Cynthia A. Morgan's Blog, page 347

Wordless Wednesday – Tantilizing Tables

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~Morgan~

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Beautiful Photographs found on Pinterest. Credit acknowledged to the Original Photographers. Thank You!

Filed under: Wordless Wednesday Tagged: Autumn, Autumn Colors, Beauty, BnV, BooknVolume, Home & Garden Interiors, Nature, photography, Tablescapes, ~Morgan~

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Published on October 14, 2015 11:36

Wordless Wednesday – Pretty Pumpkins

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~Morgan~

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Beautiful Photographs found on Pinterest. Credit Acknowledged to the Original Photographers. Thank You :)

Filed under: Wordless Wednesday Tagged: Amazing Photography, Autumn, Autumn Colors, Autumn Foliage, Beautiful Photographs, Beauty, BnV, BooknVolume, Earth_Pics, Light, Nature, photography, ~Morgan~

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Published on October 14, 2015 08:58

Wordless Wednesday – Shimmering Orange

~Morgan~

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All Photos found on Pinterest. Credit Acknowledge to the original photographers.

Filed under: Wordless Wednesday Tagged: Amazing Photography, Autumn, Autumn Colors, Autumn Foliage, Beautiful Photographs, Beauty, BnV, BooknVolume, Earth_Pics, Light, Nature, photography, ~Morgan~

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Published on October 14, 2015 05:23

Indian Summer

Indian Summer

Ahhhh!!!

Yes, as much as I do not care for Summer and Summer does not care for me, I love Indian Summer. I agree that might sound like an oxymoron or, at the very least, sound rather peculiar, but when you consider the source of the statement…. (be kind, now!)

Oddly enough, as much as the sun and I do not get along, at this time of the year we are on comparatively friendly terms and it’s refreshing to go outside and enjoy the UN-humid air and the lush scents of leaves and late summer flowers. When the sun slants and the breeze billows to softly tousle your hair, contentment sits smiling on your shoulder. (Ok, so I can’t help being poetic, even when I’m trying not to be poetic…my apologies)

Remember Fall when you were a child? The heaps of fragrant leaves all raked together just so you could run for all you were worth and hurl yourself with wild abandon into their feathery midst? (Come on, you remember; I know you did that too!) Remember the joy, the giggles, and the jubilant expectation that thrilled through you while you watched the pile being re-accumulated just for you? (or for your sibling/friend, but honestly, they don’t count here, do they? No, didn’t think so)

This reminds me of the Peanuts cartoon where Linus takes a flying leap into the pile of leaves that Charlie Brown has just finished raking together, only to emerge with a face full of foliage and a lollipop covered in leaves. Thank you Linus for teaching us the invaluable lesson that we should never jump into a pile of leaves with a wet sucker!

Indian Summer also brings to mind late season picnics, the last of the corn on the cob and, perhaps, the last of the hamburgers;/or hot dogs cooked on the grill as well. Oh those perfectly temperate days, cool evenings; that golden sunshine (rather than the blistering glare of July), and even the ubiquitous spider webs (that invariably give me the willies, because where there’s a web…)

In our area of Pennsylvania the fields of corn and soy beans come down (cattle fodder, generally) and countless raptors wheel overhead, soaring on the bounteous breeze that follows the Appalachians, moving from North to South in their yearly migrations. The gardens get cleaned up and cleared out; the squirrels start gathering their nests high in the yawning boughs of trees, and the last of the summer crickets trill and chatter the day long. It’s the loveliest time of year, really. Apple Cider entices, Caramel Apples beg attention (and generally receive it!), and Buttercream Pumpkins (a personal favourite), for a short time, fill the sweets dish.

Indian Summer in all its glamour makes me ever covetous of luminous sunbeams and the crunch of crimson and bronze leaves; fills my memory with jack o lanterns and Halloween costumes; entices me to pause, breathe deep (hopefully without sneezing!) (sorry, broke the spell, there) and enjoy the warm shimmer sensually enveloping those few brief days of Autumn.

Ahhhhhhh!!!

Indian Summer.

My Mostest Favouritest Time of Year.

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Beautiful Photography by: cynthiafleury.photoshelter.com others found on Pinterest. Credit Acknowledged to the Amazing Original Photographers. Thank You.

Filed under: Just Me Musing Tagged: Autumn, Autumn Leaves, Beauty, BnV, BooknVolume, Charlie Brown, Halloween, Indian Summer, Nature, Poem, poetry, ~Morgan~

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Published on October 13, 2015 05:14

Suitable Beauty

Span the Night with Singing Stars

Sweeping their Melody through the Smitten Sky;

Caress the Edge of Night with the Glimmer of Dawn,

Aching to Touch his Distant Lover

Who Sails the Velveteen Nighttide

Upon her Celestial Galleon, Fair;

Play a Symphony of Sound and Silence

Through All of Nature,

Ever Loving Thee,

And my Love Shall Finally Have Expression,

Filled with Suitable Beauty to Extol Thee,

Painted with Apt Hues and Shades of Adoration,

Serenading the Heavens with the Smallest Portion

Of My Love.

~Morgan~

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Beautiful Photograph found at : thestarsarelimitless.tumblr

Filed under: Visually Lyrical Tagged: Beauty, BnV, BooknVolume, Desire, Dreams, Longing, Love, photography, Poem, poetry, relationships, Romance, Soul Mates, ~Morgan~

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Published on October 12, 2015 05:00

In The Lime Light – Stuart Kenyon / Author of Subnormal Series

Please Meet Stuart Kenyon of http://www.stuartkenyon.wordpress.com and Author of the Subnormal series. Stuart didn’t start writing until 2014, but already has three books in print…an Inspiration to all of us who strive for publication, methinks! He aims to release the third and final part of his SUBNORMAL series in 2016, and has plans for a number of other novels in the future. According to Stuart, he prefers to write in public places, tapping away as the world passes by, and plots his stories while out walking the dog. He enjoys reading disturbing tales which explore the darkness at the heart of the human condition, and his characters are devised with this in mind. Stuart also donates a fifth of all SUBNORMAL series royalties to his local Special Educational Needs school, Rowan Tree Primary. They are raising money to build a new outdoor play area for their pupils and I think that is reason enough to hop on over to his blog, take advantage of the FREE previews he offers and snatch up a fantastic read ;)

Care to know more? Good :) Here we go:

HI STUART:

Tell us ABOUT your Blog.

It’s a fledgling blog, to be honest. I’ve only written two posts! My first was a general introduction of myself as an author and person, giving a bit of insight into why I write what I write.

The second was a little more whimsical; I asked silly questions for which their were no real answers. Some of the ideas were borrowed directly from the lead protagonist of my SUBNORMAL series, Paul, who has Asperger’s Syndrome. His way of thinking is integral to the narrative of my series.

My third blog will be a heavyweight effort – I’m going to talk about racism and discrimination, which are strong themes in my stories.

When did you know you wanted to be a writer?

While studying English Literature at university. Shortly after graduating, I met my wife; I told her I was going to be a writer on our first date! Somehow, life got in the way, and it was eleven years before I got to work. Part of me wishes I’d started when I was twenty-one, but I think the life experience I’ve gained since then has been invaluable to my ability to write.

What Inspires and stirs your creativity?

Fiction, in all its guises. I probably get as much inspiration from movies as I do books, which might sound strange. But at the heart of every great film is a great story, and there’s an immediacy about cinema (and good TV drama) which gets my mind working.

Of course, literature is crucial. It has much more of an influence on my style.

On a day-to-day basis, I prefer to write in public places. There’s something about the passing-by of ordinary people (or not so ordinary, depending on where I am) which gets my creative juices flowing.

From what Point of View do you prefer to write? Is there a reason?

Third person. I just prefer the way one can zoom into the mind of a particular character, and then zoom out again and report on the whole scene.

How would you describe your “Voice” or Style of writing?

Totally depends on the character I’m depicting in that chapter. I switch between six or seven different individuals, and as the story progresses, their paths intertwine.

Overall, I would say my style is quite formal but I try to use simple language.

What Message, if any, do you hope to Share through your blog/posts?

Buy my books! Only joking. I aim to entertain and inform; if I’m doing neither then I’m wasting my time.

What are your Dreams for the Future in regards to your Blog and your work?

I hope to connect with as many readers as possible! And, as clichéd as this may sound, I would be delighted if my work made it to the screen.

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Tell us about your book(s):

The SUBNORMAL series is an epic dystopian series set in an alternative-reality contemporary/near-future Britain. A group of unlikely heroes unite and take on the tyrants who oppress them, fighting against the odds to give the country it’s freedom.

What genre do you prefer to write or are you truly eclectic?

The SUBNORMAL series is my only work to date, and they are dystopian/speculative. Sci-fi, in a way, but without futuristic technologies or aliens.

In the future, I will diversify but there will always be a darkness at the heart of my books. I aim to disturb, shock and frighten.

Do you painstakingly plot out your story; are you a discovery writer or a bit of both? Why?

For all three of my novels, I’ve devised a chapter-by-chapter plot outline before starting to write the actual stories. During the first two, I strayed from the plan significantly, and I imagine I’ll do the same as I progress with book three. However, the general gist has remained the same.

Sometimes, the characters decide for me; it’s their story, after all!

Share an insight or secret about your book(s).

I wrote three quarters of SUBNORMAL and every word of SUPERNORMAL on my smartphone. Of course, the editing and formatting were done on a PC. I only write on the bus to and from work, and during my lunch hour. With a full-time job and two children – the eldest of whom is severely autistic – I don’t have the time to do it any other way.

Nevertheless, I’m happy with the results, and feel that my work is getting better all the time.

Who is your favourite/least favourite character & why?

Paul has to be my favourite, because there’s a lot of myself in him. Plus, I think he’s the most interesting.

My least favourite is the heroes’ nemesis from the first book, Daniels. He’s repulsive, conniving and violent, with no redeeming qualities.

What do you feel is your best advice to share with other aspiring authors?

Start writing NOW! But before you publish, build yourself an author “platform.” Use social media to make yourself known BEFORE your book is released.

Tell Us About YOU:

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Describe yourself in Five Words.

Weird. Introverted. Driven. Stressed. Obsessive.

If you could meet one person from the past, who might it be and why?

Adolf Hitler.

When you are not writing/taking pictures, what is your favourite pastime?

Watching football (soccer), weekends away and meals with my wife, reading, films

Describe Your Perfect Day . What makes it Perfect and Why?

A lie-in followed by a full English breakfast. A few beers in the afternoon whilst watching a Manchester United match. Then out to an Italian restaurant with my wife and home to watch a movie. Finally, a good book at bedtime. All in York, hopefully, as it’s my favourite place.

I’m a man of simple tastes!

What makes Life Worth Living?

My wife, children and writing. I would go insane without any of them.

FIND Stuart and his writing at these links:

SUBNORMAL book

http://www.amzn.to/1HXvWak UK

http://www.amzn.to/1LaayFr US

SUPERNORMAL book

http://www.amzn.to/1TOM3U5 UK

http://www.amzn.to/1M4Wiwn US

Website

http://www.stuartkenyon.wordpress.com

Free samples

http://www.stuartkenyon.wordpress.com/free-samples/

Twitter

http://www.twitter.com/StuartKenyon81

Facebook

http://www.facebook.com/subnormal.stuartkenyon

Goodreads

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7558681.Stuart_Kenyon

Thanks Stuart for sharing about yourself and your writing :) It’s always wonderful learning about other writers in this way and I hope you enjoyed the interview…..as well as all of YOU who are reading :) Many Blessings and Success ~

~Morgan~