Lisa Worrall's Blog, page 26

SPOOKYLICIOUS!

It's nearly that time of year again... when kids of all ages (i.e. me) dress up and trawl house to house with a torch in one hand and a small child's sweaty, sticky palm in the other. A child who is so excited by the whole prospect of knocking on a stranger's door and being given sweets instead of told to "*&^%! off", that she is screaming "Trick or Treat" before we've even reached the knocker!

Yes... you guessed it... HALLOWEEN, ALL HALLOWS EVE, ALL HALLOWTIDE, AUTUM EQUINOX, FALL SOLSTICE, CORNUCOPIA, DAY OF THE DEAD, DEVILS DAY, FEAST OF AVALON, DIA DE LOS MUERTOS or, in my day when there was no knocking on doors... begging... but maybe that's the cynic in me... or the jealousy coming out that when I was a kid, us Brits hadn't decided to jump on the American Halloween bandwagon. I obviously had a very deprived childhood.

Today's holiday is obviously the one we know and love. Dressing up in costumes and scaring the neighbours until they give you handfuls of sweets that should last you a fortnight, but in truth will send you to bed feeling sicker than you've ever felt.

But the truth is... the origin of Halloween has roots in Celtic Ireland, Samhain has surpassed the test of time, starting out as a simple bonfire night to honor friends and family that have passed on and remaining quite the same. Samhain is now the start of the Witches' New Year, as well as remaining the Celtic New Year. For the Celts, it a time of preparing everything for the winter, bringing in the last of the harvest, and remembering and respecting everything that happened during the previous year. For magical folk, it is a time for all of that, plus any divination for the new year. It is said by many that the veil, or portal or line of vision and communication, between life and death is very thin; this is a great time to honor those that have passed or receive answers from spirits with a much higher success rate! It is also an amazing time to sit and create a connection with a loved one that has passed on; you may be surprised at just who you connect with! So, if you hear a bump in the night on the dates of October 31 - November 2, don't be afraid! Give a friendly "hello," and that spirit will be on its way! Jack-o-lanterns make great lights for you and the spirits to see by during the night.

Of course, you try explaining this to the kids and they look at you like you're mental and say... "What, they didn't give sweets?" Oh and if you try and tell them it's the night when the veil between the living and the dead is at it's thinnest and ghouls and ghosties and vampires and all the monsters they were afraid of walk the earth, you get this from number one son... "Mum... remember... Spike said that Halloween is evil's night off." So much for trying to educate the little buggers!

You could also tell the two legged rugrats that... 
In 1964, Helen Pfeil of Greenlawn, NY, was arrested for handing out arsenic laced treats to teenagers she deemed too old for trick or treating.

Or... that Jack 'O Lanterns originated in Ireland as hollowed out turnips with a candle placed inside them to keep evil ghosts and spirits away on the Samhain holiday. (They'd obviously never seen an episode of Buffy).

Then you could wow them with the fact that... wearing masks on Halloween originated from Welsh and Celtic traditions that claim the dead visit the living on 31 October. The Masks are supposed to stop the dead from recognising the living. (Again... I bet they've never even considered WWBD).

Of course, you could try and educate your own little monsters in the origins of Halloween... but how many of you would like to put money on the fact that they'd look at you, smile, wave, hold out their buckets and say... "Could this wait 'til later.... there's candy to be had!"

SONGPOP!

I'm sure we've all seen this banner *nods at the guilty faces in the room*.

I'm sure we all clicked on it and thought... I'll try one game... just to see what it's like. But just the one. I don't have time for stupid games.

I'm sure we've all tapped our toes along to long forgotten ditties and then spent hours trawling through Youtube for clips of our youth... what? *coughs and stands up* I'm not afraid to admit it... I can say it... *takes deep breath*...

I'M LISA AND I'M A SONGPOP-AHOLIC!

It was only supposed to be one game, honest, copper! I only wanted to see what the hype was about. To see if I could, as the great Tom O'Connor said... "Name that tune." I was going to step away... I have a life... or at least I thought I did. Now I'm hanging out for my next songpop request. Waiting for that pretty red musical note on my home page.

My go to playlist is anything to do with the 80's - obviously. It is my era. The songs of my youth. *Sobs* Nik Kershaw, Haircut 100 (OMG Nick Heyward!), Atlantic Starr, Luther Vandross, A-ha, Madonna (pre-cone boobs), Kylie, Glenn Medeiros... need I go on? The way the lyrics tripped from my tongue without missing a beat. The excitement flowing through me as I realised I hadn't forgotten a word, even though I hadn't heard the song for many a year.

But then I found a renewed love for 90's alternative. Somewhere in pretending to be a wife, a mother, god forbid... a GROWN-UP... I'd forgotten that yes - I love Green Day, Soundgarden, Nirvana and the Smashing Pumpkins! Oh the joy as those wonderful lyrics of "Here we are now... entertain us!" washed over me and the memories of how I really did "have the time of my life".

Then comes the 70's collection and Disco! Gloria Gaynor and the late, great Donna Summer belting it out like good-uns, with the Bee Gees sneaking in here and there. You can almost smell the sweaty feet of Roller City as the music pumps through your headphones!

Classic rock... oh how I love you... classic rock. Oh how I love you Supernatural for re-introducing me to Classic rock and giving me the strength to beat half my opponents. KISS, I love you... Kansas you bet I'll carry on and refuse to be dust in the wind. Axel... damn straight it's welcome to the jungle my little ginger friend!

OMG - I could go on forever... today's hits, boybands, 80's hairbands, new wave, country classics, horror themes... the list is endless. But I can truly put my hand on my heart with all honesty and say... I meant it to be one game, honest I did, Mr 'Iggins... I'm a good girl I am - wait... I have to go... a request popped up... the musical note... the shiny red musical note...

FRUITY FRIDAY

After the wonderful reaction to the return of Would you look at THAT Wednesday... I thought I'd dig out Fruity Friday... which has a Fireman theme to day.

The reason being is that I'm sure with all those writers at GRL, there is going to be plenty of burning fires to put out - lol - so these are for you :)


I think my ovaries just twanged...

I could absail with him...

He can give me a hand any day...

Is it getting hot in here?

Oh dear... I just burst into flames...

Would you look at THAT Wednesday!

I know it's been a while, but I felt a sudden need for a bit of  "Would you look at THAT Wednesday".... enjoy :)


Skinny dip anyone?Let me just get me cossie...

Isn't this just the cutest couple ever?Look at the smile on his face!

I'm really shy, if I don't look at the camera you can't see me

I couldn't resist!It's James and his Giant Peach!

Inspiration for The Gift ;)

The Gift is being released by Silver Publishing on the 5 January 2013, and is the sequel (kind of) to Mr Popsalos. We get to catch up with Jamie, Luke and Reggie as their first anniversary approaches.

The three of them now live together, Jamie having moved in with the father and son - Luke is hoping for a new promotion at work, Jamie is teaching the second grade and Reggie... well... Reggie is still Reggie.

But an unforeseen incident threatens to upset their little corner of the world and their devotion to each other will be tested - causing Jamie to question what really makes a parent.





Last year's cover was phenomenal but this year I get a cover all my own, so I thought it would be nice to share with you my inspiration for Jamie, Luke and Reggie. Who knows, they even match up with yours :)

This is Jamie....

                                                                                     Luke....

















and Reggie......


So don't forget... 5 January 2013 at Silver Publishing and find out exactly what The Gift is all about :)

SIX SENTENCE SUNDAY

To set you up... Thirty years ago every member of Tri Delta House met an untimely end at the hands of Marcus Stockwell. Ethan has spent two years in the paranormal psychology class and is fascinated by the hereafter. Davis has a reputation for being the campus stoner, but he's also a talented photography student. Together they investigate the mystery of Westford Hall with the help of one of the victims of that fateful night. But will they uncover more than they bargained for, and find themselves in danger?

Here, Davis and Ethan are watching the video footage they took at Westford Hall and are amazed to see a boy asleep in bed and another standing over him with a knife...


The boy in the bed said something to his attacker, his face pleading, tears running down his cheeks as the knife entered his chest. But he was ignored and the knife was plunged again and again and again until blood ran down the sheets and onto the floor.Ethan and Davis watched as the killer leaned down toward his victim, his own tears wet on his face when he pressed his lips softly to those that were now unable to return the gesture, before he placed the blade to his neck. The blood spatter was immense as he slit his own throat and then fell onto the blood covered body on the bed.“Holy fucking shit,” Davis breathed when the screen went blank, “what the hell was that?”“I think we just saw Marcus Stockwell murder Brad Newton.”

Don't forget to do the clicky click dance and check out all the other sixes by fabulously talented writers over at SIX SENTENCE SUNDAY - see ya next week :)

What Sells a Book?

I am sitting here and pondering why it is that one book by an author may sell better than another.

Is the writing style different? Not usually. Each writer tends to have a particular style that makes their work recognisable as theirs.

Have they tried a different genre? Could it be their readers simply prefer the writer to stick to one particular theme?

Is the blurb not tantalising enough? Every writer will tell you that the blurb is harder to write than the book!

Or is it the cover? I've heard it said time and time again that a good cover sells the book.

Or is it simply the author's name?

But what is it for you? What do you look for?

If you see one of your favourite authors' names do you immediately snap it up, or do you look at the cover and think, hmmm? Or read the blurb and the story doesn't appeal, regardless of who has written it?

Do you see a cover, like the look and buy it on the strength of that?

Or could it be that the author has bombarded their different social networks with so many "coming soon" adverts that after the twentieth time they've guaranteed you wouldn't touch their book with a barge pole?

Of course, it could simply be the length. If you're used to a writer giving you a tome the length of War and Peace (exaggeration - not that I'm given to that you understand *coughs*), do you see a novella of thirty thousand words and pass it by because it wouldn't satisfy you?

So... what is it that grabs you and makes you go "Oooh... I must have that?" One of the above, or a combination?

What are your thoughts?

SIX SENTENCE SUNDAY

I've been absent from the SSS for a while, but am popping in this week :)

This week's six is from Summer Heat.

Make sure you do the clicky-click on the link below and check
out all the other snippets from the array of talented authors
just waiting to tickle your taste buds with tantalising appetisers.


MORE SIXES THIS WAY :)





At the top of the staircase his stomach sank as he saw his parents' bedroom door standing open and Kade in front of the bureau in clear view… the top drawer open and his mother's clothes overflowing where they'd been pushed to the side.Had there been a little part of him that hoped he was wrong? That there could have been some impossible reason for the conversation he'd overheard? Crossing his arms, he widened his stance and stood firm as Kade cursed when he removed the false bottom to the drawer and found it empty. Anger and hurt unfurled in Mitch's gut like a leaf opening under the morning sun and his voice shook as he spoke. "Lose something?"

AUDIO RELEASE FOR CHANCE TO BE KING!

Guess what I spotted today?

I was trawling as I usually do, on Silver Publishing's website and what do I spy that makes my knees go weak and have a million butterflies flapping around in my stomach?

Sue Brown's, Chance to be King has been released as an audio book!  I don't know about you lot, but woo-chuffing-hoo! I'm off to get mine now and suggest you do the same - I know what I'll be doing this afternoon now...


After working for over two years without a break, action movie actor Eric Pawlowski desperately needs a vacation. He hires a remote cottage by a lake, for a few weeks of relaxing, walking his dogs and ignoring the world.Instead he nearly runs over Thomas, the most gorgeous man he's ever met, and gets involved in a chain of events that threaten Eric's life. The one thing he is sure of, this vacation is going to be anything but relaxing.GET IT WHILE IT'S HOT!

Sunday... What does it mean to you?

What do Sunday's mean to you? What is the first image in your mind when you see the word Sunday? Or someone says the word Sunday?

Lazy days?

Family days?

Putting on your Sunday best and heading off to Church?


Maybe it's not even an image that is conjured up for you... maybe it's a smell...


The traditional Sunday roast.  Beef, roast potatoes, stuffing, parsnips, carrots, peas, broccoli, brussell sprouts, cauliflower cheese, Yorkshire puddings and, of course, thick, meaty gravy covering the lot!

Then a brisk walk to burn off some of the calories?

Or maybe it's watching Match of the Day?



Pretending not to be paying any attention while your Dad and brother watch the footy.

Yawning away as you flick the pages of your magazine. Definitely not showing any interest in the muscled sweaty thighs, firm buttocks and flowing hair (well, in the Lineker and Hoddle days... and let's not forget there's only one Chrissy Waddle *sigh*)

Or it could be an image as simple as the last one...



Granddad and Uncle Bert (these ones aren't mine, but close enough) snoring in their chairs, top button undone to relieve their widening girth after those four extra Yorkshires they managed to talk your Nan into making.

But somehow they always managed to wake again just as dessert was being served.... uncanny.





Sundays for me are probably a mixture of all of  these things and more. Homework, long soak in the bath and hair wash before school the following day and the Antique's Roadshow before bed. Not a care in the world, except whether or not David Smith was going to notice me in maths.

Now I'm the one cooking the roast and doing the washing up and I wonder what will be my children's first thought when someone says the word... Sunday?  How about you?