Friday, August 29, 2014

Published again.


While I was away,  got published in an anthology. You can read more at: http://lapalma-island.com/2014/08/local-author-anthology-fairy-tales/ and buy a copy (ebook or paperback) at http://alfiedog.com/products-page/sheila-crosby/thrice-upon-a-time-fairytale-collection-47000-words-fairytale/

Saturday, August 23, 2014

The Gatwick Bloc Hotel



I booked over the internet, and I had doubts about sleeping in a room without a window. But it was affordable and right in the airport and I didn't have a lot of time for hunting around. It was only for one night so...

Actually, I love it, and so does my son. The décor's very modern, but it isn't bland or irritating. The room's rather small, but the bed is huge (king sized) and comfy. That doesn't leave a whole lot of floor space, but then I wasn't planning on holding line dancing classes in here.

The telly is also huge. It's a flat screen fixed into the wall at the end of the bed, and you sit or sprawl on the bed to watch it.

The bedside table doubles as the desk. This would be a problem if I were planning to write a whole novel in here. But I'm writing this sitting up in bed anyway.

There's a tablet fixed in the wall by the bed to control the lights and heating/aircon. It also allows you to check out, so you don't have to queue at at reception. Very high tech. Unfortunately it doesn't include an app for a handsome young man in a loin cloth with a feather fan and a jug of mojitos, but perhaps that's in next year's upgrade.

Best of all, the lift goes down to the departures hall. This was handy for dinner because there's a gaziollion shops and eateries down there. It'll also be handy in the morning.

The only problem is that the new season of Dr Who starts in ten minutes, and there's no sofa to hide behind.

One way and another, I think we'll be back.


Night night.

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Sleepwalking

I  had a nightmare last night that I went to visit Herstmonceux castle, but lay down for a minute and fell asleep. I woke up in the dark, and realised that while I'd fallen asleep, everyone had left, locking up as they went. So  I yelled for someone to let me out, and got up and started feeling around. Then the ground fell away under my feet (a horrible sensation) and  I grabbed at something to slow my fall.
The door in front of me opened, and there was Martin, my cousin's husband. I'd fallen down the stairs from the attic bedroom in their house where I was staying.

Weird, because as far as I know, that's the first time I've gone sleepwalking in my life.

Once I realised where I was, I found that what I'd grabbed earlier was the big print on the wall. Thank goodness the hook holding it to the wall held: it's heavy with sharp corners and glass. And it wouldn't have done the print any good either. In the process I'd taken the skin off the outside  of my little finger, I think from skidding along the wood-chip wallpaper. I think I've got a big bruise on my bum, but I'd need a full-length mirror to be sure, and it's not like seeing it would make any real difference. My shoulder is a bit sore too, I think from hanging on to the picture, but no worse than when I've slept in a funny position.

I've was very lucky, but  I didn't half feel shaken up, what with the nightmare and the fall.

Thursday, August 14, 2014

And we're off


I fly off in the morning. This time tomorrow, I'll be in England.

I get back on Sunday 24th.

Monday, August 11, 2014

Semi-crastinating

I've managed enough baby steps that now half the stories are in the "Done" folder, along with all the shorter texts, like "About the Artists" and "Acknowledgements". So the book won't be going to the printer's while I'm away, and I'll be astonished if it goes to layout, but it is at least moving.

And now I'm busy dealing with all the little jobs I've been putting off, trying to get as many as possible done before I leave. Things like helping prepare a press release for an upcoming anthology I'm in, and shortening the straps on my sun-dresses and getting posts for http://lapalma-island.com scheduled for while I'm away, and paying my accountant.

Monday, August 04, 2014

A Review of "The Seer's Stone"


Janice Clark is an American children's writer, author of "The Hall of Doors" series. She's written a very nice review of "The Seer's Stone" on her blog, Tea With the Black Dragon.

I'm extra chuffed, because I really enjoy her books too.


Sunday, August 03, 2014

Re-crastination

Yeah, I slowed right down again. Partly due to that pesky business of earning money.

So I'd better go back to work and get another baby step out of the way.