tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28500794681522401642024-03-05T11:03:04.338+00:00Paula M. Hunter YA Fantasy and Romantic Comedy Author. Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2850079468152240164.post-60192026300888496612024-02-27T14:35:00.000+00:002024-02-27T14:35:12.315+00:00Meet My Characters - Part Two<p> </p><h2 style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; color: var(--print_secondary, var(--print_secondary_on_web_bg_color, var(--print_secondary, var(--color-secondary)))); font-weight: 400; line-height: var(--line-height-24); margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: var(--size-12); text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy; font-size: large;">Queen Eleanor</span></h2><div><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: Spectral, serif, -apple-system, system-ui, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"; font-size: 19px; line-height: 1.6em; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0;">Back in September I introduced you to several main characters from </span><em style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0;">Kingdom of Ice,</em><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0;"> this time I will make a spotlight on one character.</span></p><h4 class="header-with-anchor-widget" style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: var(--font_family_headings, var(--font_family_headings_preset, 'SF Compact Display', -apple-system, system-ui, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol')); font-size: 1.125em; font-weight: var(--font_weight_headings_preset, bold); line-height: 1.16em; margin: 1em 0px 0.625em; position: relative;">Queen Eleanor</h4></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikLm3zsrXFAa95_3MLB_YfbVQq36tgON7BUOK2RmaWunzkHmMHxnAm8kru1fv_3wQQCc9F5ZVR-1LpHKfU7iiLI_b2O00EAXycO7sMMDUOFb8-AkkG6-EUjqKhiDMT3Efq_bjj71rCa7AknWx6iQnsjWVb6pGSdWI02GjrPg6tJfYN4AZ0n2iHemBditU/s882/cb0df418-085f-4e3b-8894-88dfd2b2b5dd_875x882.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="882" data-original-width="875" height="564" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikLm3zsrXFAa95_3MLB_YfbVQq36tgON7BUOK2RmaWunzkHmMHxnAm8kru1fv_3wQQCc9F5ZVR-1LpHKfU7iiLI_b2O00EAXycO7sMMDUOFb8-AkkG6-EUjqKhiDMT3Efq_bjj71rCa7AknWx6iQnsjWVb6pGSdWI02GjrPg6tJfYN4AZ0n2iHemBditU/w559-h564/cb0df418-085f-4e3b-8894-88dfd2b2b5dd_875x882.jpg" width="559" /></a></div><br /></div><div><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: Spectral, serif, -apple-system, system-ui, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"; font-size: 19px; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0 0 var(--size-20) 0;">Queen Eleanor is by no means a villain at the beginning of Kingdom of Ice. How she became one was entirely out of her hands. I will tell you no further as it will be a spoiler.</p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: Spectral, serif, -apple-system, system-ui, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"; font-size: 19px; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0 0 var(--size-20) 0;"><br /></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: Spectral, serif, -apple-system, system-ui, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"; font-size: 19px; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0 0 var(--size-20) 0;">When we first encounter Eleanor she is happily married to King Eldwin, with whom she jointly rules Turia. They are awaiting the birth of their first child. Before the child is born, the beautiful Queen Eleanor’s kind and compassionate nature vanishes, and in her stead is a harsh and unfeeling woman unrecognisable by her husband and subjects. Her callous behaviour continues to grow after the birth of their daughter, Khione.</p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: Spectral, serif, -apple-system, system-ui, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"; font-size: 19px; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0 0 var(--size-20) 0;">At the christening of Princess Khione, she is presented with the gift of a “magic” mirror by a mysterious man named, Alor. When she discovers the magic mirror that tells her all she wishes to know, Eleanor’s vanity and cruelty start to increase.</p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: Spectral, serif, -apple-system, system-ui, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"; font-size: 19px; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0 0 var(--size-20) 0;">On the death of King Eldwin, Eleanor’s reign of terror begins. She rejects her young daughter and banishes her from her presence. Years later she encounters the now teenage Khione. Eleanor feels threatened by her daughter’s blossoming beauty and imprisons her in the highest tower in Ruhan Castle.</p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: Spectral, serif, -apple-system, system-ui, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"; font-size: 19px; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0 0 var(--size-20) 0;">After four years pass the cruel Queen asks her magic mirror, “Looking-glass, tell me true. Who is the fairest, tell me who?” Enraged when the mirror tells her that Khione is the fairest, she then plots to murder her daughter with the help of her huntsman. Those who are familiar with the story of Snow White will know how that turns out.</p><div class="captioned-image-container" style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: Spectral, serif, -apple-system, system-ui, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"; font-size: 19px; margin: var(--size-32) auto;"><figure style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; 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border-radius: var(--border-radius-sm); cursor: pointer; display: flex; height: var(--size-32); justify-content: center; opacity: 0; position: absolute; right: var(--size-12); top: var(--size-12); transition: all var(--animation-timing-fast) var(--animation-smoothing); width: var(--size-32);"><svg class="lucide lucide-maximize2 " fill="none" height="16" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" stroke="#FFFFFF" viewbox="0 0 24 24" width="16" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></div></div></a></figure></div><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: Spectral, serif, -apple-system, system-ui, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"; font-size: 19px; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0 0 var(--size-20) 0;">Eleanor eventually becomes entangled with the Machiavellian, King Wilbur of Nalum, but who will outsmart who in their game of political chess?</p><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: Spectral, serif, -apple-system, system-ui, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"; font-size: 19px;"><hr style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: var(--color-detail-themed); border: 0px; height: 1px; margin: var(--size-32) 0; padding: 0px;" /></div><div class="captioned-image-container" style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; 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margin: 0px auto; width: 728px;"><a class="image-link is-viewable-img image2" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F02044c2b-6576-4a91-90a8-d0042a78642b_1600x2560.jpeg" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; align-items: center; border: 0px; cursor: zoom-in; display: flex; flex-direction: column; height: auto; margin: 0px auto; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-decoration-line: none; width: auto;" target="_blank"><div class="image2-inset" style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; 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--tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; display: block; height: auto; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 100%;" width="166" /></picture><div class="image-link-expand" style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; align-items: center; background: var(--color-bg-modal); border-radius: var(--border-radius-sm); cursor: pointer; display: flex; height: var(--size-32); justify-content: center; opacity: 0; position: absolute; right: var(--size-12); top: var(--size-12); transition: all var(--animation-timing-fast) var(--animation-smoothing); width: var(--size-32);"><svg class="lucide lucide-maximize2 " fill="none" height="16" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" stroke="#FFFFFF" viewbox="0 0 24 24" width="16" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></div></div></a></figure></div><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: Spectral, serif, -apple-system, system-ui, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"; font-size: 19px; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0 0 var(--size-20) 0;">If your curiosity has been piqued and you would like to read Kingdom of Ice, you can find a retailer through the button link below:</p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{"url":"https://books2read.com/u/31RYQ7","text":"Buy Kingdom of Ice","action":null,"class":null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton" style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: Spectral, serif, -apple-system, system-ui, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"; font-size: 19px; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0 0 var(--size-20) 0; text-align: center;"><a class="button primary" href="https://books2read.com/u/31RYQ7" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: var(--background_pop); border-radius: var(--border-radius-sm); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; font-family: var(--font_family_ui, -apple-system, system-ui, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol'); font-size: var(--font-size-14); font-weight: var(--font-weight-600); height: auto; line-height: var(--font-size-20); margin: 0px; opacity: 1; outline: 0px; padding: 12px 20px; text-decoration-line: none; text-wrap: nowrap;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; color: var(--print_on_pop);"><i>Buy Kingdom of Ice</i></span></a></p><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: Spectral, serif, -apple-system, system-ui, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"; font-size: 19px;"><hr style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: var(--color-detail-themed); border: 0px; height: 1px; margin: var(--size-32) 0; padding: 0px;" /></div><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: Spectral, serif, -apple-system, system-ui, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"; font-size: 19px; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0 0 var(--size-20) 0;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0;">If any of you are wonder what happened to The Twig, I apologise. I originally intended to add it as a new section to my newsletter. However, I subsequently changed my mind. I promised myself not so long ago that I would focus on one project at a time. As is usual with me I tend to bite off more than I chew and burn the candle at both ends. I am currently working to release </span><strong style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0;">Dawn-Wolf </strong><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0;">by the end of March and will update you with a date as soon as I can.</span></p><h4 class="header-with-anchor-widget" style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: var(--font_family_headings, var(--font_family_headings_preset, 'SF Compact Display', -apple-system, system-ui, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol')); font-size: 1.125em; font-weight: var(--font_weight_headings_preset, bold); line-height: 1.16em; margin: 1em 0px 0.625em; position: relative;">Reader Survey<div class="header-anchor-widget offset-top" id="§reader-survey" style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; height: 24.7812px; left: -56px; position: absolute; top: -72px; width: 56px;"><div class="header-anchor-widget-button-container" style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; align-items: center; display: flex; height: 1.2em; left: 0px; position: absolute; top: 72px; width: 40px;"><div class="header-anchor-widget-button" href="https://fromtheauthorsdesk.substack.com/i/141870525/reader-survey" style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; align-items: center; border-radius: var(--border-radius-full); cursor: pointer; display: flex; height: 40px; justify-content: center; opacity: 0; width: 40px;"><svg class="header-anchor-widget-icon" fill="none" height="20" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" stroke="currentColor" viewbox="0 0 24 24" width="20" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M10 13a5 5 0 0 0 7.54.54l3-3a5 5 0 0 0-7.07-7.07l-1.72 1.71"></path><path d="M14 11a5 5 0 0 0-7.54-.54l-3 3a5 5 0 0 0 7.07 7.07l1.71-1.71"></path></svg></div></div></div></h4><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: Spectral, serif, -apple-system, system-ui, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"; font-size: 19px; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0 0 var(--size-20) 0;">I have created a survey for subscribers of this newsletter. Please can you indulge me by completing the short survey. It will indicate to me what you would like from the newsletter. Please click on the button link below.</p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{"url":"https://fromtheauthorsdesk.substack.com/survey/123576","text":"Reader Survey","action":null,"class":null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton" style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: Spectral, serif, -apple-system, system-ui, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"; font-size: 19px; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0 0 var(--size-20) 0; text-align: center;"><a class="button primary" href="https://fromtheauthorsdesk.substack.com/survey/123576" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: var(--background_pop); border-radius: var(--border-radius-sm); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; font-family: var(--font_family_ui, -apple-system, system-ui, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol'); font-size: var(--font-size-14); height: auto; line-height: var(--font-size-20); margin: 0px; opacity: 1; outline: 0px; padding: 12px 20px; text-decoration-line: none; text-wrap: nowrap;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; color: var(--print_on_pop);"><b>Reader Survey</b></span></a></p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{"url":"https://fromtheauthorsdesk.substack.com/survey/123576","text":"Reader Survey","action":null,"class":null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton" style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: Spectral, serif, -apple-system, system-ui, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"; font-size: 19px; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0 0 var(--size-20) 0; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: Spectral, serif, -apple-system, system-ui, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"; font-size: 19px; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0 0 var(--size-20) 0;">Until the next time</p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: Spectral, serif, -apple-system, system-ui, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"; font-size: 19px; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0 0 var(--size-20) 0;">Kindest Regards</p><div class="captioned-image-container" style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; 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--tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0;"><br /></picture><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0;"></div></div></a></figure></div><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: Spectral, serif, -apple-system, system-ui, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"; font-size: 19px; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0 0 var(--size-20) 0;"><br /></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: Spectral, serif, -apple-system, system-ui, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"; font-size: 19px; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0 0 var(--size-20) 0;">If you would like to contact me you can do so here:</p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{"url":"https://www.paulamhunter.com/#section-7","text":"Contact Me","action":null,"class":null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton" style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: white; 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font-size: var(--font-size-14); height: auto; line-height: var(--font-size-20); margin: 0px; opacity: 1; outline: 0px; padding: 12px 20px; text-decoration-line: none; text-wrap: nowrap;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; color: var(--print_on_pop);"><b>Contact Me</b></span></a></p></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2850079468152240164.post-18488385112623236452024-02-17T14:19:00.002+00:002024-02-27T14:36:01.931+00:00Dear Winter<p> </p><h3 class="subtitle" style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; color: var(--print_secondary, var(--print_secondary_on_web_bg_color, var(--print_secondary, var(--color-secondary)))); font-weight: 400; line-height: var(--line-height-24); margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: var(--size-12); text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy; font-size: large;">Writing in the Season of Winter Blues</span></h3><div><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy; font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhzptMheHcPa2dxLNqHobEFLkGOUj6Aj9CGsX9OwCZ69T-djUwjGO0-3kTOSDYw6xh10vUBHmXA38j-UlJiW7WYH6moZXaH3gp0JaaQXW2eEa3TkvLer0wQ4816fq8SRy8NZglwZz_n-gtx-VylcETuhjOLy_oT820H4p7loE37n_iKiDZBVTGkJcSs_es" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="512" height="433" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhzptMheHcPa2dxLNqHobEFLkGOUj6Aj9CGsX9OwCZ69T-djUwjGO0-3kTOSDYw6xh10vUBHmXA38j-UlJiW7WYH6moZXaH3gp0JaaQXW2eEa3TkvLer0wQ4816fq8SRy8NZglwZz_n-gtx-VylcETuhjOLy_oT820H4p7loE37n_iKiDZBVTGkJcSs_es=w433-h433" width="433" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: Spectral, serif, -apple-system, system-ui, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"; font-size: 19px; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0 0 var(--size-20) 0; text-align: start;">Hello dear readers and friends</p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: Spectral, serif, -apple-system, system-ui, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"; font-size: 19px; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0 0 var(--size-20) 0; text-align: start;"><br /></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: Spectral, serif, -apple-system, system-ui, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"; font-size: 19px; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0 0 var(--size-20) 0; text-align: start;">I will keep this newsletter brief as I’m not feeling my best at the moment. I find that the cold and shorter days of winter inhibits my enthusiasm for writing, but having a viral infection alongside doesn’t help at all.</p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: Spectral, serif, -apple-system, system-ui, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"; font-size: 19px; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0 0 var(--size-20) 0; text-align: start;">The winter in the UK has been a mixture of rain, ice, snow, dark and cloudy days with little sunlight, and vicious storms. There is no doubt that many of us probably suffer from some form of seasonal affective disorder, otherwise known as SAD. Taking vitamin D supplements helps somewhat, but obviously it isn’t an instant fix.</p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: Spectral, serif, -apple-system, system-ui, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"; font-size: 19px; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0 0 var(--size-20) 0; text-align: start;"><strong style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0;">According to Glasgow</strong><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0;"> University researchers you can help lift the blues by writing a letter to winter. I won’t be sharing a letter, but I will share with you a short excerpt from Dawn-Wolf describing the start of winter.</span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: Spectral, serif, -apple-system, system-ui, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"; font-size: 19px; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0 0 var(--size-20) 0; text-align: start;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0;"><br /></span></p><div class="captioned-image-container" style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: Spectral, serif, -apple-system, system-ui, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"; 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border-radius: var(--border-radius-sm); cursor: pointer; display: flex; height: var(--size-32); justify-content: center; opacity: 0; position: absolute; right: var(--size-12); top: var(--size-12); transition: all var(--animation-timing-fast) var(--animation-smoothing); width: var(--size-32);"><svg class="lucide lucide-maximize2" fill="none" height="16" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" stroke="#FFFFFF" viewbox="0 0 24 24" width="16" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></div></div></a></figure></div><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: Spectral, serif, -apple-system, system-ui, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"; font-size: 19px; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0 0 var(--size-20) 0; text-align: start;"><em style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0;"><br /></em></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: Spectral, serif, -apple-system, system-ui, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"; font-size: 19px; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0 0 var(--size-20) 0; text-align: start;"><em style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0;">The robust evergreens retained their vibrant colour, unlike that of the deciduous trees, which continued to shed their foliage, their bare branches stretching out like arms ready to embrace their long winter sleep. Jack Frost’s wintery fingers touched the snow covered ground one evening, covering it with a dusting of sparkling white and increasing the icy chill in the air.</em></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: Spectral, serif, -apple-system, system-ui, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"; font-size: 19px; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0 0 var(--size-20) 0; text-align: start;"><em style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0;">Sarah placed a paw on the ground and shivered, as the cold seeped into her pads and through her legs. “Brrr,” she said.</em></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: Spectral, serif, -apple-system, system-ui, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"; font-size: 19px; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0 0 var(--size-20) 0; text-align: start;"><em style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0;">Her Aunt Leticia laughed. “That’s nothing, wait until more snow arrives. Then you will know the true meaning of cold.”</em></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: Spectral, serif, -apple-system, system-ui, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"; font-size: 19px; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0 0 var(--size-20) 0; text-align: start;"><em style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0;"><br /></em></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: Spectral, serif, -apple-system, system-ui, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"; font-size: 19px; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0 0 var(--size-20) 0; text-align: start;"><strong style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0;">Dawn-Wolf © Paula M. Hunter 2024</strong></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: Spectral, serif, -apple-system, system-ui, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"; font-size: 19px; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0 0 var(--size-20) 0; text-align: start;"><strong style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0;">All rights reserved</strong></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: Spectral, serif, -apple-system, system-ui, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"; font-size: 19px; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0 0 var(--size-20) 0; text-align: start;"><strong style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0;"><br /></strong></p><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: Spectral, serif, -apple-system, system-ui, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"; font-size: 19px; text-align: start;"><hr style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: var(--color-detail-themed); border: 0px; height: 1px; margin: var(--size-32) 0; padding: 0px;" /></div><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: Spectral, serif, -apple-system, system-ui, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"; font-size: 19px; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0 0 var(--size-20) 0; text-align: start;">Until the next time</p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: Spectral, serif, -apple-system, system-ui, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"; font-size: 19px; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0 0 var(--size-20) 0; text-align: start;">Kindest Regards</p><div class="captioned-image-container" style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: Spectral, serif, -apple-system, system-ui, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"; font-size: 19px; margin: var(--size-32) auto; text-align: start;"><figure style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; margin: 0px auto; width: 728px;"><a class="image-link image2" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1a1b9742-dc18-4002-9287-d133e98e3366_1177x562.jpeg" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; align-items: center; border: 0px; display: flex; flex-direction: column; height: auto; margin: 0px auto; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-decoration-line: none; width: auto;" target="_blank"><div class="image2-inset" style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; display: flex; position: relative;"><picture style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0;"><source sizes="100vw" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1a1b9742-dc18-4002-9287-d133e98e3366_1177x562.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1a1b9742-dc18-4002-9287-d133e98e3366_1177x562.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1a1b9742-dc18-4002-9287-d133e98e3366_1177x562.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1a1b9742-dc18-4002-9287-d133e98e3366_1177x562.jpeg 1456w" style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0;" type="image/webp"></source><img alt="" class="sizing-normal" data-attrs="{"src":"https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/1a1b9742-dc18-4002-9287-d133e98e3366_1177x562.jpeg","srcNoWatermark":null,"fullscreen":null,"imageSize":null,"height":562,"width":1177,"resizeWidth":112,"bytes":null,"alt":"","title":null,"type":null,"href":null,"belowTheFold":true,"topImage":false,"internalRedirect":null}" height="53.47833474936279" loading="lazy" sizes="100vw" src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1a1b9742-dc18-4002-9287-d133e98e3366_1177x562.jpeg" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1a1b9742-dc18-4002-9287-d133e98e3366_1177x562.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1a1b9742-dc18-4002-9287-d133e98e3366_1177x562.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1a1b9742-dc18-4002-9287-d133e98e3366_1177x562.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1a1b9742-dc18-4002-9287-d133e98e3366_1177x562.jpeg 1456w" style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; display: block; height: auto; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 100%;" title="" width="112" /></picture><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0;"></div></div></a></figure></div><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: Spectral, serif, -apple-system, system-ui, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"; font-size: 19px; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0 0 var(--size-20) 0; text-align: start;">If you would like to contact me you can do so here:</p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{"url":"https://www.paulamhunter.com/#section-7","text":"Contact Me","action":null,"class":"button-wrapper"}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton" style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: Spectral, serif, -apple-system, system-ui, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"; font-size: 19px; line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 0px;"><a class="button primary button-wrapper" href="https://www.paulamhunter.com/#section-7" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: var(--background_pop); border-radius: var(--border-radius-sm); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; font-family: var(--font_family_ui, -apple-system, system-ui, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol'); font-size: var(--font-size-14); height: auto; line-height: var(--font-size-20); margin: 0px; opacity: 1; outline: 0px; padding: 12px 20px; text-decoration-line: none; text-wrap: nowrap;"><span color="var(--print_on_pop)" style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0;"><b>Contact Me</b></span></a></p><br /></div><br /><br /></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2850079468152240164.post-77582291175020372122024-01-22T16:45:00.000+00:002024-01-22T16:45:17.500+00:00Unveiling the Journey Part 1<p> </p><h2 style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; color: var(--print_secondary, var(--print_secondary_on_web_bg_color, var(--print_secondary, var(--color-secondary)))); line-height: var(--line-height-24); margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: var(--size-12); text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy; font-size: x-large;">Story Development</span></h2><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy0YxGciE4IxnKYaE-YNpVzk5Fx2vxewUqAxpSXjW_FWtdnw0d5zfTfuXb1rv2VQduZfCfwmgaL4WRiz7iX-hDOeedwh-vtfmXCzl03B7-xjjK-4iZ7FAUra-K5WNzeRPuRCnouRvO61PQ8ygop_qeSlm5fK0iDEp1tWg5mRY8XwfLVP1gA7mxtmUso6A/s512/8eb0e35b-3c0c-4d04-b99e-a2b8547c7cee_512x512.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy0YxGciE4IxnKYaE-YNpVzk5Fx2vxewUqAxpSXjW_FWtdnw0d5zfTfuXb1rv2VQduZfCfwmgaL4WRiz7iX-hDOeedwh-vtfmXCzl03B7-xjjK-4iZ7FAUra-K5WNzeRPuRCnouRvO61PQ8ygop_qeSlm5fK0iDEp1tWg5mRY8XwfLVP1gA7mxtmUso6A/w400-h400/8eb0e35b-3c0c-4d04-b99e-a2b8547c7cee_512x512.webp" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><h4 class="header-with-anchor-widget" style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; color: #404040; font-weight: var(--font_weight_headings_preset, bold); line-height: 1.16em; margin: 1em 0px 0.625em; position: relative;"><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy; font-size: large;">Where I Get My Story Ideas</span><div class="header-anchor-widget offset-top" id="§where-i-get-my-story-ideas" style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; font-family: var(--font_family_headings, var(--font_family_headings_preset, 'SF Compact Display', -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol')); font-size: 1.125em; height: 24.7812px; left: -56px; position: absolute; top: -72px; width: 56px;"><div class="header-anchor-widget-button-container" style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; align-items: center; display: flex; height: 1.2em; left: 0px; position: absolute; top: 72px; width: 40px;"><div class="header-anchor-widget-button" href="https://fromtheauthorsdesk.substack.com/i/140907552/where-i-get-my-story-ideas" style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; align-items: center; border-radius: 50%; cursor: pointer; display: flex; height: 40px; justify-content: center; opacity: 0; width: 40px;"><svg class="header-anchor-widget-icon" fill="none" height="20" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" stroke="currentColor" viewbox="0 0 24 24" width="20" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M10 13a5 5 0 0 0 7.54.54l3-3a5 5 0 0 0-7.07-7.07l-1.72 1.71"></path><path d="M14 11a5 5 0 0 0-7.54-.54l-3 3a5 5 0 0 0 7.07 7.07l1.71-1.71"></path></svg></div></div></div></h4><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: white; color: #404040; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0 0 var(--size-20) 0;"><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0;">Ideas for a story can come from anywhere. A spark of inspiration may ignite from a conversation, pictures, other stories, films and even something I have daydreamed about. My inspiration for my </span><em style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0;">Dark Faerie Tale </em><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0;">trilogy came from browsing online book covers for fairy tales and fairy tale retellings. At first, I had the idea to write retellings, to take the bare bones of the original stories and flesh them out. I imagined each character having their own story e.g. Snow White, Beauty and the Beast, Little Red Riding Hood etc. However, when I began to write, the story turned into a mashup of several fairy tales. Many of the fairy stories I read and loved as a child didn’t have strong female characters. I wanted to redress that, but make them human by having faults and weaknesses. I’m not fond of the </span><em style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0;">Mary Sue</em><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0;"> trope.</span></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: white; color: #404040; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0 0 var(--size-20) 0;"><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: white; color: #404040; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0 0 var(--size-20) 0;"><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">The inspiration for Dawn-Wolf came from a conversation I had with my daughter and niece, over twelve years ago. I originally intended to write a middle-grade story about a family of wolves who adopted a fox cub. I wrote two chapters in 2013 and could not find the motivation to continue. It remained untouched in my Word document files until 2018 when I manifested a completely different story direction. I would now be writing an urban fantasy story for a YA audience. Again the story came to a halt due to procrastination and writer’s block. I picked up the story once again in 2021 and began to develop it with the help of two of my close author friends. This brings me to the next sub-topic:</span></p><h2 style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; color: #404040; font-weight: var(--font_weight_headings_preset, bold); line-height: 1.16em; margin: 1em 0px 0.625em; position: relative; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy; font-size: large;">Character Development</span></h2><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkgjZX0Rti5t-BvGPUJrLJ6elcZ31_yAo89ygqrXyjGIT-YZt5O0yVpt0g8lA-WgEhx9T4oFv01Ii4cunkQSVslgb5XgOvkXlkzyT26PepxQ2APklLo7Jbg9vAY5KvObIp58hO7kdt1vkOQBSpX6SQIMEnqbr0VsOewG0QK2JwpyfuJ7MJWTP2mIMnjsU/s512/e03e13d4-c48c-4e44-981d-bd9d6a2acd42_512x512.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkgjZX0Rti5t-BvGPUJrLJ6elcZ31_yAo89ygqrXyjGIT-YZt5O0yVpt0g8lA-WgEhx9T4oFv01Ii4cunkQSVslgb5XgOvkXlkzyT26PepxQ2APklLo7Jbg9vAY5KvObIp58hO7kdt1vkOQBSpX6SQIMEnqbr0VsOewG0QK2JwpyfuJ7MJWTP2mIMnjsU/w400-h400/e03e13d4-c48c-4e44-981d-bd9d6a2acd42_512x512.webp" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: white; color: #404040; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0 0 var(--size-20) 0;"><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0;">All my stories start first with the development of the main character. I imagine what they might look like, and their age, although their physical characteristics don’t always come to mind straight away. It’s far easier to imagine a fairy tale character already in existence. If you recall from an early newsletter about, </span><em style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0;">how I write, </em><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0;">I confessed to being a Plantser. If you haven’t read it you can find it here: </span><a href="https://fromtheauthorsdesk.substack.com/p/how-i-write" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; text-decoration-line: none;">How I write</a></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: white; color: #404040; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0 0 var(--size-20) 0;"><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: white; color: #404040; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0 0 var(--size-20) 0;"><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">Many of my story characters, usually side characters, develop by themselves as I write. The ideas pop into my head and they are written down. Sometimes it feels as though the stories are writing themselves, typos and all. Although, I have on occasion found myself writing about a character with blue eyes, who mysteriously changes eye colour halfway through the story. If I feel I have mistakenly changed a character’s personality I usually put that to rights. Thank goodness for editors and proofreaders! I have started writing down a character’s appearance and attributes on index cards, so hopefully I can avoid embarrassing errors. You have to get into the minds of your creations. I admit that I find the villains more interesting.</span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: white; color: #404040; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0 0 var(--size-20) 0;"><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: white; color: #404040; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0 0 var(--size-20) 0;"><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">The main characters in every story must grow and learn from their experiences. They need to have motivation and goals. Their development is shown directly or indirectly through narration, dialogue and interaction with other characters within the story.</span></p></div><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy;"><br /></span></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2850079468152240164.post-37880037930275226772024-01-06T18:44:00.003+00:002024-01-12T03:46:06.912+00:00New Year Same Me<p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE2rcJHVqF-n28trWyWhVagWzZlOvMrOGL-s1i-x540YdCcYJ53i1yOmbV1BqXU-tBEO4JRUH6tCtLQ8SKlX_lhUyKh8_t7SJstrrLZt_wriWhIwFTubNHKzkBxhPoPQq5FZL6kSX3IC-T0ilj_DI6R-sFUmdE7Ug1RD4halHAAE9YToDRmz5f1Xfj_08/s1080/4fd11dd2-433e-4c76-a43e-cb17e5888473_1080x985.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="985" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE2rcJHVqF-n28trWyWhVagWzZlOvMrOGL-s1i-x540YdCcYJ53i1yOmbV1BqXU-tBEO4JRUH6tCtLQ8SKlX_lhUyKh8_t7SJstrrLZt_wriWhIwFTubNHKzkBxhPoPQq5FZL6kSX3IC-T0ilj_DI6R-sFUmdE7Ug1RD4halHAAE9YToDRmz5f1Xfj_08/w438-h400/4fd11dd2-433e-4c76-a43e-cb17e5888473_1080x985.webp" width="438" /></a></div><h2 style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; color: var(--print_secondary, var(--print_secondary_on_web_bg_color, var(--print_secondary, var(--color-secondary)))); font-weight: 400; line-height: var(--line-height-24); margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: var(--size-12); text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy;">I'm Back</span></span></h2><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: white; color: #404040; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0 0 var(--size-20) 0;"><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">A Happy New Year to you all. It's 2.30 am in the morning and I can't sleep because of back and hip pain, so what do I do…I write. My hiatus has come to an end. In the time away I have done much soul searching and procrastinating. I also managed to get some writing done even though it was edits and rewrites. Time away has giving a number of realisations.</span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--print_on_web_bg_color, var(--color-primary)); line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px; padding-left: var(--size-4); text-align: left;"></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">I should stick to writing. My dabbling in podcasting and video creating last year has been an enjoyable challenge, but hasn't been as productive or brought the engagement I anticipated.</span></li><li><span color="var(--print_on_web_bg_color, var(--color-primary))" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">Keep things simple. Stick to one thing at one time instead of being all over the place (metaphorically).</span></span></li><li><span color="var(--print_on_web_bg_color, var(--color-primary))" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">Paid subscriptions. Not many wish to view content behind a paywall, particularly if your an unknown quantity. Sorry Substack, but I've haven't got the clout to charge for my “words of wisdom.”</span></span></li><li><span color="var(--print_on_web_bg_color, var(--color-primary))" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">I may not possess a degree in Creative Writing or Journalism, but I believe I've served my apprenticeship. Thirteen years and a passion for writing since childhood.</span></span></li><li><span color="var(--print_on_web_bg_color, var(--color-primary))" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">Comparing myself to others won't have any effect on my successes or failures.</span></span></li><li><span color="var(--print_on_web_bg_color, var(--color-primary))" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">Do what you love. You don't have to do everything.</span></span></li><li><span color="var(--print_on_web_bg_color, var(--color-primary))" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">It doesn't pay to feel sorry for yourself. I'm putting on my big girl pants and getting on with getting on.</span></span></li></ol><p></p><p></p><p></p><ol style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: white; color: #404040; margin-top: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><li style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; margin: var(--size-8) 0 0 var(--size-32);"><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">New Year's resolutions, I haven't made any. Yes, there are things I want to do, but I will not set myself up for failure. However, I will make a promise to you. I will publish two books this year. It's been too long since I had a new release. I also feel obliged to make another promise, that I will take you on the behind-the-scenes journey. You'll also be getting more chapters of <i>Stuffed </i>in my next post.</span></li></ol><div><span style="color: #404040; font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8LCQuMFm6qR_COw9Vx1AQxQlwPc3uaRlQCE1fvGNJZaSE1OK7AnyHb2SuN0t2CPG7_SXN9kwqfuVOZ8nwEf4bnvTW8vPvbEq2YPj0vlh82dVRY_kpCCHD0vXQLDKRIwj63uN1sI6VyQi7nvEe2RHMLM2wVWbCu75j9OSEiABa6ZeFLP8WXVwIkKOBMLY/s240/8adfd424-69fa-4fb8-abd0-3d6345c89a89_240x240.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="240" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8LCQuMFm6qR_COw9Vx1AQxQlwPc3uaRlQCE1fvGNJZaSE1OK7AnyHb2SuN0t2CPG7_SXN9kwqfuVOZ8nwEf4bnvTW8vPvbEq2YPj0vlh82dVRY_kpCCHD0vXQLDKRIwj63uN1sI6VyQi7nvEe2RHMLM2wVWbCu75j9OSEiABa6ZeFLP8WXVwIkKOBMLY/w320-h320/8adfd424-69fa-4fb8-abd0-3d6345c89a89_240x240.webp" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><p></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: white; color: #404040; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0 0 var(--size-20) 0;"><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">In future I'll be trying to stick to posting bi-monthy. I can assure you I won't be posting anything long winded or self indulgent.</span></p><p></p><div><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: white; color: #404040; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0 0 var(--size-20) 0;"><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">I shall now stop writing and try to sleep. Until the next time.</span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: white; color: #404040; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0 0 var(--size-20) 0;"></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: white; color: #404040; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0 0 var(--size-20) 0;"><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">kindest regards</span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: white; color: #404040; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0 0 var(--size-20) 0;"><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: white; color: #404040; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0 0 var(--size-20) 0;"><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">Paula</span></p><span style="color: #404040; font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2850079468152240164.post-30551773647851838722023-12-17T16:24:00.003+00:002023-12-17T16:26:53.914+00:00Fantasy Series Sale<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeNKo0-DgjYhTLUyiQPvofP4Wn4m5UUJzDeX9s6usElAIfThmz2Ru0zpfpLVQUIXT6TZG4OPfR6DK4ALmk85qReJaBouGOj03qgrZEmYeBhyphenhyphen6-sYwZexgT5kCN2Qh6ti7i0Bhio7Mm2u1qansErLD7IfUT89QmtpWi2IVIvKVU4x7-Q0t1qgZ1EkmXqwc/s1200/header%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="403" data-original-width="1200" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeNKo0-DgjYhTLUyiQPvofP4Wn4m5UUJzDeX9s6usElAIfThmz2Ru0zpfpLVQUIXT6TZG4OPfR6DK4ALmk85qReJaBouGOj03qgrZEmYeBhyphenhyphen6-sYwZexgT5kCN2Qh6ti7i0Bhio7Mm2u1qansErLD7IfUT89QmtpWi2IVIvKVU4x7-Q0t1qgZ1EkmXqwc/w640-h214/header%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><h2 style="background-color: #fafafa; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-size: 30px; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.1; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 20px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: La Belle Aurore;">Searching for your next magical escape?</span></h2><div><span style="font-family: Libre Baskerville; font-size: medium;">Find your new favourite fantasy series books all on one page. </span></div><div><span style="background-color: #fafafa; color: #222222; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Libre Baskerville; font-size: medium;">These bestselling authors have teamed up to offer an exciting selection of fantasy reads. Available for a limited time.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Libre Baskerville; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Libre Baskerville; font-size: medium;">Check out this wonderful collection below:</span></div><p><span style="font-family: Libre Baskerville;"><a href="https://books.bookfunnel.com/fantasy-series-december/8vb9tsna80">https://books.bookfunnel.com/fantasy-series-december/8vb9tsna80</a></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2850079468152240164.post-54293595930292927052023-10-19T23:00:00.003+01:002023-11-16T16:29:18.451+00:00How I write<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicbO1YbAg4Lo969IbdYC0F8N7igfFeqFem0qgQwFxmgBve-wS-85EEZ8HIvQ3os56_yySnt9KijzV3d6SIQa0kdYZQo5MdHQlXvoGvCKLJGWYR7Wckv4ZZUBEDxMYy5TmNlRFojYel-W05c4unylSnPBlYPRC5UP89Xmdx0HDZa9J9TvRaC97yE7Nr6JE/s1024/0d42afe5-4b1a-4c3d-b6c6-e0db5b4f7bac_1024x1024.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicbO1YbAg4Lo969IbdYC0F8N7igfFeqFem0qgQwFxmgBve-wS-85EEZ8HIvQ3os56_yySnt9KijzV3d6SIQa0kdYZQo5MdHQlXvoGvCKLJGWYR7Wckv4ZZUBEDxMYy5TmNlRFojYel-W05c4unylSnPBlYPRC5UP89Xmdx0HDZa9J9TvRaC97yE7Nr6JE/w412-h412/0d42afe5-4b1a-4c3d-b6c6-e0db5b4f7bac_1024x1024.webp" width="412" /></a></div><p></p><h4 data-pm-slice="1 1 []" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy; font-size: large;">Plotter or Pantser</span></h4><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZABZrKz3mCBacaIIpP5NV1NgAhU9Tj3cPJtbTPmh9gkaHmzcIc2TXJBLiecO6Lhsy7mTQ962dMSo4NLZBruAglzQgVuCJm7OJMnSit2XtjlUQYGzpa961yGm9hjirPPU4fBoNd9vCjL-PiEnOUwLkDvTL6fy5LxdPEG-7wmMuJnf95lvZdTjH7VDHclk/s1080/photo-1586943759341-be5595944989.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: EB Garamond;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1080" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZABZrKz3mCBacaIIpP5NV1NgAhU9Tj3cPJtbTPmh9gkaHmzcIc2TXJBLiecO6Lhsy7mTQ962dMSo4NLZBruAglzQgVuCJm7OJMnSit2XtjlUQYGzpa961yGm9hjirPPU4fBoNd9vCjL-PiEnOUwLkDvTL6fy5LxdPEG-7wmMuJnf95lvZdTjH7VDHclk/w397-h264/photo-1586943759341-be5595944989.jpeg" width="397" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: EB Garamond;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><p data-pm-slice="1 1 []"><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">There are two distinct types of writers, plotters and pantser, although many, like me, lie somewhere between the two.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">A plotter is someone who outlines their story before writing it. They will usually do all or some of the following: Make a breakdown of the events that will occur in the story, story beats and produce character arcs. They are a writer who plans.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">A Pantser is derived from the term: writing by the seat of your pants. Pantsers usually don’t work with a full outline, some with no outline at all.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">A plantser is part planner, part pantser, this describes how I write my stories. When I sit down to write a story I have a idea in my head of what I would like to write. The ideas can form at any time, night or day, but usually when things are quiet and I have time to think. The plot ideas I have are not fixed in stone and many times I find the story tends to write itself. I find that this usually works best for me and I love it when a story takes on a life of its own, at times leading me down a writing path that I least expect. Although, I have to confess that there have been a few times where this hasn’t worked.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">There is one area where I do not pants and that is research. I will never skimp on story research as it is a very important part of building a story, also in making the story believable. For me it is always better to have too much research than too little. The research rabbit hole is a familiar place for me. If you take a look at my newsletter archive I have written about it in Down the Rabbit Hole. If you are interested you can read it <a href="https://fromtheauthorsdesk.substack.com/p/down-the-rabbit-hole" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">HERE.</a></span></p><h4 data-pm-slice="1 1 []"><br /></h4></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2850079468152240164.post-1076030545923565732023-09-29T21:00:00.086+01:002023-11-16T16:30:32.383+00:00Online Burnout<p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpepdf3Xy0Eppla3hQNk2Lwm6BpbnoKQITPEoxRHGMVb8_kBsF8Va53lR9lWefA8KriyTUEyAWK3CBVyKc7qjSbwuAltg7icBB1XFo7pLdNfMwK_3P30qSQt17mx5wsjCJ0-BD7bLYyE7h51Et2fXURv4yq0Kql6n_lpFKiUiD5w6dymH9F9jA_JnYF3A/s1080/photo-1516302752625-fcc3c50ae61f.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1080" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpepdf3Xy0Eppla3hQNk2Lwm6BpbnoKQITPEoxRHGMVb8_kBsF8Va53lR9lWefA8KriyTUEyAWK3CBVyKc7qjSbwuAltg7icBB1XFo7pLdNfMwK_3P30qSQt17mx5wsjCJ0-BD7bLYyE7h51Et2fXURv4yq0Kql6n_lpFKiUiD5w6dymH9F9jA_JnYF3A/w464-h309/photo-1516302752625-fcc3c50ae61f.jpeg" width="464" /></a></div><p></p><h6 data-pm-slice="1 1 []" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy;">Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@fairytailphotography" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Sydney Sims</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Unsplash</a></span></h6><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy; font-size: large;">How I Stopped Trying to Be Everything to Everyone</span></p><p data-pm-slice="1 1 []"><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">Last week I was unwell and had to slow down for a while. In doing so, I had more time to assess how much time I spent in a day doing tasks that were productive, worthwhile and more importantly, something that I needed to do. This also got me thinking about time spent on social media. How many of us can honestly say that time spent on social media is truly productive and enjoyable? It may have been for me years ago, but now it feels like a chore or something that has to be done. The little voice in my head telling me that I’d be letting people down by not logging in, and perhaps the fear of “missing out.”</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">Authors are encouraged to use social media to engage or find readers/fans for their work. Make use of it as a form of marketing. In the early days of Facebook, before pay-to-play became more important than their users, it was an excellent tool. I probably came a little too late to benefit from Facebook Pages' wide reach, although I did notice the decline over the years. Unpaid reach no longer exists. No doubt, the same could be said of Instagram. We are all hostages to the algorithms, they determine what you see and don’t see. Currently, Facebook seems to be having a problem with flagging profiles and content for non-existing violations. (See my account screenshots below)</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRR8g8QHdgS3y-fgRPmlK9BrjnsRqyL1VkQjuqXfWZbEKUosOTDfe4GaJFLv0OXKoXwwnVGrCtHRpVx17dpnN67QsGzIWaaUAl79LlD-HD3Wd-_kPctzJLQLpnZqwHVM2M13fo5AXthpiJIyv7nTnXrwYocxyhfjZR9T31myB2ivwrj4yeK2v4k5rTWp4/s697/23af309d-cf65-4001-af81-08c8a66cf4dc_616x697.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="697" data-original-width="616" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRR8g8QHdgS3y-fgRPmlK9BrjnsRqyL1VkQjuqXfWZbEKUosOTDfe4GaJFLv0OXKoXwwnVGrCtHRpVx17dpnN67QsGzIWaaUAl79LlD-HD3Wd-_kPctzJLQLpnZqwHVM2M13fo5AXthpiJIyv7nTnXrwYocxyhfjZR9T31myB2ivwrj4yeK2v4k5rTWp4/s320/23af309d-cf65-4001-af81-08c8a66cf4dc_616x697.webp" width="283" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgceOo4Wxn6bTFZBbZ1X6e1fg_pLamIchGwrzj2RFhJ_WfQxMKfGYpyOGwsuHhJ5gdOH7LRxLELk3AGBhhFRlSLGT-ULnhRSU9c0NMzDI9cIybvHu2YdOnLuFeuEjJzoiZu6faGBo7O5tZUPm9BQD8uC42KJDNABbf_DmNKhzcHO1kA7HM6_3HvKG2KxYk/s771/01a2d979-3959-4e2e-897c-9bfaecec7e0a_635x771.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="771" data-original-width="635" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgceOo4Wxn6bTFZBbZ1X6e1fg_pLamIchGwrzj2RFhJ_WfQxMKfGYpyOGwsuHhJ5gdOH7LRxLELk3AGBhhFRlSLGT-ULnhRSU9c0NMzDI9cIybvHu2YdOnLuFeuEjJzoiZu6faGBo7O5tZUPm9BQD8uC42KJDNABbf_DmNKhzcHO1kA7HM6_3HvKG2KxYk/s320/01a2d979-3959-4e2e-897c-9bfaecec7e0a_635x771.webp" width="264" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p data-pm-slice="1 1 []"><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">At one time I had the notion that I had to be in as many places as possible. So I was on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. I also blogged and tried to send out a weekly/bi-monthly newsletter. In the process, I found that I was spreading myself thin. Nevertheless, were any of these successful, particularly for marketing? You can guess the answer. However, I did make several very good friends and for that, I am grateful. I left Twitter (X) last year. I’d had enough of the toxic environment, bullying, and trolling that was prevalent. Yes, Facebook can be just as bad in its own way, but the way Twitter works makes it so much easier to be harassed.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">I tried TikTok for about two weeks. Nope. Not for me. Endlessly scrolling through Facebook's Homepage is bad enough. TikTok, that is on another scale. I needed to stop searching for validation and relying on others to tell me what I already knew, but wouldn’t admit to myself. The hive mind is unreliable.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlx4YrUjw8RwxwlBfReldKCrsWnFwlwpjiGli21txUiPssiXtUAAQ8JRbO6tp0_D3LA7ObCxDnaMMjTPJ0vLJVSDOCmXF5aieKu0daveWnX92nWVfhskmSvkTYaDC9IfBelv19TxZM5BJwid_gcfnpv-6sO-qo9JBlSqWdxN3y80TyLiq8gC5WJmS0Uik/s1080/photo-1643503640904-75c1a2093570.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1080" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlx4YrUjw8RwxwlBfReldKCrsWnFwlwpjiGli21txUiPssiXtUAAQ8JRbO6tp0_D3LA7ObCxDnaMMjTPJ0vLJVSDOCmXF5aieKu0daveWnX92nWVfhskmSvkTYaDC9IfBelv19TxZM5BJwid_gcfnpv-6sO-qo9JBlSqWdxN3y80TyLiq8gC5WJmS0Uik/w406-h270/photo-1643503640904-75c1a2093570.jpeg" width="406" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Emilys Candy";">Photo by </span><a href="https://unsplash.com/@paman0744" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" style="font-family: "Emilys Candy";" target="_blank">Aman Pal</a><span style="font-family: "Emilys Candy";"> on </span><a href="https://unsplash.com" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" style="font-family: "Emilys Candy";" target="_blank">Unsplash</a></div><p></p><p data-pm-slice="1 1 []"><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">We can use up so much of our precious time procrastinating on social media, under the illusion that we are making a difference to our lives. Whether that is for social or business reasons. I grew up in a time where being in contact meant that you spoke over the phone, wrote a letter or met face to face. When I was in high school personal computers were in their infancy and the World Wide Web wasn’t even a thing. Social media was social. So many young people today suffer from social anxiety caused by having little contact with others. Why call when a message will do or when you can click a “like” button?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">Anyway, I digress. In my epiphany moment, I decided that I wanted to be more productive, more interactive, and creative. I need to start earning more than a paltry income from my writing and social media is not helping me do this. Facebook doesn’t want my friends or readers to see my posts anymore. Fine, I don’t need Facebook. Discord and Substack’s Notes, will be the only forms of social media I will be using going forward. I will be occasionally uploading videos to YouTube. I’ve had a Discord account for over a year but rarely used it, until two days ago, when I set up a group within my server. Discord is a tool for hosting a private community. There is no algorithm. Everyone sees what is posted (text, audio, or video) equally, and nobody selling your data to third parties. It’s ideal for my bookish group, simply called: <strong><em>From the Author’s Desk Group</em></strong>. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBkXO5_N9HO4hyphenhyphenUhVJJH6AhNNBiVWCw95fQeUSpeT6ZjL5tPfZI7RTB-4uvRy28uYpftGkggGE8tS4SQ1kKyTB_nvFzIbe4Qjt5-ghMRisfU7aYAmUN2x-pKMY7h0FPTPL00EMDVqaxg4SgHkl0mu376UdMx-nWnLzmPjsmC2HbBvVpL3YW0ja1tU_GjM/s771/01a2d979-3959-4e2e-897c-9bfaecec7e0a_635x771.webp" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2850079468152240164.post-7581430856349947962023-09-20T19:30:00.001+01:002023-11-16T16:31:32.466+00:00Fairy Tale Illustrators - Anne Anderson<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilaNe1IWajcvdrKbG9UuxvrBfqIS4Bn0WhI1lBfqSyFgfJHxXC8p8QTgo5bR9mwHianfn-UQysE7e5WUNzgKhTnDhNjonuxBnwOHXXV6SR8iqUdMufdwh1HoLLaQVf7J9Dm9dpKEYZDoc/s1200/A+A+Books.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilaNe1IWajcvdrKbG9UuxvrBfqIS4Bn0WhI1lBfqSyFgfJHxXC8p8QTgo5bR9mwHianfn-UQysE7e5WUNzgKhTnDhNjonuxBnwOHXXV6SR8iqUdMufdwh1HoLLaQVf7J9Dm9dpKEYZDoc/s640/A+A+Books.png" width="640" /></a><i><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy;"><b><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="background: white; color: #202122; line-height: 115%;"><o:p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">Public Domain images Courtesy of Grandma's Graphics:</span></o:p></span></b><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #202122; font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="http://www.grandmasgraphics.com/aa_oldold.php">http://www.grandmasgraphics.com/aa_oldold.php</a></b></span></span></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy; font-size: large;"><b><span style="background: white; color: #202122; line-height: 115%;"><span>Anne Anderson</span></span></b><b><span style="background: white; color: #202122; line-height: 115%;"><span> (1874—26
May 1952)</span></span></b></span></p><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;"><span>Anne (Annie) Anderson was a Scottish illustrator known primarily for art nouveau style children’s book illustrations. She was also an etcher, designer of greetings cards and a watercolour painter. <br /><br />Born in Scotland in 1874, Anne spent her childhood in Argentina with her parents, James and Grace, and her four brothers and one sister. She left Argentina on reaching adulthood and found work in England. In 1910 she was able to afford to buy her a cottage </span><span>with her earnings</span><span> in Burghfield Common, Berkshire. She married the artist Alan Wright in June 1912. They collaborated on many of the books she illustrated; he would draw the birds and animals. </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;"><br />There is some debate as to the date of her death. Some sources list her death in the 1930, while there are those that state she died in 1936. Yet there are others that claim she was still alive after the Second World War. However, there is an entry in the Berkshire Burial index for a married artist named Annie Wright aged 76, on 29th May 1952. It states she had resided in Burghfield Common.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzOq7BIKkMOxW22ksHTCaw_eoxhoGUyxp8VODLa_bIS2BbyeKOuiFVHLzmtoK6Ah4vn_uLp0X6pfVRuzmNdSHlx0yIleFB6AAaqJAg6BO2BsqcVd6MYC0_O_dYgnfpBkgbJzFjKw-45A0/s1200/Anne+Anderson+1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzOq7BIKkMOxW22ksHTCaw_eoxhoGUyxp8VODLa_bIS2BbyeKOuiFVHLzmtoK6Ah4vn_uLp0X6pfVRuzmNdSHlx0yIleFB6AAaqJAg6BO2BsqcVd6MYC0_O_dYgnfpBkgbJzFjKw-45A0/s640/Anne+Anderson+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "baskerville bt", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinyhf7L3vhn_7hVmv7gN0QcMRdMQ0uCjC6IiVvmAfwwlqihE51a3zDseStfBlX8FZaUrmYZRZbF18YR2AoZgKZvD3xEY7o2v8xqegAGl5bCSKVNLcAD07XrJin9jsxQLgyxA024xOEa6E/s677/anne_anderson_red_shoes_forest.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="677" data-original-width="549" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinyhf7L3vhn_7hVmv7gN0QcMRdMQ0uCjC6IiVvmAfwwlqihE51a3zDseStfBlX8FZaUrmYZRZbF18YR2AoZgKZvD3xEY7o2v8xqegAGl5bCSKVNLcAD07XrJin9jsxQLgyxA024xOEa6E/w260-h320/anne_anderson_red_shoes_forest.jpg" width="260" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">Amongst the many children’s books she illustrated were the following fairy tale books:<br /></span><ul style="text-align: left;"><ul><ul><li><b><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">Briar Rose Book Of Old Old Fairy Tales -London. T.C. & E.C. Jack Ltd. Approx. 1920</span></b></li><li><b><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">Anderson Fairy-Tale Book - London: T. Nelson & Sons, 1923</span></b></li><li><b><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">Hans Andersen's Fairy Tales - London; Glasgow: Collins Clear-Type Press 1924</span></b></li><li><b><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">A Series of Fairy Tales - Nelson 1928</span></b></li><li><b><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">The Fairy Tale Omnibus - Collins 1929</span></b></li><li><b><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">Old, Old Fairy Tales - New York, Thomas Nelson & Sons, n.d</span></b></li></ul></ul></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span><br /><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">If you are interested in taking a look or even purchasing art prints of Anne Anderson’s illustrations there’s a charming website here:</span></span><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;"><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><a href="https://artsycraftsy.com/anderson_prints.html" style="text-align: left;"><i>https://artsycraftsy.com/anderson_prints.html</i></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy; font-size: 10pt;">Please note I have no affiliation with the website.</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "baskerville bt", serif; font-size: 10pt;"></span></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIvRvXl3ojYZ1_gVQs43IEtCcNkP6q1CwSZlIGJuT-QJviQBa1akSWI6IoZNAGmT6hQWjMQVO8wZp_hi097KSJ2haCQ36z6KlUsdnHTxJHdy24AGvbC1CIsRHIzXEd1RvuawjoK93wNvc/s1200/F+Tale+Mood+Board+4.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIvRvXl3ojYZ1_gVQs43IEtCcNkP6q1CwSZlIGJuT-QJviQBa1akSWI6IoZNAGmT6hQWjMQVO8wZp_hi097KSJ2haCQ36z6KlUsdnHTxJHdy24AGvbC1CIsRHIzXEd1RvuawjoK93wNvc/s640/F+Tale+Mood+Board+4.png" width="640" /></a></i></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-style: italic; text-align: left;">Anne Anderson images (Public Domain) </span><i style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">courtesy of Wikipedia/Artsycraftsy.com : </span></i><span style="font-size: 13.3333px; text-align: left;"><i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anne_Anderson_(illustrator)"><span>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anne_Anderson_(illustrator)</span></a></i></span></span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy;"><span style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #54595d; font-size: 13.6px;"> </span><span class="mw-mmv-source" style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #54595d;"><span style="color: #0b0080; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><a href="http://www.artsycraftsy.com/anderson_prints.html"><i>http://www.artsycraftsy.com/anderson_prints.html</i></a></span></span></span></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><p class="MsoNormal"></p></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2850079468152240164.post-25472581546388530922023-09-14T18:30:00.144+01:002023-11-16T16:33:02.121+00:00Meet My Characters - Part One<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-XkYwBkEZd3werOkGizCyECdomkbGo5V2T5LpdC1QaW6OLlz18kxa-PRlBRM3cUqpH7G5ShW6BZWHDDIxtse_3ofCxDyc1Zh0_u4mu35p-YnIOuZHr6KgtCy68zm7YRJdBB7i88JUvgpQ3OBh60d-WfJ9ZoR34V6CtAMlU2NW9b3NImg1kLadeIB_gUk/s1080/Untitled%20design%20(6).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="389" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-XkYwBkEZd3werOkGizCyECdomkbGo5V2T5LpdC1QaW6OLlz18kxa-PRlBRM3cUqpH7G5ShW6BZWHDDIxtse_3ofCxDyc1Zh0_u4mu35p-YnIOuZHr6KgtCy68zm7YRJdBB7i88JUvgpQ3OBh60d-WfJ9ZoR34V6CtAMlU2NW9b3NImg1kLadeIB_gUk/w389-h389/Untitled%20design%20(6).png" width="389" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy;"><div style="font-size: x-large; text-align: center;">Faerie Tales Reimagined</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></span><p></p><p data-pm-slice="1 1 []"><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">Authors spend many hours in a fantasy world of our own. Imagining worlds and characters from our imagination and making those come to life through our stories. Those stories and characters can be completely original or may be known to us in the form of faerie tales. When I created my first YA fantasy faerie tale trilogy I took the bare bones of the original stories and characters and fleshed them out. I also introduced new ones in my reimagining. What came from my writing was very different to that I first envisioned. I wrote a host of characters that would cross over into other faerie tales, told with a twist or an original spin. Faerie tales never grow old.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;"></span></p><div><p><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">I would like to introduce you to my imaginary friends. The cast of characters that have made their appearance in A Dark Faerie Tale. I will try not to introduce spoilers for those who haven’t read the books. I will start with the first book in the trilogy.<span></span></span></p><a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy; font-size: medium;"> </span><p></p><h4><strong><em><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy; font-size: large;">Kingdom of Ice: A Dark Faerie Tale Book 1</span></em></strong></h4><h3><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy; font-size: large;">Princess Khione</span></h3></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM4Ne_j1swCd5Z37yenwjerYL893mBklFzjltr-CMjIm6DJUdUJ-MyYUioKRKjCjCnTE3BiOKNWNXI4Ht8MZDqnfNw8jXFvNtHcH2-5_ykjzmpwiPYjuSUC29_93c438UO6ar_73_ZaOiqjFX_xeCzV2xgTInLxo1asHD2J91VwZxvMr5-Qv3w_zG8UHk/s474/455d4ca2-c69f-4364-a05d-7e2872722cda_1080x1080.webp" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="474" data-original-width="474" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM4Ne_j1swCd5Z37yenwjerYL893mBklFzjltr-CMjIm6DJUdUJ-MyYUioKRKjCjCnTE3BiOKNWNXI4Ht8MZDqnfNw8jXFvNtHcH2-5_ykjzmpwiPYjuSUC29_93c438UO6ar_73_ZaOiqjFX_xeCzV2xgTInLxo1asHD2J91VwZxvMr5-Qv3w_zG8UHk/w295-h295/455d4ca2-c69f-4364-a05d-7e2872722cda_1080x1080.webp" width="295" /></a></div><p data-pm-slice="1 1 []"><br /></p><p data-pm-slice="1 1 []"><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">Princess Khione is the daughter and only child of the late King Eldwin and Queen Eleanor of Turia. She is described as tall, beautiful with long black hair that accentuated her delicate and flawless pale skin, soulful grey eyes framed with long black lashes, and a full cupid’s bow mouth. Khione is cheerful, warm-hearted and has a kind nature, unlike her cold uncaring mother.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">Queen Eleanor imprisons her daughter for four years, in the North Tower of Ruhan Castle from the age of thirteen, as she is jealous of her beauty and popularity. Khione is gifted with the ability to understand the language of all animals, and they understand her. When her mother plots to murder her with the help of her huntsman she escapes into the forbidden forest, the home of the Fae. There she meets a family of elf brothers who will do anything it takes to keep her safe. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;"></span></p><!--more--><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><h3 data-pm-slice="1 1 []" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy; font-size: large;">Gerda</span></h3></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoWJyTsIOrlcP7dAKWwUoGlqREu977vAp-bKXZxitTL6fj6G6vhUEayQ8vOeNa-dWO8benl_5CPz2W6WeLJkHope6rCG7lVz0FILHB6zDg2JxLb9kS6IdeIx2lE2dNmD9c7TlGAnSj3b9fsSrUWt2_3SKeHM8Sg89tOK21f-TwP2MZFHMm9E1WByY-BeM/s474/1de83f1a-257e-4777-9d24-c668dad151c4_1080x1080.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="474" data-original-width="474" height="351" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoWJyTsIOrlcP7dAKWwUoGlqREu977vAp-bKXZxitTL6fj6G6vhUEayQ8vOeNa-dWO8benl_5CPz2W6WeLJkHope6rCG7lVz0FILHB6zDg2JxLb9kS6IdeIx2lE2dNmD9c7TlGAnSj3b9fsSrUWt2_3SKeHM8Sg89tOK21f-TwP2MZFHMm9E1WByY-BeM/w351-h351/1de83f1a-257e-4777-9d24-c668dad151c4_1080x1080.webp" width="351" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: right;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p data-pm-slice="1 1 []" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">Gerda is the daughter of Agnes, Khione’s nursemaid. She is described as a short, pretty girl with long red hair and beautiful emerald green eyes. Gerda is feisty, loyal, tenacious and loves deeply. Khione and Gerda become best friends. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">When she imprisons Khione, Queen Eleanor banishes Gerda and her mother from the lands of Turia. They start a new life in Bracan, in the nearby Kingdom of Agraunia. Where they share a small garret room with Agnes’s widowed mother, Matilda. Gerda befriends her neighbour’s son, Kai, who is an apprentice to a Blacksmith. Their close friendship eventually blossoms into love. Their short-lived happiness comes to a halt with Kai’s cold, distance demeanour. Kai then disappears after being seen with a strange woman in white.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span></span></p><!--more--><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6UVn12cmlrK8eIhbe-CUwv8rqEz3B_O5Xlxgc0SMUAgTW5_nCbwP-5Bcp3252VyWkEQhkaT9AR-Lr5_hVdOGJwAbX4IFxBP6A0Jb9Aviffcmjfq31Ndb1PZ1ufWEaoZiweuraQGDL9PKyEVO1hlwb3bwwaVOZyqT1uOwOni6mGWPjhDa0h2fz-IXeXH8/s474/23007a2d-8146-4d37-ad49-c80a401bfbb8_1080x1080.webp" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: right;"><h3 data-pm-slice="1 1 []" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy; font-size: large;">The Snow Queen</span></h3><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHgxNNri7wlUxAj69yqdWCa5QNmh2g3RK3RqOMgpWyHU5unxM0yD_48wMgKfKqYLQvOhiYMZYFK0aSOif2tcjV-sXkV4qmhyphenhyphenjqoKnGyAO8zRpnNfZ2KjUHBUeixJqg379FxeEIbT755IPI7D70UgIN9WaJzShMks-TlDJS_Sxehkjaho8_HATcAp09fXo/s474/c80577d4-af80-4ad7-9d5f-d7968f2db010_1080x1080.webp" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="474" data-original-width="474" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHgxNNri7wlUxAj69yqdWCa5QNmh2g3RK3RqOMgpWyHU5unxM0yD_48wMgKfKqYLQvOhiYMZYFK0aSOif2tcjV-sXkV4qmhyphenhyphenjqoKnGyAO8zRpnNfZ2KjUHBUeixJqg379FxeEIbT755IPI7D70UgIN9WaJzShMks-TlDJS_Sxehkjaho8_HATcAp09fXo/s320/c80577d4-af80-4ad7-9d5f-d7968f2db010_1080x1080.webp" width="320" /></a></div><p data-pm-slice="1 1 []"><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">The strange woman in white aka, the Snow Queen, lives in a palace of ice in the frozen Korah Valley near the Kingdom of Narekith. The Snow Queen is described as tall with long silver-white hair, piercing blue eyes and delicate beauty. She is distant, self-centred and melancholic. The Snow Queen possesses magic and has lived alone in her palace for many years. There are many rumours circulating about her origins, many say she is either a witch or Fae. </span></p><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><!--more--></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><p data-pm-slice="1 1 []"><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p data-pm-slice="1 1 []"><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p data-pm-slice="1 1 []"><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">If you would like to read Kingdom of Ice you can find it a retailers through my universal book link: <a href="https://books2read.com/u/31RYQ7" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">https://books2read.com/u/31RYQ7</a></span></p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F21e18d82-0c5d-4410-868b-4a0349e1eb01_1600x2560.jpeg" target="_blank"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy; font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><source sizes="100vw" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F21e18d82-0c5d-4410-868b-4a0349e1eb01_1600x2560.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F21e18d82-0c5d-4410-868b-4a0349e1eb01_1600x2560.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F21e18d82-0c5d-4410-868b-4a0349e1eb01_1600x2560.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F21e18d82-0c5d-4410-868b-4a0349e1eb01_1600x2560.jpeg 1456w" type="image/webp"></source><img alt="" class="sizing-normal" data-attrs="{"src":"https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/21e18d82-0c5d-4410-868b-4a0349e1eb01_1600x2560.jpeg","srcNoWatermark":null,"fullscreen":null,"imageSize":null,"height":2330,"width":1456,"resizeWidth":144,"bytes":3597995,"alt":null,"title":null,"type":"image/jpeg","href":null,"belowTheFold":false,"topImage":false,"internalRedirect":null}" height="230.43956043956044" sizes="100vw" src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F21e18d82-0c5d-4410-868b-4a0349e1eb01_1600x2560.jpeg" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F21e18d82-0c5d-4410-868b-4a0349e1eb01_1600x2560.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F21e18d82-0c5d-4410-868b-4a0349e1eb01_1600x2560.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F21e18d82-0c5d-4410-868b-4a0349e1eb01_1600x2560.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F21e18d82-0c5d-4410-868b-4a0349e1eb01_1600x2560.jpeg 1456w" width="144" /></span></div><div class="image2-inset"><picture></picture><div></div></div></a></figure></div><p></p></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh27B4wDSl3_NQ9-kp22r7IRBVOgSG0SiGMAiCbGOZg9cw9jYrX3ZIHt6IvBNC3QHa0RhMqKBAVMiUaTP6-YCSVMTm89BAKCbD_a_UW0JL74c1oa_zri5_KOI0I2Fik0EhzPpXB6A4R_BKpu13l9bw84kr7HR1_pMpSwd1morHzgpLlT4O71Ie-D7pTC0g/s474/59936792-d100-403d-9cda-29abc26f5583_1080x1080.webp" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><p data-pm-slice="1 1 []" style="text-align: left;"><em><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">Princess Khione craves her vain and heartless mother’s love. After her beloved father dies, she despairs at ever finding love and happiness again. The only comfort she finds is in her nursemaid and her nursemaid’s daughter. Years later, Khione’s jealous mother orchestrates an event that nearly ends her life. Forced to flee into the Forsaken Forest, the home of the Fae, Khione finds something she could have never imagined.</span></em></p><p style="text-align: left;"><em><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">Banished from the lands of Turia, Agnes and Gerda try to start a new life in the nearby Kingdom of Agraunia. They share a small garret room with Agnes’s widowed mother, Matilda. There, Gerda befriends her neighbour’s son, Kai, who is an apprentice to a Blacksmith. Their close friendship eventually blossoms into love. Their short-lived happiness comes to a halt with Kai’s cold, distance demeanour. After he disappears after being seen with a strange woman in white, rumours persist that he is dead. Only Gerda knows he is still alive. The place he touched deepest in her heart makes it hard for her to accept any other truth but her instincts scream at her that he is in danger. With no one willing to help, Gerda sets out alone to rescue him, unaware of the dangers outside of her sheltered life as the nursemaid’s daughter.</span></em></p><p><strong><em><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">Kingdom of Ice, book 1 of A Dark Faerie Tale, is a blended retelling of Snow White, the Snow Queen and other fairy tales, with action/adventure and a magical touch of romance.</span></em></strong></p></div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2850079468152240164.post-10848199423067575742023-09-05T16:30:00.019+01:002023-11-16T16:33:46.729+00:00Reviews<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy; font-size: large;"> The Good the Bad and the Ugly</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsKWaUvTNfkPdhUnO-ixqXo9a5OPuu_XQiNA5ex0t2rpCFYKVNVK7NS7zJAWve4KcSpOFHtXNwSiZ4RGLw5Y6Spdk0zM6doT_opJHv65VG1P7M_wNgVGKW2TXvhdlhYWCdQBTV-NRV9ZwbQXQGftY7Z2hrGIR5IklOjdakt0S4MUJXHWW-dk3bkiXXTlk/s1456/fd07a3a8-9c7f-4a21-8870-716349386576_4928x3264.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="964" data-original-width="1456" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsKWaUvTNfkPdhUnO-ixqXo9a5OPuu_XQiNA5ex0t2rpCFYKVNVK7NS7zJAWve4KcSpOFHtXNwSiZ4RGLw5Y6Spdk0zM6doT_opJHv65VG1P7M_wNgVGKW2TXvhdlhYWCdQBTV-NRV9ZwbQXQGftY7Z2hrGIR5IklOjdakt0S4MUJXHWW-dk3bkiXXTlk/w439-h291/fd07a3a8-9c7f-4a21-8870-716349386576_4928x3264.webp" width="439" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p data-pm-slice="1 1 []"><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">No doubt, like many, you have left a product review. This has been our privilege since the beginning of online retail websites. The idea behind a review is to inform potential purchasers about your experience, whether that is good or bad. One of the biggest flaws with a review is that each is subjective. What you may find great, may not be that of others, in fact, it may be the complete opposite. Product reviews are in many ways similar to film, theatre and restaurant critic reviews in the way they vary. However, this does not mean that they are not of value.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">Reviews are social proof of the quality/popularity of a book. They are very helpful in enabling an author to use book promotional services e.g. BookBub. They also assist in boosting an author's visibility and sales. i.e. If you see a book with fifty reviews and one with five, which one is more likely to draw your attention? I guess that you would be drawn to the book with fifty reviews. Authors really do value your reviews, even if in some instances it may not seem like it. All that we ask is that you leave an honest review, no matter how big or small.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">A review need not take much of your time. It can be just be a few lines, or it can contain a short overview of the plot, but not a detailed outline (due to spoilers), and your experience as a reader. Also, any of the following:</span></p><ul><li><p><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">How it makes you feel.</span></p></li><li><p><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">The good/bad aspects of the story.</span></p></li><li><p><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">The atmosphere of the story.</span></p></li><li><p><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">Are the characters believable?</span></p></li><li><p><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">Your willingness to read more books by the author, particularly if the book is part of a series.</span></p></li><li><p><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">Any other aspect you feel is relevant to prospective readers.</span></p></li></ul><p><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">Most would think that the subject of Book Reviews would not be controversial, but far from it. The deeper you dig the more dirt you find. Do I take book reviews seriously? Yes and no, much depends on who is reviewing and by what means.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">There are many websites where you can buy books or dedicated websites about books. Readers can leave reviews and comments about the book they have read. The two biggest are Amazon and Goodreads, which incidentally was bought by Amazon in 2013. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-JsYYaIY59lL-C-PP-vJuU1n6CA-fZ20sDmFwQRPFsINxxC-5fuAt4rfll54Kg3cYIdV_GKHkRwZPDf0G7NwrbXCRV7vzrHG5aALZCdxPqFIiK5uiWD8ltBMF5_M0OZxF0d51TBz8NVCZ9UeVsm5jwtLW25QbcPBu0vdfVSL6KGdTXk12Tjk65jXQzFU/s2184/0b20c9f3-8400-411a-aa3a-bf97871d2112_2000x3000.webp" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2184" data-original-width="1456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-JsYYaIY59lL-C-PP-vJuU1n6CA-fZ20sDmFwQRPFsINxxC-5fuAt4rfll54Kg3cYIdV_GKHkRwZPDf0G7NwrbXCRV7vzrHG5aALZCdxPqFIiK5uiWD8ltBMF5_M0OZxF0d51TBz8NVCZ9UeVsm5jwtLW25QbcPBu0vdfVSL6KGdTXk12Tjk65jXQzFU/s320/0b20c9f3-8400-411a-aa3a-bf97871d2112_2000x3000.webp" width="213" /></a></div><p></p><p data-pm-slice="1 1 []"><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">In the past, the only place you could find book reviews were in newspapers and magazines. Times changed allowing anyone and everyone to have their say. This may not be a bad thing, but just like social media, online reviewing has its downsides. As soon as you allow anyone to play God things can start to get out of hand. Leaving glowing reviews, or scathing one-star reviews for books isn’t anything new and I am not intimating that it isn’t anyone’s right to do so. However, there are as in many things in life, the bad players, authors, and readers alike. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">The practice of sock puppets (creating fake accounts) has been around for many years. Authors have been known to partake in this to create interest in their work, by leaving themselves, five-star reviews, or to do the opposite, leaving rivals one-star reviews. Does an Amazon review with a "Verified Purchaser" status prevent fraud? No, even this is flawed, authors can arrange for fake reviewers to purchase their books from Amazon.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">Next, there’s the ugly practice of exploitation by one-star review bombing. Scammers wishing to blackmail an author into paying them money for the review bombing to stop, have been known to carry this out. In some cases, a person or a group of people may have a problem with the author and partake in negative review bombing in retaliation. Ironically, without ever reading one sentence of the books they are attacking. I wish people would not resort to this kind of troll-like behaviour, but sadly, it is prevalent. There are also incidents of harassment of genuine reviewers by authors. Reviewers and authors should not be intimidated or be subjected to ad hominem attacks.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">All that is asked, is that a genuine, honest review is left, and in return it should be respected.</span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2850079468152240164.post-62386541807251922822023-08-20T21:00:00.039+01:002023-11-16T16:34:34.086+00:00 Advance Readers Team<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjtiIOHzIgRJsNYBGKxaj482Qi0xMZ9A2MlKffLT_AXlZG51Y8W8ouPulGJTANvrYqjlsAPK5pvB_8wnTM2WHHqV8GnxtQu8C26RIdMCGH4-V8qB2WTVLQJg95p6QBIlWRFzw44dLAS3kAH8TzDpnF_sAk6nPSJjW48_9I1ngnawMZ6t_n0AQ52A_G0zk/s640/15e605b8-6f1f-4b3b-9e6d-e4475a677df8_640x325.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="325" data-original-width="640" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjtiIOHzIgRJsNYBGKxaj482Qi0xMZ9A2MlKffLT_AXlZG51Y8W8ouPulGJTANvrYqjlsAPK5pvB_8wnTM2WHHqV8GnxtQu8C26RIdMCGH4-V8qB2WTVLQJg95p6QBIlWRFzw44dLAS3kAH8TzDpnF_sAk6nPSJjW48_9I1ngnawMZ6t_n0AQ52A_G0zk/w640-h326/15e605b8-6f1f-4b3b-9e6d-e4475a677df8_640x325.webp" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy; font-size: large;"><b>What is an Advance Reader Copy (ARC) ?</b></span></p><p data-pm-slice="1 1 []"><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">An advance reader copy (ARC) is a pre-published version of a new book that is circulated to people who read it before publication. e.g. reviewers and book bloggers.</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">By offering ARCs to readers an author can receive reviews in the fist few days of a books release. Therefore providing a reader's genuine opinion to potential book shoppers.</span></p><h4 data-pm-slice="1 1 []" style="text-align: center;"><strong><em><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy; font-size: large;">What is an advance reader team?</span></em></strong></h4><p><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">An Advance Reader Team is a group of volunteer readers who read and review ARCs of an author's newest books. Members of the team receive a free copy of a new book to read before it's release date. The advance reader will then post their honest review on e.g. Amazon, BookBub, Goodreads, Apple Books, Kobo etc. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">ARC reviews should not contain any spoilers and should focus on what makes a book enjoyable, including mentions of characters, story pacing, basically anything that will help a new/potential reader decide if this book would suit their preferences. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">Members of the team are expected to read and review by the author's release deadline, and will liaise with the author if the deadline cannot be met. You are required to say that you are reviewing a free copy of the book and voluntarily left a review. An author cannot insist that an ARC reader leaves a review.</span></p><h4 style="text-align: center;"><strong><em><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy; font-size: large;">How It works</span></em></strong></h4><p><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">I will send an email to my Advance Reader Team before the ARCs are due out. This gives team members time to decide if they are able to read and review by the given due date. Another email will be sent out with information on how and where to download the ARC. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">Reviews are due within 7 days of the book's release. I will then send an email to ask for links for the reviews. I realise that in life things can happen. However, if a reviewer does not post a review and has no legitimate reason for not doing so they will be given another opportunity to review. If once again a review is not posted without a reasonable excuse for not doing so, they will be removed from the team. As I have stated above, an author cannot insist that an ARC reader leaves a review, but what would be the purpose of joining an Advance Readers Review Team if you do not wish to leave reviews. </span></p><h4 data-pm-slice="1 1 []" style="text-align: center;"><strong><em><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy; font-size: large;">How to join</span></em></strong></h4><div><strong><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4CxZcFF1-eR5ceILbM3ZoOtLGxUYsGud21o3WDrQPs5SWbM3XtXOLyn5bkSPQu1JAzMiEP71nrBXzckXMQ1znwD2fWI-gHZhN4ZaAKZlzR_8PpgHcKgbjvOMWnI5ix5XEwWLEF1vEH83LKRroCy09rZT7roLl1NBc5ct7kugasC3OlZTgyOcmWQhfFqQ/s153/98e24b15-9b52-4d7d-aa61-8c513a8ac63c_153x93.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="93" data-original-width="153" height="121" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4CxZcFF1-eR5ceILbM3ZoOtLGxUYsGud21o3WDrQPs5SWbM3XtXOLyn5bkSPQu1JAzMiEP71nrBXzckXMQ1znwD2fWI-gHZhN4ZaAKZlzR_8PpgHcKgbjvOMWnI5ix5XEwWLEF1vEH83LKRroCy09rZT7roLl1NBc5ct7kugasC3OlZTgyOcmWQhfFqQ/w200-h121/98e24b15-9b52-4d7d-aa61-8c513a8ac63c_153x93.webp" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfhfHqKwwK6tzLTFY722_wD4B3qY9TwJ8hryuvbqTu6KCBBxg/viewform" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy; font-size: large;">Sign Up Here</span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></strong><p data-pm-slice="1 1 []"><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy; font-size: medium;"><strong><em>Please note. </em></strong><em>If you don't receive a welcome email please check your junk mail.</em></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy; font-size: medium;"><em>W</em><strong><em>hat to expect:</em></strong><em> If you wish to withdraw your consent and stop hearing from me, simply click click the unsubscribe link at the bottom of every email I send, or contact me using my contact page on my website. I value and respect your personal data and privacy. </em></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy; font-size: medium;"><em>Please view my </em><a href="https://www.paulamhunter.com/privacy-policy" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank"><strong><em>Privacy Policy</em></strong></a>. By submitting this form, you agree that I may process your information in accordance with these terms.</span></p><strong><em><br /></em></strong></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2850079468152240164.post-6798271079017253482023-07-30T15:50:00.069+01:002023-11-16T16:36:18.125+00:00Fictional World Building<p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTNhxnNkS-ghq8tK4L9j_9D6Y0HYaamh2F2FhY7cbF0zQ0TaiInhtZmXA-Ookb67YTU06aziCv-ma0fDxgVWrWudggQNKZWXfR3_eyvoENbrvfbPV3D_q20xnUY59mO8RmnbaVQLbXmXUAaVuxUWO69FNjXYuNpBRtAvd4_VVPnOi9OpgFQp9vO28I53Y/s1280/5c5f27b6-9069-4bf5-ba7b-3041dedf9a58_1280x903.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="903" data-original-width="1280" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTNhxnNkS-ghq8tK4L9j_9D6Y0HYaamh2F2FhY7cbF0zQ0TaiInhtZmXA-Ookb67YTU06aziCv-ma0fDxgVWrWudggQNKZWXfR3_eyvoENbrvfbPV3D_q20xnUY59mO8RmnbaVQLbXmXUAaVuxUWO69FNjXYuNpBRtAvd4_VVPnOi9OpgFQp9vO28I53Y/w514-h364/5c5f27b6-9069-4bf5-ba7b-3041dedf9a58_1280x903.webp" width="514" /></a></div><p></p><p data-pm-slice="1 1 []" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy;"><em>Image by</em><strong><em> </em></strong><a href="https://pixabay.com/users/creapark-6555204/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=2797208" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank"><strong><em>Crea Park</em></strong></a><em> from </em><a href="https://pixabay.com/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=2797208" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank"><em>Pixabay</em></a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">Welcome once again to my little corner, and it is literally a corner, of the writing universe. Today I want to talk about the most important considerations for an author when world building.</span></p><h4 data-pm-slice="1 1 []"> <span style="font-family: Emilys Candy; font-size: large;"><strong><em>What is World Building</em></strong><em>?</em></span></h4><p><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">World building is the process of constructing an imaginary world in fiction. It tells the reader where the story takes place. Building a world is important when writing science fiction and fantasy. However, it is not exclusive to these genres. It conveys to the reader the kind of world in which the story takes place and how it looks, feels, traditions, laws, and politics. It should tell a reader everything about that world. This imaginary world may be the same as the one we're living in or completely different and alien to a reader.</span></p><h4> <strong><em><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy; font-size: large;">History and Geography</span></em></strong></h4><p><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">What does this imaginary world look like? Does it differ vastly from Earth? Perhaps is it similar to Tolkien's Middle-earth, or CS Lewis' Narnia? Is this world surrounded by sea or space? Anything can be part of your world. It doesn't necessarily have to be familiar. An author imagines how they want their world to be. They convey this by how it looks and feels. It can differ vastly and even have its own language.</span></p><h4> <strong><em><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy; font-size: large;">Terrain</span></em></strong></h4><p><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">Is the world surrounded by mountains, forests or seas, or is it, like Terry Pratchett's Discworld, something completely different from what we know? Terrains can be familiar or something out of this world.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKLGFIADDIL3b4kNsRNCrE6RP8xPHy0HM1OmMhG-aXhAXTE_rG-ZsMu6u5jrOHrC6pEsOrEFJ3-rDEsLYzuI1G1FW2ntJ93uF9TQaFga6qWx-8AKA3yvqZsuhzRSidZp1G7VzgaNkWIFt6bnzlqI5rOYrxWiM5VdY-oZ-l3bCC6cU5pawvJfB3jbWA0xU/s1280/a18d9168-d8b2-4289-a462-8e966bf77950_1280x753.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="753" data-original-width="1280" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKLGFIADDIL3b4kNsRNCrE6RP8xPHy0HM1OmMhG-aXhAXTE_rG-ZsMu6u5jrOHrC6pEsOrEFJ3-rDEsLYzuI1G1FW2ntJ93uF9TQaFga6qWx-8AKA3yvqZsuhzRSidZp1G7VzgaNkWIFt6bnzlqI5rOYrxWiM5VdY-oZ-l3bCC6cU5pawvJfB3jbWA0xU/w493-h289/a18d9168-d8b2-4289-a462-8e966bf77950_1280x753.webp" width="493" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p data-pm-slice="1 1 []"><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy;"><em>Image by </em><a href="https://pixabay.com/users/roysnyder-20716415/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=6748620" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank"><strong><em>Roy Snyder</em></strong></a><em> from </em><a href="https://pixabay.com/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=6748620" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank"><em>Pixabay</em></a></span></p></div><h4 data-pm-slice="1 1 []"><strong><em><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy; font-size: large;">Fictional Maps</span></em></strong></h4><p><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">Fictional Maps show where the story takes place. An author could make a point of showing on the map the towns, cities and terrain. The map can help a reader visualise a world, its terrain, who inhabits this world and the locations of key story points</span></p><h4> <strong><em><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy; font-size: large;">Magic Systems or Science?</span></em></strong></h4><p><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">Does the story involve real science or physics? Worlds can have a magic system of real or imaginary science. A creation of a solar system with stars and planets can be developed as part of that world. The magic system and/or science have to be believable for people to understand the story. It has to be solid. The magic should be consistent in every chapter in order for readers to believe in the story. There has to be a reason for how it works and why it works.</span></p><h4> <strong><em><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy; font-size: large;">World Building Foundations.</span></em></strong></h4><p><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;"><span>World building is the foundation of a strong story. The story has to be believable and to achieve this it has to have a well-built foundation. Whether an author is a planner or a pantser (writing by the seat of one’s pants) the story foundations need to be well-</span><span>founded.</span></span></p><h4> <span style="font-family: Emilys Candy; font-size: large;"><em> </em><strong><em>A Sensory World</em></strong></span></h4><p><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">The imaginary world needs to be a sensory experience. Make use of the five senses. How does it smell, touch, feel, taste and sound? Sensory is a very important part of writing a story. It also helps to convey feelings.</span></p><h4><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy; font-size: large;"><em> </em><strong><em>Show not Tell</em></strong></span></h4><p><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">One of the biggies in writing is show, not tell. I'm sure you've heard it many a time. A world needs to be shown. There is no need to tell readers everything about it. No info dumping, it should speak for itself. The world needs to be revealed to the reader through the characters, particularly what they see. Nonetheless, they don't need to be spoon-fed.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipQ58Rmh_KIzyLpLYjEnVoirHOo0jr99tBaoie8r52wQMbX8KUw7U008xLx165-vRSMzdWCnHm584CtGOP6xHgi6dtzLvNt4rrOeRmj6GVp59WtJ8YfhEQhyphenhyphenXuU6QKadsme-O605nhc2QZs-D0TWEaUCSQ1eqNFLE_WlaSmdPot1fwM8FGEZhYvgJM3tk/s1280/088f22da-109a-4be4-8ac0-9b3bf93eb3ca_1280x853.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="335" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipQ58Rmh_KIzyLpLYjEnVoirHOo0jr99tBaoie8r52wQMbX8KUw7U008xLx165-vRSMzdWCnHm584CtGOP6xHgi6dtzLvNt4rrOeRmj6GVp59WtJ8YfhEQhyphenhyphenXuU6QKadsme-O605nhc2QZs-D0TWEaUCSQ1eqNFLE_WlaSmdPot1fwM8FGEZhYvgJM3tk/w504-h335/088f22da-109a-4be4-8ac0-9b3bf93eb3ca_1280x853.webp" width="504" /></a></div><p></p><p data-pm-slice="1 1 []" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy;"><em>Image by </em><a href="https://pixabay.com/users/merlinlightpainting-19833603/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=6174830" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank"><strong><em>Merlin Lightpainting</em></strong></a><em> from </em><a href="https://pixabay.com/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=6174830" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank"><em>Pixabay</em></a></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><h4 data-pm-slice="1 1 []"><strong><em><span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-family: Emilys Candy;">Who Inhabits the World?</span></span></em></strong></h4><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><p><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">What kind of people inhabits the world? What are the class systems, races and genders? Once again, all these are important factors in building a fictional world and making it believable to the reader.</span></p><p><em><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">Below you can find my YouTube video on this subject.</span></em></p><p><em></em></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="367" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QQ4I3Nmw47Y" width="441" youtube-src-id="QQ4I3Nmw47Y"></iframe></em></div><em><br /><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></em><p></p></div><p><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2850079468152240164.post-85059652270320540312023-07-22T15:00:00.038+01:002023-11-16T16:36:55.753+00:00The Perils of Publishing - Part Two<p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><figcaption class="image-caption" data-pm-slice="1 1 ["captionedImage",null]"><br /></figcaption><figcaption class="image-caption" data-pm-slice="1 1 ["captionedImage",null]"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Z-9WA3xuUTFQkYUPbCfeWyia94Z8N5HLaW45rbWQiaryDx8xvvq3MzPZGVt6Au5_a9m9Q8jG1l8AJNH4x7eRbt3ttAtuSyvJh5OSK1gUaKQvqYq2dYqa9zyCsZjlBupSYdtcQ1pN942assWDpOWOwORqtIFNRzMpuB0BssY-OBtyMAioVDJbP2YyKQk/s1080/photo-1589998059171-988d887df646.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy;"><img border="0" data-original-height="715" data-original-width="1080" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Z-9WA3xuUTFQkYUPbCfeWyia94Z8N5HLaW45rbWQiaryDx8xvvq3MzPZGVt6Au5_a9m9Q8jG1l8AJNH4x7eRbt3ttAtuSyvJh5OSK1gUaKQvqYq2dYqa9zyCsZjlBupSYdtcQ1pN942assWDpOWOwORqtIFNRzMpuB0BssY-OBtyMAioVDJbP2YyKQk/w481-h318/photo-1589998059171-988d887df646.jpeg" width="481" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy;">Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@qmikola" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Mikołaj</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Unsplash</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Emilys Candy"; font-size: xx-large;"> A Zero Sum Game</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Emilys Candy"; font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><p data-pm-slice="1 1 []"><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">When you imagine the life of an author what springs to mind? No doubt some may imagine authors are making huge amounts of money for every book they publish and are living a high life. Others imagine a struggling artist living on nothing but their imagination and despising the vulgar notion of receiving money for their art. I admit that these may be extremes. However, there are some truths here. Yes, some bestselling authors do rake in the income, yet they are in the minority. Many fall into the category of Midlist and are making a sustainable income. There are also hobbyists, who do consider their work as non-commercial art. When you consider the number of books published every year. I’m sure it will come as no surprise to learn that it can be difficult to make book sales.</span></p><p data-pm-slice="1 1 []"><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">Many authors have toyed with the idea of quitting writing at some point in their careers. Low sales figures gloom and doom predictions and the closure of publishing houses don’t help matters. Selling anything in a competitive market is certainly not as easy as falling off a log, as hinted by some of the dubious advice given by “publishing gurus” that seem to be in abundance. It’s a big learning curve for new authors and particularly those who self-publish. When I first self-published I made a lot of mistakes and hopefully, I have learned from them. I continue to strive to improve my craft and learn more about book marketing that doesn’t require you to have deep pockets.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ZscyEXy0RA3iO3AOl50PFMUacBZj1tyjJoxLyCAvBrSw5wDvRQAzWMjrmta8Zw81tjkJm2fRaWGnlUHC91Po-qi-umUGXRz1uRWSvh3YqSxrzbaps_PIvE-8rYZafbw9JVHCFEXtArijmQvIgFX_EGfeaPnEo523nhd1a8yda5yWq_5g1exquyPX26c/s1080/photo-1600007283728-22abc97b9318.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1080" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ZscyEXy0RA3iO3AOl50PFMUacBZj1tyjJoxLyCAvBrSw5wDvRQAzWMjrmta8Zw81tjkJm2fRaWGnlUHC91Po-qi-umUGXRz1uRWSvh3YqSxrzbaps_PIvE-8rYZafbw9JVHCFEXtArijmQvIgFX_EGfeaPnEo523nhd1a8yda5yWq_5g1exquyPX26c/w400-h266/photo-1600007283728-22abc97b9318.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><figcaption class="image-caption" data-pm-slice="1 1 ["captionedImage",null]"><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy;">Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@emiliotakas" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Emilio Takas</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Unsplash</a></span></figcaption></div><p data-pm-slice="1 1 []"><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">It is a bitter pill to swallow to learn that the manuscripts that you have lovingly slaved over, edited, re-edited, lost sleep over and cost money to produce and market, may only make enough royalties to pay for its production costs. Many authors have a day job, without it they wouldn’t be able to afford to write and pay the bills. The same can be said for traditionally published authors, their advances have to be covered. Only when a book surpasses the advance given, will they then be paid more royalties. Those six-figure advances you have read about, rarely, if at all happen.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">After paying for editing, formatting, book covers, and marketing cost, which consists of book promotion sites, Amazon, and Facebook advertising etc, a book already, starts in the red and in some cases it may never recoup those costs. Even a free eBook comes at a cost to the author. Many authors do much of the work themselves and although there are a few ways to promote your book for free, promotional services like BookBub charge a hefty fee. I prefer to format and make my covers, although I still have to purchase stock photos and I prefer not to edit my work.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">Since Amazon opened up their AMS – Amazon Marketing Services, to self-publishers the promotional playing field changed. Authors are pitted against each other in bidding for the best advertising spots and more often than not the ones with the biggest wallets will win those prized spots. I have tried AMS advertising, albeit on a small budget. I have either broken even or made a loss. This made me conclude that the only one winning here is Amazon. It has been said in the past that books were always going to be a loss leader for Amazon. Hence, the reason why they encourage free and rock-bottom priced eBooks. That $0.99 eBook only nets the author a 35% royalty payment.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">There are other outgoings too: email-marking providers e.g. Mailerlite are free to use if you have a small list. Those with larger lists are charged a monthly fee depending on the number of subscribers. StoryOrigin and BookFunnel provide ways for you to gain subscribers by giving your book away in exchange for a free eBook. If you wish to use them in promotions to add subscribers to your mailing list, this comes with variable monthly fees depending on the optional extra services you require. Then there’s the cost of running a website.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">While this article may have you thinking that I am somewhat of a Debbie Downer, it’s not what I wish to portray. It’s sensible to go in with your eyes wide open. The cynical part of me does think of self-publishing as a little like the gold rush, the ones making the money were those selling the equipment. For many authors, it can be a zero-sum game.</span></p></div></figcaption>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2850079468152240164.post-68959938408464541692023-07-14T20:00:00.002+01:002023-11-16T16:37:27.807+00:00Down the Rabbit Hole<p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh27jxVSo-dwKtFcrWqR4VE91H3K89cBEilXx5NT_PNZNVRQ0YIhZvHOh-6mdsEXiusgnNJFbLxvptGbSLO2KIbUEiKycM4F-R8XkjCGaq89RQiaWNy0BbbcN3UeiBTUQjKdy3m3W881uvXYYpjQX8QIKKdhd_yLJpfQq-VvUKjNrcX0Wi9_K-tUoSKKwY/s1780/fdabc85c-6f8f-4c94-a7c2-d56b5856f2e6_1245x1780.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1780" data-original-width="1245" height="531" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh27jxVSo-dwKtFcrWqR4VE91H3K89cBEilXx5NT_PNZNVRQ0YIhZvHOh-6mdsEXiusgnNJFbLxvptGbSLO2KIbUEiKycM4F-R8XkjCGaq89RQiaWNy0BbbcN3UeiBTUQjKdy3m3W881uvXYYpjQX8QIKKdhd_yLJpfQq-VvUKjNrcX0Wi9_K-tUoSKKwY/w371-h531/fdabc85c-6f8f-4c94-a7c2-d56b5856f2e6_1245x1780.webp" width="371" /></a></div><p></p><p data-pm-slice="1 1 []"><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">Whenever I am doing research for a story I, often times find myself falling down the rabbit hole. For those who aren’t familiar with the expression, it originated in Lewis Carroll’s, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Alice falls down the White Rabbit’s hole, which takes her to Wonderland. It is commonly used to describe a deep dive into research, more often than not what starts out as a quick check, turns into several hours. Similar to when you go to the supermarket for “just a few items” and you come back with several bags brimming with shopping. Nonetheless going off on research tangents can be productive and at other a big time suck. I am very good at procrastinating and can use research as an excuse not to be meeting my word count goals.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">I enjoy the research part of writing, although my search history would probably raise many eyebrows, particularly as I don’t write crime fiction. There are those that may wonder why I would have a search history littered with poisons, weapons, and historical events that may seem to be unconnected, to name but a few. Research is essential to any story. Authors certainly aren’t experts in all fields; it fills in many gaps in our knowledge. The “University of Google” has come to my aide on many occasions. There are also many other areas of research to be found offline e.g. reference books, field trips and asking those who are familiar in that particular field. I have an author friend who is a former forensic anthropologist. I cannot thank her enough for all the help she has given me.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKAyg9qpPZX49LCH3gDYTgkl0SqMxchONeNOalgIG-CutV64AJbf0VJSZdnDrb0brrzM9o8pXwD9D9OvXhq6xC6fuAgQ2Cf_eIhj5F6L_WlVtV39X0CYC22F_7y0wU4Tsc27_C_hD7JtBQyBhdxvXEBaJ7R-6wbGYtqV25IIZYC8_GLFzvIfYteu8BBFc/s1280/7deb3428-7a05-4239-beec-9dd1823267de_1280x570.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="570" data-original-width="1280" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKAyg9qpPZX49LCH3gDYTgkl0SqMxchONeNOalgIG-CutV64AJbf0VJSZdnDrb0brrzM9o8pXwD9D9OvXhq6xC6fuAgQ2Cf_eIhj5F6L_WlVtV39X0CYC22F_7y0wU4Tsc27_C_hD7JtBQyBhdxvXEBaJ7R-6wbGYtqV25IIZYC8_GLFzvIfYteu8BBFc/w400-h179/7deb3428-7a05-4239-beec-9dd1823267de_1280x570.webp" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p data-pm-slice="1 1 []"><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">I am sure there are many of you that may have wanted to throw a book across the room (hopefully not one on your eBook readers) when you read something that is inaccurate and historically incorrect. Yes, fiction does give us free licence to alter history, but I feel that a little goes a long way. Some genres can be more forgiving than others can. Writing an event or adding something to story that is historically inaccurate or something that hadn’t been invented at that time will more often than not annoy readers of historical fiction, but not so much fans of fantasy genres.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">Research adds a richer dimension to a story. I have often found inspiration through my research, sometimes even taking my story in a different direction than I intended. It has also assisted me in times where I have struggled to find my writing mojo.</span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2850079468152240164.post-13054387315596538862023-07-08T13:00:00.015+01:002023-11-16T16:37:49.695+00:00The Perils of Publishing - Part One <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizx3PR8ikynEhnhKKZFsV-FSx_0_lqfQ0BFeZO-zAULozRGJLfRFiT_iYVeepaVj1W31f0n2TZ-MFnnT9C0VlEcoRu5U-RaWvUQcaoBAcreRlgQoMRoPGvHgN4ewBvLdIMFONk_BwFOJk_0f1Ko-aiAoB4yrqprysbBh1tB2HFPRLW8-8Jr-1XPLIoDQ4/s2048/blur-blurred-book-pages-46274.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1362" data-original-width="2048" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizx3PR8ikynEhnhKKZFsV-FSx_0_lqfQ0BFeZO-zAULozRGJLfRFiT_iYVeepaVj1W31f0n2TZ-MFnnT9C0VlEcoRu5U-RaWvUQcaoBAcreRlgQoMRoPGvHgN4ewBvLdIMFONk_BwFOJk_0f1Ko-aiAoB4yrqprysbBh1tB2HFPRLW8-8Jr-1XPLIoDQ4/w463-h308/blur-blurred-book-pages-46274.jpg" width="463" /></a></div><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy;">Author Services</span></em></h2><p><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">After seeing a discussion in one of my Facebook author groups, I thought it would be a good idea to make a post about the topic being discussed. If this post can help just one person or save them from falling into the trap of rip off author services, it will have served its purpose.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">There are many out there who aspire to be a published author. Two ways you can achieve this are traditional publishing or self-publishing. Self-publishing may seem the easier and simpler option, but believe me, it is far from simple. The path to becoming a self-published author or indie author is not easy. There is much to learn, do your research, practice your writing and get feedback from others. This could be by starting a blog or joining a writer's group. Listen and take advice from those you can trust.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">Even after you have invested much time and great effort into your work, there is no guarantee of success. Which brings me now to the heart of the matter. Since the advent of self-publishing more and more author services have appeared, all competing to part you from your hard-earned cash. There are legitimate services and many that are not. There are those that are not scams, however, some may make you promises they cannot keep or behave in a predatory manner. They promise to make you: the best selling author, a great writer, offer to promote your book to bestseller status and even those who provide you with a shortcut to becoming a writer by doing the work for you, but at an exorbitant price. You can find editors, developmental editors, proofreaders and ready-made book covers at reasonable prices. Again do your research or ask for recommendations. You could do these things yourself if you have the ability to do so, or find a friend or relative who can. Please be aware that whatever you put out there has got to be of a decent standard. Readers will not forgive you for publishing a bad quality book.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">The most shocking thing about some of these services is the fact that they are run by authors. I am not in any way insinuating that they are doing anything illegal. It is in my opinion that they are motivated by making money for themselves and not giving their customers true value for their money. They are selling an illusion to aspiring authors. Believe me, when I say, there are NO shortcuts to success.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">If you are interested in using a service, use one tried and tested. Perhaps one that comes recommended by someone you can trust. Research the companies online, check their feedback and ratings. Always err on the side of caution.</span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2850079468152240164.post-70608977958757692472023-06-16T18:00:00.001+01:002023-11-16T16:38:17.430+00:00What is a Fairy Tale<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">A fairy
tale/faerie tale is a short story, in oral or literary form, mainly with
origins in European traditions, although many of today’s fairy tales have
evolved from centuries old stories, from multiple cultures, with variations
dating back thousands of years. The tales vary from legends and fables. Legends
are perceived as real, but are unauthentic traditional stories which are
regarded as historical i.e. the legend of King Arthur. Conversely, fables are
stories used to convey a moral and usually contain an inanimate object or
animals e.g. the tortoise and the hare, from Aesop’s fables. Fairy tales fall
within the genre of folklore and often include mythical creature such as: dwarfs, dragons, elves, fairies, giants, gnomes, goblins, griffins, mermaids, talking
animals, trolls, unicorns, or witches, and
usually magic or enchantments.</span><span style="font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqP_oybelptUyoo8e735oEyVjEp-gxbEYBN3UPRdnQV6SpP27HztJpaIhg2bxchyphenhyphenNF1cKqTZLlVgJfkLQ2RmsE06vyDt-YbMxx89ABPv49nFkfDmX_N5jfRVVIMW6u2LQWqiQ2y6bgVFQ/s1600/Gerda_and_the_Ravens_-_Anne_Anderson.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="875" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqP_oybelptUyoo8e735oEyVjEp-gxbEYBN3UPRdnQV6SpP27HztJpaIhg2bxchyphenhyphenNF1cKqTZLlVgJfkLQ2RmsE06vyDt-YbMxx89ABPv49nFkfDmX_N5jfRVVIMW6u2LQWqiQ2y6bgVFQ/s400/Gerda_and_the_Ravens_-_Anne_Anderson.jpg" width="273" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gerda_and_the_Ravens_-_Anne_Anderson.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Gerda and the Ravens by Anne Anderson <br />Public Domain</i></span></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">The tales
were first described as “fairy tales,” by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madame_d%27Aulnoy"><span style="color: blue;">Madame d'Aulnoy</span></a> in the late 17th
century.The Brothers Grimm were among the first to collect fairy stories from
their oral origins, which had been handed down from generation to generation
and perhaps over the years had changed somewhat from the original. The Grimm
brothers German fairy tales published in 1812 and 1815, were far removed from
the “sanitised” Grimm fairy tales we see today. They were quite grim and
gruesome and not the kind of stories you would want to read to your children at
bedtime. They rewrote the tales to make them more acceptable, increasing their
popularity and sales. Later Hans Christan Andersen’s work would draw heavily
from folklore and included fairy tale elements in his original tales.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;"><span>Until the
19th and 20th century, adults were the original intended audience of a fairy
tale, particularly in literary works of Madame d’ Aulnoy and Charles Perrault.
Fairy tales were often used to teach children important lessons. Famous people
commented on the importance of fairy tales, especially for children. Albert
Einstein showed how important he believed fairy tales were for children’s
intelligence in the quote “If you want your children to be intelligent, read
them fairy tales. If you want them to be more intelligent, read them more fairy
tales.”</span><span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbAM3WD3G6-y8TeDFIW_FUopKEzc8Qyvv10nzTV-zbKTVEBRPKTz85trW_n_QK9ZkoHBLQysuObpi3WooJqqaT-rwNXahgI21jigF2cRtlvABzNS4XbQbaPivkAC5uuMD2Ko6qAts_jto/s1600/Askepott_-_Cinderella_%252834448625135%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1119" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbAM3WD3G6-y8TeDFIW_FUopKEzc8Qyvv10nzTV-zbKTVEBRPKTz85trW_n_QK9ZkoHBLQysuObpi3WooJqqaT-rwNXahgI21jigF2cRtlvABzNS4XbQbaPivkAC5uuMD2Ko6qAts_jto/s400/Askepott_-_Cinderella_%252834448625135%2529.jpg" width="285" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy;"><span style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #222222; font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Askepott_-_Cinderella_(34448625135).jpg" target="_blank"><i>Cinderella by Jenny Nystrøm</i></a></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #222222; font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Askepott_-_Cinderella_(34448625135).jpg" target="_blank"><i>Public Domain</i></a></span></span></td></tr>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2850079468152240164.post-34034264551651734542023-05-14T16:02:00.002+01:002023-11-16T19:01:13.428+00:00Well Versed<p> </p><h3 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Emilys Candy; font-size: x-large; font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiirwz47TGJ6Uvxz4rgKOhvQEuoV0Ulue0eZ1XJOKWWiQ6hpjkP5O4JpfTUn_7aBN7YM-1HL_DPxFUl9mG8IRKTr9e1DnSbsLW04QhdF5rI4ud-P6RYYZ5CUiv7nWR4WVRrlZcOJFm_Gys/s1600/books-on-a-shelf_w725_h544.jpg" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiirwz47TGJ6Uvxz4rgKOhvQEuoV0Ulue0eZ1XJOKWWiQ6hpjkP5O4JpfTUn_7aBN7YM-1HL_DPxFUl9mG8IRKTr9e1DnSbsLW04QhdF5rI4ud-P6RYYZ5CUiv7nWR4WVRrlZcOJFm_Gys/s1600/books-on-a-shelf_w725_h544.jpg" /></a></span></h3><h3 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Emilys Candy; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><sup style="color: black; text-align: left;"><em>Photograph - Books on a shelf - courtesy of </em><a href="http://www.public-domain-image.com/" target="_blank" title="public domain image.com">public-domain-image.com</a></sup><br style="color: black; text-align: left;" /><sup style="color: black; text-align: left;">I own the copyright to my original poetry<em>.</em></sup></span></h3><h3 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Emilys Candy; font-size: x-large; font-weight: normal;">What is poetry?</span></h3><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;"><span><span class="firstcharacter">P</span>oetry or verse; as it is sometimes known, is defined; as "a literary work which expresses feelings, ideas and emotions, with the use of a distinctive style or rhythm".<br />The word Poetry comes from the Greek word<strong><em> Poiesis</em></strong>, which literally means Poetry.<br />The ancient Greeks developed different genres of poetry, in particular the Epic genre which was made famous by <a href="http://www.ancientgreece.com/s/People/Homer/" target="_blank" title="Homer">Homer's</a> Odyssey and Iliad.<br />Playwright and poet William <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Shakespeare" target="_blank" title="William Shakespeare">Shakespeare</a> is called England's national poet.<br />There are more than 50 different forms of poetry e.gs : <strong><em>Verse, Rhyming, Ballad, Haiku, Limericks, Odes and Sonnets.</em></strong><br /><br />So how does poetry fit into today's world and does it have a place in popular culture? We shall explore this, and I will also be sharing with you an original poem.</span><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><h3><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Emilys Candy;">Modernist Poetry Time for Change</span></h3><span><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">Modernist poetry emerged at the beginning of the 20th century and was written until 1950. Modernist poets believed that Victorian poetry was excessive and they wished to bring poetry to the ordinary person. Their model for poetry was Chinese and Japanese poetry and Greek literature.<br />One of the Famous Modernist poets is <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T._S._Eliot" target="_blank" title="T.S. Eliot">T.S.Eliot</a> (Thomas Stearns Eliot) one of his best known poems is <a href="http://www.bartleby.com/201/1.html" target="_blank" title="The Waste Land">The Waste Land</a> (written in 1922).<br /><br />T.S. Eliot's book; <em><strong>Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats</strong></em>, a collection of his poems about cats was the inspiration for Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical <strong>Cats</strong>. The character Grizabella in the musical <em>Cats</em> was taken from T.S.Eliot's unpublished drafts of the book.</span><br /><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTqWdTRYBEOAdqW844o471qV5TjXrOyPrtl0D4IrAvuDdidP9C30ZqiyNyoLRV1bSNnEUJ9fY8WTs31Zt1pzVQwSEv1aJF3WpKVrsWuqBqWzwsEBQS4Cyg6NzVYnJD_ou4_Fo5YyCqEQQ/s1600/Thomas_Stearns_Eliot_by_Lady_Ottoline_Morrell_%25281934%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="432" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTqWdTRYBEOAdqW844o471qV5TjXrOyPrtl0D4IrAvuDdidP9C30ZqiyNyoLRV1bSNnEUJ9fY8WTs31Zt1pzVQwSEv1aJF3WpKVrsWuqBqWzwsEBQS4Cyg6NzVYnJD_ou4_Fo5YyCqEQQ/s320/Thomas_Stearns_Eliot_by_Lady_Ottoline_Morrell_%25281934%2529.jpg" width="276" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy;"><em style="vertical-align: super;"><a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:T.S._Eliot#/media/File:Thomas_Stearns_Eliot_by_Lady_Ottoline_Morrell_(1934).jpg" target="_blank"><span>T.S. Eliot Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons</span></a></em><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><h3><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Emilys Candy;"> Contemporary Poetry The Modern Poet</span></h3><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">In the late 1950's the modernist movement's popularity started to wane, the era of the Contemporary poet began. In the 1962 the publishing company Penguin published <strong><em>"The New Poetry"</em></strong> by the British poet and novelist <em>A. Alvarez.</em> It featured an anthology of three British contemporary poets, the work of the poets focused on serious subjects. It featured the work of<em> <a href="http://www.lawrencedurrell.org/" target="_blank" title="Lawrence Durrell.org">Lawrence Durrell</a>, Elizabeth Jennings and R.S. Thomas</em> The book was printed in paperback to make it more cost effective and affordable to readers. It was a commercial success, thus creating an interest in contemporary poetry.<br /></span><div><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">Another successful contemporary poet at that time, was British playwright and children's author <em><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ted_Hughes" target="_blank" title="Ted Hughes">Ted Hughes</a>.</em> His first successful poetry collection was <em>Hawk In The Rain (1957). </em>He became British Poet Laureate In 1984.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">Ted Hughes was married to American poet <em>Sylvia Plath</em>, she was a Confessional poet, this style of poetry was associated with work published in the late 1950's - 1960's. <strong><em>Confessional poetry</em></strong> is autobiographical and touches on the sensitive subjects of depression, alcoholism, infidelity and controversial subjects of suicide and drug abuse. Such subject were seen as shocking to the mainstream poetry critics.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">The poets who's Confessional poems caused quite a stir were; Robert Lowell (<strong><em>Life Studies -1959</em></strong>), W.D. Snodgrass <em>(<strong>Hearts Needle - 1960</strong></em>) Anne Sexton (<strong><em>To Bedlam and Part Way Back - 1962</em></strong>) and John Berryman (<strong>The Dream Songs -1969</strong>)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOSmZ5jvy0D2WO_grjPor3DP1gfN77UkC2SfISLP83Qx8BzwkBHJ-k9Dtxum_j06eczISLHdn2qWJDOk0l4qgNVjqOfm7bVRXZErTx4_2iNW5Ps2ZagH0rGsTjFSRtZxLVDLnpbM7Hsnw/s1600/Lawrence_Durrell.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy;"><img border="0" data-original-height="582" data-original-width="491" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOSmZ5jvy0D2WO_grjPor3DP1gfN77UkC2SfISLP83Qx8BzwkBHJ-k9Dtxum_j06eczISLHdn2qWJDOk0l4qgNVjqOfm7bVRXZErTx4_2iNW5Ps2ZagH0rGsTjFSRtZxLVDLnpbM7Hsnw/s320/Lawrence_Durrell.png" width="269" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">Sylvia Plath's last work of Confessional poetry was <strong><em>Ariel</em></strong> which was published posthumously in 1966; she committed suicide in 1963 at the age of 30. Anne Sexton and John Berryman also ended their own lives, they both suffered from depression and alcoholism.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">The influences of the Confessional poetry movement are still seen today.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy;"><br /></span></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><sup><em><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy;">Lawrence Durrell [<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0">CC-BY-SA-3.0</a>], <a href="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3ALawrence_Durrell.png">via Wikimedia Commons</a></span></em></sup></div><div><sup><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy;"><br /></span></sup></div><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><h3 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy;"> <span style="color: #3d85c6;">The Limerick </span></span></h3><div><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Emilys Candy; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii1NkFbiETVqid1Xkz20BEbK_gwKgaasZQG9aHRcwxOghjo2Hh6hPLIDRk5V5hbmv9HkDjTATi8vc2Jm_m20pwjdngnBSp9fb4P33JlBCXFrpE8Bza7hHNNrXvfZ9d3G_PyKKtbuvfhGM/s1600/John_Castle_Limerick-seabhcan.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii1NkFbiETVqid1Xkz20BEbK_gwKgaasZQG9aHRcwxOghjo2Hh6hPLIDRk5V5hbmv9HkDjTATi8vc2Jm_m20pwjdngnBSp9fb4P33JlBCXFrpE8Bza7hHNNrXvfZ9d3G_PyKKtbuvfhGM/s1600/John_Castle_Limerick-seabhcan.jpg" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limerick_(poetry)" target="_blank" title="Limerick">Limerick</a> was a traditional rhyming song, it originally started in the pubs of Ireland. It takes its' name from the city of Limerick in the south west of Ireland.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">The Limerick eventually became a humorous poem, which follows a distinctive pattern.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div></div><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy;"><span><sup><br />Photograph - St. Johns' Castle Limerick byD Johnston [<a href="https://www.blogger.com/www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0">CC-BY-SA-2.0</a>], <a href="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3AStJohnsCastleLimerick.jpg">via Wikimedia Commons</a></sup><br /></span><br /><br /><br /></span><h3 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Emilys Candy;">Slam Poetry </span></h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeXfh1EqxBM03JGSK_J6kY5z9vNxoOW65GZJbw-fW31KdXum4pM2UxhmaCuTAjkbKRz5dI0FZPwAoogY9MZ_07AujBpAnDfZgGwaDfA8d7r2MUvMyB2S2KKTNZIvL9JeOtYZ2ZulTE9sA/s1600/512px-Flickr_-_boellstiftung_-_Poetry_Slammerinnen_und_-Slammer.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy;"><img border="0" data-original-height="341" data-original-width="512" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeXfh1EqxBM03JGSK_J6kY5z9vNxoOW65GZJbw-fW31KdXum4pM2UxhmaCuTAjkbKRz5dI0FZPwAoogY9MZ_07AujBpAnDfZgGwaDfA8d7r2MUvMyB2S2KKTNZIvL9JeOtYZ2ZulTE9sA/s320/512px-Flickr_-_boellstiftung_-_Poetry_Slammerinnen_und_-Slammer.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em style="font-size: 13.3333px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy;">Photograph By Heinrich Böll Stiftung from Berlin, Deutschland [<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0">CC-BY-SA-2.0</a>], <a href="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3AFlickr_-_boellstiftung_-_Poetry_Slammerinnen_und_-Slammer.jpg">via Wikimedia Commons</a></span></em></div><span><br /><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">Slam Poetry Poetry for a new generation.<br /><br />Marc Smith started the first Poetry Slam in 1986, it was an open mic event at the Get Me High Lounge in Chicago. The U.S. had its' first National Poetry Slam in San Francisco in 1990.<br />So, what is a Poetry Slam?<br /><br /> A <strong><em>Poetry Slam</em></strong> is a competition, poets recite original work (usually referred to as <strong>slam poetry</strong>) in front of a live audience and each performance is judged by chosen members of the audience. The performances are judged on a points scale of 1 -10.<br /><br />The competitors have to follow a set of rules i.e. the performance must not exceed three minutes, no music and props or costumes are allowed. Some competitions allow strong language others do not.<br />Various themes, styles and cultural traditions also play a part in the Slam Poetry compositions; Dub and Reggae poetry stems from the oral traditions of recited poetry in the West Indies.</span></span><div><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;"><br />Some performances are stylised on Hip Hop, which has its' roots in Dub poetry, other performers prefer a more theatrical or natural presentation. Poetry Slams are now performed in countries all over the world.<br /><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">This poem is about something we have very little of in our busy lives: </span></div><div></div><div></div><div><strong><em><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy;"><br /></span></em></strong></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy; font-size: large;">Time</span></em></strong></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy;"><br /></span></em></strong></div></div><div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy; font-size: medium;">Time is now, time goes fast,</span></em></div></div><div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy; font-size: medium;">Time's not living in the past.</span></em></div></div><div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy; font-size: medium;">Time to stay, time to go,</span></em></div></div><div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy; font-size: medium;">Moving with the ebb and flow.</span></em></div></div><div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy; font-size: medium;">Hurry now no time to spare,</span></em></div></div><div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy; font-size: medium;">No time yet to really care.</span></em></div></div><div></div><div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></em></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy; font-size: medium;">Time is moving, time is short,</span></em></div></div><div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy; font-size: medium;">Time's not doing what it ought.</span></em></div></div><div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy; font-size: medium;">Time is passing, time’s gone by,</span></em></div></div><div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy; font-size: medium;">Watching how the years do fly.</span></em></div></div><div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy; font-size: medium;">Quickly now, no time to waste,</span></em></div></div><div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy; font-size: medium;">Move along now, must make haste.</span></em></div></div><div></div><div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></em></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy; font-size: medium;">Time don't go, time please wait,</span></em></div></div><div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy; font-size: medium;">Time has no time to love or hate.</span></em></div></div><div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy; font-size: medium;">Time has gone, time is out,</span></em></div></div><div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy; font-size: medium;">Without a shadow of a doubt.</span></em></div></div><div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy; font-size: medium;">Marching on no time to debate,</span></em></div></div><div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy; font-size: medium;">Now's not the time to procrastinate.</span></em></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy;"><br /></span></div></div><div><h3><div><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Emilys Candy;">The Raven </span></div></h3></div><span><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;"><span>How a classic poem inspired Pop Culture<br /><br /><em><a href="http://www.heise.de/ix/raven/Literature/Lore/TheRaven.html" title="The Raven">The Raven </a></em>a poem by American writer <strong><em>Edgar Allan Poe</em></strong>, was written and published in 1845. It became popular soon after publication. It is a narrative poem about a young man who has been rejected by his love Lenore and he is lamenting her loss.<br /><br />Whilst alone in his room he hears a rapping on the window of his room, open opening the window a raven enters the room and sits upon a bust of Pallas, just above his room's door. The man talks to the raven, the bird only replies with the word <em>"nevermore</em>", this word causes the young man much distress. The poem ends with the man descending into grief and madness.</span><br /><br /></span><span><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">The poem has been much reprinted and parodied in newspaper and magazines over the years. The Raven's influence can be found in films T.V and music here are a few examples :</span><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy; font-size: medium;">Film</span></strong></div><div align="center"><a href="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3ARavenPoster.jpg" title="By American International Pictures. (DCGeist at en.wikipedia) [Public domain], from Wikimedia Commons"><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy;"><img alt="RavenPoster" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/bd/RavenPoster.jpg" width="256" /></span></a></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy;"><br /></span></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;"><a href="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3ARavenPoster.jpg"></a>The 1963 film <strong><em>The Raven</em></strong> by Roger Corman, is a B movie comedy horror. Starring Vincent Price, Peter Lorre and Boris Karloff as rival sorcerers. The film is based on references to Edgar Allen Poe's The Raven.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">A young Jack Nicholson is included in the supporting cast.</span></div><div align="center"><sup><em><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">(Image By American International Pictures. (DCGeist at en.wikipedia) [Public domain], <a href="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3ARavenPoster.jpg">from Wikimedia Commons</a>)</span></em></sup></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">In the 1994 film <strong><em>The Crow,</em></strong> starring Brandon Lee. The main character Eric makes a reference to The Raven, quoting:</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">"Suddenly, I heard a tapping, as of someone gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door."</span></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">In the movie by John Cusack; <strong><em>The Raven</em></strong>. A fictional Poe tries to track down a serial killer.</span></div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;"><br /></span></strong></div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">In an episode of <em><strong>The Simpsons</strong></em> "Tree house of Horror" The Raven is parodied as it is read by Lisa to Maggie and Bart.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">Music</span></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy;"><br /></span></strong></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy;"><img alt="Nevermore Summerbreeze2007 06" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/59/Nevermore_Summerbreeze2007_06.jpg/256px-Nevermore_Summerbreeze2007_06.jpg" width="256" /><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy; font-size: medium;"><em><a href="http://www.last.fm/music/Nevermore" target="_blank" title="Nevermore's music"><strong>Nevermore</strong></a></em> the American Heavy Metal band from Seattle, Washington, took their name from the word repeated by the raven in the poem; "Nevermore."</span></div><div align="center"><sup><em><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy; font-size: medium;">(Nevermore By Cecil (Own work) [<a href="http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html">GFDL</a>, <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/">CC-BY-SA-3.0</a> or <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5-2.0-1.0">CC-BY-SA-2.5-2.0-1.0</a>], <a href="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3ANevermore_Summerbreeze2007_06.jpg">via Wikimedia Commons</a>)</span></em></sup></div><span><span style="font-family: "Emilys Candy"; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">The Raven Read by James Earl Jones his YouTube video features James Earl Jones reading The Raven. Listen and enjoy.</span><br /><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/sXU3RfB7308/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/sXU3RfB7308?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></span></div><h3><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Emilys Candy;"><br /></span></h3><h3><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Emilys Candy;"> Does poetry have a place in popular culture? </span></h3><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">To answer the question in the introduction: Does poetry have its' place in in popular culture? Yes it does, it has changed and evolved over the centuries and is still popular today as is was in yesteryear. Even though poetry has changed the classics will never be forgot, <em>Homer, Shakespeare and Wordsworth</em> (to name but a few) are still read and loved worldwide.<br /><br /></span><div align="center"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">Poetry has no boundaries, it is found in many forms and cultures, even in cultures were it is strictly forbidden. According to an article in <strong><em>The New York Times</em></strong> online magazine, women in Afghanistan risk death to write poetry, you can read more from this article<strong> <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/29/magazine/why-afghan-women-risk-death-to-write-poetry.html?_r=2" target="_blank" title="New York Time article">here.</a></strong></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;"><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;">Why do people write poetry or even risk death to write poetry? My answer is; it is a way to express yourself that can not be done in prose i.e poetry has a way of conveying more emotion, more drama, more passion and even humour.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Emilys Candy"; font-size: medium;">©Paula M. Hunter</span></span></div><div align="center" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"></div><div align="center" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"></div></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Cormorant Garamond; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Playfair Display SC;"><br /></span></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2850079468152240164.post-62354566805881551912023-04-10T14:00:00.000+01:002023-11-13T18:22:19.388+00:00Snow White’s Origins<h3 class="panel-title" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #555555; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.1; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 9px; min-height: 36px;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQn6SZuKSyGW-0OYq8boMjdAIbH5h0jilySf_HsWuTamcwXlWLR0R224niwgikytky38LGDUaHyOhhrhL6-0Sb7boFF4rvHqO8Fdc4zUoEUctWuDvfHAub4Aoj30a_EUC1QO_t-impFLw/s1600/625px-Franz_J%25C3%25BCttner_Schneewittchen_Crop.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Public Domain" border="0" data-original-height="456" data-original-width="600" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQn6SZuKSyGW-0OYq8boMjdAIbH5h0jilySf_HsWuTamcwXlWLR0R224niwgikytky38LGDUaHyOhhrhL6-0Sb7boFF4rvHqO8Fdc4zUoEUctWuDvfHAub4Aoj30a_EUC1QO_t-impFLw/s400/625px-Franz_J%25C3%25BCttner_Schneewittchen_Crop.jpg" title="Franz Jüttner Schneewittchen -1910" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Emilys Candy; font-size: medium;">Schneewittchen Franz Juttner - 1910</span></div>
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<span>Public Domain image wikimedia commons<a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Franz_J%C3%BCttner_Schneewittchen_2.jpg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Franz_J%C3%BCttner_Schneewittchen_2.jpg</a></span></div>
<p style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #555555; font-weight: 500;"><span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Snow White is a German fairy tale which was known across much of Europe. Now it is one of the most famous fairy tales worldwide. It was published by the Brothers Grimm in 1812 in the first edition of their collection, simply titled: Grimms’ Fairy Tales. In German the tale was titled Sneewittchen. Sneewittchen went through various revisions until 1854. At first it had been regarded as a fictional tale, until research suggested otherwise. </span></span></span></div></span></h3><h3 class="panel-title" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.1; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 9px; min-height: 36px;"><span class="title toggle-panel-body" style="box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; vertical-align: middle;"><span><div style="background: white; color: #555555; margin: 6pt 0in;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 2; text-align: center;"><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #3d85c6; font-family: Emilys Candy; font-size: 20pt;">Margaretha
von Waldeck</span></b><b style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 2; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGURS-UjrvBRYIRl-iBrXKCW3CenU_k_X9NQzZT2Uxw61wWXzFk1SPrmjSljzXvKN6dAqcFfNg2JAYTaT-f4CNTIw42J7AhRs4DLsVcxNplOCgYoPtoM8SC_we4rkxuee07WADbre25Z8/s1600/512px-Bergfreiheit_HE_Dorf.jpg" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="512" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGURS-UjrvBRYIRl-iBrXKCW3CenU_k_X9NQzZT2Uxw61wWXzFk1SPrmjSljzXvKN6dAqcFfNg2JAYTaT-f4CNTIw42J7AhRs4DLsVcxNplOCgYoPtoM8SC_we4rkxuee07WADbre25Z8/w538-h251/512px-Bergfreiheit_HE_Dorf.jpg" width="538" /></a></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 6.75pt; margin: 6.75pt 0in 0in; mso-outline-level: 3; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black; font-size: 7.5pt;">Bergfreiheit</span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 6.75pt; margin: 6.75pt 0in 0in; mso-outline-level: 3; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black; font-size: 7.5pt;">AxelHH at German Wikipedia / Public domain: </span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 6.75pt; margin: 6.75pt 0in 0in; mso-outline-level: 3; text-align: center;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black; font-size: 7.5pt;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Emilys Candy; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/2850079468152240164/2906258595041114798">https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b3/Bergfreiheit_HE_Dorf.jpg</a></span></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 6.75pt; margin: 6.75pt 0in 0in; mso-outline-level: 3; text-align: center;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 7.5pt;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Emilys Candy; font-size: medium;">The story of Margaretha von
Waldeck is first real life story that may have inspired the tale of Snow White.
In 1994, the German historian Eckhard Sander published Snow White: Fairy Tale
or True Story? He claimed he had uncovered an account that may have inspired
the Grimm fairy tale. </span></p><p style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><br /></span><span>Margaretha von Waldeck was the
daughter of Philip IV, Count of Waldeck-Wildungen, born 1493 and died 1574, and
his first wife, Margaret Cirksena, born 1500 and died 1537, daughter of Edzard
I, Count of East Frisia. According to the Bad Wildungen city documents, she was
a famous beauty. From the year 1539 she had a very strict stepmother, Katharina
von Hatzfeld (1510 -1546). At that time Margaretha lived in Weilburg at the
court of Philip III, Count of Nassau-Weilburg. In 1545, she travelled through
Siebengebirge (seven hills) to live with her mother’s brother Johann Cirksena
at Valkenburg castle, which is now known as Limburg in the Netherlands. Later
in 1549 she was sent by her father to the Brussels court of Mary of Hungary, to
the governor of the Habsburg Netherlands and sister of Charles V, Holy Roman
Emperor. Margaretha’s presence at court was meant to improve the relations with
the emperor and help secure the release of Philip I, Landgrave of Hesse, who
had been imprisoned in Brussels for his role in the Schmalkaldic War.</span></span></p><p style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy; font-size: medium;"><span><br /></span><span>However, the situation in court
became complicated as several high ranking men sought the hand of
Margaretha, including Lamoral, Count of Egmont. He arrived in court from
Spain in 1549. As she was Lutheran and Lamoral Catholic her parents
refused his request to marry Margaretha. However, as most of Netherlands
was Catholic at that time it wasn’t a viable excuse. It would seem that her
father wished for her to marry for political connections in Netherlands. A move
to Spain with Lamoral, would not suit his political agenda.<br /></span><span>Margaretha died at the age of 21
in March 1554. The three surviving letter she sent to her father show that her
health had steadily declined over the time. In the Waldeck chronicles it was
suggested that she had been poisoned. Around the time of her death, an old man
had </span><span style="color: black;">been caught giving out apples
laced with poisonous nightshade to children. However, since her father’s second
wife died in 1546 and he only remarried again in October 1554, her stepmother
was never suspected in the alleged poisoning.</span></span></p><p style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span><span style="color: black;">Margaretha’s father owned
several copper minds, many of the workers were children, giving reference to
the seven dwarfs. The child workers lived in groups of about 20 in a single
room house. The residence of the dwarfs has been suggested to be the former mining
village of Bergfreiheit, which is now a district of Bad Wildungen, which calls
itself the Snow White Village. </span></span></p><p style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbWxhJyOwKIp8EeMEtFnFppym8d7x0ov7OXRe-BmbMn_wdILsyqbStxZF9MAwvrTEl9kK6nX75lPdwDNwU_4yHLu35LA3NZmkSQeOqHasT6lKxzeQy8VqEB7vJLxLbMp_tJ-ZHxriqvmk/s1600/Fotolia_59859095_XS.jpg" style="clear: right; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="283" data-original-width="424" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbWxhJyOwKIp8EeMEtFnFppym8d7x0ov7OXRe-BmbMn_wdILsyqbStxZF9MAwvrTEl9kK6nX75lPdwDNwU_4yHLu35LA3NZmkSQeOqHasT6lKxzeQy8VqEB7vJLxLbMp_tJ-ZHxriqvmk/w400-h266/Fotolia_59859095_XS.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><br /></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 2; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Emilys Candy; font-size: large; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Maria Sophia von Erthal</span></b><b style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 6.75pt; margin: 6.75pt 0in 0in; mso-outline-level: 3; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Another real life tale is that of Maria of Maria
Sophia von Erthal, who was born on the 15<sup>th</sup> June 1729 in Lohr
am Main in Bavaria, Germany. She was the daughter of Prince Philipp
Christoph von Erthal, a landowner and his wife, Baroness von Bettendorff. After
the death of his wife the prince married Claudia Elisabeth Maria von Venningen,
Countess of Rechenstein. It was said that she disliked her stepchildren. The
castle where they lived, which is now a museum, was home to a mirror that was
famous for its smooth and even surface. Apparently this is something that was
uncommon in that period. They referred to it as the “talking mirror,” because
“it always spoke the truth” (this mirror is also in the museum). The mirror was
manufactured in 1720 in Lohr. The left side of the mirror has the words
“self love” etched into it. It had been in the house at the time
Maria’s stepmother lived there.</span><span style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 6.75pt; margin: 6.75pt 0in 0in; mso-outline-level: 3; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Emilys Candy; font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 6.75pt; margin: 6.75pt 0in 0in; mso-outline-level: 3; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">The dwarfs are again linked to a mining town,
Bieber, located west of Lohr and lays amongst seven mountains. The mine tunnels
could only be accessed by short miners, they often wore bright red hoods. The
glass coffin may be linked to the regions famous glassworks and the poisoned
apple’s association may be with the deadly nightshade poison that grows in
abundance in the Lohr.</span><span style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 6.75pt; margin: 6.75pt 0in 0in; mso-outline-level: 3; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3; text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Emilys Candy; font-size: large; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Greek
and Roman Mythology</span></b><b style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.8pt; mso-outline-level: 3; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">KHIONE (Chione) was a nymph of Mount Haimos
(Haemus) in Thrake (north of Greece). She was a daughter of Boreas, god of the
north-wind, and Oreithyia, the lady of mountain gales. Khione is thought to be
the goddess of snow (</span><i><span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">khiôn</span></i><span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">).<span style="background: rgb(255, 253, 249);">She became by
Poseidon the mother of Eumolpus, and in order to conceal the event, she threw
the boy into the sea; but the child was saved by Poseidon</span></span><span style="color: #555555; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy; font-size: medium;"><span>Scholar Graham Anderson compares the
story of Snow White to the Roman legend of </span><span style="color: #0b0080; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Chione</span><span>, recorded in </span><span style="color: #555555; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Ovid</span><span>'s </span><span style="color: #555555; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/2850079468152240164/2906258595041114798" title="Metamorphoses"><i><span style="color: #0b0080; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Metamorphoses</span></i></a></span><span>. The name <i>Chione</i> means
"Snow" in Greek and, in the story, she is described as the most
beautiful woman in the land, so beautiful that the gods </span><span style="color: #555555; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Apollo</span><span> and Mercy both
fell in love with her. Mercury put her to sleep with the touch of his </span><span style="color: #555555; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/2850079468152240164/2906258595041114798" title="Caduceus"><span style="color: #0b0080; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">caduceus</span></a></span><span>.</span><span style="color: #555555; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 6.75pt; margin: 6.75pt 0in 0in; mso-outline-level: 3; text-align: left;"><span face=""Helvetica","sans-serif"" style="color: #555555; font-family: Emilys Candy; font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p></span></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2850079468152240164.post-24795996819672140652023-03-27T19:00:00.000+01:002023-11-13T18:23:01.448+00:00A Girl’s Guide to Puberty and How to Survive It<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpHlldTzFfAspKf2u1Iwr5i44ARQ3DRxY2lilP4n3zAXhh_6Orh_aUjb5_BKLw0hHIjsQ-LqGqgg72wuPEjI5r8fASawjIQg8C-Zav7iwAn-JLi1XVtz-GW56KhlerugRuUNKGR8fvoS4/s1920/woman-4424024_1920.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1019" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpHlldTzFfAspKf2u1Iwr5i44ARQ3DRxY2lilP4n3zAXhh_6Orh_aUjb5_BKLw0hHIjsQ-LqGqgg72wuPEjI5r8fASawjIQg8C-Zav7iwAn-JLi1XVtz-GW56KhlerugRuUNKGR8fvoS4/w170-h320/woman-4424024_1920.jpg" width="170" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Emilys Candy; font-size: medium; line-height: 18.4px;"><font>While I was searching through some of my old articles I came across another one I'd like to share with you. I wrote part of it about six years ago and then added to it a year later. For some reason my addition to the article had somehow been deleted from my computer, fortunately I found a hard copy I had printed. It’s tongue-in-cheek and intended to be humorous</font>. </span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGteFugD750g2ahLtD2cl4IFtpJwY0hgSPxGK093g1F_amKXdqHIlI2vm7TeOXtAX7CPOK50mdHF6zfQ2cAPyk7V7LgPOdsHdqZwhW4pefLzPMVuKcKVeCaEnEu1D6ULZRnnZ1h6FXD-o/s612/A+Girl%2527s+Guide.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="45" data-original-width="612" height="48" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGteFugD750g2ahLtD2cl4IFtpJwY0hgSPxGK093g1F_amKXdqHIlI2vm7TeOXtAX7CPOK50mdHF6zfQ2cAPyk7V7LgPOdsHdqZwhW4pefLzPMVuKcKVeCaEnEu1D6ULZRnnZ1h6FXD-o/w625-h48/A+Girl%2527s+Guide.png" width="625" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9zBrl_zx5-i-iQpt6iFPZIwi7MnAvteNcLucWtKAnJwXwGM8xMzWEGYwEMWUGkXLL2Glyn6wfKCjnFqnF99N9noB4Zq-XF2QaMSy8R8BOpPUHLAmj3T6KT46B8cbBpvJ-hpcBYE5ZUeo/s250/Moods.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="214" data-original-width="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9zBrl_zx5-i-iQpt6iFPZIwi7MnAvteNcLucWtKAnJwXwGM8xMzWEGYwEMWUGkXLL2Glyn6wfKCjnFqnF99N9noB4Zq-XF2QaMSy8R8BOpPUHLAmj3T6KT46B8cbBpvJ-hpcBYE5ZUeo/" /></a><b><span style="font-size: 20pt;"> </span></b></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="Emilys Candy" size="4">Yes, the dreaded mood swings. You
wake up in a bad mood and the sour mood never leaves. You wake up in a good
mood, which turns into a bad mood. Your parents inform you they had won the
lottery jackpot; you are still grumpy. You have 10,000 likes on your latest
Facebook post; still grumpy.</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="Emilys Candy" size="4">You hate the world. The world
hates you.</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="Emilys Candy" size="4">Many contract the infectious; but
not confined to puberty, slamming disease <i>Doorusslamus</i>.
Many hinges have perished due to this contagious, but avoidable infliction on mankind
or in this case womankind.</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="Emilys Candy" size="4">Jokes no longer are funny when in
the full throes of the Grumpy mood swing. These jokes are usually taken
personally or seriously. Thus an argument ensues, in which the pleasantries
exchanged usually end in the following: (meanings are included)</font></p>
<font face="Emilys Candy" size="4"><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><font face="Emilys Candy" size="4"><font face="Emilys Candy" size="4">I
hate you : <i>You still hate the world</i></font></font></li><li><span style="font-family: "Emilys Candy"; font-size: large;">Nobody
loves me: </span><i style="font-family: "Emilys Candy"; font-size: large;">Everyone is mean. I hate
myself</i><span style="font-family: "Emilys Candy"; font-size: large;">.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: "Emilys Candy"; font-size: large;">Several
words ending in </span><i style="font-family: "Emilys Candy"; font-size: large;">off </i><span style="font-family: "Emilys Candy"; font-size: large;">or other
colourful language.</span></li></ol></font><ol start="1" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
</ol>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><i><font face="Emilys Candy" size="4">Please see the Oxford English or Oxford American
Dictionary for profanity meanings.</font></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="Emilys Candy" size="4">There are other distinctive
behaviours associated with the Grumpy mood. The next phase in <i>Doorusslamus</i> is the sulking stage. This
can take two different but very similar forms; cave-dweller like hibernation in
one’s bedroom or in some cases, hibernation in the bathroom.</font></p>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><font face="Emilys Candy" size="4">Bedroom
Hibernation – After the initial door banging and shouting for you to
vacate your bedroom by parents and other family members, there comes a
period of forgetfulness. Yes if you have been quiet for too long the rest
of your family will forget you are here. They will go to the movies, McDonald’s or Pizza Hut without inviting you or even noticing you are
missing.</font></li></ul>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><font face="Emilys Candy" size="4">Bathroom
Hibernation – This is not without major drawbacks, maybe not for you but
certainly for others. It is preferable to have an en suite or face the
wrath of other family members. When they have to use a bucket or your baby
brother or sister’s potty to relieve him or her selves, they will not think
of you kindly.</font></li></ul>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><font><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy; font-size: medium;">The final stage of this mood is
Grumpiness Amnesia. This is self-denial or denial that you were ever grumpy in
the first place.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsJOBMi6dylTSTTs-UTm3vqmse07oK35iMt3c0iYe8wtQaAGVAkSOY8BV7PKS8ffRDbVRS6V265gEPvT2IeCG79R_hUcDpzLMYsjnlkBDlj5RKJLawBuFoTwIyLwvGGzIrlp92qyEv4TQ/s261/Moods+2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="georgia"><img border="0" data-original-height="145" data-original-width="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsJOBMi6dylTSTTs-UTm3vqmse07oK35iMt3c0iYe8wtQaAGVAkSOY8BV7PKS8ffRDbVRS6V265gEPvT2IeCG79R_hUcDpzLMYsjnlkBDlj5RKJLawBuFoTwIyLwvGGzIrlp92qyEv4TQ/" /></font></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><font face="Emilys Candy" size="4">The blues can strike at any time
and nothing is more embarrassing than weeping through a soap opera,
particularly one you usually just watch to laugh at for being so contrived. It
may be hard to tell if it is your hormones making you feel sad that Dash’s
estranged mother tells him he was adopted as a baby. Then after much anguish,
he discovers his birth mother, only to find her on her death bed. He then
discovers she has left a family of five children, three cats, two dogs and a
goldfish with fin rot. However, to your family and friends, this tear fest can
be a great source of amusement or confusion.</font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><font face="Emilys Candy" size="4">You may suffer from, <i>The Return to the Womb Syndrome</i> aka I
wish I had never been born. Whichever way you may look upon this, once you have
left the womb there is physically no way of going back. Although, if your moods
have been particularly irritable your mother may also be thinking the same
thought. It is doubtful they would say this to your face. Your mother may also
be thinking where did my offspring go and who replaced them with this alien
from outerspace.</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><font face="Emilys Candy" size="4">Has your get up and go, gone on a
gap year? This is yet again another symptom of those pesky blues. Almost all of
the day you have been happy, but now there is no Mr Happy. You are suffering
from a severe bout of <i>Sadsongitis, </i>This
affliction is quite simple to diagnose. The sufferer receives no pleasure in
listening to mood-lifting music. It’s Sad Song FM all day for them. They wish to
immerse their eardrums in the music of anguish and heartbreak.</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><font face="Emilys Candy" size="4">The effects of Sadsongitis usually
pass to younger siblings. They respond by listening to up upbeat and happy
music. This however does not effect a cure for Sadsongitis. It may make things worse,
particularly if the result is family discord. When suffering from a bout of
this affliction it is advisable to wear headphones, thus preventing the side
effects passing to siblings, or even in some cases parents. <o:p></o:p></font></p><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy; font-size: medium;">
Image Credit: Image by <a href="https://pixabay.com/users/Loony_Rabbit-9685066/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=4424024">Loony_Rabbit</a> from <a href="https://pixabay.com/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=4424024">Pixabay</a></span>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><font face="georgia"> </font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><font face="georgia"> </font></p></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><font face="georgia"><br /></font></div><font face="georgia"><br /></font><p></p></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><font face="georgia"><br /></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><font face="georgia"><br /></font></div><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span><p></p>
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