MaryAnn Bernal's Blog, page 394
July 25, 2013
History Trivia - Charles the Bald takes defensive measures against the Vikings
July 25
44 Saint James, the brother of John and the son of Zebedee, and one of the 12 apostles, became the first of the apostles to be martyred when he was killed on orders of Herod Agrippa I.
285 Diocletian appointed Maximian as Caesar, co-ruler.
306 Constantine I was proclaimed Roman emperor by his troops.
326 Emperor Constantine refused to carry out traditional pagan sacrifices.
864 The Edict of Pistres of Charles the Bald ordered defensive measures against the Vikings.
1215 Frederick II, called Stupor Munci (The Amazement of the World), was crowned Holy Roman Emperor at Aix-la-Chapelle.
1261 The city of Constantinople was recaptured by Nicaean forces under the command of Alexios Strategopoulos, re-establishing the Byzantine Empire.
1394: King James I of Scotland was born. He became heir to the throne upon the murder of his brother Robert. He himself would be assassinated in 1437.
1603 James VI of Scotland was crowned as king of England (James I of England), uniting the Kingdom of England and Kingdom of Scotland into personal union. Political union would occur in 1707.
44 Saint James, the brother of John and the son of Zebedee, and one of the 12 apostles, became the first of the apostles to be martyred when he was killed on orders of Herod Agrippa I.
285 Diocletian appointed Maximian as Caesar, co-ruler.
306 Constantine I was proclaimed Roman emperor by his troops.
326 Emperor Constantine refused to carry out traditional pagan sacrifices.
864 The Edict of Pistres of Charles the Bald ordered defensive measures against the Vikings.
1215 Frederick II, called Stupor Munci (The Amazement of the World), was crowned Holy Roman Emperor at Aix-la-Chapelle.
1261 The city of Constantinople was recaptured by Nicaean forces under the command of Alexios Strategopoulos, re-establishing the Byzantine Empire.
1394: King James I of Scotland was born. He became heir to the throne upon the murder of his brother Robert. He himself would be assassinated in 1437.
1603 James VI of Scotland was crowned as king of England (James I of England), uniting the Kingdom of England and Kingdom of Scotland into personal union. Political union would occur in 1707.
July 24, 2013
The Wizard of Notts recommends: Murtagh handed Novellist mount
http://www.sportinglife.com/racing/news/article/2/8836965/murtagh-handed-novellist-mount
Murtagh handed Novellist mount
Last Updated: July 23 2013, 15:20 BSTJohnny Murtagh has been confirmed as the rider of Novellist in Saturday's King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot.
King George VI and QE Diamond Stakes Antepost: Novellist 7/2 
Johnny Murtagh: Will ride Novellist at AscotRelated ContentSt Nicholas retiresUniversal to be King?Boomakers - a number of whom have refunded ante-post bets on the six-times Group One winner, including Sky Bet - now have Novellist as their second favourite behind Cirrus Des Aigles and trainer Andreas Wohler has moved to snap up Murtagh who is riding at the top of his game. ProfilesNovellist (IRE) 
Ektihaam (IRE)
Ryan Moore partnered the four-year-old to win the Grand Prix de Saint Cloud last time out, when Cirrus Des Aigles could finish only fifth on his first run of the year.
However, Moore will be required to ride Sir Michael Stoute's Hillstar, who was supplemented on Monday at a cost of £75,000.
William Buick is another who has ridden Novellist before but his boss, John Gosden, is likely to have runners at York on the same afternoon.
That meant Wohler turned his attentions to Murtagh who, despite starting a training career this summer, remains at the peak of his powers in the saddle, as he showed when winning the Irish Oaks aboard the wayward Chiquita last weekend.
"We've booked Johnny Murtagh as there were question marks over the other jockeys we've used before," said Wohler.
"The owner (Dr Christophe Berglar) didn't want to be hanging around until the last minute, which is understandable, so we've booked Johnny. Now we have certainty and Johnny is obviously in really good form."
Dane O'Neill has spoken of his delight at coming in for the ride on Roger Varian's Ektihaam, who slipped up on the bend in a dramatic Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot.
O'Neill is second jockey to owner Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum behind Paul Hanagan, but the latter has chosen to go to York to ride the William Haggas-trained Mukhadram instead.
"He's a solid horse and rides in these races aren't easy to come by," O'Neill told At The Races.
"I can see where Paul is coming from, but it must have been a difficult decision for him. He must have been cursing when he realised the two horses were going to clash on the same day - luckily for me it is when doing a job like this works out very well.
"He did a light piece of work this morning, it was basically a leg stretch, and Roger was very happy with him. Since his mishap the last day, he's been fine at home."
Murtagh handed Novellist mount
Last Updated: July 23 2013, 15:20 BSTJohnny Murtagh has been confirmed as the rider of Novellist in Saturday's King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot.
King George VI and QE Diamond Stakes Antepost: Novellist 7/2 Johnny Murtagh: Will ride Novellist at AscotRelated ContentSt Nicholas retiresUniversal to be King?Boomakers - a number of whom have refunded ante-post bets on the six-times Group One winner, including Sky Bet - now have Novellist as their second favourite behind Cirrus Des Aigles and trainer Andreas Wohler has moved to snap up Murtagh who is riding at the top of his game. ProfilesNovellist (IRE) Ektihaam (IRE) Ryan Moore partnered the four-year-old to win the Grand Prix de Saint Cloud last time out, when Cirrus Des Aigles could finish only fifth on his first run of the year.
However, Moore will be required to ride Sir Michael Stoute's Hillstar, who was supplemented on Monday at a cost of £75,000.
William Buick is another who has ridden Novellist before but his boss, John Gosden, is likely to have runners at York on the same afternoon.
That meant Wohler turned his attentions to Murtagh who, despite starting a training career this summer, remains at the peak of his powers in the saddle, as he showed when winning the Irish Oaks aboard the wayward Chiquita last weekend.
"We've booked Johnny Murtagh as there were question marks over the other jockeys we've used before," said Wohler.
"The owner (Dr Christophe Berglar) didn't want to be hanging around until the last minute, which is understandable, so we've booked Johnny. Now we have certainty and Johnny is obviously in really good form."
Dane O'Neill has spoken of his delight at coming in for the ride on Roger Varian's Ektihaam, who slipped up on the bend in a dramatic Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot.
O'Neill is second jockey to owner Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum behind Paul Hanagan, but the latter has chosen to go to York to ride the William Haggas-trained Mukhadram instead.
"He's a solid horse and rides in these races aren't easy to come by," O'Neill told At The Races.
"I can see where Paul is coming from, but it must have been a difficult decision for him. He must have been cursing when he realised the two horses were going to clash on the same day - luckily for me it is when doing a job like this works out very well.
"He did a light piece of work this morning, it was basically a leg stretch, and Roger was very happy with him. Since his mishap the last day, he's been fine at home."
History Trivia - Mary, Queen of Scots, abdicates
July 24
1411 Battle of Harlaw, Highland and Lowland Scots clashed at Red Harlaw, which was one of the bloodiest battles of Scottish history.
1487 Citizens of Leeuwarden, Netherlands held a strike against a ban on foreign beer.
1567 Mary, Queen of Scots, was forced to abdicate and was replaced by her one-year-old son James VI.
1411 Battle of Harlaw, Highland and Lowland Scots clashed at Red Harlaw, which was one of the bloodiest battles of Scottish history.
1487 Citizens of Leeuwarden, Netherlands held a strike against a ban on foreign beer.
1567 Mary, Queen of Scots, was forced to abdicate and was replaced by her one-year-old son James VI.
The Wizard's Cauldron: Orange County Musings...with Brenda Perlin
The Wizard's Cauldron: Orange County Musings...with Brenda Perlin: *Apologies for some of the fontwork here - slight problems I need to solve given more time A year ago, I met Brenda Perlin, writer of Hom...
July 23, 2013
Wizard of Notts recommends: Why did the good people of Hartlepool hang a monkey?
http://www.thisishartlepool.co.uk/history/thehartlepoolmonkey.asp
The Hartlepool Monkey, Who hung the monkey?
The Monkey Hanging StoryThe monkey-hanging legend is the most famous story connected with Hartlepool. During the Napoleonic Wars a French ship was wrecked off the Hartlepool coast.
During the Napoleonic Wars there was a fear of a French invasion of Britain and much public concern about the possibility of French infiltrators and spies.
The fishermen of Hartlepool fearing an invasion kept a close watch on the French vessel as it struggled against the storm but when the vessel was severely battered and sunk they turned their attention to the wreckage washed ashore. Among the wreckage lay one wet and sorrowful looking survivor, the ship’s pet monkey dressed to amuse in a military style uniform.
The fishermen apparently questioned the monkey and held a beach-based trial. Unfamiliar with what a Frenchman looked like they came to the conclusion that this monkey was a French spy and should be sentenced to death. The unfortunate creature was to die by hanging, with the mast of a fishing boat (a coble) providing a convenient gallows.
The Monkey SongIn former times, when war and strife
The French invasion threaten’d life
An’ all was armed to the knife
The Fisherman hung the monkey O !
The Fishermen with courage high,
Siezed on the monkey for a French spy;
“Hang him !” says one; “he’s to die”
They did and they hung the monkey Oh!
They tried every means to make him speak
And tortured the monkey till loud he did speak;
Says yen “thats french” says another “its Greek”
For the fishermen had got druncky oh!
Hammer his ribs, the thunnerin thief
Pummel his pyet wi yor neef!
He’s landed here for nobbut grief
He’s aud Napoleon’s uncky O!
Thus to the Monkey all hands behaved
“Cut off his whiskers!” yen chap raved
Another bawled out “He’s never been shaved”,
So commenced to scrape the Monkey, O!
They put him on a gridiron hot,
The Monkey then quite lively got,
He rowl’d his eyes tiv a’ the lot,
For the Monkey agyen turned funky O!.
Then a Fisherman up te Monkey goes,
Saying “Hang him at yence, an’ end his woes,”
But the Monkey flew at him and bit off his nose,
An’ that raised the poor man’s Monkey O!
In former times, mid war an’ strife,
The French invasion threatened life,
An’ all was armed to the knife,
The Fishermen hung the Monkey O!
The Fishermen wi’ courage high,
Seized on the Monkey for a spy,
“Hang him” says yen, says another,”He’ll die!”
They did, and they hung the Monkey O!. They tortor’d the Monkey till loud he did
squeak
Says yen, “That’s French,” says another “it’s Greek”
For the Fishermen had got drunky, O!
“He’s all ower hair!” sum chap did cry,
E’en up te summic cute an’ sly
Wiv a cod’s head then they closed an eye,
Afore they hung the Monkey O!.
Did it really happen?So is it true? Did it really happen like that? You won’t find many people in Hartlepool who say it didn’t. They love the story. The term was originally derogatory and for a long, long time after the event, people from neighbouring towns used the tale to mock Hartlepool and its inhabitants, and Hartlepudlians were often on the receiving end of the jibe: “Who hung the monkey?” , and is often applied to supporters of Hartlepool United Football Club by supporters of their arch rivals Darlington. However it has been embraced by many Hartlepudlians, and only a small minority still consider the term offensive.
Then there are some who point to a much darker interpretation of the yarn. They say that the creature that was hanged might not have been a monkey at all; it could have been a young boy. After all, the term powder-monkey was commonly used in those times for the children employed on warships to prime the cannon with gunpowder.Whatever the truth the story of the Hartlepool monkey is a legend which has endured over two centuries and now enters its third as strong as ever.Monkey usage in Hartlepool todayThe local Rugby Union team Hartlepool Rovers are known as the Monkeyhangers, Hartlepool United F.C.’s mascot is a monkey called H’Angus the Monkey. A visit to Hartlepool Maria will spring up the odd Monkey – a lifeboat donation Monkey exists close to the harbour entrance of Hartlepool Marina.The Monkey MayorIn 2002, Stuart Drummond campaigned for the office of Mayor of Hartlepool in the costume of H’Angus the Monkey and narrowly won; he used the election slogan “free bananas for schoolchildren”, a promise he was unable to keep. He has since been re-elected twice.Monkey Bone Found
In June 2005 a large bone was found washed ashore on Hartlepool beach by a local resident, which initially was taken as giving credence to the monkey legend. Analysis revealed the bone to be that of a red deer which had died 6,000 years ago. The bone is now in the collections of Hartlepool Museum Service.
The Hartlepool Monkey, Who hung the monkey?
The Monkey Hanging StoryThe monkey-hanging legend is the most famous story connected with Hartlepool. During the Napoleonic Wars a French ship was wrecked off the Hartlepool coast.
During the Napoleonic Wars there was a fear of a French invasion of Britain and much public concern about the possibility of French infiltrators and spies.
The fishermen of Hartlepool fearing an invasion kept a close watch on the French vessel as it struggled against the storm but when the vessel was severely battered and sunk they turned their attention to the wreckage washed ashore. Among the wreckage lay one wet and sorrowful looking survivor, the ship’s pet monkey dressed to amuse in a military style uniform.
The fishermen apparently questioned the monkey and held a beach-based trial. Unfamiliar with what a Frenchman looked like they came to the conclusion that this monkey was a French spy and should be sentenced to death. The unfortunate creature was to die by hanging, with the mast of a fishing boat (a coble) providing a convenient gallows.
The Monkey SongIn former times, when war and strife
The French invasion threaten’d life
An’ all was armed to the knife
The Fisherman hung the monkey O !
The Fishermen with courage high,
Siezed on the monkey for a French spy;
“Hang him !” says one; “he’s to die”
They did and they hung the monkey Oh!
They tried every means to make him speak
And tortured the monkey till loud he did speak;
Says yen “thats french” says another “its Greek”
For the fishermen had got druncky oh!
Hammer his ribs, the thunnerin thief
Pummel his pyet wi yor neef!
He’s landed here for nobbut grief
He’s aud Napoleon’s uncky O!
Thus to the Monkey all hands behaved
“Cut off his whiskers!” yen chap raved
Another bawled out “He’s never been shaved”,
So commenced to scrape the Monkey, O!
They put him on a gridiron hot,
The Monkey then quite lively got,
He rowl’d his eyes tiv a’ the lot,
For the Monkey agyen turned funky O!.
Then a Fisherman up te Monkey goes,
Saying “Hang him at yence, an’ end his woes,”
But the Monkey flew at him and bit off his nose,
An’ that raised the poor man’s Monkey O!
In former times, mid war an’ strife,
The French invasion threatened life,
An’ all was armed to the knife,
The Fishermen hung the Monkey O!
The Fishermen wi’ courage high,
Seized on the Monkey for a spy,
“Hang him” says yen, says another,”He’ll die!”
They did, and they hung the Monkey O!. They tortor’d the Monkey till loud he did
squeak
Says yen, “That’s French,” says another “it’s Greek”
For the Fishermen had got drunky, O!
“He’s all ower hair!” sum chap did cry,
E’en up te summic cute an’ sly
Wiv a cod’s head then they closed an eye,
Afore they hung the Monkey O!.
Did it really happen?So is it true? Did it really happen like that? You won’t find many people in Hartlepool who say it didn’t. They love the story. The term was originally derogatory and for a long, long time after the event, people from neighbouring towns used the tale to mock Hartlepool and its inhabitants, and Hartlepudlians were often on the receiving end of the jibe: “Who hung the monkey?” , and is often applied to supporters of Hartlepool United Football Club by supporters of their arch rivals Darlington. However it has been embraced by many Hartlepudlians, and only a small minority still consider the term offensive.
Then there are some who point to a much darker interpretation of the yarn. They say that the creature that was hanged might not have been a monkey at all; it could have been a young boy. After all, the term powder-monkey was commonly used in those times for the children employed on warships to prime the cannon with gunpowder.Whatever the truth the story of the Hartlepool monkey is a legend which has endured over two centuries and now enters its third as strong as ever.Monkey usage in Hartlepool todayThe local Rugby Union team Hartlepool Rovers are known as the Monkeyhangers, Hartlepool United F.C.’s mascot is a monkey called H’Angus the Monkey. A visit to Hartlepool Maria will spring up the odd Monkey – a lifeboat donation Monkey exists close to the harbour entrance of Hartlepool Marina.The Monkey MayorIn 2002, Stuart Drummond campaigned for the office of Mayor of Hartlepool in the costume of H’Angus the Monkey and narrowly won; he used the election slogan “free bananas for schoolchildren”, a promise he was unable to keep. He has since been re-elected twice.Monkey Bone Found
In June 2005 a large bone was found washed ashore on Hartlepool beach by a local resident, which initially was taken as giving credence to the monkey legend. Analysis revealed the bone to be that of a red deer which had died 6,000 years ago. The bone is now in the collections of Hartlepool Museum Service.
Mark Barry's highly anticipated sequel to Ultra Violence, Violent Disorder, will be available on Amazon August 1, 2013
http://greenwizardcarla.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/violent-disorder-launch.html
Violent Disorder Launch VIOLENT DISORDER, my first solo book for a year, and the sequel to Ultra Violence, is out on August 1st for e-book buyers and three weeks later for paperback customers.
Have a look at Dark Dawn Creation's Cover.
Back "Blurb" (in progress)
Let’s ‘av it…
The tall one advances toward me, grinning, all teeth, denim jacket and faded jeans. He wants it, I can tell. This knowledge makes me content. It fills me with calm, a balance. An equilibrium.As he approaches, a sense of certainty descends that this upcoming scenario is somehow meant to be. There is a mutual acceptance. A tacit agreement that extreme violence is about to take place, that punches will be thrown, that blood will be spilled, and that one or both of us is going to be hurt, possibly quite badly.Maybe very badly, indeed.
The Bully Brothers. Forty-something football hooligans determined to go straight. A young Internet writer charts their progress to becoming productive citizens against the background of a disintegrating England.Shortages of healthy food. Zero hour contracts. Moated communities. Disturbing gangs of homeless roaming the streets. Cancer victims forced to work for dole. Frightened offspring poisoning immortal parents to avoid impossible care bills. Twenty quid for the flicks, three fifty a pint, and eight quid a packet of fags. You don’t know whether to wear a parka to go shopping or slap on sun block. The writer takes their confession but stays at arm’s length. Old football war stories - myths and fables from the terraces of Meadow Lane. Sins of Ultra Violence two decades old carried out in service stations, back alleys and the high streets of dead towns like Hounslow, Rotherham, Swindon and Peterborough. Will they succeed in going straight? Can they resist the carnage planned for the last match of the season against Coventry’s top boys? Or will they fail, dragging the writer into the bloody battle with them…
Violent Disorder is the much anticipated sequel to Green Wizard’s best-selling Ultra Violence.
______________________________________________________________
There will be an extract next week, and the following week, at least four interviews with me on various blogs, where I discuss the writing of the book.Hope you enjoy it.
Wiz
Violent Disorder Launch VIOLENT DISORDER, my first solo book for a year, and the sequel to Ultra Violence, is out on August 1st for e-book buyers and three weeks later for paperback customers.
Have a look at Dark Dawn Creation's Cover.
.jpg)
Back "Blurb" (in progress)
Let’s ‘av it…
The tall one advances toward me, grinning, all teeth, denim jacket and faded jeans. He wants it, I can tell. This knowledge makes me content. It fills me with calm, a balance. An equilibrium.As he approaches, a sense of certainty descends that this upcoming scenario is somehow meant to be. There is a mutual acceptance. A tacit agreement that extreme violence is about to take place, that punches will be thrown, that blood will be spilled, and that one or both of us is going to be hurt, possibly quite badly.Maybe very badly, indeed.
The Bully Brothers. Forty-something football hooligans determined to go straight. A young Internet writer charts their progress to becoming productive citizens against the background of a disintegrating England.Shortages of healthy food. Zero hour contracts. Moated communities. Disturbing gangs of homeless roaming the streets. Cancer victims forced to work for dole. Frightened offspring poisoning immortal parents to avoid impossible care bills. Twenty quid for the flicks, three fifty a pint, and eight quid a packet of fags. You don’t know whether to wear a parka to go shopping or slap on sun block. The writer takes their confession but stays at arm’s length. Old football war stories - myths and fables from the terraces of Meadow Lane. Sins of Ultra Violence two decades old carried out in service stations, back alleys and the high streets of dead towns like Hounslow, Rotherham, Swindon and Peterborough. Will they succeed in going straight? Can they resist the carnage planned for the last match of the season against Coventry’s top boys? Or will they fail, dragging the writer into the bloody battle with them…
Violent Disorder is the much anticipated sequel to Green Wizard’s best-selling Ultra Violence.
______________________________________________________________
There will be an extract next week, and the following week, at least four interviews with me on various blogs, where I discuss the writing of the book.Hope you enjoy it.
Wiz
The Phil Naessens Show 7-23-2013 Is Trey Burke Ready For The NBA?
http://phillipnaessens.wordpress.com/2013/07/23/the-phil-naessens-show-7-23-2013-is-trey-burke-ready-for-the-nba/
Is Trey Burke ready for the NBA? Which MLB players can Fantasy Baseball owners expect to break out or bust? What can New York Knicks fans expect from their beloved Knicks this season? Please join host Phil Naessens and special guests Amar from SLC Dunk and Eric Pleiss from Fantasy Baseball Crackerjacks for all this and more on today’s Phil Naessens Show
History Trivia - Thomas Cromwell beheaded on Tower Hill
July 23
365 a great earthquake struck the eastern Mediterranean and destroyed the Roman city of Kourion on the island of Cyprus.
685 John V became Roman Catholic pope. He was the first pope of the Byzantine Papacy allowed to be consecrated by the Byzantine Emperor without prior consent, and the first in a line of ten consecutive popes of Eastern origin. His papacy was marked by reconciliation between the city of Rome and the Empire.
1148 Crusaders attacked Damascus.
1313 Bridget the patron saint of Sweden who founded the Brigittine Order died. Bridget was a Swedish princess renowned for her piety from her childhood; she was given in marriage to Ulf, Prince of Mercia, by whom she had a large family. After Ulf's death in 1344 and with the help of King Magnus, she established on her own estate at Vadstena the first monastery for men and women, of which Katherine, her daughter, became the first Abbess soon after her death in 1375. At this time double monasteries were not unusual: the monks and nuns used the same chapel, but lived in separate wings of the monastery, the confessor alone having access to the nuns.
1540 Thomas Cromwell one of the strongest advocates of the English Reformation during the reign of Henry VIII was condemned to death without trial and beheaded on Tower Hill.
365 a great earthquake struck the eastern Mediterranean and destroyed the Roman city of Kourion on the island of Cyprus.
685 John V became Roman Catholic pope. He was the first pope of the Byzantine Papacy allowed to be consecrated by the Byzantine Emperor without prior consent, and the first in a line of ten consecutive popes of Eastern origin. His papacy was marked by reconciliation between the city of Rome and the Empire.
1148 Crusaders attacked Damascus.
1313 Bridget the patron saint of Sweden who founded the Brigittine Order died. Bridget was a Swedish princess renowned for her piety from her childhood; she was given in marriage to Ulf, Prince of Mercia, by whom she had a large family. After Ulf's death in 1344 and with the help of King Magnus, she established on her own estate at Vadstena the first monastery for men and women, of which Katherine, her daughter, became the first Abbess soon after her death in 1375. At this time double monasteries were not unusual: the monks and nuns used the same chapel, but lived in separate wings of the monastery, the confessor alone having access to the nuns.
1540 Thomas Cromwell one of the strongest advocates of the English Reformation during the reign of Henry VIII was condemned to death without trial and beheaded on Tower Hill.
July 22, 2013
The Phil Naessens Show 7-22-2013 Casey Stengel and the 1953 Yankees
http://phillipnaessens.wordpress.com/2013/07/22/the-phil-naessens-show-7-22-2013-casey-stengel-and-the-1953-yankees/
Baseball historian, author and SB Nation MLB Managing Editor Steven Goldman joins host Phil Naessens to discuss the All Star Game, a brief look at what’s happening around the Major Leagues and a discussion about Casey Stengel and the 1953 New York Yankees plus much more on today’s Phil Naessens Show
Baseball historian, author and SB Nation MLB Managing Editor Steven Goldman joins host Phil Naessens to discuss the All Star Game, a brief look at what’s happening around the Major Leagues and a discussion about Casey Stengel and the 1953 New York Yankees plus much more on today’s Phil Naessens Show
Mary Ann Bernal interviews author Sarah PJ White
Today we are fortunate to have with us Sarah PJ White, author of The Last Angel, who has graciously agreed to give us a little insight into her life and her books. So let’s get started.
Please tell us a little about yourself.
I am a fantasy and non-fiction author, as well as a qualified life coach and alternative therapist. I am also the founder of Self Confidence Workshops, a website that helps adults build their confidence and self esteem.
What projects have been published?
The first book I published was a small non-fiction one called The Little Book of Elder. This was really an experiment – my first dabble into self-publishing. It showed me how it all worked, how to get books onto Amazon etc. This was followed by my first serious non-fiction one (The Self Confidence & Self Esteem Bible), aimed at building confidence in wives and mothers.
The Last Angel is my first fiction novel to be published. It is the first in a Trilogy – The Account Trilogy – and is, hopefully, the first of many!
Tell us about The Last Angel.
The Last Angel is a fantasy novel. It is based on life as we currently know it, but with a slight twist – there are people amongst us who have access to their higher powers – and it all revolves around our thoughts on The Bible and our own abilities.
The Last Angel has several messages within it, hidden amongst several layers. Firstly there’s the obvious religious/faith element and understanding what these are to you; then there’s the elements related to hope and destiny – would you step up to yours, if you were confronted with it? Finally, there’s friendship and family; what you would, and wouldn’t do for your nearest and dearest.
It’d be great if readers can see that we all have these elements to deal with; and that understanding them is also part of the key to understanding our their own lives.
How did you select the title of your novel?
I was originally going to call the first book Crystalbut, although it was the main characters name, it didn’t convey what the story was about, so I opted for The Last Angel.
What was your inspiration?
I get most of my ideas from my dreams – and The Last Angel is no exception. It was an initial dream I had – but it just kept evolving and bugging me – until I started writing an outline for it!
What are you currently working on?
I’m currently planning out the follow-up to The Last Angel, so the second book in The Account Trilogy; it’s called Angel Uprising. On the non-fiction side, I’m currently planning a couple of articles and converting a six week confidence building course into book format.
Do you have any advice for other authors?
If you want to write, allow yourself the time to write. Don’t put it off or delay until you’ve a) more time, b) retired, c) got the approval of whomever and d) you’ve got a certificate that gives you permission. If you want to write; write. Study a writing course, read writing books by all means, but remember: ultimately it’s about the story. If you try to take every bit of advice you’re given, you’ll never start. Just get the story out of you and into written form.
Before you all start throwing things at me – I’m talking from experience. I was like a sponge – soaking up every book on writing I could get my hands on. If I listened to them all, I’d have incredibly long short chapters, would have had to put the odd visual reminder for the reader to either wake up or remind them to breathe, and wouldn’t have published a thing yet –as I’d be too worried about whether I’d edited too much or too little.
I studied several writing courses and went to Swanwick Writers Summer School – if you can do either, great. What I’m saying is don’t do them instead of writing.
Where can we find out more about you, and where can we purchase your books?
You can find out more about me, and my books, from my website: http://www.sarahpjwhite.com . All of my books are available on Amazon – my author page is: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sarah-PJ-White/e/B006A5Q0KS/
