Wednesday 20 April 2016

Guest Blogger Rosemary Morris.

Today I am a Caroll Bradd's guest. If you have time, you may read the blog. The link is:http://blog.lindacarroll-bradd.com/?p=920

All the best,

Rosemary Morris
Multi-published Historical Novelist

Friday 15 April 2016

Free Read: 350 Word Flash Fiction, Daisy Won 2nd Prize

My 350 word Flash Fiction Daisy won 2nd Prize at Watford Writers.


 

 

Daisy

 

Jack stared at the cheque. If the court verdict resulted in no other couple suffering as they had, it was more important than the money.

He reached into the inner pocket of his jacket, and took out a pair of tiny socks with lace-edged frills. The ones Daisy had worn when they had rushed her to outpatients at the weekend.

“Nothing serious,” the intern said.

Frightened, they gave Daisy her medicine, cooled her with damp flannels, and then, panic stricken, took her to the surgery.

A year ago they had looked forward to Daisy’s first white Christmas. Instead of celebrating it they watched snow gently settle on her tiny satin-lined coffin.

Their grief-stricken parents and other relatives rallied to help them. Fair weather friends avoided them, not knowing what to say.

Counselling helped to break free of their individual prison cells of sorrow, and to communicate with each other. It also gave Jack the courage to insist Emily visited her parents to be cossetted.

Alone in the house, where the memory of Daisy’s chuckles echoed, Jack had packed her clothes and toys. If his heart had been brutally ripped out, surely the pain could not have been worse. 

Tears filled his eyes. His arms ached to recapture the past. Another baby could never replace Daisy, but he or she would have a unique place filled with his love.

Jack sighed. Once, when he was a small boy he played with his sister’s doll and pushchair.

“What are you doing?” his mother had asked.

Even at that age he realised she was surprised.

“I’m pretending to be a daddy,” he replied.

He had always looked forward to bringing up his children, but now it was up to his wife.

Emily arrived as softly as one of the snowflakes falling outside.

For fear of upsetting her, he quickly returned the socks to his pocket.

She kissed his cheek. “I’m ready.”

“For what?” He hoped she would say what he longed to hear.

“Another baby.”

“Are you sure?”

“I’ve never been more certain.”

A year later, Poppy joined Daisy in his heart forever.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monday 11 April 2016

Guest on Anastasia Pollock's Blog


11th April. Today I am a guest of Anastasia Pollock, crafts editor and reluctant amateur sleuth, on her blog, Crafty Knitters. My article features naval captain, Edward Howard, the hero of my novel, The Captain and The Countess. Edward’s outstanding artistic ability makes him more perceptive than most gentlemen in Queen Anne Stuart’s reign, 1706-1714. 

LINK:

 
http://www/anastasiapollack.blogspot.com/2016/04/crafts-with-anastasia-guest-author.html

 
Rosemary Morris

Multi Published Historical Novelist

www.rosemarymorris.co.uk

Sunday 10 April 2016

Stretching the Mind and Body


Hooray. By almost ignoring social media for four months I have just finished researching, revising and editing my new 85,000 word historical novel. Three more chapters to post, one by one, to my online critique group. After I receive constructive feedback, I'll put the novel aside for a month before I read through it and make minor corrections etc.

 
This morning, I also worked in the garden, I planted a rosemary bush that languished in a plant pot all winter. At one end of an eight foot by five foot vegetable patch, I planted yellow gladioli in groups of five, removed tete-a-tete daffodils from pots and interspersed them with the gladioli. They will flower against the backdrop of the holly bush and make a splash of colour. I also raked the bed and worked potato fertiliser into it before planting chitted second early potatoes. Phew! I shall put my feet up and read for pleasure,

 
All the best,

Rosemary Morris

Multi Published Historical Novelist

 

Monday 4 April 2016

Touching Base

I'm have returned to social media after two months during which I have been very productive. I finished the third of my days of the week series, Tuesday's Child and have nearly finished editing and revising it with the online critique group that I am a member of. Two of my Flash Fiction stories won second prizes at the Watford Writers, the group I belong to, and I've written a short story for a weekly woman's magazine. I also double checked the spelling and grammar in my mediaeval novel set in the reign of Edward II. Phew! And now it's nearly time to write a competition entry, a short story and begin a new novel, as well as getting on in my garden in which I grow, fruit, herbs, ornamentals and vegetables.

All the best,
Rosemary Morris
Multi Published Historical Novelist