Medieval Novel - Holiday

Determined to finish my mediaeval novel I stopped posting messages. I have finished it and submitted it to literary agents. Phew!

I then went on holiday with my daughter and her three children which I enjoyed,  although more fine weather would have been welcome.

On our last morning the wind gusted across the beach at 50 miles an hour. From the window of the café that overlooks Woolacombe Bay I watched surfers wearing wet suits riding the waves. I also looked down at intrepid parents trying to erect a windbreak and their hopeful children holding buckets and spades. A few hardy people attempted to walk along the shore.

While we were away I took my shorthand notepad everywhere and amongst other things noted the colour of the sky and sea when they changed according to the weather. Such observations are often useful when I am writing a novel. 

Priorities

Summer seems to have arrived. I love long sunny days when I get on in the garden after I write from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. with a break for breakfast.

Today the sun shone while I filled two more troughs with John Innes No.3 compost and planted 3 strawberry plants in each. My two year old strawberry plants in the front garden are fruiting well.  This morning I picked a few sun ripened ones that smelled so fragrant that they made my mouth water.

I tidied up the garden, putting odds and ends in the shed. I watered the plants in the greenhouse. I've put tomatoes outside to harden off before I plant them in the garden, and I potted up sweet Williams. By the way the flowers can be added to salads.

I always feel very peaceful when I work in the garden and also appreciate the results. At lunchtime I enjoyed a green salad made with baby lettuce, dandelion leaves, shepherds purse, and chive flowers, which I ate with new potatoes cooked with mint, and dressed with vegetarian mayonnaise and dill from the garden. Delicious with sliced tomato sprinkled with salt, pepper and a pinch or two of sugar, and brie. I really enjoy crisp, freshly picked lettuce which tastes so much better than lettuce from the supermarket.

Yesterday and Today

I've no idea why but yesterday I was so tired that I literally couldn't keep my eyes open. I returned to bed and slept for hours. Then it was a rush to get ready to attend my 14 year-old grandson's birthday in a Mexican restaurant. Eighteen members of my family got together to enjoy each others' company and a delicious meal. Afterward we went to an Italian Ice-Cream parlour which also serves cookie dough, cakes, cheesecakes and other desserts. The children like the banana splits and other treats

After a good night's sleep I continued to line edit the printed copy of my mediaeval novel. I really have almost finished tweaking it and, with the second volume of the chronicles in mind, am re-reading Kathryn Warner's Edward II.

My writing stint completed I worked in the garden. It's time to plant out as much as possible from the green house. I tipped a bag of horse manure and a large bucket of home made compost onto a 4foot square raised bed and then planted leeks in it.

Now I'm fed up because I wasted a lot of time trying to find out how to cancel a job listed on the printer. I've given up for now and am blogging etc., before I watch Spring Watch on television.

Yesterday and Today

Tuesday's Child, False Start, Wrong Point of Vew

I made several false starts when I began to write Tuesday’s Child. I had decided to write an author’s note to explain some of the events in Sunday's Child. After I finished the note, I began the novel, but no matter how often I wrote and rewrote the first page explanations about events in Sunday's Child were necessary

 

I needed a fresh approach. While I worked in the garden I considered the two important characters I had introduced in the first paragraph. Only one of them knew what happened in Sunday's Child so it became obvious that I should write from his point of view which would make it unnecessary to refer to previous events. .

Yesterday evening, after dealing with a lot of other ‘writerly’ business, I deleted the author's note and the first page. I then rewrote page one. As you can imagine, it's a relief to have solved the problem.

 

 

 

 

Roland Bows in False Pretences A Romantic Regency Mystery

False Pretemnces A Romantic Regency Mystery

 

By Rosemary Morris

 

Roland, hero of False Pretences, a traditional Regency romance, makes a low bow in appreciation of Great Historical’s review. He is delighted because the reviewer thinks he will linger in the reader’s memory.

 

Amazon Review. 5.0 out of 5 stars. A sweet and suspenseful Regency Romance. Kindle edition.

 

“Rosemary Morris has penned a delightful romantic story about a young woman named Annabelle in search of her family. Raised in a boarding school, with no contact with any family, and in the charge of a guardian she has never met, she runs away only to find herself in danger. Roland, a handsome man of means, saves her from imminent danger. He takes her under his wing and together they unravel a web of lies until the shocking truth of Annabelle's past life is revealed.

Rosemary Morris writes with ease and readability. Her characters are well rounded, evolving as the plot unfurls. This novel has a bit of everything - an endearing romance, a hint of mystery, dastardly villains, plenty of suspense, and a memorable hero and heroine who will stay with you long after you finish reading. The ending is intense as all the secrets are revealed, leading to a highly satisfying conclusion. A lovely sweet romance worthy of all age groups!”

 

www.amazon.co.uk and www.amazon.com False Pretences B009YK1MFO

 

Barnes and Novel, AppleiBookstore, Kobo, Blio, Google Play, Overdrive, Omnilit, All Romance E Books, Bookstrand, Coffee Time Romance, Scribd, Smashwords, Flipcart – India, Tolina

 

You may read more chapters and view the book trailer at;  www.rosemarymorris.co.uk

Half Term and Bank Holiday

During half term and the bank holiday weekend, I've continued to write and deal with 'writerly' matters and keep up with mundane chores, cleaning, tidying the house, shopping etc. I've also enjoyed time with my grandchildren.

On Bank Holiday Monday, my daughter's children stayed for the night at my house. In the morning, I made a packed lunch and we went to Cassiobury Park. My granddaughter played on the swings slide etc., in the playground while the boys played football. After lunch my granddaughter played football with the boys. Before we went home I had a latte and the children had ice creams.

 On Tuesday I looked after the children while my daughter had an appointment. The younger two and I played snakes and ladders and Rummy Cub. Granddaughter has learned to cheat so she won't have to go down the snakes. Lots of fun and laughter!

 On Wednesday we went to the Aqua Pool in Aylesbury. There's a whirlpool that sweeps swimmers around an artificial island, an outdoor swimming pool, indoor pools suitable for everyone from toddlers to adults, jacuzzis around the pools and flumes. My five year-old granddaughter hurtles down them with her Mum behind her. She's very confident. All of us enjoyed the visit and our picnic lunch in the café which we enjoyed with an addition of potato wedges followed by treats for the children.

 Tomorrow, weather permitting I shall work in the garden, if not I shall cook and freeze some meals. The children will stay with me for the night. If the weather is good we shall have a picnic at Rickmansworth Aquadrome on Sunday morning. After a walk around the lake with granddaughter using her scooter, we will have our picnic and then enjoy drinks and treats in the café.