Saturday 22 March 2014

IN YORK WITH THE SAFKHET AUTHORS

It was a great day spent in York, but not a lot of time for much sightseeing, although, I looked in fascination at the ancient stone wall as we walked from the station. "Its the bar wall" my friend Samantha told me "built to keep the Romans out".  As we walked over the bridge, that crossed the river Ooz, there was a ferry boat moored alongside the footpath - "Thats called The Judi Dench Walk" Samantha informed me proudly, for Judi was also a Yorkshire girl like herself. We walked through the bustling narrow streets to find the restaurant where we were to meet Safkhet authors, stopping in the square to listen to a band that played rock music.  The lunch at the Jamie Oliver restaurant was organised by Lin Treadgold who was one of the authors and had written a popular novel called "Henrietta Street".  We was not sure what authors would be there, but once inside this restaurant, I was pleased to see a couple of familiar faces, that I had seen on face/book.  Upstairs in the restaurant, we  sat at a long table, under a tall window where the sun streamed in and in the corner sat Marilyn Chapman, who I knew from her blogs as the Guernsey Girl and thinking she had come all the way from Guernsey, was to find out she now lived in the north of England.  Marilyn was a journalist and had written a book entitled "baggypants and booties" published by Safkhet and we shared the same publication day, for both our books came out on Valentines Day.  Next to her sat Irene Soldaris, who was the author of the book "Bad Bishop" and another author I was pleased to meet in person. There was lots of talk about during the meal, all having a lot in common as fellow authors with Safkhet and the meal was enjoyable. The Italian food was served by pleasant young people, whose attire was reminiscent of the school uniform, with shirts and ties and on the wall a blackboard displayed the |Jamie Oliver cocktail list.,  There was no mistaking it was his restaurant, there were lines of his books on shelves, some with his smiling face.  And just like the medieval town itself, built with ancient stone, his restaurant was built in the same style, with a labyrinth of different rooms, where food was served from an open kitchen, behind a long bar.  So dining in this Jamie Oliver Italian restaurant, was a real treat, especially now I am a Safkhet author myself, with my novel "Queen of the Harbour" and I took the opportunity to give out my -hand out cards - as us authors do.  After the meal, together with Lin Treadgold, Irene Soldaris and Marilyn Chapman, I had my photograph taken.  It was certainly some photo - with the four safket authors together. It was taken by Samantha - she herself, is not yet published, but hopefully that wont be long off, especially now her book "Raven Heart" is edited and ready to be sent out into the world of publishing.  I really enjoyed my day at York, despite the fact, there was not much time for seeing places of interest, like the Viking Museum, as we were travelling back that evening.  but after the lunch with Lin and Samantha I went inside the York Minster, that beautiful cathedral, built in the shape of a cross.  its sheer size and splendour, was a joy to see. We also got time, to walk in the museum gardens and see the daffodils in bloom. We had purchased some peanuts to feed the squirrels, although it was the pigeons, who got most of them, one with white tail feathers, even landed on my lap as I sat on the bench.  But despite the spring scene in the park, there was a shower of rain. There was just time for a quick look at the ruins, but getting wet, rushed away.  Although, the heavy shower seemed soon over as we went back through the town and from behind a tall building, there was a glimpse of a bright rainbow.

Thursday 13 March 2014

TELLING THE DOCTOR

Now that SAFKET publishing have brought out my book Queen of the Harbour, I am beginning to get used to the cover with its lovely bright colours. I know my friend liked it, as she discussed it with me after reading some of it.  She was in giggles as she spoke about my heroine Neaves calamities, telling me she couldnt wait to read the rest, so that cheered me up and yesterday I found myself chatting away to the doctor at the hospital about my book. The poor doctor at the time was stitching up my hand and because I needed some destraction from the pain, I found myself chatting ten to the dozen about - Queen of the Harbour. The doctor just gave a little grin and said "you just keep on talking"  as if he was glad that I had some distraction and I wasnt making a fuss.  But the five stitches, he put in my hand, were very neatly done by him and at least I got a chance to advertise my book, although I can think of betters ways of doing it.  But even the pleasant nurse, whose hand I grabbed as the needle went in, she was smiling away as I chatted about the publication, although I`m not exactly a famous author.  But never mind,  the nurse was beaming and I`d give the medical team top marks for the care and attention. Although, today I am typing away and I`m supposed to be resting it - but with my Queen of the Harbour out now, for the world to see, there`s no stopping me!

I would like to tell you about my book.....THE QUEEN OF THE HARBOUR.....that is being published by SAFKHET.... and I am proud to say is coming out on line on Valentines Day.  I wrote this story many years ago, as often is the case and I was beginning to wonder if it was going to get old fashioned, yes! even writing about the nineties can be old fashioned - would you believe.  But its not exactly history, although one has to be careful - that it does not become - what you call dated.  Anyway, I wrote this when I was - lets say mooching about Spain.  I was in my early forties and spending much time there and met so many interesting people, that as I read the story again, I feel their presence - wonderful colourful people.  It was a magical time and when I speak to friends today who knew those times, they say - its not the same anymore.  So when I was back at home, I wrote stories about this place and those times and of course the romance that I experienced.  It kind of bought a lot back as I was writing and only a few days ago found myself looking up old photo`s and thinking about those romantic times...Oh well - nice to dream again, but no names mentioned.  The Queen of the Harbour is coming out tomorrow and is a story that stands on its own. I delved into my imagination as well as my past experiences and came up with the story.  The character of Neave, perhaps she is someone we would all like to be like, if we had her courage, for she ran away and ended up living the life she wanted.  Something I dont think many of us have the courage to do. Nevertheless, my Neave did and she also took the lovers she wanted and still ended up being - a Queen of the Harbour.   But in my story we see what a courageous girl she is, as she handles the storm at sea and helps bring back the two girls from Morocco to a better life, for unlike me Neave can handle a boat, she can also swim like a mermaid. So perhaps you would like to see how she arrived at her destination of attaining her hearts desire, for she is in the prime of her life, beautiful and the world is her oyster.  When I wrote about the sea, I did not know one end of a boat from another, but on picking up a book at a second hand shop, I found it was written by a man called Tristan Jones - (born at sea aboard a british ship off the island of Tristan da Cunha.  The book was entitled "The Incredible Voyage". He had crossed the Atlantic eithteen times undersail, nine times alone.  Reading his story, taught me about boats and the winds at sea and I was able to write about the storm as the girls sailed their cabin cruiser across the Gibraltar Straits. In my story there are three women, going to fetch back from Morocco two young girls and we see the many dangers they all experience.  But although Neave finds Romance, she will no longer let any man hold her down. For she was a down trodden women, who has broken free and is happy to be a Queen of the Harbour.