Motivation to Publication – and beyond

Tag: books

  • Going Public – book sale now on! (and more about the new book)

    Going Public – book sale now on! (and more about the new book)

    Sale of Watching Charlotte Brontë Die: and other surreal stories NOW ON!
    Sale of Watching Charlotte Brontë Die: and other surreal stories NOW ON!

    First of all, I’d like to thank the 925 people who entered the Goodreads competition to win a copy of Watching Charlotte Bronte Die: and other surreal stories. Congratulations to the three winners – your signed copy will be on its way to you soon.

    For those of you who missed out (sigh), the e-book version of Watching Charlotte will be on SALE from 4-10 July at just £0.99/$1.69 – a great reduction (79%). Follow the links below for your copy!

    http://www.amazon.co.uk/Watching-Charlotte-Brontë-Die-surreal-ebook/dp/B00AZYXASU

    http://www.amazon.com/Watching-Charlotte-Bront%C3%AB-Die-surreal-ebook/dp/B00AZYXASU/

    ***

    In my last post I promised I’d talk a bit more about the characters in my new (forthcoming) novel, Shadows of the Lost Child. You can read the first chapters on Wattpad here.

    Miranda is one of the main characters, and lives at the turn of the century (1900). Tom describes her perfectly here:

    ‘She looked as wild as she always did, her eyes glowing bright from the moon up above. She tossed her hair and I stared right back…Neighbours and mates, that’s what we were, even though she was all grown up. Miranda Collenge was eighteen.’

    Miranda’s ma runs a backstreet pub in Curdizan Low, a poverty-stricken working class area. Life in Curdizan Low was hard.

    There were lots of pubs in Curdizan Low, and many of these were actually houses, with a bar and parlour, the parlour being kept for the ‘best’ customers.

    More about the pubs in Curdizan (and other real pubs around that time)

    • People who stood at the bar to drink, rather than sat down, were known as perpendicular drinkers
    • Some pubs organised a day’s outing, usually in the summer, for regular customers. Miranda’s da ran such events before he died
    • Music and singing were common in pubs – but few of these pubs had a music licence. The singers said they were paid as waitresses, and only sang to please the punters. Miranda hated the music nights. She thought it made the pub like a brothel
    • Girls might go into pubs in groups, but a woman entering a pub on her own was considered inappropriate. Serious prostitution was rare in the Low, but some women would supplement an uncertain family income this way. Such women risked their health as well as their reputation, being vulnerable to pregnancy and STDs. There were also very few places to go, as working class life was naturally communal and houses and rooms were often crowded
    • Opening hours were different to now. Pubs might be open early in the morning, and it wasn’t just adults who went into pubs. Kids would hover on the pavements outside, and sometimes go in, to get a jug of ale for their da
    • If your family, like Miranda’s, ran a pub, you could be helping out at the bar, standing on a chair or a box if necessary, well before you were eighteen
    • In Miranda’s pub, the Keepsake Arms, her mother displayed a boot on a shelf – in past times, a shoe was meant to ward off evil spirits when a building was constructed. The story of the boot in Shadows of the Lost Child is complex – you’ll have to read the book to learn more, but my original idea of the boot came from reading about a real pub called The Golden Slipper. It was previously called The Slipper, and before that The Shoe; and in the 1980s a mediaeval leather shoe was discovered during building renovations. Strangely enough, the pub’s name is believed to have come, not from a shoe, but from the name of a greyhound!

    The Golden Slippper, YorkThe Golden Slipper is a pub in York, and although the fictional city, Curdizan, draws on aspects of York for its history, the Keepsake Arms was NOT based on the Golden Slipper or any other actual pub. I’ve haven’t yet been in the Golden Slipper, which is not that surprising given that York has over 300 pubs!

    The Golden Slipper website also tells us this interesting fact. In the front lounge, visitors can see where a ‘Coffin Drop’ was located, the ceiling being lower here. In past times, this was to allow bodies to leave the building via a side passage, as it was thought unlucky for a body to be taken through the front door.

    Sources

  • More Shadows (of the Lost Child)

    More Shadows (of the Lost Child)

    Those of you who read the previous post will know that the early chapters of my next novel, Shadows of the Lost Child, is available on Wattpad.

    Although Curdizan, where the story is set, is a fictional city, for some of its elements, I researched and drew on historic York (UK).

    York-1 EllieStevenson

    If you walk around York, you can visit several places which provided inspiration. York is ideal for inspiration because of its history and fascinating stories. For example:

    Pavement, one of the main streets, refers to when it was the only street in the whole town which had a floor of cobbles. Beneath York streets lie many bones that were thrown out of people’s houses, acting as a road surface. In front of each house was a dung hill, these were cleared two or three times a year, usually when a celebrity visited. Often such houses had a piece of wood outside, so neighbours could sit and talk to each other. (Source: James Raine, York, 2nd ed. 1893)

    This period was, naturally, a long time ago, and well before when my novel is set – the present and early 20th century.

    York-3-EllieStevenson

    Modern, refurbished, beautiful Curdizan, complete with an abbey, contrasts strongly with the town of the past, a darker world of poverty, pawn shops and prostitution. In the past we meet Tom and Miranda, and when Thomas of the past meets Alice of the present, everything changes and much of the dark has to come to the light. Then, of course, there are the ghosts.

    More about the characters (and ghosts) next time.

    Chapter Three is now available here.

    Article written by Ellie Stevenson, author. This article is copyrighted material. Brief extracts including a link to this site can be quoted but the article must not be reproduced in full anywhere without the author’s written permission.

  • New Novel: Shadows of the Lost Child

    New Novel: Shadows of the Lost Child

    Shadows of the Lost Child (by Ellie Stevenson) Available soon.
    Shadows of the Lost Child (by Ellie Stevenson)
    Available soon.

    Last week, I mentioned some forthcoming news. Here it is!

    My next novel, Shadows of the Lost Child, will be available on Amazon shortly, but before that happens, readers will have a chance to dip into the work.

    You can read the first chapter NOW on Wattpad and more chapters will be coming soon.

    Feel free to send me any comments and thoughts about the book.

    There are ghosts, a supposedly haunted house and an element of time travel, so lots to enjoy!

    You can read a short summary below.

    In next week’s post, I’ll talk a little about some of the themes that inspired the novel.

    In the meantime, enjoy the first chapter (and the good weather!).

    SUMMARY

    The book is set in two time periods, the present and the past (early twentieth century).

    The Present

    Aleph Jones is running away but the house he ends up in turns out to be haunted. Or is it just him? For Aleph has a dark secret that’s changed his life.

    Cressida Sewell needs Aleph’s help. Her daughter Alice refuses to speak and a team of specialists don’t know why. But Cressida has a hidden agenda and Alice knows more than she’s letting on. About Aleph.

    Guinevere James is not what she seems. Disguised as Aleph’s business client, she really wants to solve a murder that happened over a century ago. But what about the children who vanished? Aleph and Alice can hear them scream.

    The Past

    Miranda and Thomas live in poverty. Miranda wants to protect her mother but when she seeks help from friends Ben and Thomas, they set on a path to even more trouble. Then Tom meets Alice and the past and the present begin to collide, with dangerous consequences.

    Read the first chapter of Shadows of the Lost Child on Wattpad.

    Article written by Ellie Stevenson, author.
    This article is copyrighted material. Brief extracts including a link to this site can be quoted but the article must not be reproduced in full anywhere without the author’s written permission.

  • Books at the Ikon

    Books at the Ikon

    Oozells Square and the Ikon Gallery which shows exhibitions of contemporary art. Once a former Board School. By David Stowell.
    Oozells Square and the Ikon Gallery which shows exhibitions of contemporary art. Once a former Board School. By David Stowell.

    Last Saturday I was at the Birmingham Independent Book Fair, at the Ikon Gallery (organised by Writing West Midlands. Thanks guys!).

    abigail-&-participants

    It was a great opportunity to meet readers, visitors and gallery staff as well as network with fellow authors and independent publishers. A number of us also read from our work.

    J J Frankin, author of Urge to Kill, at the Birmingham Independent Book Fair, Ikon Gallery
    J J Frankin, author of Urge to Kill, at the Birmingham Independent Book Fair, Ikon Gallery

    The fair was held at the top of the building and a number of visitors came to see David Tremlett’s 3 Drawing Rooms and were surprised to find us!

    Visitors to the Birmingham Independent Book Fair, at the Ikon Gallery. Showing David Tremlett's 3 Drawing Rooms.
    Visitors to the Birmingham Independent Book Fair, at the Ikon Gallery. Showing David Tremlett’s 3 Drawing Rooms.

    Many contributors were quite inventive, offering not just books, or flyers or postcards but chocolate eggs and flashing horns to go with the art.

    Pigeon Park Press at the Birmingham Independent Book Fair, at the Ikon Gallery

    More information about who attended can be found here.

    The Black Pear Press at the Birmingham Independent Book Fair, at the Ikon Gallery

    And finally, you can get hold of a copy of the book I was promoting (Watching Charlotte Brontë Die: and other surreal stories), available both in print and as an ebook, here.

    Article written by Ellie Stevenson, author.
    This article is copyrighted material. Brief extracts including a link to this site can be quoted but the article must not be reproduced in full anywhere without the author’s written permission.

    Source

    Photo of Oozells Square and the Ikon Gallery by David Stowell

    Further Information

    More about the Ikon Gallery

    Writing West Midlands

  • Time and Titanic

    Time and Titanic

    A model of one of Titanic’s two grand staircases showing the carving Honour and Glory Crowning Time
    A model of one of Titanic’s two grand staircases showing the carving Honour and Glory Crowning Time

    This is a briefer post than normal. I wanted to flag up that Ship of Haunts: the other Titanic story is on sale from Friday 7th February (e-book version) for a week, with prices starting at 99p/$1.63. Get your copy soon!

    At the same time I thought I’d talk about time and Titanic as the whole issue is a crucial one. We remember Titanic – yes because over 1,500 people died and it was a terrible tragedy   –  and that’s how it should be, but also because Titanic was a microcosm of life at the time  –  the wealth and the grandeur, rubbing shoulders with poverty and struggle. When Titanic sank it was as if the whole belief in that world had been challenged, and not by man but by God. No-one believed Titanic would sink.

    In reality, it was the First World War that precipitated much of the change that followed but the signs were there earlier, and for those who wanted to see the changes, Titanic was a symbol of what was to come.

    In Ship of Haunts, when Carrin walks down the First Class Staircase (there were actually two) she sees the carving Honour and Glory Crowning Time and notices the clock is missing. Instead, the clock has been replaced by a mirror. This is a great shock to Carrin as to her it says that there is no time left and Titanic will sink. Which of course she does.

    I included this story because I liked the symbolism, not just that time had vanished, was lost, but also because most people didn’t take notice, they didn’t see the missing clock and they didn’t believe Titanic would sink, even after the ship hit the iceberg. That was one of the many tragedies of Titanic.

    The story was based on information from Titanic Voices. According to the book, Charles Wilson who carved the central portion of the Honour and Glory Crowning Time panel on Olympic and Titanic, recalled than when Titanic set sail from Belfast, a mirror was placed in the space instead, presumably until the clock was available. It may be that the clock was in fact fitted before Titanic left Southampton, but I thought it was an interesting angle.

    A retrieved fob watch from someone on Titanic
    A retrieved fob watch from someone on Titanic

    Moving on, this is a picture of a Titanic fob watch, now an exhibition piece, and as can be seen, the watch stopped just minutes after Titanic sank (2.20 am). The owner of the watch has never been identified but given the time it stopped working, it seems highly probable that the person died. We should always remember those who died on Titanic.

    Ship of Haunts: the other Titanic story is available on Amazon, and on sale for a week from February 7th (e-book version). Don’t forget to get your copy at the bargain price!

    http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ship-Haunts-other-Titanic-story-ebook/dp/B007SPGR98 (UK)

    http://www.amazon.com/Ship-Haunts-other-Titanic-story-ebook/dp/B007SPGR98 (US)

    Coming Next: Life at Powick lunatic asylum.

    Article written by Ellie Stevenson, author.
    This article is copyrighted material. Brief extracts including a link to this site can be quoted but the article must not be reproduced in full anywhere without the author’s written permission.

    Sources

    Further Information

  • A Force for Good: Stuart Wilde

    A Force for Good: Stuart Wilde

    CornflowersEarlier this week, I was scrolling down a news site looking for info. Instead I found something completely different. Stuart Wilde had died. Now, he died in May and this is June so obviously I was a bit out of date. But that didn’t lessen the impact at all. I was gutted.

    Wilde, for those who don’t know him, was one of the gurus of the self-help movement, and ranks alongside other well-known names such as Wayne Dyer, Denise Linn and Louise Hay. What I liked best about Stuart Wilde’s work was his humorous style, his down-to-earth attitude, and how he could take challenging concepts and make them practical, almost a matter of common sense.  For me, Stuart’s words were inspirational, but grounded in the day-to-day. That’s what made him a breath of fresh air.

    The Force by Stuart WildeOne of his books, The Force, talks about detachment.

    Wilde explains that while there’s a place for helping others, such as giving to charity, the main way to make an impact is to raise our energy, staying balanced  and non-judgemental and allowing others to be themselves. Focusing on improving ourselves, Stuart says, enables our energy to oscillate faster, and us to express more of the lifeforce. Stuart explains that all things have a vibrational energy and what distinguishes one from another is the speed at which that entity oscillates. As human beings we have a great potential to express the lifeforce,  but negative behaviour holds us back. This is why discipline is so important.

    When we are balanced, calm and detached, and focused on improving ourselves, the things we need are pulled towards us. We learn to accept ourselves and others, know we’re where we’re meant to be, and don’t judge.

    None of this is easy, naturally. Stuart advocates four disciplines: physical, nutritional, emotional and balance, the latter being about not getting drawn into the world’s problems. Getting involved for the wrong reasons drags us down and doesn’t provide the right kind of help.  Yes, we can send our charity donation, and that’s valuable, but to raise our  own energy is the best practice, because that helps raise the world’s energy and provides a lift to those around us.

    Silent Power by Stuart WildeThe initiate’s path is a difficult one.  Wilde explains that our spiritual goal is to experience life, and to rise above the things that challenge us. Pain and suffering are not part of the universal plan: they exist because the vibrational field of the earth plane is very dense. By concentrating our energy through discipline and balance, we begin to raise ourselves out of suffering, and express more of the lifeforce. Our lives improve. But of course, there’s a catch.

    To progress spiritually,  we have to face our inner self, with all its fears, illusions and negativities. That isn’t easy. But by gradually coming to know who we are, both the good and the not so good, and accepting our fears and vulnerability, we’re able to go beyond these things.

    As Wilde himself said:

    Affirmations by Stuart Wilde‘Your goal, therefore, is to concentrate on your strengths, believing in yourself, loving yourself, not infringing on others, and going beyond those things that you find hardest to deal with. Accepting that goal is half the battle; taking responsibility for yourself is the other half.’ (The Force, p69)

    Source & Further Information

    Wilde, Stuart. The Force, Hay House, 1984

    Stuart Wilde’s website

    Other suggested books of Stuart’s

    Affirmations, Hay House, New ed. 2004

    Silent Power, Hay House, 1996