Tag: short stories

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The old year – looking back on 2024 – Part 2

July

Me, running again? Really? Yes, me running again!! I did a Couch to 5k programme and graduated at Cwmbran parkrun the day before my birthday!

August

Holiday with Oliver on Lismore and Mull. Great times

Lismore looking east

September

Took a trip to Brussels and met up with people in the European Writers’ Salon. Planning for a bigger event in September 2025.

Walking tour in Brussels

October

Walked over 100k of the Camino de Santiago, starting in Vigo, with my good friends Elizabeth and Jude. It rained. A lot!

First day on the Camino

November

Oliver and I had a chance to sell some of our books at a local Craft Fair, and raise a little money for the local Foodbank.

December

Having lived nearby for over 19 years, we finally visited Raglan Castle!

That’s it – a new year of writing, walking, running and other adventures beckons!

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When you believe in your story, try, try and try again

In early 2020, before the Covid pandemic led to the first lockdown in the UK, I started work on a short story inspired by what the media showed us was happening in other countries. This story, At the Hotel Swinburne, was about a married couple holidaying in Switzerland. What happened exposed the cracks in their relationship.

I worked on the story and sent it out to various magazines and competitions, without success, although I received some favourable feedback and encouragement from some. I revised the story, sent it out again, tweaked it some more, sent it out again, and so forth. I believed in this story, even if no-one else seemed to do so.

And then someone did! Stephen Moran, who selects and edits the Short Story of the Month for the Willesden Herald online, said he really liked my story. He asked for some minor edits, which I was happy to make. And he accepted the story as his May 2024 Story of the Month. I am very happy that it has found a home and that you can read it too.

Here’s where you can find it – https://newshortstories.wordpress.com/2024/04/28/story-of-the-month-may-2024

Do leave a comment if you have one!

Kandersteg, in the Swiss Alps

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Tu-whit Tu-whoo!

That’s the cry of the owls. And there are a lot of owls in my new short story collection, published this month by the independent Welsh publisher Atomic Bohemian and available on pre-order from them now.

The nine stories in the book are all inspired by the paintings and drawings of the Northern Renaissance artist Hieronymus Bosch. His most famous work is the extranordinary The Garden of Earthly Delights. And yes, it does feature in the collection. Or rather, characters from it do.

Look in almost any Bosch painting or drawing and you’ll find an owl peeking out. I love their mystery and their stealthy flight. They found their way into my stories by chance rather than design, but I ‘m so happy to have them there.

I’m thrilled that this collection is finally out in the world. It has found its perfect publisher.

I’d love you to read it.

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2023: Snapshots of my year (Part2)

April

New growth

The coming of Spring is always a joy – the variety of colours in the new leaves, and the blossoms. This is the acer in our garden.

In writing: Back to serious work on the next round of edits of my circus novel.

May

Laying in supplies for the Coronation

I’m not an ardent Royalist, by any means, but the coronation of King Charles was such a significant moment in our history, we had to watch it on TV. The music and the ceremonial were both extraordinary. We raised a glass!

In writing: Finished work on Draft 2 of my novel. And was delighted to have my short story , Spawn, published in Fictive Dream, an online magazine which I greatly respect.

June

St Antonin

Back to the English Bookshop in South-West France for a week, this time with my friend Katsy and also husband Oliver.

In writing: What writing?

Part 3 follows on 24 December

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2023: Snapshots of my year (Part 1)

I post a photograph every day on https://www.blipfoto.com/Cathaber. It’s a wonderful visual diary. So here are some highlights of the year which is drawing to a close

January

Chinatown

First time in London for over 3 years. And met up with my very good friend Katsy for her birthday lunch.

In writing: I began reading entries for the Cheshire Novel Prize, something that would take up more and more of my time over the following months. It taught me a lot.

February

Coming round the mountain

Walking has been a very important part of my life this year. Here, with the Abergavenny Women’s Walking Group on Table Mountain. Also, longer and shorter walks with one or two friends.

Venice

Had to put in an extra photo to remember a very special trip with OB to Venice, a magical city.

In writing: Talked to a local WI about writing, but didn’t do much of it!

March

A new novella

Between the Virgin and the Sea. Published in Novella Express #3 by Leamington Books in Edinburgh.

In (new) writing: Started work on a substantial short story for the first time in ages.

Part 2 follows on 22nd December