Sunday 31 March 2019

Only You




You felt my first kick
You brought me into this world
You fed me when I was hungry
You taught me right from wrong
You gave me unconditional love
You hugged me when I cried
You lifted my spirits when I was down
You showed me the way when I was lost
You nursed me when I was sick
You were my number one supporter in all that I did
You got a kick out of me being happy
You are the best
You are my mother




Monday 25 March 2019

Nadja Losbohm's, Interview series 22, Featuring Me


        I was recently interviewed by the wonderful, German author, Nadja Losbohm. The interview was posted on Facebook and not all would get to read it. So, Nadja kindly said I could share her post  here. Thanking Nadja for this opportunity to be part of her Interview series 22. For Nadja's books pop over to Amazon  https://www.amazon.co.uk/Nadja-Losbohm/e/B009SIDWIW



Interview series 22 by Nadja Losbohm

"An achievement in itself"

    Another Monday, another interview. Wootwoot. Today, I'd like to introduce to you British author Christina Rowell, who I got to know via Twitter, where we follow each other since a couple of years now. Christina started to write at a very young age and made handwritten copies to give to family members. In her stories you can meet angels and demons and lots of other fantastical creatures, but there's also a touch of humour to her tales. Hm, sounds like her books and my dear Huntress series would get along with each other very well. Anyway, it's time for Christina to tell us more about her wonderful writing and herself.

Christina‘s website: devilslayingamongstotherthings.blogspot.com

1. Please introduce yourself in 3-5 sentences.

I'm Christina Rowell, author of fantasy for young adults and poetry for all ages.

2. What is the title of your current book? In which genre does it play and what is the story about?

I have three books published to date. Two in the Salvation series, fantasy for young adults and a small collection of poetry.

Salvation No Kissing Required was first published in 2013 and Salvation Hyperlink to Lost Souls in 2015 by indie publisher Featherweight Press. As my contract has now expired with the publisher, the rights of the books have now reverted to myself I am in the process of self-publishing both books. However, Salvation No Kissing Required is available in paperback at present via Amazon. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Salvation-Kissing-Required-Christina-Rowell/dp/1608208567/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1553516501&sr=8-1&keywords=salvation+no+kissing+required


The series follows seventeen year-old Dan Pierce, a spirit fighting for his place in Heaven, into a fantastical world where evil forces are causing chaos and heartache amongst the human race.

Evil tries to seduce him in many ways and Dan finds himself fighting with human emotions as well as demons in all shapes and forms.

3. How did you get into writing?

Since an early age I loved to write stories. Making multiple handwritten copies of them to share amongst my aunts and uncles to read.

4. What can you learn about writing and what can you not learn?

You can't learn what to write about, but the craft of writing is an ongoing learning experience.

5. What is your favourite task in the writing process and what do you not like about it (like writing blurbs for example)?

My favourite task is developing the characters.

6. Is there something that drives you crazy regarding the writing/ publishing process?

Editing isn't something I particularly don't like doing, but it is a necessity in the whole process.

7. Where do you get the ideas for your books?

Every day life. There isn't any mythical creatures roaming our world, however there is bullying, grooming and Internet dangers facing our youth and my books do feature this.



8. Which of your written books is your own favourite?

I don't have a favourite because each publication is special to me. It would be like asking a mother to say she has a favourite child.

9. Who reads your manuscripts first?

My partner.

10. How long do you revise your manuscript before you say, "Now I can share it with others?"

Months. Probably too long, because my confidence can waiver slightly.

11. In which genre would you like to write but haven't dared yet? And in which genre would you never write?

I would like to write erotica but haven't as yet. But, never say never. I would never write nonfiction.


12. Are there writers you admire?

Carlos Ruiz Zafon is my favourite author. His words take me straight into his world.


13. What is a successful author in your opinion?

How do you measure success? But, all authors should think of being a success because writing something for others to read is a great achievement in itself.

14. Regarding your books: Would you do it all over again in the same way? What would you change, if you could?

I wouldn't change anything. I love the books I've written, even the unpublished ones.

15. What do you say about the competition among authors, especially about the fact that some authors deliberately give bad ratings to others to spite them? Have you ever experienced something like this yourself?

I haven't had any bad experiences. I've met lots of lovely people in my writing journey. In my opinion negatively is a waste of energy.

16. What was the worst, most annoying, least beautiful thing that has happened to you as an author and what was the most beautiful thing?

The worst thing that has happened to me is my computer crashing just as I was doing final edits. The most beautiful thing was being published for the first time.

17. How do you motivate yourself when things don't go the way you want them to?

I have a real stubborn streak and that motivates me to achieve my goals.

18. Why do you think some authors make it in the book industry and others don't? Do you have any advice?

If I knew I would bottle the secret and sell it. However, I don't have the recipe for this potion and my only advice is do your best. Never give up.

19. Many authors are reserved and shy, especially when it comes to readings and book fair appearances. You got any advice for them?

Remember we're all human and each and every one of us has fears and anxieties.

20. Which authors and books do you think deserve more attention?

All authors deserve equal attention, writing anything takes time and lots of love.

21. Which books do you like to read yourself? Which ones would you never read?

Fantasy and murder mystery. I cannot say there was a book in any genre that I just wouldn't even try to read.

22. What are you dreaming of as a writer? Is there a wish you would share with us?

I don't have any particular dream. The only dream I ever had was to be published and I've achieved that.


 https://www.amazon.co.uk/Deep-Christina-Rowell-ebook/dp/B01MA4YTUS



Monday 18 March 2019

Uniqueness

 

    Over the last couple of months, I've read lots of short stories of various genres and watched a mega load of movies. When I'm not at my best I find that my mind is all over the place and sitting down for hours to write is not possible. Even if I have an organized workplace and the correct tools to hand, I can only concentrate and focus for an hour at a time, tops. Therefore, to occupy my mind, I have taken the opportunity to emerge myself in other peoples work.

    I didn't realise since I'm not a regular movie goer, or TV viewer, that there were so many movies alike. Duh. Yes, I can hear you ask where have you been? But, it's not until I've watched so many, one after the other, that it has become obvious as to how similar all stories actually are.

     "So, if it's already written, been dramatised, why should we read another fiction piece, go to the movies and theatre or watch TV?" I asked myself. The thing is, each of these creations has a uniqueness. That special twist, or turn that makes the piece stand out from the crowd.

   Just like this ironing-board standing in the middle of nowhere! Definitely standing out from the crowd. Unique!

  

 

 



 

 

Monday 11 March 2019

Strutting Like a Peacock




    The last week I've been trying to get my life back into some resemblance of normal. Yes, I wake up in the morning and have a plan for the day. However, the simplest of tasks seem to take forever and my imagination makes mountains out of molehills.

    Take Friday past for example, it was the first time I had ventured outside since my accident, other than going to the hospital for check-ups. Now, I was very excited about this outing, because I was going to the hairdressers. Something that I normally do every four weeks, but it had been eleven weeks since I had visited and I had taken on the trait of a vampire in this time. No, I wasn't biting necks, drinking blood, or light was passing through my body, but I was avoiding mirrors.

    My appointment was made for ten o'clock and for a week in my mind I had been planning my outing. Firstly, going out in public with my now very grey hair was a concern. Wearing a paper-bag with holes cut into it for my eyes was an option. A stupid option sure, but it was an option.

    Seriously though, I was rather anxious about the two stairs that I needed to negotiate to enter the main area of the salon. In my mind the stairs were fairly steep and I couldn't remember as to whether there was a handrail, or not.

    After a short walk from where the car was parked, which was another new experience, I entered the salon. Did I have a mountain to climb to get my long awaited cut and dye. No, it was all in my imagination, I now feel a new woman and I'm strutting like a peacock.

Friday 8 March 2019

Roses


    Today is, International Women's Day, and there are so many women who are an inspiration to us all. One such woman who impacted women's history is George Eliot. Don't let the name mislead you, because the name was used by the English writer, Mary Anne Evans. 

    A novelist, poet, journalist and editor, Mary Anne wrote seven novels under her pen name. She was a writer who wanted to be taken seriously and in Victorian times that was hard for a woman, therefore the pseudonym.

    So, here is a poem by this leading writer, who did it for the girls.

Roses




You love the roses, so do I. I wish
The sky would rain down roses, as they rain
From off the shaken bush. Why will it not?
Then all the valley would be pink and white
And soft to tread on. They would fall as light
 As feathers, smelling sweet, and it would be
 Like sleeping and like waking all at once!

 
George Eliot 1819-80

Tuesday 5 March 2019

Reading is Power


    It's 'World Book Day' in the UK, Thursday 7 March. A day for readers, authors, illustrators, editors, publishers and all things in the writing world to celebrate stories.

    www.worldbookday.com is a charity whose mission is to give every child and young person a book of their own and their website has fantastic ideas as to how to get kids involved in this celebration. From readathons, designing a National Book Token, to being a guest of the BBC for a WBD live lesson and all  school children will be also given a book token.

    One other activity is for children to dress-up as a favourite character from a book, which I am all for. However, there is one thing that is getting on my nerves and please forgive me while I explain myself.

    The fact is that lots of supermarkets and various online retailers are now selling an abundance of costumes for adults and children alike to wear on this day. What do I have against this? Well, the problem I have with this is that there are so many children living in poverty all over the world, many of whom will never be told stories, or own a book. The retail price of some of these outfits are from £15.00 upwards. Hell, that could go a long way to providing reading, and writing materials for children in many classrooms. As well as filling little empty bellies in a time when we have seen a rise in food banks in the western world.

    Making costumes is fun, seriously, recycle old clothing, get out the bin bags and duct tape. Forget lining the coffers of the retailers, remember some of these outfits on sale will be made in conditions we could never imagine. #FairTrade

    This day isn't about making profit, it is a yearly event organised by UNESCO to promote reading, publishing and copyright. We're now in danger of forgetting what the whole day is about, as is happening with Easter and Christmas, commercialisation is taking over.

     World Book Day is all about demonstrating that #Readingispower.

Friday 1 March 2019

A World So Fair

 
I will soon walk among the trees
Listen to the songful birds and the buzz of the busy bees

Stroll along the meandering path, edged with a variety of flowers, orange and white in hue
Where I might end up I haven't got a clue


I'll appreciate nature's beauty with every step I take
Dazzled by the Spring sunshine, sparkling like diamonds on the surface of the lake

I'll fulfil a longing to take a deep breath and fill my lungs with fresh air
And be thankful that I live in this world so fair 



     Christina Rowell