Tag: Follow_Me_Follow_You

What’s Another Year?

What’s Another Year?

What’s another year? I remember it as a 1980 Eurovision Contest winning song from Johnny Logan. It gave me shivers at the time.

Another year this time round sees the first anniversary of the publication of my debut novel, Truth or Dare?, book 1 in the Chesil Series. Plenty has happened in those twelve months. TOD revised fix

TOD_FRONT largeThe book had a cover makeover for a start.

 

ToD was shortlisted for the Festival of Romantic Fiction’s Best Romantic eBook, my short story, Mulled Wine and Cupcakes, was accepted by Choc Lit and published in the Love Match Selection anthology, I was invited to and attended Weymouth’s SandWorld to celebrate their Books and Author theme for 2014, and my second book, Follow Me, Follow You, book 2 in the Chesil Series, went into print – my first paperback, which I’m thrilled and relieved to say has been exceedingly well-received.FM_thumbnail new

Romaniac Shorts CoverThe Romaniacs, of whom I’m a member, went digital, forming Romaniac Press, and publishing our first anthology, Romaniac Shorts, with proceeds donated to the Romantic Novelists’ Association and Dyslexia Action. It’s a collection of twenty-two stories, some dark, others quirky or funny, which has received lovely reviews.

My short story, Bitter Sweet, was selected for the RNA anthology, Truly, Madly, Deeply, appearing in the extended digital edition, and last week saw my first foray into the world of judging, as I attended the Bridport Story Slam.

It’s been busy.

And I managed to feed my children! Although on occasion, they kept my IMG_5130engine running smoothly, particularly following my wrist surgery at Christmas. IMG_5142My daughter made a delicious gluten-free, vegetarian pie for my Christmas lunch, and my son took care of my scar, rubbing Bio Oil in at every opportunity.

Gajitman kept the supplies of coffee and chocolate coming. No mean feat, I can tell you.

And, in time for the RNA’s summer conference, I made gluten-free gin and tonic cupcakes. Oh yes.

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Looking ahead, I shall be at SandWorld for the third and final time this season as an attending author on Wednesday 29th October 2014, signing copies of FMFY and enjoying the wonderful hospitality of the staff. It’s been an absolute pleasure spending time there, and I highly recommend it for a trip out. The sand sculptures are incredible.

I am 30,000 words into book 3 in the Chesil Series, provisionally titled, What Doesn’t Kill You, and have set a new deadline of 24th December 2014 to get the first draft completed. My intention is to sign up to NaNoWriMo this year to encourage me to push through to the end of the novel.

A teaser photo for 'What Doesn't Kill You'
A teaser photo for ‘What Doesn’t Kill You’

Towards the end of November, the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society are kindly running a giveaway of FMFY. I wrote an article which appeared in February’s magazine reflecting on how I achieved a life-long dream of becoming a published author. It’s a great organisation, which is currently running a Remission Mission. I’m on the wall. I wonder if you can tell what my remission mission is …

My mission for today is to thank everyone who has made my writing dream come true, and salute those who have been kind enough to buy, read and review the books.

Thank you.

Take care.

Laura x

Bridport Story Slam III

Bridport Story Slam III

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What an honour it was to be at last night’s Bridport Story Slam, attending as a judge – my first time in this role as a writer.

Part of the Bridport Open Book, the event was held at the Beach & Barnicott, a wonderful, intimate grade II listed bar and restaurant in the centre of Bridport, Dorset. Supported by The Dorset Writers Network, the slam was organised by the lovely Frances Colville, and compared by Declan Duffy, a charming and humorous MC who ensured the proceedings were seamless.

Twelve brave souls entered the fray, and when their name was pulled from the hat, they stepped onto the stage and entertained us with stories no longer than five minutes each.

From the foreboding tale of Hide and Seek, to a plum fedora, and ending with the death of Cock Robin as told by the sparrow, I was delighted with the diversity of the new writers.

Kate Kelly, Penny Deacon & Laura E James
Kate Kelly, Penny Deacon & Laura James

With my two colleagues, Kate Kelly and Penny Deacon, I retired to the Judges Chambers to consider the verdict.

The winning story was A French Tale, a glorious, witty, well-observed account of a seven-nearly-eight-year-old girl’s burgeoning curiosity about the world around her. It was written and read by Wendy Breckon.

Writing for a slam is a different art form to that of writing for a mail-in competition. There has to be a performance at a slam. The reader has to put the physical energy and life into his or her words, get up in front of a room of waiting listeners, and entertain them. There’s something very traditional about that. Something familial. As if we’re snuggled around the fire in the warmest room in the house, holding our breath as our grandparents, mothers, or fathers tell us their greatest tales.

Wendy achieved this. Her descriptions put me right in the middle of her scenes and I could visualise the story from start to finish, and her delivery was divine. But had I received her tale to read for myself, it would still have worked – proof she had written a great story.

Book Table

Many thanks to the organisers, performers, my able assistant, my daughter, who handled book sales, the venue and my fellow judges. It was an excellent evening and I hope a positive experience for everyone who took part.

I’m already looking forward to next year.

Take care.

Laura x

 

 

 

An Off The Cuff Moment

An Off The Cuff Moment.

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Off The Cuff is my local, friendly, supportive writing group. We meet once a week and write off the cuff. Sometimes we’re given a title, sometimes we’re presented with specific words to include within our piece, and sometimes we’re prompted by a hash tag on a text …

It’s a great way to flex the writing muscle.

I have a number of notebooks filled with short stories, flash fictions, poems and possible beginnings to new novels, all written at Off The Cuff. I was looking through my most recent one and thought I’d share my cowboy short with you.

 

Gunfight at the Not OK Corral.

Swaggering down the street, gun in hand, Gabe’s eyes flicked left to right as he scanned the path ahead. Five minutes had passed since his tussle with Jed behind the old church and neither gunslinger was about to leave town. This was a fight to the death.
Turning the corner, Gabe squinted. The low summer sun was reflecting off the rear window of a large, black four-by-four, blinding him to what lay ahead. Right now, he was vulnerable. Right now, Jed could shoot him down.

Gabe stopped and listened. A scuffing and shuffling of boots carried on the breeze and drew his attention to the front of the vehicle. He raised a hand to his brow, and searched the dusty road for signs of life. There. A brim of a hat. A shadow.

Exposed and with nowhere to hide, Gabe checked his gun for ammo – one more shot. He had to make it count.

‘Jed,’ he called. ‘I know you’re there. Show yourself.’ He tucked his gun into the front pocket of his jeans, thrust his thumbs into his waistband, and waited.

With a hand secured to his hip, Jed emerged from in front of the car. ‘What’s it to be, Gabe?’ he said, his fingers hovering over his holster. ‘One on one?’

Gabe nodded. ‘Yep. Just you and me. We end it. Now.’ He indicated for Jed to turn around, stood with his back to his, and started a count to ten as both cowboys strode in opposite directions.

‘Turn and draw?’ Jed asked at step eight.

‘Yep.’ Gabe’s nerves rolled like tumble weed around his gut. He could take Jed. He just needed to keep his focus. ‘Nine. Ten.’ He wheeled round, lifted his gun and squeezed the trigger. ‘Prepare to get wet, Jed!’ he yelled, laughing as the water spurted from his pistol.

 

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I’m thrilled to have been asked to be a judge at Bridport’s Story Slam on Tuesday 14th October 2015. If you’re in the area, please do come along and listen to the local talent.

I will have copies of Follow Me Follow You available for purchase on the day.

Take care.

Laura x

And We Have Lift-Off! Follow Me, Follow You is Launched.

And We Have Lift-Off! Follow Me, Follow You is Launched.

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Click on the photo to visit the Amazon link

My second novel for Choc Lit, Follow Me Follow You, today released as a paperback, had a wonderful launch on Saturday.

The Dorset Wildlife Trust Chesil Beach Centre was the setting, the weather was gorgeous and the afternoon went without a hitch.

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Thank you to my fab publisher, Choc Lit, the Chesil Beach Centre, friends, family, writers and readers in real life and online, who supported the event . I am touched and humbled by how much you put yourselves out to get behind the day. I am one lucky and very grateful writer.

The loom bands giveaways.
The loom bands giveaways.

Follow Me, Follow You is on tour for the next week, and I’ll be Tweeting and putting the links on Facebook for those who would like to #follow, and there is a free giveaway through the Brook Cottage Books tour.

Thank you to all the reviewers and bloggers who have invited me to their site, including my Romaniac chums, two of whom paid a visit to Dorset on Saturday.

Sue, Laura and Catherine
Sue, Laura and Catherine

I hope you enjoy the variety of posts and the extracts from the book.

One last thing before I go … My debut novel, Truth or Dare? is available as a free download today and tomorrow in celebration of the release of FMFY.

Have a great week.

Laura x

Follow Me, Follow You Teasers: Day 11. Launch Day Goodies Pt 2

Follow Me, Follow You Teasers: Day 11. Launch Day Goodies Pt 2

Since I’ve been writing for Choc Lit, I’ve learned some new skills.

IMG_7039When once I couldn’t bake cupcakes that didn’t resemble biscuits, I can now produce edibles sponges, brought about by providing tried and tested recipes for the Choc Lit anthologies.

With the release of my debut last year, Truth or Dare?, I produced home-made scratch cards for readers to takeIMG_4825 part in a game of Truth or Dare.

 

When once I couldn’t make … Ah, well, there’s the teaser. Let’s just say my daughter taught me how to make the fun goodies we’re giving away at the launch.

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Gajitman and his steady hand.

Laura x

 

 

Follow Me, Follow You Teasers: Day 10. The Book Launch Goodies

Follow Me, Follow You Teasers: Day 10. The Book Launch Goodies.

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On Saturday, 6th September 2014, at the Chesil Beach Centre, Portland, I’ll be hosting my first-ever book launch. There will be copies of Follow Me, Follow You available for purchase and signing (indulge me – I’ve been practising my signature), and I’ve had the James household working hard on making a few small giveaways.

The week will be supported by a virtual book tour and guest posts and interviews with wonderful book bloggers on social media, organised by Choc Lit, and Brook Cottage Books.

The beautiful book tour banner from Brook Cottage Books
The beautiful book tour banner from Brook Cottage Books

On the 17th September, my publisher Choc Lit will be releasing a special Choc Lit Treat – an original short story so fresh, I’ve still 700 words to write … Please see the Choc Lit site for details as to how to sign up for the Treat.

So, as you can imagine, it’s all go here, with just three more sleeps.

To be honest, with the adrenalin and excitement whooshing through my bloodstream, that will probably turn out to equate to one sleep, but you get my drift.

More tomorrow …

Laura x

 

Follow Me, Follow You Teasers: Day 9. The Book Launch and Littoralis.

Follow Me, Follow You Teasers: Day 9. The Book Launch and Littoralis.

Follow Me, Follow You is my first paperback, so I thought I would celebrate with a book launch and an author afternoon.

Meet Littoralis, four local authors inspired by or writing about the Jurassic coastline, in particular, Weymouth and Portland.

Littoralis Invitation

I first met Kathy Sharp at my local writing group, Off The Cuff, a mutual friend introduced me to Kate Kelly, who then introduced Kathy and me to Carol Hunt. We all write within different genres. Between us we cover fantasy, young adult, contemporary romance and children’s books, and we will all be at the book launch and author afternoon, for chat, readings and signings.

FMFY Seth Invitation

And we would love to see you there.

Laura x

Follow Me, Follow You Teasers: Day 8. The Pebbles of Chesil Beach.

Follow Me, Follow You Teasers: Day 8. The Pebbles of Chesil Beach.

Portland. No Stones
‘The unauthorised removal of pebbles from this beach is prohibited.’

The pebbles must remain on Chesil Beach. It is prohibited to remove them.

As a child, I obeyed the rule, although I found it difficult, as the stones fascinated me. They still do. The beach consists of greys, whites, browns, reds, blacks … all merging together to somehow magically form a beautiful sandy hue.

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My children have the same fascination, and between us, we can idle away many happy hours searching for special stones, ultimately leaving them on Chesil for someone else to discover.

Talking of rocks, Victoria has a very interesting first meeting with Chris Frampton’s friend and manager, Tommy … Another fascinating Stone to add to the collection.

Laura x

 

 

Follow Me, Follow You Teasers: Day 7. Tout Quarry.

Follow Me, Follow You Teasers: Day 7. Tout Quarry.

Another wonderful place to visit on Portland is Tout Quarry.

In Follow Me, Follow You, a quarry is situated not far from Victoria’s cottage. It provides neutral ground – somewhere Victoria and Chris can go to talk, having never been there together.

In the real Tout Quarry, there are incredible sculptures, carved from the pale grey Portland stone.

One Breasted SculptureIMG_1261

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There are plenty of British landmark properties built from Portland stone, notably Buckingham Palace and St Paul’s Cathedral.

And Chris Frampton’s castle.

Laura x