Erosion Preview

EROSION - Feel free to read a preview.

https://www.createspace.com/Preview/1127589

They're out there!!

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/may/21/big-cat-sightings-mass-hysteria

THE MONSTER BELT The Monster Belt is an area between two latitudes in the northern hemisphere where mythical creatures live. However, 21 year old Jess Winter suspects that monsters aren't confined to physical dimensions. She knows all about such things, living as she does in the remote Yorkshire village of Hawksmoor, smack bang in the middle of what is known in the right circles, as The Belt. Myth has it that Hawksmoor cradles its very own monster that drowns kids who dare to swim in the local lake. It’s a place Jess avoids because of its underground tunnels and caves. They remind her of the crevices and passageways in her head where other monsters lie. Sun-bronzed Harris White is looking for the creature that killed his best friend, Jonty, ten years ago in the aquamarine waters of the Mediterranean. Driven by guilt, Harris won’t stop until he finds what he is looking for. He saw it take his friend. He looked it in the eye. He knows first-hand that monsters exist. Summer. The annual Crypto Zoology Convention has descended on Hawksmoor. Jess and Harris meet for the first time. Two days later, The Mere Monster claims yet another victim, thirteen year old Jordan King. Like Harris’ friend, his body cannot be found. And likewise, nor can the killer. When Jess agrees to join Harris in searching for the creature that murdered Jonty, she reads the book he has written about his quest and between the pages, Harris’ experiences blur with her reality. Denmark, France and ferries. On their way towards Spain, their quest is interrupted by the news that Jordan King’s body has been found. They return to Hawksmoor and Harris and Jess are forced to face what they fear most. Monsters are closer than we think and they can take on surprisingly mundane forms. Harris returns to the scene of Jonty’s death, just off the island of Formentera and Jess to employment in London where she finds monsters come in all sorts of guises. The following year. The Crypto Zoology Convention is in town again and Harris has brought a souvenir of Jonty’s killer to show everyone. Jess finally has to confront the monster that has plagued her dreams and every aspect of her waking life for the past six years. And the Mere Monster? It’s about to be unleashed.

SAVE OUR BEES AND OUR FOOD CHAIN

http://topinfopost.com/2013/05/28/russia-warns-obama-monsanto Have a look at this article on how Monsanto and the biggest food companies control our future. It must stop. Bees are integral to growing food and they are being killed off by pesticides. We must force action against this.

BBC Radio Manchester Discussion on Writing.

Was on Sam Walker's show on Radio Manchester just after eleven this morning with Ed and Helen, discussing writing, getting back into writing, starting writing, why write, how write, where to write, what to write about....we just skimmed the surface. There is so much to talk about on a subject like this!! Hopefully, more discussions will follow.

Moving On

The old dark shining wood chest of drawers with the magical brass handles is by my bed. I always wanted it here and it fits perfectly. What nearly didn't come home from my mum's was a wardrobe. It is huge, or seemed huge. I remember hiding on top of it once, behind the raised, curved doors and no-one could see me. It is now in my bedroom and is petite and demure. How on earth could I think no-one would have seen me, hiding on top of it? My mum's house was a cottage. It was huge under those low ceilings. It now seems small in a high ceilinged 1920's house. And those grown ups stood around in that cottage bedroom saying, 'Mmmm? I wonder where Ruth could be hiding?' And crouching down, I couldn't see their faces. I am so glad this wardrobe has found its home here as well.

Having a look at the book

I've ordered two copies of The Monster Belt on LULU for two people to read through for me. It's easier for people to carry around a book than an A4 manuscript or read on-line. It also gives me the opportunity to play around with it as well. The cover photograph is from Wales, taken last summer. The blurb isn't quite right, but I wanted the copies asap. I've already changed a few things in the final two chapters and I think the first page doesn't quite flow. See? Helps me reading it as a book as well. And I will finish editing. I will. I'm suspecting there are a lot of book covers though with jetties featured. Will have to look at that.

Monster

Monster: An imaginary creature.

THE MONSTER BELT - SYNOPSIS

People think The Monster Belt is an area between two latitudes containing mythical creatures. But this isn’t true; such creatures cannot be confined. Monsters are everywhere. Sun bronzed Harris White is looking for a sea animal that killed his best friend, Jonty, twelve years ago in the aquamarine waters of the Mediterranean. Driven by guilt, Harris won’t give up until he finds this monster. He saw it take his friend. He looked it in the eye. He knows first-hand that monsters exist. Unemployed graduate, Jess Winter, lives in the remote Yorkshire village of Hawksmoor, smack bang in the middle of The Monster Belt. Jess knows all about monsters. Hawksmoor has its very own that drowns kids who dare to swim in the local lake. It’s a place Jess avoids because its underground tunnels and caves remind her of the crevices and passageways in her head where frightening things lurk. It is summer. The annual Crypto Zoology Convention has descended on Hawksmoor. It’s where Jess Winter and Harris White meet. Two days later, The Mere Monster claims another victim, thirteen year old Jordan King. Like Harris’ friend, his body cannot be found. Jess agrees to join Harris in searching for the creature that killed Jonty, at the same time reading the book he has written about his quest. However, between the pages, his experiences blur with her reality and she wonders if he or both of them are crazy. As they sweep down The Belt, they are interrupted by the news that Jordon King’s body has finally been found and they return to Hawksmoor. With the discovery of the teenager’s corpse, both Harris and Jess are forced to face what they fear most. The problem is, monsters are closer than we think and they can take on surprisingly mundane forms. And as for proof, everyone knows proof is almost impossible to come by. It’s the following year. The Crypto Zoology Convention is in town again. Harris has brought a souvenir of Jonty’s killer to show everyone and Jess is set to confront the monster that has haunted her dreams and every aspect of her waking life for the past six years. And The Mere Monster? Whatever it is, it’s about to be unleashed.

The Last Quartet

Went to see 'The Last Quartet' at The Picturehouse in York on Sunday evening with Genevieve. Perfect acting from the entire cast, meaning, natural and real. Music by Beethoven, his Opus 131, two violins, one viola and cello. Setting - a snowy New York and two great apartments (one full of antiques, the other colour and arty) The small message? Let go and as an artist and person, you will soar. The big message? (Actually thinking the small one is big) The group is more important than the individual. And the End? Ends before the final i is dotted. Spot on. Go forth and see.

The Monster Belt

Right. I got feedback on the Monster Belt full manuscript yesterday evening. Just a few typos and editing glitches, but also the reader, who'd read an early version of the book found it had gone from being a fantasy novel to a psychological story. The reader says he felt their anguish which he found hard as he has 'monsters' of his own, that women would properly cope with this better than he can. He wanted to know how the two leads dealt with their 'monsters' and he wanted them to end up together. At times, he'd have liked a little more tension, but as ever, he said, my stories are about people, are European in their approach and there are some shocking moments. So, I'll look at where I can turn up the tension, check the mistakes through and work on the synopsis. And then, out to agents.

The Betrayal of Trust by Susan Hill

I woke early to finish ''The Betrayal of Trust' by Susan Hill. It wasn't as good as 'Dark Matter.' It unsettled me though because of subject matter, dementia, falling in love when you're not free to, death. There were many characters, unlike 'Dark Matter' and I've realised I want simplicity. Apparent simplicity. Erosion had many characters, Monster Belt, which I'm editing now, has so many threads, my head spins trying to work them all out. Next has to be either first person or one voice and one story. A ghost story. I'm also thinking about how we get our work read. The different types of author. The ones who market themselves and the ones who hold back. The pushy ones make it. How do the ones hold back get their work read by millions? And let's forget it 'being good.' There is more to it.

Dark Matter - A Ghost Story by Michelle Paver

Just finished reading 'Dark Matter' A Ghost Story by Michelle Paver. Set in 1937 in the Arctic, a group of young men set out to winter it there - when darkness is 24 hour. They begin the journey as five, only three set up camp. One becomes ill, two leave with the rescue ship. Jack remains. In the dark, punctuated by the northern lights and a full moon and a lone figure that is moving closer. Definitely recommend.

Sunday 20th of January 2013

For the first time, I think since I was a teenager, or ill, or breastfeeding, I've stayed in bed all morning reading...Virginia Woolf's 'A Room of One's Own.' And for the first time in ages, I feel excited and optimistic because I will make room in my head and my heart because there is space there to write what I want to write and for the honesty it needs and time, maybe it has taken all that has happened and for all the sadness for the right time for this to start.