2023-03-10 16:09
Dressing as a milkmaid and writing with a quill
Tips and tricks for finding inspiration as an author and learn how to use them to fuel your writing.
The thing about being an author is… Read More
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Alexandra Peel Blog
alexandra1st.wordpress.com
Blog about writing and all it entails; prose and poetry, reviews and promotions.
2023-02-03 22:12
Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me
Alexander William Kinglake in his Eothen, circa 1830
As an author, one is always being bombarded with ‘… Read More
2023-01-07 17:23
First, a belated Happy New Year, to those who follow the Gregorian calendar, (other New Year dates are available). I hope this brief update finds you well, at least health wise if not financ… Read More
2022-08-26 12:17
Pennywise courtesy of knowyourmeme.com
So you want to write a book?
You want to make money from your fiction writing?
What are the chances you will?
What percentage of authors b… Read More
2022-06-15 12:08
Idiocracy. Big Think. https://bigthink.comThis morning I was listening to a BBC Radio 4 podcast – Just One Thing with Michael Mosely. Each week he puts forward a suggestion of on… Read More
2022-04-02 17:04
Gak! [email protected]!g! Sh*g!
That’s basically my reaction to marketing. Any kind of marketing. But especially the stuff I do am supposed to do to sell my writing.
I have been reading about… Read More
2021-08-28 14:06
The Kids of God by Dave Appleby book cover
Genre: Fiction/Psychological ThrillerPub Date: 2021Length: 343 pagesKindle Edition: £1.99/Paperback Edition: £8.99
Synopsis… Read More
2021-07-27 13:00
Vintage photo curtesy of https://depositphotos.com/
Hello again, yes, it’s been a while, but hey, pandemic, etc.
Double exciting news! I did a thing – well, two things… Read More
2021-05-09 15:24
Motherdarling by Dave Appleby
Genre: FictionPub Date: 2020Length: 369 pagesKindle Edition: £0.99/Paperback Edition: £8.99
Motherdarling was a monster. Jack, her son, wa… Read More
2021-01-03 16:48
Hello! Happy New Year. And welcome to the first post of 2021.
It’s been a while, I know, but some of you will already be familiar with my haphazard, impetuous and remissful style of… Read More
2020-09-20 14:57
Heads up to my readers. I have a new Steampunk adventure now available on Amazon! Only £2.24 (Kindle) or free with Kindle Unlimited!! This is the first book in a duology.
Public… Read More
2020-07-12 12:44
To print, or not to print, that is the question, Whether ’tis nobler to self-publish or suffer the endless grind of querying.
Book written – novella actually.
Completed… Read More
2020-05-18 16:12
(Something light and fluffy for a change)
Pink Fluffy Handcuffs. Image courtesy of wattpad.pink-fluffy-handcuffs
Sex is great.
I mean you feel great doing it, and pleasantly satisfi… Read More
2020-05-03 14:11
I need to make some apologies first. It has been a long time since I posted a book review, and I feel I have somewhat let my readers down – but hey, this blog isn’t called Flaili… Read More
2020-04-21 16:53
Sorry. But it could be true.
But hey, it doesn’t matter if you don’t mind.
Just don’t try telling other people what to make, write, draw, design, sew, compose… Read More
2020-03-27 13:24
These are extraordinary times we are living in.
In fact, ‘Interesting times’. This expression is fairly well-known in England, and is often attributed to the Chinese, alth… Read More
2020-03-21 16:18
It’s here folks!
That moment that we’ve all discussed whilst watching TV shows about the apocalypse; whether zombie or otherwise. The question we all ask is: Who would you wa… Read More
2020-01-23 11:43
What’s the difference between an essay, a report and a story?
I see this question a lot from people in secondary school, Further Education colleges, and even University students! I&rs&hell…Read More
2019-12-26 16:56
V’s revolutionary speech – V for Vendetta
Many of you will be familiar with the graphic novel, or film of aforesaid, ‘V For Vendetta’, by Alan Moore. Moore is an E… Read More
2019-09-19 12:02
Which is your Pennywise?
Definition-
‘something,
especially a series of films or television programmes, that has been
restarted or revived.’
(lexico.com)
It
isn’t a n… Read More
2019-07-28 11:55
The Bastard Legion: Book 1
Genre: Sci-fiPub Date: 2017Publisher: GollanczLength: 336 pagesKindle Edition: £2.99
Synopsis
Four hundred years in the future, the most d… Read More
2019-06-12 18:29
Having an online presence seems to be increasingly important for writers. Although I can’t imagine Beatrix Potter or Joseph Conrad would have had much truck with all this social m… Read More
2019-05-10 15:34
Apparently, frugal living is a huge thing, yes it is my friends, all that wartime spirit of Make-Do-And-Mend is back with a vengeance. On Pinterest you can discover lovely little picture… Read More
2019-04-14 14:15
The Sphere of Influence, Book III. The Spherical Trust
Genre: Sci-fi Pub Date: 2018Publisher: Copperbird PressLength: 421pagesKindle Edition: £2.99
Synopsis
Bob Slicker is bac… Read More
2019-04-11 16:53
https://www.amazon.com/Last-Argument-Kings
Genre: FantasyPub Date: 2008Publisher: Gollancz, an imprint of Orion Publishing GroupLength: 536 pagesPaperback: £12.99
Publisher&rsquo&hell…Read More
2019-04-01 09:33
Good morning all.
There’s
something rather wonderful happening on Twitter this morning. In
fact, it will be a month long happening.
#indieauthors is surely on it’s way… Read More
2019-03-15 00:20
The Magician’s Sin by Alexander Thomas
Genre: Fantasy NoirPub First Date: 4th April 2019Publisher:Kyanite PublishingLength: 350 pagesPaperback: ARC copy from author for review purpo… Read More
2019-03-02 16:15
Years ago, I watched the film, The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner starring Tom Courtenay. It’s a great film, very British, very much of it’s time; made in 1962. But it ha… Read More
2019-02-19 14:04
Official Movie Poster
Genre: Drama/Sci-fi
Starring: Peter Dinklage, Elle Fanning
Released: 21 January 2018
Director: Reed Morano
Production: Automatik Entertainment, Exhibit… Read More
2019-02-04 10:58
David Oyelowo as Inspector Javert
Over
the past six weeks the BBC has been showing their latest adaptation
of Les Miserables (UK).
It seemed from the start that what a lot of people co… Read More
2019-01-25 19:17
So my dad died last week. At the time of writing this we still haven’t had the funeral. So many old people have died that the undertakers, crematoriums and churches are fully booked.
W… Read More
2019-01-07 17:05
New Year, Old You and Happy New Year to you all.
Happy New Year, dahlings.Being poorly is pretty crap. Being ill over Christmas and New Year is downright shitty. You might think that you cou… Read More
2018-12-15 12:53
We’re fast approaching the end of 2018 – has it been a good one for you? A wild ride? Productive? Or has it been a fallow year, with less accomplished than you had hoped?
I know… Read More
2018-12-03 11:16
People have been seriously divided by the new Doctor Who series; fans and critics alike.
Regular and long-term viewers will all be aware of the flurry of discussions that went on precedin… Read More
2018-11-26 16:43
Apologies for the huge gap between my last post and this – it’s been a busy time.
NaNoWriMo 2018We haven’t quite reached the end of the month – but – I have hit… Read More
2018-11-09 10:39
Its NaNoWriMo time.
For those readers not familiar with this acronym, this is – National Novel Writing Month. An annual event lasting the whole of November for writers to encourage us… Read More
2018-10-21 18:27
This is a loooonnnnnggggg post, so grab a G&T and a settle in…
So this weekend – happening now, as I write – is the Fantasycon 2018 convention. I, unfortunately, was… Read More
2018-10-12 11:20
Writers Beware!
This week I received an unsolicited e-mail from this company, FlipLoud. So what? We all get this kind of stuff. I hate it with a disproportionate vengeance. Except, I h… Read More
2018-10-01 10:10
Mind in the Gap by C.R.DudleyGenre: Science Fiction, Metaphysical, Philosophy.Pub First Date: September, 2018Publisher: Orchid’s LanternLength: 242 pagesPaperback : £7.99 (Copy f… Read More
2018-09-28 14:11
Okay. I really have to get this off my chest – so…..
If you don’t like profanity – stop reading.
If you don’t like being told what to do – stop reading… Read More
2018-09-22 15:37
With just 6 months to go until this thing we’re calling Brexit goes ahead, how’s it shaping up around the UK?
Current negotiations are, in the words of Malcolm Tucker (The Thic… Read More
2018-09-14 17:11
“I slapped a strip of duct tape over his mouth.” C.S Genre: Humorous Crime FictionPub First Date: 2001Publisher: UglyTown Publishing/Dell BooksLength: 274 pagesPaperback :… Read More
2018-09-07 11:28
Hot Lead, Cold Iron Book CoverGenre: Crime Fiction, Fantasy Fiction, Dark fantasy, Urban fantasyPub First Date: 2014Publisher: Titan BooksLength: 305 pagesPaperback : Bookdonors on Amazon (… Read More
2018-08-31 13:14
The Life and Crimes of Lockhart & Doppler
Steampunk AdventuresI forgot to mention – This:
A book, I wrote!
The Life and Crimes of Lockhart & Doppler: An Illustrated Journal of… Read More
2018-08-28 12:26
Image from https://locativeliterature.wordpress.com/sections/section-1/
Genre: Science Fantasy/CrimePub First Date: 2009Publisher: Pan BooksLength: 373 pagesPaperback : Local Lib… Read More
2018-08-15 18:03
Image curtesy of @TTRPG Twitter
You all know I write stuff. ‘Course I do, I write this blog for one. Had some stuff published. Done posts for other blog sites.
So, what’s t… Read More
2018-08-07 13:17
Who Is America? (Image curtesy of Google)
Genre: Political Satire
Starring: Sacha Baron Cohen
Release Date: 15th July 2018 (UK)
Created By: Sacha Baron Cohen
Network: ShowtimePremise:
Baron… Read More
2018-07-31 11:01
Build a blog at any age.(Image curtesy of Wikipedia)The blogosphere is an exciting space online for people to build communities and express yourself. You might be a manager of a corporation… Read More
2018-07-21 13:24
Walter Matthau as Max Goldman – in reality, I might have strangled him!So, the schools and colleges and universities of England have broken up for the summer holidays – no, not v… Read More
2018-07-04 16:48
Cultural appropriation – I’ll admit it, I’m confused.
This year, yes 2018, was the first time I came across these two words – cultural appropriation. I may have… Read More
2018-06-29 11:51
Due to current ‘heat-wave’ blogger offers shortest post.
Newspapers present information and ideas about topics – and must constantly battle with each other to gain customer… Read More
2018-06-22 14:55
The patented Cat organiser!Division of Labour
If you’re a writer, whether that be fiction, non-fiction, blogging, or similar, then you probably have a ‘real’ job too. By … Read More
2018-06-12 12:40
Secrets From The Lost BibleSecrets From The Lost Bible by Kenneth Hanson, PH.D.
Genre: Non-FictionPub Date: 2004Publisher: Council Oak BooksLength: 221 pagesPaperback : Local Library (£&hell…Read More
2018-06-05 15:56
Rant time!
Today. One day. There are 365 days in the year and we are dedicating 1, one, ONE! to raising awareness of our environment.
I find it completely and utterly mind-blowingly stupefy… Read More
2018-05-25 12:51
Update to – Writing is like…Keeping an Allotment – Jul 31, 2017
Spring has been late in arriving this year; especially in the North of England. Although there are some… Read More
2018-05-22 12:17
Currently – On Netflix (UK)
Starring – Michael C. Hall, Amanda Abbington, Audrey Fleurot, Marc Warren
Genre – Drama. Thriller
Writer – Harlan Coben
Premièred… Read More
2018-05-18 10:00
Image from The World Building InstituteWorld… Read More
2018-05-11 10:41
Toilet GraffitiWarning
You may not want to read this if – you have a sensitive nature, you haven’t eaten yet, or, you have just eaten.
Writing is much like taking a… Read More
2018-05-08 11:01
The Metric system began it’s life in 18th century France (made compulsory in 1837)
Britain adopted the Metric system in 1965 – coincidentally the year I was born – so why… Read More
2018-05-01 10:56
Storm Front by Jim Butcher &nb&hell…Read More
2018-04-27 10:55
How do I write? Let me count the ways…. [to paraphrase Elizabeth Barrett Browning]
I write from the depth of my soul and the bottom of my heart
I write daily (sort of) from dawn to d… Read More
2018-04-24 09:12
Okay, heads up people, this is going to be a short one – I have a tonne of editing to do, illustrations to make, and a cover to design – so, for your delectation I have compiled… Read More
2018-04-20 11:26
Hi folks.
So you still want to write? (you mad impetuous fools *chuckles)
What exciting times we live in, when the opportunities for writers is so huge, huger than it’s ever been, huge… Read More
2018-04-18 09:58
My first guest post for LittleZotz is up today! Yay! (For all you ‘oldies’ out there…)
Here’s the intro…
So, you’re interested in blogging? You’v… Read More
2018-04-17 11:07
Currently – On Netflix (UK)
Starring – Ted Danson, Kristen Bell
Genre – Fantasy Comedy
Writer – Michael Schur.
Premiered – September 19, 2016, on NBC
**S… Read More
2018-04-13 09:20
Genre: Fiction, HumourPub Date: 2017Publisher: HarperCollinsLength: 400 pages (PB)Paperback: £8.99
Synopsis
Eleanor Oliphant has worked in the same office for nine years. Believing she… Read More
2018-04-05 11:39
Where to Begin –
Stop Prevaricating. Easier said than done, I hear you cry. Been there, done that. I have dabbled on and off throughout my whole life (mostly off B.D – before d… Read More
2018-03-23 13:07
Imagine you are at the theatre or cinema. You quite possibly don’t come very often; it’s expensive isn’t it? You sit through the crappy adverts and trailers…the the… Read More
2018-03-20 12:23
You ‘protect’ your physical privacy – why not your electronic?We like our privacy in the UK. We build walls, fences and hedges around our homes. We pull our curtains tight… Read More
2018-03-16 13:12
Hi there!
I’m in the process of editing a novella length story, writing a short Horror piece and a short Sci-Fi piece, plus some other stuff that may (or may not) happen. But I am stil… Read More
2018-03-13 12:24
We all read, see or hear stuff that makes our mouths drop. Common sense in society in general, seems to have taken a holiday. My daughter used to regularly come home from school and then col… Read More
2018-03-02 14:27
Good Morning FollowersHow many Followers a blogger has is all relative. How many Followers actually read posts? How many bloggers and Followers communicate with each other? How current or &l&hell…Read More
2018-02-27 12:54
* WARNING *
*May contain images offensive to some people *
I had a funny conversation with friends last night. They are a married couple and were complaining about public displays of aff… Read More
2018-02-23 11:54
Running a D & D Game Is Much Like Writing a Story
I was recently asked by some young uns, how to go about playing Dungeons and Dragons.
There is literally tons of stuff out there for new… Read More
2018-02-20 14:59
The Danes have a word we do not have in English – Hygge.
How do you even say it? I hear you cry (if you’re British, or American, that is). Check out this YouTube lesson by Broen… Read More
2018-02-13 13:12
And The Winner Is…The Olympics is a time when individuals who are at the very peak of their performances, get to compete against each other for more than a medal and a trophy. There… Read More
2018-02-09 12:45
The Improbable Wonders of Moojie Littleman. Robin GregoryGenre: Fiction. YA. Historical.Pub Date: 1 November 2015Publisher: Price World Publishing Length: 294 pagesPaperback : £11.00
S… Read More
2018-02-06 11:33
Premier Pro ScreenI think I may have mentioned before I am not a young person. I have a grown up daughter, I have some grey hairs coming through, middle-aged spread, oh, and arthritis down t… Read More
2018-02-02 12:40
I have been running this blog for, hmm let’s see, just under 2 ½ years.
What has changed?
Well, my writing has improved, that’s for sure. I know what SEO is – I may… Read More
2018-01-30 16:55
Genre: Action Thriller
Starring: Jackie Chan, Pierce Brosnan
Based on: The Chinaman, 1992 novel by Stephen Leather
Release Date: 30 Sept. 2017
Director: Martin CampbellProduction… Read More
2018-01-26 15:56
Some basic advice for students…
As a Media Student, you will be asked to complete a number of videos. Music videos, Presentation Techniques and Documentaries (more than one; yes)
Havi… Read More
2018-01-23 12:29
or – In Praise Of Good Men.
There has been a LOT of negativity in the news and social media recently about men and the awful things some of them have done. It is quite right; I believe… Read More
2018-01-19 11:50
“Women are irrational, that’s all there is to that!There heads are full of cotton, hay, and rags!They’re nothing but exasperating, irritating,vacillating, calculating, agi… Read More
2018-01-17 19:52
Here’s my latest post as guest content writer for the School For Autism Blog – Chikitsya. If you’ve been following this series, you will be familiar with the object of… Read More
2018-01-16 10:53
I am currently editing and compiling a series of my own short stories.
No! No more editing, I can’t take it anymore!They were begun in 2014, when I first became involved in the world o… Read More
2018-01-12 18:38
Genre: Crime, Thriller, MysteryPub Date: 9 Nov. 2017Publisher: HutchinsonLength: 288 pagesHardback: £12.99
Synopsis
“ Abby Williams returns to the small town where she grew up. N… Read More
2018-01-09 14:03
Okay, I’m going to get this off my chest once and for all. I have not spoken about parenting before. But I can’t bear it anymore; so many stories I hear about child rearing infur… Read More
2018-01-03 16:25
Happy New Year to all my readers. Yeah I’m late, so sue me! Let’s hope it’s a goodie!
Do you chaps make New Years resolutions? I’m not sure if this is just a western… Read More
2017-12-15 16:37
It’s that time of year again folks!
I was thinking, as I wrote my cards this year, how is it, that we live in a world of E-mails, Text Messaging, Snapchat, Twitter, Virtual Reality, et… Read More
2017-12-12 14:31
Each year, members of Wirral Writers pen a short Christmas themed story each. The only rules are – it has to be between 500 and 600 words, and Christmas orientated.
Each year I post my… Read More
2017-12-08 14:00
“Did you say the e word?!”I finished writing my story today, HURRAH! Yes, the one I was doing for NaNoWriMo, that I did not complete in the time-frame; 1st to 30th November.
But… Read More
2017-11-28 09:34
During a storm in Nottinghamshire, in 1558, a child was carried off in the winds.
Ghyll is Old Norse for deep ravine.
You could be engaged at 7 years of age – in the 16 and 17th centu… Read More
2017-11-21 12:59
Google Digital Garage, free digital marketing training and certification
Google Digital GarageA lot of the information included in Digital Garage is not relevant to myself as a writer, beca… Read More
2017-11-17 17:17
NaNo turns the spectator into the actor – the reader into the writer – the internal dialogue is expanded for all.
For anyone who has ever thought about writing a novel, implying… Read More
2017-11-14 11:16
migraine (n.) late 14c., megrim, from Old French migraigne (13c.), from vulgar pronunciation of Late Latin hemicrania “pain in one side of the head, headache,” from Greek hemikra… Read More
2017-11-10 17:53
In the mid 80s I went to a Polytechnic (now a University! Of course it is, aren’t they all) to study Fine Art. Whilst there, I met my future husband who not only taught me patience, th… Read More
2017-11-07 11:48
NaNoWriMo 2017Good Morning WriMo’s,
This is my 2nd year at NaNo. Last year I started a sci-fi novel, reached my 50,000 word count and continued it – it is still progressing, has… Read More
2017-11-03 14:08
‘Covering four specific horror-related themes: Halloween, ghost stories, nautical terrors, and cosmic horror, The Asterisk Anthology: Volume 1, brings readers eight extraordinary tales… Read More
2017-10-27 14:18
I know I mis-spelt the word in the heading! Irritating? Confusing? Not as much as the following will be…
I guess you have to be born in Britain to fully understand the peculiarit… Read More
2017-10-20 13:05
I am currently studying ‘An Introduction to Screen-writing‘( University of East Anglia) with FutureLearn – an online digital education platform. For me, being able to conti… Read More
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