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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"Daddy, it's only £119.99."

I’m struggling to teach my daughters the value of money.

When I was a kid - for my main Christmas present - I pined with all my heart for a Millennium Falcon and a BMX (The Blue one with the yellow trim around the wheels). With longing in my eyes, I’d scour the toy sections of the three catalogues we’d religiously receive every year. Day after day, during December (for several years) - I’d hope and hope my dreams would come true...

In the end, over the course of two years, I received an X-Wing fighter and a black Raleigh Strika. I didn’t mind and I was grateful…but I never, ever forgot that I didn’t get the others.

Two weeks ago, I pulled up those same catalogues online, and once more, wistfully searched and reminisced. Happy memories.  As I read down to the descriptions and prices of each, I was shocked to see that my X-wing cost £5 in 1983. Curious (and ever so slightly astonished), I then back-tracked and worked out the rate of inflation and discovered that here in the UK it’s tripled in 30 years.  My battle-damaged X-wing would now cost £15. The Millennium Falcon would be £39 in today’s money.

Wha…?

My eldest daughter tested a bike today in Halfords. ‘Daddy, it’s only £119.99.’ she announced.

I covertly purchased it. I’ll collect tomorrow. This is her main present, but there are other trinkets coming her way which, in themselves, far surpass the inflation-adjusted price of my *absent* Millennium Falcon. And, this whole process really got me thinking.

Am I soft-touch? Were my parents tight-fisted? Have I succumbed to consumerism big-time? Were my parents, in actual fact, realists? Are we all becoming the willing victims of mass Normative Social Influence, listening to our kids compare and contrast their ‘certain’ wish-lists (based upon their discussions with friends), and then bowing to their desires? 

My daughters have a picture of a Ugandan girl, Grace, on the fridge - a child they write to through World Vision. I constantly refer to her in front of them. I’d love for them to meet her. I’m also going to get them both a blessings jar, where they place inside a note of thanks at the end of each day; helping them putting just how much they have into perspective (I hope).

But, the question beggars: Despite getting a tablet, a bike and a Teksta puppy, will my eldest remember, in years to come, that she didn’t get the LEGO Heartlake Shopping Mall she’s requested (retailing at £69.99)?

I suspect that the onus lies on me - solely on me - to keep facilitating an attitude of gratitude in my kids and a true understanding of the ‘value’ of money. This is one of most essential things I must do - especially at this time of year. It’s something, as parents, we simply must do - and we can't 'afford' to neglect this. I’d like to help my kids get to the core of the real message of Christmas this year.

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