I’d like to welcome Lucy Mclaren, the first author willing to share an insight into her life, right here, just for you. You can find Lucy in numerous places! On Twitter, and on Instagram. Her website can be found here, where you can sign-up to her newsletter to receive regular updates on A Child’s Awakening as well as free short stories. Hello Lucy, please tell us a bit about yourself. The basics, day job, how many cats you have etc. Hi! I’m Lucy McLaren, I’m 31 years old and live with my husband in Essex, England. I am an animal lover though sadly we don’t have any of our own…
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4 Things A Fledgling Author Needs
As an unpublished author about to start querying, I have done some research and as they say, forewarned is forearmed. Unfortunately, you can’t just write words down, edit them, have an agent fall into your lap, publish and then retire to a beach somewhere to write some more words. As I discovered, there is more to being an author than a story. There is all the back stage stuff too, like these 4 tips I will share below. I have worked through them myself and I hope they can help you out too. In this list of 4 things an author needs, I won’t include, the obvious perfected manuscript, an…
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The Colosseum – Ancient Rome’s Answer to Netflix
The Colosseum or The Flavian Amphitheatre First opened 1,940 years ago by Emperor Titus in 80 A.D. after a mere 10 years of building work. This huge building, originally known as the Flavian Amphitheatre, named after the family who built it, is the largest amphitheatre ever built. It could accommodate around 7,000 people at one time. It’s elliptical in shape and is at the longest point, measures 188 metres long and 156 metres wide. The outer walls are 50 meters high and formed by 80 arches. That’s the boring bits out of the way. Now, these arches functioned as entrances and led to a series of tunnels and steep stairways that…
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The Guest Post Page
Here is where I invite other writers to share their thoughts and experiences on their writing process. If you would like to share something, just send me an email or a message on Twitter.
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A Guest Post – From Plotter to Planster By Jemma Murdoch
Jemma Murdoch, an Australian novelist, currently exploring the diversity of literary fiction, whilst working towards her first publication. Follow this awesome lady on Twitter Head down, madly scribbling on my notebook. Yep. That was me, fellow writers and readers, a plotter through and through. During the creation of my first two novels, I craved those sticky notes and carefully drafted character bios like my morning coffee. Messy handwriting filled page after page of those dollar notebooks from the department store. And yes, the plotting extended further than paper. My whole story would be mapped out in mind, a virtual movie, before my fingertips ever graced the keyboard. Now—I see you…
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Short story – The Black Dog Has Left The Building
Trigger warning – suicide. Have you met the black dog because I haven’t? Maybe he drowned… My name is Dylan and I am a mess. I wasn’t always like this. I rocked at my job, smashing my monthly quotas with ease and you should have seen my beautiful wife. Sarah. She was a stunner, and not in that stuck up way, not like the bitches that some of my colleagues were burdened with. She had given him the required two beautiful children and happily gave up her successful career to be a stay at home mum. She played the dutiful and supportive wife, an Oscar winning performance in fact. Yeah,…
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Roman Honey Cakes or Libum
During my research for my novel Even Gods Are Blind, I looked at the typical foods eaten during the early part of the Roman Empire. In this post I would like to focus on honey cakes or libum and in the interest of authentic research, I of course, have made them and provided a recipe below. Online, you can find an original recipe by Cato the Elder, in his works on Agriculture. But what is Libum, I hear you cry! Libum was a small cake used as an offering to the Lares, the household gods and I have seen sources that indicate it was offered to others including my favourite,…
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Guest Post – A Jaded Hack’s Rant By Gary Smothers
June 18, 2020 Gary is right where you are at, trying to get published – but living in Central Illinois. Follow him on Twitter Do you want to know what kills me? When you tell someone that you’re writing a book, and they say, “Yeah. I always wanted to do that.” Or: “When’s it getting published?” There are more injurious things, trust me, when it comes to communicating to others that you’re a writer. There’s a true ignorance of the writing/publishing industry. But I’m going to focus on my two most carcinogenic pet peeves. I always wanted to. Okay, then make like Nike and “Just Do It.” I dare…
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The Wisdom and Warrior – Minerva: Unveiling the Ancient Goddess
Introduction: In the rich tapestry of Roman mythology and religion, the goddess Minerva stands as a symbol of wisdom, strength, and timeless legacy. Her origins trace back to the Etruscans, and she found her place among the Roman pantheon as a deity of immense significance. In this exploration, we delve into the fascinating history of Minerva, a goddess who transcended time and cultures, and discover her enduring influence on ancient Rome. Minerva’s Etruscan Roots: Minerva’s story begins long before the Romans rose to prominence. In the early days of Etruscan civilization, she was worshipped as a goddess associated with the thunderbolt. Etruscan art often depicted her with wings, akin to…
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Jupiter: From God of Light to Guardian of Rome
Introduction In the vast pantheon of ancient Roman deities, Jupiter, often equated with the Greek god Zeus, shines as a luminous symbol of celestial might and authority. With each thunderous clap and flash of lightning, his presence is felt in the heavens and on Earth. This exploration takes us on a journey through the multifaceted identity of Jupiter, from his early role as the God of light and weather to his elevated position as the protector of Rome and embodiment of justice. The God of Light and Weather At the heart of Jupiter’s celestial dominion lies his initial role as the God of light and weather. He commanded the elements,…
