Why teachers/writers love the summer holidays.

Finally, I can write.

All I can see are days and days of blue sky ahead.

...in writing terms, that is.

(Hey, I live in England, so this is clearly a metaphor.)

The plan is (and has been) to visit the coast as much and as often as possible. Charge the laptop to its four hour battery capacity. Drive/Train it to: Whitstable, St. Katharine's Dock (fav), Scarborough, etc.

Praying for a nice tax rebate like the one I received last year, and if it comes; I'll be going to Jersey on another Busman's holiday. Researching Islands and writing...while on holiday...bliss...pure and simple.

Book one benefited greatly from my visit to the Isle of Wight three years ago. And, as the whole series is set on an Island, I'll do a lot of walking, thinking and planning. Here's hoping Mr. Taxman.

St Mary's Island is on the agenda for tomorrow. A reclaimed brownfield site. (I'm hoping in their redevelopment they didn't forget writer's coffee houses.)

Pic below shows where I'm at in Book 2. Word count over halfway now.
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What's happening Shelly Clover?

Such a long time since I last updated.

I had 43,000 words for book 2 in the can by Christmas. So, what's happening?

Well, I have tonnes of ideas. I have written scenes that surprised me, and I'm quite happy with elements so far. But, I need two or three pieces of the jigsaw puzzle to fall more comfortably into place. The second book has to be at least as good as the first and I am not releasing until I'm satisfied with the quality. How many times have I discovered a band whose first album I loved, and the second one was a disappointment? I don't want to release an average sequel. No way :)

Secondly, My Job! After 15 challenging years in education, I have found a great school. It is - without a shadow of a doubt - the happiest I have ever been in education. Teaching here in the UK is demanding. Stephen King ignored exam papers in his satchel so that he could write...Nooooo way you could do that here in the Brit education system. I am just coming to the end of marking 400 exam papers (sigh). Having said that, I am in a happy teaching environment, and this actually frees me to write in a good mental state, as opposed to - let's say - within in a school where you may get injured 5 times in 4 months (for example).

Thirdly, Money. Supply rates aren't that bad until you hit the holidays! No money... I'm pretty frugal, but the 6 week summer holiday presents a challenge. The costs of editing, proof-reading, covers etc are negated by just trying to survive. Thankfully, this new job means I can start saving for a cover designer who will provide with a bespoke front cover. Any ordinary cover will not do!

Bizarrely, I already know what I want to write for books 3 and 4! It's just this one section of book 2 that's marginally frustrating me. I can't even describe it as writer's block. Nearly at the breakthough, I just know it!

Thanks to all who ave downloaded and read my book. If anyone would like to review it on smashwords, I would be soooo grateful! 215 downloads (on this site) of my life's work for free - No Reviews.

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Happy 99th Birthday!

This is my Gran.

She's cheekily claiming she's only 90! Many Happy Returns Gran. You are one amazing lady!

I remember her running around a tree in her back garden on her 70th birthday. She'd drank a bottle of wine and was shouting, "Look at the moon, look at the moon!"

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Action sequences

Just finished an action scene.

It's not your typical sequence with guns, cars and one-liners. I like to (at least try to) include the unconventional. Human tools don't cut it against the antagonists in the SC series. And, I'm having a lot of fun strreeetching the boundaries of my imagination, and striving for something original. It was good fun to write, but now its on to an important segment of mystery in book 2.

Also, I'm re-(re)reading Mis-fit, Misplaced, to make sure I don't stray too much from the essence of the first. It's tempting to just go all out gung-ho, but just familiarising myself with where it all began - and staying true to the Shelly Clover in first novel is essential. Getting the balance of being loyal to no.1 whilst branching out with no.2 is a challenge I'm loving. It's old school sticky labels placed in the pages to highlight the key points I want to retain.

Also, I'm starting a new assignment at a new school tomorrow. I must say - after 15 years - I'm quite excited about this school. In the words of Gargamel (Smurfs): "Cautiously excited..."

Also, my wonderful Gran turns 99 tomorrow - separate post for that one me thinks.

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Back Writing

Viva the half-term break!

Just finished a secondment at a special measures school. It was gruelling, but I'm glad I did it. Honestly, I have taught in challenging environments and have thought myself more than capable of handling any class. But, this...

Phew! Over.

I have set my Shelly Clover series in a school that falls into special measures. I didn't deliberately set out to be a method-writer and actually blood myself in with the real deal, but the experience has been invaluable nonetheless. Now I've caught my breath a little, I'm able to suppress my stress-immune response and draw my thoughts back to El Macbari, albeit slowly.

Coming up to 50,000 words. Hatching a plan and a time-frame, and more importantly, trying to save money for a proof-reader and hire a cover designer. (Yeah, I want my book cover to resemble the first.) Busy, busy, busy.

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This ;)

Have yourself a very merry...FREE ebook

Well, it is Christmas after all...

Mis-fit, Misplaced, Miss Shelly Clover is free as an ebook at Smashwords.

If you fancy a: Psychological - Fantasy - Dystopian - Mystery - YA ebook, weighing in at 110,000 words with a few five star reviews to boot, then it's all yours...for free.

Obviously, I can't do this at Amazon where it remains at the magic .99 cents/pence/euros (with the exception of the paperback).

As for Book 2 - Currently at 40,000 words...

HO HO HO
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