It’s Not A Question — It’s A Command

 

We’re going for a walk

“Sorry, Caped Crusader, I have to go into town.” And I find myself doing that thing of explaining the trip, promising we’ll go for a walk later.

I once saw a psychologist on a Problem Pets programme, berating people for reasoning with their dogs. I knew at the time I was a lost cause. I’ve caught myself reasoning with the car.

On which, I set off down the drive, giving the car a cheery greeting.

Some unholy alliance had been struck behind my back. The car was going nowhere other than onto the back of a tow truck.

Some flimsy excuse about a clutch.

“Come on then, Caped Crusader. You were right. We’re going for a walk.”

***

Originally published in The Haven

Prison Life, A Rogue Brick, And Signs Of Spring

 

The Caped Crusader

Every week I go on trips out with the Caped Crusader — I would be in trouble if I didn’t— and this week was no exception, but it was also a busy week in ways that kept me indoors more than usual.

For the rest of the story, CLICK HERE.

Writer's Journey Through Covid - Days 6-10

 

Covid Day Six— Neglected Seedlings

Covid Day Seven— How To Avoid A Nasty Shock

Covid Day Eight— The Little Things Get Neglected

Covid Day Nine — Contradictory Quarantine

Covid Day Ten — Journey’s End

Days 1-5

Writer's Journey Through Covid - Days 1 -5

 

Covid Day One — Now Where Did That Come From?

Covid Day Two — The “Other” Pandemic

Covid Day Three — Dammit! Horse-Dewormer

Covid Day Four — The Egg Dilemma

Covid Day Five— How Many Pills!

to be continued ...

Three random questions on writers and writing

Q: When is it too late to write your first novel?

A: If you want to write one, then it's probably not too late.

CHECK THIS OUT FOR FURTHER INSPIRATION

And THIS - debut novelist at 79

And THIS - debut novelist at 84

Q: Where do the ideas come from?

A: There will usually be loads just scattered around you. Yes, you can use other people's ideas, but you can't use their words or their work.

CHECK THIS OUT FOR GETTING IT RIGHT

Q: Are there any rules for writing?

A: The most quoted, usually aren't rules at all. But there might be 4 real ones.

CHECK THEM OUT HERE

* * * * * *

Image by Artie_Navarre from Pixabay

Bright new day, bright new tech - and a problem I didn't know I had

Image by Michael Schwarzenberger

If you follow my blog by email, you will receive this via a different route from before. By the wonders of technology you won't notice the change; though things might be a little slicker. I've swapped to follow.it which is a great new system built for both readers and writers of blogs on all manner of platforms. I recommend that you check out the link and see what it can do. I'd never heard of follow.it until it was recommended to me. I had a look and was impressed.

This process has highlighted a problem I didn't realise I had. My followers weren't all people. 

Image by Marc B

I found hundreds of dodgy emails, and I had no option but to remove all outlook.com addresses from my followers list. 

That leaves me with a concern that I might have thrown overboard someone with a legitimate outlook address. If you followed me with an outlook.com email address and have suddenly stopped getting notifications, please let me know and I'll throw you a lifebelt and bring you back on board. You could just sign up again using the new gizmo - top right of the page - but I'd rather know so that I can say sorry and maybe send you a book.

The view is very different from the other side of the counter

Image by Louise Day

Once a year, pandemics permitting, I set aside being an author and become a bookstore manager for the weekend. When I first took on the role, I thought of it as wearing two hats, and assumed the author one would remain the most prominent. I couldn't have been more wrong.

My author hat shrinks to become a small decorative hat pin in the massive weighty bookstore hat under which I stagger about.

What's the biggest change? It's the way that the role has affected my relationship with books - and yes, the full-sized Daleks come into it too. For more detail check out this feature in Kings River Life magazine.