Michelle Gordon's Blog, page 37

The Story Cubes Challenge! #1

For Christmas, my lovely friend, Rachael Barnwell, bought me a set of Rory’s Story Cubes.  Though I’d never come across them before, I thought they were a fantastic idea, and they certainly kept the kids amused for a while!

Seeing as my blogging and writing has become fairly non-existent recently, I have decided that to get me back into the flow, I would use the cubes to set myself a challenge. I will write a Story Cube story every week, and I will publish it on this blog. There will be minimal editing, so the stories may be a little rough, but I think it will get me back into the writing groove.

I’ve decided to write the first one today, because I’m planning on getting on with my new novel (the Nano failure from November) this weekend.

So here are the cubes:

 

And here is the story!

 

Is it any wonder that the world we live in is so filled with hatred, and violence, and sadness? We have forgotten that magic exists. If we could just see the magic that surrounds us, we would be happier, calmer, and feel more fulfilled. Whether you live in a city or in the countryside, in every flower, tree, and rainbow, there is magic.

Smell the sweet scent of flowers, watch animals and insects in their natural habitats, and see the clouds shifting and changing, and you will sense the magnetic energy that makes it all happen. This energy is magic. When lightning strikes, and thunder shakes the ground, we feel the intensity of this magic. It is what keeps the Earth turning, what keeps the sun shining, it gives us a reason to keep living.

So please, take the time today, to stop, and notice something magical. It is all around you, just waiting for you to sense it.

 

Okay, less of a story and more of a rambling, but trying to tie together the cubes is a great creative exercise! Why not have a go and creating a story from the cubes above and posting it in the comments below? I’d love to see what you come up with!

The Elphite Launch Party

Happy New Year! (Nearly!) I apologise for my lack of blogging, but I accidentally killed my netbook just the week before Christmas! I purchased a new one, (same model, different colour) and am now catching up with everything, having done nothing over the Christmas holiday.

I’m planning on having an Annual Review session today following Chris Guillebeau’s guidelines on his Art of Non-Conformity Blog. The idea of reviewing the previous year and planning the next year really appeals to me. So much has happened this year, and apart from this blog, and my date diary, I haven’t really documented or recorded the highs and lows of it, the things I have achieved and the things I wanted to achieve. And I have big plans for 2013!

Well, the Elphite Launch Party was lots of fun, and everyone who came along to buy a book seemed to enjoy it! It was in Peace of Stone in Monmouth, hosted by the lovely Faerie Niki! I just thought I’d post a few photos here for you to see. If you would like to buy a signed copy of the Elphite, just drop me an e-mail on oldsoul3333@live.com. You can also buy a copy on Kindle.

The Elphite is now available!

The Elphite is now available on Amazon in paperback, and on Kindle. Buy your copy now and get it in time for Christmas!  You can read more about The Elphite in my last blog post. The official launch is on the 21st December, in Peace of Stone in Monmouth, and there will be nibbles, mulled wine, cake and bucks fizz! There will also be signed copies available, and if they arrive in time from America, some limited edition merchandise too!

I haven’t blogged much recently due to being so crazily busy, releasing a book this close to Christmas, while working full time, working on my own business and still finding time to eat and sleep is a bit crazy, I may have to revise my publishing schedule for next year!

Well, it’s time to eat now, I look forward to feedback from my readers on my latest novel!

 

The Next Big Thing

As part of a blog hop, here are my answers to ten questions about my new book! Apologies for not tagging any authors to continue the hop! If you are an author reading this, comment below and I’ll tell you how to keep the hop going

What is the title of your latest book?

My latest book is called The Elphite. It will be available on Kindle in the next day or so, and it is already available in paperback on Amazon, though it will be officially launched at Peace of Stone in Monmouth on the 21st December, 2012.

Where did the idea come from for the book?

While on a train home from my friend’s house, I had a random conversation with a guy, which sparked the idea of a girl and a guy meeting on a train, but they’ve actually met before, many times, the guy just doesn’t remember it.

What genre does your book fall under?

It’s Visionary Fiction, (or Spiritual Fiction) though would also keep Sci-Fi fans happy!

What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in a movie rendition?

This was tricky! I think Ellie would be played by Britt Roberston, I haven’t really seen her in anything, but I think she looks right, and for Luke, I was torn between the two Narnian kings! William Moseley and Ben Barnes. But I opted for William in the end.

What is the one sentence synopsis of your book?

It’s like Groundhog Day, but it lasts a lifetime.

Is your book self-published or represented by an agency?

My book is published by myself, under my publishing imprint – The Amethyst Angel. I have self-published all of my books so far and love being an independent publisher and author.

How long did it take you to write the first draft of the manuscript?

A month. I wrote it during Camp Nanowrimo in August 2012. I’d had the idea for it two years previously, I just hadn’t had the time to write it until last August. Though I hit the 50,000 word target just ten minutes before midnight on the 31st August, when I worked out on how many days out of that month I actually wrote, it was only 20.

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

I can’t think of books to compare it to, but it’s similar to The Matrix and Source Code.

Who or what inspired you to write this book?

The original idea occurred to me on my train journey, but the rest of the story was inspired by things that happened to me, and by certain people in my life, including my boyfriend.

What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

My original idea for The Elphite pretty much panned out in the first few chapters, then I was faced with a blank screen and no idea what to write (because I don’t plot or plan my books, at all). So I switched off the computer, got ready to go out, and as I was leaving the house, the next part of the story literally downloaded into my mind. Then, when I thought it was finished, I’d only actually reached 36,000 words. Determined to hit 50,000 words to win Camp Nanowrimo, I forced myself to keep writing, and as I did, the story took even more twists and turns! One of which most of my readers have yet to figure out…

 

 

Ellie’s life is just one long, bad case of déjà vu. She has lived her life before – a hundred times before – and she remembers each and every lifetime.

Each time, she has changed things, but has never managed to change the ending.

This time, in this life, she hopes that it will be different. So she makes the biggest change of all – she tries to avoid meeting him.

Her soulmate. The love of her life.

Because maybe if they don’t meet, she can finally change her destiny.

But fate has other ideas…

Michelle Gordon

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I surrender…

Okay, so I admit defeat, I will not win Nanowrimo 2012. I guess it was just too ambitious to try and do it alongside editing and formatting The Elphite, working, doing Mind Body Spirit Fairs and 4sighting at 4Networking meetings. Oh and being Marketing Assistant for Monmouth 4N too. And attending birthday party weekends. And – well, you get the point. I tried to do too much, and have just been too tired to focus on writing anything. Also, I hadn’t quite got the right format – but I’ve now figured out how the story should be written. So once my life has calmed down a little, I plan on resuming my writing.

The Elphite is done, (does a happy dance) and I am just waiting on approval before ordering the proof copy. Am crossing fingers that there’s enough time to order the launch copies!

I’ve actually begun to get a little organised on the Christmas present front, and I even have an outfit for the wedding I’ve been invited to on the 29th December.

I’ve had a bit of a chill out this weekend, and plan to chill again tomorrow, although I will get some things done too!

 

Quick update!

Having had such a busy weekend, my wordcount suffered considerably, and this morning I found myself 12,000 words behind…

I’ve managed about 2,000 today, and according to my trusty Nano stats, if I churn out just over 2,000 words every day for the rest of the month, I should just about make it!

I met some great people this weekend, at both fairs, and had some fantastic conversations about angels, Red Indian guides, what really happens when you die, and interplanetary relationships.

This week will be very busy too, with another Earth Angel 4Sight booked in tomorrow, work, and beginning my Reiki level 2!

I am also very much looking forward to the new Twilight movie on Friday. Can’t wait to see the new surprise ending!

I guess I should get back to my novel, unfortunately, it’s not going to write itself!

Positive Living Fayre & The Paradigm Shift Road Show

Another busy weekend coming up! On Saturday the 10th, I will be selling my books at the Positive Living Fayre, which will be taking place in the Priory in Monmouth. It is being run by the fabulous Niki and Phillip of Peace of Stone.  I am very much looking forward to it, as there will be many of my friends there! Jack Shalatain will be there, with some gorgeous calendars filled with his ethereal art. Ray Ball will be there, doing readings; I recommend a reading with him if you need some clarity or indeed closure. Andrea Degan will be there, so if you have any questions at all about Homeopathic remedies – she’s the lady to speak to!

Then on Sunday, the 11th November, I will be in Bristol, at the Paradigm Shift Road Show. It looks to be like it will be a great event, with loads of workshops and talks happening throughout the day, as well as plenty of stalls.

I’m also looking at having a stand at some other Christmas Fayres and Markets, I will add them to the Event page when I know where I will be!

Right, back to the writing, I am behind on my wordcount now, so I need a mammoth session today to catch up!

 

For anyone who thought I was mad…

After doing several talks about my writing, and having more than  few people tell me I’m mad (or amazing) to write my novels in a month and to be publishing two books a year – take a look at this amazing lady. She has written a book a month for the whole year! By the time she begins Nanowrimo (during which, she plans to write TWO books!) she will have written TEN novels!

Now that’s prolific! And inspiring… I wonder if I could do the same next year?!

Well, I’m all signed up to Nano, will be beginning my next novel in just three days, wish me luck!

The Faerie and the Mad Hatter!

This week has been pretty busy! I really should be editing right now, but I just wanted to get these photos online!

I’m down in South Wales, having 4sighted in Newport on Tuesday, and in Cardiff Bay on Wednesday. As well as the networking, I managed to have lunch with my editor, Liz Lockwood, to celebrate her birthday, meet up with two very good friends, Jen Hiscox and Claire Weeks, meet with an amazing graphic artist (more info on the reasons for that soon!) and get my car MOT’d!

I thoroughly enjoyed doing the two 4sights, and thought I’d post some of the photos I took here for you to see.

It’s true, Jeff really is an Angel!

The Pirate and the Poet! A Little Birdie told me you can catch Rob in action at Monmouth 4N on the 2nd November!

The lovely Sue Worrall, she does wear that hat well!

Hola Bob!

There was complete silence while they wrote their competition entries! Good efforts were made by all.

And the winning competition entry was composed by Elizabeth Bryant:

Down in the valley

Where the lazy brook bubbles

You will find fairies.

Next week, I shall be 4sighting in Bridgewater and Gordano, and staying with my gorgeous faerie friend in Bristol!

A well-healed soul…

What a busy weekend! The Pittville Pump Room in Cheltenham was pulsing with healing energy, and full of Earth Angels! I had some fantastic conversations with some truly beautiful souls and even sold a few books too

I met the lovely ladies from The Isbourne Holistic Centre, and may well be doing some courses or talks there, I will keep you posted. Chatted to a lovely healer called Joshua, and to James of 7Words.

Thank you to Richard and Hannah who organised the fabulous weekend!

Here’s some pictures of the amazing venue and some very happy customers.