Challenge me!

May 12th is National Limerick Day held in commemoration of poet, artist and composer Edward Lear (May 12th 1812 - January 29th 1888). It is also in commemoration of his Book of Nonsense, first published in 1846, which contains fantastic limerick poems. (When I was about twelve, I asked for a copy of the book for my birthday, instead I got a birthday book with his limericks!)

In a blatant attempt to increase followers/ subscribers to my blog, and following the adage that you don't get something for nothing, I'm proposing you challenge me! Yes, you heard me.

Challenge me! 

Subscribe to/follow my blog, post a key word (often but not always a place name), in the comments below any time during May 12th and I will (attempt to) write a limerick in return. Those of you who know me from the (recently fallen) Steampunk Empire know that I've got a bit of a knack at this (even if I do say so myself). The publishable limericks from a similar challenge carried out there and a few more besides are free to read on my Wattpad account under the title "There was a Wild Woman Who".

NOTE: This challenge is only for all people who post their word on May 12th, 2017 and are subscribed to/following N.O.A. Rawle: Through the Eyes of a Stranger. All limericks remain the copyright of the author. Please don't expect immediate returns on your prompt word; I'm a working mum after all, and it is a pretty hectic period for me right now too, but I'm also known for writing into the wee hours of the morn, so check back frequently throughout May 12th and that goes for any time zone!

"Write What You Know."

This is the some of the oldest advice given when it comes to writing. It holds true even though it might feel a bit limiting, especially if to a young and/or inexperienced writer. So let me explain how I've dealt with this.

Think about all the emotions you know. It's certain that you've experienced a huge range of feelings from euphoria right down to depression. Really explore those experiences. How did you move? How did other people understand your feelings or relate to you during that time? What were you thinking at that time? What made your emotion change?

Then there are age issues. You cannot change how old you are, but in my experience the way you think will not change so drastically despite the encroaching years. What does change are your reactions to certain situations. (I find myself thinking, "Oh hell, I sound just like my mother." more frequently than I wish.) But anyway, there are always older or younger people around who you can observe. Look at how they react in certain situations, how the respond to people of different age or status. Quiz them on their thoughts on a certain experience. I enjoyed doing this with my story Shark Nose.

Read it here.

Knowledge of certain jobs, places or circumstances can seem hard too gain too. The most revealing way of doing this is actually by putting yourself in that situation, embracing opportunity. If you a recent report from Greek Reporter, you will know that I suddenly found myself in the position of translator/reporter on live TV, earlier this month. I've also had a variety of jobs including but not limited to fishmonger, set builder for the BBC, costume designer,interior designer, factory worker, baker, cleaner, secretary, teacher, care assistant, bookseller, shop assistant, oh and of course writer. You don't have to do the job to get a feel for it though. Find another person who does it and subject them to an inquisition. Watch documentaries in the Internet where people are talking about their lives as a.... (I did this for a WIP about a taxidermist.)

For a fantasy author, worlds are a challenge all on their own, especially if you want to create another, non-existent planet. There are whole blogs on world-building you can follow but you can make it simpler too. Look around you and observe. Weeds growing on an old stone wall can become fairy land, a desert a barren planet. It is said that the Shire is inspired by certain areas of the Forest of Dean where Tolkien worked in the late1920s. Regions can become countries, follow the geography of a map but put in your own cities, swamps, forests and so on. Think about the climate you want to create and then research regions which have this climate. Of course, if you have the wherewithal, why not take a visit to the place you wish to write about. Neil Gaiman had tours of London's sewer system when researching Neverwhere, which just proves, nothing beats reality after all.

Characters are a challenge too. They require a little psychoanalysis and a lot of observation. Find a person who resembles your character in looks of personality or both and trim them to suit your purpose. It doesn't have to be someone you know or even a real person. Beth Cato says she drew inspiration for Mrs. Stout from British TV series 'Are You Being Served?''s Mrs. Slocombe in her bestselling Clockwork Dagger series.

Don't have a plot and want to be a writer? Use someone else's. Yes, I am serious. How many stories have been inspired by Mythology, Bible stories, the Classics or Fairy tales? (Ulysses by James Joyce, for one!) Take your favourite story, change the setting, give the characters new names, swap their genders or race and write it anew! You will find that you will probably just wander off on a tangent as you write and create something very much your own.

Finally and most simply, be inspired. You know an awful lot about all kinds of things and in the words of William Arthur Ward, “If you can imagine it, you can create it.”

Shark Nose!

Those lovely people at Great Jones Street are featuring my short horror story 'Shark Nose' and boy have they made a great cover! Don't forget to download the app to your phone if you want to read for free! Click here for a link directly to it and my story.

"The story is heart-pumping and so vivid, you can feel the earth move when the bombs make impact with the ground." Great Jones Street

Balancing Act Cover!

2016 was a very sparse year for me as a writer. Let's hope 2017 is more promising and what a better way to begin the year than with a cover reveal?

Great Jones Street is promoting my steampunk short story 'Balancing Act' and they have created this beautiful cover for it.

BALANCING ACT

 Jeremy Alsop has managed to dupe Clarisse and her family into believing he is rich and eligible. As an engagement present he invites Monsieur Du Monde, snake oil man, and the Equilibrator to work it's fickle magic upon his fiancee.

If you want to read 'Balancing Act', 'Synchronysi' or 'Shark Nose' all you have to do is download the free Great Jones Street app from Google Play or App Store and off you go!

Saying Goodbye

The end of 2016 is here and social media is lamenting a long list of lost icons. I too am mourning a loss; that of my godmother. She was one of the last of the real ladies, full of grace and charm and a wicked temper! A lady who told tales of the mountains and the creatures and fairies that live in them. She supplied many tidbits and trivia which have filled my stories with magic and mystery. Her passing is a huge loss. I have included her in my latest work-in-progress, a new short story currently called Hood Winked, as a character that is not too far removed from reality and guides the heroine through a devil of a difficulty. Let's hope this is published so you can meet her and so that she lives on in print as well as memory.

2016 also saw the passing of the lovely lady whose memories graced the pages of my story Shark Nose and I'm glad this story is dedicated to her so that she will always be remebered there. You can read this story on Great Jones Street via your mobile phone.

As a writer you never can tell who or what will inspire you nor what will become of those little sparks; will they fizzle out to nothing or burn like a thousands suns? I have realised that the truth is not fate or luck, but sheer determination. My output this year was minimal because of personal health problems and too much work of the bill-paying kind. I have been gathering sparks in my notebook and I'm hoping to kindle a few blazes this coming year!

Just in case you have missed anything, here's a recap of published works from 2016 - it's a shamefully short list! (One of my colleagues published 75 stories and novellas and thought he had not done enough...I have to get my a**e in gear in 2017 it seems!) Click on the titles for links/purchase details!

Balancing Act (Steampunk)
Synchronysi (Steampunk)
Hark! Hark! (Steampunk)
Shark Nose (Horror)
Close Call* (Horror)
The Night Before (Zombie)
Tickets to Ride (Weird)

* Watch this space for the final chapter in 2017!

HAVE A HAPPY NEW YEAR AND MAY 2017 BE THE YEAR TO TOP THE REST!

Great Jones Street and a Stranger's Perspective!

First of all, it has been a while since I have written a post that isn't advertising something and to begin with, this may seem yet another one of those posts! I was saving some of the thoughts here for my December post, but I've just had some great news that I want to share.

I have had a run of bad luck on the publishing front this year. Two of the companies that I've had stories with went under and that affected my desire to write more than I thought possible. It felt like I had a jinx on me, especially as one of those anthologies was 'What Went Wrong'! But there's nothing like a bit of stiff upper lip to shake me out of the doldrums and I've just sold three stories to Great Jones Street! What's that you might ask? It's a new short story app and intends to do for short stories what Netflix has done for TV. Sound great right? Looks great too - check out their teaser video. I will give you more details when my stories go live there.

Some of you may have noticed how the title of my blog changed this summer, well there are several reasons for this. Through the Eyes of a Stranger is a line from a song I loved in my early teens and it just seemed apt. The Greek word for foreigner ξένος can also mean stranger. I am a foreigner in the place I've lived almost half my life - that won't change no matter how much I adapt. Thing is, I am also a stranger to the land of my birth not having returned there for over a decade. It's a pretty unique perspective I can tell you. But then, I've always made slightly obtuse observations about things (and often miss what most others see as obvious)!

All this had been churning in my subconscious and the aforementioned dark period acted as a catalyst for what was probably writer's block. It's hard having all the ideas that just pop up in your head just disappear and not have the will to sit down and put pen to paper so to speak because there's nothing there. But it happens. If you don't write then perhaps you've lost your voice at some point in time, or maybe broken a limb? If you have you'll know what it's like to have something you take for granted just stop functioning! You can't go on the way you were, you have to figure out another way. Some writers advise keep on plugging away, write everyday. For me that was like looking inside my soul and seeing a void! Why should I waste time sitting in front of a screen trying to get something from nothing? It was like taking a helter-skelter ride into self-loathing introspection. I didn't stay there and won't attempt it again. Time's too precious to beat yourself up, believe me! I just gave up, took a break, threw myself into some other activities and sure enough, the ideas have come flooding back! Nothing like a little perspective. Be looking out for more fromme in the coming months. Until then, I've finally got a follow tab just on the right here.>>>
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REFLECTIONS - A FOX POCKET ANTHOLOGY

The last in the tenfold series of Fox Pockets 'Reflections' is out!
Take a sneak peek inside my dreams and see if you want 'Tickets to Ride'!

You can buy your copy from Amazon UK and Amazon US.