Hello Peeps

Oops been such a long time since I've blogged.  Such a lot to do, twitter, write, check website etc etc etc.  And a dose of time with my kids in the good old UK.  Got lazy whilst watching the Olympics and although the self-congratulations are now becoming a little tedious, I am so happy that everything went so well.  The opening and closing ceremonies were magnificent and it just shows what the Brits can do with some resource behind them for decent training, decent trainers etc etc.  Love the legacy bit and hope the powers that be put the money where their mouths are and fund all those aspiring athletes, swimmers, yachtsman etc, etc etc so that we can repeat our success in Rio.  Not just for the sake pride in the country but also for the youngsters lounging over computers who might be inspired enough to join one of the many clubs throughout the country and get off their backsides and do something better.

Back in sweltering Spain now and writing again.  Hope to have my book finito by Christmas (Christmas? who said that word!).  I'm eager to start on my next book which I hope will be a comedy!  Remember when I did a bit of acting; comedy was difficult so hope I don't falter.  Determined not to find a niche and stick in it; writing is such an eclectic activity.  Even with my favourite authors I get a bit bored eventually of knowing their style.  That's a bit pretentious - but true.  It's sort of one trick pony and I'd prefer to be a piebald!!

Anyway back to work.  I hope that you all are having a good Summer.  Must say I will not be sad to be leaving the heat in Spain.  Totally ennervating!

Hasta luego

What's the story?

Hello Peeps

When you publish a book you know that the marketing of the book is purely/absolutely/totally your responsibility.  It's bloomin hard, follow all those clues, you need to twitter, you need to blog, you need to have a Facebook page and you need to ......God knows what.  As a writer I just want to write.  I may be slow, I may be lazy (probably the latter) and I know I have got to pay attention to the marketing of my book Just One Year. 

Again when you're a novice, as I am, you search the net for any help you can get and little by little you become involved with people who self-publish, as I did.  Then I joined a writer's group (which was on one of the many lists of do's for a new writer).  Unfortunately on that group I read such a lot of criticism of self-publishers by some people who would do well to join the plain English campaign and get in touch with the language once again.  I sort of feel that writing, whilst scouring a Thesaurus to turn simple words into jawbreakers is a slightly pompous and pretentious way of writing.  I didn't pay anyone to publish my book, although I do admit I paid for a cover.  All the work both during the uploading and publishing phase was done by me and so, too, the marketing.  It's been a long road and I am so pleased to have come through on the other side because I know that the next time I publish it will be easier.   

If anyone has any tips that worked for them - then please feel free to share with me!!

Colette

Moors and Christian Fiesta in Mojacar Spain. Some serious thoughts for Saturday

This Fiesta dates back to the 1480's and is about the Catholic Kings' treatment of the Moors who lived in Mojacar in the south east of Spain.  Well that's the story but nobody knows if it's true.  But every year Mojacar celebrates the Moors and Christians fiesta. 

Now I don't want to be a grumpy lady, and it is really an amazing fiesta but.....  Spain is the latest country to join the 'bailout' in the Eurozone and, as yet, from my POV, down here in our seaside town there seems to be no acceptance of belt tightening, any sign of austerity is dealt with by the population mighty quickly.  In the north of the country the miners resorted to firing at the police with home made rocket launchers! 

Look at the costumes - they are really gorgeous aren't they.  The detail is amazing, the gold thread, the intricate design, everything from gold jewellery to the turned up toes of the shoes all similar, all amazing quality.  But OMG how much was spent? The parade went on for 2 hours and each group was different.  I should imagine the cost would have fed a small country for a year.  I could say I am being curmudgeonly, I really could, but bearing in mind that Spain would have a fiesta for the opening of an envelope it sort of paints the wrong picture in my eyes.  Nevertheless it was a great show which I enjoyed immensely.

Well, the business of Saturday must go on.  I've had my little rant and hope that you enjoy the pictures.  (Another new skill, importing pictures and cropping etc!!!!). 

Have a good weekend y'all.

Poetry (of sorts)

Poetry is one of my loves, whether mine or anyone else's.  My poetry tends to be observations in my little town of Mojacar and I must admit I haven't written any in a little while since I published my book Just One Year and started my second one Echoes of My Father.  Still I love the occasional ditty:

'Getting to grips with Spain and the Spanish language’

Talking with Tongues

Hasta luego I said to the man

Who lives at the top of the hill

He mumbled ‘you too’

As if answering on cue

Are we different?

I don’t know

Do you? 

Adios

Colette

Things to do

I volunteer for an English 'library' in Spain.  We get so many new books per month which can be taken out by our customers only once until it then becomes a part of the general library.  I think it's a good effort mainly by volunteers.  Today is my day to run my hands over thousands of books, wondering when my book Just One Year will be on Amazon so that I can put a copy in the 'New' section and feel like a real author.  I think about visiting my library in the UK with its computerised system for takes/returns and have a little giggle as I deal with my customers - using a card index system.  Still, it works, and gives me something lovely to do on my duty day. Amazing how many discussions there are about books, and of course with computerised systems we now don't get the chance to chat with other people at queues etc.  Today is very hot and I should imagine that people will be spending lots of time on the beach with their books so I should imagine it will be a busy morning.  Love it.  Wonder when the Kindle will overtake paper books?  Yes, I have a Kindle but there's nothing better than a dog eared book IMHO but of course computerised systems are part of our brave new electronic world.  Makes you think;  I can't say how many times I just flick back to the cover of a book whilst I'm reading to get a sense of the book.  Sure you can do that with Kindle as well but not as instantaneously.  As an author been told again and again how important the cover of a book is, and perhaps I haven't always appreciated that;  I do now.

The Rain in Spain

Not intended to annoy anyone in the UK during this awful Summer - maybe just another perspective!

The Rain in Spain

The pitter patter on the roof

Becomes a thunderous roar

The unfamiliar sound of rain

Comes knocking at my door

Sleep has fled and a fuddled mind

Does not understand the roar

of rain that creeps up in the night

And knocks loudly on my door

The morning brings an azure sky

The earth is green once more

And all because the thunderous rain

Came knocking at my door.

The rain in Spain not on the plain

Creating its own beat

Is soaking earth, a true rebirth

A respite from the heat.

Tweeting the Blog

Anyone out there?  Well after a long period of playing with Twitter, Blogs, Websites etc etc I am now all up and running.  Gosh what a palavar!  Can hardly think, Spain is so warm atm at least where I am in sunny Mojacar it is.  This is like the sweating process after a good run without the run.  Shouldn't moan, no damnit should, my family in England are moaning constantly about the horrible weather and really I feel the same here.  Scorching hot and humid a great combination!  Hope all in the UK enjoyed the festivities over the last weekend.  Very disappointed in my favourite diva Annie Lennox who absolutely made a jazzed up hash of 'Playing with her heart' with the stupid wings.  Anyone else have a favourite.  Is there anybody out there?????