Red Lorry's Journey

Big Red receives a fantastic review!

2012-01-10T22:04:00.002Z

Funny how a few words can put a stupid goofy grin on your face... all day long!

Well, that's what the words on blog post below did for me:

http://insidebjshead.blogspot.com/2012/01/big-red.html

I know people have bought Big Red, but this is the first time someone has taken the time to put it down in writing just how much they enjoyed the story. As a writer, there is nothing more rewarding than hearing from your readers about just how much they like your work.

My Funny Valentine

2011-12-21T15:06:00.000Z

Somebody said, "To learn to love, learn to laugh." Either way, you'll find the love of laughter, or at least some good laughs about Love, in this book.

I'm extremely proud to say that my short story 'Twice A Year' was more or less hand picked by Lin Robinson for inclusion in My Funny Valentine.

Lin had read the story on Writer's Beat, where I post my work for critique, and he said how much he and partner Karla liked it and would I like to submit it for the book. Well, of course I was going to say yes, who wouldn't. Even though I'm not from America... shhhh

My Funny Valentine is available to buy from Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk in both Kindle and paper versions. It's already got some pretty amazing reviews as well. Why not check them out here:
Amazon.com, Kindle review for My Funny Valentine

Big Red goes on sale!

2011-12-08T17:53:00.000Z

November was certainly a busy month, no doubt about it. In addition to Nanowrimo, which I might add I am still recovering from, I finally saw the long awaited release of 'Big Red' through my publisher Untreed Reads. Not to mentioned the publication of two e-zines I contribute to and two anthologies my work appears in.

Of course all of this required very little work by me in November itself, as everything had already been worked out before hand. However, what I didn't do was promote all these fabulous things to the best of my ability because I was so tied up with Nanowrimo. Well, the competition is over now and it's time for business as usual. So here, is the first promotional catch up.

I am delighted to announce the release of my all time favourite short story creation BIG RED. You can buy the story at most e-book retailers as well as directly from the Untreed Reads website. Big Red is a great paranormal romance story that's a hell of a lot of fun. I hope you enjoy it.

Unwanted Gifts - A Christmas Story by Lorraine Sears

2011-12-01T03:53:00.001Z

Here's a little festive story I wrote which I have decided to share with everyone via FB and Blog rather than submit to a specific publisher. I hope you enjoy it.

Unwanted Gifts
by Lorraine Sears

Nick poured himself a scotch; a late, liquid breakfast after a well earned lie-in. He flicked on the box. The racing would be on soon; he had a couple of runners at Cheltenham. His well worn armchair groaned a welcome as he flopped gratefully onto its cushion that was soundly moulded to accommodate his generous rear after years of use.

There was a timid knock at the door. Nick ignored it and turned the volume up on the TV. A few seconds later there was another knock, this time accompanied by a gentle “ahem.”
Nick took a slug of scotch and rubbed his eyes. Why couldn’t he just have five minutes peace? Didn’t they realise yesterday was his busiest day of the year?

The knock came again, a little louder. This time there was no ‘ahem’, instead the door inched open, just a crack, and a little head, which was no more than three feet off the ground, poked through the gap.
“Bugger off!” said Nick, pointedly not looking at the head.

The face on the head winced as it was joined by the rest of the little body stepping into the room. “Aha… yes. Um very droll, Sir. Ah… I don’t quite no how to say this, but, er… your first piece of correspondence has come in for the new year. You always say you want to read them straight away to prevent a backlog.”

“What!” Nick leaned over the edge of his chair and glared at his Elf. “I just got back from the deliveries for this year. Who is it? What do they want?”

The Elf stood up straight and tall--as tall as he could at three foot nothing--and did his best to look official. He pulled a crumpled piece of paper from his pocket and cleared his throat.

“It’s from a Michael Cooper, from Kent, in England.”
Nick frowned. “Don’t recall him on the list… Cooper? Cooper, Michael? Cooper, Michael…Kent? Kent! Ah, yes. I remember him. He was on the naughty list for repeatedly teasing his delightful baby brother. He cut the child’s hair, painted him once when the mother wasn’t looking, with real emulsion. And he was even caught dipping the baby’s dummy in the toilet bowl before giving it back to him. Horrible child, and very short for his age too. I suppose he wants to know why he got nothing.”

The Elf shook its little head and shifted nervously on his feet. The bell on his hat jingled. “Not exactly, Sir. Shall I read it?”
Nick rolled his eyes. “If you must.”

The Elf cleared his throat again and began to read.
“Dear Father Christmas.

Last night I saw you come into our house. I saw you sneak into bedrooms to leave presents for my brother and my mum, but not for me.” Nick suddenly looked nervous. The Elf went on. “Last year I saw you as well. You came into my room and I got a rocket and a Power Ranger. It wasn’t the right Power Ranger; I wanted the green Ninja one, but you left the Blue Megazord instead. Perhaps you should read my letters a bit more carefully in future.

Anyway, last year you went into my mum’s room too. I could tell whatever present you left her she really liked because she was squealing and giggling lots. When I asked her about it she said she got to sit on your lap and she got exactly what she asked for.

In September my little brother arrived and I’ll be honest, I don’t like him very much. He cries and whinges and he makes mum very tired. I certainly don’t want another one.

So I’m telling you this, Father Christmas: If I find out tomorrow that last night my mum sat on you again and asked for another baby, I will tell every child I ever meet exactly what they get when they sit on your lap.

Sincerely
Michael Cooper (age nearly 10)”

The Elf folded the letter and put it back in his pocket. He looked up at Nick, who, despite the freezing temperature outside, was visibly sweating. The Elf had his little lips pressed firmly together.

Nick gulped the last of his Scotch. “Ninja Power Rangers?” The Elf nodded, his bell jingled. “Have we got any other those?”
The Elf nodded again. “We have the whole set, Sir.”
“Good! Go to the workshop, wrap them all nicely, chuck in come candy canes and a football, some chocolate too, if we have any. In fact, grab whatever you can find!”
The Elf nodded and hurried away.

A few minutes later, just as Nick was just pulling on his red coat and boots, the Elf appeared at the doorway lugging an enormous sack behind him. “All ready, Sir.”
“Thanks,” grunted Nick. “And, er… not a word of this to anyone.”
The Elf shook his head, setting his little bell off again. “No, no. Of course not, Sir.”
Nick grabbed the bag and headed out into the snow.

As soon as he was alone the Elf poured himself a thimble of scotch and threw it backing one. Hopping up into the armchair he jumped up and down on the cushion to get it comfy and flicked the TV on with the remote. From his pocket he pulled out his phone and started to text:
Merry Christmas, Son. The old fart is on his way now with everything you asked for. Say hi to your mum for me. x

NaNoWriMo - I salute you

2011-11-30T18:10:00.000Z

Thirty days and thirty nights of structured, disciplined writing... yeah right!

Thirty days and thirty nights of grabbing whatever moments I could to put down as many words as I could... and actually, even that was only twenty-five days and nights.

Yes November was National Novel Writing Month, and I, like thousands of others, stepped up to the challenge of writing a novel of 50,000 words or more within that period.

And, I am so pleased to say I did it. Yes, on the November 25th I submitted my word count for official verification, having penned my final scene and, my story weighed in on a respectable 50,062 words, making me, officially, a winner of NaNoWriMo 2012.

The story I wrote, Soul Reflection, was the second in my planned paranormal romance series, Soul Takers. The concept and plot had been with me for over a year while I perfected and edited Soul Reunion (the first one). Of course such rushed writing left lots of room for error and the final product is still along way off.

However, what I have managed to achieve is the laying of the bare bones of the complete story, i.e. the structure and the content. But, as is the way I write, it now needs me to go back in and add the style. So, after completing the first draft and verifying my word count I went straight back in to embellish the story. In only five or six chapters I have already increased the word count by some three thousand. I have no doubt the final word count will be somewhere around seventy thousand. But for now, I have achieved my objective of launching myself soundly into the second novel in my series.

Go me!

Bubblegum Pink - published today in Oysters and Chocolate.

2011-11-02T16:21:00.000Z

In among the Nanowrimo madness that has already consumed November I've received a great e-mail reminding me that my vanilla erotica story, 'Bubblegum Pink' is being published today.

You can read Bubblegum Pink here, at Oysters and Chocolate. This is my second short story published by this fab erotica e-zine.

By the way, I consider myself halfway day two of Nanowrimo and I am already passed the 4,000 word mark. This story, 'Soul Reflections' is a relief and a joy to finally write.

Spot the Crazy Woman!!

2011-10-25T18:53:00.002+01:00

Oh boy, one mention of Nanowrimo and I have gone and registered.

Not content with coming to the end of Soul Reunion final edit, ramped up work on the Ripper Project, Writer's Beat and The Writer's Beat Quarterly and The Red Asylum, I have now committed myself to writing a whole novel in thirty days, thats 50,000 words, at least!

I have the concept and plot all ready as I have decided this would be an ideal way to get the second of my Soul Taker novel's up and running. So the writing of Soul Reflections will commence on November 1st.

Anyone wishing to sponsor me should send 6 packs of Red Bull, or large packs of Pro-Plus to my home address.

My interview in Two Ends of the Pen

2011-10-13T16:36:00.002+01:00

Big Red is due to be released at the end of October and as part of my publicity for Big Red and Untreed Reads, Two Ends of the Pen kindly allowed me a spot on their author interview pages.

My interview

21 - I just came of age

2011-10-07T17:27:00.000+01:00

Great News!

Bubblegum Pink has just been accepted for publication by Oysters and Chocolate, and is expected to by released sometime in November this year. I very excited and really pleased, this is my second story to be placed with them; I just love their site.

Oh, and put a note in you diary for October 13th, when I have an interview coming out in Two Ends of the Pen to support the release of Big Red on Halloween.

Funny how everything is quiet for a while then it just takes off.

Busy doing nothing...

2011-09-24T22:55:00.000+01:00

Well, that's not strictly true. I'm doing plenty, you just can't see it.

With the start of the new scholastic year much has changed in my life. I now work regular, civilised hours of 10-3 Monday-Friday during term time. It's a lot more stable and gives me a lot more time with my family. But ultimately I'm tireder and have less time to write.

That's not to say I haven't been writing, I have. Just not very much. I have been busy on other projects however. I have the wonderful news that Big Red is going to be released by Untreed Reads to coincide with Halloween; perfect! I've been working on the edit, the blurb and putting together a multifunctional bio.

Said bio will also be deployed in my upcoming appearance with the secret project I can't really tell you about yet... although it will be soon since I am appearing on the 'secret's' website now. Sorry don't mean to confuse you.

I also got a really nice rejection for another Devil-related story of mine from the publication Something Wicked. As a writer rejections are par for the course, but it's always nice to hear that even though you didn't make the final cut your story was enjoyed.

What's that? You want to know about the collaborative projects? Okay.

Well Found was rejected by our first publisher of choice as they didn't feel it was sensual enough. However Jay, my writing partner on that project, has short listed a glut of other publishers who may take a serialised account of the story. But before we try them we have one other e-publisher to try, who I've already made contact with and are eagerly waiting for me to submit the manuscript.

Ripper is still moving slowly forward. We've had a break through in the plot recently and although we don't work on it as much as I would like, thanks to real life commitments, when we do write the story it is always so enjoyable and satisfying; my writing partner on this project is the best and has become a very dear, valued friend! But who knows when our story will be finished.

Those of you who follow The Red Asylum may have seen on our recent Tweet that we are still accepting submissions. So if you have anything dark and twisted please do pay us a visit.

As for my own writing, well... like I said there hasn't been much. I'm considering submitting a Christmas piece to Untreed Reads for their Holidays call. I've got a couple of pieces on my hard drive that I've never done anything with--I might polish those up.

Other than that... Early last year when I was shiny and new at WB an influential (to me) friend was talking to me about writing something from the heart. Of course this for me would be about my mum. Yesterday, yes, only yesterday I finally put word to paper. I wrote a short memoir about life with my mother in just under two hours. It is the most true and heart felt thing I have ever written and I was delighted as the words simply flowed. The piece, which I've called My Golden Days is in the Member's Only section of WB and has had some wonderful comments to far. To write it was immensely enjoyable and also a little therapeutic. I am filled with ideas for other pieces and hope to share more about life with my wonderful mum very soon.

Oh, and sorry for the huge lapse since last posting. As you've just read, I've been busy doing nothing.

False hopes

2011-09-08T10:15:00.000+01:00

Not much to report at the moment. Things are busy on WB leaving me fairly quite everywhere else, although regular editing of Soul Reunion continues at a modest pace.

I've had to write a new bio for the 'secret' story due to be released early next year, and I need to grab a friend with a camera and go out and get a new bio shot for it. Sounds exciting huh? Wish I could tell you more, but not yet.

However, there has been some excitement! On Tuesday this week I received an e-mail from an admissions editor. Can you imagine my delight?! Apparently they had come accross my manuscript for Soul Reunion while perusing the internet and wanted to publish it in e-book and print format. It sounded brilliant. It sounded amazing. It sounded to good to be true. It was.

After taking my news to the trusted and experienced members of Writer's Beat and asking if any of them heard about it, I replied to the e-mail asking for more details, as well as going to the publisher's website and doing some research there too.

My fellow WB members came back with exactly the same conclusions as I had, the killers points of which included:

The publisher had found my story on Authonomy, where I am a member and my manuscript is available to fellow members to read.
A consdierable number of Authonomy members had received the same e-mail from the admissions editor in the last week.
The publisher is a POD publisher, meaning 'print on demand', often referred to as 'papermill publishers'.
There is very little editorial support offered.
Some marketing opportunities will be offered by the editor, but the main responsibilty lies with the author.
Authors only receive 10% of royalities from any sales
Authors give away any rights to the work, although still retain copyright. Meaning I couldn't take it to another publisher in the future.
The publisher deals with everything via e-mail. No phone calls.

If alarm bells hadn't been ringing before (and they had), they were now. Suffice to say I won't be taking the matter with them. Yes, it is disapointing, but the optomistic view is that I am no worse off than before they made contact with me.

The manuscript, although complete is still being edited and is not quite ready for unveiling yet. So I am sticking to my original plans. Edit in my own time, carefully select a number of agents and submit. Let's do things the proper way.

Two posts in one day... ?

2011-08-23T20:48:00.000+01:00

Well, what can I say? I go all quiet on you and then, just like buses, two posts come along at once.

I came home from work today to wonderful news. Another acceptance:

My recently penned flash fiction romance 'Unexpected' has been accepted by Romance Flash. This acceptance marks my twentieth in fourteen months.

Happy, happy, happy.

'Unexpected' will be published by Romance Flash in January 2011

Red, where have you been?

2011-08-23T10:18:00.002+01:00

Ahem, yes, once again I have been AWOL from my blog.

It's the summer holidays here in the UK; my children are off school and very much in need of entertaining. I do get some time on line everyday, but it's always interrupted. Not to mentioned for some reason I am more tired than normal, so evening writing sessions seem to be sluggish. At best I am managing some editing of Soul Reunion. At worst I procrastinate. But there's no point in forcing myself when I have no enthusiasm.

However, I do have some updates. The co-written erotic novella 'Found' has approximately one more week to go before it clears the slush pile, according to the publisher's site. Then its going to be a 3-4 month wait before we hear back from the editor in earnest. At the moment, when I open my mailbox I don't want to see anything from them. No news is definitely good news in this situation.

Ripper... sigh, we got back to it last week and it was great, we caught up on where we had been, wrote another chapter, discussed what was coming next and then, just as my enthusiasm was at boiling point, my co-writer got a bad cold and then this week work shifts are keeping us apart. It's disappointing. But hopefully there's more work pencilled in early next week. I guess you can't rush brilliance, lol.

My reading has also slowed during the holidays. My prime reading time is while I wait for and travel on the bus to and from work. So with hubby giving me a lift both ways so we can manage the childcare I don't have that time. The best I manage is a few pages in bed in the mornings and just before I go to sleep. I have to say I am missing the reading too.

What I have been doing, thanks to spending so much more time than usual with my children because they are not at school, is writing about family life on the new It Looks Like Life... blog. It's gotten loads of hits in it's first week, but as yet no followers. However those people who have read it have fed back to me and it's nice to get some feedback. If you have time, please have a look and leave a comment.

A new blog...

2011-08-12T12:59:00.000+01:00

It looks like life... is my brand new blog for spouting about stuff that's not related to my writing.

With so much going on around me everyday, I was getting frustrated by the lack of platform on which to vent my opinions. I love reading blogs about other peoples lives and experiences. Especially the humorous ones. I'm not saying I'm any good at humour. But perhaps by attempting to share my ups, downs and frustrations in a comical style will help me see things through a lighter veil and not get so stressed. See, it's a kind of therapy too.

Well all right, so it's also yet another way for me to write about stuff. My own little zine, aww.

Anyway, as It looks like life... is a brand new blog, I'm looking for people to network it with to give it some coverage. I'd love it if you think might like to do that.

Making a reappearance with Pill Hill Press

2011-08-11T22:33:00.000+01:00

I am delighted to share the news with you all that in the last hour I've learned that no less than four of my stories will be included in Pill Hill Press's "DAILY FLASH 2012: 366 DAYS OF FLASH FICTION" anthology. Exciting news indeed!

A joint project completed

2011-08-02T09:06:00.001+01:00

I've been quiet recently which I've already explained.

In the last week every spare bit of time has been consumed with completing the editing of 'Found', the erotic action-adventure novellete (or novella depending on which word count you subscribe to). Followed by completing all the writer and story details and putting together a 1,400 word synopsis (10% of the final manuscript word count).

I think what's most remarkable is that Jay, my writing partner on this project doesn't have regular internet access. So all our communication is done on Facebook, via his mobile phone, or I have to wait until he ventures into his town for full wifi access.

Last night the whole things was put together and mailed to our first choice of publisher. Whether or not it sells who knows. Anyway I thought I'd touch base with y'all about it.

It's oh-so quiet...

2011-07-25T06:48:00.001+01:00

A thousand apologies for being quiet for such a long time. But I've got a really good reason.

In the last week I have re-written, edited and completed a further five or six chapters of Soul Reunion and in the last two weeks made a total of six new submissions for my shorts (one rejection received back so far). I am completely motivated again and it feels fantastic.

I can see the finishing line for Soul Reunion, which is such a great feeling. This time I am going down the agent route, having identified a glut of agents who handle paranormal romance writers, and accept queries. I think that will be my best option to get this story out there, rather than soliciting publishers directly. And at least this time I have more selling points, both for me and the book. I am now a published author with fifteen short stories published or accepted for publishing, and the book is numero uno of a planned series of Soul Taker novels. So,once again, sorry for being quiet for a while but I have been busy.

I've talked to my co-writer for project Ripper and I am over the moon that we are hoping to get back in the saddle this week so we can bring it forward and start drumming up some interest for it.

The co-written erotic-adventure novella, working title 'Found' has been completed and is waiting a final edit before we start submissions.

Oh, a heads up. The Red Asylum, issue two is about to make an appearance. We had a nasty shock when our host website cut the number of pages available to us and we had to reformat our design. Its been longer than we intended between editions, but hats off to my Editor-in-Chief who's created a stunning e-zine.

Title Goes Here, issue 8: available to buy from today!

2011-07-14T09:19:00.000+01:00

Cool news.

Title Goes Here, issue 8, featuring 'Eating Out' by a certain Lorraine Sears is available to buy from today!

Title Goes Here

This magazine can be bought and downloaded as a PDF, or ordered in print format. I'm ordering a few print copies for myself.

What a feeling!

2011-07-08T23:28:00.000+01:00

I'm feeling very pleased with myself right about now. For the first time in months I've just made use of my Duotrope account and made two new submissions.

I've been holding out on myself for a while, letting other crap get in my way and the other day, after a lot of deep consideration I thought 'sod it!' I am going to start enjoying my writing again, properly.

As you know I've started a new novel that I've been planning for ages - Soul Reflections. But I had a little mishap with the first two chapters when hubby unplugged my USB and corrupted the saved file. Luckily chapter one had been posted on Writer's Beat, so I only has to re-write chapter two.
Phew... hubby was in the doghouse for a while though, I can tell you.

Lost treasure
While poking about in the files on the USB I noticed I have somewhere around twenty complete stories which have yet to find homes. Some of these are obviously not going to be up to par. But others are completed plots that simply require a re-write to improve the presentation. To sit on a honey pot like that is pretty stupid, don't you think? So, to keep my name circulating out there, it's time to get busy.

Now there's no excuse not to write. I have a novel to edit, I have a novel to write, I have shorts to edit, I have shorts to write; all there for me whenever I want.

Secrets
I can tell you I have received another acceptance lately, for a specific subs call. But I can't say where or when just yet. Watch this space though...

Co-projects
The co-written erotic novella is now finished, although I have yet to see the ending. My partner is doing the first edit before it comes my way. But when we're done we'll be submitting on both sides of the Atlantic.

Sadly the Ripper story is on hold, and I do mean sadly as writing that story is such a joy. We've got to co-ordinate our free time and make sure we're both switched on to work. But with work and real-life commitments and a five hour time difference it's gotten really difficult lately. However, we've talked about it and we're not giving up on it. We're just hanging on for calmer waters.

Mrs Dalloway, by Virginia Woolf

2011-07-08T21:08:00.001+01:00

When a friend recommended I read Virginia Woolf I went to Amazon and looked up all her stories. Mrs Dalloway stood out for two reasons:
1) The beautiful cover art (Wordsworth Classics)
2) The story was about a party.

Perhaps it was a little naive to choose my reading project on such shallow foundations. But knowing nothing of her work prior to selection I had to start somewhere.

I can, without doubt, say that for its 130+ pages, Mrs Dalloway has taken me over four weeks to read! Granted I only read it on my journeys to and from work, but even so this book was tough going.

The story itself tells of the interweaving experiences of a glut of London socialites on the day that Clarissa Dalloway will be throwing one of her infamous parties. The story is told as we move from character to character and each of them shares their thoughts on what’s going on around them and what they think of the others.

So why did this book take me so long to read? Well, for one, the language is traditionally English and of the era the book is written (post WWII). Although I myself am English I neither talk, nor, as an author, write in such a formal manner.

Also, the character’s inner monologues move so quickly from thought to action and back again that I would often get lost on the page and have to retrace my steps. And paragraphs are crammed together and I often missed the subtly when the plot jumped from one character to another.

One thing that did amaze me (and made me chuckle) was that if Ms Woolf was a modern day writer, submitting her work to a forum—oh, let’s say Writer’s Beat—for critique, she would get it torn apart for her never ending sentences and her overly generous use of punctuation. In particular, the semi-colon, which she litters in generous multiples throughout single sentences. I could even go so far as to say that reading this book has only served to confuse me over what is the correct use of semi-colons, especially since Ms Woolf is considered a ‘classic author’.

For all the thoughts I’ve shared so far you may well think I didn’t enjoy the read… Well, yes it was a slog to get through, but there are moments of genius in the way she tells the story. And her subtle observations of the human condition and the juxtaposition of cultures and beliefs within society can still be applied today. Social status, after all, is still what matters to those who sit in their ivory towers.

My book also contained a considerable study of the story, exploring who and what inspired the tale. And I was intrigued to read that James Joyce’s Ulysses played a large part in that. Regular readers of my blog will know that I had a similar experience to Mrs Dalloway, when I recently read The Dubliners, by Joyce. Perhaps there is more similarity between these two authors than one would expect…

So, in conclusion, will I read more of Virginia Woolf’s work…? Maybe in the future, if the urge takes me. But right now my ‘to read’ shelf is under pressure of collapse and I need to concentrate and whittling it down a bit and experiencing some different authors.

A new Soul Taker novel is finally underway...

2011-07-04T21:26:00.001+01:00

I promised myself I wouldn't start the next novel in my Soul Taker series until I had completely re-edited Soul Reunion... I've just broken that promise.

I mean, who says I can't start a new story before I've properly finished the previous one. Do you know that JK Rowling completed the final scene in Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows (book 7) before she had finished writing Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix (book 5)? Well, if she can do it...

These are my stories so I can make the rules... unless of course a publisher happens to decide they want Soul Reunion... then it'll be a case of "anything you want".

I am loving getting back into the world of my sexy angelic Soul Takers, loving exploring new characters and loving just being so damned enthusiastic about my writing again. I've been trying to get back to this feeling for a long time and now I realise all the while it's been me that's been stood in my way!

If you're a Writer's Beat member and want to check out the first chapter of Soul Reflections, I'd really appreciate some feedback. You can find it in the 'Members Only Forum'.

Bridesmaids-the movie: Laughter really is the best tonic

2011-06-29T10:00:00.002+01:00

As you know I've been struggling a bit lately to get myself together over my writing and various projects. Successful attempts to get myself back up to speed have been patchy and it's frustrating.

I love my writing, but perhaps sometimes I think I do take it all way too seriously. So I've been taking more time than usual away from the computer and it's been great because when I come back I'm focused on what I need to do rather than procrastinating on the Internet.

In my re-discovered real life I try and go to the cinema once a week, and last night I saw 'Bridesmaids'. Although not really my kind of film (chick-flick) I have to say the trailers were hilarious and it was hard to find an excuse to my cinema buddy not to see it when I'd been laughing so hard at just a few clips.

I'm so glad I saw that film. I have not laughed so hard or so long at a film in quite some time. With a virtually all-female cast, every female in-joke was covered as well as all the stuff like camaraderie, bitchiness, and the bonds between women.

You might think that an all-female film would be a good excuse to bitch at men, but actually there wasn't one anti-man joke in it. There was plenty of true-life observational stuff, but nothing that would antagonise or alienate the male audience.

It was touching, funny, frantic, excruciating to watch in some parts and quite gross in others but it never failed to deliver a laugh. I left the cinema literally crying with laughter and with a remembered appreciation for the group Wilson Phillips. I've never seen so many women in a cinema audience all leaving with such buzz. This film was a tribute to women over 30 everywhere. Must see, must see!!

And the best part... I am in such a good mood today, I quite literally feel like there's nothing I can't do. In fact, since seeing the film I've submitted a story and written a bio for an upcoming publication... so you see, laughter really is the best tonic!

Finding the Light Switch - published today.

2011-06-22T09:04:00.002+01:00

My short vanilla erotica Findng the Light Switch is published today by Oysters and Chocolate.

This story marks a milestone for me as it was the first story I wrote outside of Hothouse that was accepted for publication.

You can find the story here Finding the Light Switch by Lorraine Sears

Getting to work - the situation so far...

2011-06-17T14:33:00.002+01:00

Struck with a post holiday cold and still trying to catch up on sleep I've been writing lots, but as yet there are no new stories from me. I'm working on my review of the Book Thief, as well as a light hearted memoir of my holiday. And while so creatively enthused I've also been searching through my USB files for previously written stories which I'm reviewing with the aim of improving them to a publishable standard.

In addition I'm coming along nicely with the editing of Soul Reunion having finally broken the curse of chapter five, which seems to be where I get stuck every time.

Sadly the Ripper Project is once again on hold due to the practicalities of me and my writing partner living 5 hours apart, real life commitments and work etc. However I am ready and willing to restart as soon as mutually agreeable working sessions can be found.

My other joint project, also with a writing partner in a different time zone--this time 7 hours behind me-- (note to self, next time maybe write with someone in the same time zone) is also on hold due to his seasonal commitments. However as we are dangerously close to the end of the story there's no rush. We need to take time to consider whether its a one-off or if its something we want to develop it into a serial.

As for my reading, I'm sorry to say that although I find Virgina Woolf's writing to be a breath of fresh air, and incredibly observational, Mrs Dalloway is not really my thing. The plot is very slow and not very engaging. I fear this may be the second book of the year which will not get finished. I hate that. However there are so many other books on the shelf that are tempting me this is not a huge disaster. I'll give it a few more days. Next week I'll be back at work and can more easily find time to dedicate to reading as I take the bus and that may be the focus I need to get my teeth into book.

Back from a break!

2011-06-14T22:40:00.001+01:00

Last time I wrote I told you I was feeling a bit worn and lacking in commitment with my writing. I felt like I had lost the enthusiasm to finish any new projects and I was dejected by the lack of critique on my recent postings on WB. So, a week or so later, after great holiday with my family and nightly infusion of garishly decorated alcohol (just the one per night however, as we were with the children) how am I feeling?

I'm feeling good! The separation from the PC has been good for me, as was the complete change of scene, on an international scale. I had no ability to write other than pen and paper, and no choice in what I read other than the books I packed for myself. I finished The Book Thief by Markus Zusak beside a swimming pool, under clear blue skies and, when it came to writing my thoughts about it, I got to completely indulge myself in an uneditable (unless you could crossings out) ten-page scribe-fest with a large glass of sangria beside me for refreshment. It was a real treat.

With crisp white pages in need of filling it was once again a joy to write... anything, be it holiday musings, thoughts about the books I was reading or rantings about how the British ability to queue in an orderly fashion puts you at a total disadvantage in a European theme park. At the end of our busy days enjoying Spanish sunshine, sea and wild rides it was nice to just sit down and scribble away.

Also, helpful critique appeared on my stories in my absence and I'm now looking forward to reworking the pieces ahead of a couple of submissions. With normal service, hopefully, resumed and my inspiration renewed... watch this space!