The story behind my story...

... in the new anthology, Autumn Paths...

Way back in June 2010, I was just an aspiring writer and a member of a local writing group, but I had big ideas about writing books. At that time, my strategy was to hone my skills with short fiction and then move onto longer tracts as my confidence grew.

My imagination was on a different tack.  Whilst camped in the tiny village of Cellettes, just south of Blois, I found myself in the shade, gazing at a large building on the opposite bank of the river Beuvron.  Then the building was empty but it was clear to see that it had had various uses in the past.  But it wasn't the history of the building that was drawing my attention.  It was a small attic window.

In keeping with the age of the property, which I guessed dated from the early 19th century, the window was round and set in an elegantly shaped wooden surround.  In addition, when the sunlight was in the right aspect I could just make out some pale green wall covering that I decided must be old wallpaper covered with small flowers.

That window set my imagination running.  What might have happened in that room?  Who had lived there?  What might they have seen if they had looked out?  A couple of hours later, not a single page turned in my library book, and I had a whole history and timeline for the succeeding occupants of the room.  I'd also decided what those imaginary people might have witnessed over the decades.  It wasn't a story, just a whole series of scenarios, each with its own possibilities.

Cut to the ferry in early July as I'm making my way back to the UK and my first musings had grown into a whole village of imaginary people - the baker, the butcher, the local priest and his not so holy brother, the gossip, the restaurateur and any number of others.  A community of people looking for a story.  A story I still didn't have.  These fragments remained just that for about two years.

A window of a similar design to mine

Stopping at Cellettes again, I discovered that my window had gone as part of renovation work.  It felt as though someone had ripped out a piece of my heart.  I had been so looking forward to re-acquainting myself with my imaginary people. With only my notebook and my memory I still managed to flesh out some details.  I added more characters, more scenarios and the name of Beauregard for my village.  I even came up with some possible titles for stories - I just didn't have a single cohesive narrative for a book.

Back home again and I started writing furiously.  I told myself it was a romance.  The problem was that all my scenarios involved some form of crime.  About 100 pages in, the project was abandoned and the notebook, the partially drafted novel and some pictures I'd collected were shoved in a drawer.  And there they stayed.

January 2021 comes around and, following some preliminary email chats, I was scrabbling through all my papers for my Beauregard notes.  A request for a story was all it took. Suddenly, all those disordered ideas and scenarios kind of marshalled themselves and my characters Alice, an auctioneer, and her dad Peter, a building contractor and property developer, were born.

The Bookseller's Secret Octavo, my story in the anthology, #AutumnPaths, has enabled me to work with some brilliant authors who write in other genres.  I've learned a great deal over the last few months and it's a great privilege to introduce Alice, Peter and the villagers of Beauregard to you.  Will there be more stories from Beauregard?  Perhaps.  Will there be more collaborative work with my fellow writers?  I really think there might be.

You can get the book in print or e-format on Amazon

There's more about the anthology Here  You can read about my fellow writers on the South Branch Scribbler and you can pick up your own signed copy of the book from the Craft Fair at Kirk Smeaton (WF8 3LB) on Saturday, October 16th.  Be great to see you there...

There will be more from another Autumn Paths author on November 23rd...

Please welcome friend and author...

...Melody Pendlebury to the blog this week. Hi, Melody and thanks so much for being here today. A new novel published, how was your writing journey?

Every author’s story is unique. For some writers, it takes years before they’re published. For some, they are an overnight success. It’s one of my favorite things to read the last few pages of a book whenever an author shares the process it took to get that book into the world since every author’s story is so different.

My journey is a little bit in between the two opposites. I started writing my debut novel, A Girl Called Ruthless, in July of 2020. My book was officially published by Darkstroke in August of 2021.

The writing process is unique to everyone especially when it’s your first book. I was lucky to be able to write it quickly and have heaps of help from other writers and editors. Once I felt my book was as perfect as I could get it, I started querying.

I knew the querying process would be hard, but I don’t think anyone can quite anticipate the anxiety, the complete obsession, and the let-downs that come with it. It felt as if I was checking my email every five seconds. Every time someone requested more of my book, I imagined my life as a famous author. Every time someone rejected me, I thought my book was the absolute worse and I couldn’t believe that I even tried.

Then one day, I got the email from a publisher asking to schedule a Zoom call. If you’re a writer you know what that means. I screamed and jumped up and down that early morning in my kitchen. From there I got offered a contract which I accepted. My book was released only four months later and became a number one bestseller on the first day of preorders.

Although everything seems very simple and linear, the process was filled with hills and valleys, mostly within myself. I used to think that once I got picked up by a publisher I would feel completely confident about my writing abilities, but that simply hasn’t been the case. Imposter syndrome is real no matter what point you are in the writing process. Although I have heard nothing but positive reviews about my book, I still feel like it will never be good enough. Sometimes, or should I say a lot of the times, I have to give myself a pep talk and remind myself about this journey. It has been an amazing ride and I am completely grateful for it.

My book A Girl Called Ruthless, is about a fiery eleven-year-old girl who runs for mayor to save a beloved tree. Sometimes I have to summon my inner Ruthless and realize I can do it and not only that, but I did do it!

I hope my publishing journey has inspired you to keep following your dreams or maybe has made you feel not so alone with your writing imposter syndrome. If you or your loved ones enjoy fiery female protagonists, silly antics, whimsical stories, with a touch of heartbreak and trama, then I would encourage you to pick up a copy of my new book, A Girl Called Ruthless.

about the author... Melody firmly believes that one should never completely grow up. That is why she has chosen to spend her days writing for a younger audience. Melody resides in Jacksonville Florida with her beloved corgi Gatsby, and her husband Dylan. She started her writing career with children’s picture books and has now pivoted to middle-grade novels. She believes that children are eager for more books with strong-willed characters that deal with darker and interesting topics. Her debut novel, A Girl Called Ruthless, is inspired by the fiery girls in her fourth-grade class. When Melody is not writing or teaching kids how to write, she can be found planning her next big trip to some magical place she has never been to.

about the book… A girl with ambition. A clever ruse gone awry. A fatal encounter.

Eleven-year-old Ruthless will do whatever it takes to live up to her name. Slaughtering pirates, running an underground gambling operation, and intercepting Russian spies are just a few examples.

Eleven-year-old Ruthless will do whatever it takes to live up to her name. Slaughtering pirates, running an underground gambling operation, and intercepting Russian spies are just a few examples.

In true Ruthless fashion, she claims the title of student body president, but her aspirations are cut short after getting in trouble. Not letting that stand in her way, she runs for Mayor with the help of her incredibly strong best friend, Owen. Her town of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, has no age requirement to run for the post. The chances of a child winning are slim, to say the least, so Ruthless and Owen disguise themselves as an adult with the good old ‘two kids in a trench coat’ ruse.

This seemingly harmless scheme has grave consequences that invite the turmoil of her mother’s past back to haunt her. When the dangers of the adult world come crashing down on Ruthless, she must learn how to live with her new reality, and ultimately use it to turn her life into a success story – and live up to her name.

But will she be able to leave the past behind?

You can get the book on Amazon

You can follow Melody on Facebook Twitter and on Instagram  

Come and join me...

 ...at the Craft Fair in the beautiful village of Kirk Smeaton (WF8 3LB) on October 16th...

This super event will run from 11.00am until 3.00pm and is being held in Saint Peter's church.  It may be a small building but it dates from the 12th century and has an interesting history.  Have a look at the chancel arch which is thought to have been constructed around 1160.  There is also a large stone font that is thought to be a little earlier.

In 1862 the original building was enlarged and restored and, as a result of over-work on the restoration, some of the detail from the early features has been lost, unfortunately.  The full history of the building is also very patchy, so it is quite difficult to be precise about any of the attributes visible in this stunning little piece of architecture.

However, what is not in dispute, is the village listing in the Domesday Book - Domesday being the middle English spelling of our modern-day title, Doomsday.  Dating from 1086, this incredible piece of ancient documentation can now be accessed online.  Check it out here.  The book records who was owner of the land, both before William's invasion and afterwards, and the church is briefly mentioned.

One other little bit of information that might interest you is that the current name of the village orignates from Smedetone which is a composite of two words from Old English.  The first meaning 'smith' and the second meaning 'estate' or 'farm'.  The Kirk - derived from the old Norse word for church - was added later and is first documented in the 14th century.

And if the history doesn't encourage you visit on October 16th, then maybe the details of the fair will.

There will be all sorts of stalls. Come and explore the stunning bags and scarves that have been created, or take a look at the table with various knitted goods.  Perhaps you are looking for some early Christmas presents or decorations for the house, in which case check out the stall selling candles.  The local florist will also be there with arrangements and wreaths and you can  stock up on jams and chutneys, too.

I will also be there with my books and perhaps something to read might be the answer to that nagging question about what to get aunty so-and-so for Christmas this year.

In addition there will be refreshments available throughout the day and you can try your luck in the raffle, too.

I can guarantee you a lovely day out in stunning, historic surroundings.  So please drop by and say hello.  Entry to the fair is absolutely free.

October 16th, St Peter's Church, Main Street, Kirk Smeaton, WF8 3LB

Entry to the Fair is FREE

Please welcome friend and author...

... Gail Aldwin to my blog this week.  Thanks for being here Gail and I want to talk a little bit about you and your book first...

AW  Gail is a British novelist, poet and scriptwriter.  She has worked in numerous countries across the world and, for a while, was a university lecturer.  She has short stories included in a number of different anthologies.  Check out her Amazon author page and you will find quite a little treasure trove of writings there.

But it's Gail's novel, This Much Huxley Knows, that captured my attention as a reader.  Huxley is the central character and he is also the child narrator of this story.  That concept has always intrigued me, both as a reader and a writer.  And, yes, I know it's not a new idea.  When you consider the novels that use a child as the narrator or primary voice - The Book Thief, To Kill a Mocking Bird, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and What Maisie Knew are just a few that spring to mind - you quickly come to understand the depth and complexity of the task of writing from that point of view.

Having discovered the book, I was particularly keen to read it.  And I was not disappointed.  The narrative flows well.  The character of Huxley is very well drawn and I found myself very quickly taken to this kid with his quirky sense of humour and his need to re-arrange the English language to suit whatever situation he found himself embroiled.  His view of the world, and the adults in it, is highly amusing.  He took me back to my own childhood and some of the antics that my brothers got up to.  Huxley also made me think about those times when, as a kid, I knew I was right, but my parents insisted the opposite.  This cleverly conceived narrative really puts the differences between the adult and child sense of logic under the microscope,  and at times the differences are glaring!  As an examination of trust and innocence in the 21st century, this book is well worth a read.

As I was so intrigued by Huxley, I've invited his creator to explain why she chose a seven-year-old as her narrator.  Gail, tell me more...

GA  The idea for Huxley came from my debut novel The String Games where the catalyst for the story involves the disappearance of four-year-old Josh who goes missing during a family holiday in France. It was because I enjoyed this child character, that I decided to explore writing with a young narrator. When I read the early chapters of This Much Huxley Knows to my writing group, they were sceptical that I’d be able to sustain a child’s voice for the length of a novel. This proved to be a motivating factor – tell me I can’t do something and I’ll always want to give it a try.

I used a young narrator to explore tensions around intergenerational friendships. This Much Huxley Knows suggests that we should look beyond the way people present to build connections. Although we may appear different on the surface in terms of age, colour, gender etc there is more we have in common than that keeps us apart. I also wanted to capture the immediacy of a child’s experience: the joys, the worries and the curiosity of a child. It was an absolute joy to write from a child’s perspective. I was able to reconnect with my younger self and drew upon happy memories from when my children were young. I think it’s refreshing to read a novel that gives an innocent yet clear-sighted view of contemporary life.

about the book… I’m seven years old and I’ve never had a best mate. Trouble is, no one gets my jokes. And Breaks-it isn’t helping. Ha! You get it, don’t you? Brexit means everyone’s falling out and breaking up.

Huxley is growing up in the suburbs of London at a time of community tensions. To make matters worse, a gang of youths is targeting isolated residents. When Leonard, an elderly newcomer chats with Huxley, his parents are suspicious. But Huxley is lonely and thinks Leonard is too. Can they become friends?

Funny and compassionate, this contemporary novel for adults explores issues of belonging, friendship and what it means to trust.

You can get the book on Amazon and you can find my review on Amazon and Goodreads.

You can follow Gail on her Blog on Facebook  Twitter  and on Instagram 

I'm very pleased to announce...

*See below for the authors

...that a new anthology has been created and it will be hitting bookstores, your kindles and doormats - if you prefer the real thing - very, very soon.  Read on...

Over the last few months, I've been busily beavering away at another short story.  One that is set in France and that involves a mystery.  Sound familiar?  Sorry to disappoint, but it's not a piece about my usual detective!

I also want to say that I haven't been alone on this project.  I've been working with fellow writers from the other side of the Atlantic - see the pic on the right.

As a group, we have created an anthology of stories that are linked by the single theme of Autumn Paths - which has become our title for the book.

From the germ of an idea to realisation has taken a lot of work and co-operation over the last eight months or so.  And, although we are separated by a vast ocean, I can honestly say that it has felt like my fellow writers were really just in the next room.

As yet, I have not met any one of the other writers in person and Covid is making sure I'm not likely to get the opportunity to do so this year.  But, I've always had a hankering to visit Canada and travel coast to coast, to drive through the Rockies and go to Nantucket Island - and yes, I do know that's in Massachusetts, USA.  But, if you're a regular reader of this blog you will know that a lot of my travels are inspired or prompted by books I've read.  So, just accept that such a journey to the other side of the Atlantic would be the realisation of a great number of 'Book Things' all at once.  And meeting the other writers would be an added bonus if it could happen soon.  But there is always next year or the year after.  And, as I've spent so much time wandering through France because of 'Book Things', I can and do totally believe that I will get there at some point in the not too distant future.  I guess I'll just need an overly large suitcase for all the books!

Oh and my story?  Well, it definitely is a mystery which involves a book seller, a secret and a fascinating discovery.  But, there will be more details about the story behind my story in another post here on the blog next month.

Finally, it gives me the greatest of pleasures to be able to tell you that our anthology, Autumn Paths, has a  stunning cover, a blurb and is almost ready to be launched.

about the book… Nine writers - Seasonal Collective - from both sides of the Atlantic, including best-selling and award-winning authors, have created this miscellany of stories.

These tales of family, mystery, intrigue, adventure and suspense will take you across continents, through time and space in this world and others.  With a linking theme of autumn, discover new landscapes, encounter new and intriguing characters, uncover secrets and lies, and witness the resolution of old enmities.

Take the first step on this roller-coaster of an emotional journey, and you won't be disappointed.

You can get the book in print or e-format on Amazon

* The authors are :  

Allan Hudson, Monique Thébeau, Chuck Bowie

Yours truly, S C Eston, Angella Cormier

Pierre C Arseneault, Sandra Bunting, Jeremy Thomas Gilmer

There is more information about all of the other authors on Allan Hudson's website the South Branch Scribbler, so just click This Link

More information about the book and the story behind my story can be found here.

I'm reviewing A New World Begins...

... a history of the French Revolution by Jeremy Popkin...

I've never really fully understood the French Revolution.  Naturally, at school I studied history and, as our history and that of France has been inextricably linked for centuries, the country did crop up from time to time.  But, one of the most important moments in French history - the revolution - was kind of glossed over and dealt with very quickly.  I have often wondered whether that was as a result of the stricture of the curriculum or the sensitivities of my history teacher - she was an extremely polite, lady-like and, prim and proper person.  As a pupil, I kind of came to the conclusion that the high body-count may have been something she didn't want her 'young ladies', as she used to call us, to hear about.

Discovering Jeremy Popkin's extensive history of the revolution has allowed me to rethink and re-learn my history.  The book is substantial, but so is the detail of this period of France's history.  It is not for the faint-hearted.  Having said that, I can assure you that the narrative style flows easily and the book reads more like a novel than an educational tome.  The time period covered by this history stretches from 1774 right though until 1804 and the end of the first French Republic.

I particularly liked the logical progression that this history book takes through time.  I also found interesting the focus of the story; it's not Paris-centric but looks at how many other areas and cities throughout the whole of France were affected as well.  Popkin presents a very rounded view of life throughout the timeframe of the book and uses archive material, memoir and diaries to supplement and explain the history.

I also found fascinating the number of principles that were debated and developed during this time and which have continued to feature in modern life.  The system of départements, for example.  Whilst I was aware that the administrative divisions of the country were very long held, I had no idea of how the map of France we see today came into being or why.  There are a number of other principles that the revolution forced into discussion that are still hotly debated today - female equality, for example and racial equality.

When I saw the title for the book I had a nominal understanding of what it meant.  Having read all 561 pages and the supplementary notes, I can honestly say that, my school history lessons did nothing to show me the enormity of the impact in Europe and further afield of the revolution at the time and in the succeeding centuries.  This is an amazing read and I thoroughly recommend it.

Jottings from the journals…

Nougat aux fruits des bois

… and I'm mostly in sweet shops today as I've been mapping nougat…

If you talk to a French confiseur about nougat and its origins he will say that this fabulous sweetmeat is French. Of course he will!  Chat to an Italian or a Spaniard who works in the same field and, naturally, they will also claim original ownership of nougat. When such confusion abounds - I just have to check it out, don't I?

So, spinning back a few years and checking my travel journals, I came across my notes from my wandering through France to the Ardèche.  I distinctly remember straying into the next-door département of Drôme for the sole purpose of visiting the city of Montélimar to get some 'totally authentic nougat'.  My thinking at the time was that the stuff we could buy in England could not possibly be as good as the real thing…

'… I'm here in the old heart of Montélimar.  It seems that the whole of the city centre is under construction.  Everywhere I go there are men at work signs, pavements that are in progress and, whole sections of roadways that are yet to be finished.  It hasn't stopped me discovering the oldest nougat shop in town, though!

From the research I did before I left, I know that there are two kinds of nougat : nougat blanc and nougat noir.  White nougat is what I'm after.  It's the scrumptious sweet that is made with honey, whipped egg whites and nuts and sometimes candied fruit, too.  This is also referred to as Persian nougat.  Black nougat is made without the egg whites and has a much denser and heavier consistency.  It only takes a guess to understand that Persian nougat (nougat blanc) is called that because Persia, the middle east, or an area close by, is where this sweet really originates.

The earliest records of nougat date back to a book from the 10th century in Baghdad.  There are later references in Spanish documents from the 15th century with the earliest published recipe appearing in the 16th century in Spain.  The earliest French records for nougat date from the 18th century.  And here in Montélimar, Arnaud-Soubeyran has been producing nougat since 1837.  The shop is also a museum.  In addition, both black and white nougat form one of the thirteen desserts of Provence - a sweet extravaganza that is served at Christmas.  Can't wait to taste one of these gorgeous little chunks of scrumptiousness…'

Market day, Villefranche-de-Rouergue

I seem to recall that the nougat lasted about two days.  Some years later when I was Villefranche-de-Rouergue, I happened upon a nougat seller by the cathedral on market day. According to him nougat could last 6 minutes, 6 hours, 6 days, 6 weeks or 6 months.  He went on to guess that the slice he had just cut for me would last for only 6 days.  He was clearly lining up a sale for the following Thursday!

 

And where is the best ever nougat to be found?  Montélimar or Villefranche-de-Rouergue.  It says so on my map!