Monthly Archives: January 2025

Books, writing

ten years…this year

Ten years ago, I decided to write a book. A book based upon this blog. I even took all the pictures on my phone. My first book, the yellow one, was an interesting entry into the world of self publishing. The Yellow One and the Green one, remain two of the most popular books. (all right, the reviews for the green one, say otherwise.)

That was how my writing journey started. I was new, naive to the whole world of writing and especially that of being a self-published Indie Author. A lot has changed since then. There are certainly more books, there have been lots of book-related adventures too. Writing books set in Montana, has led to adventures there. There lots of book adventures scheduled for this year. I am going to reflect as these will continue in the future, and what other avenues I might need to consider about making sure my stories are out there for readers to find.

I’ve learned a lot of the self-publishing indie universe, about books and the challenges that come with writing and marketing. The market is huge, diverse and there stories for everyone about anything. There’s a lot to reflect upon in approaching ten years this summer.

I don’t profess to be perfect, or a rock star, for that matter. I am eternally grateful whenever a reader chooses to pick up a book and invest in it. I’ve lots of notebooks, lots of stories; all waiting for me to attend to them.

Let’s see if these actually happen.

Books, writing

Have you seen the dragons?

Have you met the dragons of Birmingham?

A collection of stories that document what might happen if Birmingham played home to dragons. Everyday people find themselves trusted with eggs that help keep the skies of Birmingham safe. There are familiar landmarks, familiar settings that the winged creatures find being their home.

The dragons don’t just stay in this book. They also appear in other parts of my writing universe. If you take a look, you may find them in Chandni rises.

Dragon Realm was a really fun book to write. I was encouraged to write something different, and why not dragons? Why shouldn’t dragons also land in Birmingham. I see no reason why Birmingham should miss out on such fantasy.

The whole book universe is interconnected, so see if you spot all the links!

Books, writing

19th January Devan Coultrie Day

It feels like a life time since I released Retreating to Peace. The book was released on the 19th January 2018, which means we’re celebrating 7 years of Devan Raaj Coultrie.

For me this a big deal, a lot has happened since that release. Two more books followed, adventures to the US as well. Not to mention the writing, directing and release of a short indie film.

Writing Devan was a risk, and he brings with them adventure, courage and ambition. I think he’s contributed to my growth personally as a human, as a writer. I still have to make sure I count director as well. I worked with an amazing crew in writing him, then making the film. Lots of lessons were learned, there was a lot of development that might not have happened.

The 19th of January will always be special. I mean, Devan does have a birthday; some time in march. But this was the day his Universe was unleashed.

Keep an eye out next week. The Devan Coultrie Saga will be on offer on kindle.

#vivelehoochbaron

Uncategorized

Portals to whole new worlds

What are you currently reading? is it a world beyond?

Well, I’ve currently got three Counselling and Clinical Supervision books on the go, with three fiction ones as well. My vague plan is to dip in and out across them all. Three will be this years CPD, the others are a perfect antidote.

The one is a fictional supernatural Borough of New York. The second is a detective book; the third is about Catherine of Aragon. Definitely a variety. I like to read all sorts, so this does help. Staves of boredom and distraction and actually helps to keep a focus.

I don’t have TBR list, what I have is a stack that I plan to dip in and out of. There are lots of sensations, lots of must-reads, but what about just reading for the pleasure of reading? To be fair, I will read a book to see what the fuss is all about. However, that does tend to be when I want to and not because I’ve been directed and encouraged. I like reading, and I like to decide what I read with my own interests at heart.

Books

One more chapter…#bookworm

(Yes, that’s an AI generated image. Looks nothing like me…..)

A new year has arrived, and with that I am checking how stuffed my e-reader is. Late last year, I upgraded my e-reader. I’d had it for eleven years, and it has been well-loved. Last year’s reading was no meek affair. I read 177 books from fiction to non fiction.

I quite enjoying reading a diversity of genres and am happy with both fiction and non-fiction. Last year, having adventured to Hever Castle, I read quite about Anne Boleyn, Elizabeth I and the other five wives. In fact, I also ready about the sovereigns all the way up to Queen Victoria. There were also books about Catherine De Medici as well.This year, I have the books by Alison Weir; each of the six wives of Henry VIII has her own book.

What I have found useful is to have maybe 3 books on the go at the same time, to dip in and out. This prevents boredom, increases my engagement and really does help read more widely and diversely.

I’ve stuffed my kindle with all sorts, mainly series. I have ACOTR to finish. I spent a week holidaying, reading that. I have one book remaining. I’m going to reflect upon how I feel about this series. I often read a book to see what the deal is, why is there a fuss? The hypothesis is being tested.

There’s Outlander which is new to me, with lots of romantasy.

Romantasy is a very new to me Genre, and I’m wondering how I will read it, enjoy it and engage with it. There a few 1920’s themed murder mysteries and a blend of general fiction and Psychological thrillers to be read. I may have also stashed a bit of Poirot and Miss.Marple.

Books, writing

Fragments Universe; where it all began

The Fragments Universe is an ever-evolving, ever expanding universe. It is the stable, the home of so many characters and has led to a few spin-offs.

Gorbind Phalla and Koby Anand both started off in this book, and have gone on to have their own illustrious careers. Gorbind and his family have three books to their name. Kangana is the story of how Gorbind and Padmi meet, with their family then taking centre stage in the Beyond Kangana Series.

Koby has two books to his name. One with a romance tilt and the second is the upcoming Behind the Scenes novel.

Fragments was an interesting book to write. A difficult one, as it deals with the concerns about loss and bereavement. It was written as I experienced loss and bereavement, and was also in training to become a counsellor. Little did I know at the time as to how much that training would then impact upon my career now.

Whilst it’s a heavy book, there are moments of light as this book concludes. The characters have gone onto develop and find their own readership.

Blooms, writing

Chandni Rises: A review

It’s not easy being an Indie Author. The market is huge, there’s a lot of variety. A bit like Arabian Nights, there are 1001 stories that you can sample at any one point. Being an Indie Author, means not having the massive machine of a publisher behind.

As such, when a review comes through, I’m inclined to do a happy dance. A happy dance with a heart gladdened by someone taking a chance, a risk, on my work.

Reviews are very important as an Indie Author. These help to measure success, spread the word and acts as a bench mark to help readers choose their next read. They are however, very elusive to gain.

They have an immense power. To encourage and to crush. I think I have a full set of one to five stars. Not the best of accomplishments to celebrate, but I hope that even traditional, big-hitting authors have their share of these.

We live in a world where social media is huge and growing. I keep seeing the strap lines-tik tok made me buy this, the newest tik tok sensation. That’s a huge movement of bookworms, and book worms are important. The power of books, of writers and their stories shouldn’t be underestimated.

It’s a daft person who underestimates the power of social media. After all, I’m sat here writing this blog. I can be connected with via insta, twitter, FB as well, These are all forums and arenas for communication.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not spouting sour grapes at not being a tik tok sensation. That comes with its own baggage; social media can have both positive and negative impacts.

Being a tik tok sensation is in the same league as:

1.Being a cup winning therapist-I can but dream of the FA cup, and make my way up to Euro and world.

2.Winning an oscar or a bafta; I did write a movie, but these are proper pie in the sky ambitions.

3.Being No 1 author on any given list, never mind USA today. All the way from Brummie land.

Yeah, the chances are slim, aren’t they? But, I celebrate the review. Each and every one. That means someone read my book, thought about it and shared it.

Adventures, Books, writing

Writing and the music

No idea who the Kronos Quartet are, but they sound amazing.

Thing is, they’ve always been a part of my upbring. Especially when it comes to the old-school Bollywood Movies that my family enjoyed as I was growing up.

Whilst adventuring and writing, some of these songs were ear worms. Figured I could listen to them, sate The Muse and see what I ended up writing. Dum Maro Dum, is an iconic song. To me, it is more rock and roll, than it is Bollywood. To be fair, I’ve also been listening to Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours as well. The two do overlap a great deal and the Kronos Quartet certainly feel very rock and roll.

Not sure if I’ve shared before. But many of the books are written with their own play lists. I had a Devan one, but in a pique, having written Peace Betrayed, I pressed delete. I know, daft idea, but I’d thought I’d finished with him at that point. Nothing could have been further from the truth.

Anyway, yes, most books have their own playlist. Gorbind, Koby have one. There’s a Hades one, I think, as well as one for Chandni. I don’t always write with music on. I do like to work in silence. Yet there are instances where it’s okay to have a gentle soundtrack playing to help capture the mood, tone or ambience of the writing.

Writing the most recent Koby book, I had Mozart, with Lacrimosa as well as Zadok The Priest. Big, bold pieces of music that helped it all coalesce. With Chandni Rises and Chandni Chirag, there were four different versions of Carol of the bells.

As to whether anyone can hear these when they read, well, who knows?

Adventures, writing

Adventuring for inspiration

That was a very steep hill. I made it up there, very slowly so as to stretch my legs. After a three hour drive across 177 miles, stretching one’s legs was a bit useful.

I decided to go on a writing adventure to follow in the footsteps of one Agatha Christie. I thought it might help inspire, help kick start the writing process and bolster my confidence. Confidence in driving all that way; I’m still growing when it comes to long journeys and motorways. But also after a year where I’ve felt bruises in my work not getting very far, I could write with some joie de vivre.

Apparently, Agatha Christie spent two weeks at the Moorland and wrote her draft there. I can say that this did make the air a bit more romantic. If such a great Briton can go there, feel compelled to write, that why not test the hypothesis?

The walk up to Haytor Rocks was bracing, the breeze was a bit nippy and the moors were an ambient character in themselves. I can understand how Marple or Poirot might suddenly appear. I strongly recommend The Moorland Hotel. The staff were brilliant, and couldn’t do enough for me. As a solo traveler, I often feel anxious about such things. (Every now and again, I do get asked where my husband is. Well, if you’re looking for him, what hope do I have?) Was a lovely place, with lovely people. Rather enjoyed it.

I did write, and I did enjoy it. I’m committed to writing, to stretching my imagination. I travelled with about four different notebooks, to finally settle on what I wanted to write. I think I have a vague plan now as to what I might do this year.

Adventures, Books, creativity, indie author, writing

There has been writing

2024 was a busy year. I released three books, counselling and teaching was busy. There were also some soul-colouring adventures. (Apologies for not sharing, really was a rapid year).

And 2025 promises to be no different. This year, started with a combination of adventuring to write. Just after the new year’s celebration, I took myself off cross country to Dartmoor. Off to hotel where Agatha Christie no less, spent time writing her first novel. All right, it has burned down and been rebuilt since, but I assure you that the romance and energy was there.

I’ve only been on a day-long writing retreat. About a week before the Pandemic kicked off, and I found it an interesting experience. I’ve never gone off on a longer stint, beyond my desk, adventured to sit down and right.

Thinking of how successful such an experience it was Agatha Christie and feeling that this year will be big in marking ten years, I gave this a go. Travelled 177 miles south west-that was an experiment and challenge in itself. I then spent two and half days writing. I did actually write!

I’ve recently found a revived writing mojo. There is after all, a new book out on the 3rd of March. I wanted this to continue, to be more consistent. Writing this blog is another aspect of that. I’m hoping to make regular, more consistent contributions here to get things moving.

There has been opportunity to assess and evaluate the stack of stories that I would like to write. There are easily half a dozen notebooks that i feel I could tackle. Not all in one go, but work through. There is nothing quite like being sat down, writing and being inspired. I don’t think I experience writer’s block. I can make plan, have a vivid and impassioned response to decant the ideas. It is then carving out time to write and sew those ideas together. All being well, this will happen.