Pam Charles's Blog, page 18

Happy childhood = Happy adulthood = Happy parenthood... Hopefully

Tuesday was a tough day for me, which started with the terrible news that the man that created so many happy memories for me, had tragically taken his own life. This is the most poignant and life changing statement I have ever read and it certainly made me look at the people that I had surrounded myself with. (Picture courtesy of Mind Unleashed).
His untimely death did result in me having a little wobble on Tuesday especially after to receiving some very unnecessary criticism on social media (AGAIN!). Life is cruel and hard but it is how you react to it that counts. It is hard being a single Mum (not by choice as the majority are not), running the house, responsible for two growing minds and working, making decisions. The worst thing is not having a sounding board or a safety net. Flying solo is daunting and some days overwhelming. However, after reading two inspiring blogs on Wednesday evening after a day of rigorous cleaning, I dusted myself down and feel much, much better. Read them for yourself. Women’s Business Academy and Paul Kilbride’s . Thank you to you both for reminding me why I am doing what I am doing xx We go again!! 
I am sure I join millions of people in saying, the world is a much sadder place without this beautiful human being and my heart goes out to his family, especially his children. We all ask why and some of the crass comments I have read make my blood boil. Everyone has problems, EVERYONE. All I can say is BE KIND, THOUGHTFUL & RESPECTFUL and never be afraid to ask or to offer help. If you fancy a chat just message me. I am here most of the time x
I want my children to know that they are fully supported, that asking for help is not a weakness and any problem can be solved or managed. The basis of my parenting is around allowing them to have a happy childhood and know that they are loved. Too often children are forced into doing things they don’t want to do because their parents want to do it. Too often children are not listened to and told ‘you’re a child, you do as I say.’ SO I am a slave to my children’s hobbies, careers and lives BUT that is how it should be. That doesn’t mean we don’t try new things I suggest. Far from it. The boys have been all over and been to lots of different events from music concerts, classical and pop to the British Grand Prix. My philosophy in life is 

 happy childhood = happy adulthood = happy parenthood. 

It really is that simple and so far so good!
When they have flown the nest and turned into confident, caring adults with self-respect and dignity, I will do the things I want to do that they don’t want to do now. In the meantime, my bucket list just gets longer and makes my future life look very exciting!* There is nothing more inspiring than your child asking you to help him write his first book at the age of seven. Lucas has come up with this amazing story line which includes Yorkshire, a snowy owl and some major sporting events. I am in awe!! I’ve helped him write his story board and we’ve written the first part. And his inspiration was? Sadly, it wasn’t me! It was a small white feather he found in the school playground shortly before he broke up for the school holidays. By the time we had reached home (a six minute journey) we had, between us, come up with the story.  I am loving working with him even if he is bossy – he certainly knows what he wants – more to the point he knows what he doesn’t want! Once written, the story will be illustrated and then the quest for publishing begins, oh the joys!! I think it is so important to help such a young, enthusiastic mind to follow his dreams.*On Thursday we get Wesley’s GCSE results. I remember being petrified in the week running up to my results and I look back now and think how stupid I was. They are only bits of paper that lead onto the next step in your life and any step can be taken over and over again until you get them right. That is what I have told my children. It’s such nonsense to put children under pressure about exams. It does not do any good at all. So, on Thursday whatever the outcome we will be celebrating the next stage in my beautiful teenager’s life.

We went to the Sheffield Eagles Under 20s game last night and I really do cherish the time the two of us spend together. It is very special and very funny. There are no boundaries to our topics of conversation - and I mean NO boundaries!! *Bank holiday weekend is Lucas’s eight birthday weekend. It just so happens that he was born on Challenge Cup weekend but he didn’t want to go to Wembley this year, even though Leeds Rhinos are there! Instead he wanted to take his Grandma and Grandpa to Southport to his favourite place so we could have a full weekend together playing games and being on the beach. We will of course be watching the match on Saturday and we will be decorating our apartment blue and amber but it’s his weekend so he gets to choose where we go. After the match we will be on the beach playing football, rugby and cricket and I can’t wait just to get away for a few days with them. Then there is the birthday bash on the Monday – Lucas is having two birthdays this year – one for family and one for school friends in September but he assures me he is not Lord Muck!*So the Premier League starts this weekend and I CAN’T WAIT!!!!! Good luck to Liverpool Football Club. In Brendan Rodgers we trust. It is going to be an interesting season and how many times will the commentators use the ‘S’ word? I am really looking forward to seeing how this season develops.

*
I’d like to introduce you to my small business that I set up last year but it's taken a bit of a back seat until now. I am combining my writing with work for Bright Blue Eyes . I offer business support services to individuals, charities, businesses and even the public sector. It is a small seed that is growing. SO if you need help, just give me a call.

My business will eventually support us between books because, contrary to popular belief most writers, and I am no exception, get paid very little if anything at all when they start out but we all have to start somewhere, right? 

Busy, busy, busy but why waste time? *




The momentum for the book is still strong and you will start to see it more on literary websites. If you check out Goodreads, An AuthorsWay, Books Go Social and BookBoost we are there. My lovely book there amongst some of my favourite authors. My book launch is taking place on Tuesday the 23rdSeptember in Wetherby, near Leeds.


It seems fitting that it is held at Sant Angelo’s (Website) in Wetherby, my little piece of Italy and where some of the chapters were scribbled down. DCI Fisher and DS Davies are also based in Wetherby. You can join us. For the Facebook event link click here.   It will be great to see you there and stop me from talking to myself… again!

Paul's Giving Plenty to Twenty


You can give on Paul’s Justgiving page for the Sick Childrens Trust and the Rugby League Benevolent Fund at http://www.justgiving.com/teams/givingplentytotwentyYou can donate through JustGiving or text SICK66 £1 TO 70070 or text TRYZ77 £1 to 70070 (or more if you would like).



You can purchase my debut novel, Beyond the Past from 
Pegasus Publishers  
Amazon UK  
Amazon US
Kindle

OR ORDER FROM YOUR LOCAL BOOKSHOP.

Twitter
Facebook
www.pamcharles.com
LinkedIn

I hope you all have a lovely bank holiday weekend – the last one before Christmas. I won’t be blogging next weekend (I’m sure some will be pleased haha!). 

When we return we have a week to get the return to school organised. Once September comes, we have my book launch, Sheffield Eagles Academy, the business and book to promote and lots more to look forward to. Wow 2014 is very exciting indeed but I also know, with the foundation of hard work we have done this year, 2015 will be even better.

Introducing my ficticious family .... Beyond the Past

Friends old and new, it is time to introduce you all to some of the people I have been living with for the last four years - not actually physically living with them in my humble abode but in my head and then down on paper. Yes, introducing the main characters of Beyond the Past.

 Annie Swift Elegant, funny and very strong. Mum of two rising stars in rugby league.
 Mark Smith Ex professional rugby league player, now a pundit on television and radio.Very likeable, amiable character but has been very naive particularly with the company he has kept.
 Matt Swift Annie's eldest son, plays rugby league professionally for Leeds. Very studious and protective of his mother.
 Ed Swift-Brown  Just breaking into professional rugby league, Ed is on loan to London then signs for Leeds to realise his ultimate ambition of playing alongside his big brother. He is a cheeky chappy, bringing lots of laughter to the story.
 Garry Pearce  Mark's best friend. Played rugby league together from amateur under 8s to professionally for Wigan and Great Britain.
 DCI Harry Fisher  Senior Investigating Officer in the case. Harry is single but his heart has always belonged to one woman.
 DS Phillipa Davies  Mother of two children, Phillipa is very bright. Harry specifically asks for her to be assigned to the case.
 Louisa Smith  Mark's ex wife and mother to their only child Sophie.
Andrea Collins  Annie's Mum and confidante.
 Charles Collins  Annie's father and Matt and Ed's hero.


When I wrote Beyond the Past, I always imagined Mark would be the hero of the book. However some of my readers believe DCI Fisher is the true hero. What do you think? You can read the first three chapters FREE on my website.

 *
Besides creating lives for these characters, it's been another busy week in the House of Charles. On Wednesday evening Wes and I made the trip over to Featherstone to watch the Sheffield Eagles under 20s take on 'Fev' (local name!). As a rugby fan it was brutal, hard, fascinating and incredibly physical rugby league. As a Mum, whose baby is about to join the squad, it was terrifying - one of those hand over the eyes,but looking through the gaps between your fingers, moment! You know what I mean! Wes, on the other hand, was loving it and can't wait for the challenge and was itching to join in.

2014 has been an exciting year so far for all of us and we are loving the opportunities that we have created through our hard work and commitment. We are no different from any other family - we argue, we laugh, we cry but we support each other and work hard for each other. EVERYONE can have what we are building if you are prepared to graft.

Saturday afternoon I was sitting at the dining room table typing the Chapter 15 of Beyond the Lies when the house started to shake. The rumbling got louder and I thought it was the police helicopter (a regular visitor in our parts unfortunately) but when I went outside to investigate it was the glorious Vulcan, treating us to a magnificent flypast before it returned to Elvington Air Museum. It was a glorious sight and an even better sound (I love the raw sound of engines, usually cars but jets will do too!). I remember seeing a Vulcan for the very first time at RAF Church Fenton as a child and its glory hasn't diminished.

*
Congratulations to the Leeds Rhinos for making it to yet another Challenge Cup Final. We'll be watching from our seaside weekend break to celebrate Lucas's eighth birthday. Trust me to have a son born on challenge cup weekend and he chooses where we go! Sorry, RFL but you could be really considerate and move the cup final just for me, haha. Today is the second semi final and I am truly torn over who I want to be at Wembley. My Yorkshire heart says Castleford so it is an all Yorkshire final but my rugby league heart says Widnes because they were the first team I saw live and they are the sole reason I fell in love with the sport - Kurt Sorensen and Joe Grima in particular - I was fifteen!!

Whoever gets to Wembley, it is a fabulous day out and I do hope Leeds can win it this year to break the London curse! I have some very fond memories of Wembley and Wembley way especially the Morris Dancers whacking each other with blow up hammers (so easily amused!!). Maybe one day my baby will step out on that pitch, we all have dreams.

Have a great week everyone.

Paul's Giving Plenty to Twenty


You can give on Paul’s Justgiving page for the Sick Childrens Trust and the Rugby League Benevolent Fund at http://www.justgiving.com/teams/givingplentytotwentyYou can donate through JustGiving or text SICK66 £1 TO 70070 or text TRYZ77 £1 to 70070 (or more if you would like).



Stay Safe. Enjoy your week. Be brave!

You can purchase my debut novel, Beyond the Past from 
Pegasus Publishers  
Amazon UK  
Amazon US
Kindle

OR ORDER FROM YOUR LOCAL BOOKSHOP.

Twitter
Facebook
www.pamcharles.com
LinkedIn

FREE AT LAST...

It’s been an incredibly exciting week. My regular readers will know how much I love my ‘little piece of Italy in Wetherby’, yes Sant Angelo’s. I am delighted to announce my debut novel, Beyond the Past will be officially launched at the restaurant on Tuesday the 23rd September 2014 at 7pm as part of the Wetherbyhour live tweet event. A signed copy of the book will be up for grabs for the most innovative live tweet on the night. I hope lots of you will attend and just see how elegant and beautiful Sant Angelo’s is and come and support me of course. Full details of the event will be posted on the Facebook page.
In between entertaining the boys with the cinema and trips to Sheffield, I have been working on the marketing of Beyond the Past and writing Beyond the Lies, the sequel. I am really excited with the plot and sub plots. It’s been a long haul with the sequel but hard work pays off and there was no way I was going to rush the work. It’s so important to develop, improve and always move forward. That is why I decided this week to look into studying scriptwriting. Another string to my shiny, new bow.
In ten days time, rugby league training starts again. We all get to the summer break and are ‘rugbyed out!’ However, within a week of a break we are all itching to get back to the sport we love and our friends. We are also eagerly awaiting the start of the new football season. It is very exciting times for us Liverpool fans. We’ve been staying up late to watch the International Champions Cup. Liverpool play Manchester United in the final on Monday evening – there will be nothing ‘friendly’ about the game. It will be tough and passionate and we can’t wait. We are so impressed with the squad Brendan Rodgers is building and can’t wait to see how this season pans out and of course we have CHAMPIONS LEAGUE too. Anfield will rock!

Have you ever had a moment in your life when suddenly everything from your past becomes very clear? That one moment, when you realise that other people’s actions have detrimentally affected your outlook on life and the path that you followed. Well, that is what happened to me this week and it has probably, no correction it HAS been the most liberating moment of my life. Now I have clarity and truly feel free. I can’t elaborate too much, I’m saving the details for a future novel, but I can say that sometimes other people’s perceptions of life, places shackles and chains around your life without you even knowing it. I didn’t understand the whole passive aggressive ‘thing’ until my light bulb, eureka moment. Now I get it and now I BREAK FREE.
I’m not afraid to be alone, I’m not afraid of people’s opinions and I won’t be a slave to other people’s ideologies, beliefs and brainwashing. I’m going to bring my children up MY WAY; I’m going to pursue a writing career MY WAY and share my life with who I chose to. That’s freedom! Writing has set me free, quite literally. It has given me clear vision. Sure, let your past show you the way forward but don’t let it prevent you from forging the future you want, need and deserve.
Finally, I want everyone to spare a thought this week for every innocent child that is suffering as a result of government policies, war and conflict. No child deserves to suffer EVER!!



You can give on Paul’s Justgiving page for the Sick Childrens Trust and the Rugby League Benevolent Fund at http://www.justgiving.com/teams/givingplentytotwentyYou can donate through JustGiving or text SICK66 £1 TO 70070 or text TRYZ77 £1 to 70070 (or more if you would like).


Enjoy your week. Be brave!

You can purchase my debut novel, Beyond the Past from 
Pegasus Publishers  
Amazon UK  
Amazon US
Kindle

OR ORDER FROM YOUR LOCAL BOOKSHOP.

Twitter
Facebook
www.pamcharles.com
LinkedIn

Busy but very happy...

What can I say, other than WOW, thank you. Thank you for your fabulous reaction to last week’s blog. I am touched that people have taken the time to offer their support and discuss their unfortunate encounters on social media. It proves that talking about these things can make a huge difference to peoples’ lives. It is truly amazing how much your goodwill and comments have lifted my spirit and boosted my confidence. Don’t EVER suffer in silence.
  
(For free advice you can go to @StopWebBullying(twitter), @bullyinguk (twitter) or their website - http://www.bullying.co.uk/. The local police station also have free advice.)

It’s been a very busy but productive week. 
Both my twitter accounts are doing exceptionally well. @charlespR2D2 I have 825 followers now and the book @BeyondthePast1 has over 700, which is fabulous. My google plus account has had nearly 45,000 viewings – sorry I am a geek when it comes to numbers, stems from my Insurance Broking days! I just find it mind boggling how you can reach people internationally at a click of a button. I am still getting to grips with Instagram though – pam.charles.
Tuesday evening I attended Wetherbyhour, a live local business networking group. It was held at the Fox & Hounds in Walton, North Yorkshire. It was a great evening and I met some wonderful people working hard to build their businesses up. We had some taster food from the menu including pigeon and chocolate brownies (not at the same time!). The food was amazing and we will be going back for a meal at some point. I highly recommend it. I really enjoyed the event and will be attending the next live event armed with my book and lots of information.Big shout out to Olley and Olley.

And as always to Jo Maltby who does a fabulous job in organising these events. Thank you Jo, who incidentally won Town Person of the Year in Wetherby - honoured to be in such company x
Wednesday morning I gave myself a morning off and guess what? YES, I was wide awake at 4am! Boy it’s unbelievable how quickly your brain becomes trained into a routine. So instead, I finished the re-write of the first thirteen chapters of Beyond the Lies, the sequel to Beyond the Past. I’d previously written the 100,000+ words but it didn’t get to me. So, I decided to redo it. It has taken a while and has set back the completion deadline again but I am so happy with the outcome and am now confident the first draft will be finished shortly, school holidays permitting. My sister now has what I have written so far and she will give me her honest opinion. I have also been busy writing some outlines for new novels which have come to me in the last few days.

Thursday evening I had a lovely night out with my Mum, sister and my sister’s friend. Yes, Alison Pam Charles Author is Lisa’s sister LOL. The Phil Collins Tribute night at my favourite little piece of Italy in Wetherby, was as fabulous as ever. Great food, great company and great music.

Don't just take my word for it, check out Trip Advisor.

When I got home, Lucas asked me when I would be going out again as he’d had a super time with his older brother and ‘no offence Mum but we’d like to do it again!’ Well, way to go Wes and now I know I can go out without feeling guilty! If I had the money I would be at Sant Angelos every week!! I am of course, on my children's orders, organising some more nights out. After all, I don't want to disappoint them!
Isn’t it funny how certain songs bring back lots of memories, good and bad but most of them very good? With the weather being so amazing here (long may it continue!), I’ve been able to set up my office outdoors and have had music to listen to too. I have renewed my love for Paul Heaton and the Beautiful South, Phil Collins, Bryan Adams, Motown and lots of others. It is really funny how, most of the time the music is on in the background and I couldn’t even tell you what had just played but now and again one song would play and it would take me back to a memory. It’s great how the mind works.
Yesterday I spent the day with Wes and we went to see Sheffield Eagles play Batley Bulldogs at the Owlerton Stadium. The result wasn’t what we wanted but we enjoyed the rugby league and both of us are people watchers. We had great fun watching fans going through every emotion possible during eighty minutes. Both of us then rushed home to watch the F1 race – social media kept us up to date. I have never been in favour of team orders and I don’t like lazy racing drivers who expect people to just get out of the way. I’m not a Lewis fan either but I am glad he stood his ground and he did show, even to a Ferrari fan, what an incredibly talented driver he is. He won’t be at Mercedes next season, probably McLaren. Then we saw Phil Taylor back to his epic best followed by Liverpool beating Olypiakos, even though all the commentators wrote us off without Suarez – get over it, he’s gone and Liverpool have a strong squad – typical press!!! Sunday was a perfect day with Wes whilst Lucas had a great time out too.


You can give on Paul’s Justgiving page for the Sick Childrens Trust and the Rugby League Benevolent Fund at http://www.justgiving.com/teams/givingplentytotwentyYou can donate through JustGiving or text SICK66 £1 TO 70070 or text TRYZ77 £1 to 70070 (or more if you would like).
With confidence riding high again, I am working on finishing the draft of Beyond the Lies, an updated marketing plan for Beyond the Past and some books signings. Yes, I am busy but I am loving every bit of it and I truly am … Living the Dream.
Have a great week everyone and be kind… it makes you feel so much happier xx

You can purchase my debut novel, Beyond the Past from 
Pegasus Publishers  
Amazon UK  
Amazon US
Kindle

OR ORDER FROM YOUR LOCAL BOOKSHOP.

Twitter
Facebook
www.pamcharles.com
LinkedIn

What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger…

It’s been another exciting week in our crazy world but I have a feeling the best is yet to come.

On Wednesday 23rd July, Beyond the Past will have been a published book for a whole six months and what a period it has been. The year started with a very harsh lesson. Whilst people were being super supportive to my face, they were ripping me apart online and printing some very vile and nasty stuff, which other people have believed in spite of them never knowing or getting to know me. Calling them out led to a backlash of being accused of stalking even though the police and Bullying UK advice is to take screenshots for evidence. It got much worse until it reached the point where I had to contact Twitter and the Police.

All this contributed to a prolonged episode of Menieres, the longest I have ever had to endure and trying to go about normal business like school runs, school activities and promote the book was very difficult at times. It was the darkest hell that anyone could experience. You do start to think you have done something to deserve the backlash. However, it is only recently when I went through the evidence with a third party that a pattern formed of ‘nice, friendly’ emails, followed by vile messages online. It is then I realised the enormity of what I had been through.  When it all happened, my first reaction was to become a recluse, more out of self-preservation but as my very wise son pointed out, they would have won and that was, I believe, their ulterior motive. Instead we stood firmly together and whilst it still resulted in Wes being bullied out of Wetherby (just FOUR days before the start of his GCSEs), it proved to us how strong we actually were. The lowest point for me was not them discussing online whether I'd told DVLA about my illness but when they contacted the Sheffield Eagles scholarship, not once but twice in an attempt to blacken Wes's name but we'd already taken their advice. 
It takes a lot to get over what we went through believing people were friends when really they weren’t but we are much stronger because of it, or is it in spite of it? DON’T let bullies ruin your life! Talk to someone, get help!!(For free advice you can go to @StopWebBullying(twitter), @bullyinguk (twitter) or their website - http://www.bullying.co.uk/. The local police station also have free advice.) I am very proud of who I am and how we are as a family. I am more confident than ever to move forward. It’s amazing what you can learn from adversity. Setting aside the problems forced on us, this period has truly been a life changing six months. In fact, we smile now that the sadness of having to leave Wetherby has been far outweighed by Wes now playing for a Division Two side and we have met some lovely, genuine people. He has slotted straight into the side and it’s lovely to see a beaming smile on his face. It has taken some time to get used to four trips to Sheffield and driving past Hillsborough but I’m getting there!
  Finally, I actually feel I have achieved my ultimate career change and I couldn’t be happier – well I could be I suppose if a certain knight in shining armour rode into my life offering kindness, peace and a whole lot of loving. Maybe, maybe not but either way it won’t stop me in my quest to write.
Anyway, back to the writing. I am overwhelmed with the response for my first novel. Every day I remind myself how lucky I am to have had my very first, ever novel published especially when I read about so many famous authors having their first book turned down. I had my first work published and no one can ever change that. I did that, little old me! Beyond the Past is my legacy to my children and their children, if they have any. 


Embedded in that is my eternal support for the #JFT96, whom I have dedicated this work to. I have also dedicated to anyone who dares to have a go at anything just like I have. You can do anything if you have will power, determination and a great work ethic.

Book SigningHow ironic that on Wednesday I am hopefully meeting to discuss a book signing in Wetherby, the town is the base for DCI Fisher and DS Davies in the book. I am really excited about this event, mainly due to its venue. All will be revealed next week…
Wetherby High School – Things Literary!


As most of you probably know, I spoke to 125 Year 8 pupils and staff at Wetherby High School about life as an author and my journey so far. I am really pleased with the feedback to my first ever talk.
Unfortunately there was a technical issue with the photographs, probably just as well if I was in them!Although nerve-racking at the time, I look back with pride and relief that it went so well.




On the 14th October 2014 I will be talking again in Wetherby at the library between 6pm and 7pm. I’d love to see lots of you there.

All this positive feedback and the fact that my Dad loves the book has given me bouts of goose bumps this week and I am really loving life. 
After the success of Wes securing his Academy place, we have a break from rugby league for three weeks and I’m missing it already after week one! Then again I am not the one having my body battered week in, week out. Mind you, I know Wes relishes it, which is a little concerning really!
Paul’s fundraising
I want to personally thank Paul Kilbride for giving me the honour of sponsoring his fundraising campaign and for tirelessly talking ( a trait he has perfected!!) about Beyond the Past. I wondered why on Saturday evening there was a peak in Kindle sales and blog viewings. Paul attended an event in St Helens and in true Killer fashion, spent the night talking about my book rather than his incredible year of raising money for the SCT and RL Benevolent Fund. Thank you Paul from the heart of my …. I mean the bottom of my heart!!
You can give on Paul’s Justgiving page for the Sick Childrens Trust and the Rugby League Benevolent Fund at http://www.justgiving.com/teams/givingplentytotwentyYou can donate through JustGiving or text SICK66 £1 TO 70070 or text TRYZ77 £1 to 70070 (or more if you would like).
School’s out…
Speaking to parents in the playground, it appears I am the only one genuinely excited to have the boys at home but I am, GENUINELY excited. School holidays for me consists of 4am or 5am starts and I’ve actually done a days work before the boys even surface from their pits. We then have the day together, which has to be the greatest perk of the job. Yes, the job is lonely at times ; yes, it is hard work for very little immediate reward BUT, and it is a huge BUT. I get to spend time bringing the boys up, creating fabulous memories that will stay with us forever. That is PRICELESS.


My favourite tweet this week was: 


Have a great week and enjoy every moment you have to positively influence your children and the people around you. This evening I am going to WetherbyHour to enjoy networking with the finest businessmen and women. I have a feeling it might be hot one!!

You can purchase my debut novel, Beyond the Past from 
Pegasus Publishers  
Amazon UK  
Amazon US
Kindle

OR ORDER FROM YOUR LOCAL BOOKSHOP.

Twitter
Facebook
www.pamcharles.com
LinkedIn

Very proud parent today…and every day…

I am dedicating this blog to my two children, Wes and Lucas. Read on and you will see why…
So we will start in July 2004. I treated Wesley to a meal at his then restaurant of choice, the Aagrah in Garforth, Leeds. He was six years old. My parents were with us. After the meal, Wes sat with his elbows resting on the table and his chin resting on his hands, looking me straight in the eye with such a loving and cute smile on his face. He was desperately trying to persuade me to let him play rugby league. You see, earlier that day I received a phone call at work from a very excited and happy little Wes who had been inspired by Jonny Wainhouse at the Leeds Rugby Foundation. Wes had taken part in a summer rugby camp and on the last day was awarded the match ball for his excellent attitude, ability and good manners. I almost cried at my desk when I heard his happy and proud voice. At this point he was already in the Huddersfield Town Football Academy but whilst he loved it, he’d never displayed this level of excitement.
As an Insurance Broker, I’d dealt with injury claims for rugby players and although I’d been an avid fan since the early 1980s, I really wanted to protect my baby from injury. So, on that very evening, at that very table in Garforth, Wes begged me to let him play. He had an ally in my Dad who had been with Wes on the touchline watching my nephews play. Wes would discuss what moves they should do and always be thinking. The final plea was, and I will never forget it, “Mum, I could be really good at rugby, please, please let me try.” Six years old! Needless to say my heart melted and I relented. He had to wear a scrum hat and gum shield of course, which I feel should be compulsory for young players in amateur clubs but that’s a debate for another day.
What can I say? In his first ever game, he was a bulldozer, the poor kids didn’t know what had hit them! Week in week out he was picked out by opposition coaches.
Over the years he has faced bullying, nepotism, prejudice and abuse from parents but he kept going. Only once did he think of giving up when he had a bad experience at one professional club which coincided with lots of players leaving his amateur club. I have always told him to do what he feels is right for him. During this period, he spent some time with Jamie Field of Five Star Fitness in Boston Spa. The timing of the sessions could not have been more perfect. I paid for him to have eight sessions with Jamie discussing nutrition and fitness. They sorted out a diet and exercise regime that Wes followed to the very letter. I knew then he had his drive and motivation back. Whilst his friends were out eating burgers and pasties, Wes was sticking to his proteins. I don’t think I will ever get used to the smell of steak first thing on a morning! But you do what you need to do.
Within eight weeks he was leaner, fitter and brimming with confidence both on and off the field.
One afternoon, sitting outside Lucas’s school, I received a phone call from Sheffield Eagles inviting him onto their scholarship programme. In spite of being told by his amateur coaches he was only an average player, he set out to approach this new opportunity with the highest level of motivation and commitment. Clearly my philosophy of only doing something if you can commit 100% had rubbed off. The moment he stepped into Don Valley I knew it was his place to be. He never stopped smiling, not once. Not even when the Strength and Conditioning coaches gave them hard sessions.
Every session he would be ready. Every game he would be up and ready. He thrived on the challenge. The most satisfying part of being a parent is seeing a child happy in what they are doing and knowing that you helped them on their way. We have had unbelievable support from my parents, Sheffield Eagles and friends.
All his hard work and motivation paid off today when he was asked to stay on at the Sheffield Eagles and he will join their academy team in August. 
The trip to Sheffield this morning was probably the hardest we have done because we didn’t know whether it would be a positive outcome. It was such a relief when we were told the great news.  I also know that come August his exam results will be fine too because a proviso of playing rugby was that he worked hard at school and he has done just that. It was probably the best clause I ever negotiated in a contract!
It just shows you, one decision can take you on a unforgettable journey and take you to places you dream of. If you want it badly enough, you will work for it and go that extra mile to get it. Wes missed his prom, preferring to go training instead. His choice, his life and I am immensely proud of his work ethic. 
Lucas, my youngest has had a fabulous day today too. Three achievements awards at school in swimming, handwriting and research work. Also a school report that confirms he is a year ahead in his English and Maths.  I tell you I feel ten feet tall today. I must be doing something right.
We know the journey ahead of Wes is long but I also know he will work hard and listen to the professionals. I will be there to support him every step of the way, in the background, probably writing. To me he will always be that little boy sat at the table in Aagrah.

Late August we start pre-season training and in the words of one of our heroes, “We go again!”

You can purchase my debut novel, Beyond the Past from 
Pegasus Publishers  
Amazon UK  
Amazon US
Kindle

OR ORDER FROM YOUR LOCAL BOOKSHOP.

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I’d rather live in my own little world…

How I chose to live my life
I have been heavily criticised for having an optimistic view on life, particularly about people but I’ve learnt over the years that I won’t have a bad opinion of someone unless they specifically do something awful to me. Don’t get me wrong I am no pushover and when things go wrong you will know about it but I won’t be swayed by other people’s opinions and experiences. In addition I don't want to judge people by their looks, the colour of their skin, their religion or the way they live their lives. Judgment for me is based on how people treat you.
I think I have my life sussed now. My outlook is quite simple – treat people with respect and be fair and honest. If people can’t respect that then get rid of them. Life for me is not about material things and who has more or less than me. It is about experiences and creating experiences. If you can manage to create good experiences that provide fabulous memories and they outweigh the negative experiences, I think you will have life sorted. In addition, it is how you react to those negative experiences. I don’t over analyse the bad things in life but instead, look for the positives that come out of those negatives. You may all think it is ridiculous to look at life this way but what is the alternative? Too many people want to have a negative impact on other people’s lives. If you let the doubters drag you down it is YOUR life that is affected not theirs. So if all else fails, kill them with kindness. You never know you may even turn them into better people, it’s worth a try. It is amazing how social media can be a true reflection of a person’s actual personality without them even realising it. 

I celebrate the fact that I think differently, that I want to see the good in people and I don’t want my opinion to be based on false accusations and idle gossip. Find a way to live YOUR life YOUR way and peacefully.

This philosophy is the base of my whole life from work to family life. My life with the boys is about creating a positive and happy outlook because let’s face it’s tough out there. They know the true realities in life too through our great debates and discussions. I think the balance is right but only time will tell that. You can’t live your children’s lives but you can help them to make the right decisions and become a productive and valuable member of society. Parenting for me is all about support and providing support during their discovery of life. Saturday I drove to Barrow to see Wes play for the Sheffield scholarship. It was a long, tiring day and I am still fighting a foot infection (from swimming! Who said exercise was healthy?) but I would not have missed it for the world. It is great to see teenagers committed to hard work and sport. I am in awe of them all for following their dreams. My role in this is to support Wes’s quest and that’s all. He has grown so much during this whole experience. I am here to offer him advice and practical solutions but it is his motivation and work ethic that will get him the life he wants and deserves. 

The trouble is you will come across people that are insecure in their own lives so will try their best to derail you and put you down. It is in your hands whether you let them do that. My advice is simple - DON'T. We are all beautiful in our own ways, just some people don't see it in themselves yet.

LeTour Yorkshire
This weekend the spotlight has very much been on Yorkshire, unless you are Sky News who don’t believe life exists north of Watford! I am immensely proud of my hometown, Leeds, and Yorkshire. I think we all underestimate and take for granted where we are from. Yorkshire has had fabulous exposure this weekend and we have demonstrated to the world what we all already know – Yorkshire is full of sports mad, fun loving and dedicated people who love their county!! What a show we have put on. 

Congratulations to Gary Verity and Welcome to Yorkshire staff and LeTourYorkshire. It has been a great success but us Yorkshire folk always knew it would be. Now, can you please get the World Rally Championship GB rally back to Yorkshire please for all us petrol heads? Maybe a couple of days off first.

Writing
It was so easy to write about Yorkshire places in Beyond the Past and Yorkshire will always be part of my writing. 


I hope the author talk I gave to 125 Year eight children at Wetherby High School inspired at least one young person to follow their dreams. After the questions they asked, they gave me new impetus to writing and reminded me of why I changed my career and followed this new path. Inspiring others can certainly help keep your own inspiration alive. This week is a significant week in our house. I have lots of work to do to finish Beyond the Lies but I am very excited to write it. I am not far off completing the first draft, FINALLY! Once completed, the editing will begin and that is the fun part, NOT! When I say not far off, I am probably talking another three weeks or so but anything worth having is worth waiting for, right?



However, the most significant part of this week is my second road trip, this time to Gloucester on Thursday for the final scholarship game. I have loved watching Wes grow and learn over the past ten months and I am so proud of him. Then we find out what next.  Whatever the future holds, he has demonstrated such maturity and commitment and I want to burst with pride.


Paul’s Fundraising Congratulations to all those that walked from Dewsbury to Leeds on Saturday for Paul’s charity. Over £700 was raised on the day without sponsorship. That’s truly remarkable, well done all.

You can give on Paul’s Justgiving page for the Sick Childrens Trust and the Rugby League Benevolent Fund at http://www.justgiving.com/teams/givingplentytotwentyYou can donate through JustGiving or text SICK66 £1 TO 70070 or text TRYZ77 £1 to 70070 (or more if you would like).
A quick thank you to all my twitter followers on both the book (@BeyondthePast1) and my account (@CharlespR2D2) – pop over and say hello.

Okay, Beyond the Lies needs my attention. Have a great week. This time next week I hope we can all look back and see what a fabulous week it had been. Make it count.

You can purchase the book from 
Pegasus Publishers  
Amazon UK  
Amazon US
Kindle

OR ORDER FROM YOUR LOCAL BOOKSHOP.

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How time flies when you're having fun

Writing

Well I have made it through the first six months of being an author. I have yet to see any money from it and whilst it has probably been the hardest financial struggle of our lives we have survived, just! I can honestly say even with unnecessary and unwanted distractions, I have loved every minute of it. I have worked incredibly hard, faced adversity and come through the other side much stronger and even more determined to succeed. Everyone loves a challenge, don't they?

I didn't make my deadline of the 30th June 2014 but I do have some very good excuses!!  After chapter 13 of the sequel, Beyond the Lies I didn't like it! Well, that is a bit strong, it just wasn't flowing so I stopped and went back to the beginning. Lots of things have changed in book two now and I am really happy and excited about it. So, I lay down a new deadline for the first draft for the 31st July 2014. In addition, the world cup has been on and I have been working very hard to market Beyond the Past. Some evenings I sit and can't believe the amount of work I have got through including designing my own marketing material - like this:




So here we go to the new deadline. Let the early mornings and late nights continue. There is no substitute for hard work.


The Education Trust for Wetherby

Monday 30 June 2014 I spoke to 125 Year 8 students at Wetherby High School. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and was really impressed with the level of intellectual questions asked. It was my first public engagement as an author so will always hold a special place in my journey.

 



I am waiting for photographs to come and will post them
once I receive them. It was a great experience and a fabulous way to start the week. I don't know about you all but I had some slides for my presentation and some notes. Once I got into the flow of it, I didn't use my notes. On reflection, I always look back and think 'I forgot that' or 'I should have done that' but all in all I was happy with the outcome of the day.


Kindle
So the book appeared on Kindle on Friday the 27th June and it is selling well, thank you. You can still read the 1st three chapters FREE at www.pamcharles.com. I was incredibly proud that within 24 hours the kindle book had reached the dizzy heights of the top 50,000 downloads on Amazon UK and it is continuing to sell. Long may it continue ...











Authors DB
I was very pleased to see I made the top 50 authors on the AuthorsDB, it is so nice to receive recognition when your new to an industry.

Scholarship
We have made final preparations for the last two away games this week, believe me when you have two children at very different ages, it seems to be a logistical nightmare to please them both but I have managed it again! On Saturday we travel to Cumbria then next Thursday to Cheltenham. Believe me it is worth every mile to see the smile on my son's face when he walks out onto that pitch with his teammates. Good luck to all the players in the scholarship.


Providing a helping hand (not Maradonna style!)
I can't go without adding something about the Suarez situation seen as, even people with no interest in football or justice have waded into the debate.There is nothing wrong in wanting to see the good in people.

So let's clear the Suarez thing up from my viewpoint. The punishment does not fit the crime!! Its as simple as that. Quite clearly this sort of behaviour is totally unacceptable and I am not condoning what he did. However there were over 30 cameras in that stadium and we haven't seen other angles. As I said in my last blog it is about fairness and a fair trial, not a trial by the media. Since then Suarez has apologised but that won't be the end of it because it suits too many people to pursue a man that quite clearly needs help. Even the opposition player suggested the ban is too heavy and after all, he is the one that has the right to say it. Whatever the outcome of an appeal, you do not isolate someone if they are experiencing difficulties and I am sure all the mental health charities will support that. Suarez needs people around him that can help him. I'm all for forgiveness and tolerance, even more so these days as I realise the world is changing. It's a good job really because for me it is far worse for a groups of adults to hound a child out of a sports club through jealousy than an adult who needs professional help. I find the double standards laughable really.

What is pleasing for me is the fact that even my seven year old has a very strong opinion on fairness and he has learned in a very short period of time that the world is an unfair and unequal place.In addition it has been a time when we have discussed what is acceptable and unacceptable. Whilst no one is condoning what was done, it is truly disgusting, it has been a great lesson to teach my boys about how to behave, much easier than me just droning on about manners and setting high standards. Lead by example!

The storm will blow over like it did with Maradona, George Best, Zidane and everyone else that have, or will in the future make silly mistakes or wrong decisions. All I know is that in times of trouble you don't turn your back -  you roll your sleeves up and pitch in. Those of you that ask for a life time ban, think again when you take part in hideous acts, mind you I doubt they even know what they are doing is wrong. If you call for life time bans, then it has to apply to everyone, surely?  If Suarez stays or leaves is up to him and the club. I am sure Liverpool, under Brendan Rodgers guidance will be successful with or without him.

I accept that I quite clearly see things differently to the rest of the world but I am prepared to own that and stand by my own convictions. Then again it was reassuring to hear from so many people this week that actually agreed with my viewpoint. The world would be incredibly boring if we all agreed and conformed to what the media and government tell us. On the other hand, the world would be a far better place if we all showed compassion, forgiveness and tolerance. 

Mental health is a serious issue and should not be scorned or ridiculed. That's why State of Mind rugby are acknowledged in my book. Their work is vital


It's time to focus on the great things great people do. I want to wish all Yorkshire Air Ambulance, the voluntary mountain rescue teams and all the volunteers well for the LeTour Yorkshire. The Tour De France is on my bucket list but rugby league commitments mean I am in Barrow in Furness when the Tour passes less than a mile from my home. On top of that I have to take a detour to get over to Cumbria due to the road closures. Now that's Sod's Law!! I hope it is a massive success for Yorkshire in particular our fabulous local businesses. Viva Le Tour!!!




Paul’s Fundraising Paul’s next event is the 5th July 2014 and includes rugby league, walking and pubs!! What more do you need.  I wish everyone taking part the very best of luck and I am sure you will all enjoy the stop offs along the way! I wish I could be there and I would have taken part (honest) in the walking but not the drinking, unfortunately I am a lightweight, even if only in the drinking sense!


You can give on Paul’s Justgiving page for the Sick Childrens Trust and the Rugby League Benevolent Fund at http://www.justgiving.com/teams/givingplentytotwentyYou can donate through JustGiving or text SICK66 £1 TO 70070 or text TRYZ77 £1 to 70070 (or more if you would like).
A quick thank you to all my twitter followers on both the book (@BeyondthePast1) and my account (@CharlespR2D2) – pop over and say hello.

Have a great week. I won't be posting again until after the British Grand Prix on Sunday. I can't make it this year but I have promised myself, once the royalties are in, that is where you will find me this time next year, rugby league permitting of course.

You can purchase the book from 
Pegasus Publishers  
Amazon UK  
Amazon US
Kindle

OR ORDER FROM YOUR LOCAL BOOKSHOP.

Twitter
Facebook
www.pamcharles.com
LinkedIn