to Love Again

 The man next door, his granddaughter and her sister’s ghost help bring Rose Asbury out of her seclusion. Fifty-eight year old, Rose Asbury knows people think she’s a recluse, but she doesn’t care. She just wants to be left alone. She doesn’t need anyone and no one needs her and that’s just fine. At least she didn’t until this year. For some reason this year is different. Suddenly she’s melancholy and discontent with her life..

And the man next door doesn't help matters. Every time he sees her, he insists on speaking to her. So her stomach tumbles every time she sees him, that doesn't mean anything. Hunger pains, nerves, she just wishes he'd leave her alone. Or does she? 



Sunday, November 1, 2020

Featured Author Tricia McGill



BWL Author page:  https://bookswelove.net/mcgill-tricia/

I come from a large North London family and being the youngest of ten was encouraged to read and write from an early age. Never particularly interested in the sciences, I loved the English class simply for the chance it gave me to write short stories about anything and everything. Another favourite was Art, where I loved my teacher—probably because she chose one of my paintings to show in an exhibition where I received a commendation for my portrayal of Joseph and his coat of many colours. I pictured him lying beneath a tree while having his famous dream.

Because our mother was a skilled seamstress, who could work wonders with her skill, it followed that all females in our family were destined to work in the clothing industry. Pushed towards that trade, I fought against it, but eventually caved. I did enjoy my work as a pattern cutter in a fast-paced industry. One of my books, A Heart in Conflict is set in that scenario. I never did fall in love with my boss though. Thus, it wasn’t until I retired early due to spinal problems that I began to write in earnest. I joined BWL Publishing in 2013. I am so glad I made the move to this marvellous publishing house, where I joined a host of amazingly talented authors.

I write primarily Romance and my books cover a few sub-genres, being mainly Historicals, Contemporary and Time Travel. I am a sucker for a happy ending. I feel my life has been blessed, so perhaps that is why I always like my characters to have their happy ever after. My husband and I moved to Australia many moons ago. Three of my sisters were already happily ensconced here so I had no qualms about travelling across the world.

My husband Bill was the one who encouraged me to submit my first full-length novel to a publisher; in fact, he took my first draft along to a publishing house in Melbourne. The chief editor read my book and even sent me a long critique and words of encouragement I will never forget, even though she was a publisher of medical tomes. Turned out she thought it was romantic of him to approach her for my benefit. Sadly he passed away before my first book was published. I have great pride in my family saga Remnants of Dreams, which won the Romance Writers of Australia’s Romantic Book of The Year award in 2003, then under the name of Traces of Dreams. Although fiction, this book was based on my mother’s life. She lived through two world wars, struggling through poverty and all that came along with life in the 30s, 40s, and onward and was one of the strongest woman I will ever know.

My Settlers Series is set in Australia in the early 1800s where woman had a similar struggle, with none of the necessities of life we happily enjoy today. Book one in this series started life as one scene set on the docks at Sydney Cove, and finally ended up as four books. Who knows if another will follow?

I have always loved Time-Travels and in truth would love a time travelling machine, but only one that ensures I could return to my easy life of washing machines, TVs and computers. My current work in progress is set in the midst of the London Blitz where a modern day woman from a beachside suburb outside Melbourne who is experiencing the beginning of the Covid-19 outbreak is tossed back in time and forced to endure London at its worst when bombs were dropping nightly and ruining the lives of the folk.

 

Here is a short excerpt from the first chapter of Mystic Mountains (Settlers Book 1):

Isabella wrapped her arms about her middle and shuddered, swallowing the bile that threatened to choke her. "I don't ever want to see the ocean again as long as I live, Gracie." Much as she might wish she were back in Stepney, she would never want to repeat that dreadful voyage. A violent storm lasting for nearly two days coming round the Cape had caused such wretchedness they'd feared they would all perish. No, she wouldn't care if she never saw the ocean again.

Gracie nudged Isabella as the wharf loomed before them. "Well, girl, 'ere we go, 'ow d'ya feel, eh?"

"As if a mess of worms are wriggling about inside me, that's how."

Even when evading the constables in the alleyways and back lanes of Stepney Isabella had always felt that one day things would improve. That certainty died on the day of her arrest.

 

Powerful Destiny:

Rolf stared as if struck, feeling suddenly as confused as the child, for her words were spoken in his native tongue. Then, as the moon drifted out from behind a cloud, Rolf let out a gasp.

The woman stood straight and proud, long hair as black as the night falling to her middle. A band around her forehead secured its flowing beauty. Her clothing was no different from that worn by any other Celtic female encountered in his past, but something about her bearing proclaimed that she was very different in some way. As she touched some sort of talisman at her belt, she muttered what could have been an incantation. Perhaps she was praying to her gods.

In all his life and many travels, never had he seen such a vision of loveliness. Then Rolf cursed beneath his breath. What was he thinking? This was a Celtic female, only fit for becoming a slave.

 

When Fate Decides, (Challenge the Heart Book 1):

As Tessa pulled the door open, the words of rebuke died on her lips. It most definitely wasn’t a salesman. The man who stood there, smiling, was one she’d never expected to see again in her lifetime.

“Mrs Browning. I don’t know if you remember me,” he said. Oh, how she remembered him, and that rich voice of his. “The name’s Jack Delaney. I did some work here a few years back for your husband.” When she continued to stare at him in shock, he added, “We built the games room and extra toilet and shower room.” He shrugged. “Another guy and me were here for a month or so? You’ve probably forgotten me.”

Forgotten him?

If there was one person Tessa would never be likely to forget, it was him. His voice sounded deeper, but still held that same undercurrent of sensuality that caused her toes to curl.

“I know it’s not exactly the done thing to turn up like this on your doorstep, but I’d like to speak to you about your late husband’s business.”

 Visit Tricia McGill Author page for book details and to purchase books. 

 https://bookswelove.net/mcgill-tricia/

 

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