Wordy Wednesday with Rae Stoltenkamp

Welcome once again to Wordy Wednesday. I'm happy to introduce you to Rae Stoltenkamp, a long time twitter friend and author of The Rainbow Quest Series. Set in a domed world of the future, featuring young adult protagonists battling against injustice and environmental abuses.

Book 1: WHERE RAINBOWS HIDE is an environmentally conscious SciFi adventure with a 19 year old heroine at the centre of the plot.

Book 2: WHEN RAINBOWS CRY is set some 30 years later and features a 14 year old heroine battling the stresses of teenhood along with her concerns for her failing world.

So let's get all comfortable and ask Rae some questions.

When and why did you start writing?
I started writing as a child around age 11/12 and was inspired by my maternal grandfather who wrote short stories for a South African newspaper. I however started with poetry - the typical teenage angsty stuff, before graduating on to short stories. Then I couldn't seem to stop and have been writing ever since.

What 3 things (not including paper, computer, pens) would you like to facilitate a good days writing?
I currently have everything I need to ensure I have a good day's writing. But if there was one thing which would probably improve my experience then it would be a back support chair from The Wave Seat Company. It's on my wish list.

Do you write to a schedule, eg every day or three times a week, set times, etc or do you write as and when the mood strikes?
I write 2 days a week as I have a teaching job at a local charity on the other 3 days. It means I have to get a lot in on those designated writing days so they're sacred to me.

Who is your favourite fictional character (that you've written) and why? (no spoilers please! though teasers are fine)
My absolute favourite character I've written is called Sprax. to know him is to love him. Here's an extract about him because it's easier to understand his nature through this and I've also attached a drawing of him my friend Sarah did for me. 

Sprax nudged his way from beneath the leather tooled cover till his head and shoulders were free.  He used the back of his hands to wipe the sleep from his eyes before adjusting the points of his ears.  Lanna should know better than to think she could keep him confined like that.  Huffing and puffing he pushed the rest of himself out, unfolding his spindly legs till they touched down on the surface of the desk.  Surveying the barely explored territory before him, he hunched down closer to the surface and sniffed at the honey aroma of the wood polish.  He stuck out his long tongue and tasted it. 

“Yeuch!  Nose lied.”  His face squidged up in disgust as his tree frog fingers tried to scrape the offending taste from his tongue.  Unhinging from his crouch he shrugged a purple toned shoulder and stepped forward to investigate.  His temple was jabbed by the edge of the hefty dictionary piled on top of art history texts. 

“Foolish Sprax - slowing down - rushing less - time is time is time.” 

His finger pads soothed the hurt as he side stepped jauntily and continued on his trail around the desk and its accoutrements till he reached the precipice.  All the while he talked in a steady babble of conversation to no-one but himself. 

And always, pulling at him, was The Essence of Faetaera.  But he ignored it, shrugged it off.  This was home now.  Because the Essence of Here was oh so fascinating.  And Lanna was here.

He's from a book called Sharp Dark Things I've been working on for a while now which I'm hoping to get back to next year once I've completed all my publishing commitments for this year.

Is writing your main source of income, I read lots of articles saying writers make no money, and my readers asked this question a lot! Can you survive on book writing alone? if not, what else do you do?
Sadly I can't survive on writing alone. I've only just started out in the self-publishing business. I'm learning the trade and sometimes it's pretty full on. To pay the bills I teach after school clubs for a creative writing company called Inkhead and also do private tutoring in the evenings on top of my 3 day stint at the charity.

What are your favourite biscuits?
Ginger butter biscuits from Lidl - there are chunks of ginger in the dough. So yummy with a cuppa.

Where do you do most of your writing?
My desk in the living room but a lot also goes on in my head when I'm shopping or driving the car. I usually make a note of ideas on my phone if this happens.

What book are you reading at the moment?
Am reading 3 books simultaneously: Jingo by Terry Pratchett, Hag-seed by Margaret Atwood & Blue Gold by David Barker.

Is truth really stranger than fiction?
In my personal experience it generally is. Most of my stories spring from experiences in life which I then simply translate into my writing.

If you could genetically cross an animal with a fruit or vegetable what would you choose and why? 
Can't think of a fruit/veg animal cross but would rather like a breed of pig which regularly sheds its skin and as it does this it automatically turns into crackling. I'd go for that. (I'll allow it - sounds tasty)

If reading and writing were banned on pain of death, what would you do instead?
If it doesn't exist already, set up an underground network to fight this dastardly evil, maintain a secret library and battle to the death to free humanity from this disastrous situation. (many other authors has said the same thing, I think it would be an interesting underground...)

If you could bring a dead person back from the dead for one day to have tea and a natter with them, who would you choose and why?
My mother - I miss her wisdom and spade is a spade attitude to life.

Thank you so much for sharing Rae, good luck with the new book (launch date - Dec 2nd 2017)

Follow Rae's blog here and check out her author page on Amazon here. Rae is on twitter and Facebook

You can even claim a FREE e-Book (Six Degrees) here.

This post is part of a blog tour, pop over and read more at Lisa M White's blog, Lindsay Bamfield's blog, and at Anna Caig's blog.

Camp Bestival - is it too soon to be excited?

Call me an over excited child, but Camp Bestival is something that I've loved going to since our first visit in 2009. Some years are more exciting than others of course, for varying reasons, acts I like more, or fancy dress themes I prefer. And for 2018, for me at least, it's looking pretty amazing!

I've been nagging for a sea theme for a while. Loving the idea of mermaids in decorated festival trolleys, of transparent umbrellas turned into jellyfish, of sailor suits and bearded sea captains, and so I'm super excited about that.

Also 2018 will see the return of Jaguar Skills, who is totally fabulous and I just love him, last time he was at Camp Bestival I stayed up until the wee small hours to see him, and poor DD was forced to sleep in the trolley as she was so tired (excellent parenting I hope you'll agree), now that DD is 18 I assume she can either accompany me or do her own thing while I boogie the night away
.

DD is looking forward to Clean Bandit, The Cuban Brothers (I love them too), and of course Dick and Dom. I'm amazed to see that Rick Astley is on the bill! Along with all of my usual favourites, the inflatable church for lovely weddings, beard and moustache competition, fancy dress parade (see above) , the world's biggest bouncy castle, and the Insect Circus.

And so yes, I'm excited already! And this is just the early lineup! I'm planning fancy dress ideas (I even started a Pinterest board for that) and excited to be setting sail in 2018 on the good ship SS Camp Bestival, captained by Rob da Bank and his able first mate Josie (With her bar skills!)

You can join us (all aboard!) grab an early bird ticket here. Join me in a countdown until the happy day!

 

In 2018 DD and I will be official crew, blogging and sharing on social media in exchange for our passage on the high seas! See you there!

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott - Goodreads review

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Ok so, despite my snarky comments during the listen (I bought the audio book) I have given this book 4 stars.

Spoilers from here on

The reason I gave the book 4 stars is because the writing is charming (dear lord I have fallen into the March girls' way of speech!) The book itself is hideously moral in tone and terribly preachy at every turn, at one point Louise May Alcott actually suggests her reader may have fallen asleep during one of her little homilies, so even she is aware!

As an educational pamphlet for the young lady of the age I'm sure this book would have been wonderful. There are numerous top tips about gloves, ribbons, keeping skirts clean in the mud and bonnet adornment on the cheap.

The girls do however seem convinced that they are 'poor' which seems to translate as 'lower middle class with only one servant'. Poor Hannah, despite being a perfect dear with the children, seems to have no time to have a family of her own.

Beth's death scene, promised since about chapter 4 and yet not actually happening until near the end of the book, was a blessed relief for us all. Much was made of her saintliness and goodness, but as she barely rose from the sofa after chapter 5 I'm not sure what naughtiness anyone expected from her. I was absolutely thrilled when she finally popped off.

Amy remained my favourite daughter, Meg was far too smug, Jo tried far too hard to be 'boyish' and Beth was in bed.

The only highlight for me was when Prof. Bhaer proposed to Jo in a touching scene in the rain. Maybe I was swayed by an older bearded man proposing to an unconventional girl in odd circumstances (wink) who can say but I did feel a drop of moisture rise into my eyes. Sadly this was instantly dashed by him asking her to wait a year due to some obscure reason that made no sense at all.

The book ended on a delightful note with everyone either dead, married or otherwise happy. And Jo able to be both suddenly feminine but also able to indulge in her odd obsession with young boys.

The writing and language was lovely, the plot could have been fun but was spoiled by the obsession with gloves and morals.


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Top Ten Things about letting your Border Terrier off the leash

I have a Border Terrier, she is 18 months old and her name is Fizz, you can read more about her here (*with tiny puppy photos!) and also here (*with training tips)

Fizz is my 3rd BT and all of them have been exercised off leash, all had/have pretty good recall. Many breeeders will tell you that BTs can never run free and are not safe off leash. So this post is my own view on the subject.

It's worth noting that American and UK views on dog's off leash vary greatly, and that some councils and many UK areas, such as beaches and common land, have rules about allowing dogs off leash. Dogs should never be off leash on a pavement near a road.

Assuming you are allowed to have a dog off leash...here are my top ten tips.

1. No dog and especially not a border terrier will ever be 100% 'safe' off leash. Dogs are not robots, however much you train, however good their recall, there may come a day that something you could not have planned for will happen, a car will backfire and scare your pup, a bitch in heat will be walking nearby, a squirrel will dash out from a bush right in front of your dog....This list will help but it can't make off leash a safe, risk-free pass time.
2. Until you have some confidence in your pup consider a long leash, not a flexi that you keep hold of, though they can be useful, but a long line of the sort used to lunge horses. We bought a 12 foot line in wide (less chance of a burn if it whips around your leg) purple (nice and clear to see against the grass). A long trailing line has many benefits. People can see your dog is learning. You don't have to get close to your pup if their attention is on another dog. Other people can easily grab the leash or step on it if you shout out! And it will get tangled on something if the dog does decide to try and bolt.
3. Choose a car free fenced area if you can for the first few months of off leash fun. A dog park is ideal or a recreation ground if dogs are allowed there. (always clear up after your dog) Visit regularly so that your dog doesn't have to 'explore' each time, if your dog knows an area it will be less likely to roam around.
4. Practice recall. It seems obvious but lots and lots of practice! Find out what your dog likes best, cheese, sausage, or a squeaky toy and make that the reward. Let your dog run and play but call it back often, treat and release. If your dog isn't coming back, use the long line! Make your dog return if you call or it will learn to disobey! Especially practice recall when your dog is interacting with other dogs, your dog must learn you are the boss, this takes time, but Fizz has finally sussed it.
5. Never punish a dog when it returns to you. No matter what your dog has done, ignored you, humped your friends chihuahua, eaten a kid's ice cream, it doesn't matter, coming back to you must always by good! You don't want to teach a dog that a return to you gets it yelled at or (shudder) hit. (Don't hit your dog)
6. Find a friend and walk far apart, take it in turns to call the dog for treats or a game, make your terrier work at watching and listening to see who will call, make it fun.
7. Consider having your pet neutered or spayed. Unless your dog is a show dog and destined for great things, have it 'done'. A girl will no longer have the desire to escape and be shagged twice a year and your boy will find he no longer has the urge to mount everything in sight, he will lose some aggression too and will be less interested in bitches in season. When we had a boy his recall became 90% more consistent after he was neutered.
8. Check your surroundings before allowing your dog off leash. Never let your dog off near roads. Keep dogs on leads where there is livestock of any kind. (one of my previous dogs was a chicken killer - he was proud of this, I was not. The farmer was extremely nice about it and we were very lucky and learned a big lesson!) Keep your terrier on a lead if they may be fox dens or badger sets about. Keep dogs on leads on cliff top walks (do not assume your dog is clever enough not to run over the edge)
9. Don't wait til the end of a walk to call your dog. Call your terrier often, treat often and pop your dog back onto the lead a few times, before releasing it again, during a walk, don't make recall and lead = the end of fun!
10. Don't feel bad if your dog has poor recall even if you've followed all the tips. Dogs vary in personality and some will be more biddable than others. Also dogs can have 'relapses' in training, especially during their 'teenage' years at around 2 years old. Keep practising, resort back to the long line or use a flexi.

Do you walk your dog(s) off leash? Any good advice I've missed? I'd love a comment below or on Facebook/Twitter (Links in the sidebar >>)

Random Acts of Unkindness - Goodreads review

Random Acts of Unkindness by Jacqueline Ward

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


There were things that annoyed me in this book. The repetition of the main character "what if it was your child" to everyone she meets who has a child...maybe that's realistic but as a reader it just feels lazy, yes we get it, your child missing is horrendous, we are reading all about it, we don't need a regular prod to imagine it's us. The bit about the shoulder blade (see previous update comment) grates a bit with me and there were some other bits too 'baby left on a doorstep' vs 'baby left in a phone box' which was it? Don't jump between the two phrases, it's a crime story, facts need to be precise. And the ending was annoying and inconclusive. Maybe because this is the first in a series but even within a series I like my books to be able to stand alone. The actual (enormous) crime did seem strangely ignored when it was finally discovered. Not much seemed to be made of police officers being murdered, or of the main crime scene when in reality surely newspapers would have been all over it and doing plenty of probing of their own regardless of the police.

That said, the story was interesting, very emotional at times (witness my red rimmed eyes and public crying face) The links to real missing child stories and the interweaving of the fictional parents was good. In general the writing was clear and pacey, if you like crime thrillers you'd enjoy this and I hope that as she writes more Jacqueline will get into her stride. I look forward to reading more about our flawed heroine and the team.



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Wordy Wednesday - what I've been reading

Hello lovely readers, Wordy Wednesday has become a little sporadic of late, more to do with me than the authors that agree to be interviewed. This week I thought I'd do a quick look at what I've been reading (and listening to via Audible) over the last few weeks.

As you'll know I finally gave up my twitter addiction, and am now just checking messages once a week on Friday. So I've had lots more time to read. Maybe now my 'TBR' pile will start to shrink rather than just constantly growing!

First on the list is a book I listened to on Audible. Not Alone was the story of aliens, discovery and whether we are alone in the universe...well that's what it appears to be at first glance. But many people who reviewed it were disappointed (I wasn't) to discover that in reality the book is about the media, both traditional and social, and how they can make or break stories, how that can create news both fake and real, how people's minds can be changed, how vulnerable we all are. Big on conspiracy and slower on plot it was a long but interesting book. And despite the somewhat tedious nature of much of the 'behind the scenes' news stuff, the story managed a plot twist or two as well. If you are a fan of aliens, fake news or conspiracy theory - it's the book for you.
 

“Britain’s recent political past meant that conservative leaders were chosen largely on their ability to sell unpopular policies to working people who wouldn’t benefit from them, so Godfrey was an even stronger debater than his predecessors and rivals.”
― Craig A. Falconer, Not Alone

I also read (in paperback) the really lovely The Night Rainbow. An impulse buy because I liked the look of the cover and there was a quote from Joanne Harris on it (and I love her writing).  And what a good judgement that was. Two young girls try to amuse themselves after a father's death, while the mother struggles with her new pregnancy and the grief of having lost her husband. Plot twists are plentiful and the prose is almost poetry in places. Gorgeously scented scenes of France, with over ripe tomatoes and dusty donkeys bring this story to life. Very sad in places with a lot of remembered loss, but ultimately uplifting. A lovely summer read (a bit late for that now!) or to warm your heart as you sit in the cold by the fire, remembering long ago holidays and tree climbing in the sun.

 “She turns her back to us, starting up the stairs slowly, her legs shaking with every step.
I think she forgot to put her skeleton in, says Margot.”
― Claire King, The Night Rainbow

I also listened to A Company of Liars on Audible. A motley band of people are thrown together by circumstance and travel towards the north of England to try and outrun the pestilence (the black death) that has recently arrived on our shores from Europe. As the story progresses we gradually learn more of each character's past, but all have secrets, all are liars in one way or another and slowly, one by one, they die. But it is not the plague they have to fear, it's something much closer. A book that starts simply enough as a medieval tale, slowly moves into myth and tales of omens and portents, soon the reader begins to have the same superstitious fears the travellers have, and maybe we are right to. A creepy tale with terrifying twist.

“Miracles are like murders. After the first one, each becomes easier than the last for, with each success, the miracle-worker's certainty in himself becomes stronger.”
― Karen Maitland, Company of Liars

Twists in the plot seem to be a theme with my recent reads and the last book is Random Acts of Unkindness. I'm 80% through this paperback and so can't yet be sure of a twist, but I'm enjoying the dark interweaving of two women's heartbreaking struggle with the loss of their teen sons. One story the journal of a dead woman, and one story the modern story of a a police detective, the two stories are beginning to merge in frightening ways. *Trigger warning for gore and bloodshed, and references to the Moors Murders.

"John's touching the white sheet. I can see the outline of a face, nose sticking out. Further down , shoulder blades before the sheet becomes thicker and turns into a thick shroud. I realise thatJohn is staring at me and I nod"         ----Jacqueline Ward, Random Acts of Unkindness

So there we are, my reading pile is getting more manageable. What have you been reading? If you've blogged about books don't forget to link up with Chantelle and her Read with Me Linky. It's a great place to meet new books! And of course, follow me on Goodreads.

*Links in this post may be affiliate links, find out more here.

Wordy Wednesday with Claire Colley

Today on Wordy Wednesday I am excited to introduce Claire Colley, who writes contemporary dark fiction, the 'read if you dare' sort. Her new book Season's End is due out soon, and the filming for the script she co-wrote has just finished filming and is now being edited.  

Season's End is a novel about demons, fear and family ties.  It is a disturbing and uncomfortable tale set in a traditional British fun fair, and will make you avoid roller coasters forever!

And so, feeling suitably creeped out, here are the questions I put to Claire, and her excellent answers:

When and why did you start writing? 
I have never lied, but I have always told stories.  As a kid, I would create elaborate stories to get me out of trouble for something I had done that perhaps I shouldn't.  I now just tell my husband that the fairies did it when I perhaps eat his chocolate, or drink the last of the coffee.

What 3 things (not including paper, computer, pens) would you like to facilitate a good days writing?
Without doubt, coffee.  I have an addiction.  I am besotted with my coffee percolator and often leave notes on the front door telling visitors to bugger off unless they are bringing me more coffee.  Strong, black and no sugar, thanks.  Also, my cats.  I talk to them as sounding boards, because they don't tell me what to do.  Finally, erm.... darkness.  Miserable days appeal to me. Black(?) cats, black coffee, black nights...I'm sensing a theme

Picture credit KGHH Design

Do you write to a schedule, eg every day or three times a week, set times, etc or do you write as and when the mood strikes?
I write for at least an hour a day.  I am an insomniac, so very often, I am awake in the early hours of the morning and find the dark and the peace perfect for writing.

Who is your favourite fictional character (that you've written) and why?
Ruth in Wake Up.  She is an arrogant bitch when you first meet her, but as you discover why, she grows on you and you start rooting for her.

Is writing your main source of income? Can you survive on book writing alone? if not, what else do you do?
I don't survive on book writing alone, but I do live on my writing!  I write for a range of companies, doing SEO blogs, CVs, employment documents and stuff like that.

What are your favourite biscuits?
Bourbons.  Dipped in coffee.  Nom nom nom.

Where do you do most of your writing?
I am so bad, I have a proper study/library and I go in there to chill rather than write.  Drives my husband insane, but I often work from the sofa with Christmas movies on in the background.

What book are you reading at the moment?
Sleeping Beauties by Stephen King and Owen King.  I only just started it yesterday, so can't tell you anything yet.

Is truth really stranger than fiction?
Oh hell yes.  Yes indeed.  I can tell you some crazy arsed stories that are completely true that sound so incredible that they feel like fiction.

If you could genetically cross and animal with a fruit or vegetable what would you choose and why? I'm currently keen on a melon hippo, green and water-loving, juicy and HUGE.
Hmmmmm......  A cat with a coffee plant.  I would love if my cats smelt of coffee.  Unfortunately, Tinker Stinks has a rancid bum and Zorro smells fishy.

If reading and writing were banned on pain of death, what would you do instead?
Die. (I think it's only fair to tell you other authors have started an underground writing resistance so I'm sure you could join, as long as the smell of coffee brewing didn't give you all away!)

If you could bring a dead person back from the dead for one day to have tea and a natter with them, who would you choose and why?
This is pretty much the easiest question of the lot.  My Mum.  She passed away in 2015 and I miss her so, so much.  She was the person I talked to about anything and everything.  I was her live in carer too, so I spent everyday with her.  Losing her was the hardest thing that ever happened.  However, I am very close to her 2 remaining sisters, and they are both awesome.  I am off for a weekend away with Auntie M at the end of November because she told me I needed a rest!! Aw! I hope you have a fabulous time.

Claire's website is www.clnorton.co.uk and she is on social media :

On Facebook
On Twitter
On Instagram

Wordy Wednesday with Daniel M Bensen

Welcome again to Wordy Wednesday, a (semi) regular blog interview series with authors from around the world and with variously themed books, writers for all age ranges and tastes can be found here. Today it's the turn of Daniel M Bensen, an American fantasy writer. Daniel was born in Chicago and has since lived in Maine, California, Montana, Japan, and Boston. He currently lives with his wife, daughters, and in-laws in Sofia Bulgaria, where he teaches English as a second language.

Daniel has written a book called The Kingdoms of Evil,  amongst other things. The Kingdoms of Evil is a fantasy satire with some horrific elements. It's about Freetrick Feend, a more or less normal college student in a more or less normal fantasy country, who learns that he is actually Feerborg, the lost heir to the Skull Throne of the Kingdoms of Evil (which is right over those mountains over there). As Ultimate Fiend of the Kingdoms of Evil, Freetrick inherits command over a population of twisted monsters, a family of scheming nobles, a murderous fiance, and the enmity of every one of his country's non-evil neighbours. The biggest problem, though, is that in a land where the sun never shines and the river run with lava, what are the monsters supposed to eat? 

And so I quizzed Daniel, from afar, and this is how it went:

When and why did you start writing?
I tried to write stories way back in 4th grade, but I didn't go about it seriously until after I graduated from college. The extremely un-serious Kingdoms of Evil was the result. I'm now in the middle of my seventh novel. You can find information about all of my books on my website, as well as links to the short stories and the novella that I've actually gotten published.

What 3 things (not including paper, computer, pens) would you like to facilitate a good days writing? Other than my kindle's note-taking function and my laptop, I need nothing but a cup of mocha, a chair, and access to the playlist I've made for the book I'm working on.

Do you write to a schedule, eg every day or three times a week, set times, etc or do you write as and when the mood strikes?
I write every weekday between classes (I teach English as a second language). I work best when it's on a schedule.

Who is your favourite fictional character (that you've written) and why?
The Kaimeera. It's a monster from the kingdoms of evil that assumes the personality of the last person it ate. Ha! Love this idea.

Is writing your main source of income? 
No, I make much more per hour teaching, so talking about writing as my main "job" would be ridiculous. There are novelists who do support themselves by writing novels - but that seems to become possible only after at least three successful releases. Maybe someday. In the mean time, I'm glad to be able to write as a hobby.

What are your favourite biscuits? 
Milanos

Where do you do most of your writing?
Either in my office, in a cafe near my office, or typing into my kindle in a park, bus, or subway car.

What book are you reading at the moment? 
A couple of good ones! What the Hell Did I Just Read by David Wong and The Book of Joy by Desmond Tutu and the Dalai Lama. Both are very helpful in the hospital. (I hope you have recovered from your op by the time this post is live!)

Is truth really stranger than fiction? 
Of course. Fiction is constrained by the limits of the human brain, which is far from the strangest thing out there.

If you could genetically cross and animal with a fruit or vegetable what would you choose and why?
I'm currently keen on a cauliflower/caterpillar, a cauli-pillar, a bumpy white caterpillar affair that would be nice with cheese...
That's a hard act to follow. I submit the land urchin. They walk very slowly along the forest floor and taste like cactus. nice

If reading and writing were banned on pain of death, what would you do instead? 
Flee to a different (and less doomed) country. Failing that, I suppose I'd have to join The Resistance.This has been a popular response, so I fully expect that a writers resistance would be a thing

If you could bring a dead person back from the dead for one day to have tea and a natter with them, who would you choose and why? 

I'm only allowed to have tea with them? Not start a new religion or revolutionize anthropology? Charles Darwin. He spoke English and we could have a fun conversation. I could catch him up on biology and show him this excellent video: 

Massive thanks, Daniel for taking part.  Thank you. It was a lot of fun.

By now you will be desperate to know more so why not follow Daniel 

On Twitter

On Deviant Art

On Goodreads

On Tumblr

And check out his website The Kingdoms of Evil