Tag Archives: #imagination

Beach Time….

Posted on July 21, 2025 | Leave a comment

This year when it came to choosing a destination for my summer holiday (summer vacation) believe it or not, I did pause to think twice.

Should I go back?…

My heart screamed a resounding “YES!” so I listened to it.

As a result, at the end of last month, I found myself back in my “happy place”, walking through the pages of my Silver Lake books.

I returned to Rehoboth Beach, Delaware in the USA.

Perhaps I am biased after all these years but there’s something magical about that small town. It’s some 45 years since it stole a piece of my heart as a 10-year-old.

When I saw the first road signs for Rehoboth Beach as I was driven down the Coastal Highway, my heart skipped a beat.

What if the magic was gone?…

I needn’t have worried. As soon as my toes sank into the soft warm sand, I knew I was back in the right place.

My soul sighed with contentment.

I spent 11 days soaking up the sun (and some thundery rain that soaked me to the skin), living and breathing the pages of my novels.

This year, as well as feeling as if I was walking through the lives of Jake and Lori, I also felt as if I was looking out for scenarios that the characters could naturally slot into.

**** slight spoiler alert ahead if you’ve not read all the books ****

When I was in the amusement arcades with my cousin and her young son, I could picture Jake there with his kids. I could almost see his patience being tested as Jesse played “the claw” machines, determined to win a certain plushie or more tickets.

On the beach one morning, I watched the lifeguards teaching the younger kids who had signed up for the Junior Lifeguard Program. Would that be something that Jake and Lori’s kids would want to do? Would they be encouraged to do it?

Watching the Rehoboth Beach Patrol lifeguards working, I wondered if Grey’s daughter, Becky, would enjoy a summer being a lifeguard or Melody perhaps. Were Grey or Rich or Paul or Jake lifeguards in their earlier lives?

The creative wheels began to turn…

All too soon it was time to say goodbye to my happy place.

Til next time, Rehoboth Beach.

If you’ve missed the Silver Lake series and want to check it out, here’s the link-

Amazon.com links –

Stronger Within – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VXDSC1M

Impossible Depths – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01C0GS30K

Bonded Souls – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XSQHG71

Shattered Hearts – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07ZY8ZSDM

Long Shadows – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08RR1FGLG

Amazon.co.uk links  –

Stronger Within – https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00VXDSC1M

Impossible Depths – https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01C0GS30K

Bonded Souls – https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B06XSQHG71

Shattered Hearts – https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07ZY8ZSDM

Long Shadows – https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08RR1FGLG

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An uninvited AI guest…..

Posted on January 29, 2025 | Leave a comment

A new icon popped up on my laptop uninvited recently. You’ve probably seen it on your laptop too. Co-pilot….

Did I ask for an AI assistant?

Do I have any need of an AI assistant who seems hell bent on helping me write a sentence?

NO!

This uninvited guest is a threat to human creativity, in my humble opinion.

As a self-published indie author, this uninvited guest is also a silent threat to my career as an author.

I publish via Amazon’s KDP platform who have a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to AI assistance so why would I want this “co-pilot” functionality anywhere near my creative work?

And can I remove it from my laptop? No, as far as I can tell. I have managed to turn it off but to be frank, I do not want it there even sleeping in the background. Suggestions on how to evict this uninvited guest gratefully received!

I’m not claiming to be the best author in the world but one thing I will guarantee for as long as I can string a sentence together, it will be my words, my sentence, my paragraph, my chapter and my manuscript and not something dreamt up or proposed by some uninvited AI bot!

Now, where’s my fountain pen and ink?

(image sourced via Google – credits to the owner)

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Page

Posted on January 23, 2023 | Leave a comment

Page

Blank…

What are you hiding,

In those empty lined depths?

New worlds waiting to be revealed.

Old worlds waiting to be revisited.

Young love ripe to for exploration

Relationships that bloom,

Then wither through time.

Goodbyes to be said.

Laughter to light up the world.

Tears silently being shed.

A myriad of possibilities beckon

As I pick up my pen.

The writer’s blank canvas awaits.

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My Measly Mason Jar of Motivation

Posted on January 9, 2023 | Leave a comment

Deciding what to write each week on here can be tough, especially if the “real “ world has been encroaching on the creative one.

Over the past couple of weeks I’ve been taking part in an online writing sanctuary. (I mentioned it last week  Fragments | Coral McCallum ).One of the takeaways from the workshops was this…

My Measly Mason Jar of Motivation. It’s filled with writing prompts that were kindly provided by the course facilitator. (Thanks, Beth) It’s a mix of words, phrases, and questions to ponder.

I thought I’d give it a try for this week’s blog.

Here goes…..

And the words I have pulled from the Measly Mason Jar are OBLIVIOUS and A SMALL BOY……hmmm

A vast expanse of monobloc driveway was his Jurassic world. Dinosaurs from all eras roamed freely across the terracotta plains. In their midst was a small boy, hunkered down as he acted out battles and adventures with his plastic companions. Lost in the innocent world of a child’s imagination, he played contentedly while his dad was busy mowing the lawn.

As the dinosaurs traversed their terracotta plains, they encountered an obstacle…Two Step Mountain. Only the biggest and strongest and the small boy’s favourites made it to the plateau on top of the mountain. Once up there, the herbivores grazed on an undisturbed coir field, feasting until their bellies were full.

Oblivious to the fact that anyone was watching, the small boy played on.

Hours later, as darkness fell, the driveway and doorstep lay silent. The colourful dinosaurs were scattered all around. Indoors, the small boy was no doubt sound asleep.

With a weary sigh, the small boy’s dad herded the dinosaurs into their plastic crate ready for their next adventure.

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Fragments

Posted on January 3, 2023 | 1 comment

Over the past few days I’ve been taking part in an online winter writing sanctuary. There are still a few days to go but the assignments have been fun. I thought I’d share this one with you.

Snuggling into the sanctuary of my fur-lined hood, I set off on my early evening meander. Thoughts, some more random than others, flit by as I walk. Slowing my breathing, I calm my frazzled mind by whispering my Reiki precepts to myself as I walk down the hill at a leisurely pace towards the river.

It’s blue hour. It’s quiet. The tree at the foot of the hill stands tall, its branches bare. It reminds me of the cover of Shinedown’s Leave A Whisper album. Good album that.

My mind wanders to an unanswered What’s App from earlier…. wonder what my friend is doing right now? I wish they were walking beside me. Been a while since I’ve seen them. Need to sort that…

The patches in the tarmac pavement trigger imaginative thoughts. What if each separate patch led you into an alternative world? ..a bit like worlds that Will cuts into with the subtle knife in His Dark Materials. I’ll need to find time later to watch the final episode of that…. The books were better.

The pampas grass that grows beside the pavement catches in my hood. I trail my gloved fingers through the leafy fronds. I wonder if the pink pampas grass I’ve lovingly tended from seeds to mature plants will ever bear pink fronds? Time will tell, I guess…

A queue of cars lines the road. The drivers impatiently wait their turn to enter the crowded ferry terminal to catch the boat across the river. Where are all these people going? Where have they been? Have they had a long day? A good day? Or are the just desperate to get home for dinner? Dinner…what to cook? Not much choice left in the fridge. Breaded chicken, chips and beans? Sounds like a simple plan.

Turning for home, I feel the wind in my face, its icy chill stinging my cheeks. Dodging the puddles on the pavement, I gaze upon the Christmas lights that twinkle in the houses to my left. Some white. Some colourful. Some tasteful. Some…well, let’s leave that thought there.

When I reach the turn off to head back up the hill, my steps falter and I sigh. My heart’s heavy. I take my time walking up the long drag of a hill, wondering if there are any deer watching me as I pass by the small area of woodland. Drops of rain are falling now. Nature’s tears. Home beckons.

Warmth envelopes me as I step inside. My meander complete for another day. Each walk is a kaleidoscope of thoughts, hopes, regrets and dreams…the unspoken colours of the day.

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Hmm…I wonder…

Posted on March 29, 2022 | Leave a comment

I’ve been known to enjoy the occasional meander or two…. Ok it’s a daily occurrence.

If you ever pass me when I’m out walking alone, please don’t be offended if I appear to ignore you. Meandering time is head space time. Time to rationalise the thoughts of the day. Time to reflect.

It can also be time to daydream and create. Many scenes from my book babies have come to fruition after a good meander.

My mind is seldom still and quiet.

Last Sunday, I enjoyed a short (ok very short) meander with my Girl Child when we visited a holistic therapy centre for a mother/daughter treat. We were early for our appointments and decided to explore the trail beside the centre. There were two routes of differing lengths to choose from. We opted for the shorter one just to be on the safe side.

As we walked along the narrow path, we were surrounded by the sights and sounds of spring. All good for the soul.

Then I spotted it….

My imagination has been whirring away ever since. Who lives in this tiny house? A tiny wizard? A fairy? A witch? …..

I can’t help but think that there’s a story waiting to be told about the “person” who lives behind this tiny door.

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Continue The Story.. the power of the written word

Posted on October 4, 2021 | Leave a comment

I’ve used my Continue The Story journal several times since I picked it up on a whim back in July. As I flicked through the pages earlier, inspiration struck.

It was time. I reached for my pencil and stared at the blank lined page.

As a writer, its both a beautiful and a terrifying sight.

What story does this page have to tell?

Will it be like the TV series Once Upon A Time where the author’s words can change the future and give the characters the “happy ever after” that they deserve?

Will it be like Inkheart where, by reading the written words, the characters are brought to life and set free from the confines of the page?

Which of my characters would I set free? Oh, there’s a thought!

Just think, if I could set Jake Power and the other members of Silver Lake free then I could finally hear all those songs I’ve written about. Which one would I want them to play first?

Or, if I could free the dark angel from my Silently Watching short story series….hm…maybe not. I don’t want to be looking over my shoulder every time I go for a walk.

Imagine if you could write yourself into the story! The first place I’d write myself into would be the beach house in the Silver Lake series.

The possibilities are endless… if you have enough imagination, a blank page, and a pencil.

Tempted? Go on, give it a try. You’ve no idea where it will lead or who you’ll meet along the way.

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Enjoying sunrise from 3000 miles away

Posted on November 4, 2019 | Leave a comment

011119 6am

 

Three things in life that I love are the beach and watching the sun rise and set. Actually managing to achieve these becomes more of a challenge at this time of year however I have a secret weapon – well, a virtual secret weapon.

There is one beach that I love but, unfortunately, it’s 3000 miles away from the place I call home. This is the beach that I have based my Silver Lake books around and its been way too long since I sank my toes into its sand.

And my secret virtual weapon – a local webcam.

One morning last week, the blue light of early dawn ( the photo above) caught my eye as I logged onto my laptop. It was 11am in the UK and 6am at the beach( or was it 7am – the clocks changing has me confused about the time difference!) .

For once I had time to spare and therefore  the time  to watch the sun rise over my beach. Want to see?

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This slideshow requires JavaScript.

and finally at 9am the town of Rehoboth Beach was starting to come to life and go about its day.

011119 9am

 

I might not have physically been there but I could taste the salt in the air, hear the waves lap up on the shore and sense the town of Rehoboth Beach coming to life. It might have been a chilly October sunrise but it warmed my heart.

 

Sometimes all you need is a little imagination and you’re there……

 

 

 

If you want to check it out for yourself, here’s the webcam link

https://www.livebeaches.com/webcams/rehoboth-beach-boardwalk-webcam/

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