Natasha Duncan-Drake's Blog, page 25

Soul Reader - Cover Reveal

Soul Reader - Cover RevealSo I am currently working on combining the Soul Reader series into a single book so I can publish it as a paperback. The stories are too short to work as cost effective individual books, so I'm putting them all together in one volume.

I'm on the proof with a red pen stage at the moment. That's what I shall be getting back to as soon as I hit publish on this :D.

I'm also working on finishing the 4th part to the series as well, but that's going to take a little longer.

So...

Let's All Go to the Movies - Another Blanket Box

Let's All Go to the Movies
Since last week's blanket box went down so well and no everyone can see Pillowfort yet, here is another one. This is all about films. I love movies, so this was the next one I picked.

Your favorite movie of all time

Start with an easy one why don't you! :) Oh heavens, how am I supposed to choose?

Given that this is from a horror loving, sci-fi watching, fantasy obsessed, vampire nut, this is going to seem odd, but:

A Nun's Story with Audrey Hepburn. I just love it, I alw...

Music or Ambient Noise - the Key to Focusing #TipTuesdays

Music or Ambient Noise - the Key to Focusing
You know how sometimes, when we sit down to write, our minds just don't seem to want to focus on the task in hand? Sometimes our thoughts flick all over the place and refuse to settle, causing all sorts of difficulties.

When this happens to me I use background music or ambient noise.

Now, I'm not saying this is a cure all, but if focusing is a problem this might be worth a try.

The way I see it, the music or background noise entertains the part of my b...

Vampires - Be Still My Heart!

Vampires - Be Still My Heart!
So I'm on a new blogging site called Pillowfort, which is still in beta so unfortunately everyone can't just come along and sign up, even though it's great. On there we have things called Blanket Boxes, which are a set of questions for certain subjects to get people talking. I created one for vampires and since I know you're dying to know all about my vampire obsession, I thought I'd post it over here too :)

1. Why do you love vampires?

I love that vampire media can...

Review - Moon Child (2003) [vampire, gangster]

Title: Moon Child

Summary: After Japan suffers a major economic crash, many Japanese move to mainland china, one of whom is the vampire Kei. On the verge of death he is found by an orphaned boy, Sho, and saves him from gangsters out to take revenge for Sho, his brother Shinji and friend Toshi, stealing to survive. Sho and Kei form a bond that endures through the ups and downs of Sho's mortal life.

Cast:
Hyde ... Kei
Gackt ... Sho
Leehom Wang ... Son
Tarô Yamamoto ... Toshi
Susumu Terajima ... Shinji...

Why Distance Can Be Our Greatest Ally When Drafting Fiction #TipsTuesday

Why Distance Can Be Our Greatest Ally When Drafting Fiction
We all know we can be a bad judge of something when we are too close to it. Bad decisions can come from having too much invested in a situation or having far too much information to know which way to look next.

The same goes for writing fiction.

Distance can be the answer for different aspects of the process.

Image from Pixabay via Pexels
Writer's Block
We've all had those times when we just run out of steam as we're writing, we burn out.
A...

Fanfic, Fanfic Everywhere ... But Nothing A Spreadsheet Can't Handle!

Fanfic, Fanfic Everywhere ... But Nothing A Spreadsheet Can't Handle!So as I mentioned last week, I'm really into Wattpad these days and, while I am using it to publish original fiction, I am also using it to publish my fanfiction. Then there is also a new blogging platform called Pillowfort, which is in beta at the moment, but seems to be just the place fandom and social media needs.

Wattpad
There is a thriving fanfiction community on Wattpad and it is still growing. When I first dipped my toe...

Fire Within by Natasha Duncan-Drake #FreeFictionFriday

Fire Within by Natasha Duncan-Drake #FreeFictionFridayIt's July, which means strawberry and cream, with champers at the tennis and this year there's footie on the telly for those who like that too. I hope everyone is enjoying the sunshine. Can you believe it's been a whole year since we started Free Fiction Friday? Nope, neither could I, but my spreadsheet does not lie. The first Free Fiction Friday was on 7th July last year.

This Month's Free Story Title: Fire Within
Author: Natasha Duncan-Drak...

The Delights of Wattpad - Come Join the Fun

The Delights of Wattpad - Come Join the FunOkay so I meant to post this yesterday, but got hung up on other things :) hence the Writerly "Almost" Wednesday.

I am really into Wattpad these days and post over there a lot, and I wanted to share the joy (My Profile on Wattpad).

About the Wattpad Community
Wattpad isn't like Amazon or Smashwords. It is not a site where you put your books for sale and run. Fiction on Wattpad is free, but it has some amazing opportunities for writers, as well as a...

Recipe: Chilli Chicken/Tofu with Spicy Beans & Tomato Sauce

Chilli Chicken/Tofu with Spicy Beans & Tomato SauceMy apologies for not updating in a while - I have been busy with a project, but I am back today with a lovely recipe to share. It is actually a cross between two recipes that I am very fond of, Chicken Marsala (I haven't posted this one yet), which gave me the technique for doing the chicken and Turkey/Soya/Quorn Chilli with Tortilla Crust and Avocado Salsa for the beans and sauce.

Updated - I forgot to mention this works extreme...