What Have We Been Doing This Week?

Apart from writing and 'writerly activities' I caught up with the laundry, tidied the whole house, shopped, cooked and paid bills. Not very interesting. I also dealt with the workmen who put up scaffolding, and removed things from the walls, replaced drainpipes and guttering etc., etc. Definitely not interesting.

I read and reviewed My Heart Still Surrenders by Robbi Perna a fictional life of her Italian great-great-great grandmother a Contessa during the struggled to unify Italy,  and Love in the Afternoon by Penny Vincenzi a collection of short stories.

I supervised two of my grandchildren's swimming lessons, delighted by the progress both of them are making. (I think swimming lessons should be compulsory in schools.) 

I stayed overnight at my daughter's house so I  could give my 5 year-old granddaughter her birthday presents in the morning.

On Saturday night I stayed at one of my d-i-l's house to look after two of her children while she and her older son attended a quiz night at his secondary school. Before I went home we went to lunch at a Chinese vegetarian restaurant where we could eat as much as se wanted to. The food was delicious so it was hard not to over eat.

Today, I'm looking after my daughter's three children. This morning I took her younger son to play in a football match. His team won 4 - 1 and he saved half a dozen goals. His 5 year old sister, dressed in a green and yellow Tinkerbell Dress with pink Fairy wings fastened to it, had a drink and some biscuits in the club house. To occupy her I took her gigantic set of crayons, pencils and felt pens and a Princess Fairy colouring book.  She insisted on me doing some colouring. Deep sigh because I felt a fool sitting there colouring the little mermaid's face purple. She chose the colours, I did the hard work.

I returned to my daughter's house, gave them lunch  and then supervised homework. I've now allowed them to play on their gadgets until three p.m., when I'm sending them out to get some fresh air in the garden. Well, we might as well take advantage of the mild weather. At 4 p.m. the boys must finish their homework and then it will be some time before my daughter comes home, by which time they will probably be in bed.

So, what did you do this week?

Editing, adverbs and cliches.

This morning I edited the revised chapter of my novel Monday's Child, the follow on novel from Sunday's Child set in the Regency. When I write I try not to use certain words too frequently, some of which are 'as', 'that,' 'because', and others. I also try to minimise my use of adverbs. However, I wasn't prepared for how many clichés had slipped into the chapter. I've removed them, read the chapter aloud and am now ready to write the next one.

Planning a Novel

I've nearly finished writing Monday's Child, the sequel to Sunday's Child, set in 1814. I am now planning the next follow on novel, Tuesday's Child, who is full of grace'. I realised the heroine I first character I chose, who appeared in Monday's child lacks inner grace. After much thought I selected the right character to be the heroine, who had a walk on but very important part in Monday's Child. She is not a beauty but moves and acts with grace. Phew! That's sorted.

Book Trailer of The Contess and The Captain Uploaded.

I am delighted because the book trailer of my novel, The Captain and The Countess, set in the reign of Queen Anne Stuart, has been uploaded onto my website. www.rosemarymorris.co.uk, where you can also read the first three chapters of the novel.

P.S. At the moment there is 50% off the price of The Captain and The Countess from MuseItUp Publishing, www.amazon.co.uk and www.amazon.com.

Interesting interview

I am delighted by my interview at: http://margaretfieland.com/blog1/2014/10/15/rosemary-morris-interview-oct-15/

However I am mortified  because my brain tricked me into writing that Napoleon escaped from Brussels. Of course, he did not. I'm also mortified because I misspelt lives.

Apart from that I hope you will enjoy the interview, I enjoyed answering the questions.

Writing and Rainy Days

I enjoy organic gardening as much as I enjoy writing historical fiction. Unless the weather is really bad I usually manage to do something or other in the garden. However, when it pours with rain and I don't want to dash in and out of the greenhouse, it's good to stay indoors writing or tidying up my office. On other occasions I tidy up the entire house.

Writing and Rainy Days

I enjoy organic gardening as much as I enjoy writing historical fiction. Unless the weather is really bad I usually manage to do something or other in the garden. However, when it pours with rain and I don't want to dash in and out of the greenhouse, it's good to stay indoors writing or tidying up my office. On other occasions I tidy up the entire house.

Kill Your Darlings.

I only have a few more chapters of Monday's Child, a follow on novel from my published traditional Regency Novel Sunday's Child to write, but the most recent one didn't read well. I've had to murder my darling - a twist in the plot that I wanted to use but I had to kill it. This morning, I wrote half of the new version, which reads much better, but it was very hard to relinquish my darling idea. Nevertheless, having made the decision I feel liberated.

Plotting and Rewriting My Novels

I don't plot my novels in detail, but I usually have some important scenes in mind. I only have a few more chapters to write before I finish Monday's Child, a traditional Regency novel, the follow on from my published novel, Sunday's Child. Unfortunately, a scene I really wanted to include when I wrote it doesn't work. Deep, deep sigh, I'll have to rewrite it using different circumstances. I find it very hard to - as the saying goes - kill my darlings.

Special Offer. 80% off Sunday's Child Traditional Regency Novel

 

 

Sunday’s Child by Rosemary Morris

Back Cover

Georgianne Whitley’s beloved father and brothers died in the war against Napoleon Bonaparte. While she is grieving for them, she must deal with her unpredictable mother’s sorrow, and her younger sisters’ situation caused by it.

Georgianne’s problems increase when the arrogant, wealthy but elderly Earl of Pennington, proposes marriage to her for the sole purpose of being provided with an heir. At first she is tempted by his proposal, but something is not quite right about him. She rejects him not suspecting it will lead to unwelcome repercussions.

Once, Georgianne had wanted to marry an army officer. Now, she decides never to marry ‘a military man’ for fear he will be killed on the battlefield. However, Georgianne still dreams of a happy marriage before unexpected violence forces her to relinquish the chance to participate in a London Season sponsored by her aunt

Shocked and in pain, Georgianne goes to the inn where her cousin Sarah’s step-brother, Major Tarrant, is staying, while waiting for the blacksmith to return to the village and shoe his horse. Recently, she has been reacquainted with Tarrant—whom she knew when in the nursery—at the vicarage where Sarah lives with her husband Reverend Stanton.

The war in the Iberian Peninsula is nearly at an end so, after his older brother’s death, Tarrant, who was wounded, returns to England where his father asks him to marry and produce an heir.

To please his father, Tarrant agrees to marry, but due to a personal tragedy he has decided never to father a child.

When Georgianne, arrives at the inn, quixotic Tarrant sympathises with her unhappy situation. Moreover, he is shocked by the unforgivably brutal treatment she has suffered.

Full of admiration for her beauty and courage Tarrant decides to help Georgianne.

 MuseItUp Publishing is celebrating its 4 Year Anniversary with 50% to 80% OFF specials until the 31^st October.

The Link is.

https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore/index.php/component/content/article/3-about/about-us/470-museitup-4-year-anniversary-specials#top

 

Sunday’s Child a traditional Regency romance, which has received *5reviews is available with a 50% special offer for £0.77p or $1.29.

 

Visit www.rosemarymorris.co.uk to read the first three chapters of each novel and view the book trailers.

 

I would be delighted to receive comments.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Disruption

Starting on Monday the exterior of my house will be cladded and the scaffolding will go up. The flower beds under the sitting room and dining room windows have been cleared and the climbing hydrangea at the side of the house has been cut down. Hopefully it will regrow. This morning I emptied my 8' x 10' greenhouse. The work will be completed in three weeks. I assume chaos will reign, disturb my writing routine and make it difficult to ready the garden for the winter. However, it will be worthwhile because there will be less condensation indoors and the house will be warmer when the job is completed

Military History - Internet

I have borrowed A Guide to Military History on the Internet by Simon Fowler, a comprehensive Introduction for Genealogists and Military Historians, from the library. Historical Novelists and those interested in history will also find it useful.

"There are thousands of websites devoted to British military history...Do you really want to go through all of them to find the one you want?  I have saved you the trouble of trawling through Google to find the one you want. All you need to do is type the website address (URL into your browser."

So far, although I've only dipped into the guide I am impressed. "The scope of this volume is roughly between the Norman Invasion in 1066 and The Good Friday Agreement in 1998, which saw the beginning of the end of British military activity history.

This is a book for me to add to my own library

Change in the Weather. Robin

Yesterday, it was cool but sunny when my 4yr 11 month granddaughter helped me in the garden. She was delighted by the robin which follows me when I am outside. "He's so cute," she said repeatedly, absolutely fascinated by him.

Today, it's pouring with rain and cold here in S.E.England so I tidied the house, went shopping and then had my hair cut.

 I hope I will be able to do a bit in the garden this week.

Friendly Robin and Change in the Weather

Yesterday, it was cool but sunny when my 4yr 11 month granddaughter helped me in the garden. She was delighted by the robin which follows me when I am outside. "He's so cute," she said repeatedly, absolutely fascinated by him.

Today, it's pouring with rain and cold here in S.E.England so I tidied the house, went shopping and then had my hair cut.

 I hope I will be able to do a bit in the garden this week.

Recipe for creamy, delicious courgette soup.

Those of us who grow courgettes sometimes have a glut and don't know what to do with them.

A friend in another group asked for my creamy, delicious recipe for courgette soup, so I decided to share it.

30ml/2tbs Olive Oil

15g/1/2oz 1tbsbutter

1 medium leek thinly sliced

900g/2lbcourgettes peeled and thinly sliced

5ml/1tsp dried oregano

115g/4oz Dolcelatte cheese,rind removed, diced

300ml/1/2pint/13/4 cups single cream

salt and freshly ground black pepper

 

To garnish

 

Sprigs of fresh oregano (if available)

extra Dolcelatte cheese.

(If you don't have Dolcelatte cheese experiment with another. Yesterday, I used Port Salut.)

 

1 Heat the oil and butter in a large saucepan until foaming. Add the leek and cook until it is softened but not brown.

 

2. Add the courgettes and organo with salt and pepper to taste. Cook over a medium heat for 10 minutes stirring frequently.

 

3. Pour in the stock and bring to the boil, stirring frequently. Lower the heat and simmer gently for about 30 minutes. Stir in the Dolcelatte until it is melted. (I cheated by cooking the soup in the microwave for ten minutes and then adding the cheese.)

 

4. Tip the soup in a blender and blend it until it is smooth.

 

5 Add two-thirds of the cream and stir over a very low heat until hot, but not boiling. Add more stock if the soup is too thick. Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary.

 

6. Serve piping hot with a swirl of cream, fresh oregano and crumbled Dolcelatte cheese.

Special Offer. The Captain and The Countess

The Captain and The Countess by Rosemary Morris

London

1706

 

Why does heart-rending pain lurk in the back of the wealthy Countess of Sinclair’s eyes? 

 

Captain Howard’s life changes forever from the moment he meets Kate, the intriguing Countess and resolves to banish her pain.

 

Although the air sizzles when widowed Kate, victim of an abusive marriage meets Edward Howard, a captain in Queen Anne’s navy, she has no intention of ever marrying again.

 

However, when Kate becomes better acquainted with the Captain she realises he is the only man who understands her grief and can help her to untangle her past.

 

The Captain and The Countess by Rosemary Morris.  50% off  £1.90   $3.09  

 

https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore/index.php/component/content/article/3-about/about-us/470-museitup-4-year-anniversary-specials#top 

 

View the book trailers and read the first three chapters at http://www.rosemarymorris.co.uk/

 

Organic Gardening

As well as growing herbs, fruit and vegetables I also grow ornamentals, sometimes interspersed with the latter. I'm aiming for an English style cottage garden. Today I planted primulas and pansies in the rose bed to give winter colour, and I re-potted my blueberries in fresh ericaceous compost. Another mild day but the weather is about to change. Nevertheless I hope to get a lot more done before the first frosts.

50 to 80% Off Selected Novels

MuseItUp Publiishing is selecting its 4th Anniversary with 50 - 80% off selected novels.

The Link is.
https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore/index.php/component/content/article/3-about/about-us/470-museitup-4-year-anniversary-specials#top

My historical novels set in the reign of Queen Anne Stuart 1702-1714 are included in the specials.

Far Beyond Rubies. 50% off  £1.90  $ 3.09       When Gervaise sees Juliana for the first time, he recognises her, but not from this lifetime…

Tangled Love. 50% off.  £1.84  $2.99     Tangled Love set in England in 1706 during Queen Anne Stuart’s reign, a story of two great estates, duty, betrayal and passionate love.

The Captain and The Countess 50% off  £1.99  $3.09     His heart captured by the Countess only Captain Howard sees pain behind her fashionable façade and is determined to help her.

To read the first three chapters and view the book trailers visit www.rosemarymorris.co.uk. Rosemary will be pleased tor read your comments.

MuseItUp Publishing 4th Anniversary

MuseItUp is celebrating its 4 Year Anniversary with 50% to 80% OFF specials until the 31^st October.

The Link is. https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore/index.php/component/content/article/3-about/about-us/470-museitup-4-year-anniversary-specials#top

My historical novels are included in the specials.

Sunday’s Child. 80%off. £0.77p. $1,25

Tangled Love. 50% off.  £1.84  $2.99

Far Beyond Rubies. 50%off  £1.90  $ 3.09

The Captain and The Countess 50%off  £1.99  $3.09

To view the book covers and read the first three chapters of each novel please visit my website.

www.rosemarymorris.co.uk

 

 

 

                                             

MuseItUpPublishing Fourth Anniversary

MuseItUp is celebrating its 4 Year Anniversary with 50% to 80% OFF specials until the 31^st October.

The Link is. https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore/index.php/component/content/article/3-about/about-us/470-museitup-4-year-anniversary-specials#top

My historical novels are included in the specials.

Sunday’s Child. 80%off. £0.77p. $1,25

Tangled Love. 50% off.  £1.84  $2.99

Far Beyond Rubies. 50%off  £1.90  $ 3.09

The Captain and The Countess 50%off  £1.99  $3.09

To view the book covers and read the first three chapters of each novel please visit my website.

www.rosemarymorris.co.uk