Days before Christmas and I’ve realised something very important. Normally, I write my blog as a draft within the pages of my website. On the odd occasion, like now, I do it on my laptop, then copy and paste it over. I read my last blog through before starting to make sure I don’t repeat myself—too much.

This time I scrolled down my archives, amazed to discover I’ve been writing one a month since my birthday in May 2015. That’s ten years. Well, that wasn’t the surprise. It was the fact I have not saved one blog on my computer. It hit me hard, What If? (No pun intended to my book titles—maybe just a little one).

What if the website who host my site goes bust? I’d lose everything. Noooo! There’s enough lines for a book on its own. It gave me a bit of a scare. These aren’t fictional words I’ve invented, these are real elements of my life, thoughts on my progress, my beliefs. A bit like a journal or diary.

So here I am, over the last couple of days downloading every word. I’m aiming for a year a day, so it should be completed by 2026. Of course its also created part of my blog here too. LOL

I have several activities running now, apart from the usual Karate, Tia Chi and yoga. My writing continues apace, two novels on the go, and though I said in my last blog that I’ve put picture books on the back burner, I’ve found a new illustrator who I’m hoping will be brilliant for the next one, The Hairy Tortoise.
By the way, Mustard & Marmalade went down quite well at the launch and I still have some folk planning to collect several. Local schools, and others in Kent are starting to show an interest in the picture books, with orders and requests for school sessions. I didn’t know other authors charge! I don’t. Might need an agent if this area continues to expand. Any one know a good one, let me know.

As many of you know I run a local writing group, Inspirations. We have completed our content for Violet, the next anthology. In the holiday I will begin the process of editing content, Identifying front cover images and formatting, all in preparation for publishing in 2026. I have approached Violet Tea Rooms in St Lawrence and they have offered to be part of our Book Launch. Seemed a good idea and it’s a lovely place. If you get a moment to visit tell them Carol the writer recommended it.

Finally, Phoenix Community Group has started its first project aimed at improving areas and elements in Thanet. We welcome single, one-off requests to help out, or longer projects like this our first which involves tidying up some of the side streets around Thanet.

You can see us out about on Thursdays removing litter clogging up drains, removing hundreds of black tie-wraps, baby wet wipes left on pavements and other delightful objects. We have reported fly-tipping areas and on our last session, a drain where a person decided it was okay to pour a whole tin of paint down it, subsequently blocking the drain completely. Honestly, leaving it in the tin next to a council bin would have been better.

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On an up-note have a wonderful Christmas everyone, and hopefully I’ll either see you in the New Year, or hear from you in the comments. Best Wishes. Carol.

I hate getting old, time is flying by far to fast. I'm sure it was last week when I sat down and wrote about my last lot of activities and grips. Checking October's blog I did have quite a moan reading that back.

Moving on today I'm happy to announce that Mustard and Marmalade will be launched in time for Christmas.  Hurrah! I already have pre-orders which is awesome.

FORTHCOMING BOOK LAUNCH

MUSTARD AND MARMALADE DACHSHUND DOG DETECTIVES
AND THE CASE OF THE MISSING FILLET STEAK.

11 TO 3PM AT RIPARO LOUNGE,
WESTWOOD CROSS, BROADSTAIRS.

I was a bit afraid we weren't going to make it, however my new printer's Lane's, based on the Pyson's Estate have delivered. Well, I collected from them to save postage (and the carbon footprint of course) last Thursday.

Today I'm off to Hotel Chocolate to run the next meeting of the Phoenix Community Group, shortly  (2pm) and Saturday I will be at the Birchington Christmas fayre 9 to 2pm. I will have a few copies of Mustard and Marmalade should folk want them before the launch.

On the writing front, still plodding a long with Aquasapien Four - Legend. It is hard. I usually write because something inspires me. Here I am writing because I have to in order to complete the series. Its not the same writing action at all.
I reckon this must be what it feels like if you have a traditional publisher. Either you write something, they don't like sections of it so you have to re-write them to suit the publisher's request.  Or, like now, you've written a book and they say, "It sold really well, write another one in the same style/subject." Where to begin you wonder. Follow on from the end of the previous book is obvious. Prodigy  had four storylines running and Legacy is doing its best to out-smart that.

SPOILER  ALERT.  Don't read next paragraph if you don't want to know.
In Prodigy, book three, Redshaw's story continued. Plus-shall we say-his descendants' story, Unit one's stories and Unit Two's stories carry on apace. I have those, plus the baddie's story,  and the individual descendants' stories in addition to those in Prodigy. Confused? Welcome to my world.

Its coming along gradually and using different places I've visited recently including Japan, Brighton and South Wales, its filling out. I'm over the half way mark 50,000 words which is good. I tend to feel better once I know I have less to write than I've already written. It feels downhill from here. Not in the negative sense of going downhill to your doom, but the one where you've pedaled uphill, reached the top aka halfway through writing your novel, and you're on your bicycle going down, legs stretched out, shouting "Weeeee!" A mad grin of pleasure on your face. Okay, maybe I haven't got to the grin part yet, but you know what I mean - don't you?

Where did that holiday go? Seems like only a few days ago I was preparing to go and here we are back four days already.

This post is mainly going to be about Japan, no apologies, but if you're ever thinking of going this blog might be useful. Starting off in Tokyo, we covered eleven cities/towns in seventeen days. I'm going to give you a summary on each relevant aspect from my point of view. If you want to see more, head to my TikTok profile for videos of all the places etc. 
First off, travel. Japan has four separate, distinct rail lines. The fastest the Bullet Train, speeds at 200 miles per hour. You need to reserve seats for this train. Next they have the Express train line, a bit like our high speed trains. Third, the local train service system stopping at every single station. It takes forever to get anywhere but time to enjoy the views. Lastly, the underground system, or subway as they call it. 
Each of these services have their own railways, their own tickets, platforms and destinations. Imagine you  arrive at the station, in say Tokyo. In front of you are all four systems, each colour coded, each with set numbers and directions and each with platforms.  Think London underground times four on entry. Add to that several thousand Japanese people, who know where they are going heading in all directions. Its terrifying.  It got better by the end, but I'm so glad my hubby and son managed this part of the holiday.

Next, Food.  Some of you will have seen my comments and photos on FB. It was traumatic. Unfortunately my hubby only told the travel company about his food dislikes, forgetting us two. He doesn't eat fish or seafood, neither does my son. I don't eat fruit or veg, neither does my son. I also have a Sulphite allergy.
First night we decided to play it safe. Tokyo had loads of chain restaurants and we went Italian so our boy could eat. Then Spanish, then Italian again 3rd night!
Following the city, we headed for Kiso Valley and a stay in a traditional Japanese Ryokan hotel. Beds on the floor, chairs without legs, Kimonos and public (naked) Onsen baths. No I didn't! This had been set half-board.  I now know what I'm A Celebrity Food Trials are like.  Seven courses of Japanese food the likes of which we had never seen and had no clue what anything was.
1st course five tiny white bowls each with some unidentifiable object in it. Honestly camel eyeballs wouldn't have been out of place here.
2nd course bowl of water over a candle for you to 'cook' your own food. The lowest type of Wagu beef I have seen. Think bad streaky bacon which we were meant to boil and eat. Yuk!
3rd course; luke-warm bowl of water with something floating in it. Supposed to be soup. 
We all gave up at that point, requesting dessert instead. The lump of putty that arrived wasn't awe-inspiring, though my hubby liked it. The size of a testicle covered in a few blueberries. Reminded me of stretchy cheese and chewing gum when I tried to swallow it - gave up.  
We were going to cancel breakfast but they advised we could have 'Western style' so agreed. Not good. Scrambled eggs raw, more like porridge. Another Yuk from me. 
At this point, my son and I were starting to lose weight. I raided a supermarket for salted crisps and chocolate bars. These became my go-to foods. 
After this we stayed away from Japanese food, which was difficult for despite there being some Western fast-food chains they'd been 'Japanized.' The Wendy's cheeseburger I so longed for had some kind of jelly in it and sauce like gravy but by day five I was so hungry I ate it. Day four I'd had a cup of French fries.
In Kanazawa and  Kyoto we finally discovered Western Fast foods that hadn't been bastardized. These included KFC and MacDonalds. Also a Japanese chain called Y's burger, my first normal cheese burger I almost licked the wrapper clean. 
I stocked our room with a good load of rubbishy snacks and this kept us going. We finished the holiday with another lovely Italian meal.
Check out my Trip Adviser reviews on good places to eat.
Ryokan's are a great experience, but if you have family with 'fussy' members I recommend only booking bed and breakfast.
I almost forgot, the lack of normal tea in some hotels, only green, forced me to purchased our own English breakfast tea, sugar and cream milk pods. This was a life saver so we could have more than one cup a day. Also there is very little tea etc. in rooms, its all in reception and you have to take this and toiletries  to your room yourself.

Overall, beautiful places, stunning scenery, great history. Lots of hills, valleys and mountains. We both agreed the countryside was our kind of place. A bit like how rural England used to look before all the housing. Well worth the lack of food. The people were polite and they followed rules. No one stepped on to the road if the crossing light wasn't green. Everyone waited in line. Not a piece of rubbish anywhere. Clean, shiny place with great attention and love to plants and trees. 

We also had five personal guides during our stay. The first, met us at the airport and provided us with the 29 tickets for rail travel. She ordered a coach to take us to our first hotel too. Then, a couple of days later two women, introduced us to a Fire Ceremony in a Buddhist Temple, followed by a private meditation session with our very own Buddhist Monk. Next, an Evening of Japanese food tasting. Not one we were looking forward to, but we told her all our problems and she managed to find two restaurants where we could eat something. The fourth was an event rather than a guide. We arrived at a place and were helped into traditional Japanese kimonos. We were guided through a tea ceremony and its history then tried out Origami, my heron had a bit of a stubby beak. The fifth guide we had for a whole day, she took us around everything, lunch and more sightseeing. All lovely people and a pleasure to spend time with.

Lastly, I'd like to thank Trail Finders for putting our holiday together so well. We told them the locations we wanted to see, style of hotel, times we wanted to fly  and they did the lot. Okay next time, no Ryokans for us. Also the Gracey chain of hotel was the better one and provided Western style breakfasts.


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​Where did this month go? I’m sure it was only a few days ago I thought, “it’s the beginning of the month I’ve got weeks before I need to write my monthly blog,” and here I am heading towards the end.
 
On my last blog I was about to go to Brighton Comicon. See my conferences and events page to view amazing cosplayers and here is my new gothic look. Heads up to the amazing, caring staff at the Ruby hotel too. Treated me like family. Thank you.
 
 I also released the 2nd Timmy book, this time set in Westgate and it did very well. You can order via Waterstones, or direct from my EStore  via this website.
 
I’ve become a bit more philosophical since turning part-time (3 weeks ago!). I realized a few years back that time is experienced differently depending on your age. When I was in school—at the onset of my life—an hour felt like it lasted a day, a day lasted a week, a week a month and a year – forever.
 
Now the end of my life is nearer than the beginning it’s the opposite. A day rushes past in an hour, a week speeds through in a day, a month a year, and a year – at light-speed. It’s why I went part-time in June. I have so many books waiting to be completed and published and so little time in which to make them a reality.
 
I work with books at different stages. Some I’m writing, others are in editing, more await formatting and publishing, which I can’t afford without the funds to do so. Going part-time would not be possible without the state pension coming on-line for me to cover some of the publishing elements. I want to get more books out, but need to sell more as well in order to cover the costs.
 
I guess I’m like the many musicians, artists, actors and other creatives that exist around the world. The majority of us at the bottom of the creative pyramid, never find fame, or even a following which enables this to become a financial career. My accountant tells me “this is an expensive hobby.” I don’t like hearing this. Her words spur me on to achieve more.
 
I’m hoping my upcoming holiday to Japan will inspire me onwards with Aquasapien four. Don’t be surprised if parts of it feature in the book. I’ve a fourteen hour flight both ways. Time to kill. Actually I’ve just decided I don’t like that phrase. Please don’t let me kill time. I want to keep as much of it alive as possible.
 
It needs to be Fill Time instead. Fill time with things you want to do. Don’t sit indoors bored. Don’t have walking the dog as the highlight of your day.
 
This afternoon I went to listen to a live band at the Swan, in Westgate. Neon-Buzz were brilliant. I ended up meeting a beautiful lady in her eighties, who put the other people there to shame. Despite having a walker she got up and danced to their 80’s vibe. I joined her, while the majority looked on. I only hope I have as much mojo when I’m 85. She is iconic.

Well, here I am. Finally, I’ve reduced my days at my proper job to part-time in order to spend more time writing, promoting and selling my work. In reality, I am what most people call semi-retired –apparently. I’ve decided to fight that terminology. I’m not ready to retire, and I might never be. So, changing the words to part-time employment, which it actually is, feels more comfortable.
Today is my first weekday not working. I’ve decided, thanks to some ideas by other folk, that Thursday and Friday are now my new weekend, since, as they pointed out I usually work all day Saturday and Sunday.
 
In keeping with that, I’m off to Brighton Friday afternoon (my Sunday now). Booking in at the Ruby Hotel & Pub in preparation for the Brighton Comicon at the Amex Stadium on Saturday. I’ve purchased some new gothic/witch clothing from a delightful shop in Old Kent Road.
Not to be confused with London’s famous address, we have a lovely indoors establishment in Margate which used to be a cinema when  I was little. Upstairs, in what used to be the gallery, is this lovely witchy shop containing a nice line in Goth clothing called the Nook of Shadows. https://www.thenookofshadows.co.uk
I’ll be sure to get some photos of my latest gear for you to view later.
 
Book wise, Further Tales of Timmy and his Magic Toe Beans is launched next Saturday.
Saturday 21st June 2025
10am to 12 am at Monty’s Greengrocers, High Street, Birchington
And
1pm to 3pm at Hotel Chocolat, Westwood Cross.
 
I’ve had lots of enquires and hopefully it will sell out like its predecessor did.
 
I’m in the middle of formatting the cover and layout for my next, and last picture book for a while. Despite having five others in the computer, I need to get on with the novels I’ve started and in particular Aquasapien Four Legacy. In last month's blog I promised a view of the Mustard and Marmalade cover. I haven't got as far as formatting it, but I do have the illustration ready to go. Hope you like it.

 Hopefully, now I have an extra weekend each week I’ll be able to find time to do complete this picture book. Unless my lovely hubby drags me screaming and kicking out to breakfast every day, like this morning. I sense it’s going to be a hard life having to eat two extra cooked breakfasts each week. Let’s see if my half a stone weight loss, stays lost.
 
Ask me next month.