It's been a while...

Well, I haven't updated my blog for a little while. My foal has had a severe infection in one of her feet so have been spending much time and energy worrying about and treating it. Thankfully, it looks like it is beginning to heal up, though it will be some months before I will know for sure that the hoof will grow normally.

I have also had a bit of a health scare and my first ever trip to a hospital as a patient! Had severe stomach pains last Sunday night and ended up being taken to hospital in an ambulance! Nothing really diagnosed execept perhaps a virus, so here's hoping it doesn't return!

On the more positive side, I have just sent back the first edits on Broken, my novella which is due out next year. I really can't wait to see the cover! But no news on that front as yet.

Editing is due to start!

I have just had notification that the editing process of my novella, Broken, is due to start in about a month's time. So exciting! :)

Grammar

I have to say that correct grammar does not come naturally to me. Through experience (getting slated for grammatical errors when posting early work to online communities) and good friends who pointed (and continue to point) me in the right direction, I can now produce cleaner work. As I have been guilty for most common errors, perhaps that is why I seem to notice errors so much more lately.

I am a member of a writing community on facebook, and when I saw a link for a free e-book I thought I would give it a go and then review the story on Amazon for the author. The story had so many grammatical errors that even I found it almost completely unreadable. If the plot had been stronger, or the characters more likeable I would, most likely, have been able to blank out the poor grammar, but unfortunately that was not the case.

I embrace the fact that people self-publish now, but this book is one which really should not have been made public in its current state. It is just terrible and could be held as proof that people should never self-pub! 

I haven't left a review as I honestly couldn't have said anything nice about it, and thought constructive criticism should not be given publicly. I messaged the author to politely offer concrit if she was interested and to date I have had no response which perhaps wasn't surprising. What is a surprise though, is that the author obviously doesn't want to improve.

I squirm at my early mistakes, and berate myself over current ones, but I strive to improve and hopefully the editors at Dreamspinner Press don't wince too much when they open my manuscripts!

It is a strange person indeed who seems happy to continue to make the same mistakes!

Wet weekend - pros and cons.

Well, our lovely warm weather had certainly taken a turn for the worse this week, and we face a wet and windy weekend. Now, there are many things that such weather would make less fun - walking the dog for one! But there are also plus points and it is on these I shall concentrate.

As the owner of a lovely mare and foal there is nothing quite like seeing them all snug and warm in their stable, happily munching on their hay. The foal, Florence, has grown so much and will soon be weaned from her dam, Mabel, so seeing them together and settled in away from the wind and rain is great.

My dog, The Norm, loves his walks, but importantly on such a weekend, also likes sitting on the sofa next to me, which brings me neatly to the best thing about wet weekends... I will be able to write, write, write without feeling guilty at all! \0/

So all in all, I am rather looking forward to a weekend of gales and rain! :)

Good weekend.

The weather was once again lovely this weekend, and I was out and about enjoying it. On Saturday my mum and sister came up to visit. We had a lovely walk with the dogs and then went to see my mare and foal.

Mum hadn't seen the foal since May when she was just two days old so saw a huge difference now she has reached five months. Florence is such a sweetie, friendly, but not pushy and already a champion in the show ring.

We then headed into Stamford, which is such a nice place, and enjoyed lunch before I had to go to choose the frames for my first pair of glasses - it seems I have reached a certain age and need them for reading. After visiting three shops and deciding not to go into another, we finally made a choice. Hopefully they will suit me. It was really difficult to decide as when I buy sunglasses the criteria is simply 'can't see my eyebrows and can't see my eyes'! LOL! Not much use when buying reading glasses.

When I got home I wrote some more of a story I intend to submit to Dreamspinner Press when complete.

I spent Sunday, caring for both the horses and the dog, braving a trip  to a huge supermarket and writing some more.

I have included links below for my short story, Out of Left Field, which is available from Dreamspinner Press and Amazon.

http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=3937

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Out-of-Left-Field-ebook/dp/B00D4KFY72/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1381177876&sr=8-1&keywords=raine+norman

Would love it if you would give the story a try. :)

Welcome ,Kim Fielding, writer of wonderful m/m novels

Today I am playing host to my very first guest. Thank you, Kim, for agreeing to being my 'guinea-pig'! I have known Kim through her writing for several years now, and we have also met in person, so I am delighted to help to promote her lastest novel, The Tin Box.



 

 

 

Thank you, Raine, for letting me visit today!

 

My novel The Tin Boxwas just released. One of the main characters, William Lyon, is an introvert. He enjoys being alone. He tends to feel awkward in social situations, especially when he doesn’t know the other people well. He’s very analytical.

 

I’m an introvert too. No huge surprise there—probably most writers fit neatly in that category. We like to observe, to think about things, to take the time to express ourselves precisely.

 

But being an introvert isn’t the same as being a hermit, and it doesn’t mean we cower in corners. My day job is university professor, which means I routinely stand up and speak for long periods of time to large groups of people—sometimes over 100—and I feel perfectly comfortable doing so. I even enjoy it.  And I love having conversations with friends, often intense conversations. I can talk all night. But eventually I am going to need some alone time to recharge.

 

I have had the great pleasure of meeting quite a few other authors, including the delightful Raine, who played tour guide for my daughter and me in Cambridge (England, not Massachusetts) a couple years ago. And you know what? It turns out authors are a fun lot to hang out with—especially after a drink or two. In the end, though, I think we all end up back on our computers or clutching our pencils, scribbling away in solitude. And that’s the way we like it.

 

Despite his introverted personality, William still needs friendship and love. But coming to terms with his sexuality is a difficult process for him too. So it’s fortunate that he meets extraverted Colby Anderson. And it’s also fortunate that William discovers letters written by a man committed to a mental hospital in the 1930s for being gay. William will always value his alone time—but perhaps the letters and Colby can help him find happiness too.

 

The Tin Box is available from Dreamspinner Press, Amazon, and all major booksellers.

 

Please follow Kim on Twitter @KFieldingWrites

Or friend her on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/KFieldingWrites

Or visit her blog http://kfieldingwrites.blogspot.com

 

Blurb:

 

William Lyon's past forced him to become someone he isn't. Conflicted and unable to maintain the charade, he separates from his wife and takes a job as caretaker at a former mental hospital. Jelley’s Valley State Insane Asylum was the largest mental hospital in California for well over a century, but it now stands empty. William thinks the decrepit institution is the perfect place to finish his dissertation and wait for his divorce to become final. In town, William meets Colby Anderson, who minds the local store and post office. Unlike William, Colby is cute, upbeat, and flamboyantly out. Although initially put off by Colby’s mannerisms, William comes to value their new friendship, and even accepts Colby's offer to ease him into the world of gay sex.

William’s self-image begins to change when he discovers a tin box, hidden in an asylum wall since the 1940s. It contains letters secretly written by Bill, a patient who was sent to the asylum for being homosexual. The letters hit close to home, and William comes to care about Bill and his fate. With Colby’s help, he hopes the words written seventy years ago will give him courage to be his true self.

 

Hosting my first guest.

On September 28th I will be hosting my first ever guest on my blog. The wonderful author Kim Fielding. (http://kfieldingwrites.blogspot.com/)

A beautiful day...

After the temperatures recently taking a rather sudden and sharp downturn it was lovely to wake up to a really beautiful day. The reason we Brits talk about the weather so much is that it varies so often and so rapidly. Earlier in the week my mare and foal spent a couple of nights in their stable due to the cold and wet, yet today it was gloriously warm and sunny!

I walked my faithful writing companion, my little terrier, round the local area this afternoon and I am not sure which of us enjoyed it more. :) I am now looking out the window of my cottage at clouds tinged pink by the sunset.

When England gets the weather right, it really gets it right. :)

Recent good review for Out of Left Field.

I thought I would share a review I spotted on Goodreads for my short story, Out of Left Field. I agree with the criticisms as writing short stories isn't natural to me - they tend to be long one! But I specifically wrote this story in the hope that it would fit the call for submissions for Dreamspinner Press's Daily Dose anthology 2013.

https://sidlove.wordpress.com/2013/06/26/book-review-out-of-left-field-by-raine-norman/

Is it cheeky?

A little while ago, I bumped into a neighbour (an older lady) I hadn't seen for some time and so we had a little chat. I mentioned that Out of Left Field my m/m romance short story had been published. She asked what it was about and so I told her and to be honest I was surprised at her response, as I know m/m is not to everyone's taste. She immediately asked if it was on Amazon and said she would buy it when I told her it was.

I then saw her today and she informed me that she had bought the book and was looking forward to reading it. I got a bit pink as it is still new to me for people to be buying my work to read, but she misinterpreted it and asked if the book was 'cheeky'. I grinned and said it was a little bit cheeky, to which she replied with a twinkle in her eye, "I like cheeky!". I added, "You do know it is boys being cheeky?" And got a gleeful nod in reply! :) 

Red Kites fighting over their breakfast

 

I saw an amazing sight on the way into work this morning. A group of five red kites were circling overhead watching two others which were sqabbling in the road over a dead rabbit. As I approached these two made me stop the car. One of them managed to pick up the rabbit and began to fly away. It kept only a yard or so off the ground and flew down the centre of the road until it dropped it after a hundred yards or so and then it landed on the grass verge and glared at me as I drove past.

Back to work...

Well, after being off work on leave since 21st August I have to head in tomorrow. I really could get used to just doing what I want with my day, instead of stuck in an office for eight hours a day! 

It's been a nice break though. Saw Green Day at the O2 Academy, Brixton, took my foal to a show where she got a championship award, helped another friend with her young horse at its first show, learned that my novella will be published by Dreamspinner Press and got several thousand words into my next story.

Only thing that didn't really get done was the house work! Oops!

Photo shoot

I spent an enjoyable morning with my two horses, Mabel and Florence, and my pooch, The Norm. Florence recently won a championship at a show and although some of the professional shots were nice, none captured her wearing her sash. So today we had a little photo shoot at home - will share pics when I have them ready. At almost four months' old she is already a natural both in the show ring and at being photographed! LOL!

Sunny days...

I'm just thinking about going to sit out in the garden to make the most of the sun, and was about to shout for my little dog to come downstairs to come out with me when I realised I can hear him dreaming - little yelps and growls - so cute! So do I disturb him or do I let him sleep on?

Great news from Dreamspinner Press

I have just received notification that Dreamspinner Press will be publishing my novella, Broken. Contract has been signed. Just got to wait for the first round of edits to be sent to me. No publication date as yet.

First Royalty Payment

I must really be a writer now, as I have received the first royalties for my short story Out of Left Field. :)

Great review for Out of Left Field on Rainbow book reviews

Out of Left Field by Raine Norman at Dreamspinner Press

Genre	Contemporary / Gay Romance
Reviewed by	Lena Grey on 17-June-2013

Book Blurb

Concierge Jake Wentworth rues the day he got involved with Mikey, his coworker and cheating ex-lover. Already in a foul mood, a rude guest further puts him off his game. Jake realizes there is more to Billy Smith than his first impression when they accidentally meet while jogging the next morning. When they hit it off over coffee and sightseeing, Jake worries his battered heart will be in for more pain, but Billy is determined to make something more of their relationship.


A story from the Dreamspinner Press 2013 Daily Dose package "Make a Play".

Book Review

"When least expected, fate stumbles in. Bringing light to the darkness. Ohh, what a friend. I needed someone to call my own. Suddenly, out of left field, ... love came along." ~ Percy Sledge

Jake Wentworth came to the U.S. seeking a new life and, hopefully, someone to share it with. He's dazzled by Mikey, one of the guys at work; then he's completely disillusioned when he catches him cheating. Shortly he meets a mysterious guest named Billy and, at first, is not impressed because of his brusque manner. Jake isn't expecting to fall in love with anyone anytime soon, but love has a way of opening one door when it closes another and the mystery man is very determined.

Billy, beside his evasive nature, is a good guy with an excellent reason for hiding who he is. He and Jake find that they have a lot in common when they spend the day together, but Billy still keeps his identity secret. The issue of sex comes up, but Jake doesn't want just a quickie, so he hesitates. Billy is not deterred by Jake's holding back. He tells Jake that he's thinking of moving to L.A. and assures Jake that he wants a relationship as well. True to his word, Billy keeps in touch with Jake via text, calls, Skype, and however else they can electronically. When Billy comes back, he invites Jake to a baseball game and reveals his big and wonderful secret.

This is a short, but satisfying love story, concisely written, packing a lot of information into just a few words. That alone, is quite a feat. The characters are very likeable and it was easy to become emotionally involved with them. Jake broke my heart when he found Mikey cheating on him. I wanted to comfort Jake and throttle Mikey. I guessed Billy's story almost right away, but Jake's reaction to it was charming. I'd recommend this book to anyone wanting a short, but entertaining read in which love conquers all adversity. Thanks, Raine, for a great job.

Click on the link below to buy.
 http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=3937
 

Out of Left Field, my short story is now available for purchase via Out of Left Field @ Dreamspinner Press or Out of Left Field @ Amazon UK

Please give it a try!

Musings on a spring day

Was a beautiful spring day today. Hopefully winter is over and done with now, though I won't hold my breath. I managed to make the deadline for another short story submission - just. Not sure if this one will be picked up as it is a bit of a twist on the anthology topic. Time will tell, I guess. :)

Out of Left Field

The blurb for my short story due to be published in June by Dreamspinner Press

Concierge Jake Wentworth rues the day he got involved with Mikey, his coworker and cheating ex-lover. Already in a foul mood, a rude guest further puts him off his game. Jake realizes that there is more to Billy Smith than his first impression when they accidentally meet while jogging the next morning. When they hit it off over coffee and sightseeing, Jake worries his battered heart will be in for more pain, but Billy is determined to make something more of their relationship.

Published!

Had some great news over the weekend.  One of my short stories has been accepted by a publisher for inclusion in an anthology.  Absolutely delighted.  Was my first submission to them, and hopefully they will like some of my other work in the future.

Looking for other writers

Hi there!

New blogger signing in and seeking other writers or avid readers to chat and swap tall tales with.