Getting Past the Wall

Sooner or later every author hits that proverbial wall and gets stuck with their writing. Lately, I've been stuck on a plot and nothing seems to work to get it moving again. The solution? Find something to do that is far from writing so you can go back to it with a fresh look.

I've been workin on a baby afghan and finally got it finished up with another project in mind. There's a new pattern (new to me at least, but the technique isn't new) I've been dying to try out. So last night I got out a pair of knitting needles and a skein of yarn that was only good for practicing on, and I set to work.

(My fictional hero is giving me the silent treatment.)

One thing I don't like about knitting in rows is having to turn the work every time you get to the end of the row. It's especially a pain if you're working with more than one skein because every time you turn the work, the yarns get twisted. I'd heard about a way to purl stitches so you don't have to keep turning your work. It was frustrating at first since I couldn't follow the video (it was on my laptop) and I finally gave up on it. I put the work aside and picked up the book I've been reading. Suddenly I had one of those 'aha' moments and went back to the knitting. The purl stitches were so easy I wondered how I could have been so dim-witted and unable to figure it out earlier. But figure it out I did and managed to get a few rows done.

(In my eyes, said hero isn't looking quite so heroic with his attitude. He's still ignoring me for whatever reason. I can do the same.)

When I was satisfied I had the 'reverse' purl down pat, I turned my attention to the other stitch I wanted to learn. The pattern is called 'entrelac' and looking at the instructional chapter of the book I was using, I was amazed at all the different ways it could be done. I'd only seen it done in knit/purl. It looks something like a basketweave but is done differently. Craft directions don't always make sense to me so I have to read it, one stitch at a time until I see the results.

The sample called for twenty-four stitches but I added on a few more and made it thirty-two. All the better to see how it shapes up. The first directions are for setting up the triangles for the bottom edge. Because of the way it's done it's bunched up and you don't get a really good look but it's enough to know if you've succeeded. The corner triangle was a wee bit more challenging but I had to give myself a pat on the back for getting that done as well. 

Wow!  Two techniques in one night. That's a record for me.

As to the writing... Have I figured out yet what's wrong with the current plot? Nope. The hero's still refusing to say anything. I suppose I can either stand in front of this wall and wait for him to express himself, to discuss his problems.  Or I can ignore it and him in favor of working on something else entirely.

All I can say is, he'd better start talking soon or he's going to find himself being replaced by a more co-operative hero.

Meet Pauline Holyoak

 Meet, award - winning, Canadian author, Pauline Holyoak 

Read about her, “spine-chilling trilogy.” It was inspired by her own experiences at a remote little cottage near Stonehenge. Merryweather Lodge

 

“This author paints each page with fantasy, colorful characters, and haunting events that would light up a movie screen.”

           

 I grew in Southeast England, in a coal mining village lovingly nicknamed, “The place that time forgot.” Go to my website, click on ‘Articles’ and find out why.  I immigrated to Canada when I was 21 in search of adventure and a new life.  I currently live in Alberta with my sports crazy husband, adorable sheltie dog and cantankerous ginger cat. I am the proud mother of two grown children and one adorable grandchild.

I immigrated to Canada, when I was 21. I came in search of adventure and a new life.

 

     As far back as I can remember the pen and paper have been my faithful companions and story telling my forte. As a child I would sneak away from the mundane adult world, find a private retreat (usually behind the garden shed) and imagine. There in my own little sanctuary I'd conjure up all kinds of intriguing tales and colorful characters. In my teen years my journal became my confident, revealing all my hidden secrets, private fantasies and wild notions within its pages. Later I started to write poems, articles and short stories, and pondered the thought of becoming a writer.
     When I moved to Canada I buried my dreams under layers of real life clutter. I chose a safe and practical career in child care, married and raised a family. But my creative spirit kept trying to dig its way out. I was asked to write articles and editorials for our local church. I taught a story time class at the school, which lead me to writing a children's book. I wrote an article about my husbands' prestigious grandfather and sent it to our local newspaper. They printed it. I kept sending them articles, they kept printing them. I was surprised by the compliments I received from the editor and readers. It was evident to me then that I had excavated my creative spirit.
      I decided to take a comprehensive writing course to improve my technique. With help from a proficient and supportive tutor, who told me I had a gift, I began to cultivate my skill. My articles started to sell and I received an assignment from a major Canadian magazine.

           

      The first book in my Merryweather Lodge trilogy was the Readers Favorite 2011 Silver Award Winner for paranormal fiction. I have also written two children’s books and had twenty five articles and editorials published.

 

I often get asked. “What inspired you to write this trilogy?”…

 

      Every summer, when I was a child, we would visit my aunt and uncle at their quaint little cottage on Salisbury Plain. It was called Scotland Lodge and was situated not far from the historical Stonehenge. My uncle worked as a farm hand for the local squire. My aunt tended the manor house. It was there as I roamed free, deep within the English countryside, that I experienced joy, enchantment and some very strange and frightening occurrences. It was like a fairytale kingdom with a sinister twist. The memories of my summers at Scotland Lodge stayed with me, as a sort of nagging unsolved mystery all my life. A few years ago I revisited my childhood wonderland (the old place still emanates a strange and eerie essence) and was led by some mysterious force into concocting this story and writing this trilogy. It is from my mystifying experiences at Scotland Lodge that this story has emerged.

 

Blurb: It’s Christmastime at Merryweather Lodge. Emily has returned to the old cottage from her home in Canada; after the untimely death of someone she loved. Will she be able to celebrate a traditional English Christmas in her aunts enchanting little cottage or will she be tormented by the hideous creature, again? Was Emily’s attempt to banish her unearthly adversary successful? Will her aunt disclose the secrets she has been concealing for so many years? What will happen when Emily’s best friend comes to visit her? What secrets will she reveal? Will Emily ever get to make love to the man of her dreams?  A chilling tale of love, passion, sorcery and sacrifice; laced with mystery and tied with humor.

 

 Excerpt: I heard voices, lots of voices, some in a language I didn’t understand. “Find her you imbeciles. She has come back and she cannot escape. There is nowhere for her to go.” I recognized that voice but - could be - ? Shadows of screaming vultures circled overhead. The air was crisp and biting.  I moved back from the stone and gazed around the area. The ancient monoliths were smooth and uniform, in a perfect circle. Fires inside the circle lit the sky and the air reeked of wood smoke, sweet herbs, and death. I rose from the ground and peeked around the blue stone. There were clusters of people - some in long white robes, others wore dark hooded cloaks.  One of the groups closest to me was performing some sort of slaughtering ceremony. I cringed at the gruesome site. 

 

      Merryweather Lodge – A quaint little cottage, steeped in history, shrouded in secrets, its aura a paradoxical essence of heaven and hell. Come with me to the West Country in England and experience my protagonist’s strange and eerie journey there.

Merryweather Lodge – Ancient Revenge and Merryweather Lodge – Malevolent Spirit

Available at  www.whiskeycreekpress.com – www.amazon.com – www.amazon.co.uk

Visit Pauline at her website www.paulineholyoak.com Book three coming soon…   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Things You Learn At a Wake

In spite of the title, this isn't going to be a morbid point of view. Rather it's an observation and a recent surprise.

Growing up I attended wakes of family friends. Back then, you paid your respects to the family before you sat quietly in the funeral parlor. When you spoke, it was in whispers and mostly in reference to the dearly departed.

Now things and attitudes have greatly changed. You still pay your respects to the family, but the gathering is more a celebration of life. You get reacquainted with family and friends you haven't seen in years. You learn of marriages, how the next generation is all grown up and there are new grandkids. (That can make you feel old.) You share 'Remember when' moments and recall other family members who are gone. There were two passings in my family in two weeks' time. The second passing brought together cousins and other relatives we hadn't seen since we were children.

As it turns out, one of those cousins has an interest in geneology and enough curiosity to do a bit of a search on the female side of the family. Armed with a swab for DNA this cousin found out some interesting facts about our ancestry.

We always knew our family came from Azorean background but I always wondered if maybe there was something more. The writer in me imagined there was. Usually, you discover this sort of thing while you're still young but sometimes you don't know where the information can be found when your sources no longer exist. (At least, that's the understanding.) Every kid is curious about their family. When I was quite young, people used to ask if I was Mexican. No, I assured them I was strictly of Portuguese descent. Imagine my surprise when I found out differently.

From what this cousin discovered, our mothers' (sisters) lines carry genetics of English, Irish, and a bit of Hungarian. There's also some pirate ancesters which could explain the Algerian blood in the family. I'd love to know if any of those pirates were famous. How neat would that be? With more background information, I could have a field day with story creation.

I've written medieval romance set in England but have never written anything about Irish. Maybe it's time to change that. As fascinating and informative as this revelation has been, I have one thing more to say about it...

What! No Scots?

It's Nathan's Turn

Meet Nathan Granger, the hero of Fool's Gold and the only man who manages to get under Candace's skin. Read what he has to say about Candace and life in general.

I'm a blacksmith...or at least I used to be before everything was taken from my family. Nobility tends to do that. They take from those they don't like and give to their favorites. It's hard to find work when you no longer have your tools. Fortunately for me, I have other skills as well, so I manage to find other work here and there to keep body and soul together.

In spite of the hardships, nothing pleases me more than to cause problems for Baron Lynsdale. He's responsible for the loss of my father's trade, and as a result, mine as well. It seems I complicated his day when I overheard a conversation going on in the kirk. After what I'd heard, I thought I'd interfere and make a bit of trouble for the baron by laying claim to his bride-to-be. That in itself would have been entertaining but it seems I got more than I expected. The baron doesn't often fight to get back something that's taken from him. He is more the kind to wait and exact retribution when it suits him. But there's something about this woman that has him looking for ways to get her back. And he seems rather desperate to succeed.

Candace is the prickly type. I see it as a means of protecting herself, from what I'm not sure, besides the baron. She's been talking about some gemstones. I've heard about them but I've never believed in their existence. But if they don't exist, why is the baron so determined to get Candace back? She certainly isn't the home and hearth kind of woman. And a nobleman would never think to wed a scullery maid. She can't even cook. She's totally lacking in the skills every woman learns at her mother's side. The only thing she seems to know how to do with any skill, is get into trouble.

Life has suddenly become rather interesting and eventful but I shouldn't say too much. I can tell you that there's an unexpected revelation that will, in due course, be made known. It will make important changes in our lives. I could lose everything that's come to matter to me, but it's Candace's decision. What will she choose?

Meet Candace McAvoy

Candace McAvoy is the heroine of the second book in the McKinley's Jewel series. See what she has to say about her adventure in the past.

First off, I wouldn't call myself a heroine. I got caught in the past and can't find a way back to my own time. In my time I'm known for being a big flirt. I admit it's got me into some trouble but I don't let that bother me. I know exactly where to draw the line and I never let anyone cross it. I haven't figured out what I'm looking for. I only know what it is I don't want. You'd think that in itself would be a help but it hasn't been.

I've been stuck in the past for a couple months now and that Baron Lynsdale has been trying to get information from me that I don't have. He thinks I'm hiding the McKinley jewels. It doesn't matter that he has no rights at all to them but as long as he thinks I know where they are he's not about to leave me alone. I'd rather stay in the kitchen where I've been working as a scullery maid (not my choice of occupation) than have anything to do with him. (This place could use a social director)  Of course, the choice isn't mine and I'm about to get married. Can you picture me, a modern gal, tied to an overweight, overbearing member of the nobility? Not on your life, but trapped as I am between him and his brother-in-law who happens to be the current laird...I don't see a way out of this mess.

Of course, the hero comes along just in the nick of time. I have to admit, he's a good looking guy in spite of his rough edges. I wouldn't call him handsome, but if he can get me out of this mess, it would be a first. I've never had a man defend me before and I should have known better. Nate Granger is like all the rest of them. He's got his ulterior motive too. How do I keep getting into these messes?

Like it or not, I'm stuck with Granger. The only advantage is that at the moment he's the lesser of two evils. Now if I could get free of him and find my way back to my own time. I'd be thrilled. But you know what they say about being careful what you wish for?

You'll have to read Fool's Gold to find out if I manage to escape the past, and Nate with it. I can tell you this. There are a couple unexpected surprises in the story.

Down Time? What Is It?

Down time. At some point, everybody needs down time to take a break from what they do. It recharges our batteries, rejuvenates our thought processes and generally promotes over all well being. Most people will do something entirely different from their life's work, like take a trip, work in a garden, read a book or just veg in front of the television.

So what makes writers so different? We spend a great deal of time writing, then look to do something else for a short time so the brain can take a much needed break. What do we do? For the most part we get involved in something else creative. Granted, it isn't writing but it's still creative.

Have you ever looked at an author's bio? Or if you've created one for yourself have you looked--really looked--at the information you've written? Have you noticed how similar your information is to that of other authors? It's uncanny.  Or is it? It just varies on the way we approach it.

When I'm not writing, I'm doing something in craft work. Right now I'm working on some shawl/lap afghans for some friends of mine, trying to come up with a simple, light weight pattern. After a few tries I finally hit on something that works. Then there's the "crib-size" quilt (covers the top of a twin bed) I've been quilting. I have to get it finished before I can get started on the full size one I want to make for my son and his future wife. Then there are the two afghans that are still in pieces and have to be sewn together for an auction in late April. Before these projects are finished, I'll have a list of new ones I'll be itching to get to. Then late at night I might spend an hour or so reading and even then the writer section is still working.

It seems like the creative side of our brains never truly gets any rest. Even in sleep we dream of plots and characters. What if our creative brain is divided into compartments? Each one has a little man who is assigned a specific task. When one or two are working, the rest of them might get break time...or more likely they're taking notes.  Have you ever noticed how you can be doing one thing and the writer compartment will always find a way to intrude? Well, maybe intrusion is a little harsh but let's face it. That part of us doesn't have the simplest understanding of what it means to take a break.

Then again, if we were able to shut down, even temporarily, consider all the great, weird, complex, crazy, ideas that might never be thought of or the plots that might never be created. Down time? We might need it but our actions and interests for the most part say we're not particularly concerned. Down time is mainly for those who have yet to get a handle on multi-tasking (another creative sport) but sooner or later the majority of us manage to live with only a hint of it.

Have you had your down time today?

Resolutions vs Goals

Every year between Christmas and New Year's, (usually not till New Year's Eve for us procrastinators) most folks are thinking about the resolutions they plan to make. There are the typical... to lose weight, find a job, or a better one if you're fortunate to still be working. I used to make about the same ones every year and hope that the new year would see me keeping those resolutions. It never fails...the resolutions fall by the wayside before two months of the new year are gone. There's just something about making resolutions to yourself that don't always work out.

My Oxford Word Finder defines resolution as "a thing resolved on; an intention".  In place of resolution we could use words such as: commitment, pledge, promise, word of honor, oath, vow, undertaking, obligation, intention.  Every one of them evokes determination to achieve some kind of result. Give me a few weeks and I'll have forgotten what the resolutions were, never mind my failure to keep them. The next step is guilt setting in. You know what they say about good intentions...

So I got to thinking there had to be a better way. I thought about setting goals. After all, we don't set resolutions as writers...we set goals. Is there a difference? I believe there is.  Going back to my trusty Word Finder, a goal is described as: "the object of a person's ambition or effort; a destination; an aim. Other words we could use might be: object, aim, purpose, end, objective, target, ambition, ideal, aspiration.

Comparing the two, I find I like setting goals better. Resolutions sound like gavel-pounding promises that will come back to bite you if you fail to keep them. There's just something about goals that doesn't seem so harsh, or hard to keep. If you fail them, it's more like "I'll have to try harder next time," and there's no real 'guilt' attached.

Last year was the first time I tried goal setting, and although I only set one I was pleased to have achieved it. This year I'm doing it again and set a couple more. I expect one goal will be much easier to reach than the second but they're still goals.

In conclusion...I resolve, to the best of my ability, to achieve the goals I have set.