Coming up for air…having fun and Gemini madness!

Posted on 2 September 20132 September 2013 by Linn

Cover 2 I’m probably one of the most organised people I know – and I’m not bragging, simply telling the truth. ‘Putting off until tomorrow what can be done today’ just isn’t something I understand and never have. So I’m coming up for air after almost two weeks of hectic life and work. Unusual for me (well, at the moment as work life is so busy) to be able to fit in some socialising which, upon reflection, was just as well. It was followed by a marathon session editing Issue 2 of the Loveahappyending Lifestyle emagazine. With the help of my new assistant editor, Anneli Purchase, it’s now virtually ready to launch on Monday Sept 9th. Is it scary editing an online emag with 21 contributors from the UK, US and Canada, plus a panel of 12 book reviewers? The answer is, of course, yes … not only am I a new author, but I’ve never edited a magazine before. But then, two years ago I had never set up a website, wasn’t on FB, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn… The moral of this story is simply this – you don’t know what you are capable of, until you try!

Being a Gemini

Re: socialising, I say ‘on reflection’ as that too indicates that as a Gemini my horoscope forecasts are spot on. I seem to be on a path and all I need to do it keep working hard and take the next step. Well, I think I have the ‘working hard’ bit sussed, but can it really be as easy as that? Being very honest, it’s in my nature to work relentlessly at anything I do. Whether that’s house renovation projects in the past, my previous careers or my fairly new writing career. Of course, if it was just the writing it would be more straightforward, but I enjoy running three websites and seeing where LLm can go. We have a great team of contributors and I feel privileged to work alongside them. In particular, in issue 2, I had the chance to interview Pia Fenton (who writes as Christina Courtenay, published by ChocLit) about the RNA and her latest novel, New England Rocks. She’s one energetic and interesting lady!

For followers of Bill’s foot (age 3 and growing) – here’s the latest installment. Yes, it’s still growing and will be pitter-pattering along to nursery school very soon (sob). Whilst I will miss him as it means I will only be looking after him one day a week from mid-September, some forthcoming writing projects will keep me busy! I’m currently writing a sequel to The Quintessential Gemini – The Quintessential Astrologer and it’s a bit of a rocky path for CK, No. 4 and James! Stay tuned…

PS – there’s a signed paperback copy of The Quintessential Gemini up for grabs on the fabulous DizzyC’s book blog it ends on September 10th, 2013!

One of my socialising days involved a trip to the Chief Trading Post . There aren’t many occasions when the word ’emporium’ springs to my mind, but visiting here does just that! What can I say – check out the photos below. Bill and I go for the cake, the fabulous and exotic plants, unusual gifts, the wonderful resin and bronze animals statues and … the sand pit! Imagine our delight on our latest visit to see that the play area has been expanded and it’s a little oasis. We spent a couple of hours there playing, wandering and then enjoying the best homemade coconut and cherry cake in the world! It was a grey day and there was a sprinkling of rain, but it’s under cover and a perfect place to visit.

What else have I been up to? I’m sitting on some exciting news that might be announced later this week. I’ve also read Mandy Baggot’s Do You Remember (published by HarperImpulse) and Christina Courtenay’s New England Rocks (published by ChocLit). Both were really great reads and I’m about to write the reviews. Reading time is so limited these days and it’s the one thing I regret about being so busy! Also, when I work it tends to be head down into one thing, so I often neglect social media – I’m not being rude, but it’s how I’m programmed to work. So if I’m missing – you’ll know there’s something afoot and I’ll be blogging about it shortly afterwards!

Thanks for visiting and I just might be having a two-blog week … you never know! Have a good one too,

Linn

A walk around the gardens at Highgrove, emags and ergonomics!

Posted on 14 August 201314 August 2013 by Linn

Life is a rollercoaster…it’s been an emotional few weeks with some sad moments for relationships that have ‘come undone’ and that makes my heart heavy. Being a writer of romance I want a happy ending for everyone I know – every single time, even though life is never that simple. It’s hard to stand by and witness break-ups, lives that will never the same again. There have also been highs and points in between – the latter being some extremely hard work and long hours!

DSC04791 (1024x768) — My coffee table book

One highlight was a fabulous tour around the gardens at Highgrove, Tetbury in Gloucestershire – the home of H.R.H. The Prince of Wales. We were delighted to be given tickets for ‘the tour’ and looked forward with eager anticipation. A copy of ‘The Garden at Highgrove’ in hardback (published in 2000) graces our coffee table, and to be able to take the two and a half hour tour was a dream come true!

However, about two hours before we were due to leave the heavens opened and thunder, lightning and a downpour quite like nothing I’ve ever seen before, began. We rang to check the tour was still going ahead and even though it is only about a half an hour drive away, the person on the other end of the phone was clearly puzzled. The storm hadn’t reached Tetbury at that point; but as we drove through flooded lanes, puddles that were more than two feet deep and a slurry of stones and soil washed into our path, we were following the trail of the storm. But we are hardy folk and with umbrellas in hand, after fortifying ourselves with a cup of Earl Grey tea in the Orchard Room, our guide began the tour. After half an hour the sun decided to shine upon us and we were rewarded with a double rainbow that was so intense, you could pick out every single colour. It arched gracefully through the sky, landing squarely in the middle of the roof of Highgrove House. Cameras aren’t allowed inside the grounds, and that was a pity, because that would have been a unique photo opportunity!

All I can say, is H.R.H. has done an amazing job of turning what was (only 30 years ago) rather uninteresting, flat and virtually featureless grazing land surrounding the house, into a series of different ‘garden’ experiences. It has taken a long time for the team to turn the grounds into an organic oasis and it reflects drive and determination, a passionate desire to create a haven for wildlife. Anyone who loves Hostas will know that slugs and snails love eating them – but there was bed after bed of them and they were stunning, the birds obviously doing a great job of protecting them!

It is possible to book tickets for a tour, visit the website http://www.highgrovegardens.com/ and having visited in August, I now want to go back and experience it in every season of the year. It’s a sheer delight, very unexpected in many ways and eclectic – if you do the tour you’ll understand why!

On to the ergonomics…since I began writing (only 4 years ago) I’ve found myself getting involved with so many related projects (mostly website building and running). Whether that’s learning to format a book,how to design a cover, or workink with a publisher. It is true to say that the IT side has been a baptism by fire! The latest hill to climb came to a conclusion at the weekend, when Issue no. 1 of the Loveahappyending Lifestyle emagazine hit the ‘online’ shelves.

Of course the groundwork began in February this year, when Loveahappyending changed from being a website talking only about writing, new authors and their learning curve, into a life and style online magazine. A part of that change involved taking it further – guest writers joined us and I promised to develop online, downloadable emagazines. Having written three novellas (the Ceri’s journey series) over the last few months, it has been hard to keep everything going AND push forward with this project. Plus I have never edited a magazine before and there was new software to master – but I’m a Gemini and I like a challenge.

DSC04795 (768x1024) — Well worn, one spindle missing and now shabby chic!

In order to push the button on Issue 1, it meant five final, long days sitting on my typing ‘stool’ with total focus. Now you’ll probably throw your hands up in horror – ergonomics??? Really??? Well, I had a study and I had an ergonomically designed computer chair, in cream leather. After I began writing (and spending, oh, sometimes 16 hours a day writing…not to be recommended, I add) my sciatic nerve was playing up. It was so bad that at night it was causing me to lose sleep with the pain. Then a guest came to stay (the study doubles up as a guest room ensuite) and I perched myself on a 40+ year old stool (used in a science lab at a school, many years ago, which I rescued and painted) and sat at the butcher’s block island. When our guest left, I dismantled my study and turned it back into a bedroom, because suddenly my sciatic nerve was fine!

What I found was that you can’t slouch when sitting ‘perched’ on a stool. My back feels stronger, my leg is now fine and my posture is a lot better. So my mammoth three days (those who know me understand that’s how I work best – head down and intensive) left me a little tired, but physically fine and with a 72 page emagazine, flip-page style launched on the LLm website and the emagazine website, issuu.

Here’s a sneak preview too, of the draft cover for Issue no. 2 (it can be our little secret) and, yes, it will involve another mammoth, head-down, stool-sitting session, or two. But I’ve learnt some new skills and hope I’ve done justice to the wonderful material the Loveahappyending Lifestyle team deliver.

Right, off to begin planning a campaign for a little personal project I have coming up – it’s all ‘hush, hush’ at the moment…but one thing is for sure, I’m not planning on a rest any time soon!

Thanks for dropping by, this is one Gemini who is off to spent tomorrow playing with a three year old and there won’t be a pc, iPAD or typing stool in sight! Well, maybe five minutes on the iPAD as he’s teaching me how to play Fruit Pops! I can’t wait until he’s five – by then he’ll no doubt be computer programming ha! ha!

Until we meet again…

Ceri’s journey: Angels…sending gifts to some fab winners!

Posted on 1 August 2013 by Linn

After a fabulous launch party on FB, Ceri’s journey: Angels has received some wonderful reviews and it’s thanks to the amazing people who joined in to celebrate!

Amazon Reviews

I would like to say a HUGE thank you to everyone who dropped by, posted a comment and Tweeted/RT’d #cerisangels – it was hard to keep up with you all!

Here is the list of winners:

JB Johnston (most frequent participant) – Willow Tree Angel
Erin Missick (best angel story) – Glass Angel

Winners (drawn from a hat by Bill – aged 3 – thanks Bill!):

Michele Turner – Rainbow Maker
Petra Rovere – Crystal pendant
Heidi – Key ring
Janice Horton – Key ring
Joanna Gawn – Key ring
Katie Phillips – Key ring
Kim Nash – Key ring
Carol Wright – Key ring
Sue Fortin – Key ring

Congratulations to the winners, please send me your full address to lbhalton@googlemail.com, I can get those gifts sent off!

Here is a reminder of the prizes:

Maybe you need a new perspective on your life…

Posted on 26 July 2013 by Linn

It’s been one amazing week, lots happening (as usual) and this Gemini is having to sprint now to keep up with life! It’s all of my own making though and I think that’s a crucial statement. I choose to stay up until the wee hours writing because it’s my passion. I rarely watch TV because time is precious and it’s a fact that a writer’s life means wearing many hats! Often your friends and family don’t really understand the reality of what’s involved, or that when you say you are ‘at home working’ that means 6am until you can’t keep your eyes open anymore… Loved ones are used to hearing ‘I’ll be there in a moment’ and when you look around everyone has gone to bed!

It was the week in which I completed the last of the three novella series Ceri’s journey. ‘Decisions‘ now has an ending and the editing begins. The only person who has read part three is my husband, after a ‘can you drop everything and read this, honey? I need to know what you think about the ending…’. In my head there were two very different ways it could go and my other half is an avid reader, albeit not usually in the psychic romance genre. But he enjoys a good contemporary romance film as much as I do, we are both Love Actually ‘holics’ and it’s our favourite ‘feel good’ film, STILL! I value his opinion because he loves me enough to be truthful.

What this week has done for me, is to remind me to be very grateful for the fact that I have the opportunity and support of my other half, despite the fact that my passion to write often eats into our ‘quality time’ together. I’m a woman on a mission…because I had to wait for this time in my life to have that ‘me’ time. But I often forget to stand back and see the bigger picture – focusing only on what I want to achieve, instead of what I have achieved.The trigger for this contemplative mood was when one of my very good friends emailed me this week to say she is setting up her own business, having recently been treated very shabbily by her employer. This is a lady who understands commitment and motivation, and gave her 9-5 job all she had! I really think she has made the best decision and I was thrilled to hear her news. In my two previous careers (finance and interior design) I had a mixture of bosses, some appreciated my hard work and some took it for granted. These days the hardest taskmaster in my life is me! And that’s a luxury.

So, as the ink is drying on book number six (or is it eight, as it’s three novellas?) I thought I’d take time out to count my blessings. For my lovely husband, family and longstanding friends. For some truly wonderful readers and reviewers, who not only support me – but give me feedback, which helps steer my future novels – they have become new friends in the process. And my author friends, who share knowledge freely. Without this ‘team’ my new ‘career’ wouldn’t work.

Was it a busy week? Website maintenance, posts to be loaded, guests to feature, Tweeting and FB’ing, interviewing, writing, editing – all in a day’s work. However, despite numerous highs, the highlight has to be when I took my little charge on another steam train ride (it’s our regular treat). I took some lovely photos and put them on FB and because I’m always snapping away, little Bill likes to take a few of his own shots. They are…hmmm…unusual, I think is the term, and reflect a three year old’s perspective on the important things in life. I call this one ‘Bills amazing adventure…’ – never mind the views from the train… ‘my foot is quite big now…’

He’s another person in my life who manages to put everything else into perspective. I go back to work refreshed after a day trip out, or a visit to the park or local play centre. We all need a little normality in our lives to remind us of ‘where we are at’. I recently met up with someone I hadn’t seen for five years and it was one long lunch. As I only began writing four years ago, and have only been published for two, she was very shocked when I said I had written six books in the intervening time. “But I’m not at all surprised…” she added. Really? She called it Gemini madness…and I think she was right.

Hope you had a fantastic week too – can’t wait to see what happens next – life? Bring it on!

Having a ‘HOT’ time, and I’m not referring to the weather…

Posted on 17 July 201317 July 2013 by Linn

Sometimes having fun can just feel like pure, indulgent decadence! I arrived home from the 2013 Romantic Novelists’ Association Conference, held in Sheffield, having had a whirlwind long weekend and a glass or two of wine.

With temperatures soaring, and still being in party mode, I arrived back to a wonderful review for Ceri’s journey: Angels. The amazing book review blogger Dizzy C made my day, not only because it was an amazing review, but (and I quote) “the tension between these two characters is hot”.

Read Dizzy’s full review here: http://dizzycslittlebookblog.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/review-ceris-journey-angels-novella.html

Of course, that has now spurred me on to keep up that tension as I write the second half of part three in this series! If you think Angels ends on a cliffhanger, Truth (part two – out in November) will leave you open-mouthed! So I think I’m set for a very HOT week in all!

Huge thanks to Dizzy C and to everyone I met up with (new friends and old) at the Conference. It was my first one and I can honestly say that the talks were worth their weight in gold. I came away with a book full of notes, having had a wonderful time and I can’t wait for next year!

Pop over to my FB page to see lots more photos
https://www.facebook.com/linnbhalton/photos and what happened at the conference…stays at the conference ha! ha! My lips are sealed…but I know a few secrets now!

A quick thank you to long-suffering other half, Lawrence! He took two days off work to be at my beck and call and then drop me at the train station. Without his help I would have arrived with a suitcase stuffed with goodness knows what, in a last-minute panic. The day before leaving I was up to my ankles in water with a three year old who has a good aim with a hosepipe! As it was, I arrived looking relatively cool and co-ordinated…husbands are the best, aren’t they?

Have a great week all!

Celebrating the good things in life…and sharing

Posted on 30 June 20135 July 2013 by Linn

Saturday, July 6th over at LLm – Loveahappending Lifestyle magazine, as well as here, I will be formally launching Ceri’s journey: Angels, part one in this series of three novellas. Ceri’s story is a psychic romance about two people who fall in love, but are not destined to be together.

I want to celebrate the positive things in life – the times when someone has been there to pick us up at a time when we were in need. And I’m sprinkling that angel dust all around… after a shopping spree I chose some little gifts to mark this event and one lucky person will win their own ‘Willow Tree Angel‘. There are ten other momentos on offer to anyone joining in and commenting over the launch period (scroll down to see all 11 gifts) – which will end on Sunday July 14th.

Anyone who leaves a comment either on this page, over at the FB party HQ (see link below), or on the LLm official launch post up to midnight on Sunday July 14th, will have a chance of winnin.below. Alternative simply Tweet or RT using the hashtag:

#cerisangels

The names of everyone who posts a comment or using the hashtag in a Tweet, will be put into a hat. The winners will be drawn by three-year-old Bill…I figure he’s impartial and he’ll have some fun!

Read Chapter 1 here

Find out what some amazing book reviewers have to say here

and find out a little more about the research that went into this series, over at the

Romantic Novelists’ Association Blog

Scroll down to see all the prizes and here’s the link to the FB party – join and you’ll get to check out the fun. I’ll be posting about some of the research I carried out for this series and sharing some thought-provoking snippets. I hope some of you will share you own ‘thank you’ moments too!

https://www.facebook.com/events/211276729026028/

Thanks so much for dropping! I’m so excited about this launch. It’s my sixth book and very special to me! Linn

If you’d like to download your copy and read it for yourself, it’s available on Amazon NOW:

http://viewbook.at/B00DG1RJ8Q

only 99p / $1.55

I’m back…missing du pain, du vin et du fromage…

Posted on 29 June 201329 June 2013 by Linn

My goodness, I intended to blog whilst I was away in France but do you know what? With the internet driving me crazy, I could only spend an hour a day sorting the social media for the websites and that was it! I also (because it was a special birthday…) had a wonderful present! I now have an iPAD – fabulous, but of course there is a manual to read and apps to download… so here is a little flavour of France, courtesy of one of the Pic Collage app!

If you are heading to Northern France I always think a recommendation is a golden thing. I would like to mention two wonderful places to stay – Domaine Le Parc, Danizy, Picardy – this wonderful 18th century Manor house was built on the remnants of a 12th century castle. Jos and Anne Bergman have lovingly restored it and the rooms are beautifully decorated. The gardens are incredibly vibrant and the terrace overlooks the valley. It really is heaven on earth and if you want a quiet, relaxing stay it’s perfect – you can wander around the fabulous gardens and grounds, or sit and enjoy the ambience. Jos is an amazing chef and the food is absolutely divine! Out of ten this one is off the scale!

We also spent a few days at O Mylle Douceurs in Le Crotoy. Situated on the North coast of France. O Mylle Douceurs is a relaxing place to stay and is a two minute walk from the beach. Furnished in a delightful ‘shabby chic’ style, it’s very boutique. The local market each week is buzzing with a large range of stalls, but aside from that it’s a fairly sedate place. I came home with six pairs of shoes…and I have an aversion to clothes/shoes shopping!

So what have I been doing since I returned? Well, I spent a very enjoyable couple of hours chatting, once more, to the effervescent Janice Ross for Saturday Cocktails. I was sitting in with my old friend, Richard Holmes, and we had a blast! If you missed it, there was a LOT of laughter and HUGE thanks to Janice, who is a very special lady and herself one very talented author:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/culturalcocktails/2013/06/22/saturday-cocktails-w-richard-holmes-linn-halton

Part two of Ceri’s journey: Truth is finished and ready for editing. I have also made a good start on part three – Decisions. I’ve been overwhelmed by the feedback from the advance review copies of part one, that went out to some wonderful books reviewers and beta readers. I’ll be sharing more about that in two weeks’ time, as there are many people to thank!

Ceri’s journey: Angels formally launches on the LLm website on Saturday, July 6th. There are some lovely prizes up for grabs and it’s going to be a little bit of fun that will rumble on for a few days…if you have a personal psychic story to tell, there will be a chance to share it with like-minded people!

There was also a surprise in my inbox – I’d been asked to write a few articles for a new website, The Good Villain, a while back. The website is now live and it’s where authors share what they have learnt and also disseminate good practice, hints and tips for newbies. I still very much regard myself as being a newbie, so I was very flattered. But since day one, when I discovered that social media was as important to a writer as the words in their books, I’ve hated the idea of everyone reinventing the same old wheel…so I’m more than happy to share the mistakes I’ve made and the knowledge I’ve gained along the way…

Loving Social Media Is Not An Art – It’s A Labour Of Love

5 Tips To Be Productive During Holidays

5 Things a Newbie Author Should Avoid

Of course, this only scratches the surface of what’s happened, as I had to hit the ground running on my return! However, abiding by my own 5 Tips To Be Productive During Holidays article, my preparation (including 42 Twitter and LinkedIn spreadsheets set up ready to load daily) saved the day! I had a relaxing holiday, managed to keep all the balls in the air (I did cheat and had scheduled a light programme on LLm so I wouldn’t let anyone down) and spent quality time with my other half! The wonderful thing is, that the LLm were there, carrying on as usual and sharing the love of what we do!

Now, of course, I need a holiday to get over the post-holiday catch-up…life eh?

Thanks for dropping by – if you decide to try out either of these two wonderful Manor houses, get in touch and I can send more photos…

Wheeshing at the Avon Valley Railway, tears and a punch in the air!

Posted on 5 June 20135 June 2013 by Linn

Have you ever reached a point where you thought ‘life can’t possibly get any busier’ only to be proven totally wrong? I’ll be honest, it’s been a week where I’ve shed a few tears for several different reasons, not least that when two people you know well break up it’s hard to be the listening ear. This last week has had everything from groans and moans to ‘yes!!!’ moments, and been draining to say the least. However, I firmly believe that we can only fully appreciate the ‘ups’ if we have the ‘downs’ too. It’s just that they are sooooo painful! It also very hard sometimes to be on the outside looking in, when the decisions are not yours to make. But that’s life!

It was half-term here in the UK and the steam trains were running at the Avon Valley Railway. It was a grey day but no one was looking at the sky. We watched as the ‘steamy’ (I assume everyone knows the Thomas The Tank Engine books) was loaded with coal. The boiler was stoked and it let off it’s first “wheesh” of steam to the delight of all assembled. My little charge stood there in awe and said “That’s amazing,” which, for someone who isn’t yet three was rather spot on! It WAS amazing and I was equally as excited by the smell and gush of the cloud that engulfed us.

We had two rides, as the station sits in the middle of the length of track that has been restored. So first you go one way, stop for a few minutes and you head back to the station. Then you travel in the opposite direction. At each end everyone scrambles out to watch the locomotive being uncoupled, reversed back, the points changed and it chugs around to the other end of the very grand, restored carriages. It is then coupled up again. All fascinating to watch, especially as the man has to lie on the track underneath the rear of the loco. A little gentle reassurance had to be given at this point – children are so health and safety conscious today! But it was an amazing day out I wouldn’t have had it if wasn’t for my babysitting time and it’s about the only thing that gets me off of my typing stool!

I’ve been so caught up with things, many unexpected, that I had to write my post whilst having my hair done this morning. I always work when I’m there, so no one thinks it’s strange. It seems all my spare moments are spent answering emails to do with the websites and social media, so when I have a new book coming out it’s a lot of pressure. There were posts to write for up coming guest features for Ceri’s journey: Angels.

I have been anxiously awaiting the beta reader’s comments and three have come back so far. Well, I’m not at liberty to share those comments yet as I have to wait for the reviewers to post them, but let’s just say I was floating on cloud nine! It’s so close to the official launch that there isn’t time to make any major changes, but in all honesty a writer simply doesn’t know how a story will be received until it’s in the hands of the readers. My lovely beta reviewers are all very experienced, so it’s a tough test to pass. If and when the occasion arises I do make adjustments to reflect any comments they make. It sparked a blog post ready for my tour – to those to whom this means something, “The man from Del Monte says ‘yes'”. All will be explained very soon.

Another part of my tearful week was to do with writing the second part of Ceri’s journey, Truth. It’s a psychic romance, but I’ve hit a dilemma. The story has taken me somewhere I didn’t intend and it has raised an issue that is personally very difficult for me to think about. I have two choices – take the story in another direction (which feels a bit like grabbing the steering wheel when someone else is in the driving seat), or grit my teeth and continue: keeping the tissues at hand. I decided to ask a couple of people whom I felt could assess it from the reader’s viewpoint, bearing in mind my stories are mostly romantic and uplifting. I do address serious issues and The Quintessential Gemini touched on breast cancer and a lonely old war hero, even though it’s been described as ‘chick lit without the fluff’ – or maybe that’s why it was describe in that way. I suppose the dilemma is my own emotional reaction. Would the story be the same without it? I haven’t yet decided. I’ll wait for the responses to my ‘call for help’ and in the meantime scrutinise what my fingers decide to type today.

This time next week I will be here:

We’re spending a part of our French holiday staying in a place we first visited last year. In my next post I will share the location and if you are thinking of visiting France there is no lovelier place to stay for the French experience!

I’m off to do the things writers do that, sadly, doesn’t involve working on their current work-in-progress – so it’s a bit of a case of ‘wish I was there…now!’

Have a great week,