Showing posts with label friends. Show all posts
Showing posts with label friends. Show all posts

Saturday, 15 August 2015

An Ode To My Family

Families are strange creatures. Some are wonderful. Some are... not so wonderful.

Mine. Mine are wonderful and I know that I'm very blessed. Through the hardships and the occasional disagreements there's light and love. Each of them has their flaws, as they do their strengths. They've been through soul crushing lows and sky-high heights. Even though we sometimes don't want to talk to one another, there's always a connection there.

My mother is one of those women who's steered us through thick and thin. While she still might not understand that headphones mean we're listening to something and therefore can't hear her, she's done everything she can to make us happy. Even in times when we had no money, her love kept us going. She's taught us so much in how to live, guiding us when it's needed and being there when things get tough. No matter where we are in the world, she's made sure there's always a place for us to call “Home”.

Dad is a guy of few words. Unless it's to crack a joke. One of his favourite things is making us laugh. Even now that we're all grown up, he still loves nothing more than seeing us smile. He's taught us to hang pictures, build furniture, drive cars and do a myriad of other things that would otherwise require the skills of someone more professional. He made sure that our sixteenth birthdays heralded the arrival of our adult passports. No longer we were tied to travelling with our parents; he and Mum wanted us to know that the world was our oyster and that we should grab it with both hands.

Finally, there's my two little brothers who've grown into men I'm honoured to know. They make me laugh on a daily basis as well as including me in all that they do. Well accustomed to my mood swings, they'll check several times to make sure I really don't want to go and do something and try to persuade me that going out is for the good of my health. I know that, no matter what, they'll always be there for me just as I'm there for them.

They're my family and, no matter what we go through, I'll always be there for them. Whether your family are blood or one you've built from the friends that surround you, love them. Cherish them. Treasure them.


Sunday, 12 July 2015

A Place Called Home

When I started this blog I wanted to be only about writing. Books, the creative process, the publishing industry; that's what I wanted it to be about. But there are a million and one blogs and websites out there who can talk about this far better than I ever will.

Slowly it evolved in to what it is today. I wanted a place where people felt at home, somewhere they felt at ease talking about themselves or their work. I didn't want them to feel under pressure to buy books or leave reviews. I wanted a home, not a just house, a place for everyone who passed through to feel comfortable and welcomed.

I'm very blessed in that many people share their lives with me and I want to return that favour. If you so choose, I want you to know the ups and downs of my life. I want to share the battles I've been through, both personally and professionally. I want you to feel like you have a place to talk about what's happening and not feel judged. And this, hopefully, is that place. No matter who you are and no matter what your background, you're welcome here.

There may be subject matter on this blog that some people feel uncomfortable with and that's perfectly fine. What's happened to me may not be for everyone. As a warning, I'll let you know that there are posts about drug addiction and recovery. But there are also many happy posts, including interviews and photographs of people who've inspired me.

I thank you for visiting and thank you for sharing this little space with me.
Rae

Wednesday, 31 December 2014

My 2014

Or, how I can write about my year better than Facebook ever can!

January

Phew! Another year starts. New year, new me and all of that. At least one book due out this year.

February

Getting ready to release “The Eve of War”. On the downside, I had the first bout of a crippling ear infection.

March

First round of edits for “A Second Past Midnight” come in.

April

This happened:







May

“The Eve of War” is released! Yayyy!!

June

First draft of a new novel was finished.

July

Had a short story accepted for anti-love anthology “No Love Lost”.

August

This happened:





September

This happened:

https://www.facebook.com/foofamiluk


October

Started on the first draft of a screenplay and finished up the next round of edits on “A Second Past Midnight”.

November

“No More Touts” came to an end. While it didn’t have the ending that was expected, you never know what’s around the corner, nor what’s waiting in the wings. It did, however, bring about a lot of new friendships and exciting times!

December

“No Love Lost” published!

And Christmas! Time for a sit down and some time with friends and family. 

~~~ 

My Favourite  Blog Posts of 2014






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Thank you all for an amazing year and I’m really looking forward to seeing some of you soon! Here’s to an incredible 2015 together!


Tuesday, 8 January 2013

The News In Brief

This was an email I sent to a friend, briefly detailing my Christmas and New Year. It made him laugh so I thought I'd share it with you.

The News In Brief


- We survived December 21st! Yay! Time to annoy my apocalypse loving  friend.

- Fuzzcopter out at 8am Christmas Eve.

- Christmas Day looked a lot like this:


- New Year's Eve looked a lot like this:


- I HAS NEW CORSET!

- This made me laugh (If you find this video is blocked for you, go to You Tube and search for "British Guide to Marshalling". The actual video title is "Aircraft Marshalling 12 Sqn way" and should be the first video in the search results. Enjoy!!)


- I has lots of new pens. Think people are trying to tell me something.

- *yawn* Back to work properly.

Sunday, 30 December 2012

My 2012

Or How It Happened From The Perspective Of Someone Slightly Crazy...

January

YAYYY!!! Book coming out!!

February

Book coming soon!!

March

Where's book?

April

Book coming soon?!

May

YAYYYY!!! Book launch soiree!!
















June

Phew! Time for a rest!

July

YAYYYY!!! Book 2 signed!!

August

Olympics!! Go Team GB!!

September

YAYYYY!!! The Asylum! Lots of fun, new people to meet! Hi! How are you?! Hope you're well! Thank you for stopping by. :D

October

Wooo! Book 2's out!

November

Must promote Book 2. Oops, got Dad's birthday. Will do it later!

December

Must promote Book 2 and finish Book 3. Yayyy! Christmas! Everything else can wait until the New Year!!

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Don't forget to go and check out some of the other posts:
Thank you to friends old and new
A Mad Engineer's Wintermass

Saturday, 22 December 2012

Thank You!

I know the year isn't over yet, but I wanted to take the time to say thank you.

2012 has been a huge year for me. There's been the publications of my first two novels, along with all that entails. It's the first time I've stepped in to the Steampunk community and to say I was nervous was an understatement. Yet you welcomed me with open arms, relaxing my nerves, becoming my friends and teaching me a whole lot of new things along the way. I've had the utmost pleasure of meeting some of you this year, and I can't wait to get to know all of you. I truly hope that, in 2013, we'll have the time to sit down with a cup of tea and have a really great chat.

I'm also truly grateful to my friends, old and new, who've been there every step of the way, who've encouraged me and helped in every way you can. You're the family we choose for ourselves and I'm so thankful for each and every one of you. Some of you I've yet to meet but you've still taken a chance on me. You were brave enough to try a new author, and your words of love and encouragement mean a great deal to me. It's wonderful to know that there are still such beautiful people out there, and I look forward to the day I can thank you in person.

Facebook has been a huge one for me this year as well. Many thanks are extended to the wonderful people at The E-Reader House, The Independent Paperback Gift Shop, Destiny of Angels, The Adventures of Cecilia SparkBest Dad I Can BeThe Alterium, World of Steampunk, and the fantastic minds over at Creators of Glorious Steam. Without all of you, without your knowledge and all that you've given to this world, none of what I've achieved this year would have been possible. I'm so grateful to you all for extending the love and for giving me a chance.

The amazing people over at Torquere Press need a mention for all they've done this year. For helping ship books over and for explaining the intricacies of the US tax system. For just being there when a new author was a little confused over what to do next.

Finally, my family, who've walked this path with me for many years. I thank you for giving me the time and space I've needed this year, as well as supporting all the crazy endeavours which have gone with these books.

Thank you to all of you! Thank you for continuing to read this blog and for being there every step of the way. Know that all you do is very much appreciated. I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a fabulous New Year!