Brave...why not

Start the week as you mean to go on... push the boundaries and be brave.

Have a fabulous week. A new post will follow shortly.

Normal is SO overrated and boring...

Einstein once said (I think) ‘the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.’ Probably never a true word spoken in light of recent events. I don’t understand how our elected MPs and leaders do NOT grasp the fact that bombing the Middle East is INSANE especially when the perpetrators of the true horrific events in recent years have held US, British, French, Belgium passports. In the name of ‘freedom’ we justify making innocent men, women and children suffer because they just happen to be in the country where this despicable group of lowlifes have their base. ANY killing is WRONG!!  There is no justice for the displaced Syrians, the thousands of children who will have to face the horrors of what they have witnessed. I dread to think what sort of world will be left for our children, I really do.

It’s been a blooming busy week. Poor Lucas picked up another throat infection so received some much needed TLC. In between Mummy Nurse duties, I have been really focused on work and home life. I tried out a new routine this week and it appears to be working. Instead of taking a day out each week to clean and sort the house out, I’ve been cleaning one room a day. Honestly, just a small adjustment has saved me so much ‘guilt’ time (you know what I mean – the guilt you feel when you should be writing and you’re not AND the guilt you feel when you’re writing and the house is a total tip). It also gives me time to think each day and it is surprising how many ideas are formulated with the strong smell of bleach – must be the fumes!!

Streetwise

I finished the edit and have to say I have learnt so much in the art of script writing during this time. It is amazing how you can be ruthless and takes scenes out yet the story line becomes stronger. I’ve now started to plan the sequel and already have some really strong characters and stories. Never let the grass grow and all that…

I’m not afraid to self-analyse or admit when I get things wrong. I am even more comfortable with myself than I have ever been. I’m truly happy not to fit into the ‘norm’ and follow the crowd, just because that’s the popular thing to do. Being different is very exciting and as I have always said – ‘normal’ is overrated. I am still waiting for a definition of normal and I suspect one does not really exist.

Beyond the Past

I started working on the script (told you it’s been a busy one) for the screen adaptation. So many people have told me they see this as a movie or television drama. As I am not one to disappoint, I thought I would give it a go. Okay, so I always intended to do it anyway. I love a challenge, plus I need to read it back again to familiarise myself with the plot for when I start editing its sequel next week.

Have you had the chance to read it yet? Would you like to review it for me?

Read the first three chapters FREE on my website
Available from:
Pegasus Publishers
Amazon UK
Kindle
Amazon US
Or you can order from your local bookshop. The ISBN number is : 978-1-84386-789-0 

I don’t do ‘what ifs’ anymore. I only deal in ‘doing’. I keep hearing Yoda saying, ‘Do or do not, there is no try!’ I want this line to be introduced to the referee’s decisions on the big screens at rugby matches – how cool would it be. LOL.

Beyond the Lies

From my work on the edit of Streetwise, I now realise what edit this project needs. Sometimes taking a step back finds the best way forward. Suddenly editing is fun and has a whole new perspective! I know, I’m a geek!

The Nanny

Oh my word, I love Martha and John. Okay so granted, I created them but they are such strong characters, their strength drawn from their horrific childhood experiences.

This week I read a post on social media from a woman who has written her first novel but won’t do  anything with it because her so-called ‘friends’ ridiculed and belittled her and her dreams. Regular readers will understand why this resonated with me. All I want to say, as I said to this lady – when you’re reaping the rewards of success, they will still be bitching and moaning about someone else having the guts to follow their dreams and ambitions. I am SO right. Don’t let small minded, big mouthed people put you off. GO FOR IT, whatever IT may be. It takes a lot of courage, not arrogance, to believe in yourself in a world full of jealous, vindictive people. You can’t change how people are but you can change how you choose to deal (or not deal!) with them.

Out of everything I have faced and the all the challenges, the greatest challenge has been to bring my boys up to understand truth, justice, tolerance and equality. It’s been tough at time and the job is not finished but I am so proud of how independently minded they are. Let’s hope us parents can help to build generations of human beings that respect life regardless of nationality, gender, race or religion. HOPE being the key!!

Have a fabulous weekend – in the UK we are supposed to get our first covering of snow. I won’t hold my breath xx Take your chances and be brave.

Missing rugby league?

Available from:
Pegasus Publishers
Amazon UK
Kindle
Amazon US
Or you can order from your local bookshop. The ISBN number is : 978-1-84386-789-0

Let’s face it, I’m a bit of a nightmare…

      

It’s been hard writing the blog this week after watching the horrors unfold on Friday night in Paris. My heart-felt condolences to all those lives affected by atrocities all over the world.

I’m a living nightmare to the media, the establishment, brand marketers and to most people who don’t understand I do not want to fall into ‘conforming’ or living a stereo typical life. Whether people like me or not, is irrelevant. I don’t force my ideas onto people. Just like everyone else, I have an opinion. My opinion is based upon my life experiences, my education and what is in my heart. I don’t expect everyone, or anyone if I’m honest, to agree with me but I do expect you to RESPECT ME. Disagree and debate but do it respectfully – democracy!

We say we live in a democratic society but do we? Really? We have all witnessed the media destroy innocent people and their lives through publishing LIES! Yes, lies. Not misplaced stories, slants or opinion – LIES! And who has brought them to justice? DEMOCRATICALLY elected governments have committed offences, broken international and national laws and yet they have not been made accountable or brought to justice.

I was taught that to live in a democracy means truth and justice prevail. I don’t see any of that! It is NOT okay to KILL! FULL STOP! Anyone. No religion, no culture or no government should accept that killing is justifiable. The world is more unsafe now than it has ever been. In that respect, our world leaders have failed miserably. We need a new way of thinking. A new approach.

I’m ashamed to be part of a world where children have little or no significance at all. What sort of future are we building? A bloody terrifying one. We have children in poverty, children being murdered, abused and killed and children being turned into killers. I really fear for the future of the world. I send my heart-felt sympathy to everyone caught up in terrorism, conflict and violence. I pray for someone in power to be brave enough to end the cycle of killing and bring peace to humanity. WAR IS NOT THE ANSWER.

STREETWISE

Well, I got feedback from the production company. The envelope came and I hesitated opening it – expecting a categoric ‘NO’. Actually, that is not what came at all. The letter was so positive and constructive, it has spurred me on to, not only edit Streetwise but continue to write The Nanny.

If I’m honest, had it been an emphatic ‘no’ I think I would have put the pad and pen away for now. Guiding through a new career alone is like plaiting fog! It is the first time I have received constructive feedback from the experts. I really think the publishing industry, in particular, needs to be more open and transparent with new authors, rather than being secretive and aloof.

Anyway, I got the letter on Thursday and today, Sunday I have managed to edit the script down from 303 pages to 147, without losing any integrity or continuity. It has been a fabulous lesson in the art of screenwriting. A couple more read throughs and we will be ready to re-submit the work.

 Beyond the Past

Have you had the chance to read it yet? Would you like to review it for me?

Read the first three chapters FREE on my website
Available from:
Pegasus Publishers
Amazon UK
Kindle
Amazon US
Or you can order from your local bookshop. The ISBN number is : 978-1-84386-789-0

This week, Lucas had to choose a childhood hero to dress as, for Children in Need. He is huge fan of Star Wars, James Bond, Marvel Comics and WWE fan - he had plenty to choose from. 

Do you know who he chose?  Yes - he chose his big brother!! It's moments like this when you realise you are doing something right!



I am thankful for my life. However hard it may seem, it is MY life and I have two amazing children who I know will grow up to be compassionate, understanding and well-grounded young men.

I’m keeping it short this week – don’t be so happy about that! If there is anything I would ask people to consider in the world it is this … please think about the source of information you are reading before making any judgement. Think about how life will be if we continue to kill each other. Let’s all take responsibility to bring peace and tolerance back to humanity – for the sake of the children.