Where will it all end?

Hi all
I've not been around on the old PC much the last few days. Entertaining on Sunday and out attending meetings etc Monday and Tuesday. And then there was the sunbathing and reading?? Such a busy life... Retirement is hard work (Joke!*#) At least I get time to spend doing loads of writing but, believe me, somehow the days just disappear anyway and I wonder where the time went ... Every night when I look at my bed, I think it feels as if I only just got out of this thing (bed that is!).
It's all about priorties and I'm not really complaining...
I've read a bit about e-publishing, self publishing and the kindle lately and I do feel tempted to have a go at it. Maybe I should start by getting myself a kindle and trying it out for myself. It certainly does seem like the world of books is changing fast - probably in line with the rapidly developing area of communication technology. I never could have foreseen - just ten years ago - that I would be doing the kinds of things I am doing now! Blogging, tweeting, facebook, email and websites... Where will it all end? It is so exciting though, isn't it? To think that I can sit here in my office in Lanzarote and talk to people all over the world in so many mediums...
To view my website please visit
http://www.patricianewcombe.blogspot.com/

Cynical twit!

How much time do you spend twittering?
I am astounded by how much time just drifts by whilst I am responding and reading to my twitter account. And yet it doesn't seem as if I've done much - or said much, come to that...
I did a quick count (read rough 'guesstimate') the other day and I reckon I had tweeted over 2000 words. That is, I had written over 100 tweets which equals - 100x140 characters divided by 6 (letters in average word - arbitrarily perhaps...) and it came to more than 2000 words! If my rough arithmetic is about right that could have been 7 pages of my book completed...
Duh! I just realised the time it took to work that out, I could probably have written a couple more pages... No wonder it takes me so long to write a book... There ought to be a law against it.
Of course, there are some cynical people who would say I was merely procrastinating? Noooooo... Err... Well... Maybe - just a bit..
But then again there's facebook...
Please check my website out: http://patricianewcombe.webnode.com/

Archaic words? Opinions needed...

I'm looking for an opinion or three on the use of old English words. My latest unpublished book is partly set in 17th Century England and to give more of a flavour of the times I have use a sprinkling of old English words - i.e. 'Tis' and 'ailing' 'pestilence' 'visitation' 'methinks' 'Good Sir'.  I have only used them sparingly but I have been advised it might be a good idea to remove them. I have read historical novels where they too have used a few odd words for resonance but there again I have read others who have not. I feel I'd like to keep them in as I don't think there are enough to spoil the reading experience... But I don't want to harm my chance of publication. I'd love to know what other historical writers think? Please let me know via this blog or my website. Thanks.
Website update: http://www.patricianewcombe.webnode.com/

Genre explanations

I've been having a read around some other people's blogs and looking at lots snippets of interesting information. I was intrigued to come across 'The Medieval Chronicle'. It does what it says on the tin and explores lots of things from around that time in history. I read an article about the origins of St Vitus Dance - fascinating!! The only trouble with all this is you can get so absorbed and carried away that the time runs away from you. How much actual writing this leads to is debatable... In fact I haven't started any work on my book yet! Bad, bad...
I also heard about another way to describe the kind of books I write - paranormal romantic thrillers?? Or what about supernatural romantic thrillers? I always struggle to describe exactly what genre my work falls into but this kind if tag seems to fit the score! I must remember this when I next submit... BUT are publishers looking for this kind of work? Err... groan...Oh well, that's another question entirely...
please visit my web: patricianewcombe.webnode.com

All Done In.

Had a good day doing all sorts of writing tasks. Even manged to update my website and put some jottings and musings on it. All grist to the mill, I guess... check me out if you can.
http://www.patricianewcombe.webnode.com/

Serious thinking?

I've been at my Pc for a while now doing email and sorting other things but hoping to get a lot of work (writing wise) done today. I had a good old gossip with friends last night at a local bar - it does the soul good to talk inconsequential everyday stuff, I think. Especially in these days of more serious newsworthy things such as Japan and Libya. How depressing is all that stuff? And how helpless do we ordinary mortals feel when we see folks suffering so...
Anyway on to more cheerful things. I'm going to do some serious thinking about the next book and put more thoughts down on paper today. I find it helps to write while I think...
Think, think, think....*!*#  Now where is that muse when you need it?
http://patricianewcombe.webnode.com/

Thoughts on Writing

What a lovely bright day! I'm off for a walk along the seafront and then on to do some shopping later. That is AFTER I've updated and done a bit of work...
I'm submitting my latest tome now that final editing is about done. It's all systems go! It's exciting to finish a project but I always have the feeling that it's never truly done. I hope someone wants it though...sigh... It seems such a waste if it ends up in a drawer after all the hundreds ( maybe even thousands) of hours spent on it.
There again even it gets published there is then the time necessary for promotion. Oh dear, makes you wonder why we do it?? Ah yes! I know why - because we enjoy it!!!! There is nothing quite like the feeling of reading a story that came out of your own head. And every time I start a new project I am astounded by where my musing and thinking leads me. From a small idea to a fully formed plot - yay! Satisfaction even when I'm in a muddle...
Must go now...
Please visit my web if you can...
http://patricianewcombe.webnode.com/

WRITING SAVED MY LIFE: Techno butterfly

WRITING SAVED MY LIFE: Techno butterfly: "Today I couldn't decide whether to push on with editing my latest book or just go out for the day... Sat watching the news for a while but d..."

Techno butterfly

Today I couldn't decide whether to push on with editing my latest book or just go out for the day...
Sat watching the news for a while but decisions must eventually be made... So - Work 1 leisure 0 and here I am!
Having started a twitter account a few days ago ( and not understanding it at all at first) I am pleased to see I have a few followers. Still not quite sure of some aspects of it but am quite enjoying getting stuck in with comments etc. The only trouble is it can take up the writing time. What with this blog, the website, Facebook and now twitter. Eek! - I'm becoming a techno social butterfly. Must stop flitting and do some work!
Please take a peek at my other sites:
http://www.patricianewcombe.webnode.com/
www.twitter.com/PatNewcombe

The Afterlife of Darkmares

For anyone who likes a dark thriller here is the blurb for my new novel. It is as yet unpublished but I'm hopeful...

'Kate must fight her own demons and accept help from unlikely sources if she is to save her son from a fate worse than death. Her struggle has deep roots into the past – 1665 and the Great Plague – and an entity who has sworn revenge on a simple Derbyshire village. The help finally comes from a sleep therapist, an elderly bereaved lady and Jeremiah, an old man who hovers between life and death on a life support machine. But ultimately it is Kate herself who must make the sacrifice and fight to the death…'

 You can read more on my website : http://patricianewcombe.webnode.com/

Ole!

Carnival (or carnaval in Spanish) was great last night. Mind we were out from 4pm til 12 midnight and I was exhausted. But what an exhilirating way to get exhausted! It was a fine sight with all the wildly dressed bands and fancy floats. Never seen so many men dressed garishly as women and so many children dressed as every character from Mickey Mouse to aliens! Even bystanders - not us - were in fancy dress. And the noise! Brilliant at first - made you want to get up and dance - but the thump thump of the bass drums and the whistles did begin to grate after a few hours. All in all it was a wonderful experience and I might have been a bit tired due to the odd glass of vino ( alright maybe a few glasses!) Stayed in bed a bit this morning - no great surprise there then...
Please visit my web site if you can and also follow me on twitter?? http://patricianewcombe.webnode.com/
http://twitter.com/patnewcombe
Talk later...

Carnival

Great day today.Weather good - nice and sunny and a deal warmer! Should be great for the carnival later. I'm told it's usually pretty good and a big event here in Lanzarote. We've not been on the Island at this time of year before so this will be a first for us.
I know quite a few people who are doing a float and dressing up as popstars of the 60's & 70's. Awesome! Can't wait to see them all...
Myself? I will be sitting in  a bar/restaurant, with a good view, enjoying a glass or two of vino...
Meanwhile, I must do a bit of writing/editing - just so's I don't feel too guilty...

Musings

Better day today but still a bit chilly in the wind. At least the sun is washing it's face! Been shopping today - what a drag... The website is almost finished - hurrah! Just need to do some promoting now.
Just had a conversation with yet another person who got caught out with budget airlines' tough restrictions on baggage allowance. yet another way to con passengers??
By the way, can anyone tell me why I get words and letters back to front when I try to type fast?? Someone said it was because the brain works faster than the fingers???!!!! That's alright then... But how come it doesn't work fast when I can't remember a vital piece of info, then?

Website up and running.

The weather's looking a bit better today. Sun is back but who knows for how long. Someone said we're due for more rain this afternoon...
I've just got back from a five mile walk along the coast - wonderful!! The gentle breeze was lovely - It's brilliant for clearing the head of all thoise odd useless bits of information. So must get back to work now...

The website is up and running although still a work in progress - only the home page and one another done but I feel I've got the hang of the editing stuff now. Time will tell I suppose...
http://www.patricianewcombe.webnode.com/

review

Just seen a review of my book on amazon. Here it is:

                                                                   REVIEW
Kendal MacIntyre is a lady with secrets. After her husband dies of cancer, she puts everything into raising her daughter April. She wants her to have all the things she never had as a child. However, when April is about to be married into the aristocracy, Kendal discovers she is being followed. She does everything she can to stop her secrets from becoming known, but when an evil killer comes onto the scene, she is forced to use her 'special sight' to thwart his plans.

This is a great story that hurls you from one emotional scene to the next. Once I started reading the book, I found it difficult to put down. It is a tale that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Well done, P J Newcombe. I look forward to reading more of your work.

Eileen Thornton
Author of The Trojan Project

Evesdropping

Spent the morning (and a good part of yesterday afternoon) having a good look round on twitter, other people's web pages and blog diaries. I'm struggling with setting up a new website. First time around, some years ago, I had web pages with the ISP I was with at the time. I've not been with them for a few years now and my web pages languished untended. So I can't update and besides the website was pretty simplistic. So out with the old and in with the phewww! I think I'm getting there but it's going to take some time to get it right. Didn't help that the damn computer decided to go slow...
Meanwhile back at the ranch...
Editing tasks to complete and a new novel waiting in the wings - what a busy life...

Pesky webs

I've been sorting a new website out today. Pesky complicated things! How does one lose photos - totally??
Oh well, upwards and onwards or publish and be scammed!
Time for food...
Back to the editing later...

Wellies?

Methinks, I might need me wellies if this foul weather keeps up! Rain,rain and then some... Oh wait... Here comes the sun... Glinting off the puddles, even...cheek!

Another moody monday!

Really shouldn't complain when you hear of all the things going down in Japan...

I'm beginning to get the hang of this social networking thing, I think... Maybe I should also watch the film?
Got to get on with the writing today. I have final edit checks on my book 'The Afterlife of Darkmares' and need to push on with the ideas for my new book.
The new book is still in conversation form at the minute - i.e. a discussion with myself. I know it sounds crazy but it does seem to work for me...I type my thoughts out as a conversation between myself and my PC... Mad, I know, after all what can my PC tell me?? But I generally ramble without pause or editing and the act of typing half formed ideas seems to help me think and mould more concrete story lines. It's also great fun as no outlandish notion is off limits.
Ah yes, I was going to say why the name of this blog is sooo appropriate...
Well, about 12 years ago I had a big problem and...
oh, must go - see you later

 

my books

Due to mounting public interest and salivating enthusiasm I feel I must satisfy the population's curiosity and mention my books. I have two published novels - both thrillers.  'Insight' and 'The Witcheye Gene' - and both available on Amazon. I also have a further novel - 'The Afterlife of Darkmares' as yet unpublished.

Figuring it all out

Ha! Eureka! I think I have it. Or maybe not...
Anyway here goes...
The reason my blog is called Writing Saved My life is...
OOps - got to go.
Talk later

Twit Towooo

Twit used to be a derogatory word for someone who was an idiot!! What does that say about twitter users? However, having resisted thus far, I have now joined twitter but despite spending yonks of time I am still unsure what I'm doing. I'm sure all will become clear in due course. Or when this twit becomes more clued up! Here is a link to my twitter account - if it works...
<a href="http://www.twitter.com/Patriaj"><img src="http://twitter-badges.s3.amazonaws.com/twitter-c.png" alt="Follow Patriaj on Twitter"/></a>

WELCOME to my wasteland (TS Eliot I am not!)

Welcome to one and all! It's a lovely day here on Lanzarote and I feel like skipping! Just kidding... Don't know if I can even remember how to skip??