De-blog

WIPpet numbers for 11th October, 2017: 11 paragraphs for the 11th :) from Tabula Rasa WIPpet Context: Another snippet from Tabula Rasa  (Gray Fisher #2). This novel follows on from The WAG and The Scoundrel , featuring two former undercover police officers, Gray Fisher and Rob Simpson-Stone. Their investigations relate to white-collar crimes (fraud, embezzlement, etc.), and there are also romantic relationship story arcs (however, not between Gray—who is gay, and Rob—who is straight). This WIPpet snippet follows on from the previous snippet . Rob’s with his grown-up niece, Lois; they’re spending the afternoon together. * * * * * “I’m gonna take you out somewhere special while I’m here,” he said. “Belated birthday treat—” “You don’t have to,” Lois interjected. “I want to. Not tonight, though.” “Why? What are you up to tonight?” “Only the pub. You can tag along if you like.” “On one of your lads’ nights out? Think I’ll give it a miss, thanks.” “Your...

Another CV / character profile from the  Hiding Behind The Couch series . Profiles posted so far: Kris Johansson Charlie Davenport Sean Tierney Hiding Behind The Couch  is an ongoing series about a group of friends—‘The Circle’ (the original main characters in the series), which has expanded and changed over time to include the ‘extended circle’ (additional main characters, below the circle on the right). Today, it’s Jess Lambert’s turn. She seemed like a good choice to follow Sean (for reasons that become apparent in the stories—see teaser excerpt later in this post). You can find both the writing and suggested reading order for the series on this page:  deb248211.blogspot.co.uk/p/hiding-behind-couch.html Jess appears in both prequels and books 1–5. I shall say no more on’t. Jess Lambert Name: Jessica (Jess) Lambert Eyes: Grey Hair: Blonde, straight. Complexion: Fair Height: 5’ 9’ Weight: 10 stone Build: average Tattoos/Piercings: Both ear...

WIPpet numbers for 4th October, 2017: Pfft. Clutching… Four emdashes. :D from Tabula Rasa WIPpet Context: Another snippet from Tabula Rasa  (Gray Fisher #2). In my mission to procrastinate to the max this week, I designed the cover for the third book…even though I haven’t finished writing the second one and have loads  of other stuff to do. It’s about as close to a holiday as I’m getting this year. This novel follows on from The WAG and The Scoundrel , featuring two former undercover police officers, Gray Fisher and Rob Simpson-Stone. Their investigations relate to white-collar crimes (fraud, embezzlement, etc.), and there are also romantic relationship story arcs (however, not between Gray—who is gay, and Rob—who is straight). I’m switching back to Rob this week. In this snippet, he’s meeting up with his niece, Lois, who is in her twenties and lives ‘up north’ (Rob lives in London). * * * * * “I’m not sure how I feel, coming second to my sister.” Loi...

A couple of weeks ago, I posted CVs / character profiles for Kris Johansson and Charlie Davenport from the Hiding Behind The Couch series , and people liked those / found them useful, so I’m going to post the profiles for the rest of ‘The Circle’ (the original main characters in the series) and ‘extended circle’ (additional main characters, below the circle on the right)—in no particular order. Today, I present, for your delight and curiosity, Doctor Sean Tierney. It seemed an apt choice for this week, as in the HBTC universe, Sean’s birthday falls on October 5th. He’s 44 this time around (post Reunions – Season Seven ). Now, followers of the series will probably know that I don’t write the stories entirely in chronological order. The ‘seasons’ are written and published in chronological order, but when characters reveal information about their past, if there’s another story to tell, I’ll ‘go back’ and tell it. You can find both the writing and suggested reading order on th...

WIPpet numbers for 27th September, 2017: 2017 / 9 - 27 = 197 (rounded to a whole number) words from Tabula Rasa WIPpet Context: Another snippet from Tabula Rasa  (Gray Fisher #2). This novel follows on from The WAG and The Scoundrel , featuring two former undercover police officers, Gray Fisher and Rob Simpson-Stone. Their investigations relate to white-collar crimes (fraud, embezzlement, etc.), and there are also romantic relationship story arcs (however, not between Gray—who is gay, and Rob—who is straight). The snippet is from Gray’s point of view: he’s on his way to Will’s house, via the woods, when he meets up with Will and his dogs. Kenny is a dog who uses wheels to get around. (P.S. I’m really sorry I didn't get over to everyone’s blogs last Wednesday. The time got away from me. I’ll do better.) * * * * * Gray winced as Kenny hit a raised root and flipped upside down, wheels spinning in the air. Without a second thought, Gray dashed to his aid and go...

Title: The Truth About Goodbye Author: Russell Ricard Publisher: Wise Ink Creative Publishing Published: 4th April, 2017 ISBN: 9781634897877 Link:  http://www.russellricard.com Blurb: Sebastian Hart has dealt with a lifetime of goodbyes. And now, a year after his husband Frank’s death, the forty-year-old Broadway chorus boy still blames himself. After all, Sebastian started the argument that night over one of Frank’s former date-items, someone younger than Sebastian who still wanted Frank. Challenged by his best friend Chloe, a quirky ex-Rockettes dancer, Sebastian struggles toward his dream of becoming a choreographer, and grapples with romantic feelings for Reid, a new student in his tap class. Ultimately, Sebastian begins to wonder whether it’s his imagination, or not, that Frank’s ghost is here, warning him that he daren’t move on with another love. He questions the truth: Is death really the final goodbye? The Truth About Goodbye is a coming-of-middle age story...

So…I had a different post planned for Bi Visibility Day , but you know what? There’s been a distinct shortage of bi women (or just ‘not men’, really) in most of the stuff I’ve seen, including my own posts—I’ll hold my hands up to that. Therefore, I’m rounding off the week with Charlie (aka Charlotte Davenport) from the Hiding Behind The Couch series . But first… A.M. Leibowitz  (author/reviewer/blogger/BiCast presenter and more) has compiled an excellent (and ongoing) list of bi authors, bloggers, books and resources, which you can find here:  amleibowitz.com/2017/09/22/the-big-bilist-awesome-bi-writers-books-and-resources/ . They also wrote some awesome #BiWeek flash fiction (and it includes non-male characters, yay!). You can (and definitely should) read it on their blog (five stories in all), plus there's a giveaway. And you can still buy my bi books at half-price/enter a giveaway here:  beatentrackpublishing.com/bivisibility  (last day today). Link bac...

When my dearest husband read the very first draft of Hiding Behind The Couch (Season One), he must’ve misread ‘Kris’ as ‘Kenny’, because in the ten years since—during which he’s read the first draft of every single story—he’s come up with at least a hundred ways to kill Kris. My favourites include the morning Kris woke up and found all the bodies of his friends downstairs and realised he was completely and utterly alone (not sure how he died that time, to be honest, probably not murder), the multiple occasions he’s been run over by buses, and when he fell off a cliff for no reason whatsoever…there are times I wonder if I should just open a document and let Nige write the next instalment. I permit this indulgence, of course. Nige is my alpha reader (sometimes he pushes it and asks, “Don’t you mean alpha male?” Ha. ) He tells me he’s joking (about killing Kris, not the alpha male thing) and he’d have nothing left to do if I did follow through and send Kris off to Valhalla or wher...

Let's talk labels. What are they? Why do we need them? I know there will be those - even amongst my friends - with steam coming out their ears right about now, because I'm calling bullshit on the 'we don't need labels' argument. You think you don't need them? Good for you. But here's a thing that happened to me that might serve as a helpful example: A few years ago, when I was teaching in a high school, I called the National Union of Teachers for legal advice about a change to my employment contract. Receptionist: Are you a member? Me: No, I— Receptionist: I'm afraid we can't offer you any advice or support. The ATL might, though. Good luck. So I called the ATL (The Association of Teachers and Lecturers) and got the same response (I believe they've since changed their policy) other than they suggested I call the NASUWT (National Association of Schoolmasters [and] Union of Women Teachers - archaic, I know). I called the NASUWT, an...