Voting is Now OPEN for the Annual Bloggers Bash Awards @BloggersBash – SACHA BLACK

The Bash is back!

Well, you all know that! But the voting is now officially open! And there are so many amazing blogs out there waiting for your votes!

There are nine awards and the process is very simple. a simple select then click vote on each nine awards, and that’s it. You’re done!

The hard bit is deciding which blog to choose though.

Please go ahead and vote. It means loads to everyone involved, the bloggers nominated, and the committee who have mixed their blood, sweat and tears into all the organisation for this fantastic event!

Oh, and if you are inclined to do so, my little blog has been nominated for Best Overall Blogger.

Best-Overall-Badge 2018

I’d sure appreciate a vote! Remember… But I Smile Anyway!

Head over to Sacha’s post, below, to vote!

via Voting is Now OPEN for the Annual Bloggers Bash Awards @BloggersBash – SACHA BLACK

Best-Overall-e1519401734212

 

Dirty Thoughts #ThursdayThoughts

Just taking a break from my writing frenzy… almost 8,000 words in the last three days!

I’ve been reading parts of the manuscript out loud to my kids, but not all.

You see, there is … Shhhhh!…  S.E.X. in it! And a little other hanky-panky of varying degrees of naughtiness!

As I was censoring bits and reading it out, it got me thinking…

Why do the people of the country that produced the Kama Sutra, the country with the second largest population in the world (so someone must enjoy doing it!), and predicted to have the largest by 2050, still have such a stigma about S.E.X.? 

Whenever there is a scene on the telly that involves kissing, let alone S.E.X., the ‘telly changer’ is sought, to change the channel, or everyone is suddenly busy rustling papers or having an urgent conversation in another room?

If the latest Bollywood film shows a scantily clad heroine or a couple in a clinch, why is there always going to be people muttering about how they can’t understand how this ‘filth’ can be called entertainment?

Why, are problems of a sexual nature always hidden?

Sexuality, if not the preferred norm, swept under a carpet, never to be acknowledged?

Sure, I don’t want to go into the ins and outs (pun not intended!) of S.E.X. with my kids just yet. I don’t want to glorify it. They are only 10 and 12. But they know what it is. I just don’t want them to hear my descriptions (it’s not that graphic, honestly, but still, reading about naughty stuff to your kids? Sign me up for the Bad Momma Award right now!) just yet. They aren’t afraid to ask questions about sexuality either and I hope that by being open with them, if they were ever worried about ANYTHING, they felt they could come to us? (After all, I am the cool Flossing mum!)

But when something like S.E.X. becomes taboo, isn’t that the time we end up with other issues? It’s the thing that everyone wants to try, but isn’t allowed to, until marriage. And when you put these kinds of restrictions on anything, much like drink and drugs, don’t these same restrictions push certain youngsters to go behind backs and do things anyway? Is this not where you get more teenage binge drinking, rape, and forced S.E.X.?

Sure, there were plenty of sudden coughs and needing to get a drink when the smoochy scenes were on the screen in our house when I was growing up, but we still were able to talk to our parents. My brother, being a boarding school boy, was even more open about things, and as a result, it meant we became a family who didn’t hide things.

When I went to university, I didn’t find excuses to tell my parents when I was out for the night, and when the time came, I told them about my boyfriend, who later became my Hubby Dearest.

Okay, so I’m not going to discuss my bedroom gymnastics with my Pops and Mum, but I know If the need arose, I could. And after all, as my Pops said to my brother many years ago, when he asked if they still, you know, did IT… “We are human you know!”

Yes, they are… but that’s one image I can do without in my mind!

Anyway, here ends my rambling on my thought for the day!

One-Liner Wednesday – #1LinerWeds – Kids

“Damned if you do… Damned if you don’t…” said by Loads of People

 

I took Lil Princess to the park today. Lil Man was already there, with his friend. We had agreed that I would bring his sister, but not go near him – Street cred and all that jazz (But I am a cool mum remember – I FLOSS!)

Whilst there, she wouldn’t stay away from her brother and ended up playing basketball with him and his mate. So that meant I was at a loss. I couldn’t stay away because I had to keep an eye on the girl.

Whilst sat there, I noticed a child getting pushed around. There were loads of people in the park yet no one batted an eyelid. This one child, who wore glasses, was pushed down to the ground, kicked, and punched. A girl stood beside him doing nothing. The others were a group of five children. They looked around 11-12 years old.

Then the bullies walked off.

I was getting ready to go home when I saw the kid get pushed again. Still, no one did anything.

Now, I know the culture nowadays is to not get involved. You run the risk of getting turned on instead, but I needed to know that child was okay. It could have been rough playing, I don’t know… Lil Man said, “I’ll go say something if it gets rough mummy, don’t worry.” But how much rougher did it have to get?

So, I told the three under my care to stay where they were and I walked over. As I got closer I heard ” Mummy!” It was Lil Princess, flanked by my son and his friend. Before I could send them back, one of the bully kids said something to my son. I don’t know what, but Lil Man turned to him and said: “Say that to my face!”

The kid walked off. I sent my three charges back to the basketball court, with the assurance that I was fine. I didn’t need mini bodyguards with me.

Some of the other kids were watching me.

I did think whether I should just walk past. If I got involved, would they turn on my kids?

Or did I go and check on that child?

The inner mumster/teacher won.

I went to him and quietly asked if he was okay. The girl with him looked like a sister. They both looked a little relieved that someone had asked, but they said they were fine. I mentioned that I was around if they needed anything, a call home etc. and left them to it.

Sitting back down, I still watched.

The bully group were still there, glancing over at me, but they didn’t approach us. Lil Princess wanted to play on the climbing frame some of them had congregated at. I was torn again. Do I go there with her, and let her play? Or do I say no, for fear of them saying anything to her?

But then I realised that we weren’t the ones in the wrong. They were.

I was tempted to ask some of the older kids why they didn’t intervene when they saw things like that happening. Maybe it’s the culture nowadays… you just don’t get involved.

But where does that leave you when you witness something like that, don’t do anything, then read the headlines later to hear that someone was seriously hurt, or even worse… or what if the bullying causes that child to do something drastic?

Nah.

I stand by my decision to see whether that child was okay.

He seemed fine after. The worst three of the five who had been pushing him around disappeared and the other two just talked to him and his sister after.

And though I worry about my Lil Man going to the park, knowing there are idiots like that around, I know he has a big heart and a strong head on his shoulders. I can’t be his bubblewrap all the time…

Sorry… a little more than one line AGAIN!

For Linda’s #1LinerWeds Challenge. (But a lot more than one line!!!)


Calling All Novel Writers! #NeedYourHelp #AmWriting

Hey! Writer Peeps! I have a couple of questions for you…

#AmWriting

I’m another 2,700 words in on my WIP. Things have developed in ways I hadn’t even planned, but in a good way.

I tend to edit on the way, but am conscious that I will need to print a paper copy out to do the fine editing.

My questions:

  • Do you save each chapter as a separate document or the whole story as one block with chapter breaks?

  • Would you arrange for Beta readers once you have done your own edit, or do you think it needs a professional eye first?

I can’t believe that I am seriously that close to finishing!

Eeeeek!

 

M.J. Mallon – The Curse Of Time – Paperback Book Release #BlogTour

A few short months ago, a dear blog pal of mine, M.J. Mallon, better known as Marje from Kyrosmagica blog, published her first ever eBook: The Curse Of Time – Book one – Bloodstone.

I’m not jealous or anything, but sitting there looking at my 17-year-old WIP, I am always in awe of my pals getting things finished, and to publishing stage!

Anyway, MJ (Marje’s alter ego as she loves Superheroes!) spent a long while researching her facts and locations for this book, and the time came in August 2017, to press publish.

I was honoured to host her on her first blog tour too! Read more here.

Her blurb reads as follows:

Fifteen-year-old Amelina Scott lives in Cambridge with her dysfunctional family, a mysterious black cat, and an unusual girl who’s imprisoned within the mirrors located in her house. When an unexpected message arrives inviting her to visit the Crystal Cottage, she sets off on a forbidden pathway where she encounters Ryder, a charismatic, but perplexing stranger.
With the help of a magical paint set, and some crystal wizard stones she discovers the truth about a shocking curse that has destroyed her family’s happiness.

I was finally able to read it the other week, and as a relative newcomer to YA fiction, I found it intriguing.

My reviews on Goodreads and Amazon give Marje’s book – ⭐⭐⭐⭐

It took me a short while to get into the swing of the story, but once I was there, I really enjoyed the tale.
Drawn into the life of the main character, Amelina, you are quickly whisked off into a world filled with supernatural happenings, people in mirrors and crystals. Lots of crystals!
There is an element of change evident in Amelina as the book progresses, showing her development as a person who is capable of having a huge effect on those around her, as she learns of the powers she has had bestowed upon her.
I didn’t like Ryder… not that you are really meant to. Ryder is someone who she meets, and who influences her negatively. The fact that I didn’t like him shows that his character was written well within the story.
Over all, a book brimming with supernatural happenings, a mysterious cottage and a family problem that needs solving.

Available to buy here!

And now, this month actually, the paperback is finally ready to be unleashed to the public, with some exciting additions, in the form of some illustrations of key characters in the book by the extremely talented Carolina Russo.

The artwork below will be included in the paperbacks, but in black and white… how exciting to find a fellow artist to imagine your characters for you!

I know you are clamouring to hear more about Marje, so I’ll hand over to her…

I am a debut author who has been blogging for three years at my lovely blog home Kyrosmagica: https://mjmallon.com. My interests include writing, photography, poetry, and alternative therapies. I write Fantasy YA, middle grade fiction and micro poetry – haiku and Tanka. I love to read and have written over 100 reviews: https://mjmallon.com/2015/09/28/a-z-of-my-book-reviews/
My alter ego is MJ – Mary Jane from Spiderman. I love superheroes! I was born on the 17th of November in Lion City: Singapore, (a passionate Scorpio, with the Chinese Zodiac sign a lucky rabbit,) second child and only daughter to my proud parents Paula and Ronald. I grew up in a mountainous court in the Peak District in Hong Kong with my elder brother Donald. My parents dragged me away from my exotic childhood and my much loved dog Topsy to the frozen wastelands of Scotland. In bonnie Edinburgh I mastered Scottish country dancing, and a whole new Och Aye lingo.
As a teenager I travelled to many far-flung destinations to visit my abacus wielding wayfarer dad. It’s rumoured that I now live in the Venice of Cambridge, with my six foot hunk of a Rock God husband, and my two enchanted daughters. After such an upbringing my author’s mind has taken total leave of its senses! When I’m not writing, I eat exotic delicacies while belly dancing, or surf to the far reaches of the moon. To chill out, I practise Tai Chi. If the mood takes me I snorkel with mermaids, or sign up for idyllic holidays with the Chinese Unicorn, whose magnificent voice sings like a thousand wind chimes.

Marje can be found on various Social Media sites:

Authors Website: https://mjmallon.com
Collaborative blog: https://sistersofthefey.wordpress.com
Twitter: @Marjorie_Mallon and @curseof_time
My Facebook Authors/Bloggers Support Group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1829166787333493/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17064826.M_J_Mallon
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mjmallonauthor/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjmallonauthor/
Tumblr: http://mjmallonauthor.tumblr.com/

I hope that I’ve whet your appetite Peeps, and that you will take a chance on a fabulous paperback edition of The Curse Of Time!

Marje and her book will be touring several blogs in April and ending with Neverland Blog Tours. http://neverlandblogtours.weebly.com/

Blog Tour Hosts

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