Yesterday my second book went live on Amazon. Exciting, never thought I’d finish it. I’ve been so busy with work, moving, downsizing, planning etc., etc.
This morning I got up bright and early, made oatmeal, checked emails, and as usual had a million things on my mind. That is when I found myself tipping Maple Syrup in the dirty oatmeal pan that was soaking in the sink. NO I’M NOT GETTING ALZHEIMER’S and YES I LAUGHED
My new book of short stories is available on Amazon now, please feel free to enjoy this crazy British lady’s ghost stories. Yes I see dead people, not very often, but they do turn up. I think they like me! I hope you enjoy reading about them.
Many moons ago (seems like yesterday), my daughter was eight years old, and we took her to Italy for the very first time. Happy memories from Lake Garda. I sat down to write this blog and went to put my glasses on, something was in the way, I was already wearing a pair!!! Yup many moons ago I was young, now I’m old and forgetful.
The one thing I never forget is my love of Italy and my love of writing. I made my Italian dream come true. We bought a house in Abruzzo. Retirement looks good to me now.
What about writing? Ten years ago I began to put my stories (I have a head full of them) onto Amazon. My first published book, Dead of July, has started selling again, so I decided it was a good time to publish my collection of stories. I re-read and edited them and here they are in a cute little bundle and available to purchase in the next couple of days. Many moons ago I had a dream, and now I’m making it come true.
I’m the one in the middle. Always ready to laugh, always ready for fun. As a kid I was ALWAYS in trouble. I turn every situation into a story.
Other than my family, the important things in my life are writing and visiting Italy. I finally realized my Italian dream and bought a house in the small village of Colledimezzo, which is in the Chieti province of Abruzzo. I’m just as pleased as punch. I have another dream to fulfill now, to make it as a writer.
My second book, Ghosts on the Sand, is almost finished. I’m working on the last short story in this compilation. It’s called “The Engineer” and is a tongue in cheek black comedy set in Italy. Watch out for my new book and help me achieve my writing dream. Who knows, maybe you’ll enjoy it.
As I went to put the carton of milk in the oven this morning, and the croissants in the fridge to warm, I thought about my mum and laughed. Yes, I’ve become her. I used to make fun of her all of the time for doing these things. When I was in my teens and twenties, I thought I’d be young forever. Little did I know how quickly those years would pass. Old age creeps up quickly. Everyone seems to be younger than me now. I’m not quite sixty yet, but very close.
Nothing can slow down aging, its part of life, but life doesn’t have to slow down because of it. I’ve been writing since I was eleven or twelve. My head is full of stories. Every single day is an adventure to me. The older I get, the more important, its become to share my adventures. Some will make you laugh, others, well you’ll think I’m crazy. There’s one thing for sure, I’m not going to keep them locked in my brain until I die, I’m aging the write way!
Dead of July is the my first novel. I published it 2013. It took a couple of years to write, and another year to edit and perfect. Give it a try. Its based on real events that happened to me when I was in my early twenties.
Saturday morning means two cups of coffee, a smoothie and a bottle of San Pellegrino before I even think of taking a shower. Saturday means feeding the washing machine and tumble drier constantly, but Saturday also means writing. Its hard write while working full-time, but I’m on the right, or should I say the write path!
I’ve only managed to publish one novel, Dead of July , of which I’m very proud. It’s available on Amazon for $0.99. I’m also re-editing my first two short stories, which will be published towards the end of the year. They’re all fun reads, and great practice for when I retire and write full-time. Add a little crazy to your life and read “Dead of July”. I think you’ll enjoy it. Keep track of this crazy writer, she’ll be famous one day!
When you get to a certain age, you start to look back over your life. I find myself doing that more and more. I’m not OLD, but I’m not young either. I’m closer to 60 than 50. Of course I’ve been influenced by events and people over the years, but I’ve done most things my way, and I’m proud of it.
I was born in the fifties…Of course I remember nothing of those years. I was too young. I don’t even have any photographs. For some reason this TV show pricks my memory. Bruce Forsythe and ‘Beat the Clock’
Twiggy
I do remember the sixties…I became a teenager during those exciting years. Looking back the sixties changed everyone’s life. Twiggy, Rock Festivals, oh the music.
Ch ch changes
I do remember the seventies…I drove my parents insane during those exciting years. The music was the best I can remember. David Bowie, Mott the Hoople, Lou Reid, Motown. David Bowie was my idol. I dyed my hair red, spiked it up and became his biggest fan. I traveled all the way from my home in Brompton-on-Swale, North Yorkshire to see him perform at Earls Court in London. It was one of the highlights of my life. I got married in 1977 too! I’m still married. In the time that getting divorced was the thing to do, we stay married. It wasn’t always a bed of roses, but after 38 years we’re still together.
The eighties
In the eighties music, and the world turned weird…hairstyles and fashion were garish and bright. There was some good music, but no one seemed to have any direction. I had a blast during the eighties because I was in my twenties and living in Germany. I also gave birth to a beautiful baby girl so the eighties were special for me.
In the nineties…we moved to the good old US of A. It was an exciting adventure. We made new friends, learned the American language (which is much different to British English), visited San Francisco, rode horses, went to baseball games. It was different and we liked it. We must have liked it a lot, we’re still here!
And now we’re in the 21st Century…wow!
My daughter is married and living in a different city. She earns more than me! I’ve become a writer, just part-time because I still work. What do I think of the 21st Century? I love it…but I still listen to David Bowie!
I’ve written lots of short stories about the seventies, which are currently being edited, but my first novel is set in Germany in the eighties. Its a ghost story called Dead of July.
I’ve been back at work for two weeks now. At last things are falling into place. I can actually stay awake long enough to be productive in the evening! Finally my occasional writing is happening more often. When I retire (and that’s a long way off) I’ll turn my hobby into a retirement career. My days will be filled with writing and travel….and of course a glass of wine in the late afternoon. My first novel “Dead of July” is currently sitting on Amazon. When it was first published I sold a lot of copies, not enough to make a profit, but enough to encourage me to keep writing. I got some great reviews too. Go check it out, maybe it’s a book you’ll enjoy. It’s never going to be on the best seller list, but I enjoyed writing it and everyone I talked to enjoyed reading it.
Because I don’t have time for marketing, I’m going to reduce the price to $0.99 for the foreseeable future. Let me entertain you for less than a dollar. If you take the plunge, please write a review on Amazon for me.
The snow finally stopped, and I think the sun is trying to peep through the thick blanket of clouds. Maybe I can get the snow blower out today. It’s a perfect day to stay home and work on my short story. It should be finished by now, but my job loss completely messed up my routine. Most of my mornings are spend job hunting and that sucks any creativity from my brain. Can’t wait for things to get back to normal.
Sitting on my tractor watching the snow blow through the air will actually be a nice mindless pastime. Two hours of sifting through jobs this morning is more than enough. I’m going to make the most of my snowy Sunday.
For an amusing read, try my first novel Dead of July which is currently available on Amazon. I haven’t had time to market it properly yet, but I’ve still sold a couple of hundred copies. I know that doesn’t even pay for producing the book, but it’s going to be there a while. Enjoy your Sunday!
I planted these Aspen trees over ten years ago. The were less than twelve inches tall at the time. I remember the day well. My husband was working in Mexico City and I cut through the sprinkler pipe with my spade. Drama, but I worked out how to fix it. Now these trees are taller than my house, and always the last ones to shed their leaves. Aren’t they lovely?
Now, sitting here at my dining room table, looking at my trees, marveling at their growth and longevity, I tell myself. “Keep Writing!” One day, when I’m dead and gone, my Aspen Trees will still grow and maybe I will be remembered for my books. Currently I’m working on the re-launch of my first book, Girl on the Beach. It should be published late this year or early next year.
Travel Tales and Mishaps 