Highs and Lows of a Monday

It's been an odd sort of day. I was out this morning with a friend: important stuff, having a hot chocolate and a natter in the coffee shop - well, I have my priorities you know!
I made a rather dispirited attempt at the editing this afternoon, but my heart truly wasn't in it, so I decided to see if my writing muscles were working today. They were! The day wasn't a total bust work-wise! I finished the story I had begun about the church bell, or lack thereof, which was received very well by he who fixes the computer. So, that's another story for the second anthology. It's coming together.
I also made a start on the story about the post office queue, but I have a feeling that might be one idea that fizzles out - I have a few of them! I blame the English weather.

Further Updates on the Free Download

With a certain amount of muttering and cursing, we have now created two separate links for the free download of the first of the QT Anthologies, one for Kindle and one for iPad, iPhone or Touch. They're on the righthand side of the page beneath the cover image.

I won't bore you with the details of our rather epic battle with the Blogger editing facilities. Let it suffice to say that I'm very glad he who fixes the computer was on hand, and also that he didn't find it any easier than me! Admittedly, he didn't use as colourful language.

The QT Anthology, Book One, Stories from the Web

The first of the QT Anthologies is now ready to download for your Kindle, free of charge. I've chosen twelve stories from the website that are particular favourites of mine, for you to read from the comfort of your e-reader. The book is available on my website: http://www.quirkytales.co.uk/ or you can download it by clicking the cover picture:

I hope you enjoy it.

I Need a Little Time!

With all the editing and other jobs, I don't seem to have time for writing stories. I've begun one this week, inspired by the news story of the newly arrived couple who forced an ancient village church to stop ringing its bell, but I just don't seem to have enough hours to refine it. I also have an idea for another one, based on the Post Office queue. I've scribbled notes, but that's as far as I've got.
I'm worried now that poor Quirky Tales isn't receiving new input. I had managed well up until now, gaining new material from weekly challenges from Café ThreeZero. Unfortunately these have fizzled out now, as everyone else is struggling for time as well! I need a routine. The trouble is, in my experience, routines tend to quash creative impulse. Maybe I'll have to start writing during the night, when there are no other distractions or demands upon my time.
And I thought writing would be a fun and stress-free career!

Just for Fun!

I'm taking a very short break from the editing - I'll get right back to it as soon as I've finished here, honestly! But I came across a story on the Telegraph's website this morning and it brightened my day so I thought I would share it with you. It features people skiing or snowboarding down a hill into what appears to be a very deep and chilly pool.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/russia/9226935/Siberian-skiers-brave-freezing-plunge.html
I doubt I would even make it down the hill, let alone succeed in skimming myself across the surface of the pool!

More Distractions

I got distracted again. It wasn't my fault, it was the sparrows. They had been traumatised by a new seed feeder we had bought for them. So much so that they were even avoiding their favourite hangout, the enormous honeysuckle in the corner of the garden, such was their fear of this strange new addition. Then yesterday they finally overcame their reservations and braved the new feeder. Feeling the need for photographic evidence, I lurked about in the kitchen for a while with my camera. Sadly they spotted me, retreated instantly to the honeysuckle and refused to come out until I finally gave up and returned to work.
Still, I did do a fair bit of editing. I also chose which stories I wanted for the QT Anthology, Book One, which will be available very shortly, free for Kindle. I also created the cover. So, I was able to strike another two items from the to-do list yesterday. I've now done all the short jobs on the list, so it will be a while before I can tick off any more.
This is the cover design for the first of the Anthologies:

Now, don't look at the sparrows. Don't look at the sparrows.

Breakdown in Discipline

I did do some editing yesterday, honest. But my to-do list distracted me, and my mind kept wondering to the necessity of creating a map for the second book. Eventually, seeing that my focus was elsewhere, I gave up on the edit and concentrated instead on honing my cartography skills. The finished (ish) result looks pretty good, though I must confess, I have taken one or two geological and fluvial liberties. I'm excusing myself on the grounds that certain features have to be in certain places for narrative reasons.
So, today I have no reason not to get on with the edit. Unless I can think of some other illustration required for the book. See, this is why I always ended up doing my homework in registration. (Mum, if you're reading this, I only ever did that for unimportant subjects - like Physics, Maths, Chemistry, French, German, History, oh and, as my map no doubt demonstrates, Geography. I always did my Art and English homework properly - I wasn't a total dropout!)