Sad

Should a blog always be a sunny place? An informative place? Or should it accurately reflect the blogger's emotions?

Most blogs these days are promotional vehicles. Pushing oneself forward to get increased media attention for the book one's written, the artwork painted, etc. I have done this myself, mostly. My true emotional posts I saved for a different site, but today I feel the need to be true to myself on this blog.

Today has not been a good day. Truth be told I have been struggling for quite some time. I should have seen the signs (perhaps I did, but ignored them), and prevented myself from getting so low, but it was not to be. So today, it came to a head, and I have fallen into the abyss of depression. I will claw myself back - I always do, but the black dog has got a good grip on me at the moment.

In February a long time friend killed himself, and today should have been his birthday.

The way I lose myself when the black dog bites is usually to write, write, and write some more, but this week there just have been no words. Or rather not enough words anyway! I am hoping that I can get back on track this weekend. I will spend time walking my crazy little dog, and caring for my two horses.

NaNoWriMo

National Novel Writing Month is upon me again. I can't actually believe it is November! I must be getting old, as this year has flown by.

I have decided to participate in NaNo in an effort to up my word count, as lately I have been struggling with motivation.

I will keep you up to date on my word count on a weekly basis, and here's hoping I get to the 50,000 goal, and finish my novella which I hope will be published by Dreamspinner Press. I have already written over 7,000 words before NaNo so will only be counting the ones I do from now on. Wish me luck! :)

I am also working on tidying up a manuscript to submit to Forbidden Publishing, and I am working on a sequel to that too.

Otherwise, after a summer of surgery and hospital stays, I seem busier than ever, with both of my horses now coming into their stables at night. My pooch remains, as ever, my faithful writing companion, and he is currently under a fleece with his head on my feet. I love that little dog so much.

Lovely new review for Broken

Secretly Reading's Review of Broken

Excellent review for Broken, my novella.

I have been a little absent of late, due to my faithful little writing companion, Norm the terrier, being ill. Thankfully he has made an excellent recovery and as I type I am tickling his tummy with my foot. :)

I also had a week without internet access due to my router suddenly dying and so I was delighted to discover a wonderful review for my novella, Broken, in my inbox.

Five star review for Broken by Raine Norman

Discounts at Dreamspinner Press!

Why not head over to Dreamspinner Press and check out all the great books and collections? There is 25% off until 23rd March!

Who knows you could even by Broken or Out of Left Field by... me! ;)

Dreamspinner Press

Fun in the sun...

The weather this weekend has been lovely. Warm enough to leave the coat behind for a change and bright and sunny.

On Saturday I had the job of picking up the droppings from my mare's field. I usually have a little machine to help me with this, but the ground is still too wet so it was the wheelbarrow for me this time. Bizarrely, it isn't a job I generally mind doing, but yesterday I took my little dog, The Norm, with me. He is recovering from surgery and seems to back to his crazy old self again.

On Sunday I gave my mare, Mabel, a bath to help get rid of the winter coat she is shedding, and get her looking a little more respectable. She is such a good girl to do, but had roll as soon as I turned her out and so one side is still clean and the other... not so much! LOL!

So, what did you get up to this weekend? I would love to hear from you.

Help needed again!

I have slipped back into 2nd place in the Best Book by a debut M/M author list over on goodreads. I am just one point adrift, please take a moment to vote for me if you haven't already done so! :)

Best M/M Book By a Debut Author - Vote here!

Thursday Thoughts on Coffee and Porn in the Morning...

I did a guest spot this week on Coffee and Porn in the Morning where I shared my dreams and fantasies with you.

Click here to see the post

Your help much appreciated!

I am having a real ding-dong battle for the No. 1 spot. Please take a moment to vote for me and rate Broken to help me get back on top.

 Debut M/M author

Votes needed please!

I have been knocked off the number one spot!

Please take a moment to vote!

Vote for best debut M/M author!

And the winner is...

The winner of a copy of my novella, Broken, from the giveaway posted on Kim Fielding Writes blog is...

jana-denardo 

Please let me have an email address (ideally attached to Dreamspinner Press's site and I will make sure a copy gets sent to your bookshelf.

Any problems message me via my facebook page. Raine Norman, author

Nominated best debut! Please take a moment to vote!

Vote for Raine Norman and Broken here! :)

Life is short

I am writing this blog in total shock and disbelief after hearing the news that a friend has taken his own life. I have known him for thirteen years. I worked for his father and alongside his twin brother for all of that time and he worked with me for about three years.

We had an on/off affair for years yet bizarrely could remain friends in between. I honestly loved the bloke, though through timing and circumstances we were never meant to be. We had a connection the likes of which I didn't even have with my ex husband.

I last saw him only ten days ago when he came over to help me mend a fence, and though he was troubled with his family/relationship life I never for a moment saw this coming. We hugged as he left and it felt so good, and I told him that although we'd been through some crap that we'd always be mates. Not the worst final words one could say, I suppose.

I texted him after he'd left thanking him for his help and he replied that it had been good to see me. My final contact with him was simply:

Same here. Take care of yourself.

Great reviews so far for Broken

Less than one week on from its release Broken has so far received several four star reviews with people saying they would like to read more of my work!

Check out the reviews on Goodreads

I'm a guest on Kim Fielding Writes

Please take a moment and visit my guest spot on the lovely Kim Fielding Writes blog:

Guest blog at Kim Fielding Writes

It's giveaway time on the Broken Release Party over on the Dreamspinner Press blog

Tell your tales of things broken in frustration, a fit of temper, or in despair to be in with a chance of winning a copy of Broken in e-book format.

It's giveaway time!

Broken Release Party #3 The Cover Artwork

Do you judge a book by the cover? If I did I would be certain to choose Broken. I know I may be biased, but I think Brooke Albrecht did an amazing job. What do you think?

Broken Release Party #3 Cover Art

Release Party for Broken continues.

Click on the link to discover to read my thoughts on how a loss of self-esteem can lead to relationship problems.

Broken Release Party blog #2

Go take a look at the release party for my novella Broken!

Release Party for Broken by Raine Norman

Writing companions

As I write this blog, my very faithful little writing companion, my terrier, is facing major surgery and it got me thinking what it would be like to write without him curled up beside me if all does not go well.

From my very first fan fiction story I have written with him at my feet or on the sofa next to me. It seems very lonely indeed to be writing this when he is at the veterinary hospital tonight. I actually used to work at the referral centre where he is, which is actually comforting (plus I am allowed into the 'behind the scenes' areas).

This really should have been an exciting lead up to the release of my first published novella, Broken which is out on Wednesday 19th February, but I have to say that my mind is a little elsewhere. I am, however, intending to host a release party on the Dreamspinner Press blog on the big day itself. I am writing the posts in advance and will look forward to interacting with the readers when I post them.

Promotional artwork and blog spots

It is beginning to get exciting in the run up to the release of my first novella, Broken. I have some lovely artwork to use to promote the story and also I will be hosting a release party on the 19th February and I will also be blogging about my fantasies on March 13th! As a novice at the whole blogging art I hope I come up with interesting posts for you all. I can talk a mile a minute but find it much harder to write about myself.

I will post links etc nearer the time. :)

Broken - available now for pre-order - release date 19th February

I am delighted to announce my first novella is due for release on 19th February and is already available for pre-order.

The cover art is simply beautiful and I cannot thank Brooke Albrecht enough.

Broken by Raine Norman