Category Archives: Writing Word Prompt Response

Writing Prompt: Value- One For The Ladies

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Value

Today’s WordPress writing prompt is the word value, and I noticed it’s been suggested by one of my favourite bloggers Roberta Primentel all the way in Norway.

 Do you value yourself? Seriously do you? Don’t just say  “yeah I do” think about it- when was the last time you put yourself first? When I saw today’s prompt, what came to mind is one’s self, how much value we place on us.  Secondly, I thought of myself and how much I (now) value myself, compared to this time last year. As a romance writer it is so easy to whip up the perfect characters and everything is nice and everyone is happy, (after a few hurdles), but in reality love and life is not always like this. I’ve found in my thirty-three years of living, that the slightest thing can cause you to de-value yourself or compromise yourself. Sometimes with no thanks, or without even realising it.

You all know how much I love music, Amy Winehouse just came on my Spotifier player I thought of her, the poor girl. She was just a year younger than me  and sooooooo talented I went to one of her concerts here in London – when she was at the top of her game. And I brought the album Back to Black the day it came out, as well as her first album Frank. I have a lot of respect for her as an artist dead or alive, especially after I heard her sing live. But she died not because she was addicted to drugs and drink, what brought her to that point? In my view low self value. She valued another person more than herself ( her lover), it got so much for her the heart ache of placing this guy above herself she turned to drink and drugs to numb the pain.  I have read interviews over the years where her ex-husband has stated that he does feel guilty, and partly to blame for her death. So sad. She never got the chance to bounce back from Back to Black and come out the other side valuing herself more than some guy who clearly did not deserve her heart. Have you listened to that album? I mean really listened, not just to Rehab and Valarie the well known songs. Every every song has some reference to her heart ache. One thing I’ve always said about Amy is, out of her heart ache, came a masterpiece of art, her words, her feelings and her great voice earned her award after award all that from a broken heart and low self value.

Tell me ladies, is it really worth it? Not valuing yourself enough ? Letting yourself go so badly that you go from one extreme to another in your looks, ability to perform and be who you are?

RIP Amy.

The Amy I’ll always love

 

Last Friday, I read the morning’s papers and there was an interview with Britney Spears, how she’s fearful that her boys were growing up so fast, how she feels more herself in her thirties than her twenties. I can relate to the latter 100%. Britney is another woman who lost herself by placing less value on herself and more on someone else. We all remember watching her decline from a pop princess to a shaved headed maniac, hitting the paps with an umbrella… why? Why did this happen? We’ll never know but my guess is that a lot of it was to do with pressure of motherhood, then single motherhood , divorcing her shit-bag husband, a  breakup with Justin Timberlake all kinds of bull shit, I guess she was trying to please everyone but Britney, and it ended up with her melting down. Thank God she bounced back. Over the years, I’ve been secretly rooting for her comeback,  when I heard her her comeback song ” Gimmie More”  in 2007 the opening is   ” it’s Britney bitch” then she sings, I laughed and I still do when I hear it as it’s like two fingers up to all her haters. Good for you Britney! You’ve had so much stick over the years, I’m glad you’re back on top and doing what you do best.

 

The Britney I’ll always love

 

That’s not all what about Whitney Houston? Gosh that voice, the hair in the 80s, I love Whitney but she too lost her self worth and value  to yep- another person. Bobby Brown. We all know her story and it is so sad that she died, and even sadder how she died. Just another example of what can happen when a woman loses her self value and worth.

 

RIP Whitney

 

 

And my last female example is Lauren Hill, I am a MASSIVE  fan of her, it was her and the group The Fugees that introduced me to Hip Hop. My older sister brought me the album     “The Score” by the Fugees on tape I remember LOL, and she also brought me Lauren Hill’s album ” The Mis-education of Lauren Hill” back in the day. Lauren’s story is not so much highlighted as the other ladies in the media, but she too lost her self worth and value to another person. She also considered aborting her son due to media/industry pressure. Now she’s back  and is now on the up from watching You- Tube updates on her. Good for you Lauren!

 

Glad to have you back Lauren

So what is the point that I’m actually trying to make… a very simple one. Ladies value yourself . Choose your male mate wisely Aretha Franklin said it “R.E.S.P.E.C.T. ME! ” Remember you are like a flower you need to be watered and tended to regularly in order for you to bloom. If not you will wilt away and die- your personality, goals, hopes, dreams, ambition and self belief that you can do whatever it is you’d like to achieve. You will not value yourself as you should and may make poor decisions.

The four ladies I’ve used as examples of women who have lowered/compromised or lost their self value are extreme I know, as two of the four died, but two of the four have bounced back and   that’s the message I want to give.  Bounce back! As I said earlier in this post, this time last year, I would not say I had no self value, but it was lowered, compromised and  I was pleasing everyone but Kim. I put a stop to it, for the sake of my own sanity so I’m able to continue to  be the best mother I can be,  write, laugh, be me and over see the safety of both myself and my son.  Now life is much more better!

 The last thing I want o say is, this month is Domestic Violence Awareness month, I was alerted of this yesterday…. so  if you are in any form of abusive relationship or friendship, get the help you need NOW and get out. And if you are in an emotionally abusive relationship (this is just as bad) get the help you need NOW and try to walk away. The year is ending start 2017 with a new attitude… love you before anyone else.

Thank you to Roberta Primentel for today’s suggestion, and inspiring me to write.

 

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Cover Reveal: Code Redhead- A Serial Novel#amwriting #romance #amreading #charity

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code-redhead-1

Evening guys!

Hello from a dark, grey, rainy  and windy London.  I’m in a very good mood, more than I was already, it’s been a great indoor day.My two year old son and I did a day of indoors  arts and crafts and Disney movie re-runs, as the weather is terrible.I’m still in my pyjamas  :), don’t worry I’ve brushed my teeth and washed my face.  He has fallen asleep so it’s time to write. Just as I was about to get started, good news just popped up in my inbox from my publisher, here I’d like to reveal the cover of the book of anthology  short stories that I’m currently writing for, for the  cancer research  standup2cancer project over in the USA. Isn’t it fantastic? I really like it, when I saw it my jaw really did drop and a thought damn I need to rework my story, this book cover screams sexy,modern,and no where heartwarming and sweet! 

So those of you who voted or left me a comment and said go for a romantic story with a touch of thrill and suspense rather than a general thriller story- you’ve got your wish! This book cover (to me) does not say  sweet, cardigans and low flat sensible walking shoes at all. What does it scream to you? If you’d like to know more about the project and how the money raised will be spent click here ….. I better get writing I got me a deadline to meet and a story to re-work.

Have a great evening. 

 

 

Writing Prompt & Book Excerpt: “I Disagree…asshole!” #amwriting #amreading #romancereader

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Disagree

Today’s WordPress writing prompt is disagree. I don’t think it’s a bad thing to have your own mind, and not agree with everything and everyone. In A Stranger in France my main heroine Kate,  clearly feels the same way. Here’s an excerpt from A Stranger in France showing Kate’s POV and her  explosive disagreement with her husband Danny. I’m not going to tell you what they disagree about, who, what or how  helps her to gain  her inner strength back, to stand up to Danny….. oh the suspense continues!…. You’ll need to download it from Amazon to find out…. So far A Stranger in France has received only 5 star reviews.

 

I slam  my fist down on the kitchen table to punctuate my last word. He raises his eyebrows at me in surprise. I don’t know what he’s so surprised about, how can you come out with a bullshit comment like that to the woman you’ve been married to for five years that’s offered financial and emotional support without any resentment….. up until now.

‘’Look Kate, let’s not argue.”

Suddenly, I see Danny through different eyes, the rose tinted glasses have been removed. I look him up and down and realise I’m too much for him, clearly not the type of woman he needs I’m just not needy enough. That’s what makes him feel like a man a needy woman. Does he not know behind every successful man stands a strong woman. In a rage I scream out at him.

“That’s the problem Danny, we don’t argue or even communicate for that matter, and you’ve shut me out and made me feel unwelcome in my own home. You said you’ve hated me at times! Hated me for me being who I am? For working hard and achieving? Having a plan and sticking with it? Not failing in life? Not being the one who was made redundant? What?’’

I walk up to Danny and stand under his six foot one frame, I’m no longer fearful or feel I need to censor my words. I get right in his face.

“Tell me what have I done? For you to fucking hate me asshole?”

Amazon

Writing Prompt: Unfinished Business…

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Unfinished

Write a post for today’s WordPress one word writing prompt unfinished.

By nature I’m a little bit of a perfectionist, I like to do things just so if it means a lot to me, I feel a sense of satisfaction when I have completed something  I’m not a fan of  unfinished business. The most recent thing I’ve left unfinished for much longer than I would have liked, is a story I’ve had rolling around in between my ears since October 2015. One full year! But what I’ve learned is that sometimes it is best to have unfinished business, as when you go back to finish up – things can be a lot more better.

Since I completed all writing and edits for A Stranger in France, and finally got to release day   in between that and  waiting for my second book to come back from the editor, I’ve gone back to the drawing board on this unfinished story. Six things happened when I read what I wrote a year ago through….

  1. Shock, it was terrible! All over the place in terms of presentation, layout, and I was not a fan of how the characters/ story came across. My (tiny) experience  from writing two other books kicked in.
  2. I re- drafted on paper the story ,about four times before I settled with what I have now!
  3. I re-wrote the first 4 chapters ( not from scratch) but I removed a good chunk 
  4. I managed to take the story in a new suspenseful/mystery  direction then I originally had done.
  5. I wrote and edited the first three chapters, once happy I sent it off ( last weekend ) to my publisher for feedback, with the full book synopsis.
  6. I feel now much more happier.

So I guess unfinished business in some cases can be a blessing if you’re a writer or  hope to have some of your work published some day, you can go off learn something from another project, then come back stronger,  and finish up in a more happier place. 

I hope I do get some positive feedback, even if I don’t I will still write the story for my own satisfaction  to not have unfinished business! 

What unfinished business have you got? WHY have you not finished it? What is your plan to have it complete?

 

Have You Voted For A Genre Story For Me To Write For #standup2cancer charity project?- Quick Note From Me

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Hi all

Thank you to the two voters who picked a genre for me to write a story for, for the standup2cancer writing project I’m  participating in, with some other authors. All sales from the books will go to the charity to help raise money for cancer. Authors will not see a penny.

I need more votes! As  two voters have voted in opposition, and so there is no clear indicator on what genre has won the vote. I’m inviting YOU to vote, don’t think too hard on it. Right now, all I’m asking is someone takes the hard choice out of my hands over what genre I should write in. The writing prompt is “Code Redhead”,  we need to write something using  this prompt….. and you all know how much I love a writing prompt! Now… do I write a romance or a thriller story? The month the book is published  with my story and other author’s  stories will be February 2017.

You can find out more details and vote by clicking here

Writing Prompt: Stylish….hmmm

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Stylish

My favourite hour of the day! The WordPress writing prompt word has been announced and today it’s stylish. I love this word as I love style and fashion, other than writing and reading, style and fashion are two of my very favourite things. I can sew, follow dress making patterns, alter them and adjust clothes etc   just another skill up my sleeve. I  also own a sewing machine- I just love fashion and style.

So today, you’ll learn a bit about me  when it comes to style and also about Nicholas D’Coix when it comes to style… who is he? Oh where have you been? He’s the hero in A Stranger in France and he has BAGS of style.  Before we meet him and his style here are a few of my favourite things when it comes to style:

Personal style must haves

  • I can’t leave the house without a shade of lipstick on or a spray of perfume – habit.
  • I love to wear scarfs oversized ones with bold prints.
  •  When I invest in a new lipstick it  always has to be a matte finish one, not satin, or gloss  – like my book cover that’s matte too lol ( girls you know what I mean by matte.)
  • My every day perfume choice is actually ” Lovely” by Sarah Jessica Parker or  “Look” by Vera Wang – most days, but I have lots of smells I love.
  • My nails are never bare without polish, whether its bold and bright or dark and vampy they are always painted.
  • I don’t ever where trainers, like Nikes etc I have one pair of Converse and that’s it. I’m a shoe or boots girl always have been.
  • Jeans are always dark denim, much more flattering to the bum and thighs!

Here’s an  excerpt from inside my book A Stranger in France, which shows readers just how much style Nicholas D’Coix has. When I was writing this character, in my mind as a man he is  not only drop dead gorgeous he’s so stylish with it too. He has a natural flair with fashion. Here’s Kate’s POV on his style…. when she first meets him…..

After dinner and drinks, Tanya and I hit the dance floor fully buzzed from our champagne and ready to dance the night away. I’m so tipsy, my feet are not even killing me in my strappy wedge heels. Song after song, I dance, laugh, speak bad French to the locals and forgot my troubles in London, when from out of nowhere he appears again. Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome grabs me from behind and spins me around to face him. He is even more handsome up close. In a smooth French accent, he introduces himself as Nicholas and asks me for a dance. How can I say no say no when I’m standing in front of a deep chocolate skinned, six-foot two foot man with a well cut body and enough style to make even Sarah Jessica Parker from Sex in the City jealous?

I glance around for Tanya she’s deep in conversation with a handsome stranger of her own, what the hell? I turn back to Nicholas smile and we dance, pressed against him with my arms around his neck and his hands on my hips. He has great rhythm which makes me wonder if he has this much rhythm between the sheets….

 

Amazon.com

 

One Word Writing Prompt: Silence- Poem

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Silence

Write a response to today’s WordPress one word writing prompt: silence

Sometimes it was best to just say nothing. Silence, to let you think everything was OK,

In  reality, back then everything was far from OK. But I stayed silent– what I wanted to say I’d  always kept for another day.

Let me think back to all the times I held my tongue, 

Each day there was silence, it was really because my heart was really on the run, 

Not with you anymore, and not connected to my mind either. My heart and mind were at war over what

Choices I should make, the rules and expectations I would break, if I said 

Everything that was on my mind. You’d think I was being unkind, so I lived in silence and just existed…. well hear me roar! I’m about to break that silence.

Writing Prompt: Day #3 Get Your S*** Together!… Book Excerpt

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Togethera-stranger-in-france-1

 

 

 

 

I sat down at my laptop tonight to actually look over the current book I’m working on, I’m in the swing of things now I’m done with A Stranger in France and my Christmas book . (I’ll tell you the name, do a cover reveal and chapter reveal nearer the release date I promise.) I got side tracked this evening as today’s WordPress writing prompt word ” together.” I had two very different reactions to the word,  first it was awww I like that word I can write a nice poem or something for that, the second was Danny hmmm he really needs to get his s*** together. Now if you’re not sure who Danny is, it’s Daniel Brown the villain in A Stranger in France. One character I had fun writing. I took a risk and wrote him in a bad light and gave him centre stage along side Kate and Nicholas. So Back to Danny, a prize idiot in my view, who needs to get it together ASAP! I won’t give it all away and tell you why, but here’s an excerpt from A Stranger in France from Danny’s POV showing just how much he needs to get his s*** together.

 

 Danny is sitting at the kitchen table, it’s just gone lunch time yet he is hunched over his second beer already. In total silence in deep thought. The past two weeks have been a haze for him –literally. He arrived home that Saturday night two weeks ago on Valentine’s Day expecting to see a grieving Kate. He knew she would come around. Give her an hour or two and she’d be trying to talk with him and make peace.

The game had been good Arsenal won 2-0 against Manchester United, in his view it was well worth missing all the Valentine’s Day dribble he thought to himself, as he made his way home to Clapham from Woolwich, on the most romantic day of the year.

 But on his arrival home Danny could not believe it when he had read Kate’s note. It had been totally unexpected the bitch she’d left him. At the time all he could think was what did this mean? Were they over? Would she be back? He never once believed that Kate would up and leave him. To him Kate is a strong woman, determined and a fighter yes, but leave him? That was out of the question  ….. to be continued!

Over the last few weeks I’ve  focused on all three main characters, by posting an excerpt from inside  the book, using a word prompts which relate to each  character.If you’ve missed them and want to read more excerpts you can here just scroll through.

 If you want to know why Kate  left Danny, what he does about it and fall in love with the sexy lush Nicholas D’Coix (who I fell in love with while writing him), release day for A Stranger in France is Tuesday next week! On Amazon yippie! Just a few more days and you can escape, in this whirlwind of modern day romance- suspense set in three very different settings. And I hope you enjoy.

 

 

YOU Decide What Genre Story I Should #Write For #Standup2cancer #Author #Charity Project- Please Vote!

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Evening guys,

So a few days ago I told you all about the charity writing project I’m participating in with my publisher, to help raise some money. Myself and a few other authors will write a short story to publish together in one book. The book will be on sale from February 2017, all proceeds from the book sales go to the charity Standup2cancer, we (authors) will not see a penny of it. You can read more about what I’m doing and the project   here  if you missed my blog on this.

 Today, I’d like to invite you  help or  decide for me what genre story  I should  write?  I thought this may be fun and also I can’t decide! But today I  got my deadline, so I better get cracking.With your vote, tell me should I write a romance or thriller genre short story to include for publication in February 2017? Our stories can only be 15k max in words, so it’s pretty short. Place a quick vote in below. This vote will be open until the 30th September only.

Thanks in advance.

Have a good weekend