Holidays in a cold climate...

Off to Ireland tomorrow to see gorgeous daughter, grand-daughter and superson-in-law. I'm busy packing up my summer vest tops and getting out my fleeces: Ireland (especially the North) is such a long way north of here!

I'm busy trying to decide whether to ask the Webmaster (aka Himself) to update/re-do my site. What do you think? www.robsullivan.clara.net

To change or not to change?

John Deakin

I couldn't let the passing of John go by without creating something for him on my blog ~ even if no one appears to be reading the damn thing!

John taught my children at Raglan Primary School in Monmouthshire. He and his wife became two of our best family friends. He was a one-off, was John: no Oxbridge education, but a gift for teaching that no expensive college course can give. My girls adored him, and we holidayed together, partied together and enjoyed life together.

God bless, John ~ you were one of a kind and you'll be sorely missed not only by your family and ours, but by countless ex-Raglan Primary kids who all adored you.

Arthur and Guinevere ~ a sideways look

Something that's always intrigued and fascinated me was the story of Arthur and Guinevere (or Gwenhwyfar as she's known in Wales). He was an old man, she a young woman, and that fact alone contributed so much to the tragedy of their lives. So when I grew up and became a writer, I decided to write a series of books with the Arthurian story as a background~ and Merlin as a main character because I love (and believe in) magic.

The series begins for readers aged 7-10 with three books "Gwydion and the Flying Wand"; "Magic Maldwyn" and "Betsan the Brave". It continues for children aged 10-15 with "The Magic Apostrophe"; "The Island of Summer" and "Dragonson". Then, for 13-16 year olds (and many much older ~ you'd be amazed at the fan letters I get!) "Who Me?"; Me and My Big Mouth!" and "Dragons and Decisions". Then comes, for 13-16 again, "Nobody Asked Me!", in which the protagonist, Tanith, mistakenly arrives in Camelot. The next two books, "What Part of No Don't You Understand?" and "Tree of Light" complete the series. I've loved writing them ~ and I know people like reading them.

Those aren't the only books, either ~ there are many, many more.

Tuesday...packing

I think I'm talking to myself ~ nobody is reading me at all, at least, not on the blog ~ on the books, however, that's a different story.

Most upset last weekend to discover that the TV film "Framed" was taken from the book that one of mine BEAT to an award in 2006... BBC Wales, what about me, please? Enjoyed the film, though, but thought Trevor Eve/ Eddie Shoestring a bit long in the tooth to pull Eve Myles! Maybe it was Power and Influence that was the attraction!

Packing today for our trip to Rome...

More when I get back!

Bookshelf

Since we're living in France, English language books are hard to come by, but luckily there's an enterprising Brit who has opened up a book exchange about 60 miles away. So we have a day out at the local market, swap books (50 cents a book if you take books back to exchange, 3 euros each otherwise). So we now have books to read for a week or two, and I got an oyster opener in the market so that Himself can open oysters without maiming himself.

Wish I liked oysters ~ they are virtually no calories, but since they look like snot, there's no way I could swallow one, ever. Prawns and langoustines, now, fantastic, but sadly I'm allergic to crab. Also to moules, but since I loathe them anyway (fishy rubber bands) no loss there. I've just eaten a very frugal lunch because I need (oh, how I need!) to lose some weight. The trouble with French life is that Lunch is Important. When Himself was working I'd often skip lunch, or just have a Ryvita, but now he's retired, it's a daily ritual. And there's baguette, and Breton butter, and cheese, and wine ~ which is why I need to lose weight. I also don't exercise enough. Sigh.

Wenesday between the eyes

This is so embarrassing ~ I'm half way through editing my own book, and found myself sniffling at a sad bit and ~ even worse ~ wondering what happens next. I mean, I wrote the damn thing!

Still, half way through the final edit (thank God) and on course to get it off my hands before I go on holiday next week.

Now: fetch in the laundry and chicken for tea!

Fed up with editing

I'm wasting my time ~ I should be editing my historical novel (I may have found an agent :) !) and I'm blogging instead.

I normally love editing, but I've done this particular book so often (for my PhD) I'm almost fed up with it. Still like it and have faith in it, but I've been overcome by terminal laziness.

Sigh.

That's all folks ~ gotta get back to work.