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Random Word Play: ‘Postmark’

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Well, in my quest to continue writing about words, and researching the origins of them, today as I opened my dictionary the random word I stopped at was ‘postmark.‘ When I think of this word I think of mail and letters. Letters are very important to me and have been for maybe more than ten years now. That’s because I have international pen pals … yes! Pen pals? Like who does that these days? *Raises hand.*

I have enjoyed the art of handwritten letters sent far and wide around the world, for more than a decade. Some people I have and still do exchange letters with, I have never even met! We have seen a picture of each other, and in some cases I have two pen pals that I have never seen. All we know is each other’s gender, race, age, location in the world and that is all. The rest we have learned about each other via letter exchanges.

I started by just joining a community of people who love stationery and letter writing,  then I was matched with actual pen pals. I used Geek Girls Pen Pals this is a service where you sign up with your email and interests,  by the middle of the following month you are matched with another pen pal who could be anywhere in the world! Really great service. So, back to today’s word ‘postmark’.

How I Have Used This Word?

When I wrote my first mystery novel The Note   I used letters and notes as a way to drive the story forward. The letters also did not show a distinct ‘postmark’ which made it hard for both of my detectives to trace where they have come from. Other than this as a fiction writer the word ‘postmark’ has not been a major factor in my work, but letters, letter sending, or writing them via my character have always been! I seem to have a ‘thing’ with driving my plots forward with notes, diary entries, or actual letters. Be it from decades ago and relevant to the characters in the present day, or vice-versa.

Should Letter Writing Be A Regular Thing? Or is Technology Better?

If you ask me, yes! Letter writing is so therapeutic it can really help you to express what you feel, in that moment, or historically based on the past in a clear way. This could be relevant to diary writing. But in terms of writing a hand written letter to a friend, family member, or a pen pal you have never met I would still say, yes. I think that letter writing helps to keep literacy levels high! Obviously, and it also encourages deeper communication with a person. This is because you are actually thinking about what you are writing in more detail, than when you write a text, email, or social media post. This is my experience with it anyway.  Letter writing can also help you to form some wonderful long-lasting friendships, with people you would not have met otherwise. I also have found over the years that letter writing builds a slower form of friendship, because you are not having a real time conversation, you need to wait for your response. The result of this has been for me some deep and meaningful connections with others.

I also really love the thrill of going to my mailbox and seeing a letter with an international stamp on, knowing it has travelled miles to get to me, and the sender as taken some of their own precious time to sit and communicate with me.

Is it better than technology?… mmm, no I would not say it is. This could be because I have grown up in the era when social media and the Internet was birthed. I have seen how helpful, quick, and useful it is. Especially for things like research, or even just trying to find your way to a location you have never been before, using Google Maps rather than a traditional map. That said, I do feel that traditional letter writing and communication that comes with a traceable postmark and technology to communicate both serve different purposes. I would not say that one is better than the other, as they are (for me) used for different reasons and at different times.

Where Does the Word ‘Postmark’ Come From?

Well, according to  the Online Etymology Dictionary  this word means:

“Mark or stamp of a post office placed on a letter, etc., giving the place and date of sending.”

According to the Oxford English Dictionary:

Noun: “an official mark stamped on letter or parcel, giving the date of posting and cancelling the postage stamp.”

Verb: ” To stamp a letter or parcel with a post mark.”

It became an official word in around 1670, and is taken from the words post and mark.

Post:

[mail system] c. 1500, “riders and horses posted at intervals,” it was used to refer to messages being sent back and forth, using what we now refer to as a mail system. Clearly around 1500 this was all done by horse using people as the messengers. Riders would ‘post’ on their route, meaning to drop off the messages. The word postmark was also probably fashioned on the French word poste, around the 1500’s which literally does translate to ‘post’ in English.

The meaning “system for the conveyance of letters” is from 1660s. From the 1590s this related to the use of a vehicle to send messages back and forth. From the 1670s is was referred to as “a dispatch of letters from or to a place.” From the 1680’s this is when the word related to newspapers.

Mark

“Trace, impression,” from Old English mearc (West Saxon), merc (Mercian). A “boundary, limit; sign, landmark,” it came from Proto-Germanic *markō (source also of Old Norse merki “boundary, sign,” mörk “forest,” which often marked a frontier; Old Frisian merke, Gothic marka “boundary, frontier,” Dutch merk “mark, brand,” German Mark “boundary, boundary land”).

Post Mark:

This word which came together from two other words is one that can be used in so many ways, from writing fiction based on the postmark of a letter or note, it can be used to identify the location of something or someone, and it can be a source of joy to see when a letter arrives in the mail. Much more so than when you see a letter that has a local postmark and you know it is a bill for something that needs to be paid! Whenever I get bunch of mail and mixed in with all the bills to pay is a letter with a postmark for a location hundreds or even thousands of miles, away it does brighten up my day.

What was the postmark of the last letter you received? Where did it come from?

What was the last letter you received was it a bill, or something personal and nice?

Do you write letters, have pen pals? Have you ever considered it?

Do you send traditional post cards, or birthday cards still?

One Positive Change I’ve Made in My Life?

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Daily writing prompt
Describe one positive change you have made in your life.
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You know, there are a few now I think about it, the first that comes to mind is probably my sleeping habits. Many moon’s ago, before I became a mother I could go out ( and party), grab a McDonalds breakfast in the wee hours of the morning, come home, take a shower, and go straight to work. I cringe at the thought of even attempting to do this these days! I could never. I was in my late teens and early twenties then.

Since then, and not having this patten any more, I have always had a habit of going to bed late and waking up early. I am rather strange in that I am both a night owl and morning person. ( Meaning I don’t mind getting up early). But this is impossible if you’re getting into bed at stupid-o-clock and getting up before the sun rises. Your body, health, and mental state are completely messed up with this pattern.

Early To Bed, Early To Rise

A little while ago, I answered a writing prompt on what I would do more of if I had more time, in this I spoke a bit about my journey with yoga and qualifying as a teacher. One thing that this course has encouraged me to do is get to bed early, and rise early. According to Ayurvedic yoga and medicine and your own body type, there are set times that are good for you to wake and go to sleep. For me my ‘dosha’ is  Veta in Ayurvedic medicine/ yoga, and this encourages a bed time of around 10:00pm and to wake up before sun rises, typically around 6:00am. I have tried to do this for a while, and over the last few weeks I have changed my actual ‘bed time routine’ to include things that are great for this ‘dosha’ of mine.  I must say, it has done wonders for me and my energy levels the following morning, not to mention the quality of sleep I actually have during the night. This is for sure one positive change that I have done in my life. It is hard to get into bed at 10:00pm though, because this is often when the house is quiet ( not on the weekend when my son is up later than normal), and it’s also a really cool time for me to write, listen to music and chill with my partner, or do something that I wish focus on even if that’s just read a magazine. *Sighs* so I find myself going to bed often times after 10:00pm. I have modified this to around 11:30pm!! And I don’t have any problem getting up for around the 6:00am mark, as long as it’s not a chilly morning and the house is not too cold. 

I really love getting up early, it’s a great time for me to clarify my thoughts, as again the house is quiet! I can write, journal, do a twenty minute yoga session or use my exercise bike, and start my day calmly and refreshed. It’s also really nice to actually sit with a cup of tea and watch the sun rise from the window, or balcony if it’s not to chilly out.

Quit the Fags!!

You know this was probably the best thing I have done in my life. I don’t even know why I started this shit, as it was so hard to break the habit. My mum died of cancer, and so did my dad, they both were smokers and heavy ones at that. I started this habit in my teens to be ‘cool’ I guess, and as life went on and became more stressful, I turned to it as a way to coping. I also used it as a social thing while in my twenties while out drinking, at parties, or bars etc. When I got pregnant with my son ( he is now nine) I did manage to stop, as it was disgusting while pregnant. I was one of these women who did not know they were pregnant, in fact my test showed up as negative and then I went back to the bin a day or two later and saw the faint line. I  didn’t believe it as it was so faint. I retested and hey-presto my son was in the oven cooking, I was pregnant and so I was no longer interested in smoking.

It was not until my mum died, and I saw exactly what lung cancer does to a person, and how it really is just not something I would want for myself. The thing is, later in life in my thirties I only really associated smoking with dinner and having a coffee, I was never a heavy smoker it was just a habit. So when my mum died in 2021 I really made a conscious effort to stop. I used Nicorette gum and for me it worked as I was never a very heavy smoker. I didn’t manage to crack the habit on my first try, as I was trying to stop during a very stressful time ( Covid-19, death of my mother etc). However I managed to do it. Plus, my partner does not smoke, and he loves exercise and fitness so it made no sense to continue. Not only that, I myself as a yoga fanatic and healthy eater the habit of smoking just really does not go hand- in- hand with who I actually am, in terms of trying to look after my body and health generally.

Commitment To Journal Writing

 

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Journal writing has been a part of me since I was about maybe fourteen years old, however, I made a commitment to daily journal writing about six years ago. This has been life changing! In so many ways, I have gained clarity, understanding of myself, feelings, and the world around me. It has helped me to action plan, think about the future, and manifest the kind of things I hope for into reality for me. I think that the practice of daily journal writing even if it is a few lines can be helpful in the present moment, and in the future when looking back on things. It’s a great life long habit for me. It’s the one place I am totally honest, God knows what people will think after I die and they read them LOL.

Moving Near The Water 

 

About six years ago, I upsticks and left the major city in the depths of south London where I was born and raised. I moved to a location near water, a lake to be exact. Now, while the lake was not as pretty as the one in the picture, was wonderful! It even had a man-made beach. Since then I have moved, but I made a conscious decision to live (in the city) that is right by lakes and water again. If I drive less than ten mins I will reach a lake, and I don’t think I could live in a location that does not have access to a lake, green spaces, or somewhere I can connect with nature again. I will always be a ‘city girl’ I’m from London, so of course that will never change. I love the vibe and buzz that cities have no matter where they are in the world. What I have learned though is that water is essential to me, it just does something that helps to keep me balanced and yes, sane! Not only that creative, I have plotted ideas, stories, and things I want to write about, right by the water. I have learned that I really enjoy walks around them, being near them, dipping my feet in them, sitting by them, and just observing the world go by from a location surrounded by water and a few random ducks. This was something that really changed my life in a positive way.

What about you? What changes have you made?

‘Nothing’: Random Word Play

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So following on from my initial ‘random word play’ short writing, tonight I’m looking at the word ‘nothing’. This is the word my eyes landed on as I randomly opened the dictionary on my desk.

Pronoun: 1. not anything. 2. something that is not important or interesting. 3. nought!

The word ‘nothing’ comes from the Old English word naping and nan (meaning none/ not one) nap and ‘thing’= meaning nothing, came into the English language around the 16th century . By 1961 it became used as an adjective according to Etymology online dictionary

What do you think of when you think of ‘nothing’?

By this I mean the word, not when you literally try to think of ‘nothing at all’. To me the word nothing feels like a very empty word to me. I don’t know if this is because I know full well the meaning of the word, but I really mean this. As as I sat and contemplated the word the first thing that came to mind was literally ’empty’. Then I started to think, when was the last time I felt nothing–empty in other words? 

I’d probably say, not to long ago, around 2021 when I learned that my mum was ill and had been for sometime, but  she hadn’t said anything. I really didn’t know what to think, feel, or even say. Part of me felt angry at first and couldn’t understand why this was happening. Then I realised that there literally ( at that point in time) was ‘nothing’ that I could have done to make things better for anyone, or change anything. All I could do was along with my sisters help prepare mum for her journey out of this world, and at the same time prepare myself for that loss. The thing is I could not do either very well, I kept trying to search for the meaning of things… of life! This was after the feeling of ‘nothing’ and empty started to progress and mould itself into a new emotion.dictionary-ge95f59802_1920

Becoming Still

When I think about other times in life that I have felt a sense of ‘nothing’, what usually has followed this is a period of stillness. I am by nature a very reflective person, while I may be still in my actions, contact with others, or even my progress with writing my mind never seems to stop! I find that when I am moving through the state of nothing-ness (outside of my experience with my mum) I literally withdraw but overthink so much.

Is Becoming Still a Bad or Good Thing?

When I reflected on this, I realised and felt that generally speaking ( there I go again using that same word and phase from last week!) No, becoming still is not a bad thing. There was a point in my life when  I completely changed my life and direction, but while I made all those changes inside of me I was very still. I sat back and really thought about what I wanted out of life, where I was and was not going, and defining what I saw for myself and future. It was wonderful, it lasted a long-ass time too! I was still for a while and that stillness did wonders!

How Does One Become Still?

I think that before you decide how, why is the question? One thing I have learned is the beauty of thinking about what’s needed and why before I make a full decision. I have also learned to centre myself around ‘what’s needed’ as much as possible these days also. Become clear on why you may need to take a pause and experience the beauty of ‘nothing’ and then, withdraw yourself from any form of attachment to situations, people, places, or things you need to become still from. This will look different for everyone, whatever withdrawal looks like to you–do it. It could be your time, energy, money, resources, or even just the blessing of having your support and presence offered to others. Once you withdraw, think, reflect, and make lists of things about what you think your next move should be. Weigh up the pros and cons of each item and select the best course of action for you next, after  you leave your period of ‘still’. I find that being still often involves going deep inside one’s self too, it’s a path of discovery even if you are not actually taking and kind of action towards or from anything, you’re simply exploring from a still place.

Nothing, Not Important, Uninteresting

Now, this is what the English dictionary would have us believe the definition of ‘nothing’ means. What is not important, and should be given the energy of ‘nothing’  in life generally I think is:

  • Making ‘wars’ and conflict for no reason other than selfish gain.
  • The past, because it’s the past and should not really shape the future or continue into the future if the past has been a negative experience. Other than for lessons to be learned, I see no importance of negative past experiences to be held on to.
  • Worrying about things. It brings stress, impacts on health, and keeps you stuck in a place where you can’t see the woods from the trees! You can’t think clearly.

When I think of the dictionary definition of this word, it leads me to think of the word, action, and feeling of ‘release.’ This is due to the above three points I see as nothing, not important, and uninteresting. 

If anything, what would you release right now? Or what do you realise after reflection really needs to be released? So that you can feel ‘nothing’ and move into a state of ‘becoming still’ to figure out where you’re going next?

In conclusion, I feel after writing this nothing, stillness, and release can all (potentially) bring one thing; clarity!

‘Generally’: Random Word Play!

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A little while ago, okay let’s be honest more than a little while ago, sometime in October 2020 I gave myself the challenge to actually do as many writing prompts as I could. It sparked the ‘get to know me and rambles’ section on my blog. This week I revisited the idea of what I could do, blog about, or write about. Mainly as I now I’m through the worst of the pandemic life changes, I’m settled, and ready to revisit the world of general blog writing as I was before and fiction writing, I started to think about this challenge I set myself, not too long ago, way back when!

The news has been a wonderful source of inspiration as honestly there is so much happening in the world right now. Much of it I don’t agree with. But who wants to jump on the soapbox and be political all the time *rolls eyes*. Don’t get me wrong, activism and advocating, or even expressing views are wonderful things, I’m all for it, but I do it a lot LOL.

I put my thinking cap on and thought: why not write about words for a bit and see where it goes? Language is such an interesting thing and being bi-lingual English and French, English being my first language, it is wonderful to see similarities between languages ( especially when there’s a stark contrast ‘generally speaking’ between English and French), and it’s great to understand where words come from.

I opened the dictionary’s that’s on my desk randomly this evening at the time of writing this, my eyes landed on the world ‘generally’. This is a word I use a lot in my own speech. ‘Generally speaking’, ‘in general’ I find myself saying a-hella-lot when I reflected.

So what is this word all about and where did it come from? How did it enter the English language?

‘Generally’

Adverb: 1. in most cases. 2. without regard for details. 3. widely.

This is according to the English dictionary. From research ‘generally’ stems from the word ‘general.’ It came from influence from the ‘old French’ language around 1200, and directly from the Latin word generalis (relating to all). Around the 14th century it was first used in the English language according to Merriam-Webster dictionary

In Life is ‘Generally’ a good thing or bad?

I really started to think about this, generalisation (or generalization for my American friends), and generality are both linked to the word ‘generally’. Meaning: a broad statement, common, a general statement rather than specific.

Generalisation or to look at things generally, are both useful I think when we look at things like data and statistics. This I learned in university, as part of my research project. It is really helpful to give you an overview of things in a very ‘general way,’ so you can build up a picture and make an educated or informed decision about something. That said, to generalise people, situations, places, or things not for data or statistical purposes may not be such a great thing.

Why so? Well, I feel that generalisation or being very general with one’s view on situations, people, places, or things  can and does at times lead to things like stereotypes, preconceived ideas about a person, situation, place, or thing. This to me firstly as a woman of colour is not a good thing, there are too many of these generalisations, preconceived ideas, and stereotypes that sound this demographic of people already! If you know, you know, if you don’t get it you really need ‘to walk a mile in our shoes’ as the saying goes.

Secondly, I feel that the same applies to others also, all the ‘isms’ are free to run wild. By this I  mean discrimination and stereotypes based on sex, age, income, disability, sexuality, religion all the things that the world loves to use to ‘separate’ people, and often times not for very good, logical, or reasonable reasons.

So, ‘generally speaking’ outside of using generalisations, and looking at what generally is the norm outside of data collection, for facts, statistics, academic, scientific, and medical research to me it’s not a good thing in life. You really need to take each person or situation as an individual to a certain extent, before you generalise them or it. People, places, situations, and things should not be generalised too much.

If on the other hand the generalisation is based on personal experience, and you have had enough experience to qualify your generalisation or feeling generally about something, a situation, person, place, or thing–now that’s different. It’s a bit like collecting data for statistics ( you’ve had enough experiences) to give you an ‘average’ or ‘norm’ and can then generalise or have a feeling generally.

What do you think, is it good to generalise, or be general in life?

 

Writing Prompt: Opposite Day… Poetry Day!

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 Today’s Writing Prompt–if you normally write fiction, write a poem, if you normally write non-fiction, post a picture, if you normally post pictures,… write fiction! 

Okay, I never have been or never will be a poet! But it’s today’s writing prompt so here are two small poems for two men very close to my heart!

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Every day I wake up and wonder what today will hold,

Will it rain or snow, will it be hot or cold?

But most of all while we’re at a distance due to Covid-19, I wonder how you are, if you have slept, have you had breakfast yet, are you still working so damn hard on that dream of yours? The answer is yes, I bet!

When I go to sleep, you’re still awake, when I wake up you’re still awake. The time difference makes no difference forget +6 hours damn, you are up all hours!

I admire you, your drive your ambition, your goals, for all the years I’ve known you I’ve never really seen you fold!

What does the future hold? Not for me or you… but your goal?

Just know, while you’re there working hard I’m supporting you from afar,

I can’t wait to see you become the self-made millionaire I know you are!

And yeah, that joke you made about that holiday… I hold you to it!

So just make sure you when it comes to  all the goals you’ve set, like ‘Nike’ you better ‘just do it!’

 

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Baby boy mummy loves you, with all that’s going on in the world right now she feels extremely protective of you. Police, society, ‘Karen’ they all have it in for you, or anyone that looks like you,

Life has changed, you stay home, no school, no friends, it feels like we’ve been thrown into the den of the unknown. But we’re trying to do what’s best for you, until we know how the pandemic will impact fully on little old you. I am so sorry to have to isolate you,

At times I wonder are you okay? But then you smile and let me know you’re having a great day.  I’ve been so proud of you over the last few months, I’ve seen a new side to you. Homeschooling has not been a bad thing at all for you! You’ve shown me just how bright you are, even if at times it’s been a little bit of a struggle at school to me you’ll always be a star.

Keep smiling, keep laughing and keep shining even if the world is not doing this with you. I wonder in ten years time when the world sees  a different side to you, no longer a cute harmless little six year old, how will they view the sixteen year old you? Will they pull their guns, will they see you as some kind of ‘public enemy number one?’ Don’t worry, from what mummy  heard on the news the world is putting up a fight not only that, for  anyone who looks like you, and mummy is standing right behind you,

Everything will be okay,  those police will not get away, I heard on the news today the lawyers are filing a full blown civil rights case against the Minneapolis police department today!  To ensure anyone who looks like you will always stay safe, okay.

The Long Weekend- Reflections, Energy and Rambles

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Good morning and happy Sunday! I’m really trying to slowly get back into this ‘just writing’, personally and from the heart with updates and rambles.  I  miss the daily writing prompt challenges from WordPress, it’s been a good few years they stopped it. I was just trying to search WordPress for a blogger that does daily challenges, or picture writing prompt challenges without much luck. Can you recommend a great blog to follow that does these? 

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Reflections…the last week in my world ‘locked down’

Anyway, another week down, another week in lock down too in my house. And another week of no school! Last week, I did a lot of reflection on the return to and re-opening of schools.  Not much has changed in my mind on further reflection. However yesterday I did find a fantastic resource to help with home schooling those that are continuing with this. A children’s author on Facebook shared her handwriting books which are available on Amazon, really inexpensive and look good! I snapped one up to keep us going until September.

Home schooling generally is going well I’m trying to be consistent with it, in all honesty I have seen the improvement in my son’s overall abilities in writing and spelling. So that I am thankful for.

Last week, I also got the edits back finally from my publisher for Sacrifices. A historical romance with a touch of suspense, I wrote about a year ago. I’m really keen to get going on the ‘early edits’ as they called it, as I’ve not actually read my work since they accepted it back in February.  August is set to be the release date, not long to go. I’m also really excited to see what they do with the cover, based on the brief I gave them as this is unlike any other story I’ve created before. I enjoyed setting a story in the 1950s-1960s and right in the height of the civil rights movement across the USA. It was a challenge, but a different and enjoyable one.

Last week’s Highlights…

We had some nice weather last week, and the BBQ was pulled out too. I do love a good BBQ I seem to be getting better at it LOLZ. It’s only a tiny one but it does so well, I hope next week and over this long weekend we get some more sun so I can make use of it. I don’t plan on leaving the house or taking any trips. I myself and family are staying very much in ‘lock down’ and social distancing. I thank the goodness for the small outside space to get some fresh air.

This morning read a few blogs here that I follow, many people have  highlighted the front of this weekend’s New York Times newspaper. It has 1,000 names on of those who have passed away from Covid-19. I was really touched by it ‘1,000 people, damn’ I said out loud in disappointment. And that’s only those that have been recorded, I’d take a bet there are many more.

Talking of Covid-19, over this last week I had a conversation with a friend who is living over in Brazil she told me, that their president has been against the ‘lock down’ all along! And as a result, the country is really losing it’s battle against the virus. I asked myself how could anyone be totally against it? Just look at the statistics, it’s eye watering reading over the amount of cases and deaths. But…. I won’t rant on.

How are things going with the management of Covid-19 where you are? I’d love to hear in any comments.

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Fresh energy…Reiki Anyone?

This weekend for me has been a very relaxing for me, I’ve not done much apart from read. But, I did sign myself up to an online Reiki course which  I am soooooo excited about, I was up until about 4:00a.m I started the course’s reading materials. It’s an online course and I was originally looking at an offer I saw for a soap making course, something else I wanted to learn how to do. (May as well up-skill myself during the pandemic aye). The Reiki course was on offer so I could hardly pass it up, but it wasn’t the price that really attracted me (even though it’s an absolute steal!) Those of you who know me well, know I really enjoy things like metaphysics, physics, astrology the strange and unusual so naturally I’d be drawn to this. However, a few months ago I had my first ever Reiki session performed on me….from a distance too! The practitioner was in a place in the world I have on my bucket list to see— New Orleans, USA.

She’s a qualified practitioner of Reiki of course, and many of you may wonder if this would even work at a distance….well it did! I felt the ‘energy’ transition to me it was wonderful I felt great after, I really needed it. At the same time, I relaxed on my sofa as she did the Reiki for me and at one point, I felt like I was being pulled off my sofa. Seriously, I kid you not this really works!! Don’t doubt it. Have you ever had a Reiki session? What’s your views on it?

There are three levels to the course, it mainly involves reading and some meditations in order to qualify to a level that you can teach others. There’s also a part on charging crystals with Reiki energy. I don’t think I’ll teach it even if I complete the Reiki Master level, but I’d love to carry it out on myself or others.  So far,  listening to the lectures has been very interesting learning about the founder of the energy healing method, and how it made it’s way from Japan to the western world. So this is my new ‘up skill’ course for the rest of this long- term lock down. And learning how to make soap.

My plan for today is, to finish reading a horror book I have for a book tour, listen into some of my Reiki course lessons and generally chill. If the weather picks up, may even crank the BBQ up. Right now, it’s pretty cloudy as I sit out and write this, today may not be the day but I remain hopeful for this afternoon’s weather! I hope you have a wonderful long weekend, and keep safe wherever you are! What are your plans?

 

What Made You Write That, Kim?…

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Good question! Many of you might be wondering ‘why the hell have you written a writing prompt book?’ The long answer is very long, the short answer is, well I just love writing prompts. And writing prompt for romance writers are even better!  Those of you who have followed my blog since day one will know this, I have been blogging using writing prompts for short stories, random thoughts and to allow you all to get to know me since day dot when this blog started. I love picture prompts too. Back in the day say 2016-2018,  I used to participate in weekly writing prompt challenges much more than I do now. I think it’s so exciting to be given something, or even half of something and then to complete it and make it your own.

Also, they are really great for motivation also, writers often can suffer with procrastination a lot they can help overcome this.

What was the process like writing it?

Very different to a romance or thriller that’s for sure, and a hella-lot quicker! The idea started a little while back, if I think back to pin point it I’d say just before Didi and I started really working on The Suspenseful Collection #2 – Blurred Lines. I started to write down ideas, sentences, situations and things as prompts. I collected a lot and tucked them away. I took inspiration from situations or people (characters I guess), that just came to me.

Fast forward many, many months, one of my author friends on Facebook a fellow romance author Kristi Tailor had also been a busy bee. She has actually launched a line of journals, like notepads that are simply beautiful. She tagged me in on them on Facebook  I bought one yes, but it gave me the push I needed to actually get my manuscript together and write the damn book! So I did!  I kinda thought ‘get out of your fiction writing for a bit, do something different during lock down.’

The first step was to look at what I had so I could organise them somewhat, and try to ensure that they are not too similar. Then, from here I thought okay, let’s make it 365 days of prompts because really where possible, I’d love to help keep my fellow writers going all year! You see lots of 101 or a less books of writing prompts. I wanted to make it as full as possible.

I decided on a ‘theme’ for each month, be it new directions in love, love in an unexpected place etc also some genre focused months, like historical, paranormal etc. However each of the prompts can be adapted to any genre really. If you’re an urban romance writer  for example just place the situation or characters you feel drawn to, in an urban setting. So from here, I organised the prompts from January – September with a focus for each month.

January- New Directions Love
February- Unexpected New Love
March- Fresh Starts and New Beginnings
April- Love in Unexpected Places
May- Historical, Regency and Multicultural
June- Contemporary Romance
July- Paranormal, Horror and Dark Romance
August- Christmas and Holiday Love
September- Mixed Bag of Goodies!

How Did You Put Your Own Spin On Things? So Others Can Put Their Own Spin On Things?

In three main ways, firstly within  365 Days of Writing Prompts For Romance Writers  nothing is set in stone and I make that clear, I want writer’s imaginations to run wild, which means take an idea and make it your own. Secondly, I have learned the beauty over the years since 2016 of personal blogging, not just for myself but the beauty of it or readers of your work or those that simply wish to follow your online author site/blog. Therefore, I dedicated three months of the year to personal blogging with prompts that are general, random and allow writers to express themselves as people. Not just creatively in fiction. I really want to encourage writers to put their personalities and self out there! To grow, engage, interact etc. On Facebook I am a moderator for a book club group, we have ‘question of the day’ each day. One question I asked was ‘what do readers like to receive in newsletters?’ To my surprise ( really it should not have been) a  book club member responded, ‘to know the author and their personality and snap shot of them and their lives.’ This got me thinking, as my response was ‘ I do all that on my blog’ and it dawned on me that even if bloggers, writers whatever you want to call yourselves feel that no one tunes into YOUR blogs, some really do!! So do it!! Write those personal rambles and give a feel of who you are, as a person. Be human. October- December Romance Writers’ Blog Writing Challenge Prompts.

That’s why I have included the ‘three month romance writer’s personal blog challenge,’ with prompts dedicated to this within 365 Days of Writing Prompts For Romance Writers. In a nutshell, I’ve created a two for the price of one, or two in one book. Creative writing fictional prompts for romance writers yes, but also inspiration for those with a copy of the book to be themselves and engage, and to encourage them to start a blog and how!

Thirdly, I’ve kept the prompts pretty open. There are so many directions writers can go in, with questions like ‘what happens next after character A and B do x,y.z’  or ‘you decide why they are broken-hearted’, ‘you decide how they are linked’. I’ve provided situations for love to bloom or people/characters for writers to create the love in a particular context. There is a lot of room for creativity with a starting point.

What About Structure?

There is none LOL if it’s January and you like  writing a prompt in September, so what? You do not need to work to dates at all. This is just purely for organisation. Also some prompts are based on particular days that are celebrated around the world, like World Braille Day for example. There’s a prompt with a partially sighted character. But nope, no real structure also the personal blogging challenges I encourage writers to start as soon as they pick up the book don’t wait until October.

Will You Do Another One?

Yes, yes and yes! I think I have the bug. I plan on doing one for crime, thriller, mystery and suspense writers. Also,  I actually have some other things up my selves for the series of ‘savvy writer’s’ books I wish to put out. So stay tuned.

So in a nutshell… you did it because, Kim?

I wrote this book because it was an idea that had to be brought to life! One I’ve had for a while and  got a real taste for. Of course I will still write romantic suspense and crime, thrillers but I also wish to do writing reference books too. In a nutshell I want to help all of you! And share creative ideas.

Here’s my baby!

365 days -romance graphic

 

 

Out Now On Pre-Sale : 365 Days Of Writing Prompts For Romance Writers! #amwriting

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Happy Monday guys, I’m extremely proud to announce that ‘lock down’ during this pandemic world-wide has been helpful in some ways for me, at least with writing productivity.  365 Days Of Writing Prompts For Romance Writers is out now in paperback and e-book on pre-sale, and will be free on Kindle Unlimited to read.  Writing prompts are everywhere! But I thought I’d write a very comprehensive book with 365 writing prompts for romance writers especially,  that can be used all year around. You’ll find writing prompts for every sub-genre of romance. Take a look here’s more details…

Blurb

With 365 Days Of Writing Prompts for Romance Writers, there’s no need for additional notepads or places to store your ideas.  For each day of the year there’s a dedicated space for plotting your ideas, with a writing prompt to create an outline for a romance short story, novella, novel or even flash fiction. All you need to do is adapt the characters or setting to your sub-genre.  For each day of the year you’ll find a creative, engaging, fun and challenging writing  prompt, with situations or people to craft your next story. There is also a personal blogging challenge with prompts, for every day for romance  writers to  engage with their readers, grow their following, find new readers and allow their audience to get to know them. With 356 Days Of Writing Prompts For Romance Writers you’ll never be stuck for a romance story idea, or blog topic again! Each month has a focus. Dip in and out of each day, week, month as you wish.

January- New Directions Love

February- Unexpected New Love

March- Fresh Starts and New Beginnings

April-  Love in Unexpected Places

May- Historical, Regency and Multicultural

June- Contemporary Romance

July- Paranormal, Horror and Dark Romance

August- Christmas and Holiday Love

September- Mixed Bag of Goodies!

October- December Romance Writers’ Blog Writing Challenge Prompts

Award-Winning Romantic Suspense and Thriller Author Kim Knight, also shares her secrets on writing page-turning romance, and her experience with writing prompts that allowed her to co-author two novels, and seventeen short-stories to date. So, romance writers around the world, grab your pen and your copy and get ready to write every day of the year and never run out of creativity. Note the paperback version will allow you to plot your ideas all in one space in the book, and let go of your hundreds of different idea notepads.

 

I love writing prompts and have found them so useful over the years!  They’re great for motivation and inspiration for all writers, I highly recommend using writing prompts if you’ve never done it. So here’s to a new venture. This is book one of a series of  “Savvy Writer’s” guides with writing prompts I’m planning to self-publish, in between books accepted by my publisher. In general I would recommend this  book of writing prompts ( without being bias lol) to romance writers who are ‘seasoned’ as well as those who aspire to write romance, no matter your background. This is a helpful book of writing prompts to help you outline romance stories of all heat levels, that are realistic, heart-felt and page turning! I wish all romance writers well. I wrote a blog about tips on writing realistic romance a 101 a little while back which may also be helpful.  Seven tips I recommend.

How To Use The Book:

The paper version will allow you to actually plot your stories in the book itself as there’s space. The e-book version is the same, the space is there however of course you can’t write in it. There’s no difference in the content.

The best way to use this writing reference is to keep in mind these five small things.

  1. Make every prompt your own- you will find situations or people within each prompt. Nothing is set in stone, each prompt is just an idea or even outline or direction if you like for where you could head. I don’t really recommend (unless you really feel drawn to my prompt) that you stick to it and not put your own spin on it somehow. Take a prompt and add, subtract, what you feel suits your style, story telling, experience or even desire. Basically don’t feel stuck with what you have it’s just an idea to get your juices flowing.
  2. No matter your genre, steal it and use it! So as you know when by now, in the romance genre  I’m a romantic suspense writer in principle. Yes I have written other stuff and yes I can do I always default here because I love to read it and write it. So with these prompts I have kept them as generic as possible. This means if you like an idea, and wish to make it a paranormal, urban or fantasy romance, go for it! Like I said don’t feel stuck. Take the general idea and flip it to your own script.
  3. Heat and steam levels are completely free for all! I like my romance steamy, maybe you’re a sweet and clean writer, that’s cool. Do what you wish in terms of heat levels, if you want to ramp up a prompt and make it high in heat…please do, I’d love to read it too!
  4. Dip in and out of each month, week etc as you see fit. You can go through January-December or mix it up.
  5. The last three months of the year all the prompts are personal blogging prompts and I recommend that if you have not already, you really start to develop an author site or use your current one and do some personal blogs. Again you don’t need to wait until October to start, start today!

 

 Head To Amazon- Click  Here E-book Version 3.99! On Pre-Sale Now! Release Date 22nd June 2020.

365 days -romance graphic

 

 

 

Writing Prompt-‘It’s A Text, Text, World’

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‘How do you communicate differently online, than in person, if at all. How do you communicate emotion and intent in a purely written medium?’

What a cool  short little prompt for today’s date. In all honestly I don’t actually feel or think that I communicate much differently online, than in person. The only real difference I think in my communication is it depends on who I communicate with be it online or in person, that might be a different style. When I think about this no matter how I’m communicating or who with, I’m always:

  1. Myself.
  2. Pretty straight forward I don’t tend to beat around the bush,  you get to a certain age and you  pretty much say what you mean. But that does not mean I’m mean, rude or nasty. Never at all, just honest.
  3. Articulate.
  4. Friendly.

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But the style may change depending on who it’s with.  If I am communicating with say my mum or son. I’m less likely to use swear words, well very unlikely actually. Same could be said when I was working in an office kinda environment, outside of the house, I wouldn’t really use bad language with co-workers. But, my style of communication was always the same as above in the  points. With friends then I guess I’ll let my guard down a lot more, and will use bad language or even with family members that I’m close with LOL.

In text messages, I think it’s the writer in me, my text messages are still written in full. No ‘text talk’ or things like wyd, or idn or idc short form. I remember having to ask someone what smh meant LOL. I didn’t know as  I don’t use the short form,  I even spell out the numbers , as if I was ‘writing, writing’  like a book or story. I’ve only really just noticed this now as I’m thinking about writing this.

Overall, for me I communicate pretty much the same in person as online, my personality is not really any different. When I do communicate online the tone is always relaxed, informal, friendly  just like in person. So nope, for me there is no real difference in how, just when it comes to who I communicate with.

How Do I Communicate Emotion In A Pure Written Form??

This is where this prompt get’s interesting for me,  from many of my book reviews the  feed  from readers a lot of the time has been that, this is something I do well with characters and in plots. And to be  honest, I don’t actually know how I do it… I can’t answer, but I guess it comes naturally when I just try to ‘think like the character’ or even ‘place myself in their shoes’ that’s all I do. I remove myself and what I would do, or even how I would act or what I personally think about whatever shit I’ve landed my characters in LOL and simply just try to communicate the emotion ( in writing) as if it’s really from them, and nothing to do with me. I really don’t know what else can be said, when it comes to fiction work. Just become the character or the situation that’s going on.

With my own personal communication via text, or email etc and putting across how I feel, in all honesty, I’m the emoji queen! I really am I do love to use them 🙂  With words, or sometimes there are certain emojis that just express exactly what I wanna say. I wish I could show you them somehow on this blog. If anyone is friends with me on FB I’m sure you’ll know what face I use a lot, when I’m in shock, can’t believe something or even just fed up!

And that’s it, that’s my communication style, what’s yours? ( If I could naturally there would be the thinking face emoji here).

May’s Blog/Writing Challenge- Gimme An ‘Article’ ‘Adjective’ and ‘Noun’?

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So it’s a new month in a day guys!  New  Month, new energy. As always I jumped into my writing prompt books to see what interesting topics there are for May. This one caught my eye, ‘ask anyone for an article, adjective and noun, that’s your blog title now write it’.  Okay I’m up for the challenge LOL. In the comments drop me one article, adjective or noun or all three.  I’ll pick the first ones I get via here, FB etc and I will write a blog post and try this challenge. This is going to be sooooooo random and hard! Drop them words, I’m up for the challenge.