A.L. Lester's Blog, page 34

The Gate is published!

My 7,500 word freebie short story “The Gate” is now available for download ALL OVER THE PLACE! You can find the right format for your eReader on the Queeromance Ink page, including Kindle, ePub, B&N and Google Play. It’s 1918, and Matty returns home to the family farm from the trenches only to find his … Continue reading "The Gate is published!"

a thousand holly wreaths

This morning I planned a morning of rosy-cheeked, family fun. So we loaded our two children and the powered wheelchair, an additional borrowed child, Morris-dog The Dachshund and my friend who is visiting for the weekend to help with the children in to two cars. And we drove the three miles down the hill to … Continue reading "a thousand holly wreaths"

Kintsugi

I have small children and things get broken. And I tell myself that this is why we can’t have nice things. However, I have a tiny, tiny bit of spare brain space at the moment. And I decided to use that to make a couple of broken things beautiful again. I researched the Japanese art … Continue reading "Kintsugi"

grief and fear

I’ve spent the last two weeks in a fugue state of non-specific fear. Fear about politics, fear for my children, fear about my health. Fear that so many people seem to think it’s okay to be horrible to others. There are so many things to be scared about and I feel so powerless about them … Continue reading "grief and fear"

The Gate has a cover!

Look, here’s a thing! Yesterday, JMS sent me the cover art for The Gate, my new short story. Matty comes home to the family farm from the trenches in 1918 to find his brother dying of an unknown illness that the local doctor thinks is cancer. Matty is convinced it’s connected to the mysterious books … Continue reading "The Gate has a cover!"

under-layed

I signed up for NaNoWriMo, just to give myself a framework for this month, really, and I’ve been doing quite well. This morning though, I am being helped by a nine year old and a dachshund who are being creative with Garage Band. We have clips of the Bus Lady’s voice (*waves to Bus Lady … Continue reading "under-layed"

monumental

Due to Confusing But Boring Domestic Circumstances, OH and I ended up having a quintessentially British lunchtime picnic in the rain today. We had cold sausages and roast potatoes and tomatoes and a cup of tea each, sat in the car as the windows misted up. It brought back memories of every single family holiday … Continue reading "monumental"

the pain and the glory

We’re at the Children’s Hospice this week – as some of you know, our child is life-limited, with an undiagnosed, but progressive, neuro-muscular disease. So we get to hang out here three or four times a year. Which is not nearly as grim at it sounds. As you can see, this morning we are exploring … Continue reading "the pain and the glory"

I have a publishing contract!

So, here’s the thing. I’ve been writing for years, on and off, at varying levels of readability and in various genres. And I think the thing about writing and being a good writer – and indeed, probably a good person – is that you are never quite satisfied with what you’ve achieved. There’s always this … Continue reading "I have a publishing contract!"

let this stand here

My aunt is dying. She’s my mother’s cousin and has no family other than her brother’s children and us. She’s a long way away, the other side of the country. She’s ninety-five and has been in and out of hospital, getting more and more frail, since her closest friend died in the autumn. She’s no … Continue reading "let this stand here"