Raine Norman's Blog, page 4

Recent good review for Out of Left Field.

I thought I would share a review I spotted on Goodreads for my short story, Out of Left Field. I agree with the criticisms as writing short stories isn't natural to me - they tend to be long one! But I specifically wrote this story in the hope that it would fit the call for submissions for Dreamspinner Press's Daily Dose anthology 2013.

https://sidlove.wordpress.com/2013/06/26/book-review-out-of-left-field-by-raine-norman/

Is it cheeky?

A little while ago, I bumped into a neighbour (an older lady) I hadn't seen for some time and so we had a little chat. I mentioned that Out of Left Field my m/m romance short story had been published. She asked what it was about and so I told her and to be honest I was surprised at her response, as I know m/m is not to everyone's taste. She immediately asked if it was on Amazon and said she would buy it when I told her it was.

I then saw her today and she informed me that she had bought the book and was looking forward to reading it. I got a bit pink as it is still new to me for people to be buying my work to read, but she misinterpreted it and asked if the book was 'cheeky'. I grinned and said it was a little bit cheeky, to which she replied with a twinkle in her eye, "I like cheeky!". I added, "You do know it is boys being cheeky?" And got a gleeful nod in reply! :) 

Red Kites fighting over their breakfast

  I saw an amazing sight on the way into work this morning. A group of five red kites were circling overhead watching two others which were sqabbling in the road over a dead rabbit. As I approached these two made me stop the car. One of them managed to pick up the rabbit and began to fly away. It kept only a yard or so off the ground and flew down the centre of the road until it dropped it after a hundred yards or so and then it landed on the grass verge and glared at me as I drove past.

Back to work...

Well, after being off work on leave since 21st August I have to head in tomorrow. I really could get used to just doing what I want with my day, instead of stuck in an office for eight hours a day! 

It's been a nice break though. Saw Green Day at the O2 Academy, Brixton, took my foal to a show where she got a championship award, helped another friend with her young horse at its first show, learned that my novella will be published by Dreamspinner Press and got several thousand words into my next story.

Only thing that didn't really get done was the house work! Oops!

Photo shoot

I spent an enjoyable morning with my two horses, Mabel and Florence, and my pooch, The Norm. Florence recently won a championship at a show and although some of the professional shots were nice, none captured her wearing her sash. So today we had a little photo shoot at home - will share pics when I have them ready. At almost four months' old she is already a natural both in the show ring and at being photographed! LOL!

Sunny days...

I'm just thinking about going to sit out in the garden to make the most of the sun, and about to shout for my little dog to come downstairs to come out with me when I realised I can hear him dreaming - little yelps and growls - so cute! So do I disturb him or do I let him sleep on?

Sunny days...

I'm just thinking about going to sit out in the garden to make the most of the sun, and was about to shout for my little dog to come downstairs to come out with me when I realised I can hear him dreaming - little yelps and growls - so cute! So do I disturb him or do I let him sleep on?

Writing buddy

With NaNoWriMo getting ever closer, it made me think of how you can select writing buddies to help keep you writing and your word count up. Well, I have a writing buddy year round. Norm my little terrier is usually found curled up next to me on the sofa as I tap away on my trusty laptop.

Does anyone else have a writing buddy, be it human or animal that they'd really miss if they weren't around?

Great news from Dreamspinner Press

I have just received notification that Dreamspinner Press will be publishing my novella, Broken. Contract has been signed. Just got to wait for the first round of edits to be sent to me. No publication date as yet.

First Royalty Payment

I must really be a writer now, as I have received the first royalties for my short story Out of Left Field. :)