Waiting for Awen

No words.

My head was always so ful of ideas- and isn’t now.

There are too many people around for me to live in my imaginary world.  That is a certain factor towards my lack of words on paper.

The loss of ideas and the lack of fictional scenes in my head is really upsetting.

I’ve tried but I am struggling to become a character, so if I’m living outside of the characters looking down on them I can’t write from their heart. Sometimes I’m seeing them as if it’s like hearing about them from a third party, then I can’t even get into their heads. A bit like listening to someone on the train telling a story to their friend about people you don’t know!

If I get to that point then any writing I do is flat. It’s boring. I don’t want to read it. If I don’t want to read it then no-one else will.

I’ve had imaginary people lodging in my head since I could talk- or even before? I have a memory of being in my cot and little people dressed in green peering over the sides and talking to me. As an only child I was never alone when my imaginary? friends joined in my adventures. All this was a regular thing probably right up in until I discovered I could escape into imaginary worlds by reading. This developed my love affair with books and reading.

When I was on my own in the house, writing, I wasn’t on my own. I was each of the characters in the book. I felt every emotion. I saw what they saw. I thought what they thought.

Circumstances have erased the ability to do all of those things.

When I’m alone for an hour driving I can relax and start to plot in my head. But it dissolves once I get home.

Responsibility? Listening to other people’s problems? Being crowded?  My mental state? My view of how others see me? 🤷‍♀️maybe my lack of personal space and loss of some of my identity along with regular flares of Fibromyalgia has knocked my confidence and made me look on the negative side whilst searching for something to blame? 🤷‍♀️

I don’t know.

I lost a good friend this month. We’d never met but had regular chats and I was due to meet her in Lisbon in a few weeks. My last words to her were ‘sending love and hugs. I will give you a real hug when we meet up.’ It should have been her birthday today. Instead of sending her birthday wishes I shall take a ride to Fairy Glen and scatter some petals in the woods in her memory.

She was a brilliant writer, a wonderful support and all round lovely person. She will be missed by so many.

It has made me think a lot more about my situation… and my future writing. I have started channelling some of her advice on to a time table of 15 minutes a day. Taking responsibility for the life of my novels after they’re finished seems to be the way to go.

Now all I have to do is find my muse and stir up the imagination.

I picked up this book when I was at the airport. At first I was attracted to the cover but the blurb drew me in.

I have thought about writing for teens aged from 12-18 years and the best way to see what they expect from a novel, is to read the teen novels.

It is aimed at the younger end of the teen market. The main character is thirteen years old. I imagine the readers most likely to pick this book up would be the eleven to twelve year olds.

I wanted a light read for my holiday so I chose this book rather than an adult one.

I was worried that it might be too childish for me, but I loved it. Great mystery with clues and info about the military, so not a childish read at all. I engaged with the characters and learnt a lot about writing for the young teen market from the author.

I give it 5 *

Biography
Lauren St John grew up surrounded by horses, cats, dogs, horses and a pet giraffe on a farm and game reserve in Zimbabwe, the inspiration for her bestselling White Giraffe and One Dollar Horse series. At 17, she spent a year in the UK working as a veterinary nurse before becoming a sports and music journalist. Dead Man’s Cove, the first in her Laura Marlin Mystery series, won the Blue Peter Book of the Year Award. The Glory, her YA novel about a long-distance horse race across the American West, has been optioned for film. Her latest books are The Snow Angel, set in Kenya and Scotland, and Kat Wolfe Investigates, the first in a new mystery series about a pet-sitter who lives in idyllic Bluebell Bay on the Jurassic Coast.

A passionate conservationist, Lauren is an Ambassador for the Born Free Foundation and the founder of Authors4Oceans. When not rescuing leopards and dolphins, she is a full-time valet to her rescued, and not in the least demanding, Bengal cat, Max.

Continuing my chat with Val Penny, author of the successful Edinburgh crime novel Hunter’s Chase. I asked her about the inspiration behind her writing.

Reasons to write a crime novel

Thank you so much for inviting me to your blog today, Awen.

I write crime novels, largely because that is the genre I like to read. I enjoy puzzles, mysteries, crosswords and crime novels. I like to try to work out ‘who done it’ before the author tells me: and I am not alone!

Lots of people like crime, at least in novels! Often, I meet dentists and bank managers with clever plot ideas, or nurses who read every crime novel they can lay their hands on. If I visit a writing group, there are always members keenly producing new murderous plots. Lawyers and convicts show equal enthusiasm for this genre. For those who want to write a crime novel, there are several reasons to want to do so. Here are a few of them.

Emotional Release

Often, those who write crime novels find an emotional release in their craft. Crime novelists deal with the dark things that people usually push to the side of their minds in order to get on with every day life. The cathartic attraction of writing can be decisive.

Some crime authors tell of poor sleep patterns, punctured by night-mares that are repaired when they start to write. Others, panic, constantly scanning doorways for signs of danger. The stiffening fear that afflicts them resolves when they are busy writing crime.

The Story-Telling Urge

The sources for crime novels are many and varied. Ideas can spring from the news and current affairs; memories from the past and historical events or things that puzzle or fascinate the writer. Once an author begins to exercise their creative muscles, they often find that they run into stories demanding to be told. The stories demand to be told and will not stop coming.

For Companionship

It is often said that writers can be difficult people: gloomy, competitive and quarrelsome. However, for the most part, I have found crime writers to be an inclusive and convivial bunch. They are certainly hard-working. The pressure of producing a book a year is intense, yet they never seem to turn their backs on fun. If you have a chance to go to a crime-writers’ convention, do take it. They are exhausting, exhilarating and irresistible.

An Outlet for Aggression

Most crime-writers will tell you that they are good company because they channel all their belligerent thoughts into their stories, so in real life, the authors are meek and mild. It is not always true, but I can confirm the a crime novel is an excellent place to park your rage! The prospect of giving vent to righteous anger in a safe form can be a particularly pleasing device. When characters require to act in a violent way or commit violence the reader is willing to witness this on the page but they would shy from it in real life. Crime writers can let rip on the page in a way they avoid doing in the real world.

The Thrill of Research

I can personally confirm that the research you do for crime novels and for academic purposes are equally satisfying. It is also extremely diverse. It may involve visiting prisons, refuges, police stations or drug dens. Police are often very willing to be of assistance to crime writers, even if it is just to avoid being irritated when otherwise the writers would get police procedures wrong. This information is most useful and helpful. Indeed, when you are writing a novel, no information or experience is wasted!

Thank you Val for talking with me today.

Hunter’s Chase is available on Amazon in both Kindle and paperback format.

myBook.to/HuntersChase

Praise for Hunter’s Chase:- 

Hunter’s Chase was a fantastic crime thriller.
What I loved most was the subtle sarcastic humour and banter between characters, you don’t normally get in a Crime Thriller.

It was thoroughly entertaining and all the way through it kept up the momentum and Fast pace.
There is murders, secret liaisons, theft, crime, family secrets, drugs, a clear divide between those who are privileged and those who are not, excellent detective & crime investigations.

Coming soon the second novel in the Edinburgh Crime Mysteries. Hunter’s Revenge

available on pre order now.

myBook.to/HuntersRevenge

http://www.authorvalpenny.com
http://www.facebook.com/valerie.penny.739
http://www.facebook.com/groups/296295777444303

Val Penny is the author of the succesful crime novel Hunter’s Chase published by Crooked Cat Books in February of this year.

The second of her Edinburgh Crime Mysteries Hunter’s Revenge is out on the 9th September 2018

Like me, Val began writing her first novel when she was being treated for breast cancer. Having always enjoyed reading crime fiction she began to think that, as she had the time, she’d try her hand at writing a crime fiction novel. The result was Hunter’s Chase.

I asked Val what inspired her to write Hunter’s Chase.

The original idea came from a former employee of mine.  When she came to work for me it was a rather different type of office to the one she had previously worked in. It was in a rather elegant part of Edinburgh city centre. The comment my employee made was “It is lovely not to work in a place where you smell the clients before you see them!” It was this comment that gave me the idea that formed the basis of the Johnson family in Hunter’s Chase. My novel evolved from that central family and their story.

HUNTER’S CHASE

Hunter by name – Hunter by nature: DI Hunter Wilson will not rest until Edinburgh is safe.

Detective Inspector Hunter Wilson knows there is a new supply of cocaine flooding his city, and he needs to find the source, but his attention is transferred to murder when a corpse is discovered in the grounds of a golf course.

Shortly after the post-mortem, Hunter witnesses a second murder, but that is not the end of the slaughter. With a young woman’s life also hanging in the balance, the last thing Hunter needs is a new man on his team: Detective Constable Tim Myerscough, the son of his nemesis, the former Chief Constable Sir Peter Myerscough.

Hunter’s perseverance and patience are put to the test time after time in this first novel in The Edinburgh Crime Mysteries series.

Praise for Hunter’s Chase;

*What a fantastic debut – cleverly constructed with plausible characters and brilliant twists and turns. Some sad and shocking moments but plenty of warmth and humour too.

*Brilliant plot based on an intriguing concept. Vivid, believable characters. A real page turner! Cracking read!

*What I loved most was the subtle sarcastic humour and banter between characters, you don’t normally get in a Crime Thriller.

*Val Penny cleverly weaved the stories together.
It was action packed, with plenty of police procedurals, (the post mortem was an educational experience).

*This is a well paced thriller with interesting characters and plot with twists and turns.

COMING SOON…

HUNTER’S REVENGE

Hunter by name – Hunter by nature: DI Hunter Wilson will not rest until his friend’s death is avenged.

DI Hunter Wilson is called to the scene of a murder. He is shocked to find the victim is his friend and colleague, George Reinbold.

Who would want to harm the quiet, old man? Why was a book worth £23,000 delivered to him that morning? Why is the security in George’s home so intense?

Hunter must investigate his friend’s past as well as the present to identify George’s killer.

When a new supply of cocaine from Peru floods HMP Edinburgh and the city, the courier leads Hunter to a criminal gang, but Hunter requires the help of his nemesis, the former Chief Constable, Sir Peter Myerscough, and local gangster, Ian Thomson, to make his case.

Hunter’s perseverance and patience are put to the test time after time in this taut crime thriller.

BIOGRAPHY

Val Penny is an American author living in SW Scotland. She has two adult daughters of whom she is justly proud and lives with her husband and two cats. She has a Law degree from Edinburgh University and her MSc from Napier University. She has had many jobs including hairdresser, waitress, lawyer, banker, azalea farmer and lecturer. However she has not yet achieved either of her childhood dreams of being a ballet dancer or owning a candy store. Until those dreams come true, she has turned her hand to writing poetry, short stories and novels.

Contact details:

http://www.authorvalpenny.com
http://www.facebook.com/valerie.penny.739
http://www.facebook.com/groups/296295777444303

The novel ‘Kindred Spirits, Westminster Abbey‘ by Jennifer C Wilson will be launched on 8th June 2018

It is the third in the Kindred Spirit series; the first two being ‘Kindred Spirits: Royal Mile (What is Mary Queen of Scots up to and who is haunting Edinburgh Castle or Holyrood Palace.) and ‘Kindred Spirits: Tower of London‘ (In the Tower of London the dead outnumber the living. Richard lll  is back from his death at Bosworth Field and takes control looking for his nephews.)

If you haven’t read them then KINDRED SPIRITS; ROYAL MILE is FREE UNTIL JUNE 8TH ON AMAZON.CO.UK

In Kindred Spirits: Westminster Abbey, Jennifer turns her attention to the Queens; Mary Queen of Scots, Queen Mary 1 and Queen Elizabeth 1. Will they ever find their common ground and lasting peace. Set within the ancient walls of Westminster Abbey, with its three thousand burials and memorials, including seventeen monarchs, things are going to be chaotic for the ghostly community.

Jennifer

Thank you Sharon.

Getting to Know: Awen Thornber

Set in a combination of Formby and Freshfield, and based on my love of dancing and crime novels…

…On 6th December my debut novel, Foxtrot in Freshby, was released. It entered the top 1000 on Amazon which was a lovely surprise.

I will pop back later with all my news. At the moment we are in the middle of moving house, so packing calls!

Back soon 🙂

x

My novel Foxtrot In Freshby is now on pre-order on Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com

Published by Crooked Cat, it will be released  2nd November 2017, which will be a double celebration with my parents as it is the day of their Diamond Wedding Anniversary.

It is set in Freshby, which is a combination of Formby and Freshfield near Southport, Merseyside.

Foxtrot in Freshby

When dance teacher Gina Pendleton throws her cheating boyfriend out of her house, she must find a way of earning extra money to pay the bills. The obvious answer is to offer dance classes at her home, even though she knows this will incur the wrath of the owner of the local well-established dance school.

Her life becomes even more fraught when she is targeted by vandals and intruders.

After she meets Chris Jackson, it doesn’t take her long to realise that he is the man of her dreams, especially as he’s also a wonderful dancing partner.

But can she really trust him when it appears that he is hiding something from her?

NB. The pre release date has been put back and is no longer 2nd November (My parents Diamond Wedding day) The novel is therefore not on Amazon at the moment.

In the meantime I am working on the sequel to Foxtrot. “Cha Cha in Churchdale”.  The heroine of this novel is the owner of the local well established dance school from Freshby.

Inspiration

Daily Prompts for writing.

Week 1

If the wine cooler could talk, what would it say?

2. You’re on a team building camp with nine strangers. Describe the oddest camper.

3. You open the door to find someone has left a bloodied knife on your doorstep… finish
the story.

4. You come home unexpectedly and find the cleaning lady…

5. Write a story with the last line; He clipped the lead on the dog and led him out,
slamming the door behind him.

6. A parcel is delivered to your door by a courier. You pick it up and something moves
inside…

7. You find a sock in the fridge – write a poem.

8. Similar to number 7 but write a sonnet about socks.

My posts on this blog have been noticebly absent, and if you are a follower of mine then I apologise.

I set up a new blog and website because of the impending publication of my first novel, Foxtot In Freshby, but for reasons that are far too technical for me to understand they refused to acknowledge me as the owner! When i search google for them, it appears they have been swallowed up into a huge cyber hole. Nowhere to be seen.

Frustrated by my lack of authority over my own creations I am returning to my original blog.

I will be changing the style slightly, but shall continue to make notes of my ponderings, inspirations and still let my imagination run free.

I will be getting back into writing my second RNA NWS novel, Mondays in Gallery 8, before my time runs out. It has to be submitted before the end of August. Trouble is, I’ve lost the thread. So today I shall be rolling up my sleeves and diving into the word pool.

Did I mention that last years NWS novel, Foxtrot In Freshby, will be published by Crooked Cat books in the Autumn. Exciting, eh? It is a romance with intrigue story of Gina and Chris, centering on their romance. Thrown into the mix is Gina’s ex boyfriend and her ex best friend, Tony and Lucy, the rival dance school owner, Gina’s students and some vandals. The full cast of Foxtort in Freshby is on my pinterest album. I always use Pinterest to find the characters and ideas and use it as a story board. I am inspired by all sorts of articles, photos from mags and films. (A particular favourite was an article in a newspaper which prompted my inspiration for the rival dance school owner. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/ tvshowbiz/article-4328410/Vanessa-Redgrave-dances-husband-Italian-Strictly.html )

I love Strictly and hope Strictly fans might like my novel when it is released.

I am also on Instagram as awenthornber sharing my #Inspiration with anyone who cares to look.  If you are inspired by my posts I would love to see the results of the inspiration. You can share them in my comments.

NB. A post script to this blog post is that the name of the rival dance school owner was changed to Paula after edits and pre release.