tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45648741857297826272024-03-13T11:20:45.383+00:00Ashley McCook's SpaceAshley McCookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02278777284131696507noreply@blogger.comBlogger103125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4564874185729782627.post-38942897486373750362014-10-29T12:41:00.001+00:002014-10-29T12:41:25.782+00:00Bristol Book Fair<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLcKWpNBzTLNX1UUf1yVGoJtES8jlV7OKglQSwx5EJIkWDzF-Uutr8-Mu9zgS9jk_zJsbrWczDovpOgsP-Qwc-6OnVkzspOfcHfqnmEjBDOdzOrL51pPrVuXvGYmqgoVkdOUUOfqeZWGE/s1600/posterforbfair.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLcKWpNBzTLNX1UUf1yVGoJtES8jlV7OKglQSwx5EJIkWDzF-Uutr8-Mu9zgS9jk_zJsbrWczDovpOgsP-Qwc-6OnVkzspOfcHfqnmEjBDOdzOrL51pPrVuXvGYmqgoVkdOUUOfqeZWGE/s1600/posterforbfair.png" height="442" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Very much looking forward to attending this as a guest author!</span></div>
Ashley McCookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02278777284131696507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4564874185729782627.post-15280331920068849612014-10-13T13:21:00.001+01:002014-10-13T13:21:27.896+01:00Visit to St Louis Grammar<div style="text-align: center;">
It is always a joy to be asked to visit schools, either to discuss my books, read for pupils or to provide creative writing workshops.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
To be asked back year after year and help year 8 pupils to prepare for their first written work is an absolute honour.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I spent the 6th and 7th of October this year back in St Louis Grammar in Ballymena among some old and new faces. We played games, laughed lots and worked our way through the 'How To's' of essay writing. There was even time at the very end of the last class for a 'selfie'.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Thank you so much, folks. I hope to see you all again next year :)</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ0U_E-T18LyIIaoM8tYztoiqVgdTDlCCFR5gLDXf3awk0KPwzNTlf8DoxnXSazY6GrjENuq9mguBZ6R8ZVwqfbqRhO5vgiSDfdCauXSpblxXFbbj8wwxivFxKJ-8drV8ObQEJJktZUfk/s1600/Ashley+2014+a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ0U_E-T18LyIIaoM8tYztoiqVgdTDlCCFR5gLDXf3awk0KPwzNTlf8DoxnXSazY6GrjENuq9mguBZ6R8ZVwqfbqRhO5vgiSDfdCauXSpblxXFbbj8wwxivFxKJ-8drV8ObQEJJktZUfk/s1600/Ashley+2014+a.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUTZ999-xhijNyJvi5gH6Ewe5ssiW5VocHgh8uRzvlsFsTn9SskBZ9at5bRl4fVnkJA66zv9KolGzapQOdhJ2A_sjCmR9AqZ7lc9WYnn2pPl1uRJP2Dpldi45edyflOLiE6_XBcpEbnY4/s1600/Ashley+2014+b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUTZ999-xhijNyJvi5gH6Ewe5ssiW5VocHgh8uRzvlsFsTn9SskBZ9at5bRl4fVnkJA66zv9KolGzapQOdhJ2A_sjCmR9AqZ7lc9WYnn2pPl1uRJP2Dpldi45edyflOLiE6_XBcpEbnY4/s1600/Ashley+2014+b.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAdCpcs3takpJ6wgA-w1PNJFGo1ZOxKrhCoXDFz9p_n9GPCUZy_4Cy7aWUSfkdCLLiW74M9aB6CuIomvyldUwLEMC2aNJat2Q3fnfwQkhlys4sZz9Ue3nqiFp4Pt8TkBtAm4K3g-_JECg/s1600/Ashley+2014+e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAdCpcs3takpJ6wgA-w1PNJFGo1ZOxKrhCoXDFz9p_n9GPCUZy_4Cy7aWUSfkdCLLiW74M9aB6CuIomvyldUwLEMC2aNJat2Q3fnfwQkhlys4sZz9Ue3nqiFp4Pt8TkBtAm4K3g-_JECg/s1600/Ashley+2014+e.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif9md0nSdGPt61O9Hwk5-VFYlvmvfHAS9SB2Nm0VD7NVcQEoSlTg2zJutWE4VuvQo604Mtf4DA2w9CeTnnh4khSw_W1BATsXE-obHcLgGwmL5iJSxkqF6oDZy77GjPAftfrqZtswN7CmA/s1600/Ashley+2014+c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif9md0nSdGPt61O9Hwk5-VFYlvmvfHAS9SB2Nm0VD7NVcQEoSlTg2zJutWE4VuvQo604Mtf4DA2w9CeTnnh4khSw_W1BATsXE-obHcLgGwmL5iJSxkqF6oDZy77GjPAftfrqZtswN7CmA/s1600/Ashley+2014+c.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
‘I found everything about the workshop enjoyable. I’m obsessed with books and meeting authors makes my heart and brain do somersaults! Ashley was really fun and interesting.’<u></u><u></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
(Lana 8 Lismoyle)<u></u><u></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
‘I thought Ashley McCook made the workshop really enjoyable, especially through the games she played with us. Her personality made it so much fun!’<u></u><u></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
(Cora 8 Laragh)<u></u><u></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
‘The games we played were so enjoyable. They were with story blocks and Ashley was very nice.’<u></u><u></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
(Clodagh 8 Lismoyle)<u></u><u></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
‘The creative writing workshop really helped me prepare for my CM task as Ashley McCook gave us lots of pointers on how to improve creative writing and told us how enjoyable reading can be’.<u></u><u></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
(Neve 8 Laragh)</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoDOsl8GxAAtQvEw35YQAHgAvUUX3RkFpmw4zXhD6h5JhM23pa6n7_M1Avu1LpQyS514MiT8XRaiF-_tDbLmcT-iMBPN8lCcvYD0B72aT8InL-hciC3xZjKd9U61ERL3x4RxGpxg8o2tA/s1600/IMG_0359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoDOsl8GxAAtQvEw35YQAHgAvUUX3RkFpmw4zXhD6h5JhM23pa6n7_M1Avu1LpQyS514MiT8XRaiF-_tDbLmcT-iMBPN8lCcvYD0B72aT8InL-hciC3xZjKd9U61ERL3x4RxGpxg8o2tA/s1600/IMG_0359.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />Ashley McCookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02278777284131696507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4564874185729782627.post-57439442563079352712014-09-18T13:32:00.000+01:002014-09-18T13:32:09.449+01:00The Deep Breath Before the Plunge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2cqOm6ICG7VPQAcr5_fLKGBrkhv7UAy6u0d993JG6q8FRu9dMl-BHfTROxui6F5agJ0MTl3ZHo_o1jqvKCwEBprd4TgqiPYD-e41MsFqwk0tofRGjfrCpU_VDbXCEFYjEdGgbXWfprkM/s1600/large+(829).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2cqOm6ICG7VPQAcr5_fLKGBrkhv7UAy6u0d993JG6q8FRu9dMl-BHfTROxui6F5agJ0MTl3ZHo_o1jqvKCwEBprd4TgqiPYD-e41MsFqwk0tofRGjfrCpU_VDbXCEFYjEdGgbXWfprkM/s1600/large+(829).jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I walk on the beach most mornings.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
If I'm being honest, it's the best part of my day - fresh air, exercise, beautiful scenery, salt on my lips, sand in my shoes - I come home relaxed and with a clear head, ready to face the day.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
There are people who, like me, walk there regularly - the lady with the pink shoes, the trio of pensioners who laugh lots and seem to have as much fun as their equally jolly dogs, the bare-foot jogger (a shade over six feet tall, dark hair, brown eyes, cheeky grin), the man who used to walk slowly using a cane for balance and who now puts me to shame striding up the beach (the cane is long gone), the couple who swim briefly every morning, no matter the weather. During the summer the beach was overtaken with tourists jumping into the waves or exploring the sand hills and, for a few days, the 'Game of Thrones' crew filmed there.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This morning I came across a pair of rather beautiful size 11 leather shoes sitting on the sand, dark grey socks tucked inside them. Not unusual - people leave their shoes on the shore all the time while they dip their toes in the water. This pair, however, were under threat - a large red setter had spotted them, sniffed them and had decided to claim them. I lifted them just as he lifted his leg.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Turned out they belonged to a rather dapper man, resplendent in a suit and tie who was paddling a few feet away, trousers rolled up to the knees, tie slightly askew and glasses pushed onto the top of his head. After sharing a laugh at the close call, we got talking.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Keith was about to drive to Belfast to make an important presentation to the owners of the company that he worked for. If successful, he would move up the corporate ladder, secure his future in the company and relocate to London where the company have their headquarters.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He was nervous about the presentation but fairly confident in his own ability to perform well under pressure. He also knew that he was good at his job and was considered an asset to the company. In reality, it was a done deal - the presentation was the final step. He was on his way. Everyone was happy for him.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And yet...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He had driven to Portstewart Strand at 8:30 in the morning because he felt he needed to take a deep breath of sea air - he was conflicted about moving away. He would miss home. He would miss walking his dog on the beach. He would miss meeting his mates for a pint. He would miss standing on Harbour Hill and looking down on the Promenade. He would miss his girlfriend. He would miss his parents. He would even miss his bloody annoying older sister and her quartet of mad children.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Having had several similar conversations recently, I let him talk it all out until he ran out of steam and then I offered the only advice I had, 'Are you ever likely to have this opportunity again?' He thought about it, smiled sadly and shook his head. 'Then go for it. This is home and you can always come back.'</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Good luck, Keith.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhip3pX2c8gN_irzJRuWLdaIVt4Kyhq6gGDV9DMy9Oe-teNEGPbv6FP2ETzfPColybjZGTdzh-CJyYOB1Cwvw_EErKxpAvp8LcrSzwCxpnS767-vrW49YUBK0xMiJM42KLNsDtK8tl-ocE/s1600/maninsuit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhip3pX2c8gN_irzJRuWLdaIVt4Kyhq6gGDV9DMy9Oe-teNEGPbv6FP2ETzfPColybjZGTdzh-CJyYOB1Cwvw_EErKxpAvp8LcrSzwCxpnS767-vrW49YUBK0xMiJM42KLNsDtK8tl-ocE/s1600/maninsuit.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />Ashley McCookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02278777284131696507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4564874185729782627.post-44816973441060190462014-06-05T11:26:00.001+01:002014-06-05T11:26:35.774+01:00Live and Learn.<div style="text-align: center;">
'Due to circumstances beyond our control the Booked! convention for 21st and 22nd November 2014 has been cancelled.'</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is definitely NOT the kind of email I want to read after all the excitement of realising that I was going to be heading off to my first convention as an author, and just days after starting to promote the event all over the place.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Disappointed.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuSZIhXFkBV7meWPxSpaRAOIwFcLIkZtGrVZLu76wnnobCqq2kRcbckyfjK4AtA9-ww8QKVszmE8mq5Cy2-iZZDOSqiqN8gqqjSOXuEIY2e5HTCtI6_-bAHHR-qbvVZyolg5LaIFVJFqs/s1600/disappointed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuSZIhXFkBV7meWPxSpaRAOIwFcLIkZtGrVZLu76wnnobCqq2kRcbckyfjK4AtA9-ww8QKVszmE8mq5Cy2-iZZDOSqiqN8gqqjSOXuEIY2e5HTCtI6_-bAHHR-qbvVZyolg5LaIFVJFqs/s1600/disappointed.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Ashley McCookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02278777284131696507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4564874185729782627.post-75799130974094211752014-06-02T11:57:00.000+01:002014-06-02T11:57:07.504+01:00Booked! 2014<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Very tickled to be attending this and looking forward to meeting other authors and readers. Can't wait!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNBBls26HFGeFB6wJgusmig1Hr3uQD3Ki-0AA6rxzlucjQ1B5GGSRaA6yZDsJH7zUX3u02ziP4vviejeVMeEaXWzX08CI1z-4GRZioXdC2aWOwRH0CJg4VwzmcypPLlcVGPGr6sUwu1tA/s1600/booked.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNBBls26HFGeFB6wJgusmig1Hr3uQD3Ki-0AA6rxzlucjQ1B5GGSRaA6yZDsJH7zUX3u02ziP4vviejeVMeEaXWzX08CI1z-4GRZioXdC2aWOwRH0CJg4VwzmcypPLlcVGPGr6sUwu1tA/s1600/booked.jpg" height="236" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">This convention will take place in Bristol in the Mercure Holland House Hotel and Spa. You can find out more about it by visiting the Booked! blog <a href="http://bookedcon.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">HERE</a></span></div>
Ashley McCookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02278777284131696507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4564874185729782627.post-28252168975263911772014-04-13T10:54:00.000+01:002014-04-13T10:54:38.389+01:00World Book Night 2014<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm really looking forward to celebrating World Book Night on April 23rd in Waterstones, Ballymena with <a href="http://www.tonymacaulayauthor.com/" target="_blank">Tony MacAulay</a> and <a href="http://www.debbiemccune.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank"><span id="goog_1328268301"></span>DJ McCune<span id="goog_1328268302"></span></a> (yes, I will be taking my autograph book!!!). It promises to be a fun night - wine, chat, readings and books all around - so if you're in the area then please call in and say hello.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6PfSoI6pBOkm4rRqfut_7p9CmHeLl6hkYfpB1YKDxB4numpwHuQkuJLzY5oGwgLON4XKyedzaWdOdPUeTaoBqdmZ66mbZMxbaCU-f68k0XVH4yBEvxBwdfAGycrtMaqu8vF5j4ffGlIo/s1600/debbiemccune.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6PfSoI6pBOkm4rRqfut_7p9CmHeLl6hkYfpB1YKDxB4numpwHuQkuJLzY5oGwgLON4XKyedzaWdOdPUeTaoBqdmZ66mbZMxbaCU-f68k0XVH4yBEvxBwdfAGycrtMaqu8vF5j4ffGlIo/s1600/debbiemccune.jpg" height="320" width="286" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DJ McCune</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhncglVbC5j0LTNd-HREARrUVT1oEbR9IplL5OkAoyFvFCJEPeNmhjH0GBCaaXCNyrJrAUNXfqYwyDUsSMJlr84CsjlZQ4SO8vfM6RHdr3GzpLTUpw-3yyokDE4uBLhBpkeXfOaNF9PwpU/s1600/tonymacaulay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhncglVbC5j0LTNd-HREARrUVT1oEbR9IplL5OkAoyFvFCJEPeNmhjH0GBCaaXCNyrJrAUNXfqYwyDUsSMJlr84CsjlZQ4SO8vfM6RHdr3GzpLTUpw-3yyokDE4uBLhBpkeXfOaNF9PwpU/s1600/tonymacaulay.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tony MacAulay</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs-8fRHjMimQAA6SSTMNccRGou2tdzRkS5HE1OvcO0Cf1OR-M3jzYNyAWmJq85nmwIheCLKk_quY3HdwzPRwcdhX_HZPNy1mDG35MzvE9W96zlSioadkQ3wBbHF7ziDCjj0o67kqab9uk/s1600/authorpic2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs-8fRHjMimQAA6SSTMNccRGou2tdzRkS5HE1OvcO0Cf1OR-M3jzYNyAWmJq85nmwIheCLKk_quY3HdwzPRwcdhX_HZPNy1mDG35MzvE9W96zlSioadkQ3wBbHF7ziDCjj0o67kqab9uk/s1600/authorpic2.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
Ashley McCookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02278777284131696507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4564874185729782627.post-60405860826757962822014-04-04T10:12:00.002+01:002014-04-04T10:12:48.032+01:00Reversal of (phone) Fortune.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj09iG1GqFXK0RkdRvc3Oy33FXmjAQxeZ2hBPIzzG4BO4ALcTybCjzAWI7mxZQKyFi9ebiAY3wCFgZ6Dges7kgSCeeDGhsCdldSTL9yzelDNqwVXqGEeexTUggO4ZE4n9o8Qe7hkZb58w4/s1600/cracked+screen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj09iG1GqFXK0RkdRvc3Oy33FXmjAQxeZ2hBPIzzG4BO4ALcTybCjzAWI7mxZQKyFi9ebiAY3wCFgZ6Dges7kgSCeeDGhsCdldSTL9yzelDNqwVXqGEeexTUggO4ZE4n9o8Qe7hkZb58w4/s1600/cracked+screen.jpg" height="200" width="112" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Towards the end of last summer (remember summer? sunshine, heat, beach days? Yeah, it's been a while) I reversed over my phone. I know, I know. I was going to wash the car, you see, and was reversing it back up the drive with the door open, my phone slipped out of my pocket and CRUNCH! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My poor phone went into emergency surgery (on the kitchen table, lots of sellotape involved) and, apart from a rash of spider-webby cracks on the screen, he still worked. I celebrated (of course).</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I was aware from the beginning that the sellotape surgery was not going to be a long term solution and eventually my phone and I were going to have to part company but, as with all things that have the potential to break my heart, I put it to the back of my mind and carried on as though it wasn't a big deal.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Now, I don't know about you but I had never really considered what a huge part of my life that little bundle of electronics had become - he's just THERE. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Until he started to act up.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGEpE2em7h3RE8grY8qkB-aDIk507PKgWdU_e6ZI79ClUercHY6IW1mhy9AKPLszMeYcG_-Y1lKIwNT47h3TYcYybfFJp_a0alXk23Atgcfgqc6OJ-iipd9MdgkuGF2qcJAB37D-oK2Xc/s1600/lost.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGEpE2em7h3RE8grY8qkB-aDIk507PKgWdU_e6ZI79ClUercHY6IW1mhy9AKPLszMeYcG_-Y1lKIwNT47h3TYcYybfFJp_a0alXk23Atgcfgqc6OJ-iipd9MdgkuGF2qcJAB37D-oK2Xc/s1600/lost.jpg" height="142" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Nothing major really, at the beginning, just the odd little quirk that I found endearing - like I can't answer/make a call normally - the phone has to be on speaker. Funny, right? Slightly inconvenient but no big deal. Recently, however, my trusty pal has gone into a downward spiral of little eccentricities that can no longer be laughed off; he is selective about which texts he lets me know about; some days he will allow me to post to Facebook, tweet on Twitter etc etc with no problems, 24 hours later? No chance of any communication with the outside world. Added to the fact that he chooses which games he will allow me to play (this changes on an hourly basis depending on his mood) and has now begun to 'forget' search requests (for example - I decide to check my sales on Amazon and hit the Amazon bookmark...he starts to search and then the search bar goes blank and the phone sits there doing a phone version of looking around and frowning in confusion) and I have starting to get very concerned about his health.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC4s0sHmve20SBlew-wLOsvJOOLpSZP2QGHPZUKwpgpegdY19VNKg-HMaKJis9l2N8ulBk-mJe1OR1etFSjeL4Ci2D7BmlRa2qWUJTTmU3u9ngHuWdjoWfnryXAgiGYi17DQSic7uOmPU/s1600/cuddle+bear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC4s0sHmve20SBlew-wLOsvJOOLpSZP2QGHPZUKwpgpegdY19VNKg-HMaKJis9l2N8ulBk-mJe1OR1etFSjeL4Ci2D7BmlRa2qWUJTTmU3u9ngHuWdjoWfnryXAgiGYi17DQSic7uOmPU/s1600/cuddle+bear.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My contract is up around September time. He may not make it :(</div>
<br />Ashley McCookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02278777284131696507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4564874185729782627.post-73294783343750162682014-03-18T10:38:00.002+00:002014-03-18T10:38:35.613+00:00WARNING! This Book May Be Cursed!!<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>It's taken a very looooooooong time to get this book written, edited, covered, and published (over 20 years!) and every step along the way there have been obstacles and pitfalls. However, since I'm a stubborn cow (and I really, really wanted to tell this story!) I kept at it; so when I say that I'm delighted to finally be able to list links for my new book then I'm understating how utterly delighted (and exhausted) I am.</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-tITKdyHx3ofo9hwhJq7FY30Ix-jsszLp5Y36WzbVsu-K4p27GujM11fI7eTjwVRhIgnuPbX6E8kiDre_W3FqfoPT0WqpPBwSB87IVnUq44yyiuOEk_TkYwqbbXnxqZ6STTK5aB6mSrw/s1600/Shudder+Cover+(665x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-tITKdyHx3ofo9hwhJq7FY30Ix-jsszLp5Y36WzbVsu-K4p27GujM11fI7eTjwVRhIgnuPbX6E8kiDre_W3FqfoPT0WqpPBwSB87IVnUq44yyiuOEk_TkYwqbbXnxqZ6STTK5aB6mSrw/s1600/Shudder+Cover+(665x1024).jpg" height="320" width="207" /></b></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>This is my new book baby! </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>"Shannon's ordered life in a beautiful seaside town in Northern Ireland is about to be blown apart; her psychic gifts keep her secretly employed by the US government but have also caught the attention of a dangerous terrorist group and. forced to flee to Dublin, Shannon has very little time to decide who to trust." </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>When I started this book back in 1991, I was writing stories for no-one but myself to read. The Good Friday Agreement was still 7 years away and 'The Troubles' were still a huge part of life in Northern Ireland. I'd read about the U.S. government's 'Stargate' Program and I was intrigued by the idea of psychic phenomena being used in counter-terrorism and espionage. Naturally the idea of such abilities being put to use in my own country worked its way into a story.</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Since there have been so many changes over the past 20+ years, this book has gone through more re-writes and edits than any other story I've ever written. The core idea is the same, the location (my hometown at the time - Portstewart) never changed but it feels like everything else in the universe did!</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>So many things have gone wrong with the publication of this book (too many to go into - maybe that's a post for another time) that I was starting to feel the universe was trying its damnedest NOT to let me publish it but like I said, I'm stubborn (and my mum LOVED it!).</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>So here are the links:</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The eBook via <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/420056" target="_blank">Smashwords</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The eBook via <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Shudder-Ashley-McCook-ebook/dp/B00J2CH884/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1395137898&sr=8-6&keywords=ashley+mccook" target="_blank">Amazon UK</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The eBook via <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Shudder-Ashley-McCook-ebook/dp/B00J2CH884/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1395138705&sr=8-2&keywords=ashley+mccook" target="_blank">Amazon US</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The paperback via <a href="http://www.waterstones.com/waterstonesweb/products/ashley+mccook/shudder/10135871/" target="_blank">Waterstones</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The paperback via <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Shudder-Ashley-McCook/dp/0957125534/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1395138778&sr=8-7&keywords=ashley+mccook" target="_blank">Amazon UK</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The paperback via <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Shudder-Ashley-McCook/dp/0957125534/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1395138705&sr=8-8&keywords=ashley+mccook" target="_blank">Amazon US</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span>Ashley McCookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02278777284131696507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4564874185729782627.post-29683610336435729202013-12-13T12:38:00.002+00:002013-12-13T12:38:51.332+00:00Thrilled, Delighted, Honoured, Proud!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7kTR5ua15A3_oszrwxCXnvCM3WTrxMQoFpp770jm4aivrl7TO26vThLTzLmM9rnQT_EeKUWc9eluGA_ZqmRMaftP-NAitBYqn4wtEmn14U6ZbfZH_GJEYTOF34k-5v6e91JfSUcP91Fc/s1600/tumblr_mkhq3nqclg1rspvjso1_500.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7kTR5ua15A3_oszrwxCXnvCM3WTrxMQoFpp770jm4aivrl7TO26vThLTzLmM9rnQT_EeKUWc9eluGA_ZqmRMaftP-NAitBYqn4wtEmn14U6ZbfZH_GJEYTOF34k-5v6e91JfSUcP91Fc/s320/tumblr_mkhq3nqclg1rspvjso1_500.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So it's been a tough year (and it's not over yet!) and this week hammered home to me how much has changed in the last twelve months and how much more it will change before my personal life gets sorted out. In the work-write-kids-eat-sleep- repeat of everyday and the feeling that nothing is ever quite finished or good enough, it's very easy to get lost in a downward spiral.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Thankfully the powers that be in the universe have decided to give me an early Christmas present ...and on Friday 13th as well! (They obviously have a wickedly wonderful sense of humour)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Not only have my book babies made it onto a 'Top 12' Christmas list but the list is on the blog of Uproar Comics who I am in awe of and all fangirly (if that's not a real word then it should be!) over. Excited much? Me? Yes, thank you!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Check out the blog post <a href="http://www.uproarcomics.co.uk/uproars-top-12-at-christmas-pt-3/" target="_blank">HERE</a> and please feel free to do a little happy dance with me (and the Doctor!). Oh, and be sure to check out the rest of the Uproar Blog - there are some really fabulous posts on there.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Best wishes</div>
Ashley McCookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02278777284131696507noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4564874185729782627.post-79468798365597815292013-11-16T13:12:00.003+00:002013-11-16T13:12:31.925+00:00Creative Writing Workshop<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJCWjkQ4cE4s16usnBsNW5AsACJLaUomm0lmsulPMrFd5Q7DoDSp65oALdgoAlcdnbof0ZT0N5yJ6-wuppiLHwHUx3u5GVOr2sSsycXDQeo_IG56hBOEWqdQdVpXZTyi-5PORBvhHva3A/s1600/Ca.thar.tic+poster+CP+(3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJCWjkQ4cE4s16usnBsNW5AsACJLaUomm0lmsulPMrFd5Q7DoDSp65oALdgoAlcdnbof0ZT0N5yJ6-wuppiLHwHUx3u5GVOr2sSsycXDQeo_IG56hBOEWqdQdVpXZTyi-5PORBvhHva3A/s640/Ca.thar.tic+poster+CP+(3).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Looking forward to this! And yes, I know I'm much too old to attend but they are very kindly allowing me to go along and chat about writing. Happy days :)</div>
Ashley McCookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02278777284131696507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4564874185729782627.post-72816320937439474892013-11-11T10:55:00.001+00:002013-11-11T10:55:05.091+00:00You Meet Some Interesting People in Bookshops....<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv_EXAg-iT_38ALVQlsMp2DKpnsUexn6itHEqMujEWFQQSEg6jIBeNN0H3fFI2Wclhi4a0OOhKTo7pw457jgGDVNuwkzddEwtWGKO_zRgNOePnqK2taepWLmb97vpuLg7Vn_W6Hi7AsT0/s1600/waterstones1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv_EXAg-iT_38ALVQlsMp2DKpnsUexn6itHEqMujEWFQQSEg6jIBeNN0H3fFI2Wclhi4a0OOhKTo7pw457jgGDVNuwkzddEwtWGKO_zRgNOePnqK2taepWLmb97vpuLg7Vn_W6Hi7AsT0/s320/waterstones1.jpg" width="206" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I had a book signing in Waterstones, Coleraine on Saturday 2nd November. The weather was atrocious - in Northern Ireland we call that kind of rain 'a deluge'...it just comes down in sheets and doesn't stop for ages; great fat drops of water thundering out of the sky and soaking everyone in seconds. It was okay though - I was happy inside a nice warm shop, surrounded by books, drinking coffee and signing books while I watched the lads from Uproar Comics sign their copies of Zombies Hi and draw zombie portraits of the customers. It was excellent.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
One of the most common questions I get asked at book signings is 'What are your books about?' And the man who stopped by my table around 3pm didn't disappoint. He lifted one of my books, flicked through it and asked 'So, what's this about?" I launched into my description about Emily, demons, angels, teenage angst and paranormal romance. The man nodded, put the book down and lifted another. "So, are you famous?" he asked. "Um...no, sorry," I told him. He nodded again, put the book down, lifted the third in the series, flicked through it and said "So, have you written any books about witches?"</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj8EdUXxwWHOtKsje3gTG0h2WufJT8R8SkHZW20pT7JraJJlmDbxLFeZIyUlJZKsWljj_mXU7s6JFvZ3QbmHjcNK0AWLqa7tf5Yb5AfeowyKWlVb7y4FW8gMflWsO2wMmTMmHHs7AnsUM/s1600/witches.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj8EdUXxwWHOtKsje3gTG0h2WufJT8R8SkHZW20pT7JraJJlmDbxLFeZIyUlJZKsWljj_mXU7s6JFvZ3QbmHjcNK0AWLqa7tf5Yb5AfeowyKWlVb7y4FW8gMflWsO2wMmTMmHHs7AnsUM/s200/witches.jpg" width="179" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Now at this point my mouth dropped open - the new series that I'm writing is indeed about witches but no-one, and I mean NO-ONE knows about it. "Um..." I managed to splutter. The man seemed unconcerned about my lack of brain-to-mouth coordination, he set the book down and said, "Hold on a minute." Off he went and I got distracted by someone else wanting some signed books, got lost in chatting about the new books that's coming out soon, giggled at the antics of the Uproar Comics clan as they clowned about biting each other on the neck for photos and then the man came back and showed me a photo on his phone - it was of the cover of a book about a history of witches. "I don't really like witches," he told me, "But I thought you might find that book interesting."</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I think I managed to thank him and he nodded, said it had been nice chatting to me and he'd be sure to come back and buy some of my books and then he disappeared out into the rain. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
As chance encounters go it was right up there on my 'well-that-was-weird' scale but I've taken it as a sign that I should keep going with this series (I was wavering a little) so thank you mystery man! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9xoesULfot3yooXWJu2juBDJGEIkkaVh-QkHyLpOZFt8hFhMn2Ve5K5bSNWoE28GPQab1yLzMYF0vUXGziTovZVbJacjTj8kir1m9miKp13UzVADTwYuFhuXHGWsLrwIr5VC2KYZ6GNk/s1600/waterstones021113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9xoesULfot3yooXWJu2juBDJGEIkkaVh-QkHyLpOZFt8hFhMn2Ve5K5bSNWoE28GPQab1yLzMYF0vUXGziTovZVbJacjTj8kir1m9miKp13UzVADTwYuFhuXHGWsLrwIr5VC2KYZ6GNk/s200/waterstones021113.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Ashley McCookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02278777284131696507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4564874185729782627.post-21128104341500500332013-10-25T10:14:00.000+01:002013-10-25T10:14:28.562+01:00In Defense of Dreamers.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9I88Dj5yiSiJes9BJOcLP9kolwoOBaBUk24qQQX5nse-Xhf0y_wr9X2dLx20KxbKx1mK4FI3aheS5s9uios_X6yVG9aIdbBavF6vZa9bPjCMlkIGN6YE8sWd0N4vIUSzhlQ75qgVYQzg/s1600/hands.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9I88Dj5yiSiJes9BJOcLP9kolwoOBaBUk24qQQX5nse-Xhf0y_wr9X2dLx20KxbKx1mK4FI3aheS5s9uios_X6yVG9aIdbBavF6vZa9bPjCMlkIGN6YE8sWd0N4vIUSzhlQ75qgVYQzg/s200/hands.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm concerned for the future of the human race.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Well, obviously we all are to some degree since we're managing to make such a complete horlicks (mess, for those of you not familiar with the term) of the planet that we live on. My concern isn't about the fact that fossil fuels are going to run out, global warming is going to turn us all into crispy critters (or drown us all when the polar ice caps melt) or whatever else the worry of the day is. No, my concern is that eventually all us dreamers will cease dreaming and the world as we know it will grind to a halt.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Am I being overly dramatic? Um...well, maybe.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The fact remains that for every dreamer on the face of the planet right now there are probably several thousand realists ready to stomp all over your dreams in their hob nailed boots and then tell all their friends what an important service to mankind they are providing by 'keeping their feet on the ground'.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You've had this happen to you, right?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdaB8798STnXn-Mzs02VXQ7vBV76hqha6Hqz4bvP2TjjmZy1sdOoRL6Q0oF4IU_QxJFukYmV0y_UZZp5O5QXptldMwfsLvFv0pJoNshniAFf2UEAIm640omlyMzJMoOUJbohlcS-ugFv8/s1600/talking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdaB8798STnXn-Mzs02VXQ7vBV76hqha6Hqz4bvP2TjjmZy1sdOoRL6Q0oF4IU_QxJFukYmV0y_UZZp5O5QXptldMwfsLvFv0pJoNshniAFf2UEAIm640omlyMzJMoOUJbohlcS-ugFv8/s200/talking.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>You:</b> I'd really love to be a writer.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>The Realist:</b> Do you know how many people try and fail every day? Millions! And now that the market has opened up and every Tom, Dick or Harry with internet access can upload their 'masterpiece' onto Amazon, we're all inundated with so much rubbish that pretty soon no-one will want to read anymore.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>You.</b> But...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>The Realist: </b>Besides, you never did well at school, your grades were always mediocre. You need to be smart to be a writer.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>You: </b>I just really feel that I want to...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>The Realist:</b> You're a nobody from nowhere, how would you even get someone to read what you write? Your attempts at writing would just get lost in the ocean of books already out there so there's not much point really.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsEzzbF-paxXVcwncku-4wriHemb4Wy5NhAkd5UFyhWv08eCzGombtuvIhwy0qNbNNJfrt04kTRxfCXHr1dCed9lasihu62jnfyvSSe5Fp9UlBPx_FUnJ4uZ0tG49fxsWQ2CQGMje6rZc/s1600/deserted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsEzzbF-paxXVcwncku-4wriHemb4Wy5NhAkd5UFyhWv08eCzGombtuvIhwy0qNbNNJfrt04kTRxfCXHr1dCed9lasihu62jnfyvSSe5Fp9UlBPx_FUnJ4uZ0tG49fxsWQ2CQGMje6rZc/s200/deserted.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So what's the big deal? So what if a few people quit daydreaming and start being realistic? Well, what if it spreads like a disease? What if it spreads to the visionaries, the designers, the builders, the creators, the star gazers, the romantics, the artists? In short, what if we lose those people who have always provided our momentum, pushing society forwards? Who make life colourful and interesting?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This may be a tongue-in-cheek blog post but hey, I'm a writer; I can't resist asking 'what if?' </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi87Sq4bYeJ-wPLiYpUJkva9sr01THHvOX3CFBy1oWB2wRr91nRdfnUUpH46i7AZtcSx4QNGltPPLuqlwYX4mMB97HC0wvV_7wmg2M26m7k4h6w0n1yoHVukaT1ANcaEGv5uSBLx8XCDk/s1600/wink.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi87Sq4bYeJ-wPLiYpUJkva9sr01THHvOX3CFBy1oWB2wRr91nRdfnUUpH46i7AZtcSx4QNGltPPLuqlwYX4mMB97HC0wvV_7wmg2M26m7k4h6w0n1yoHVukaT1ANcaEGv5uSBLx8XCDk/s320/wink.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />Ashley McCookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02278777284131696507noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4564874185729782627.post-41322323422952779792013-10-14T10:45:00.000+01:002013-10-14T10:45:03.794+01:00Time to Press the Panic Button. Again!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfK4m-q8VG_Nt8VLpTscLdx0d-2RuTuWSFMf5hx04cMcdIECxQr5PRN9ZtWln0axiolYCZWyo-ToNOK_zy98mutoMw0fQaC5yED82-Rs8Hch7prUJ8xYW7sLiivhUDlEJphgWO3W2jxiw/s1600/send.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfK4m-q8VG_Nt8VLpTscLdx0d-2RuTuWSFMf5hx04cMcdIECxQr5PRN9ZtWln0axiolYCZWyo-ToNOK_zy98mutoMw0fQaC5yED82-Rs8Hch7prUJ8xYW7sLiivhUDlEJphgWO3W2jxiw/s200/send.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
You'd think it would be simple, wouldn't you? I mean it <i>sounds</i> simple; just press the 'send' button and the new book will be on its way to the designer, ready to be given a brand new suit for its publication day so that it can be unleashed into the universe.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Okay. That sounds GREAT...so just get on with it!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
*finger hovers over 'send' button*</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But wait...what if I've forgotten something.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
*sigh*</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Fine, let's go over the checklist. AGAIN.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1) Book is finished? Yep. All done. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
2) Book has been to beta readers? Yes. Several times...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
3) Book has been revised as per beta readers' observations? Done. Several more times...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
4) Book has been edited? Yes. Oh, yes.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
5) Book is a good as you can possibly make it? Yes. Probably. Hopefully.<br />
<br />
6) You've written a short blurb/synopsis for the back page? ....yes...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So it's all done? What exactly are you waiting for? Someone to do it for you? Just press the damn button.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
FINE! *presses 'send' button*</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
*SILENCE*</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Oh. My. God. It's on its way!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn1_ppa1sOgbKmTSFIx4WPvMX1cjYm37e0G-GaxVKgOUbQdhOvgz4-T235BlU5Oyvg1YAUuSzeB0ipitILqOgwElj452WsYIby90g99XrjeEnsoAE7wclser0eZi-T7HqtgJYQR6gCnxQ/s1600/panic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn1_ppa1sOgbKmTSFIx4WPvMX1cjYm37e0G-GaxVKgOUbQdhOvgz4-T235BlU5Oyvg1YAUuSzeB0ipitILqOgwElj452WsYIby90g99XrjeEnsoAE7wclser0eZi-T7HqtgJYQR6gCnxQ/s1600/panic.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Ashley McCookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02278777284131696507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4564874185729782627.post-24393161767438493372013-10-09T22:29:00.000+01:002013-10-09T22:29:25.028+01:00Guilty (Book) Pleasures<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4WvkRNzZUFesZYTcJ3lv4Z2xY3yngN_gew2_T4_GPGGN9tx7S-3aPIo3d3wtR91p4mOxt3QTgyrkDVgn66rnVmSyfsusG5tKJM5j-zrdxhHMRMIU1xX6_GEHxwRCcOcEyEPJ2-5kQWVA/s1600/hidebook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4WvkRNzZUFesZYTcJ3lv4Z2xY3yngN_gew2_T4_GPGGN9tx7S-3aPIo3d3wtR91p4mOxt3QTgyrkDVgn66rnVmSyfsusG5tKJM5j-zrdxhHMRMIU1xX6_GEHxwRCcOcEyEPJ2-5kQWVA/s200/hidebook.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Not so long ago, adults who read books aimed at a teen audience were either in a minority or hiding their reading material behind a fake cover just in case they were laughed at or considered...weird -<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2012/03/28/the-power-of-young-adult-fiction/adults-should-read-adult-books" target="_blank"> this piece</a> by Joel Stein in the NY Times shows what a number of people once thought (or a minority still believe?)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbJIzDiyOGMJ8rQq4GjpWz027zIApVCBTKxVrK-erO5o4KdX0086UWWqk2p-8DfC_3evzVLEhtOw06mnZQcxPcTeDlfxfs2PaDrFrdbH4KuM9Z3MVxXjpxF7oxfzx_N1VCyNYrat5cvgo/s1600/hpott.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbJIzDiyOGMJ8rQq4GjpWz027zIApVCBTKxVrK-erO5o4KdX0086UWWqk2p-8DfC_3evzVLEhtOw06mnZQcxPcTeDlfxfs2PaDrFrdbH4KuM9Z3MVxXjpxF7oxfzx_N1VCyNYrat5cvgo/s200/hpott.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Along came JK Rowling and her young wizard. Reading about the adventures of Harry Potter and his pals was SO inclusive that the publisher produced editions with updated covers especially for the adult market. And it wasn't just the Potter books that received this treatment - Philip Pullman, Mark Haddon, Lian Hearn (to name a few) have also been successful in the 'crossover' market. Twilight, The Hunger Games , The Mortal Instruments Series and a huge number of others have all earned a popularity beyond their intended audience.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlxyZUSWmuSeJK47eNhgy4ZQe3r9PmvQkJsyaH99f9HDkw_rImq3sceX-vC6H_w6X73GQQetZLOZ3CV9aWjlMeBJiSbygKR2b6js1EHSn0aFfsYGAjUqwy2B6Ebg2Vm9i97LfIYPRMRnw/s1600/shades.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlxyZUSWmuSeJK47eNhgy4ZQe3r9PmvQkJsyaH99f9HDkw_rImq3sceX-vC6H_w6X73GQQetZLOZ3CV9aWjlMeBJiSbygKR2b6js1EHSn0aFfsYGAjUqwy2B6Ebg2Vm9i97LfIYPRMRnw/s200/shades.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The same is true for readers of erotic fiction and the kind of speculative fiction which challenges society's ever-expanding list of taboos. The HUGE popularity of the 'Fifty Shades' trilogy (and its vast number of looky-likey clones) pushed readers from behind their newspapers and out of the dark recesses of their guilt-caves and into the spotlight - suddenly you were weird if you HADN'T read it (I haven't, in case you were wondering, but then I've always been a little weird).</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So, I'm wondering - what's next to be crossed off the list of 'Reading Taboos'? Women reading Haynes car manuals? No, wait...that's already been done. Men reading 'Instructions'? Pah, what am I saying? That'll never happen!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk46ocW9Rn8y0hFkOnJBwaLe9kzYCVmAOO7wUHlbf4LdoIL9FibFAlEkCoFNvckNhptraQeEE-rqGYF4YjrkNP6kSvgNZktDzvQgmIzmldMVypk7GpwV-C8_nDUcIjUFGIcGmmvQ_c7Hw/s1600/17-i-lol.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk46ocW9Rn8y0hFkOnJBwaLe9kzYCVmAOO7wUHlbf4LdoIL9FibFAlEkCoFNvckNhptraQeEE-rqGYF4YjrkNP6kSvgNZktDzvQgmIzmldMVypk7GpwV-C8_nDUcIjUFGIcGmmvQ_c7Hw/s200/17-i-lol.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Ashley McCookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02278777284131696507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4564874185729782627.post-58129260295877203952013-10-06T14:16:00.000+01:002013-10-06T14:16:18.856+01:00What the...?!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjub-ep774zc57x6WplA1YHODlN8TXQbBFFBcO4Li_7zYwSgDY_rFG-bWlgzhtbOr5MAaEmQCQP4aiUQNY5b6sQ_bsJlBERy4pg7kcyZPc9k54IgwJTb-Yl8TEm95dLm3dAEbCw63W8C9U/s1600/Capturewebsite.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjub-ep774zc57x6WplA1YHODlN8TXQbBFFBcO4Li_7zYwSgDY_rFG-bWlgzhtbOr5MAaEmQCQP4aiUQNY5b6sQ_bsJlBERy4pg7kcyZPc9k54IgwJTb-Yl8TEm95dLm3dAEbCw63W8C9U/s320/Capturewebsite.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm not one of those people who 'Googles' themselves but occasionally I look up my website to make sure it's performing the way it should. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I have never authorised any advertising on my website, not because I'm against advertising or anything like that but simply because I haven't been asked by any companies that I actually use myself! So imagine my surprise when I checked on my site this morning and discovered, not only one of those bloody annoying 'Oyodomo' pop-up, questionnaire things but also a rash of links throughout my content sending people off to other publishing sites, online dating companies and even the likes of Tesco! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Um...no! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-P6dzb2P0oXywC5eSVe2PBPyh-xe8KiKEojYqX9sjmVD1mxs6KCNBXSYj8UQOOcCs7bLwY5QJkzi_cQhBXT5ypzqnJaxckTOTJ-ihJ9H65O2_DRPfpg1yAQjNghBibleO92cn_khF7fA/s1600/questionmark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-P6dzb2P0oXywC5eSVe2PBPyh-xe8KiKEojYqX9sjmVD1mxs6KCNBXSYj8UQOOcCs7bLwY5QJkzi_cQhBXT5ypzqnJaxckTOTJ-ihJ9H65O2_DRPfpg1yAQjNghBibleO92cn_khF7fA/s200/questionmark.jpg" width="158" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Half an hour of mumbling to myself, making a coffee, glaring at the screen and scratching my head, I figure that either a) the company who manage my site (1&1) have authorised the advertising or b) some cheeky chappies have hijacked my pages and added their own links. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Neither of these possibilities gives me any kind of warm and fuzzy feelings; in fact both of them are downright rude!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So, do I go into my account and delete all the links one by one (is that even possible?) or do I contact each company and tell them to clear off? Hmmm.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So far I have sent an email to 1&1 asking if they know what's going on and phoned my mother...as you would!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Anyone else had this problem? What did you do about it?</div>
Ashley McCookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02278777284131696507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4564874185729782627.post-12957197451698639672013-09-24T14:08:00.000+01:002013-09-24T14:08:43.742+01:00The Joy and Misery of the First Draft.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcRGyUX6nju1x5RpQ3AmqZpkAArbEPGSezKlGGi0muLKLVGPKVbA0Ee10HmESdrjIvUC4OTmqPT7l3m86KGuCxa7Yq9uyMes74QWqAo92bouTWEexlte0b5j2JPjaJarpqvZl3l2tGDd0/s1600/what+if.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcRGyUX6nju1x5RpQ3AmqZpkAArbEPGSezKlGGi0muLKLVGPKVbA0Ee10HmESdrjIvUC4OTmqPT7l3m86KGuCxa7Yq9uyMes74QWqAo92bouTWEexlte0b5j2JPjaJarpqvZl3l2tGDd0/s1600/what+if.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
When people find out that I love to write books, one of their first questions tends to be "Where do you get your ideas?"</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I would love to say that I am one of those tremendously organised individuals who has an 'Ideas Journal' or a day of the week set aside for 'Possible Plot Meditation' but the truth is that ideas are everywhere - it's a constant barrage of background noise inside your head; a stream of 'what if...?' and 'imagine if...' and 'maybe...'</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Occasionally one of these little voices gains strength and speaks up a little louder than all the rest. It squashes the others down until it's all that you can hear and then you just have to write about it or go crazy! Erm...maybe that's just me.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYxMT0vCSfnDMMOMokV8olXAh-P0M1-K7I2ZM5pKy4hKVDzenUOCpjN3QWYvsIQ3X6lNmjBNHjFn6w77pZb5GKosGPm6CmR-P5VPuEwG_nFF92qCzxI4pkFgWQ1v7JdHq8WmcL2Ge1uHs/s1600/surf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYxMT0vCSfnDMMOMokV8olXAh-P0M1-K7I2ZM5pKy4hKVDzenUOCpjN3QWYvsIQ3X6lNmjBNHjFn6w77pZb5GKosGPm6CmR-P5VPuEwG_nFF92qCzxI4pkFgWQ1v7JdHq8WmcL2Ge1uHs/s1600/surf.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Once you begin to write about it, it consumes you. It's feverish, that kind of writing - it flows out of your brain and onto the page (or the screen) at speed and in bursts of startling clarity. It's the most delicious feeling, to be caught up in that wave of creativity, surfing along its length and whooping with joy at simply being able to weave the story and follow the characters. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Every wave, however, has to break and every so often I find myself sitting at my computer screen and staring at the keys, perplexed. The 3,000 words I wrote yesterday, or even the 10,000 I managed last week suddenly seem ridiculous, trivial...maybe even pathetic. The ability to add more or to see where the story could go is impossible and the temptation is to hit the delete button and start again - I've done that so many times. However, I've had an epiphany of sorts and I now realise what this is - this is part of the journey from forming the idea to writing 'The End': This is The First Draft. Even though a good 60-80% of this won't make it into the final cut (it tends to be back-story) it's still important in the grand scheme of 'getting-the-book-written'.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWg5hZGsIUUfyE3wWw2U28B-xBI-Qh37RYq4-E-p_VOJz8vNUXuOymGCvhb2ZyuQ0WiDkeoM51AjAPHoRmZAXopwK8D_N9N_YNWipzo9IMIj5b8e7fwYpX4eJ_jGxfik_AZZi99tFZITw/s1600/tide.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWg5hZGsIUUfyE3wWw2U28B-xBI-Qh37RYq4-E-p_VOJz8vNUXuOymGCvhb2ZyuQ0WiDkeoM51AjAPHoRmZAXopwK8D_N9N_YNWipzo9IMIj5b8e7fwYpX4eJ_jGxfik_AZZi99tFZITw/s320/tide.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
So, if you're one of those folk who has been writing constant first drafts and giving up when you hit the sandy shores of your idea then take my advice and next time, keep going. Even if you only manage a sentence today...well, it's a sentence more than you had yesterday and don't worry - the great thing about the 'writing and the sea' metaphor is that the tide will come in to rescue you again soon.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Best wishes.</div>
Ashley McCookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02278777284131696507noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4564874185729782627.post-14203382377114432022013-09-18T11:14:00.000+01:002013-09-18T11:14:14.645+01:00This whole Social Media Thing is Damned Difficult!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXLNiiLmH8l1qx2vW6-SeS2Sq0noNWpCWMEAUW-6_yDVxYBBM3Sf3csEyDJgOHtv3qDt2wgEkw1WaRoJxMSYOhNhenknKx7HWqFRwO1Xr58y7v753t-c_3FQyTUfXZyxfmRQ6sEwbZagI/s1600/nice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXLNiiLmH8l1qx2vW6-SeS2Sq0noNWpCWMEAUW-6_yDVxYBBM3Sf3csEyDJgOHtv3qDt2wgEkw1WaRoJxMSYOhNhenknKx7HWqFRwO1Xr58y7v753t-c_3FQyTUfXZyxfmRQ6sEwbZagI/s1600/nice.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I read a blog post a few weeks ago (sorry, I can't remember who wrote it or where...I was just browsing) which stated that the writer, in no uncertain terms, was fed up with being 'nice'. She'd spent the better part of a year attempting to build her 'online presence' with a decent weekly blog, Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads etc. etc. etc and had a reasonable number of followers/friends/fans on each. Her books were selling well (for an Indie) and things were ticking along quite sweetly.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Unfortunately, she felt like a fraud.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You see, she'd done her homework before she went online - she'd told herself that she was going to learn from the mistakes of others and never blog, tweet, post, like anything controversial. She had toned her language down, selected her Facebook 'Friends' with care, only shared book related blogs via Triberr and she was starting to feel the strain of being...well, I suppose she was being the 'magnolia paint' version of herself. It got me thinking - is that what I'm doing too?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyIVmvkQHjo5fNmi36mJ5wM0-UzkI1PukWeSuuzviTFRpO41gSeiCbL4-0NEFFk_Cop_BcPw6Ou0Zn3FCP9BDnHHlhn8v-bbyHEy8DyfW9XASE6ujOY4HEYhpg-n-kyK_RzTW1EAqNYV4/s1600/like+me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyIVmvkQHjo5fNmi36mJ5wM0-UzkI1PukWeSuuzviTFRpO41gSeiCbL4-0NEFFk_Cop_BcPw6Ou0Zn3FCP9BDnHHlhn8v-bbyHEy8DyfW9XASE6ujOY4HEYhpg-n-kyK_RzTW1EAqNYV4/s1600/like+me.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Isn't that the whole issue with the World Wide Web? Everyone wants to be liked and if you're promoting your book, music, art, whatever, then you have a vested interest in presenting yourself in the best possible light. However, as far as I can see, the people who are most successful via social media seem to be those who don't shy away from making waves, giving opinions and generally acting 'human'; which was surely the whole point of social media to begin with - one human being communicating/interacting with another. Of course...I could just be over-thinking it all!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Best wishes.</div>
<br />Ashley McCookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02278777284131696507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4564874185729782627.post-72050058477102547542013-09-08T14:25:00.000+01:002013-09-08T14:25:10.523+01:00This Summer Town.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNKlJ9aE9yMUqRouvJNTaL-LCqX66YIuL2nwG7Y6ihycQqeBJkOjlanMXIcm7Cj-d5DpOYny7lI6qlnLzDAn2M9oE7LKBwCo5pqhdR2eQvjg3qc4idPnTfriqePUo4EL6PC9llIB3AqVc/s1600/home2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNKlJ9aE9yMUqRouvJNTaL-LCqX66YIuL2nwG7Y6ihycQqeBJkOjlanMXIcm7Cj-d5DpOYny7lI6qlnLzDAn2M9oE7LKBwCo5pqhdR2eQvjg3qc4idPnTfriqePUo4EL6PC9llIB3AqVc/s200/home2.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Surfing in July.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I live in a seaside town in the very North coast of Northern Ireland.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In summer the population of the town swells to bursting, with the trains expelling another influx of day-trippers every hour and tour buses disgorging sun, sea and sand seekers onto the beaches and parks (and into the pubs).</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoMYT6Yl1izDNOn2KqNBgj-XaEUUO6Zi1hYolPYr-x3egpMq6p1pWGG3rhJsEQasioCizUDvt34WajLlVP-JKOb7U76a1fKYlGfYCQ5ok__W2etHNcFJVxsUgP2HEFho-vo8A9b9xU9pY/s1600/home4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoMYT6Yl1izDNOn2KqNBgj-XaEUUO6Zi1hYolPYr-x3egpMq6p1pWGG3rhJsEQasioCizUDvt34WajLlVP-JKOb7U76a1fKYlGfYCQ5ok__W2etHNcFJVxsUgP2HEFho-vo8A9b9xU9pY/s200/home4.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The 'day job'.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My 'day job' is in retail and the store that I work in has a prime location a few hundred yards from the train station and on the main drag through the town. The shop sells fashion, footwear, home-wares, stationery, electricals, soft furnishings, gardening and pet items along with a small selection of grocery and perfumes. It's spread over two floors in a building that was once the old town station (and then a nightclub where I used to dance the night away, but let's not get into that). I started working there in December last year, enjoyed a fairly busy Christmas and then a cold and wet winter before the first serious tourists began to arrive around Easter.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The change of pace was incredible and I wondered how the main summer season would compare.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The summer season was insane.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDUKXttk80r3Hf7aCu9t9tikWm4cc-P3CBqAEY0q0J4sThS61vYYc8gJGyAmj2wG8_dq3WLi4kJwfinEovBtChuH6M-Eyny8i4E6G7f1J-ywfe2SYhfSfMTCf9w3it44KniEitSOhC_Dw/s1600/home1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDUKXttk80r3Hf7aCu9t9tikWm4cc-P3CBqAEY0q0J4sThS61vYYc8gJGyAmj2wG8_dq3WLi4kJwfinEovBtChuH6M-Eyny8i4E6G7f1J-ywfe2SYhfSfMTCf9w3it44KniEitSOhC_Dw/s200/home1.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready for the tourists.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The shop refilled regularly as people got off trains and buses, folk wandered in from the beach, often in bare feet and bikinis, looking for sunscreen, towels, shades, drinks, underwear (amazing how many people come away on holiday and forget to pack underwear!), queues built up and disappeared, the store got messed up and tidied. It passed in a flash of sunshine, sand, laughter and waves of tiredness that left me unable to do anything but fall into bed when I got home.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Everything else fell by the wayside - my writing suffered, my home got messy, my kids ended up cooking for me instead of the other way around. It was crazy.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ZJ4aFgKqhWfZFTKVL4nObNgSVpyFsUW4MHDCwnjk4AlyQ-tkHx1-VX0519J06IL5cuiqJpLA0nzU7uzFZTTTh5_pAldQol6UDNBgC4PrD0WnsaRchYSo6ucMPiyrVvfNjLFErMcoO9M/s1600/home5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ZJ4aFgKqhWfZFTKVL4nObNgSVpyFsUW4MHDCwnjk4AlyQ-tkHx1-VX0519J06IL5cuiqJpLA0nzU7uzFZTTTh5_pAldQol6UDNBgC4PrD0WnsaRchYSo6ucMPiyrVvfNjLFErMcoO9M/s200/home5.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roller-coaster sunset.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And now it's September; the beaches are empty of windbreakers and sandy sandwiches, there's no queue for the Post Office and always plenty of chilli-chicken baguettes at the deli counter. The locals have reclaimed their parking spaces and their Sunday walks: Children are wearing coats again as the chill creeps back into the air and the waves send spray high onto the rocks. It seems to be a common belief that a Summer town is sad and depressed once the tourists have gone home; that it craves those few months every year when its streets are full, its beaches echo with the song of bathers splashing in the water and the late night party crowd stagger home through warm breezes from the ocean, their bare feet sinking into still-warm sand. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRKrh6fNfrB4qaK51zxeyCrdZN-fnlXB73fyYxU4w6IB9B1uFSqWSb7ztjROBC9PW9-_4aLg8_892kZBEa-MeM9NZ1XVrGcADGaBK5QPRdpkAmilzoisLen_6EbJk0z6IMKJVebGwMVPk/s1600/home3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRKrh6fNfrB4qaK51zxeyCrdZN-fnlXB73fyYxU4w6IB9B1uFSqWSb7ztjROBC9PW9-_4aLg8_892kZBEa-MeM9NZ1XVrGcADGaBK5QPRdpkAmilzoisLen_6EbJk0z6IMKJVebGwMVPk/s200/home3.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My hometown.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisk6V6RHD2irYh-tDDA0HkDvFZeCgQ08hC12ZNuQo0kY1p3m4-apZWBck4_lxw6pG6-YGIXJOvXGzUvc4VADfuYsbKnIsX8Vmt3642C4iaYgUv8k-UyMLum1mECyoRtQLQgX3Y6H4BFOE/s1600/home6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisk6V6RHD2irYh-tDDA0HkDvFZeCgQ08hC12ZNuQo0kY1p3m4-apZWBck4_lxw6pG6-YGIXJOvXGzUvc4VADfuYsbKnIsX8Vmt3642C4iaYgUv8k-UyMLum1mECyoRtQLQgX3Y6H4BFOE/s200/home6.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My hometown.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Yes - during the winter months our town is quiet; most shops open fewer hours, the caravan dwellers disappear back to the city and the holiday-home owners sign their second homes over to the student rental market. It's peaceful, I suppose. So long as you don't mind the colder weather, lots of rain and storms that roll in off the sea, which I don't. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But 'sad'? 'Depressed'? To be honest I think that this Summer town gives a sigh of relief once August ends, pulls on a heavy sweater and welcomes Autumn with a smile on its face and a fresh wind full of promises.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Best Wishes.</div>
Ashley McCookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02278777284131696507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4564874185729782627.post-29829771560714689602013-06-24T11:06:00.000+01:002013-06-24T11:08:26.880+01:00Hate Mail.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="data:image/jpeg;base64,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" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="142" src="data:image/jpeg;base64,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" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I LOVE receiving emails from readers. Whether they've loved one of my books or have something they want to point out about them - if it's a grammar or spelling mistake, and especially if it's from book 1, then it's usually deserved (!) and I take note. After all, if someone has taken the time and energy to let me have their opinion then I should show my gratitude by reading what they have to say, responding to them and learning from my mistakes.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Well, this week I received 4 emails which really shook me.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
All four were in the same vein - basically I was accused of 'corrupting the minds of teenagers' by writing 'filth and blasphemy' and 'coercing young adults' into 'following dark paths' by 'documenting how to practice satanic rituals'. It was pointed out to me that as a mother I should be concerned with keeping the minds of young people healthy instead of 'insidiously leading them into immoral activities' etc. etc. There was a ton more which got more disturbing as time went on but I'm sure you get the gist. I put off replying because I knew that any of my first reactions (flippant - 'did you know that I was off work this week and wanted to give me something to worry about?' or argumentative 'did you actually read any of the books?') would have been a mistake.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
After receiving the first email I was a bit disturbed but put it down to someone seeing the titles of my books and making an assumption about their contents...like the lady who came along to my first book signing, handed me a card for one of my local churches and whispered that 'God loves you anyway'. I kept the card.</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTQzRQEf8MY1ligltYdQgt6oaLqTTt9cV_5w2pmfpJffRSbhY3z1g" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTQzRQEf8MY1ligltYdQgt6oaLqTTt9cV_5w2pmfpJffRSbhY3z1g" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I've seen author melt-downs on Goodreads etc. where they defend their books vehemently, raging against reviews and comments in a way that makes me cringe and turns the blogging/ reviewer community against authors...and quite rightly so. Most authors would agree that when you put your work into the public domain you have to accept that not all the responses you receive will be positive, but you have to turn the other cheek and let it go.I think the same should go for one-to-one emails. Of course I have strong feelings about my books, characters, settings, storyline etc. etc. but that doesn't mean that everyone who reads them will like them or approve of them. As I've said before, criticism can be constructive and if it is then I welcome it; these emails, however, freaked me out and, yeah, they hurt. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
After the fourth email in as many days I lost my cool a little and (yeah, I'm not proud that I gave in and ignored my own advice!) posted on Facebook (on my personal account):</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Dear Haters, It would be great if you could put 'Hate Mail' or something in the subject line of your emails from now on, rather than just the titles of my books, so that I know not to read your messages before fortifying myself with coffee and chocolate. Many thanks </span></div>
<span class="_4-k1 img sp_b430mu sx_6b30ce" style="background-color: white; background-image: url(https://fbstatic-a.akamaihd.net/rsrc.php/v2/yr/r/kX-8X2c2uc4.png); background-position: 0px -594px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: auto; color: #37404e; display: inline-block; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: italic; height: 16px; line-height: 18px; vertical-align: -3px; width: 16px;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<span class="_4-k1 img sp_b430mu sx_6b30ce" style="background-color: white; background-image: url(https://fbstatic-a.akamaihd.net/rsrc.php/v2/yr/r/kX-8X2c2uc4.png); background-position: 0px -594px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: auto; color: #37404e; display: inline-block; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: italic; height: 16px; line-height: 18px; vertical-align: -3px; width: 16px;">
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Wrong thing to do? Maybe, but getting it off my chest helped. And the emails stopped - coincidence? Maybe. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I deleted the emails.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="data:image/jpeg;base64,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" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="139" src="data:image/jpeg;base64,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" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />Ashley McCookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02278777284131696507noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4564874185729782627.post-26004842715740263762013-06-12T11:16:00.002+01:002013-06-12T11:16:40.038+01:006 Things I Wish I'd Known...Before I Self-Published my Book.<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="data:image/jpeg;base64,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" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="data:image/jpeg;base64,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" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In most schools I visit there's a small amount of time set aside for a q&a with the pupils (and the teachers!). Mostly I get asked if I'm a millionaire yet (I wish!), why I write about the supernatural (mainly 'cause that's what I enjoy reading myself...plus reality sucks!) and when I realised that I wanted to write (I can't remember NOT wanting to, but reading 'Seaward' cemented the idea) but once I was asked if there was anything I wish I'd known before I decided to unleash my first book on the universe.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Well, that one made me pause for a moment.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
There's PLENTY I wish I'd known...or perhaps it would be more truthful to say that there's plenty I wish I'd taken more time to read up on, and advice I wish I'd heeded! I thought I'd share a few things...</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img src="https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ-o92kH8mJZTiDN5Acalbv3gcK3fex7HjC5ScVByvzA-DDe8fa1g" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>1) Writing 'The End' is just the beginning.</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Writing the book isn't enough - there are millions of new titles released every year and your book baby gets lost in the maelstrom fairly quickly. To get it in front of readers means learning to market not just your writing but yourself. It takes time, energy, a huge amount of support and a lot of luck. I am NEVER going to be the master of marketing and I'm fairly useless at promotion, both of myself and my books, but I'm learning. Add in 'building a platform' on social media, finding a good designer to provide you with a great cover that gets noticed, locating a good editor that means you will not mess up your first book quite so beautifully as I did (see point 2) and a billion other jobs that need done and decisions that need to be made. Buckle up...there's a lot more to it than sitting in your garret scratching with a quill and looking tortured.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img src="https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRGoA-1qlzbO-1-d47M7eQHhaP25RAjB3MN_vURL-j5jIfo1mM_" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>2) You will make mistakes.</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Whether the mistakes be in grammar, spelling, punctuation, taking the wrong advice (or choosing to ignore the right advice), whatever....you WILL make mistakes and they WILL be excruciating. Take my advice on this one...admit to the mistakes and correct them as soon as you can. I'm still working on this one.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img src="data:image/jpeg;base64,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" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>3) Not everyone will enjoy what you've written.</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I think that when you choose to share your writing then you are aware that this will happen; you kind of accept that there's a chance someone somewhere will lift your book, read the blurb, make a face and return it to the shelf or buy it, read it, make a face and never lift it again (you may even see copies start turning up on ebay). It's the chance you take when you choose to 'put your work out there' right? Of course. What I certainly wasn't prepared for were haters and those folks who detested what I'd written so much that they sent emails to point out every spelling mistake that I'd made and every plot twist that they didn't like. It hurts. Prepare yourself. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img src="data:image/jpeg;base64,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" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>4) Once your book is released you cannot defend it.</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This kind of follows on from point 3. I've been lucky with this one because I've never felt the need to go onto a public forum and get into a slagging match with someone who didn't like what I've written - I firmly believe that everyone is entitled to their opinion and although it hurts like hell that you may not enjoy my story or like my characters (ouch) and you choose to protest about it on every site on the web, well....that's up to you. It never turns out well for an author to argue their case or defend their characters. Go hide in your cave for a week if that's what it takes for you to get over it, but bite your tongue and let it go.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img src="https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSfLk3GFixAancHpObOsFtnXEnDrAZWejZm6da7oKQP1o5Ng9w9Lw" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>5) Reach out - there is support when you need it.</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
By and large the self-publishing community is very sweet. Most folks I've had the pleasure of meeting along the way are hugely supportive of one another and genuinely happy when someone does well. There's the odd difference of opinion but on most occasions when I've reached out for advice, support, company or just someone to rant to for a minute when my characters refuse to play ball, people connect and sympathise and send you on your way with a virtual hug and a 'talk 2 u l8r': I've made some good friends who, although I'll probably never manage to meet them in person, I would miss if I didn't 'see' them every day.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img src="data:image/jpeg;base64,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" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>6) If you're just in this to make money then forget it.</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Most self-publishers that I know are making a loss - once you pay an editor, designer, buy a proof, have some kind of marketing items made (bookmarks for example), pay the petrol charging all over the country to promote your work etc. etc. there's not much left in the kitty. Honestly, that's okay. I just wanted to find readers. Of course it would be lovely to actually make a living from it but I'm realistic to know that that will probably never happen. Those authors selling their books by the truck-load are the exception and fair play to them - they've worked their arses off to get into such a happy position.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So...6 things I wish I'd known. Any you'd add? Anything important that I left out?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Best wishes</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Ashley McCookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02278777284131696507noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4564874185729782627.post-67034707679548456642013-06-03T10:54:00.001+01:002013-06-03T10:54:49.715+01:00'...I'm just putting the film in my head down on paper...' Chatting to the fabulous Peter Johnstone.<div style="text-align: center;">
Hello again, friends. Pull up a chair and help yourself to a chocolate finger 'cause we have a guest today - Mr. Peter Johnstone; author of the excellent 'Echo', saxophonist, salsa dancer, spotter of people playing games on Facebook etc. etc. Make room, people, make room...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
PETER JOHNSTONE...COME ON IN!!!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjutBIHftCFP95gH8-qt_J7HVOYQ2jyo1vvBW-A54xfivBfcyftfCJ49Prw9JXEFHGP0aL3ulN2gd_KkCD-RZH9aRGNscu7MnoJYaT1I9gdr22T3D2GDRZbfmJxI1ccgEqgENXc97msV8/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjutBIHftCFP95gH8-qt_J7HVOYQ2jyo1vvBW-A54xfivBfcyftfCJ49Prw9JXEFHGP0aL3ulN2gd_KkCD-RZH9aRGNscu7MnoJYaT1I9gdr22T3D2GDRZbfmJxI1ccgEqgENXc97msV8/s320/photo.JPG" width="179" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Welcome, Sir. Thank you very much for stopping by. Let's just wait a mo for the applause to die down...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"><b>Okay...so first question... If aliens attacked, you had to flee your home and you
are allowed to grab just one item on your way out of the door (your family are
safe so don't worry about them) would you take your Sax or your Ipad?</b></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body1" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">So many things to consider here. The iPad is lighter and
easier to carry, but it's a bit fragile and wouldn't be of much use if it came
to hand to hand combat with an alien. The sax, however, weighs a couple of
kilos and could do some damage with a good swing.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body1" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Perhaps I could earn my keep in the post-apocalyptic world
as a </span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">travelling</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> musician. But the noise from the sax might attract unwanted
attention and I might be unpopular if the aliens came looking.</span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body1" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">I'm a writer who can play the sax, not a musician who
writes so, when the aliens come, it'll be the iPad in my hand as I scurry for
cover.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body1" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"><b>Good choice! Have you always wanted to write? </b></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body1" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Body1" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">A grammar school education did its best to suppress every
drop of creativity but, at university, I started several aborted novels, none
of which got very far as I hadn't thought through the story and what I wanted
to say.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body1" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">Echo came after reading a string of good novels, but none
of which quite hit the spot. I realised that the only way to get the perfect
novel, for me, was to write it myself. The final version of Echo is very
similar to the first draft as it was never intended to see the light of day. I
wrote it for me rather than for an audience
and, once it was finished, it was meant to sit on a hard drive until I
accidentally deleted it (which is what happened to all the previous stories).</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body1" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">Echo 2 is different. I'm very conscious that other people
are going to read it and, as much as I try to ignore that, it does impact on
what I write. E2 is a much harder book to write. Particularly the sex scenes.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body1" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Body1" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">Ahem...Okay, so you already know that I loved 'Echo'</span><span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">…</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">where did you get the story idea
from?</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body1" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="Body1">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Echo-ebook/dp/B007HA6CQW/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1369772077&sr=1-1&keywords=Peter+johnstone+echo" target="_blank"><img alt="Echo" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1334912468l/13609635.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Find out more <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Echo-ebook/dp/B007HA6CQW/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1369772077&sr=1-1&keywords=Peter+johnstone+echo" target="_blank">HERE</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">The story is driven by the characters. Echo and York
already existed before there was a story to put them in. I did a creative
writing course with the Open University and used them in several of the
assignments. I wanted my characters to be believable and sympathetic, but not
perfect. In fact, I view them as </span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">anti-heroes</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> In book one I allude to something
Echo had done which, here and now, would make her a war criminal and I go into
more detail about that in E2. But she's also vulnerable; trained and
psychologically conditioned to be the perfect assassin but lacking some of the
interpersonal skills that you'd expect of somebody of her age.</span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body1" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">Each of the books has (will have) a theme. Echo was about
duty versus desire and the need to belong. E2 is about identity; who are we,
what tribe do we belong to? In E3 I will be exploring what makes us human. It
sounds deep but I suspect that most people didn't actually notice that Echo had
a theme.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body1" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">I have to admit that I stole a lot of the underlying
concepts. Anybody who's read Robert Heinlein will see massive parallels with
Friday Baldwin - a genetically engineered artificial person. Interestingly, I
was half way through writing the book when I read Singularity Sky by Charles
Stross and realised that he'd got there first. Not only is his female
protagonist a secret agent, enhanced in a very similar way to Echo, but she
also had floating luggage - I abandoned that idea right there, although I'd
actually stolen it from Terry Pratchett rather than Stross. It was a real Oh
@@@@! moment.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body1" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">My other thievery included Space Marines armour from
Warhammer 40,000, and the Citadel is a thinly disguised Broadsword mercenary
cruiser from the Traveller RPG. Sorry.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body1" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">Once I had all that, all I needed was a plot. I think
that's question 6.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body1" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"><b>It is indeed...do you have ESP as well as EAA (that's Excellent Author Abilities in case you're wondering...)? Never mind...when Ridley Scott gets his act together and makes the
Echo movie, who do you see in the lead role?</b></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body1" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Body1" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">When I write, I'm just putting the film in my head down on
paper and it's definitely a Ridley Scott movie.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body1" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">I trawled the net for pictures to illustrate what my
characters look like and I found a great one for York. It turned out to be John
Travolta with a shaved head and goatee. That works quite well as York, in my head,
is probably a similar age to Travolta (although I made him a bit younger in the
book to reduce the age gap with Echo).</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body1" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">For Echo, I'm thinking possibly Lena Headey. She can
project the combination of vulnerable and hard that I'm looking for. I love the
scene in 300 when she murders Theros. Hard as nails when she needs to be.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body1" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Body1" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"><b>Ooooh, that's good - yep, I can definitely see those two taking on the roles of York and Echo. Do you use social media to promote your books? If so,
what has worked best for you?</b></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body1" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="Body1" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">I've got a <a href="http://peter-johnstone.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">blog</a> which I should update more often - I
write about writing, about my writing and sometime post teaser chapters. I use
Twitter to point the world at large towards the blog and currently, one
tweet results in one sale.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body1" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">I also have a Facebook page, but most of the people looking
at that are people I know and have already promised to buy the next book.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body1" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Body1" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"><b>When it comes to writing, are you a planner or more of
a 'go with the flow' kind of guy?</b></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body1" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="Body1" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">Echo started out as a set of twenty mind maps, each one
setting out what happened in a single chapter. That worked fine for the first
few chapters and then I started asking "in this situation, what would the
character do?" By then I'd lived with Echo and York for more than a year
and I knew them well. So, I let them have their say and suddenly the story
started going in directions I didn't expect or intend. Everything that was on
the mind maps eventually appeared at some point, but there were big diversions.
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body1" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">E2 has a small set of scenarios written down; there would
be a bar fight and some ship to ship combat, but I didn't bother with a plan
for the whole novel. I knew how it finished, who would survive (not everybody
makes it) and the underlying theme. York had a mission, and I decided to let
him get on with it. This approach made the first ten chapters quite difficult
and I didn't really enjoy that part. Eventually I got into the swing and, as I
started to colour in some of the minor characters, I found it became easier and
more interesting. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body1" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">For E3 I'm going back to the more </span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">rigorously</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> planned
approach as I've got accidental loose ends to tie up. The AltSpace creatures
reappear and Artificial Intelligence will be central to the story.</span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body1" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Body1" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"><b>What do you think of the whole 'Indie/Traditional'
debate?</b></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body1" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Body1" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">I really enjoyed writing Echo, then I got an additional
kick from seeing it on Amazon and then another massive buzz when somebody
bought it.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body1" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">The traditional publishing model gives a small number of
people a chance to offer up their work. It's said that everybody has a novel in
them and the indie route allows everybody who wants to have a go, to do so.
Some of it isn't to my liking but, if I've only paid 99p, then I don't feel
badly done to. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body1" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">I do feel a slight pang of jealousy when I see pictures of
you signing real books in a real book shop but then I'm not sure I'd have the
bottle to do the same thing. What if nobody turned up? </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body1" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">With indie publishing , if you want to write a novel, then
the only barrier is you.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body1" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Body1" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"><b>Amen! I think I would have 'control issues' if I was traditionally published - I like knowing that I have the final say in the cover, title etc. etc. although I've made a lot of embarrassing mistakes...let's change the subject... Do you believe that Earth is the only inhabited planet
in space?</b></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body1" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Body1" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">No. Statistically it's highly unlikely and we're finding
new planets in the Goldilocks zones of distant stars all the time. I think that
we haven't heard signals from aliens because humanity and other civilisations
exist for a relatively short time in the grand scheme of things. Blink and
you'll miss us. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body1" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">One day, signals from another world will arrive, but we'll
be long gone.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body1" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Body1" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"><b>Damn! I'd really like to be around for that. Oh, well...can't have everything. What do your friends and family make of your writing?</b></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body1" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Body1" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">My kids haven't read it yet (as far as i know), my dad said
it was OK (we're Yorkshiremen and that's as demonstrative as we get) and
certain parts (!) have been read out at work accompanied by merciless teasing.
I do regret the polka dot pants.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body1" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">I did have a conversation that went:</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body1" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">"I've read your book."</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body1" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">"Did you enjoy it?"</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body1" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">"I don't really read science fiction, and it was a bit
violent. I wasn't expecting that."</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body1" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">Personally I'd have thought there should be no surprises of
that sort from a book with a spaceship on the cover and a blurb that says
"Echo murdered her way across the galaxy". But, hey, I made </span><span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">£</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">1.37 whether she liked it or not.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body1" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Body1" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"><b>Indeed! When is the next book in Echo's story going to be out
(I need something good to read!)?</b></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body1" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="Body1" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">I've just finished the first proof read and corrections. It
will be going out to the first readers next week and, depending on their
reactions, it could be on Amazon in a month or so. I still have to decide on
the title. That's really important as Cathy Helms won't be able to do the cover
until I can tell her what it's called.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body1" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Body1" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">Can't wait! Thank you, I really enjoyed the chat and yes, you kept me off Facebook for the morning - good job, Sir!</span></div>
<div class="Body1" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Body1" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">Right, folks. Our time is up for today. Stack your chairs neatly in the corner and can someone help me with this folding table? I can never co-ordinate folding the legs in and dropping the front...no? Oh, well. I can see you're all in a rush to get back to your computers and find out more about Peter Johnstone so here's where he hangs out online.</span></div>
<div class="Body1" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Body1" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">Best wishes</span></div>
<div class="Body1" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">Blog</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body1" style="text-align: center;">
<u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><a href="http://peter-johnstone.blogspot.com/">peter-johnstone.blogspot.com</a></span></u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body1" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">Twitter</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body1" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">@Pjohnstonetwitt</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body1" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">Facebook</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body1" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">Peter Johnstone - writer</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body1" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">Facebook.com/echonovels </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
Ashley McCookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02278777284131696507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4564874185729782627.post-17916123016145633742013-05-19T09:45:00.001+01:002013-05-19T09:45:21.826+01:00Men in leather - what's not to like?<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://roadracingsupporters.com/images/_45784298_superbikes_start_gallery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://roadracingsupporters.com/images/_45784298_superbikes_start_gallery.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The starting line at the Pits. Image from roadracingsupporters.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Around this time every year something happens to my little corner of the universe: 100,000 visitors - families, couples, campers with tents and folding chairs, pensioners in motor-homes, motorcycles and their riders (dressed in tight leather...I try very hard not to drool) - descend from all corners of the world, the roads get closed, schools shut early, burger-vans set up shop on golf courses, footpaths get fenced off and there's a sense of excitement and anticipation in the air along with the sharp sting of gasoline and the lingering choke of burnt exhaust fumes.</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The International North West 200 Road Race comes to town.</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I have very fond memories of walking with my friends out to the area between Portstewart and Portrush where the riders' vans gather, the TV cameras catch the action, the grandstand seats wait to be filled and flags flutter in the breeze calling everyone to the 'Pits'. It was very different when I was younger - the weather was always better for a start (or is that just how you view everything once you reach 'a certain age'?), the Pits were a jumble of chaotic wonder where you could meet the greats of the road racing world, get autographs, sit on their bikes, watch as they made last minute adjustments and come away covered in oil and feeling like you just met royalty. There was an innocence to it all; a kind of devil-may-care frivolity that ignored the danger and celebrated the madness of it.</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The sharp edge of the road-racing sword struck me deep the year that Tom Herron was killed. </div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'd met him during the week, chatted to the man, laughed as he signed autographs for us all and told us how it felt to be out there on the course, chasing that first place with the scenery zipping past you in a blur and the world narrowing to the view through your visor. His eyes were shining with excitement as he spoke and his smile was wide.</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I heard the news over the radio. I honestly don't remember very much of what was said, where I was when I heard or anything like that, I just remember the feelings - disbelief, confusion, anger, sadness and the realisation that I would never be to speak to any of the riders again without wondering if it would be the last time.</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Nowadays access to the Pits is much more controlled. There are VIP tents, little cubicles where the riders prepare for each race; it's a well organised, slick operation and everyone in our little borough is rightly proud of it. And every year I remember the rider with the dark hair and the laughing eyes and I say a silent prayer for safe racing this time.</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYmt7It0XnAr7iD3qS8NEfEQAbwO7BwH6D6no7q4MnDSDbE-SbqLe2MoUEA8l0cZbiBYzwQOZCbT2DfXON6c0Tlj6QrAB74isaRfgDcRzSaXKRUYzH_M1jQmG97gT9FRz-4owkncpyzEM/s1600/tomherron2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYmt7It0XnAr7iD3qS8NEfEQAbwO7BwH6D6no7q4MnDSDbE-SbqLe2MoUEA8l0cZbiBYzwQOZCbT2DfXON6c0Tlj6QrAB74isaRfgDcRzSaXKRUYzH_M1jQmG97gT9FRz-4owkncpyzEM/s320/tomherron2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tom Herron. Photo from fingymoto.blogspot.co.uk</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Ashley McCookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02278777284131696507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4564874185729782627.post-18289445455115350362013-05-07T13:09:00.000+01:002013-05-07T13:09:54.856+01:00Here's to New Experiences!<div style="text-align: center;">
I made a deal with myself at the beginning of the year - it was a really crappy start to 2013 and I was feeling kind of downbeat - that I would accept every new opportunity that came my way; no matter how much it scared me.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So far it's been one of the smarter decisions I've ever made.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Between book signings, readings, creative writing workshops in schools and a book launch I've had a terrifying but fun year so far. I figured I'd had my fair share of new opportunities so I settled back into working the day job, being mum's taxi service for my kids and writing as much as I could fit in.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And then I got an email asking if I'd consider being interviewed for a local radio station, BBC Radio Ulster, and their 'Your Place & Mine' show. "I can't make any promises," the email said, "They may not use your interview but I'd love to meet up and see what we can come up with."</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Obviously I did the happy dance around my office...giggled a lot. Then the fear set in, I talked myself out of it a few times and then I remembered - new opportunity ...grab it with both hands...'feel the fear and do it anyway' etc. etc. etc.</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiatwP-UpY9sZnU8J-ChmlTbNhoE3TC4P64eYKo4GVkSDjbgl9c7zd78gBMPCDufwALJx_SpwTp5_GQU8d-7VjRIzrZwmSXa10IVFJh66eHW6S4pQiv64y2AJULZf6IqhWl31yQj6wEJ-U/s1600/20130507_083050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiatwP-UpY9sZnU8J-ChmlTbNhoE3TC4P64eYKo4GVkSDjbgl9c7zd78gBMPCDufwALJx_SpwTp5_GQU8d-7VjRIzrZwmSXa10IVFJh66eHW6S4pQiv64y2AJULZf6IqhWl31yQj6wEJ-U/s640/20130507_083050.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from Harbour Hill in Portstewart and yep...that's my shadow!! :D<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Which is how I found myself on top of Harbour Hill in Portstewart (one of my favourite places in the world), chatting into a microphone held by radio presenter Mr Ronan Lundy about books, reading, writing and how lucky I am to live on the beautiful and inspirational North Coast. To be honest, once I'd forgotten that the microphone was there, it was kind of fun - just chatting and laughing with someone about the places and things that I love. We shook hands and he told me that he'd let me know if his producers decided to use the segment but I honestly didn't mind; standing there with the sun on my face, the sound of the waves crashing onto the rocks, seagulls calling all around and the taste of salt on my lips, I just felt very grateful to be alive. Mushy, sentimental fool? Maybe.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Last week I received a text saying, "They're going to use the interview, it'll be broadcast on Saturday morning!" I gulped. Really? Um...what had I said again? I remember talking about books, about the beauty of the coast...what if I sounded lame...boring...my kids would never forgive me! Still...opportunities and all that...I advertised the broadcast on Facebook and Twitter and then tuned in on Saturday morning...</div>
<br />
<br />
<object height="504" width="640">
<param name="movie" value="http://www.bbc.co.uk/emp/iplayer/player.swf"></param>
<param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param>
<param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param>
<param name="FlashVars" value="playlist=http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/playlist/p018k7m2&config=http://www.bbc.co.uk/emp/iplayer/config.xml&config_settings_showFooter=true&config_settings_showUpdatedInFooter=true&config_settings_language=en&embedReferer=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01sb5cn&config_settings_showPopoutButton=false&enable3G=true&embedPageUrl=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p018k7m2&config_settings_autoPlay=true&config_settings_suppressRelatedLinks=true&uxHighlightColour=0x3b5005&guidance=unknown&config_settings_showShareButton=true&domId=media-player-emp&mediatorHref=http://open.live.bbc.co.uk/mediaselector/5/select/version/2.0/mediaset/pc/transferformat/plain/vpid/{id}"></param>
<embed src="http://www.bbc.co.uk/emp/iplayer/player.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="640" height="504" FlashVars="playlist=http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/playlist/p018k7m2&config=http://www.bbc.co.uk/emp/iplayer/config.xml&config_settings_showFooter=true&config_settings_showUpdatedInFooter=true&config_settings_language=en&embedReferer=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01sb5cn&config_settings_showPopoutButton=false&enable3G=true&embedPageUrl=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p018k7m2&config_settings_autoPlay=true&config_settings_suppressRelatedLinks=true&uxHighlightColour=0x3b5005&guidance=unknown&config_settings_showShareButton=true&domId=media-player-emp&mediatorHref=http://open.live.bbc.co.uk/mediaselector/5/select/version/2.0/mediaset/pc/transferformat/plain/vpid/{id}"></embed>
</object><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Apart from the fact that I sound like Smurfette, it was...okay. I sounded coherent and upbeat, proud of where I live and enthusiastic about writing (I even managed to talk about my books without going off on tangents which is kind of a miracle!).</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Thank you so much Mr Lundy and the folks of 'Your Place & Mine' - what an experience!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Ashley McCookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02278777284131696507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4564874185729782627.post-25310435118330394162013-05-03T10:10:00.001+01:002013-05-03T10:10:45.689+01:00"They hate me in the produce section." Author and Photographer David Cassidy Stops By.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDPm2MVlGe7QxYiF0AgqRn7dct_txrMPg_pbHmPskh0J1PVgaxGdyfl0m-Jx7o4_VIlAUp41MzlfjhSQpr1Xx0bSVN-IIODEGRznObvQJu__2Z70qGE25qLRgXxJ8bKZ9ai-6-thOuwVQ/s1600/COLOR+AUTHOR+PIC+640+x+800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDPm2MVlGe7QxYiF0AgqRn7dct_txrMPg_pbHmPskh0J1PVgaxGdyfl0m-Jx7o4_VIlAUp41MzlfjhSQpr1Xx0bSVN-IIODEGRznObvQJu__2Z70qGE25qLRgXxJ8bKZ9ai-6-thOuwVQ/s200/COLOR+AUTHOR+PIC+640+x+800.jpg" width="160" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Ladies and Gentlemen, please be upstanding for the really rather fabulous David Cassidy who has been brave enough to drop in for a visit today. Goodness! </span><span style="line-height: 18px;">You</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> are all rather loud and energetic for this time of day - you can sit down again now, here have a biscuit. Oh, and I </span></span><span style="line-height: 18px;">brought</span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> coffee (no sugar!). That's better, now shall we have a chat with David?</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hello there! Thank you so much for coming along for a chat and a cuppa. Tea? Coffee? Orange juice? There may even be something a little stronger in that drawer over there...there are cob-webs on it? Er...no then..I have arachnid issues. Can I ask a few questions? Excellent.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Okay, let’s start with something simple…can you
really juggle?</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Absolutely. Balls. Time. Staplers. They hate me in the
produce section.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Brilliant! I've tried but ...well, I can throw them all up in the air, it's just the catching again that I have problems with. </span><b><span style="line-height: 18px;">You've</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> had your writing compared to Stephen King,
Dean Koontz and Clive Barker – which, if any, of these authors do you feel the
most kinship with and why?</span></b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">It’s a tie, actually, between King and Barker. King is
the sublime storyteller; Barker the wordsmith. I like to say that King taught
me how to lie my ass off and make them believe. Barker taught me how to
imagine—and then to imagine </span><i style="line-height: 115%;">more.</i><span style="line-height: 115%;"> I
often feel like </span><span style="line-height: 18px;">I'm</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> a blend of these writers. </span><span style="line-height: 18px;">I'm</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> always pushing myself on
every page and every chapter. I strive to tell a great story that is written
equally well.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">That's a great answer. I love King's grasp of character - he makes you feel that you know each and every one of his creations personally. Barker is the 'King' (see what I did there? Tee hee...ahem) of creating the fabulous and incredible and bringing it to life in vivid colour with beautiful descriptive language. Speaking of </span></span><span style="line-height: 18px;">which</span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> .. <b>I love your ‘Rocks and Rolling Fog’ photograph, what
do you get the most pleasure from – photography or writing?</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Thank you! That’s one of my favorites (and there’s an
interesting story behind that particular shot on my blog at </span><a href="http://davidccassidy.com/2012/06/24/doh/"><span style="line-height: 115%;">http://davidccassidy.com/2012/06/24/doh/</span></a><span style="line-height: 115%;">).
From a purely creative perspective, I can honestly say that the pleasure is
equal. </span><span style="line-height: 18px;">I'm</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> very visual, whether it’s in words or images. I love to create art
with camera and keyboard.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>You‘re a big music fan too – do you have music playing
while you write? Or do you prefer quiet?</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">I prefer quiet when </span><span style="line-height: 18px;">I'm</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> writing, but not always. It’s
amazing how inspiring Mozart and Vivaldi can be.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Have you ever imagined ‘Velvet Rain’ as a movie? Say
you had carte blanche to cast whoever you wanted as Kain, Lynn and Brikker, who
would you choose?</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Being such a visually creative person, I write what I
see. </span><i style="line-height: 115%;">Velvet Rain</i><span style="line-height: 115%;">—and anything that I
write—always plays out in my head like a movie. So yes, </span><i style="line-height: 115%;">Velvet Rain </i><span style="line-height: 115%;">often feels like a movie to a lot of people </span><span style="line-height: 18px;">who've</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> read
it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">If I could cast the characters? </span><span style="line-height: 18px;">I've</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> actually seen this
in my head, believe it or not. For better or for worse, here’s what I see:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kain – Hugh Jackman<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lynn – Jodie Foster<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Brikker – Bob Gunton (the warden from <i>The Shawshank Redemption)</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />Oooh, Hugh Jackman's fabulous and yes, I can see Bob Gunton (he IS Brikker!). I might have to have a think about Jodie Foster...not sure who I had in mind while I was reading...<b>Are you reading any books right now? If so what are
you reading and why did you choose that book?</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Right now, </span><span style="line-height: 18px;">I'm</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> reading </span><i style="line-height: 115%;">Gray Justice</i><span style="line-height: 115%;"> by Alan McDermott. </span><span style="line-height: 18px;">You've</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> got to love the premise: The
justice system fails, and a man takes matters into his own hands—to the
extreme.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">What’s the best advice on writing that </span><span style="line-height: 18px;">you've</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> ever
been given?</span></b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Finish that first draft.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ha ha! That's good advice! <b>Can I be nosy? What’s your current work in progress? </b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">I'm</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"> working on a supernatural thriller, <i>The Dark.</i> It’s about a young boy who
learns that everything has a price.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oooh. I'm intrigued - will look forward to that one.<b> If, like your character Kain, you could go back and
undo something that happened in the past, what would you choose?</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">I'll</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"> look at this in two ways: In a global sense, and a
personal sense. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If I could change something globally, I’d go back to the
1950s and tell the world how good they have it. Tell them to get off oil and
make better choices—to warn them about how screwed up things are going to get
if we don’t change.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">From a personal perspective, I’d go back and spend more
time with my parents. I lost my mother a short time ago, and I’d give anything
to have that time back.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I think a lot of people would agree with those choices, David. Okay...I don't want to keep you from your writing, photography and music too much longer...final question? <b>Why don’t you like clowns?</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Because no matter who we vote for, they still run the
world into the ground. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Now, for those bozos who dress up in </span></span><span style="line-height: 18px;">make-up</span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> with the big
hair and the big shoes … they scare the crap out of me. Am I the only one who
saw </span></span><i style="line-height: 115%;">It?<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nope...and Tim Curry was SUPERB!!</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you SO much for taking the time to call in for a chat, David. It was lovely chat about you and your wonderfully creative life. Folks, if you'd like to find out more about David and his work please click on the links below.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">LINKS<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Website: </span><a href="http://www.davidccassidy.com/"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">http://www.davidccassidy.com</span></a><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Twitter (@DavidCCassidy): </span><a href="http://www.twitter.com/davidccassidy"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">http://www.twitter.com/davidccassidy</span></a><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Facebook: </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/davidccassidyauthor"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">http://www.facebook.com/davidccassidyauthor</span></a><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Velvet Rain (AMAZON) : </span><a href="http://bit.ly/VR-1"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">http://bit.ly/VR-1</span></a><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Velvet Rain (SMASHWORDS): </span><a href="http://bit.ly/VRSW1"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">http://bit.ly/VRSW1</span></a><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Ashley McCookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02278777284131696507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4564874185729782627.post-90813396369760921702013-04-25T11:46:00.000+01:002013-04-25T11:46:38.514+01:00The Day I Killed a Camera.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="data:image/jpeg;base64,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" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="data:image/jpeg;base64,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" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I did warn them.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"Don't point that thing in my direction," I squealed, covering the lens with my palm, "It looks valuable and mine is a face suitable only for radio."</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
They laughed, told me not to be such a wuss, to sit still, smile sweetly and 'enjoy' having my picture taken. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So I did. The flashes from the cameras, camera phones, ipads etc. lit up the spines of the books watching silently from the shelves all around us. I relaxed into it; ignoring the camera as I chatted and signed copies of my books, pretended no-one was filming when I stood up and made a speech about the power of words and the magic of imagination, had almost forgotten that the click and whirr noises were coming from a camera as I read an extract from the book I was launching, Demon's Blood.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We nibbled on Summer Rolls, dipped Chicken Satay into lime and chilli sauce, sipped (or guzzled!) wine or apple juice. The book launch was over. I relaxed and had fun.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And then I got a call a few days later. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"Those photos I said you could have for your blog? Erm...there's a problem."</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I got into the car and drove to his house where he was staring sadly at the screen of his computer.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"What happened?" I asked, sitting down beside him. "What's going on?"</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"I'm so sorry," he said. "It seems that there's a problem with the memory card...the photos are lost."</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I looked up to where the huge camera sat glaring at me from the shelf; I remembered the violence of the flash as it had gone about its business - catching pieces of my soul behind its lens, trapping my image on the memory card and locking it away forever.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I turned to the photographer. "I did warn you..."</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/541616_10151334765356540_938973154_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/541616_10151334765356540_938973154_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Pics that survived my Medusa-like abilities, from the local paper - with thanks to the Coleraine Times (to my knowledge their photographer...and his camera...survived the encounter!).</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/p480x480/534997_10151334763556540_1377674728_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Photo: God bless the Coleraine Times! Pics from the book launch. Don't your girls look fab Siobhan Fleming and Sharmayne Weir? Oh, and you look fab too, Neill Walker!!" border="0" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/p480x480/534997_10151334763556540_1377674728_n.jpg" width="309" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Huge thanks to everyone who came along and helped to launch my new book. It was great to see so many of you!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
To the wonderful folks of Waterstones, Coleraine for allowing me such a wonderful opportunity - I truly appreciate all your support. And to <a href="http://www.eatwhoosh.com/" target="_blank">'Whoosh'</a> who catered for the event (your food was absolutely incredible. I've had dreams about that lime and chilli sauce!) and my mum and dad who provided wine and juice to wet our whistles (love you xx). That was another night to add to my list of 'things-I-never-imagined-I'd-be-allowed-to-do-and-I will-remember-forever'.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
Ashley McCookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02278777284131696507noreply@blogger.com0