The SIX word novel

                                                          

Neigh, #7 here,

I am back with you. I hope you all had a nice Easter. I have been looking in Lady M's archives and found one about six word novels. It started with Ernest Hemingway over a bet. He won. I like winners. I thought I would share it with you as it may be something you would like to do during lockdown. Stay positive, happy and safe.

Lady M challenged peeps to write their own six word novels. Below are the examples she gave you. I am trying this. It is fun.

1. Eager driver jumped lights. Funeral Thursday.

2. Hungry mouse smells cheese in trap.

3. New hobby: texting while driving. CRASH!

4. Racing against time. Time won. Farewell.

5. Stopped. Looked. Did not see it.

6. Panic. Disaster. Chain reaction. Disaster. Panic.

7. Had a drink. Then another... And?

8. Switch on. Beautiful illuminations. Power cut.



If you want to read all about me and my fellow equine in #thesinginghorses visit The Singing Horses | Book| Austin Macauley Publishers or you Amazon Market Place.

Love #7 🐴🐎🐴🐎

 

The 'Sofia' Trilogy

Howde Folks,

This week Donald and I thought we would tell you more about ourselves and where we can be found. Donald was my brother-in-law when we were downstairs but, I confess, we were rather naughty and began an affair. Well, if you had been married to his twin brother, Derek, you would understand why. Now, after we were both unfortunate victims of accidents, we are together in the afterlife and spend our time (although time does not exist here) keeping an eye on our family downstairs. Lady M wrote about us in her trilogy and she talks of them below.

Have a great week my friends and stay clear of the dreaded lurgy.

All our love, Donald and Sofia xxxx

Hello Everyone,

The first of the 'Sofia Trilogy', Look After Each Other

The idea for this book was to interweave three things. The inspiration, once again, came from events in my life. I once had the misfortune to meet a gentlemen whose sole aim in life was to complain and find fault. I have always had a strong relationship with my father and thirdly, have visited clairvoyants/mediums. What if? Could I work with a plot involving these three ideas and a lot of 'what if's?  It worked!

"Sofia Haslington is a 36-year-old mother and housewife kept under the thumb of her priggish, anal-retentive husband, Derek. Living by a second-to-second timetable and under strict rules enforced by her husband, Sofia decides to visit a well-respected clairvoyant, hoping for a bit of respite from her otherwise dreary existence. But what she is surprised to learn that day not only changes her life...it changes her.
Sofia, now planning to die on March 5th 2005, writes a "Do or Die" list and, with a renewed sense of spirit, unleashes the bad girl hidden deep down inside. From breaking the Ten Commandments to exploring the marvels of Tantric sex, Sofia goes on a liberating journey of body, mind, and spirit, relishing every last minute she has left on this earth. Women everywhere will laugh, cry, and cheer as Sofia counts down her final moments, making each one more memorable and enjoyable than the last." (Blurb from SBP edition)

I self-published this book in 2007. Later, in 2009, it was republished by the American Strategic Book Publishers in hardback. Both editions (paper/softback and hardback) are still available worldwide on Amazon, The Internet and the hardback edition from good bookshops. The paperback edition is ISBN 9780953945139. The hardback edition is ISBN 9781608600946. Both may be obtained from Internet sites or signed copies from myself. Just leave a message below.

The second of the trilogy, Sofia's Legacy

Sofia's Legacy  answers the question," Is there 'life' after death?" Sofia has died, but come back from "upstairs" to watch her funeral. What a revelation! To be able to see and hear what people were saying about her now that she was dead and they had no idea she could see and hear them. And Derek? Well, if ever there was a hypocrite it's Derek. Her father, Scott was with her and while Derek was, (trying to be the centre of attention), reading a passage from 1 Corinthians at the crematorium, Scott blew smoke rings in his face. He tried to shout above the smoke rings. It was hilarious. You really have to read it to fully appreciate it.  After the service Scott and Sofia joined them for the wake at Haslington Towers.

Sofia becomes accustomed to her new life in a world where time does not exist but where they keep an eye on events "downstairs" and try to help or hinder things. She manages to complete the 'do-or-die' list. Donald and she have many exciting adventures together. They also repeat some of the most enjoyable events; that's another advantage to being deceased or having passed over, because time doesn't exist  experiences may be repeated.

I'm afraid I'm not going to tell you anything else. Just read the book.

SOFIA'S LEGACY (ISBN 9781609763800)  Just email: marilynlrice@talktalk.net for further details or you can download on Kindle and all eBooks. Just put the title or ISBN in Amazon, B & N, bookshops on line or Search Engine. It is also available in paperback/softback from Amazon and Internet sites, all good bookshops or order it from your local library... all you need is the ISBN. Finally, purchase from me!

And, completing the trilogy, Love You Forever

Five years have passed. It is 2010. The reader sees how dramatic and unimaginable events have changed the lives of everyone Sofia left behind at Haslington Towers. Even more surprising events occur that lead to devastating consequences. You really will have to read it! I am not going to give anything else away!
But to quote from the blurb,
 "This stunning book series delves into karma, the afterlife, and more things in heaven and earth than you have ever dreamed!"

ISBN: 9781631353659     Soft/Paperback.

Available from Publisher’s Website: http://sbprabooks.com/MarilynLRice   Amazon, online retailers and good bookshops.

Or SIGNED COPIES from the Marilyn L Rice: Email: marilynlrice@talktalk.net.

Happy Reading! Love Lady M xxxx

The Reading Challenge!

Hello Everyone,

Lady M here. I hope you've enjoyed my two January posts and they've cheered you up through what is traditionally a depressing time of year. I went to the library on Monday and they told me that next week they are having the town crier at the door greeting peeps with the traditional, "hear ye..." and announcing news. This is a novel way of brightening up what has become known as Blue Monday, the day when most people are depressed. Does that mean no one is depressed at any other time of the year? According to Wikipedia this term began in 2005 and only applies to the Northern Hemisphere. It is a gloomy title given to the third Monday in January and is due to a combination of post Christmas blues, the weather and arrival of unpaid credit bills. 

Well, what Lady M says is the glass is half full, stay positive and look forward to good times ahead. Happiness comes from within and we need to find our own ways of surviving dark days. This week I would like to share with you something I have found and am participating in. It has helped lift the January blues. I am taking the Penguin Reading Challenge. I believe other publishing houses, like Random House, are also offering challenges. It's a simple thing to do if you love books and reading... just sign up for it and tick one or more categories. They email you a list of books each month throughout the year. I'm not totally naïve, I know that it is really a marketing opportunity and the main idea is to see a rise in sale figures but there are wonderful places called libraries where you can obtain them for free, read them and return them.

https://www.penguin.co.uk/articles/2020/the-penguin-reading-challenge.html

There are four categories as below. What could be easier?

Expand my mind

• Writing to help you learn more about the world and delve into topical issues 

Keep up with the big hits

• Discover the popular writers and bestselling books that everyone’s talking about

Read the books I've always meant to

• Tick off your literary bucket list and read the books that are called classics for a reason

Discover the best contemporary writing

           Read stories, poetry, essays and more  from critically-acclaimed writers.

So far, I've found an interesting concept on time by reading The Order of Time by Carlo Rovelli. I am moving on to another Sophie Kinsella novel and A Stranger in the House by Shari Lapena. I am familar with Sophie Kinsella's work but the other two are new authors to me and I would not have found them without doing this challenge. It is important that we open up our eyes to new opportunities. Please let me know if you choose to join me in this challenge or if you have discovered new ideas for surviving January but remember that glass and keep smiling.

All my love, Lady Mxxx

                                       

Lady M returns and is rambling!

                                               

 

Hello Everyone,

Yes, it's Lady M here back from her jollies in Cyprus. She has had 20 days of glorious sunshine and also lots of fun, boozing, snoozing and food. She has stepped on the scales on her return and declared them liars. She has warned them that if they cannot tell the truth their days are numbered and they will be in the skip. Truthful ones will replace them.

First, she would like to thank Sofia and Donald for delving into the archives and entertaining you through November. Right now, they are back in Australia and keeping an eye on the Haslington family.

This week Lady M's moods are mixed. She is dealing with the cold weather and looking out at a very drab and bleak scene. Stark, naked trees eagerly awaiting the buds of spring. Misery! She is also missing her insignificant other and thinking about the glorious sunshine she has left behind in Cyprus. Sunshine puts a smile on her face. Christmas is coming and so is 2020. It is time to reflect on the year that is almost over and try to look forward to the future whatever it may hold.

What kind of year have you had? Are you looking forward to Christmas or are you dreading it? She has bitter memories of childhood Christmases but now enjoys her turkey and television ones. She has one of those little Bernard Matthew's turkeys and cooks herself a proper Christmas dinner with trimmings and enjoys the 'soaps' and films on the television. Yes, she spends it in solitude but thinks of all those families who are arguing on that day. Christmas seems to be the time when most family arguments occur and members walk out leaving family behind them often not returning. So, if you are on your own think of that. You may well be better off on your own. If you are a part of a family be happy and enjoy what you have.

Our lives may or may not be determined for us but certain events are out of our control. How do we deal with death, disasters and misfortunes? Somehow, we must survive them and as Sofia Haslington would say, "Look forward with hope and back with gratitude." When the dark days arrive and the storms of life are upon us we must look back at the happier times to keep us going. Lady M never has regrets about anything. They take up energy and are a waste of time. What has happened has happened, get over it and move on. If you are experiencing dark days and it's winter where you are try smiling and think of log fires burning brightly, the summer warmth round the corner, the prospects of new beginnings and things that make you happy.

Until next week think of the good times!

Yours, Lady M xxx

My Easter gift to you!

Hello Everyone,

Today is Good Friday in the Christian Religion. It is the day when Christians remember how Jesus died on the Cross outside the Jerusalem City Wall. 

On Sunday the church  will celebrate the Resurrection of Christ. That first Sunday morning, when the women went to the tomb where Jesus had been hastily lain only to find the stone removed and the body missing, is celebrated. The women were anxious to anoint the body, in accordance with Jewish tradition, at the earliest opportunity. Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and other women arrived at the tomb, expecting to find it secured by a stone. Imagine their surprise, the stone rolled away and the tomb empty. Inside, a young man, wearing a white robe, spoke to them, "Do not be amazed; you seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen, he is not here; see the place where they laid him. But go tell his disciples and Peter, that he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him as he told you."
(Mark ,Chapter16, vs 6 & 7.)

Christians remember that first Sunday morning and rejoice. It is proof, that there is an eternal, afterlife or new life. Chickens, eggs, rabbits are all symbolic of new life and new hope. However, you spend this Eastertide, have a very HAPPY EASTER!

                                                       ********************

I have a little Easter gift for you. From today until Tuesday both of my eBooks are on free download from Kindle. Just pop along to Amazon Kindle and put either my name or the book title in the browser and hey I will pop up and you will be able to download either or both free of charge. You do not need to have a Kindle tablet. This modern technology enables you to download to tablets or pc's. How it works is a mystery to me!

WRITE IT! PUBLISH IT! MARKET IT!  was published in 2016 as an aide to all those who wanted to bravely hike into the publishing world...

The Blurb

"How do you publish a book? This author first self-published fifteen years ago in a different publishing climate. But, that question is one I have been asked on numerous occasions. Originally, I produced a small booklet, "Write It! Publish It! Market It!" with advice and information for going through the process from writing to marketing: what to write, copyright, editing, proof reading, typesetting/text blocking, jacket, ISBN, blurb, page numbers, pricing, printing, promoting, libraries, shops, networking, marketing. I had discovered that it was a long and complicated process with many pitfalls. Print on demand (P o D) made it easier for authors to become publishers because it was possible to have small print runs. Then the e-book arrived, a new concept in publishing. I have updated my original booklet, including appropriate websites and adding my self-publishing story plus a chapter from one of my six books. This publication may be used as guidance for aspiring authors. Good luck to all of you who enter the publishing arena with your own work."

  

Well, writing a book begins with sitting down and writing that first sentence! Procrastination is not an option!

Life is... was published in June 2017 as a result of postings on Facebook! I think that answers a popular question of where do authors get their inspiration from!

The Blurb

"I like most people on the planet, have become a great fan of social media and in particular, Facebook. During the last six months I have been posting daily. Firstly, it was 'Words of Wisdom' and then I moved on to 'Life is…' Some of my thoughts were philosophical, others humorous. Sometimes I added photographs and emojis or I dedicated certain sayings to individual people. On a couple of occasions I even added a short story telling the inspiration behind the quotation, for example…'Life is about turning left instead of right and having an adventure!'
I noticed that I was getting a lot of those 'like' clicks and friends seemed to be enjoying my humble daily offering. I had an idea… put all of my posts into a short book and publish them. I have placed one of the 'Words of Wisdom' on each page and the' Life is…' quotations follow with some illustrations, either photographs from my albums or downloads from the Net under creative commons licence. All the acknowledgements may be found at the end of the booklet after information on my books. I hope that those of you who download this will delve into it on the dark days and find that it puts the smile back on your face.
How would I describe it? Humorous, philosophical, satirical, stimulating, inspirational, illuminating, intriguing, thought-provoking, fresh, invigorating and delightful. Enjoy!"

Lady M xxxxx

                                             

He wants to read my books!

Children's Author- DEB HOCKENBERRY

DEB HOCKENBERRY

Hello Everyone,

I hope you've enjoyed my literary few weeks and maybe even risen to the challenges of six word story, flash fiction or alliteration. For my last posting on this theme I would like to repost the blog about my colleague and friend, Deb Hockenberry. Folks, Easter is next month and if you want a different gift for children why not purchase a copy?  

Giraffe wants to have a party for his friend, Chimpanzee, but there’s one problem. Where can he have the party? He turns to his three other friends for ideas. Snake, Monkey, and Elephant all have great ideas but for one reason or another, they don’t work. They think hard as they walk through Hungle Bungle Jungle trying to find the perfect place. Where can they have the party?



http://www.amazon.com/dp/1537077120. 

Deb has always wanted to write stories for children since she was a kid herself. She has taken two courses from The Institute of Children’s Literature and is a member of the online and ongoing children’s workshop, The CBI Workshop. She also won first honorable mention in the Jory Sherman Short Story Awards!

In her spare time, Deb loves to crochet, knit, and just like you, she loves to go to parties!

You can find out more about Deb at her website: http://kidztales.weebly.com. Or you can find her here:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dhockenberry1

LinkedIn: Deb Hockenberry

Twitter: @DebHockenberry

Google+: Deb Hockenberry

Until next week, have fun... Lady M