Peaches for Monsieur le Cure

Yesterday evening, I was enthralled by Peaches for Monsieur le Cure, turned the pages and read until I finished the novel at midnight. At one point while reading descriptions of the chocolate truffles, Vivanne, the heroine, makes my mouth watered. I went downstairs to the kitchen to see if I could satisfy my sweet tooth, but as I'm dieting had to settle for a peach. I'm sure it was as succulent as the one Vivanne gave to Monsieur le Cure.

Massage

Let’s face it, many of us work for hours on computers, which can lead to back problems and aches and pains. I am no exception so I had another deep tissue massage by a lady with excellent qualifications. She also recommends drinking a dessert spoonful of organic apple cider in a glass of water three times a day in order to dissolve the salts that build up in the spine and joints. Another one of her recommendations is to take two flaxseed tablets twice a day. Also a medicinal tea made with grated ginger and turmeric root relieves pain. I sweeten mine with organic honey.

Organic Gardening in Early Autumn

September 3rd, autumn is here in S. East England although the weather is mild the leaves are beginning to change colour.

As a vegetarian (I don't eat meat, fish or eggs) my ambition is to be as self-sufficient as possible throughout the year. At the moment, my curly kale and black kale, cabbages, chard, New Zealand spinach and lots of herbs are flourishing in my organic garden and will last until spring. Under cover there are cherry tomatoes and three other varieties ripening including a delicious grafted one called Indigo Rose, as well as cucumbers. And there are other vegetables such as carrots, lettuce, white radish aka mooli aka daikon, small radishes and much more.

This morning I planted out spring greens, aka collards, and covered them with netting to keep off the pigeons, which would strip the leaves bare. I will also plant out purple sprouting broccoli to enjoy in the spring. In the meantime I shall grow winter salads in the greenhouse and move the tender herbs into it.

False Pretences, Regency Mystery and Romance

Perhaps you would like to view the book-trailer for False Pretence (a traditional Regency novel: Mystery and Romance) at: www.rosemarymorris.co.uk.

False Pretences.amazon.com/dp/B009YK1MFO

If you watch it, please leave a comment to let me if you like it.

Novelist's Shorthand Notebook.

I'm am relieved and feel virtuous because I had a shorthand notepad on which I scribbled notes on both sides of each page. Bit by bit I've visited websites and blog spots, joined groups, added to my list of books to be read, typed up notes about history etc., etc.

Last time I caught up with my scribbles I told myself I would keep up to date with everything, well it's said the road to hell is paved with good intentions, but I think I can be forgiven mine.

Home Grown Organic Salad .

Delicious lunch today. The only two things on my plate which were not home grown were an avocado and some Port Salut Cheese, even the salad dressing was homemade with extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, salt  and home grown herbs.

Menu.

Drink. Apple Juice made with apples from the garden

First Course

Lollo rosso lettuce mixed with a small grated courgette and shredded dandelion leaves.

Mixture of runner beans, carrots and the last of my new potatoes with chopped chives in home made mayonnaise

Cherry tomatoes.

Cucumber with a little celery salt.

Avocado with a dash of vegetarian Worcester sauce.

Dessert.

Plain Yoghurt with summer fruit jelly made last year.

Yummy, yummy for the tummy, as my young grandchildren say.

Mind you, I couldn't do so much organic gardening without a gardener who comes once a fortnight and does all the heavy work.

Silver Car

Blog.

 

Before my son dropped off the second car Vauxhall Corsa he bought on my behalf I had a 2 hour, full body deep tissue massage. By the time I reached home I was too tired to test drive. Prior to driving it today, I studied the instruction manual. Somewhat nervous about the various controls I drove it this morning. The car is in excellent condition. The engine is quiet. I enjoyed a smooth, enjoyable drive. I’m smiling again although the AA mechanic misdiagnosed the problem with my old car.

 

According to the mechanic the problem was the starter motor. As it broke down on a Sunday the car was taken to Quick Fit. The new parts cost almost £500 which will be met by my AA repair cover. The car would not start and had to be relayed to Mercedes-Benz. The verdict – the throttle valve needed to be replaced. It would cost £700 + vat + £300 for labour and it might need some other parts.

 

My son and I decided the car was not worth repairing. Now, as the car can’t be driven and it is ten miles or more away from home we have to sort out how to dispose it – sell it for parts or scrap it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

New Car

I decided to scrap my car. It needed more repairs than it is worth. I am now the proud owner of a Silver Vauxhall Corsa. Its compact, easy to drive and cheap to run. Lucky me. After the fiasco with the AA and being stuck at home it's a relief to be mobile again.

A Broken World edited by Sebastian Faulkes with Hope Wolf

I've finished reading A Broken World, Letters, Diaries and Memories of the Great War edited by Sebastian Faulkes and Hope Wolf.

At times the poignant words of those who endured the First World War brought tears to my eyes.

I've now made a list of fiction set in the era and non-fiction also set in the era which I would like to read.

Lots to Do on a Rainy Day

It rained steadily all day. The sky a light but dull grey, the light soft on the grass and trees in the garden which seemed greener than ever. I popped out to the green house to feed the cucumbers and tomatoes then returned indoors to greet 9 year-old grandson and 4 year-old granddaughter. My grandson and I cooked together while granddaughter watched a dvd of Cinderella for the umpteenth time. She is besotted by 'fairy princesses' and girlie Walt Disney films. Grandson was delighted with our freshly made gulab jamons (spelling?) Indian sweetmeats fried in ghee and then boiled for five minutes in sugar syrup. They are delicious but definitely not slimming. However, he loves them, and I don't begrudge him a special treat once in a while. Not sure whether he likes them or his his new Manchester United Football kit most which his Mum bought him for the new football season.

Guest on Sara-Jayne's Blog

Today, I am fortunate to be a guest on the following blot.

http://sayssara.wordpress.com/2014/08/25/mondays-friend-rosemary-morris/

www.rosemarymorris.co.uk

Not a Bowl of Cherries

Two weeks ago my car broke down.

 

The AA mechanic said it needed a new starter motor and said: “Don’t turn off the ignition and take it to a garage.” I replied that it was Sunday and the garages were closed so I would prefer to take the car home and, if it would not start on Monday, ask the AA to relay it to a garage.

 

The mechanic instructed me to take it to Quick Fit. He told me that the AA would not take the car to a garage on the following day because I could not call on them for a problem which had already been dealt with by him. Pressurised and vulnerable I took the car to QF.

 

From then on there as a long saga at the end of which the starter motor had been replaced after which a new ignition (coil?) was needed. After the coil had been fitted the sensor (?) did not recognise it.

 

Fortunately, I have AA repair cover so I will be reimbursed for the above repairs which add up to £461. However, the car had to be taken to Mercedes-Benz. When I first approached the AA I was refused a relay. I then queried it and, finally, after ‘your call is important to us…etc., explained the tale of the breakdown and my need for the car to be relayed. Thank goodness the relay was authorised.

 

I will have to pay Mercedes £120 for looking at the car and further repairs, if the car can be repaired.

 

Deep, deep sigh, heaven only knows if or when I will get my car back.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Black Kale and Runner Beans

Pleasant day, today, the weather slightly chilly but warm enough to dry the washing on the line. I like the smell of clothes dried in fresh air. Finally, II planted out some black kale which had outgrown its pots.Son number two popped in to replace the lock on the garden shed. As part of out lunch we had thinly-sliced, fresh runner beans and decided they are one of my favourite vegetables.

Z is for Zest

Z is for Zest

 

Zest, or enthusiasm and keenness, are essential for a novelist. Would be published novelists have told me they wrote, for example, a quarter or half of a novel and gave up. Either they lost interest in the plot and theme, or they abandoned their would-be masterpieces because they couldn’t find time to write or because it was too difficult to finish them.

 

Published or unpublished authors need zest, by which I mean enthusiasm for the novel, and they also need to be keen enough to persevere no matter how many times their books are rejected.

 

In my early twenties my first novel was accepted by a reputable publishing company. I didn’t know that to ensure publication the date on which my novel would be released needed to be included in the contract. The publishing house changed hands and the new commissioning editor didn’t like my novel. I continued to write for some years before my circumstances changed and I did not have the opportunity to do so. Years later, my late husband encouraged me to pursue my dream of writing historical fiction. It was the nudge I needed to write all the stories which had been in my mind for years. After enough rejections to paper the wall in my lavatory I acquired an agent. Deep, deep sigh, he didn’t secure a contract for me. More disappointments followed until my publisher accepted Sunday’s Child.

 

My keenness to be published and a string of rejections are not uncommon. Many other novelists have had similar experiences.

 

It is zest which separates published and unpublished writers from those who don’t finish a novel, which is a huge achievement, from would-be-writers.

 

e-books available from https://museituppublishing.com, www.amazon.com, www.amazon.co.uk & elsewhere. Sunday’s Child, False Pretences, Tangled Love, Far Beyond Rubies, also available as a print book, & The Captain and The Countess.

 

Rosemary Morris

www.rosemarymorris.co.uk

 

 

 

Y is for Year Books

Y is for Year Books

 

The Writers and Artists Year Book, Children’s Writers and Artist and Year Book, The Writers Handbook,  Writers Digest Yearbook, contain lists of agents, publishers and other useful information can be consulted in libraries before deciding whether or not to buy one.

 

e-books available from https://museituppublishing.com, www.amazon.com, www.amazon.co.uk & elsewhere. Sunday’s Child, False Pretences, Tangled Love, Far Beyond Rubies, also available as a print book, & The Captain and The Countess.

 

Rosemary Morris

www.rosemarymorris.co.uk

Buzz Deal

FINAL DAY…NEW BUZZ Deal…ends Thursday, August 21

 

The throne has been usurped by James II’s daughter and son-in-law, Mary and William of Orange.  In 1693, loyal to his oath of allegiance, ten year old Richelda’s father must follow James to France.

 

Tangled Love by Rosemary Morris

Historical Romance

Shortlists for Festival of Romance

 

Retails: $5.95

Sales price: $0.99

Discount: $-4.96

 

The throne has been usurped by James II’s daughter and son-in-law, Mary and William of Orange.  In 1693, loyal to his oath of allegiance, ten year old Richelda’s father must follow James to France.

 

Before her father leaves, he gives her a ruby ring she will treasure and wear on a chain round her neck.  In return Richelda swears an oath to try to regain their ancestral home, Field House.

 

By the age of eighteen, Richelda’s beloved parents are dead.  She believes her privileged life is over.  At home in dilapidated Belmont House, her only companions are her mother’s old nurse and her devoted dog, Puck.  Clad in old clothes she dreams of elegant dresses and trusts her childhood friend Dudley, a poor parson’s son, who promised to marry her.

Richelda’s wealthy aunt takes her to London and arranges her marriage to Viscount Chesney, the new owner of Field House.  Richelda is torn between love for Dudley and her oath to regain Field House, where it is rumored there is treasure.  If she finds it, Richelda hopes to ease their lives.  But, while trying to find it, will her life be at risk or will she find true love?

Available at:

Amazon:  http://amzn.to/1sPgfjy

MuseItUP: http://bit.ly/1yQYfDO

 

Special Offer. Tangled Love. $0.99p. £0.77p.

 

Tangled Love by Rosemary Morris set is available until midnight on Thursday the 21st August for $0.99 from https://museituppublishing/bookstore and for £0.77p from www.amazon.co.uk.

 

Tangled Love by Rosemary Morris was short listed for the best romantic e-book at The Festival of Romance, Bedford U.K in 2013

Tangled Love is the story of two great estates. The throne has been usurped by James II’s daughter Mary and her husband William of Orange. In 1693, loyal to his oath of allegiance, ten year old Richelda’s father must follow James to France.

Before her father leaves, he gives her a ruby ring she will treasure and wear on a chain round her neck. In return Richelda swears an oath to try to regain their ancestral home, Field House.

By the age of eighteen, Richelda’s beloved parents are dead. She believes her privileged life is over. At home in dilapidated Belmont House, her only companions are her mother’s old nurse and her devoted dog, puck. Clad in old clothes she dreams of elegant gowns and trusts her childhood friend, a poor parson’s son, who promised to marry her.

Richelda’s wealthy aunt takes her to London and arranges her marriage to Viscount Chesney, the new owner of Field House, where it is rumoured there is treasure. If she finds it Richelda hopes to ease their lives. However, while trying to find it her life is in danger.

 

www.rosemarymorris.co.uk

 

 

 

 

 

X is for Xray

Historical Novelist’s A-Z of Writing

 

X is for X-ray

 

By the time I finish a novel, I am so familiar with it that my brain switches off and I see what should be on the page instead of what is actually on it.

 

I need X-ray eyes to make sure the novel is as perfect as possible before I submit it to my publisher.

 

First of all, I use the grammar and spell check to make sure there are no grammatical errors or spelling mistakes.

Next, I read the novel from beginning to end checking the contents. Are the details correct? Is there too much or too little description? Is there enough emotion? Is the pace too fast or too slow in each scene? Is there a hook at the end of each chapter which will make the reader want to read on?

 

With regard to the last question, I was delighted by an e-mail from a policewoman in South Africa, who was due to go on duty at 6 a.m. Before she went to sleep she decided to read a little from my novel Tangled Love set in Queen Anne Stuart’s reign 1702-1714. Many cups of black coffee later when it was nearly dawn she finished reading it. 

 

After checking the contents, I check the linguistics by highlighting words such as and, was, were, had, that and because to see if I have used them too frequently. Whenever I have I rephrase the sentence.

 

A final check of the formatting, spelling and grammar and it’s time to submit the novel.

 

 Rosemary Morris

Historical Novelist

www.rosemarymorris.co.uk

 

Published by MuseItUp Publishing.

 

e.books available from MuseItUp Publishing, amazon, nook, kobo and elsewhere, Sunday’s Child, False Pretences,Tangled Love, Far Beyond Rubies,also available as a print book,  and The Captain and The Countess

 

W is for Writer's Day

W is for Writer’s Day

If I had a pound for everyone who told me they could write a book my savings would have increased, and if I had one for everyone who told me they started a novel but couldn’t finish it they would have increased even more.

Every published author I know organises their time in order to write.

I not write historical novels, which requires research and visits to places of historical interest. I also blog and deal with ‘writerly’ matters.

My writing day begins at 6 a.m. With a break for breakfast I work until 10 a.m. After lunch I work for an hour and more often than not I work from 4 or 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

This is my routine on every day of the year except for Christmas and even then I’ve sneaked a look at my e-mails. But I confess that this year, when I went on holiday with my daughter and her children, writing took the proverbial back seat.

The point is that an author needs to organise their time. For those with little time to spare by writing a page a day a non-fiction book or a novel can be completed, edited and revised within the year.

www.rosemarymorris.co.uk

 

Buzz Deal $0.90 & £0.77 ends 12 p.m 17/08

Rosemary Morris’s The Captain and the Countess set in 1706 is available as an e-book for 77p from www.amazon.co.uk and for $0.99 from www.amazon.com,

https://museituppublishing.com, kobo and elsewhere until midnight on the 17^th August.

 

His heart captured by the Countess, only Captain Howard sees pain behind her fashionable façade and is determined to help her.