The Quietest Time (Derwentwater)

 It is early in the morning, the quietest time.

A mist blankets the water, shrouding it from me.

The watery sun cannot yet penetrate this velvety cover.

Ghostly wings break through when, without a sound,

ducks rise and fly across the lake

A craggy outcrop sits up high, with a tree-hidden

bench on which to sit and gaze and gaze and gaze.

I can hear the lapping of the water below, where

flowers are trapped and bobbing amongst the rocks,

in memory of others who have loved this place

Dew makes a sparkling cloth on the grassy path.

The air is still damp and without warmth.

There is nothing but the grey and silver.

No insects are awake to buzz or dart about me,

I am quite alone in a silent, still and soft land.

The quiet is broken by the call of a gaggle of geese

returning for breakfast.

Soon hoards of people will arrive to admire this view.

They will break the surface of the water with dipping oars

But for me, for now

It is early in the morning, the quietest time.

RESOLUTION - A few snippets and their (summer time) locations.

"Her heart pounded and her breath came in short, irregular gasps as she arrived at the hotel. An ambulance waited outside with its blue lights flashing. Grabbing the hand rail Ben hauled himself up the steps two at a time and sprinted inside."  





"Once they were out on the quiet moorland road, he eventually spoke. His voice was almost a whisper. "I lied to you. I did try to ring you but I didn't want Savannah to know." "

" "There’s an old inn, not far from here. Why don't we get some lunch?"

Within a few minutes Ben turned into the car park of an old thirteenth century inn. It perched on top of the moor with sweeping views around it. Carly caught sight of a reservoir, as the weak winter sun gave a slight glitter on water, at the bottom of the valley.

She smiled in appreciation. “This looks lovely. I bet the views are stunning in summer.” "

 "As they entered the inn, she was charmed by the mullion windows, which faced the valley, giving diners a superb outlook. The walls were covered in horse brasses and old sepia photos of the inn in the past couple of centuries."

A Busy Time

It's quite a while since my last blog. I've been very busy dashing around. My main trip was to the wonderful city of Edinburgh for the Festival and the Tattoo. After a week of glorious weather we were disappointed to hear rain and cool winds were expected for our time in Scotland. However we were fine. Although grey and cloudy it managed to stay dry for most of the time, we only got caught in one heavy cloudburst, but dried off in a very nice teashop. Here are some photos from our stay.

 I really enjoyed our trip to see Britannia at Leith, just a few miles outside of the city. It was interesting to see how the 'other half live'.

  Writing

Not so much personal writing done whilst I've been away.  I'm still busy reading books submitted for the Romantic Novelists Association Romance Novel of the Year. I'm also reading short stories for the Hysteria competition.  However, our small, local writing group held a creative writing competition for children who live in the village. We were supported by the local Co-operative store who kindly donated the prizes. They also pay the rent for our room in the village library. Here am I with Mark, the store manager and 5 of our 7 winners

 And yes, there have been many comments that nearly all of them are taller than shorty me.

Yeardon - the location for Resolution

Yeardon is loosely based on a small market town near where I live on the Pennines in West Yorkshire.

Here are some of the locations where scenes are based. You will notice that my photographs have been taken in the middle of summer. I'm afraid that's because it is much easier to get around here than in the depth of winter when the story of Resolution is set.

This is the lane leading to the moors, along which Carly is walking when she bumps into Ben walking the dog.

While walking along she remembers how much she misses the moors when they are a mass of purple heather

.
She invites him to go with her to the local fair, which is held behind the library and up these steps.

The view from high.

Getting around in Yeardon on foot can be quite a challenge with many steep cobbled lanes, which can be very slippery when icy or wet. The town is situated on the Pennine Hills and quite hilly in places.
















Maggie's cottage is on one of the many picturesque terraces overlooking the valley

The Novel

I've been asked on a few occasions how the novel is coming along. Well, not too bad actually. It's been re-written about four times and edited umpteen times.
Thanks to the generosity of my dear friend Paula Martin who has edited, proof read, given lots of advice and made invaluable suggestions. All the time working on her own novel, the next one in her 'Irish Series' Irish Deception. This is going to be a fantastic read.
http://paulamartinromances.webs.com/ Go and have a look at her website.

Back to Resolution. After Paula had put me on the right track and I added her suggestions and took out the padding or unnecessary scenes - the odd tear was shed here - the book was ready to be formatted in the hope it will be digitally printed in the not too distant future. I had 'typed' the manuscript in a pretty old-fashioned way, the way I was taught to type. This, of course, is not suitable for digital publication.

I've had a play with a photo and paintshop, plus a lot of help from a friend. Just trying to give myself an idea of what it could look like one day.
It is now with my beta readers and waiting for their comments is very difficult. I know they will be honest with their opinions and thoughts, so long as they are gentle!

I have also written a brief blurb, not quite a synopsis.  So if you're interested here it is.

Carly Mitchell returns to the small town of Yeardon in Yorkshire almost a year after running away on her wedding day. Now she wants to try to make amends with Steve, his family, and the townspeople who had prepared a huge party to celebrate her New Year’s Eve wedding.

She intends to stay only for a few days at the Resolution Hotel, owned by Steve’s parents. However, her plans change when Steve’s father is taken ill, and she feels obliged to step in and help with running the hotel. This also means having to deal with Steve’s antagonism since he has never forgiven her for humiliating him.

Another more pleasant complication comes in the form of Ben Thornton, the local doctor, to whom Carly feels an immediate attraction. They enjoy getting to know each other and falling in love, until a famous model turns up in the town, and monopolises Ben.

At the same time, Steve attempts to get his revenge on Carly by driving a wedge between her and Ben, and by threatening to reveal what he knows about Ben’s troubled past unless Carly leaves town.

The resolution lies in Carly’s hands as she struggles between wanting to flee from the town again and wanting to stay with the man she has grown to love.

What do you think?

Nostell Priory

 Nostell Priory is the nearest National Trust property to where I live, so, it's an obvious choice for a lovely place to go for a stroll.

 The house is surrounded by extensive parkland and gardens, including three lakeside walks.  Benches are placed in convenient spots and its always a joy to watch the swans, geese and ducks, especially when accompanied by their young.

Lovely to see a swan settled on its nest having a doze on a warm afternoon.

 The house itself is an eighteenth century Palladian style built for the Winn family.

Inside, is a remarkable collection  of Chippendale furniture built especially for the property.

Of course, after all this walking, it's compulsory to stop at the cafe

for some coffee and cake.

Writing


Despite rumours to the contrary I am writing away at my novel. I should say 'reading' away at my novel, Resolution.  On very good advice I have read the whole book, out loud, preferably when no one is around to hear me! It's actually a very good way to 'hear' your mistakes, such as duplicated words, wrong tenses and 'clunky' sentences.  I have also been brave enough to pass it on to two readers, who promise to come back to me with honest opinions and not just say 'nice' things. When they finally give me their assessments maybe I'll be ready to take the next step and seriously consider submitting it to a publisher.  Fingers crossed.

Whitby

I recently had the good fortune to be able to visit Whitby for a few hours. I love going there and I'll let my photos show you why.
Whitby is the setting for Bram Stoker's Dracula and now welcomes many Goths during the year. It has many connections with famous literary folk and hosts many festivals. It is the home to many museums, the most famous probably being the house where James Cook served his apprenticeship. Whitby is also famous for its Jet jewellery.

 After crossing the river and strolling through its narrow streets there is a climb of 199 steps up to the abbey.  It's well worth the effort for the view.

 On the edge of the North York Moors, Whitby is steeped in history. There is the gothic abbey, destroyed by Henry VIII, although there has been a Church or Monastery there for over 1400 years The Abbey was well known in the 7th century when St Hild was the abbess. It is in a beautiful setting as it perches above the North Sea.  The white house is the Captain Cook museum and well worth a visit. I spent only an hour there as time was pressing but could have spent much longer. Of course I should add that Whitby has a myriad of fish restaurants (the famous Magpie) and lovely individual cafes serving scrumptious cakes.

WRITING

Resolution is being subjected to more editing and revising. Every time I look at it I find more wrong with it and at the moment don't feel I'll ever be able to let it go. However I'm assured by other writers that this is a 'normal' stage to go through!
I was delighted to be named in the monthly Writing Magazine, when I gave my views on how social media, and the friends I have made, have helped my writing.  Thanks to the author of the piece Simon Whaley, for inviting me along.