Back to Work

It's a glorious sunny day here in Wick. I've walked the dog and done the social-distancing shopping.

Time to share my week's writing...

This week I've been scribing short stories. With this lock-down I'm finding it difficult to focus on anything long enough to to work on a novel. So short story and poetry competitions, here we come!

I'm still persevering with my New Year resolution, with a short story for this, and a short story for this! I've also written a poem for this, although I don't expect to be getting anywhere with that because my poetry takes flowery to a whole new level!

The only problem with short stories is that I feel I let go of my characters too soon! I put a great deal of investment into my characters - I'm one of those writers who feels like their characters are their friends - and I hate leaving them after a measly few thousand words. So my comeback? Draw them! I'm not sure that counts as writing, but it's certainly taken time!

Next Wednesday, you can find me on Twitter Live as part of the Our Own Write Book Fair. It's 8pm BST, so check your own time zone and join in!

Find me here: www.stompermcewan.com
www.twitter.com/DaysDyingGlory - follow me there!

Writing Tips in Tumultuous Times

Trying to settle into writing has been slightly - ok, not so slightly! - awkward this week. But only from the point of view of new writing. I've had a super busy week in the realm of author and part-time artist! Here's some of what's kept me busy...

I took part in the Writing Community Chat Show's #WritingCommunityBedtimeStory challenge. So now you can, if so inclined, listen to me reading Chapter One of Caledon. Authors, if you haven't already done this, please give it a go. It's great for readers to hear a story in its conceptual voice.

I've also signed up for Our Own Write, a virtual book fair which takes place on 22nd and 23rd April. I'm on at 8pm BST, followed by Judith and then Clemency.

And, since I've mentioned Clemency, she's offering everyone - readers, bloggers, reviewers - a chance to join in with her next book. You can find more about it here! So I did her a little picture (above) to celebrate.

Finally, I'm still on with my New Year resolution. If everything goes according to plan, these are the four competitions/submissions which I'll enter in April. Why don't you have a look and see if there's one you'd like to enter?
The Trench Coat Chronicles
Didcot Writers
Parsec
87 Bedford Anthology

Remember - writing is not just about new writing. Take time to re-read and edit your earlier writings.


Find me here: www.stompermcewan.com
www.twitter.com/DaysDyingGlory - follow me there!

Hello Indie April

A quick look through my writer's diary reveals that this week's biggest advancement has been March into April. Writing-wise, this has also presented a big change in direction.

The Clan of Caledon - in avatar form!

Two reasons.

1. One - welcome to #IndieApril, the month of the year where we, as independent authors and independent publishers, become the stars. This doesn't necessarily mean we become famous, in fact this week's biggest achievement has been helping other indie authors along the way. Writing is really NOT a competitive business. If we support one-another, we're all winners!
2. Two - Camp NaNoWriMo! Day three, and already I'm really failing on this! But I'm going to try and persevere through this crazy time. In Possession of Words, my horror novel, is currently weighing in at 13,887 words, the majority of which are still little more than notes. I have to come clean and admit that only 1,760 of those were written during Camp NaNoWriMo. If any of you are part of this, please hunt me out and add me as a Buddy - I'm here: https://nanowrimo.org/participants/stomper-mcewan

But April's arrival also means that I'm a quarter of the way through the year, and my literary New Year's Resolution is still in tact! Nothing's come of it so far, but I'm hopeful! How are your 2020 writing goals shaping up?

Finally, week three of my review tour occurred yesterday with a couple of reviews. Interestingly, this week's reviews were both impressed with the history and landscape in the book. It's always great to have feedback like:

I found this book immersive. The world felt real and like I could walk right into it.

and my favourite of this week:

One of the best features of this book is the significant amount of accurate, intriguing Scottish Highlands time-period detail that the author weaved into this book.  It is [...] well-versed in the culture and customs that she was able to provide such cohesive knowledge and references in her writing.

There's only one more review left on my tour, but if your appetite has been whetted, you can find Caledon FREE here. Whatever you thought, please leave a review and I'll be eternally grateful!

Find me here: www.stompermcewan.com
www.twitter.com/DaysDyingGlory - follow me there!

Summery Sunshine through the Window!

Spring has well and truly sprung!

This week, an entire year has passed me by. I've been revisiting a manuscript I completed last year, entitled The Year We Lived, which - you've guessed it! - spans a whole year. It's set in 1174, and follows a conflict between a Saxon family and a Norman family. It's got a massive twist at the end (more like a contortion) which I'm quite proud of!

It has also been Week Two of my Caledon review tour. Two more great reviews!

The first, from The Avid Reader, gave the book four stars and had this to say of it:

Caledon is filled with fighting, betrayals, magic, truths, lies, suspense, action, heart ache and twists and turns that keep the pages turning.

The second came from Hurn Publications, who gave the book five stars (wahey!), and concluded by saying:

Get ready for quite the journey. You’re going to love this read!

[Star ratings are not from blog sites, but can be found on the Caledon Good Reads page]

I'm off now to enjoy the sunshine - thank goodness for gardens in these crazy times!

Keep smiling and stay safe.

Find me here: www.stompermcewan.com
www.twitter.com/DaysDyingGlory - follow me there!

Not *Exactly* the Week I'd Expected

So, social distancing started this week.

I've spent the last couple of weeks looking at authors' posts about how they would use self-isolation to write. Has anyone else found that the muse flees as time becomes more available? Still, I've managed to get a few bits and bobs done this week. Here's what I've been up to...

I wrote a poem I was actually pretty pleased with! All my poetry (or almost all of it) is strictly metrical, so there was only one place this poem was heading: The Frost Farm Prize. In this, I've been spectacularly organised because it doesn't even close until 30th March!

I've kept chipping away at my horror writing attempt, but this did escalate into a discussion about what the major genres of fiction are. We came up with the following:

• Children's Fiction - Picture Book
• Children's Fiction - Middle Grade
• Children's Fiction - Young Adult
• Horror
• Thriller/Crime/Mystery
• Romance
• Literary Fiction
• Fantasy
• Historical
• Science Fiction

Are there any others you would add to the list?

But, by far the most exciting thing which happened this week, was the commencement of my blog tour. The first blogger (https://mythicalbooks.blogspot.com/2020/03/review-caledon-by-virginia-crow.html) left a fantastic review! This led to much relief and giddiness yesterday!

Enjoy! But be aware: if you are not already, you could become fascinated by Scottish history and myths. ~Mythical Books

Caledon is part of the Smashwords "Authors Give Back" sale, so you can (for a limited time) read it for free here!

So, in terms of words written, this week has been lean. However, a word of praise is worth 10,000 words of drafting.

Find me here: www.stompermcewan.com
www.twitter.com/DaysDyingGlory - follow me there!

Hello Again - 2020 Writing Challenges

Someone pointed out to me that a blog was a good way of sharing ideas and thoughts on writing. Since there are very few activities I love as much as writing, I decided to give it a go, and share some of my 2020 antics with you, one writer to another, this author to her readers.

2020 is a new decade and so I've set myself a new writing challenge or two. My New Year resolution was to enter one writing competition/award each week and, so far, I've managed to stick to it. I'm 12 entries in, and scribbling eagerly at number 13!

Although that resolution has constantly pressing deadlines, by far the harder goal I've set myself is to write a book in each major genre.  Until now, all my books have had an historical backdrop, but this year will see the release of my first contemporary novel, a thriller with the working title Among These Dark Satanic Mills. This has been a while in the making but, when my publishing team suggested it was good enough to put "out there", I decided I wanted to know if I could write in other genres.

At the moment I'm writing a horror novel, trying to balance the right amount of cliche with a fresh plot and my own style of telling the story. I'm not sure horror is the genre I'm best cut out for, but we'll see how the end product looks!

In a way, I have NaNoWriMo to thank for this new challenge. Stories I have stored up in my head for months and years formed the basis for my first November writing month last year. Going back to these plot lines, scrawled in the tiny notebook I keep by my pillow, has given me a new drive to get them written. So far, it's still at the enjoyable stage!

Find me here: www.stompermcewan.com
www.twitter.com/DaysDyingGlory - follow me there!

With Love - The Enduring Legacy of Book Inscriptions

This week on Twitter (@stompermcewan) I've been sharing some inscriptions from books in our library. It was suggested to me that I list some of these treasured memories here in blog format, so that it would reach a wider audience, so that's what I'm doing!

An inscription immortalises the recipient and the giver. But more than that, it preserves forever the heartfelt love and appreciation embodied in the giving of a book. That's why I finished the week with the following tweet:

Enjoy these bite-size histories which have created heroes of normal people as they shared there love of reading and books with someone else. We have bibles, adventures, poem, biographies and so many more. You can find all of these - and more - on my Twitter page.

So many of the books in our little library were gifts from Sunday Schools
- this one given to Dad when he was 7.

Children's books were a thing to treasure and, according to Granddad, also doubled up as sketchbooks!

From a gentleman with a story or two to tell - a trained exorcist.

19th century collection of Burns' poetry gifted 1905.
This is a book we acquired so I don't know who Esther was.

A Bible given to my Great-Granddad on going to war
- pleased to say he did have a safe return. 

Given to Mum from her Godparents.

A dedication from Jeffrey Meyers to Susan Watson in his Robert Frost Biography.
Not sure who she was.

Another Biography, this time of Richard Dimbleby

One of several books given to Granddad from his Sunday School.

No idea who Nellie was, but the handwriting in this is incredible.

From a stamp album - the date is 1894.
Why was the word "Day" underlined and capitalised?

I don't know Evelyn but like to imagine this is from a
secret admirer which is why there are only initials.

An unsteady hand with a lot of love.
This one is from a copy of Tom Brown's School Days.

I've been surprised by how many people abbreviated Christmas to Xmas.

Amazing handwriting with a message which speaks for itself.
Featured in here: http://childoftheisle.blogspot.co.uk/

A tale of knights and chivalry - a perfect gift for a 21st birthday!
"The Dove in the Eagle's Nest"

From a time when a book was a treasured prize. How do I know?
Because it's survived since 1887!

This is from a biography of King George the Sixth.
A time-capsule.

I don't know who Charlotte Harrison or Miss Mary Smith were,
but I love the handwriting in this Book of Psalms.

This was given to Dad when we relocated to Orkney.

Intrigued as to whether Claude R Barber was related to Joan Margaret Pearson.
Maybe the book stayed in the house.

A fragile connection to my Grandfather (Maurice) who I never knew
and, in turn, my great-grandparents.

Beyond Frank I can't identify the names in this prayer book.
Interesting that the recipient's name comes second.

A shared Adventure story! Never seen the name Arnalyn before and
I can't track them down despite the unusual name.

A copy of The Ingoldsby Legends sent to Angelo on his 28th Birthday from his mother.
Beautiful!

We thought this Bible had no connection to us until we began
researching our family tree that we found a link.

Thoughtful gift of "Little Cat Lost" A book may have a thousand words,
but an inscription speaks a million more.

Two poetry books inscribed by the poet.
Not sure the significance of the pictures but they'll remain in the book.

We got this with a bundle of 19th Century Royal Navy items.
Many items were parted with, but we kept this book.

I can't expand on this inscription but love its sentiment entirely.

This is from a pocket bible given to my Great-Grandma from
my Granddad (George). He was 14 in 1941.

Two and a half years makes such a difference to this handwriting!
I don't know Elaine, but think I taught her father piano.

Sharing a corner of our world with someone who's shared their own,
creates a global community. Nothing teaches us more.

And finally, one of my favourite inscriptions.
Alex was 1 at the time, Mum wrote the inscription.

If you've got any inscriptions in your libraries, please share them. They are such beautiful sentiments and they're also treasure troves for genealogists.

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