tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74568193391244423792024-03-08T09:44:27.972-08:00Writing Romance .... Mortal or Immortal ..... It's Still Romance!Mavis Smythhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00691642097261762149noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7456819339124442379.post-48176343932350424452011-07-25T15:59:00.000-07:002011-07-25T15:59:23.647-07:00When Love No longer Features in You're Life, Can you Really Write About it?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div closure_uid_hcmlx5="116">I've been pondering that question up there for days now ... well actually months. In this household there's a very sad case of 'no words, no inspiration - can't write' going on.</div><br />
<div closure_uid_hcmlx5="115">Could it be that since the 'L' word no longer exists in my life ... and yes, it's been a few years ... is this possibly the reaon I can't get it down on a page? Has it taken five short years for the memory of what that felt like to fade from existence?</div><div closure_uid_hcmlx5="115"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_hcmlx5="115">Truly - it's driving me up the walls. I've tried everything from wine, to gin, to cocktails, back to back episodes of Sex and the City, True Blood, Vampire Diaries, Pretty Woman, Bridget Jones Diary .... but still there is nothing. </div><div closure_uid_hcmlx5="115"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_hcmlx5="115">I'm a Piscean for crying out loud ... a hopeless romantic - at least that's what the horoscopes tell me ... sadly I'm not feeling the love.</div><div closure_uid_hcmlx5="115"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_hcmlx5="115">This would-be writer is sadly lacking in the 'L' department, and, it has to be said - it's having a very negative impact on the page :(</div><div closure_uid_hcmlx5="115"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_hcmlx5="115"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_hcmlx5="115"><br />
</div></div>Mavis Smythhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00691642097261762149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7456819339124442379.post-42328610731969868522011-04-20T13:59:00.000-07:002011-04-20T13:59:58.842-07:00When Work Gets In The Way !<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">It happens ... right? There are loads of people who write and do other things - like the day job - the one that pays the bills!<br />
<br />
So January 2011 dawned and with it a three month training course ... ye Gods! For my sins, I'm a Health & Safety Business Partner (doesn't that sound grand) - and yep the powers that be decided it was time for yet more information to be pushed into my brain. Personally, I felt like asking if there was a writing course I could attend ... but then they'd only have sent me on a report writing course and that's not what I'd have been driving at!<br />
<br />
End of March saw a full day of exams plus a practical, and training for me was once more at an end - at least for the time being. Now, for weeks all I've wanted to do is write, but I'm not finding it easy to get back into the rythym - damn the day job some might say!<br />
<br />
Anyway, as I struggle to get my creativity going again, I'm wondering if maybe it's the thought of those pesky exam results looming at the end of June that are interefering with my writing ... time will tell!<br />
<br />
M</div>Mavis Smythhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00691642097261762149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7456819339124442379.post-88479309184732260302010-11-30T15:46:00.000-08:002010-11-30T15:48:59.289-08:00The curtain falls on NANO 2010So as the curtain silently falls on NANO 2010 my total is 39,583 - just 10K or so short of my 50K deadline for today!<br />
<br />
Am I dissappointed? A little! I would have loved to have been able to go on to the official Nano site and upload the whole 50K - but we don't always get what we want in life!<br />
<br />
It's hard to write and do the day job at the same time, so I guess I am being a little bit hard on myself - let's face it just under 40K is not so bad.<br />
<br />
I am determined that I will finish before the end of December - at the very least by the 31st! At least then I can set to working on this draft.<br />
<br />
My biggest concern was that in trying to achieve the 50K I'd write a load of drivel - I'm hoping that in not achieving it I've avoided the drivel (laughing)!!!<br />
<br />
I will take time to read through what I've written this month and I shall come back and log my thoughts here. Writing for 30 days with this deadline hanging over my head has kept me focussed to a certain degree - for me this is a plus. Will it have been worth it? Only if what I've written is worthy of holding onto - otherwise it'll be a frustrating task if I start deleting loads and depleting that wordcount!Mavis Smythhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00691642097261762149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7456819339124442379.post-53824522730219635732010-11-03T15:02:00.000-07:002010-11-03T15:02:18.093-07:00It's all about the wordcount @ Nano!So ... I'm just over 6K words in - not bad - major clap on the back for this girl :) <br />
<br />
Question is, can I keep going at this pace - not so sure! One of my biggest worries about Nano is that you push yourself to write (quite possibly a load of drivel) because you need to keep the wordcount up there in order to finish on time.<br />
<br />
So here's my question. Is there any point? Who wants to have to start at the end of 30 days and try to edit a load of drivel?<br />
<br />
But there again - it may not be drivel - it may in fact be the most wonderful writing any of us who are in there have ever put to paper!<br />
<br />
I wonder how many people have finished Nano and never actually done anything with their manuscript?Mavis Smythhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00691642097261762149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7456819339124442379.post-36075832860543109342010-11-01T16:29:00.000-07:002010-11-01T16:29:16.307-07:00Nano Update ...So far so good on this 30 day journey .... 2115 words added to After Dark.<br />
<br />
:)Mavis Smythhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00691642097261762149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7456819339124442379.post-1219316209697355412010-10-26T14:23:00.000-07:002010-10-26T14:25:15.071-07:00Critique on After Dark by Mills & Boon EditorSpooky title…am I in for a spooky story?!<br />
<strong>What we liked…</strong><br />
<br />
•You’ve done a fantastic job making first person narrative work for you – congrats! It’s not easy…<br />
<br />
•You’ve certainly intrigued this reader into wanting to find answers… why did she need treatment, who and what is James Alexander?! We need to know…<br />
<br />
<strong>What’s not working so well…</strong><br />
•I’m struggling to work out what I’m reading – is this going to be erotica or paranormal? It’s nice to know what genre you’re in…<br />
<br />
•Yes, older men are hot (go vampires and Mr Knightley) but they can also be creepy (Dickensian child-bride) so I think the line needs to be straddled delicately especially if the desire sparks in an eight-year-old-girl…<br />
<br />
•I think the narrative is strong and the dialogue nice and snappy – but the juxtaposition of the two jars – the tone feels different. Have a think about how you could integrate them better <br />
<br />
<br />
<strong>Getting this made entering the competition worthwhile. After they had chosen their Top 10 and I hadn't made it, I kind of felt a bit empty ... and then along came this!! </strong>Mavis Smythhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00691642097261762149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7456819339124442379.post-70838385714433401152010-10-26T14:17:00.000-07:002010-10-26T14:17:11.183-07:00Nano @ Harlequin<a href="http://community.eharlequin.com/forums/write-stuff/nanowrimo-2010-sign-sheet">http://community.eharlequin.com/forums/write-stuff/nanowrimo-2010-sign-sheet</a><br />
<br />
<br />
One crazy month of writing ... can it be done? Either way, I guess there is no harm in trying!Mavis Smythhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00691642097261762149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7456819339124442379.post-39366110788234517162010-10-19T14:36:00.000-07:002010-10-19T14:36:34.067-07:00Writers Challenge Winner @ Harlequin - No Lips MovingShe didn’t know quite why or even how she’d become attracted to the man, but nevertheless, she had. Let’s face it; it wasn’t like they had anything in common. Her mum had brought her up to be a simple girl with simple tastes in life. She wasn’t pretty like the other girls in school. Once, they’d all been asked to describe themselves using colour – her choices had been brown and cream. That was the way people generally viewed her now – brown and cream – dull and boring.<br />
<br />
So, how did dull and boring et al brown and cream come to be attracted to the rich burgundy/claret that was her colour description for Alexander McCann?<br />
<br />
Shivers ran the full length of her spine. Just thinking about the man did that to her. He was different from the other men in the office, not that she’d had any experience in that department.<br />
<br />
One of the guys, James, tossed a furtive glance her way. She broke out in a cold sweat. Gathering the drafts from off her desk she disappeared quickly into one of the large meeting rooms. When it came to relationships, James would have her. But then James would have anything that wore a skirt and faintly resembled a woman! She shuddered. <br />
<br />
Her thoughts were interrupted by Karlee, one of the other editors. “Hi Amy. Not like you to be first in the room.”<br />
<br />
Amelia cringed. She felt like screaming ‘Amelia, my name’s Amelia’, but there’d be no point. Karlee never listened to anyone let alone her. Instead, she smiled and acknowledged her. Karlee had a point though. She was never first in the room - too scared of being alone with the beautifully sculpted Alexander McCann.<br />
<br />
Karlee forged on with conversation, totally oblivious of Amelia’s faint annoyance. “So, are you going to the New Writers’ Awards Friday evening?”<br />
<br />
“Of course she is.” Amelia didn’t have to turn around, for she recognised the soft velvety tone of his voice only too well.<br />
<br />
Karlee was temporarily stunned. Not many people had the ability to do that, Amelia thought, at the same time feeling slightly smug.<br />
<br />
“Now, now Amelia .... be nice.” Amelia’s head spun round, but he had his back to her.<br />
<br />
Karlee looked at her. “What?” She exclaimed.<br />
<br />
Amelia shook her head in bewilderment. “I’m sorry – I could have sworn you spoke to me.” She lied, not that Karlee would notice.<br />
<br />
“There you go again ..... not nice Amelia.” Her eyes scanned the room – he wasn’t there – where had he gone?<br />
<br />
She busied herself with the drafts sitting in front of her. Concentrate – that’s what she needed to do. Voices in her head ... what next?<br />
<br />
“Not voices Amelia. Just. One. Voice.” He said, accentuating each word in that soft, velvety tone which had the ability to set every nerve in her body tingling.<br />
<br />
Her head flew up again, but this time he was in the room. She frowned. An appointment with a shrink might not be a bad idea.<br />
<br />
“No need.” He replied to her thoughts.<br />
<br />
She kept her mind blank after that. If he was playing mind games, well then she wasn’t playing, or thinking, or doing anything in fact!<br />
<br />
Still she couldn’t help from watching him. Everything about the man invited her to do that. The sound of his voice, his devastating good looks, his cologne – everything! <br />
<br />
“Why thank you.” He drawled. She swore she could hear laughter in his voice. Was he making fun of dull and boring, brown and cream?<br />
<br />
“You’re far from that, quite the opposite in fact.” He interjected. “I’d say you’re more a ‘creme brulee’ – soft, smooth, inviting and definitely moreish, very very moreish!”<br />
<br />
She blushed profusely and couldn’t bring herself to look at him. But he was smiling, this she knew, because she could hear it in his voice.<br />
<br />
“Stop teasing her Alex, it’s not fair.” A second voice appeared in the ‘no lips moving’ conversation.<br />
<br />
She was silently freaking out now. Could they sense this? She wasn’t sure.<br />
<br />
“Sense what?” He asked.<br />
<br />
She thought for a moment before answering. “I’m guessing you can hear my thoughts, but not sense my feelings.” <br />
<br />
“Oooh she’s good.” The second voice jumped in again.<br />
<br />
Gathering courage, Amelia continued. “Who are you?”<br />
<br />
“I’m Mia – Alex’s baby sister.” The second voice replied.<br />
<br />
“I’m very pleased to meet you.” Amelia replied. Was she mad? She needed to stop this now, before it went too far.<br />
<br />
“I’m afraid you’re too late Amelia.” Alexander McCann replied in that same enticing tone. “Scared?”<br />
<br />
“No.” Amelia replied, a little too bravely, for her own liking. “Should I be?”<br />
<br />
He didn’t answer, or maybe in some macabre manner he had, but instead forged on with their Monday morning meeting.<br />
<br />
<br />
“Okay folks, let’s have some order around the table – this month’s writing competition. One thousand words to include apple cider, scarecrow and sunrise. Seriously – who chose these words?”<br />
<br />
All fingers in the room pointed to Karlee.<br />
<br />
“Have dinner with me this evening. I’ll pick you up around 8pm.” He whispered into her mind.<br />
<br />
She didn’t answer him, but instead asked - “How are you doing this?”<br />
<br />
“Don’t you mean we?” He shot back.<br />
<br />
“No – I mean you! I’m not the one having a three-way conversation.”<br />
<br />
“You could say it’s a special gift – comes with the species.”<br />
<br />
Her blood ran cold ... species?<br />
<br />
He continued with the meeting, but she was no longer listening.<br />
<br />
“So, he intruded her thoughts again. What do you say – you, me, dinner at 8?”<br />
<br />
“No! Not on your life!” <br />
<br />
He laughed out loud now and everyone else in the room frowned.<br />
<br />
“What did I say that was so funny?” She whispered quietly into his mind, still not having a clue as to how she could be doing this.<br />
<br />
“Have dinner with me this evening, and I’ll tell you.” <br />
<br />
She frowned. “What are you doing now? “ She was confused. “Are you messing with my mind?”<br />
<br />
He smiled. “I’m just making sure you join me for dinner.”<br />
<br />
“I’ll be there.” She whispered.Mavis Smythhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00691642097261762149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7456819339124442379.post-42986330259343911962010-10-06T14:28:00.000-07:002010-10-06T14:31:13.446-07:00Ten little Critters sitting on a wall ...So the ten little critters await their critique by the M&B Team ... eeek! I'm feeling the pain ... because I'm one of the critters waiting for the critique! Now for someone who has, up until now, shied away from the whole 'submit' thing, you'd wonder at me putting mine forward for public humiliation ... sorry I meant critique - my bad! It's their job to rip it apart, I know, because in the end that's what makes it better or perfect or whatever. Still, it's mine and I really like it. I love this chapter like I love my little boy, but I feel soooo helpless ... ugh!Mavis Smythhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00691642097261762149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7456819339124442379.post-72905899235406149362010-09-28T15:38:00.000-07:002010-09-28T15:39:38.142-07:00New Voices Competition ... first stage over! WELL DONE TO THE TOP 10!So the first stage is over ... and no - After Dark remains in the dark. It was a good experience, but like the other 811 people who were not successful, I'm left wondering what needs to be fixed. Yes we all got feedback in varying degrees from the people who read the stories, but for me, it's not quite the same as getting feedback from an editor. I can see where I could make a couple of specific changes to clear up confusion based on comments left by readers, but for me, this is not enough. Feeling a little bit frustrated right now!<br />
<br />
On the bright side ... I found another very cool competition to write 2K words for and it's deadline is February 2011!Mavis Smythhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00691642097261762149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7456819339124442379.post-13505152905957546662010-09-19T10:34:00.000-07:002010-09-19T10:37:08.026-07:00Link to New Voices Competition ...http://www.romanceisnotdead.com/Entries/55-After-Dark/Chapter-One<br />
<br />
This is the link to After Dark, Chapter One.Mavis Smythhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00691642097261762149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7456819339124442379.post-53186096431046958052010-09-19T10:31:00.001-07:002010-09-19T10:31:49.623-07:00New Volices CompetitionSo ... I've took my heart in my hands and entered a chapter of After Dark. Would so love to go through to the next round, but there is some stiff competition out there. Fingers crossed xx!Mavis Smythhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00691642097261762149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7456819339124442379.post-18895034153893007652010-08-25T16:13:00.001-07:002010-08-25T16:13:47.421-07:00Fav Line<b>Jared raised his head slowly to face his adversary. A low, gravelly growl escaped his throat. He’d have the lifeless piece of shit if it was the last thing he did this century</b>.Mavis Smythhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00691642097261762149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7456819339124442379.post-63163295754892727902010-08-03T12:28:00.000-07:002010-08-03T12:28:34.617-07:00Authonomy ....I joined the site ... but I'm still not sure. People go in there and upload their work for all and sundry to see and comment on. On the whole there does seem to be some good, genuine, constructive feedback, but I'm not sure ....Mavis Smythhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00691642097261762149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7456819339124442379.post-66745842521122478812010-07-31T03:09:00.001-07:002010-07-31T03:09:56.935-07:00Writers Challenge ... 1st AugustMost people fall asleep on the transfer coach to resort, but not me. As the coach wends its way through mountainous terrain towards our destination, I rest my head against the cool glass window and stare at nothing in particular. <br />
<br />
My body is tired, but my mind is alert. Full of thoughts that I’d rather not think about right now. What am I doing here? Am I out of my mind ... possibly.<br />
<br />
A soundless sigh escapes my lips and clouds the glass. A new beginning – that’s why I’m here, to start again.<br />
<br />
A sharp pain stabs at my heart and a little voice whispers inside my mind – ‘so why come here’?<br />
<br />
The coach turns left and makes its way along the final winding mountain road which will lead me to my destination. Tiny nerves jangle around inside my stomach – maybe this wasn’t such a good idea after all.<br />
<br />
No. I needed to do this and why not start my new life with an extended holiday in a place that I’m familiar with – there’s nothing wrong with that. But my conscience taunts me still – ‘fool’ it whispers back.<br />
<br />
I ignore it. For the past seventeen years I have devoted my life to a man who cared more for himself than he ever did me. But worst of all, I think, I have lived my life in the shadow of my siblings – my two sisters have perfect size 10 figures with beautiful silky straight hair. I’m a size 12 with naturally curly hair, which if not straightened, resembles the mane of a lion. They are the life and soul of the party as it were – I’m the quiet, gentle one.<br />
<br />
I watch as we approach the City with its host of multi-coloured shimmering lights. Just like me, it never sleeps.<br />
<br />
For three months this shall be my home. Just me – no siblings or other family to speak of and no ex husband living his life on my doorstep. <br />
<br />
My heart starts to race as my destination looms ahead. Even after three years the streets are still familiar and bring memories flooding back I’d sooner forget.<br />
<br />
In truth, the man that I secretly love lives here in blissful ignorance. Why did I never tell him, you might ask? It’s quite simple. The man that I love is in love with one of my perfect sisters ... and so when she is around, he doesn’t quite see me.<br />
<br />
The sea is the deepest azure blue against the pure white sand that hugs the bay. I’ve expended a lot on this trip. My private villa overlooks the bay away from the hustle and bustle of the City – no-one will disturb me here.<br />
<br />
As my transfer coach pulls into the side of the road I’m suddenly overcome with tiredness. It’s a short walk down the winding driveway lined with lemon trees to my quiet sanctuary.<br />
<br />
Once inside, I choose a bedroom overlooking the bay and slip between the cool white sheets. Exhaustion takes over and my mind is blank at last.<br />
<br />
Some hours later I awake and go in search of the kitchen. I hadn’t thought to ask for the fridge to be stocked with essentials, so there is nothing but an empty void where food should be.<br />
<br />
I’m forced to join the rest of the world, so I slip into a cotton sundress, pull on some pumps and set about finding a number for a taxi company from the list of essential numbers left for me by the Agent.<br />
<br />
Kippa ... Turkey’s answer to Tesco in UK speak. I skulk around isles afraid of bumping into anyone I know ... well actually one in particular. Of course I’m being an idiot in many ways – let’s face it, apart from anything else, he’d be working this time of day and secondly he may not even be in Marmaris. I’ve long since given up on keeping track of his residential status – like I said – he’s so not interested in me.<br />
<br />
Of course, as I skulk through the endless isles of food, I can’t help but wonder where he is – what he might be doing and my heart starts to palpitate again.<br />
<br />
The smell of the rich pungent spices makes me want to visit the bazaar in town – to soak up the atmosphere as it were.<br />
<br />
Would I be safe in the centre of Marmaris? Could I lose myself well enough in the crowd to remain unseen?<br />
<br />
I’m reminded by the tiny voice in my head that I didn’t come to Marmaris to hide. I came to start again and so I take the Number Two bus into the centre of town. Now I’m playing with fire.<br />
<br />
We drive past the apartment block where I used to stay and the memories flood back. Down past the Cemetery and another apartment block ... bitter sweet memories rush through my mind. I’m relieved when the journey is over.<br />
<br />
Carrying my one small bag of provisions, I’m drawn to the water front where tourists lie drenched in coconut smelling lotions soaking up the mid-day sun. My eyes are everywhere and nowhere all at the same time.<br />
<br />
At the farthest end of the beach I find myself drawn to a young girl perched on the side of a pedalo boat. Her back is arched towards the sand and her hair gently caresses the water below.<br />
<br />
I’m so amazed by the supple young body as it arches back farther still that I don’t notice the photographer, but then he speaks; and as he does, my head comes reeling round and I’m face to face with him.<br />
<br />
For the first time ever in my life he sees me. A ghost of a smile plays at the corners of his lips as his soft velvet eyes gaze at me from where he stands. Suddenly he is walking towards me, and I know I should run, but I can’t.<br />
<br />
Then, as he takes me in his arms, he whispers in my ear ‘what kept you?’Mavis Smythhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00691642097261762149noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7456819339124442379.post-22811676202383961462010-07-01T14:41:00.000-07:002010-07-01T14:41:51.344-07:00Not a Clue!You'd think that after skulking around on Websites like Harlequin or Mills & Boon or Samhain that I'd have some notion as to who I'd eventually approach for publishing .... correction the first of many knockbacks lol! <br />
<br />
NOT A CLUE!<br />
<br />
This must be why I'm sitting with a copy of Writers & Artists Yearbook 2011 .... still not a clue, but then it's a very very big book!<br />
<br />
Now ... back to work!Mavis Smythhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00691642097261762149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7456819339124442379.post-68042351804984424352010-06-30T13:17:00.000-07:002010-06-30T13:18:48.995-07:00Step Away From The Book .....Now here's the deal - you start to write a chapter - if you're lucky you've called it something more than just a number. This is good, I'm thinking, because it gives the reader just a little tiny clue as to what that chapter is about - so far, so good! Then, you start to type. At first, the words flow -so much so you glance at the wordcount thinking 'I must be well through' - again if you're on a roll, you may well be! Then it happens - see you know, or have some vague idea as to what you want to happen in this chapter, but all of a sudden you're stumped - IT'S NOT FLOWING!<br />
<br />
CRAP!<br />
<br />
So - if you're me, you go downstairs, make yourself a cup of tea and return to the laptop. All of a sudden a little nugget of something starts to flow through and you're off - ONLY TO HIT ANOTHER WALL! Now, while you've been tapping away your tea's gone cold! So - if you're me, you go back downstairs and make another one - thinking - 'this time I'm drinkin it'!<br />
<br />
I did this THREE times last night .... yeah - I know you're getting it - I can already see you smiling!<br />
<br />
PS: and here I am tonight trying very hard to get back on track ... and you've guessed it (I'm on blogger because I've run out of milk!)!!!Mavis Smythhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00691642097261762149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7456819339124442379.post-72287645770406960772010-06-23T16:01:00.000-07:002010-06-23T16:01:35.281-07:00End of Day - Fav Line.Favourite line .....<br />
<br />
<b>For a moment she was quiet – mulling everything over in her mind. Then in the distance the haunting howl of a wolf pierced the silence of her room and Elizabeth Rose screamed.<i></i></b><br />
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Next chapter begins......but sleep is needed first!Mavis Smythhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00691642097261762149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7456819339124442379.post-32411716684763078752010-06-23T14:22:00.000-07:002010-06-23T14:22:48.851-07:00I'm a Coward!I've just realised I'm a coward. For around 18 months or so I've been having fun on EHarl - entering the writing competitions with some great feedback. Of course, this all helps to bolster one's confidence and does get the writing juices flowing. So why is it, when it actually comes down to it, I've never actually submitted to a publisher? Now you could put it down to the fact that maybe I've been trying to make sure that my writing is falling into the genre that my voice best suits - I could go for that! Truth is though, when it comes down to it, I'm scared - scared of that big, bad, 'R'!! Now I'm wondering if I can ever get past the fear long enough to take the first step!Mavis Smythhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00691642097261762149noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7456819339124442379.post-39403816230366619092010-06-17T14:20:00.000-07:002010-06-17T14:20:55.993-07:00Continuing on - Enemies are Face to Face ...... Let the Battle for the Damsel Begin!"Don’t you like them?” – I asked quietly, not really wanting to know the answer but needing desperately to find something to take my mind of the building nausea.Mavis Smythhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00691642097261762149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7456819339124442379.post-19029415045367073182010-06-15T16:19:00.000-07:002010-06-15T16:19:22.539-07:00Closing line/s for tonight ......Did I need protection from James Alexander? What a strange notion. Not once in twenty years had I ever thought I needed protection – so why now?<br />
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....... not a bad evening! Progress!Mavis Smythhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00691642097261762149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7456819339124442379.post-6405814920840540762010-06-14T15:58:00.000-07:002010-06-14T15:58:27.196-07:00Fourth Chapter ..... Altered ImagesSo my three main characters have had their say and whilst I'm not saying that I'll not go back and tweak or indeed even add to what they've said, I'm moving on to Chapter 4! And yes .... it looks like I'm calling it Altered Images - unless something else springs to mind while I'm writing!Mavis Smythhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00691642097261762149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7456819339124442379.post-17631796693968629442010-06-14T14:53:00.000-07:002010-06-14T14:53:27.670-07:00We need to talk about Kevin .... by Lionel Shriver<iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=widgetsamazon-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=006112429X&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align:left;padding-top:5px;width:131px;height:245px;padding-right:10px;"align="left" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe>Recently I took a break from reading AN AWFUL LOT OF PARANORMAL (laughling) .... to read something way different - enter - Lionel Shriver and We Need to Talk about Kevin! <br />
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Now Kevin is one seriously deranged child, and, like most people, I never saw that ending coming until it hit me a smack in the face!<br />
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The book is written as a series of letters from wife to ex husband after their son Kevin kills a few or 12 people in his school!<br />
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I believe it's the Catholic Church who say 'give me a child until the age of 5 and I'll show you the man' or words to that effect! This being the case, then Kevin really just never had a hope! <br />
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If, as some say, a child can hear you even when it's growing in the womb, then Kevin spent 9 months listening to his father wittering on to his mother about the fact that 'she should watch what she ate - after all - was she not thinking of their child - did she wish to harm it even at this (ahem pre-birth) stage? .... or ..... 'how could you dance around the living room like that - have you no thought for the safety of our unborn child?' ..... and so on and so forth.<br />
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Then, after birth, there were all those 'negative vibes' from his mother - because yes, we're also told that children are very perceptive as babies and pick up on that stuff too!<br />
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Like I said ..... the child never had a hope of growing up normal, did he?<br />
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Anyway - it made for interesting reading, and in many ways, was quite thought provoking for those of us bringing up children.Mavis Smythhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00691642097261762149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7456819339124442379.post-55284325903407829072010-06-14T11:25:00.000-07:002010-06-14T11:27:14.905-07:00Favourite Line .......Second Chapter - the hero so far..... favourite line -<br /><br />"Her blood was cleansed - she was healed and she was mine."<br /><br /><br />That guy certainly has a way with words!Mavis Smythhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00691642097261762149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7456819339124442379.post-70333318733228373692010-05-27T15:46:00.000-07:002010-05-27T15:48:30.833-07:00Writer's Challenge - 28 May - New BeginningLauren opened her eyes and slowly scanned the room. She’d never been in this house before. Was it a house though or a clinic, maybe not? She had no idea, but whatever it was she had definitely never been here.<br /><br />Slowly she began to sit up. No – upright wasn’t working - head spinning around and around – her body felt weightless and ugh, she felt sick. Lauren gripped the sides of the bed and let her head fall back into the soft white pillows. Better, she thought. The room was still revolving, but slower now and the nausea was passing.<br /><br />Images were flashing through her mind, strange, weird images that she couldn’t quite put together, yet they were familiar. Antonio appeared in one of the images. She smiled dreamily for a second and then sat bolt upright in the bed. Ugh, this damned sickness, she thought to herself as she made her way cannily across the room.<br /><br />Holding onto both sides of the dresser she looked at herself in the mirror. Anticipation and fear collided in the pit of her stomach. She chided herself. Wasn’t this what she had wanted? What she had pleaded for day after day? She stared back at her reflection in the mirror. What she saw there was proof enough, if she needed it at all, but still she looked.<br /><br />Her fingers came up to gingerly trace the left side of her neck........nothing. Frowning, she turned her head slightly and stared at the long creamy column that was her neck. It was flawless........no trace of anything there. Mmm , maybe it had been her right side, but no, there was nothing there either.<br /><br />She felt slightly faint now. As she staggered back to the bed something caught her eye. She grabbed hold of the bed to steady herself and held the lapis lazuli ring up to the light. For a moment she was overcome and felt light headed. Climbing back into the bed, she closed her eyes and steadied her breathing. Well, he had kept part of the promise, the ring part at least, she thought wearily.<br /><br />Tiny droplets of tears escaped her eyes, flowing silently down her cheeks as realisation began to finally ring home. <br /><br />In one swift movement Lauren sat up and hurled the ring into mid air with no particular destination.<br /><br />Antonio caught it effortlessly, frowning as he did so. It was clear that his little newborn was becoming stronger by the hour, but why would she be throwing her ring away with such vehemence. Had she forgotten the importance of the ring?<br /><br />His preoccupation with the ring threw him off guard and rather than sensing the onslaught, he felt it has her teeth plunged into his neck.<br /><br />In one swift movement he pulled her away, holding her firmly at length from the wound. <br /><br />“Hungry darling?”, he murmured. “All in good time. I’ve some willing donors downstairs.”<br /><br />Lauren frowned. What the hell had she just done, and why could she not taste blood? She licked her lips slowly, savouring the sweet, sticky, berry flavoured, yes definitely berry flavoured substance. Her eyes travelled slowly to Antonio’s neck. She must be seriously ill, hallucinating, that was it. Just as well, coz she could have sworn her teeth had gotten tore into her boyfriend, and yet, stranger still, where had the berry flavoured substance come from?<br /><br />She shook her head, as if to bring herself out of a trance. Ill, she was definitely ill, because she could have sworn Antonio had just said donors. No – he had said donors. Maybe she needed a donor. That was it, she was ill, that would explain the feelings of weakness just now, the dizzy spells earlier. She’d had some terrible accident – why that’s what the mixed up images were all about – blood – she just needed a transfusion and then everything would be okay. It was all making sense now, this was wasn’t a house, it was a hospital or a clinic of some description.<br /><br />Antonio was watching Lauren. She was relaxing, he could feel it, sense it in every bone of her beautiful body. Suddenly, remembering the lapis lazuli ring, he lifted her hand saying, “we should put this on, and remember, it needs to stay there.”<br /><br />She found her voice, it was clipped and short. “I don’t see why.”<br /><br />Antonio frowned. “Darling, don’t you remember what I told you about the ring and it’s importance?”<br /><br />Lauren spat back – “Oh I remember perfectly, evidently ......<br /><br />The room door flew open and Carla came rushing in, either not sensing the tension in the room or as was more likely to be the case, choosing to ignore it.<br /><br />“So, how is our newborn vampire?”<br /><br />Lauren answered in a flash – “Still human!”<br /><br />Antonio frowned. “Why would you think that Lauren?”, he asked softly.<br /><br />She turned on him replying hysterically – “Because I checked.”<br /><br />“Checked for what?”<br /><br />“For marks, marks on my neck where you bit me, you imbecile.”<br /><br />Carla started laughing, and with the speed of lightening itself, Lauren flew across the room and pinned the younger woman to the wall.<br /><br />“Get her off me Toni – explain to her.”<br /><br />“Explain what?”, Lauren spat out through clenched teeth at the same time thinking, what the hell is hurting my tongue?<br /><br />Antonio prized her away from his sister and took her to stand in front of the mirror.<br /><br />“Look, he said gently.<br /><br />“I see nothing”, she cut in.<br /><br />“You won’t, WE heal quickly.”<br /><br />Realisation dawned slowly. Lauren propelled herself around in Antonio’s arms.<br /><br />“You turned me, you made me a vampire.”<br /><br />“You’ll not be a vampire for much longer if you don’t wear the ring.”<br /><br />“I’ll never take it off”, Lauren replied breathlessly.<br /><br />“Now, you must eat, you are weak from the turning.”<br /><br />Lauren groaned and replied, “Oh Antonio, I’m not at all sure that I can, I mean, you said that you had um donors?”<br /><br />“Don’t worry baby, for your first time, we decanted. We have the rest of our lives to go hunting together.”Mavis Smythhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00691642097261762149noreply@blogger.com3