Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Planning and time management...







When I get the time, blogging is a joy! I love sharing my exploits in writing, and connecting with others who are trying to achieve the same goal as me, which is publication, because we can share our trials and tribulations, pick one another up and after a good dusting off, plod on. Sometimes we need a good kick up the proverbial to get us moving again, but it's all good.

Although, I have many tasks that I need to complete I am getting better at compartmentalizing my life, and it is a skill for sure. Learning to say no is a component, and I make no excuses for saying it on many occasions because otherwise, I wouldn't get anything done, and it 's about what's most important in my life and that for me is writing!

Last week, I was re-writing and my brain as it sometimes does, wandered, and I decided out of the blue to enter a critique session which was held on misssnarksfirstvictim.blogspot.com.
This is a blog, that I follow mostly in secret, but with a desire to partake in one of the many competitions and critique sessions that the anonymous writer offers to aspiring writers.

When I get stuck with my writing, this is a great way to ramp things up, and I was having one of those moments. I pulled out an old MS that I really want to go back and finish, and sent in the first 500 words to be critiqued! It was exhilarating. When someone reads my work, I get goose-bumps, queasy tummy, totally freaked out and wait nervously for the news, which isn't always amazing but vital none the less.

Anyway, this is brilliant for those seeking feedback and strong advice! I loved it! After the many comments, I will be writing a scene before this section to explain some of what is happening, but I was thrilled by the in-depth responses and advice I was given, which were mainly to give an introduction about the MC and to what is happening rather than to start with so much mystery !!!



Ella blinked awake as a blast of frigid air caressed her skin, and in the distance, she could hear trickling water. Neither sensation was expected nor normal, that much she knew. Icy-fear snaked its way into her mind as she jerked her chin off the mushy grass and peered at the world from the ground. She was lying semi-prone on the cold, damp earth with grass stuck to her lips. The day usually began in a warm bed, and Aidan was there. Instead frosty kisses from the early-morning   touched her, mostly naked body, and she shivered. She lifted a shaky hand to her head, and groaned as an image of a hysterical and angry Aidan, flashed through her head.
    the hell happened?”   whispered to the wind as if it may answer.
     Ella pushed herself off the grass, but her limbs buckled, and a wave of dizziness
took over threatening to send her crashing to the ground. Searching around, she grabbed onto the nearest tree for support as she vomited. Some of the dizziness lifted, and she wiped the back of her hand across her mouth. The gurgle of water caught her attention, and she turned her head. A couple of feet away was a small sliver of a stream.
    I changed?”
   She staggered towards the water on shaky legs. None of this made sense. Ella was usually prepared, but she was in the middle of a forest with no recollection as to how or why? Each step made her curse, as a pain shot through her chest and limbs. Breathing increased the agony. It was as if she had fought in a great battle and lost. Her head throbbed, and white stars danced before her.
     Just get to the water and drink.      pushed herself forward to the edge of the stream, but her legs gave way, and she sank to her knees. Leaning over, she stared at her reflection in the water.
   a mess,” she gasped. She moved her jaw, and lifted her hand to examine her face.


 
    Her fingers traced the outline of a large, black bruise on her cheek. Dried blood had congealed by her nose, and her hair was a wild mass. One eye was so swollen it was barely open, and although unrecognizable from the bruises and swelling, familiar blue eyes stared at her. She was still Ella Masters.

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

All in good time.




Okay, the last several weeks have flown passed, and we are almost into February!!! I really need a good kick up the butt, and lots of motivation to get me out of this lackadaisical mood that I've been in for over a month. I have re-writes that need to be finished, so that I can send the manuscript Children of Annwn off again. Therefore, I guess, albeit a bit late, my new year resolution is to be focused on finishing what I started over four years ago!  








This is from a quarter of the way in the book. Mia Childs has agreed to go with the mysterious Robert in the hopes of discovering the truth about herself... 



  “Mia, what you’re feeling won’t last. Your body is awakening fully to the magic inside. The energy inside magic is extremely powerful. Once it settles, you’ll adjust, and it won’t feel, so intense. All your neurons have been highly charged. Your endorphins have been boosted big time. Eventually, everything will fall back to a more normal awareness.”
   Mia clung to him, leaning against his body, and gazing at his lips as if hypnotized.
  Kiss me. Kiss me Ryder.
 Her arms coiled round his neck, and she breathed in his scent, and kissed him. Gently, her lips pushed against his, and he kissed her back. She’d never experienced anything like this before. She wanted to crawl inside him. Her body burned, and yearned for him with a fever.
   Mia stop.
   His voice was low, and he sounded breathless. Ryder moved away, and struggled to compose himself. Mia jumped to her feet, confused as to why he had stopped.
   “What you’re feeling is the magic…everything is heightened. We couldn’t function like that continuously, it takes a lot of energy to channel into our magic, and when the magic is spent, we need to recharge…like…like now.”  He darted forward, as Mia suddenly keeled over. He caught, and gathered her into his arms.
   “I didn’t want you to stop. I wanted you…Wow, I feel so weak I feel …” Mia closed her eyes and the world disappeared. 
   “Should have known that was going to happen. Mia my love, you have your tattoo.” As he spoke, a dark twisting Celtic pattern of interlacing knots emerged on the right underside of Mia’s wrist. Matching his exactly. His family crest.    
   Mia’s eyelids fluttered open, and she grinned up into Ryders face. “That was such a rush,” she said. 



                       
        It takes courage to see this through to the end, but I will endeavor! Wishing you all the courage to finish what you started, no matter what.