With the sun beating down on her, she knew in her heart that she had made the right decision to come to the beach. Thoughts of walking along the sand, of playing in the waves, of watching the seabirds dance in the shallows and the sights and sounds and aromas of the boardwalk had been beacons of hope during her darkest of days.
Now, as the sun rose on a beautifully clear June morning, the boardwalk ran behind her, the ocean sparkled and shimmered before her, and miles and miles of soft sand stretched into the distance on either side of her. It was still early, barely breakfast time, but around her the world was slowly coming to life. There were a few fishermen scattered along the shoreline, their rods dug deep into the sand. A few photographers were at work, capturing the beauty of the new day to share on social media. Those sunrise livestreams had brightened many a dark day.
Everything around her was just as she had hoped it would be and more.
As she gazed down the beach, she watched an early morning fitness junkie approach, pounding out the miles on the hard packed sand.
She felt as though she had stepped into the pages of one of her own novels; she felt as though she’d come home.
A relaxed smile playing on her lips, she began to meander down the beach, allowing her daydreams to play out as reality around her. Dreams do come true……
credits to the owner of the sunrise photo – Kevin Lynam Photography (photo is tagged)
Somehow, we’ve reached the end of August – no idea how we got here! My head’s still back in June somewhere! – and the last rays of summer are sinking on the horizon earlier and earlier each evening.
I’ve come to wonder of late if I’m really solar powered at heart. Every opportunity I’ve had all summer, I’ve been outdoors either meandering or simply sitting in the sun lost in a book.
Now though, as the evenings are growing cooler and darker, it’s time to move back indoors and turn my creative attention back to Book Baby7.
Don’t panic- it’s not been entirely neglected over the summer months. I have made progress both with writing the first draft and typing it up, but the pace has been leisurely. Maybe it’s been a summer case of writer’s block rather than sun block, but I’m not convinced. Personally, I think I just needed a break to recharge these (solar powered) batteries.
Like many people, the day job still involves working from home. My home working space during the day is in the living room and when I finish up each day, the work stuff gets cleared away and my creative space is restored for the evening… unless the sun’s shining and its warm and I’ve been lured outside once more to sit on my nice new bench with my kindle until the sun sinks below the rooftops. I do think that part of the issue is that I am thoroughly sick of the sight of my living room!
Now though, its time to refocus and show Book Baby 7 some love and give it the attention that its craving.
So, for those among you who are impatiently waiting for it, where am I with it?
Good question!
I’ve roughly 30% of the first draft handwritten.
I’ve about 25% of the first draft typed. (I’ve paused typing to focus on adding to the handwritten word count).
I have the storyline pretty much worked out in my head.
It has a title but no, I’m not sharing that with you just yet.
I have a release date in mind too but that one needs to remain under wraps for now.
It’s still entirely naked as I’ve not yet given much thought to the cover.
So, all I would ask for now, is that you bear with me and trust that it’s coming in 2022 at some point (hopefully!).
And, if you’re patient, I promise to share a little excerpt soon.
Scary to think that it’s been over a month since the launch of Book Baby 6 aka Long Shadows.
The Silver Lake fans have welcomed it with open arms and showered it with love and I’m delighted that it’s sitting on Amazon.co.uk with no less than 12 five star reviews already. It’s also earned 2 five star reviews on Amazon.com which to me is HUGE plus 5 five star reviews on Good Reads. I honestly couldn’t have asked for more so thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone who has taken the time to leave a review.
I’ve said it before that these kind words and twinkling stars fuel the fires of creativity and I genuinely mean it. The kind words this time have made me question if I made the right decision to end the Silver Lake series after five books.
Yes. Yes, I did make the right decision but that doesn’t mean I don’t miss those characters. They’ll be back at some point in the not too distant future I’m sure.
So, what happens now? What happens once your book baby is set free and you’re waiting and watching as the world reads it?
Well, if you’re like me, you start thinking about the next one.
Actually, I started Book Baby 7 a couple of weeks before Long Shadows was published. I bought 5 new matching notebooks and started to write but I didn’t truly connect with it for a good three weeks or more. For once I have the storyline mapped out in my head. (No, I don’t plot these books out. I kind of go with the flow here.)
I think I had a mild case of post-partum book baby blues. Almost a year of living in lockdown has taken its toll on a lot of writers’ creativity and it would appear I’m no exception, but I’ve worked my way through it and have found my way into my own storyline. I just hope I can stay there!
I’m not jinxing my progress by revealing too many details of the focus of Book Baby 7 but will say this – I’m giving myself a generous window of time here. Please don’t expect this one to be ready before summer 2022 at the earliest.
In the meantime, if you’ve not met Jake and Lori and the rest of Silver Lake, you can still catch up with them on Amazon. You’ll also find Ellen hanging out there too.
“Folks, we’ve another new one for you next. It’s a bit of a reflection on the good times. This is Back In The Day.”
The Delta blues influences appeared to catch the crowd off guard, but they clapped along in time as Jake and Todd performed the fast paced, technically challenging song that’s lyrics focused on their good memories of Rich and the band in days gone by. With a nod, Jake allowed Todd his moment in the spotlight during the mid-song solo. He couldn’t help but smile with pride as his former student played the difficult solo faultlessly. As they continued together for the final verse and chorus, Jake mouthed, “Good job.”
“Give it up for Todd, folks!” he cried out at the end of the song. “Awesome job!”
Two songs later, Jake paused between songs for a drink of water. Screwing the lid back on the bottle, he said, “We’ve two more for you. I’d like to thank you all for coming out tonight. This is the first time we’ve done an acoustic show like this and you’ve made it easy for us. Thank you.”
The fans cheered enthusiastically. Holding his hand up for quiet, Jake continued, “Our last new song is the title track from the new record. If you were at the show in Baltimore last year you might already have heard this. This is Shattered Hearts.”
As they played the intro to the album’s title track, Jake recalled the night he first played it for his sister out on the sun deck. Holding onto the memory helped to keep his mind focussed on the song. In front of him, the loyal Silver Lakers, who had been at Rich’s memorial show, sang the chorus along with him. Their passion for the song swelled his heart.
“Thank you. That was special,” said Jake as the last notes faded away. “Now, all good things come to an end, folks. You’ve been awesome tonight. I hope you’ve enjoyed this as much as Todd and me. We’ll leave you with Flyin’ High.”
Long Shadows is now available on Amazon in both kindle and paperback format worldwide!
Jake and Lori return to Rehoboth Beach to pick up the threads of family life.
As they look forward to Jake’s first solo tour with Garrett, the album launch and the arrival of the new baby, life is looking good but then a cruel twist fate casts Long Shadows over the Silver Lake family.
Will life ever be the same?
Long Shadows is now available to pre-order on Kindle worldwide
This week I’d like to introduce you to fellow indie author, Sarah M Reed. I first came across Sarah’s work when I read If I Fell In Love last summer and I’ll be honest I fell just a tiny bit in love with Ray in that book.
The lady herself has a new novel, The Boyfriend Pact, out today- yes, today! (The link to purchase it is below.)
So without further ado, here’s how my recent virtual interview with Sarah went :-
Tell me a bit about yourself. Have you always wanted to be a writer?
When I was seven years old, my first-grade teacher did a unit with our class on how books are created. We all wrote our own story and made it into a book. My book was entered into a schoolwide contest and won a blue ribbon for first place. I have been writing ever since!
Your latest book The Boyfriend Pact is due to be released on 21 Jan 2021. What can you tell me about it without giving away any spoilers?
“The Boyfriend Pact” is a best friends to lovers story that has a little steam and a whole lot of feels. It actually started as a novella that I wrote in high school twenty years ago, but when I dusted it off and set about trying to expand it into a full-length novel, it became something completely different. I love the way it turned out.
Which of your characters do you like most? Why?
Lauren, from my first book, “If I Fell in Love,” is my favorite because she is the most like me. However, Michael, the main character of “The Boyfriend Pact”, is the best book boyfriend a girl could have, so…
Is there one particular person who inspired you to write?
There have been many – starting with that first-grade teacher and on through the years. Recently, I’ve been inspired by the community of other female indie authors who have welcomed me and accompanied me along this journey.
A cruel question, but what’s your favourite book/who’s your favourite author?
Just one?? I am a big fan of rom-coms, so I love Jennifer Crusie, Jill Shalvis and Jo Watson. I’ve read pretty much all of their books. “Faking It” by Crusie and “Nobody but You” by Shalvis are the two books that I could (and have) read over and over again and never tire of.
Tell me a bit about your approach to your writing. Are you a meticulous planner or do you tend towards letting your characters go with the flow?
I am a go with the flow type of writer. I have the characters in mind ahead of time, and a general idea of where the book is heading, but sometimes the characters have their own ideas about things and I have learned to go with them. Their ideas are often better than mine…
I love to write outdoors. Where’s your favourite place to write?
Since I have two little kids to keep an eye on, I do most of my writing at the kitchen table. Keeps me right in the middle of the action!
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
In terms of life? Be today who you want to be tomorrow. In terms of writing? Just get it on the page and then clean it up later.
How do you overcome writer’s block?
I have found that usually writer’s block happens when I am trying to make the story go in a direction it doesn’t want to go. If I take a step back, think it through, let me imagination go… oftentimes the right path will come to me.
So, what’s next creatively? Are you working on anything else just now?
I am writing a love story for two of the side characters from my previous books: Lexi from “The Boyfriend Pact” and Simon from “If I Fell in Love”. Then I have a romantic suspense I’d like to write, which will be similar in style to my second novel, “In Pursuit of Happily Ever After.” After that, I don’t know.
Let’s finish with a few of Sarah’s favourite things…
Favourite food – ice cream
Favourite drink – just water (boring, I know)
Favourite band – the Beatles
Favourite holiday destination – Disneyland. Seriously. Disneyland at Christmastime is magical.
If you want to catch up with Sarah, here’s the links to her social media:-
I was lucky enough to be given an ARC copy of The Boyfriend Pact a couple of weeks ago. I was curious right from the start about where this storyline was headed. Within a few pages I felt totally invested in these characters’ lives. This is one of these books you can hear in your head as you’re reading it. More importantly, its one you can feel too. I’m not about to give any spoilers away here but this tale is filled with love- the kind of love you find in friendships, family and in relationships. I love how Sarah captures the quaintness of Winston Prairie. I could also hear the buzz and smell the cooking in the scenes involving Michael’s family. Great read. Don’t believe me then check it out for yourself.
Last week the proof copy of Book Baby 6 aka Long Shadows arrived. Look isn’t it pretty?
Now I’m scrutinising it for errors- inverted commas that are the wrong way round, spacing errors in the text, spacing errors in chapter headings, spelling mistakes, grammatical mistakes, continuity errors…. and, of course, those evil commas that move around pages when your back is turned!
The list goes on and on…..
These last few weeks before the launch of a new book baby into the world are the most stressful part of the whole process.
Writing it is the easy part!
Then comes the next challenge- promoting it and marketing it. I’m going to be brutally honest – I suck at that part!
I’ve tried Facebook ad campaigns. I’ve tried Amazon ad campaigns. I’ve self-promoted on numerous book promotion sites. I’ve updated my GoodReads page and my BookBub page. I’ve self-promoted on my own author Facebook page. I’ve shared it on Instagram and Twitter. I’ve shared it on this blog page. Several wonderful friends have helped by sharing my posts on their social media.
I feel like I’ve sold my soul and there’s still over a month till its release date!
So, if you want to take pity on the poor wee stressed out indie author and want to pre-order a copy of Long Shadows, here’s the links:
It’s reached that time of year when, despite the restrictions of our Covid infested society, we are dominated by To Do lists as we prepare for the festive season.
I’ve lists of gifts that I’ve bought, gifts to buy, gifts still in transit and food shopping. I’ve also my creative To Do list as I am knee-deep in proofreading and editing Book Baby 6 aka Long Shadows.
It’s list city around here!
When I announced the release date for Long Shadows, the 14th February 2021 seemed a very long way off. Now, it seems scarily close and I’ve a million things left on that To Do list! (Ok- slight exaggeration but its still a lengthy list! This book baby still has a bare bum!)
I had hoped to have the pre-order set up before Christmas (it’s on the list) but that’s now looking more likely for early January so please be patient with me. Life’s busy!
While you are impatiently waiting, I thought I’d treat you to a little sneak peek at Jake and Lori’s Christmas Day.
Happy reading.
Wrapping paper and ribbons littered the sunroom floor as Jake and Lori sat back watching the kids open their Christmas gifts. From the shrieks of delight, “Santa” had delivered everything on the kids’ wish lists. Almost against Lori’s better judgement, he’d even brought Jesse a drumkit.
“We’re going to live to regret this, aren’t we?” whispered Jake as Jesse begged for it to be set up.
Giggling, Lori nodded then swiftly said, “Jess, it would be better set up down in the basement beside Uncle Paul’s kit. That way he can give you lessons.”
“Yes!” screamed the over excited three-year-old.
“Quick thinking,” said Jake with a grin. “But I’ll leave you to tell Paul about those lessons.”
Once the kids had opened all of their gifts, Jake reached under the tree and retrieved a large flat box and two gift bags.
“Merry Christmas, li’l lady,” he said, kissing Lori on the forehead.
Looking almost as excited as the kids, Lori tore the gold shiny paper from the box.
“Wow!” she gasped. “I guess Santa was listening to me too.”
“What is it?” asked Jesse, coming over to inspect his mother’s gift.
“A new laptop. Just what I need. Thank you!”
“Open the box,” suggested Jake with a knowing smile.
Carefully, Lori opened the box and slipped the sleek laptop from the protective sleeve. Engraved into the surface of the computer was the Silver Lake Celtic knot.
“That’s perfect,” sighed Lori as she ran her fingers over the intricate design. “Seems like a million years ago since I first drew that for you.”
“The first gift you ever gave me,” recalled Jake, feeling a warm wave of nostalgia wash through him.
“Melody,” called out Lori from her seat on the couch. “Can you reach those two blue bags and the flat silver gift, please?”
“Did Santa leave those for Daddy?” quizzed the curious little girl reading the labels.
“Only the blue ones,” replied Lori, trying to think what she’d written on the gift tags. “The silver one is from me.”
Accepting the presents from Melody, Jake opened the silver one first. Inside was a framed drawing.
“That’s….” began Jake, lost for words. “It’s…”
“You like it?” asked Lori shyly. “I thought you needed a proper logo for your solo shows and, who knows, you might even do a solo record one day.”
“I love it, Mz Hyde,” declared Jake, gazing at the detail in the design. It was a gnarled twisted tree and woven into the exposed roots was his name. “It’s awesome,” Jake paused then added, “But who said there would ever be a solo record?”
“Never say never,” giggled Lori.
“I guess,” said Jake quietly, a small voice in his head saying, “You know she’s right, don’t you?”
“Part two of the gift will be revealed when Garrett’s tour starts,” began Lori, resting her hand on her twitching baby bump. “I’ve arranged for that to be your backdrop and for shirts to be made up with that on the front.”
“I don’t know what to say,” said Jake lost for words again. “Thank you doesn’t seem enough.”
Coral McCallum 