Wordy Wednesday

~ my word (s) ~ 13 Comments

I’m on holiday this week and my word of the week is holiday. There’s nothing like time away from home, exploring new things and being away from the usual commitments.

The origin of the word is from Old English hāligdæg, which is literally holy day. (Collins English Dictionary)

I am blessed to be in Scotland, a place I love deeply and have been visiting all my life. I’m in Perthshire and I remember my dad always extolling the virtues of the clean air here.

Where’s your favourite place to holiday?

Flaunt it Friday

~ my word (s) ~ 10 Comments

I was chuffed, on Wednesday evening at my writing group, to be asked to read the piece I’d written. It was also wonderful to have encouragement to submit the piece to Best of British magazine, which I’m going to do.

The prompt for this month’s session was music and it was great to see the many ways group members had interpreted it. We had poems, short stories and memoir pieces. An uplifting evening.

A writing prompt about music

Wordy Wednesday

~ my word (s) ~ 7 Comments

It’s been a very hot few days here so, for today’s word, I’m turning to The Doric. This is the dialect spoken in the North East of Scotland. My dad was originally from Aberdeen so many Doric words are familiar to me.

I’ve heard the phrases, ‘ower hot’ meaning too hot and ‘bilein hot, meaning boiling hot. Glancing through Doric for Beginners by Karen Barrett-Ayres, I found a word I’d never heard of to describe the heat. ‘Plottin’ means unusually hot, which it’s certainly been this week. On the news last night, one of the presenters reminded us it’s still spring, not summer.

What words do you use to describe hot weather? I look forward to hearing from you.

Sum up Sunday

~ my word (s) ~ 10 Comments

How’s your week been? It’s Sum up Sunday so can you sum up your week in 25 words or less?

My week:

Cash only Monday

Busy, busy Tuesday

Writing Wednesday

More on Thursday

Free day Friday

Sunshine Saturday

Flaunt it Friday

~ my word (s) ~ 8 Comments

It’s Friday again. What are you pleased with yourself about this week?

I’m delighted to have had several more reviews of my children’s book, The Clocker. Especially gratifying were these two comments: “Once I started reading the Clocker, I couldn’t put it down” and “I can’t imagine a young person who wouldn’t love this book”.

It’s an amazing feeling when people not only read your book but take the time to write a review. It reminds me of the importance of doing this for other authors.

Oh, I also managed a volunteer shift at the charity shop with no internet, ergo no card payments. Cash only – like being back in the 70s.

5 star reviews – whoo hoo

Wordy Wednesday

~ my word (s) ~ 6 Comments

My word this Wednesday is blurb. I’ve always thought it seemed a very informal word to describe the short description that appears on the back of a book, or to describe a film.

An early 20th century word, it was coined by Gelett Burgess, an American humorist. He is said to have invented the word for the promotional cover of his own book.

It is, of course, a term now widely used and recognised by publishers and authors. That small word, though, holds great importance. The blurb on the back of a book is, for many of us, the difference between buying or not buying. I wonder if that’s true for you?

To buy, or not to buy …

Sum up Sunday

~ my word (s) ~ 5 Comments

Can you sum up your week in 25 words or less? I’d love to hear from you.

Here’s my week:

Rain, hail, wind

Occasional wink from the sun

Events set up

A treat at the café

Mowed the lawn.

May showers!

Flaunt it Friday

~ my word (s) ~ 7 Comments

It’s been a good week. I met with someone from Nottingham Central Library Service. We have dates in the diary for 2 library events during the summer holidays, plus 2 days of school events in local libraries. I’ll be reading from my book, The Clocker, and doing a writing session with the children.

As well as these events, I’ll be doing more with Leicester Libraries Service.

I’m really looking forward to introducing my book to groups of children.

It’s going to be an exciting summer.

What have you done that you’re pleased with this week?