P.J. Roscoe's Blog, page 14
September 25, 2013
How not to judge myself too harshly...?
It has been a sad few days for me, Frank had to be returned following a traumatic event with one of my cats and then myself. We were thankfully only bruised, but my daughters life is too precious to put at risk, regardless of my love of animals.
That being said, it has made me reflect on how I judge myself, perhaps harshly in this case, we did the right thing, and who knows, perhaps we were only meant to help him take his first steps into learning???
But even as i write that, I feel I am just making myself feel better...
Judging? It's a quality we all have regardless of how much we try not to. We see a person and in an instant, we've made a judgement, either on their looks, or the way they speak, walk, what they're carrying...
When I first launched 'Echoes' I was interested in how people judge books by their covers, so I used what I considered a beautiful work of art by my darling friend, Paul. It wasn't full of colour, but quite an abstract design, which once the book was read, the reader would understand the picture, possibly!
But no one got it. Sales were minimal (family and friends mostly) So I found a fellow author who helped with covers and together we came up with another, which gives the reader clues perhaps of what the story is about? Sales have increased.
On the one hand - GREAT! Sales are good, but on the other, the story hasn't changed, it's still won an award, so I feel a bit sad that we still judge with our eyes.
I judged with my eyes with Frank. I saw in him remnants of our old beloved dog, Barnaby who died in May aged 15years. But Frank was not him, couldn't be the calm, loving dog I'd once had.
So I learned a valuable lesson this week, one I had already become aware of, but it seems, as a human, I still need reminding - don't judge. You never know someone's path and books - well, I've chosen books by their covers and found truly awful stories within! So, I've learned never to judge a book by its cover and never to judge a person by theirs.
http://www.pjroscoe.co.uk
Freya's ChildEchoes
That being said, it has made me reflect on how I judge myself, perhaps harshly in this case, we did the right thing, and who knows, perhaps we were only meant to help him take his first steps into learning???
But even as i write that, I feel I am just making myself feel better...
Judging? It's a quality we all have regardless of how much we try not to. We see a person and in an instant, we've made a judgement, either on their looks, or the way they speak, walk, what they're carrying...
When I first launched 'Echoes' I was interested in how people judge books by their covers, so I used what I considered a beautiful work of art by my darling friend, Paul. It wasn't full of colour, but quite an abstract design, which once the book was read, the reader would understand the picture, possibly!
But no one got it. Sales were minimal (family and friends mostly) So I found a fellow author who helped with covers and together we came up with another, which gives the reader clues perhaps of what the story is about? Sales have increased.
On the one hand - GREAT! Sales are good, but on the other, the story hasn't changed, it's still won an award, so I feel a bit sad that we still judge with our eyes.
I judged with my eyes with Frank. I saw in him remnants of our old beloved dog, Barnaby who died in May aged 15years. But Frank was not him, couldn't be the calm, loving dog I'd once had.
So I learned a valuable lesson this week, one I had already become aware of, but it seems, as a human, I still need reminding - don't judge. You never know someone's path and books - well, I've chosen books by their covers and found truly awful stories within! So, I've learned never to judge a book by its cover and never to judge a person by theirs.
http://www.pjroscoe.co.uk
Freya's ChildEchoes
September 12, 2013
New Addition to family
No, no, not me! My baby making days are over! But we've adopted a dog, a canine baby to go with our four feline children. Frank is a lab cross and has anxiety issues right now - lead walking is terrible, so lots of short exercises. Scared of cats and other dogs, so lots of work to do.
So, I think to myself, why have I done this? Considering how busy I am with writing, being a Mum, wife, goddess, friend etc!!!
I guess there was a space in my heart that writing wasn't filling? Not that I've managed much lately, what with my fairy story being exhibited at Royden park and sorting out a talk for my author appearance in October, I've concentrated on the next collection of faerie stories for when this first book is published - be it self or traditional?
At this point in my writing career!!!!! I have so many fingers in so many pies of possibilities, my head is swimming!
When my husband asked how it felt I said this:
It's like I've finally found the right hotel and fought my way up to the correct floor and dodged the security that might stop me from reaching my hotel room; now I'm terrified I don't have the right key and it's all been for nothing...
http://www.pjroscoe.co.uk
Freya's ChildP.J. Roscoe
So, I think to myself, why have I done this? Considering how busy I am with writing, being a Mum, wife, goddess, friend etc!!!
I guess there was a space in my heart that writing wasn't filling? Not that I've managed much lately, what with my fairy story being exhibited at Royden park and sorting out a talk for my author appearance in October, I've concentrated on the next collection of faerie stories for when this first book is published - be it self or traditional?
At this point in my writing career!!!!! I have so many fingers in so many pies of possibilities, my head is swimming!
When my husband asked how it felt I said this:
It's like I've finally found the right hotel and fought my way up to the correct floor and dodged the security that might stop me from reaching my hotel room; now I'm terrified I don't have the right key and it's all been for nothing...
http://www.pjroscoe.co.uk
Freya's ChildP.J. Roscoe
August 27, 2013
Away from the typewriter????
I am on holiday...I am on holiday...I am on... Well, you see the dilemma!!! And yet, I am typing - what is that about? I am allowed a holiday... surely...?
I am using the above as a mantra, but it isn't working because here I am, back on this thing, feeling the urgent need to tell all and sundry, I am on holiday!!!
Writing truly is like a drug, it's infectious and I must have the disease full on, because, I am on holiday... Let's see how long I last..........
I am on holiday!!!!! See you all soon, when I come back from my holiday and write another blog on my journey as a self-published author, on holiday!!!!
http://www.pjroscoe.co.uk
Freya's Child
I am using the above as a mantra, but it isn't working because here I am, back on this thing, feeling the urgent need to tell all and sundry, I am on holiday!!!
Writing truly is like a drug, it's infectious and I must have the disease full on, because, I am on holiday... Let's see how long I last..........
I am on holiday!!!!! See you all soon, when I come back from my holiday and write another blog on my journey as a self-published author, on holiday!!!!
http://www.pjroscoe.co.uk
Freya's Child
August 13, 2013
Review or NOT to review...?
As authors/writers, whatever we like to think of ourselves, we meet other like-minded people on our travels. It's a lovely thought that we help each other, guide each other, share information and support. Inevitably, we will be asked to review work. I had never had a problem with doing that until recently.
I am an honest person, lying is not something I enjoy or feel comfortable doing. I expect from people what I put out. If I ask for a review, it's because I genuinely want to know how another 'author' felt about it from a professional side of things. NOT what they think I want to hear.
Anyone, mostly friends, can tell me how great my writing is, but that isn't helpful, it's nice and boosts my feelings into the 100%, but it doesn't help my writing.
Why was it great? What made it great? How did it make you feel? Think? If you didn't like something, why? Etc.
I find honesty to be more helpful than flattery!
So, I am honest in my reviews to other authors - I think perhaps my mistake is assuming they want the same honesty as I do; I've learned lately that isn't the case and it made me sad for a while as I obviously 'hurt' someone's feelings.
Being an author is hard on all aspects - mentally, physically but I think emotionally is the hardest. If I can't take honest reviews of my work, then I'm in the wrong business and I have to always be aware that out of hundreds of happy readers, it's o.k that there might be one who for whatever reason, didn't like my work, because we are all human and different, not boring and robotic!
I see some reviews that are, quite honestly, tearing an authors work to shreds, while others lavish the author with ego boosting flattery that makes me wonder who is being honest or who has an agenda?
I guess that's yet another hurdle to get over on this learning journey. So, I will make it perfectly clear from now on, want a review - then it's an honest review of my personal thoughts and feelings as an author and as a woman.Freya's Child
http://www.pjroscoe.co.uk
I am an honest person, lying is not something I enjoy or feel comfortable doing. I expect from people what I put out. If I ask for a review, it's because I genuinely want to know how another 'author' felt about it from a professional side of things. NOT what they think I want to hear.
Anyone, mostly friends, can tell me how great my writing is, but that isn't helpful, it's nice and boosts my feelings into the 100%, but it doesn't help my writing.
Why was it great? What made it great? How did it make you feel? Think? If you didn't like something, why? Etc.
I find honesty to be more helpful than flattery!
So, I am honest in my reviews to other authors - I think perhaps my mistake is assuming they want the same honesty as I do; I've learned lately that isn't the case and it made me sad for a while as I obviously 'hurt' someone's feelings.
Being an author is hard on all aspects - mentally, physically but I think emotionally is the hardest. If I can't take honest reviews of my work, then I'm in the wrong business and I have to always be aware that out of hundreds of happy readers, it's o.k that there might be one who for whatever reason, didn't like my work, because we are all human and different, not boring and robotic!
I see some reviews that are, quite honestly, tearing an authors work to shreds, while others lavish the author with ego boosting flattery that makes me wonder who is being honest or who has an agenda?
I guess that's yet another hurdle to get over on this learning journey. So, I will make it perfectly clear from now on, want a review - then it's an honest review of my personal thoughts and feelings as an author and as a woman.Freya's Child
http://www.pjroscoe.co.uk
August 7, 2013
A week in the life of...
I can't believe a week has gone past - time is flying quicker all the time. Before I know it, Autumn will be upon me and my special offer on Smashwords will be over! Offering my hard work and award-winning novel 'Echoes' for only $1.99 is difficult for me. Years of hard slog, various emotions and long long hours have gone into that book. Sweat, blood and tears, well, without the blood, I think?!
As any author, it's finding a happy medium between wanting to see people reading your work, to not just giving it away for pittance and your left wondering why all those hours could come down to earning a few pence per book?
It is true what other bloggers have said over the years, being an author is not a get rich job, it has to come from love and always have a back up job on hand to help pay those bills!
So, my week has been meeting some beautiful people in Shrewsbury, England (for all you U.S readers!) putting up posters advertising my up coming author appearance at the library. Met a journalist who kindly said he wanted to do a piece on me and kind people who willingly allowed me to blatantly advertise myself!
(A secret message goes out to Jane - I hope you got to Texas xx)
But just as importantly, I have spent time with my family and bestest friends - laughing and chatting and laughing some more, sometimes till my sides hurt and I couldn't breathe - what a tonic!
And that's my message - time is fleeting (Sure that's a line in a song???) Work is important, writing that story is good for the soul and pocket (if it sells) BUT, make time for the laughter, for that is the most important act you can do. Laugh and feel the love. As a busy author, Mum, holistic therapist and counsellor, oh, and wife!! That is what I have learned. xx
http://www.pjroscoe.co.uk
Freya's Child
As any author, it's finding a happy medium between wanting to see people reading your work, to not just giving it away for pittance and your left wondering why all those hours could come down to earning a few pence per book?
It is true what other bloggers have said over the years, being an author is not a get rich job, it has to come from love and always have a back up job on hand to help pay those bills!
So, my week has been meeting some beautiful people in Shrewsbury, England (for all you U.S readers!) putting up posters advertising my up coming author appearance at the library. Met a journalist who kindly said he wanted to do a piece on me and kind people who willingly allowed me to blatantly advertise myself!
(A secret message goes out to Jane - I hope you got to Texas xx)
But just as importantly, I have spent time with my family and bestest friends - laughing and chatting and laughing some more, sometimes till my sides hurt and I couldn't breathe - what a tonic!
And that's my message - time is fleeting (Sure that's a line in a song???) Work is important, writing that story is good for the soul and pocket (if it sells) BUT, make time for the laughter, for that is the most important act you can do. Laugh and feel the love. As a busy author, Mum, holistic therapist and counsellor, oh, and wife!! That is what I have learned. xx
http://www.pjroscoe.co.uk
Freya's Child
August 1, 2013
Wantonly advertising books!
http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_s...
This is where mine can be found.
http://www.animalpsychic.co.uk/books/...
This is my friends website - Jackie Weaver - animal psychic to the stars and us!
She is helping me with my own darling cat, Horus, who has never been the same since his family died.
It's strange talking and meeting other authors from all walks of life and interests. How they write, when they write, what their topics and genre's are? Facinating insight into other people and now, after meeting Jackie, I should have an insight into how my boy is feeling.
Life as an author can be fairly lonely - fine if you like that, which most of the time I do, but it's a real joy also to move out of my comfort zone and meet people, share experiences and idea's and learn something new - Just what life is all about x
http://www.pjroscoe.co.uk
This is where mine can be found.
http://www.animalpsychic.co.uk/books/...
This is my friends website - Jackie Weaver - animal psychic to the stars and us!
She is helping me with my own darling cat, Horus, who has never been the same since his family died.
It's strange talking and meeting other authors from all walks of life and interests. How they write, when they write, what their topics and genre's are? Facinating insight into other people and now, after meeting Jackie, I should have an insight into how my boy is feeling.
Life as an author can be fairly lonely - fine if you like that, which most of the time I do, but it's a real joy also to move out of my comfort zone and meet people, share experiences and idea's and learn something new - Just what life is all about x
http://www.pjroscoe.co.uk
July 29, 2013
Where do you write?
Someone asked me recently, "Where do you write?". When I said in a small, room that doubles as our junk/dump anything/ironing pile/file cabinet room she thought I was joking - I wasn't!
Her assumption that I'd be sitting at some grand desk looking out on a beautiful view with coffee to hand and peace and quiet. My computer on and ready to go was amusing because I'd considered that scenario for every best selling author!
I sit, facing my computer, with a small window on my left that looks out onto the houses opposite. If I stand up I can see Moel Fammau, to my left and the hillfort of Rhosesmor to my right. (Trees have grown since moving in 15 years ago!)
I have coffee to hand if I go downstairs, in fact, I have a whole kitchen to munch my way through - but I don't!
I hear birds twitting, dogs barking and cats as they howl and fight in the street if the noise of cars, DIY and people mowing their lawns or cutting bushes doesn't drown them out!
I have no beautiful scenery, I live in a village surrounded by people living their lives that impact on mine. Some days and there have been many lately where I type with headphones on bashing away to the sounds of Nickelback or calming Enya!
I dream of the scenario of lawns and fields and a nice room to work from - even having quiet gardens to work with a laptop, coffee on hand and nature buzzing around me - lovely, but I wondered just how realistic it actually is?
What do other authors do? Where do they write their own masterpieces? And how do they get around noise pollution? Anyone wish to let me know?
http://www.pjroscoe.co.uk
Freya's Child
Her assumption that I'd be sitting at some grand desk looking out on a beautiful view with coffee to hand and peace and quiet. My computer on and ready to go was amusing because I'd considered that scenario for every best selling author!
I sit, facing my computer, with a small window on my left that looks out onto the houses opposite. If I stand up I can see Moel Fammau, to my left and the hillfort of Rhosesmor to my right. (Trees have grown since moving in 15 years ago!)
I have coffee to hand if I go downstairs, in fact, I have a whole kitchen to munch my way through - but I don't!
I hear birds twitting, dogs barking and cats as they howl and fight in the street if the noise of cars, DIY and people mowing their lawns or cutting bushes doesn't drown them out!
I have no beautiful scenery, I live in a village surrounded by people living their lives that impact on mine. Some days and there have been many lately where I type with headphones on bashing away to the sounds of Nickelback or calming Enya!
I dream of the scenario of lawns and fields and a nice room to work from - even having quiet gardens to work with a laptop, coffee on hand and nature buzzing around me - lovely, but I wondered just how realistic it actually is?
What do other authors do? Where do they write their own masterpieces? And how do they get around noise pollution? Anyone wish to let me know?
http://www.pjroscoe.co.uk
Freya's Child
July 15, 2013
Writing to the sound of NOISE!
How do we do it I wonder? Writing can be hard enough, but to write whilst constant DIY goes on next door is, I think, extraordinary!
I find myself typing to the constant bangs and drilling, the clanging and more banging, before my teeth a grinding with frustration as I can't remember the words or the flow of the sentences and I reach for the headphones to attempt to drown out the noise.
This in itself can be a strange experience. Which song do I choose? What type of music would go well with writing ? ACDC - fast and furious - can I type that fast! Enya - slow and melodic, but will it drown out the interruptions to my work?
I settled on 30 Seconds to Mars and found the varying styles to be distracting enough without causing my head to explode with frustration! If it continues (which it will) I will try another band and let you know how i got on!
Freya's Child
http://www.pjroscoe.co.uk
I find myself typing to the constant bangs and drilling, the clanging and more banging, before my teeth a grinding with frustration as I can't remember the words or the flow of the sentences and I reach for the headphones to attempt to drown out the noise.
This in itself can be a strange experience. Which song do I choose? What type of music would go well with writing ? ACDC - fast and furious - can I type that fast! Enya - slow and melodic, but will it drown out the interruptions to my work?
I settled on 30 Seconds to Mars and found the varying styles to be distracting enough without causing my head to explode with frustration! If it continues (which it will) I will try another band and let you know how i got on!
Freya's Child
http://www.pjroscoe.co.uk
July 8, 2013
Hot body, roasting mind!
Or is that the other way round? It seems summer has declared itself on our Welsh shores and for a while, we shook in terror at the golden orb in the pale, blue sky! Now, we swelter and melt under its heat and I am stuck indoors writing!
Oh, the horrors of being an author! And I wonder, when do I write the best material? I thought of this not so long ago and concluded that in the sun, with peace and quiet, I produced some great work. Here, in my computer/junk/ironing room! I wonder how my brain is functioning?
I hear children playing outside, as it should be. I hear the birds twittering and the cats as they yowl and meow and fight in the heat. I hear the chatter of young mums as they watch over their sticky, sun-creamed kids and can't help but feel a pull, a longing to be outside with the warmth on my face and the vitamin D penetrating my shocked skin!
At least, for a few minutes, then reality hits. Sweaty, sticky, uncomfortable, sunburnt, blistered and red! Not a pretty sight.
So, here I languish, in my small, cool(ish) comfortably seated chair, working on this, my blog, before I begin searching for an agent that will be prepared to take my novels and give me a chance to shine. x
Freya's ChildEchoes
Oh, the horrors of being an author! And I wonder, when do I write the best material? I thought of this not so long ago and concluded that in the sun, with peace and quiet, I produced some great work. Here, in my computer/junk/ironing room! I wonder how my brain is functioning?
I hear children playing outside, as it should be. I hear the birds twittering and the cats as they yowl and meow and fight in the heat. I hear the chatter of young mums as they watch over their sticky, sun-creamed kids and can't help but feel a pull, a longing to be outside with the warmth on my face and the vitamin D penetrating my shocked skin!
At least, for a few minutes, then reality hits. Sweaty, sticky, uncomfortable, sunburnt, blistered and red! Not a pretty sight.
So, here I languish, in my small, cool(ish) comfortably seated chair, working on this, my blog, before I begin searching for an agent that will be prepared to take my novels and give me a chance to shine. x
Freya's ChildEchoes
July 3, 2013
And I'm feeling good!
O.k, so two days have gone by since my outpouring of my negativity, but now its out of my system and replaced by a beautiful healing.
Just held a singing/sound healing at my home for a lady and it was amazing. My body tingled with positive, loving energy and we sent it to her. As we sang her name, it vibrated between us like a column of pure energy, my hands and feet tingled with it - fantastic!
So, looking at it now, I can say, at least I got through to the semi-finals and received a five star review and damn it, I AM a good, no great storyteller.
But more than that, I am resilient, strong and compassionate. I persevere and never give up if I know my path is true.
I tried to imagine giving up and felt sick, to not write is to not breath, for me.
Many people love my stories and urge me to continue to write as they wait impatiently for my third novel! So, for them and for those who haven't found me yet - I will continue and I will succeed!!
If not, then I can look back without regret and say on my deathbed, " Well darling, I did that. I made people feel as they read my words and some may remember me; I had a go and no one can take that away!" I will say a lot on my deathbed it seems!!!
Follow your dreams and never let others decisions stop you. Love and blessings xx
EchoesFreya's Child
Just held a singing/sound healing at my home for a lady and it was amazing. My body tingled with positive, loving energy and we sent it to her. As we sang her name, it vibrated between us like a column of pure energy, my hands and feet tingled with it - fantastic!
So, looking at it now, I can say, at least I got through to the semi-finals and received a five star review and damn it, I AM a good, no great storyteller.
But more than that, I am resilient, strong and compassionate. I persevere and never give up if I know my path is true.
I tried to imagine giving up and felt sick, to not write is to not breath, for me.
Many people love my stories and urge me to continue to write as they wait impatiently for my third novel! So, for them and for those who haven't found me yet - I will continue and I will succeed!!
If not, then I can look back without regret and say on my deathbed, " Well darling, I did that. I made people feel as they read my words and some may remember me; I had a go and no one can take that away!" I will say a lot on my deathbed it seems!!!
Follow your dreams and never let others decisions stop you. Love and blessings xx
EchoesFreya's Child
