Category: Lazy Sunday

Lazy Sunday #31
Lazy Sunday

Lazy Sunday #31

paulaacton1 Comment

Well it has once again been a bit of a lazy week though in some respects I have been making strides forward in the back ground, first let me invite you to join me in my very first Facebook page take over. Wednesday evening I will be taking over the Hourglass Events Leeds 2018 page which you can find here, I shall be hosting there live from 9pm GMT and doing a give away or two, it is a group so you will need to join in advance to be sure not to miss out but given the fact there are numerous awesome authors on there trust me it is worth it, plus you might just get the chance to grab offers from others between now and the event. I will be doing another next month as well on the Darker Side page and will provide more details nearer the time.

So you will have already seen my Resolutions post this morning so this afternoon lets settle down with a coffee and read a few post dinner blogs…

  1. The first post I am sharing is about a love of mine I can no longer indulge in and that is wearing heels! This form of footwear has become rather contentious, okay they are not really good for your foot but they do look good, and the feminists argue we should not be forced to wear them , which I totally agree with but neither should we be judged for wanting to, I love a nice pair of heels, they look pretty and make me feel even more fabulous, and it is never for someone else I have worn them (well okay there may have been the odd occasion but lets not go there lol) but for how they make me feel. I cannot wear them at the minute a combination of weight and my bad back but if I could I would probably want all the pairs featured but especially the red boots https://valentinaexpressions.com/2017/02/04/feet-in-short-trunks-valentina-cirasola-designer/
  2. The second blog I want to share today is one I have shared before because of their art, today I am sharing it because I love the fact they have been gracious enough to share a little glimpse into their life and I have to say I can imagine sitting there with notebook in hand and writing the most glorious poetry, some vistas are just inspirational https://paintdigi.com/2017/02/04/photos-of-my-country-2/
  3. I am a huge Instagram fan, though with me phone it is a nightmare keeping up with posts, I tend to try to catch up via the computer at least once a day so that I can return some of the likes from friends on posts my phone might decide I don’t need to see, but the other thing I enjoy is seeing the way different types of creative art is shared, be it music, art, or poetry, so I loved this post which shares some of the poetry accounts they have come across  https://christinastrigas.com/2017/02/03/top-10-instagram-poets-i-cant-stop-reading-in-february-2017/
  4. Next up is a post from a lovely lady who also happens to be an amazing poet and uses Instagram herself to share her words, this post however is about her camera and is something I relate to, I too find lately I do not take my big camera out as much, relying instead on the camera on my phone and sometimes am gutted at the images I have missed https://lucywilliamspoetry.wordpress.com/2017/02/04/lucys-diary-04022017/
  5. The final one today is a writing post, the post initially caught my attention because of the idea of music transporting us but then as I read on I found so much of this post resonated with me that I wanted to share it here https://amandamblake.wordpress.com/2017/02/04/anywhere-but-here/
Lazy Sunday #30 (I know it’s Monday but it seems it did not publish despite me hitting the button!)
Lazy Sunday

Lazy Sunday #30 (I know it’s Monday but it seems it did not publish despite me hitting the button!)

paulaacton1 Comment

Good morning, I am trying to get back into the habit of posting this earlier in the day once again, however I keep getting distracted by Roger Federer bending over in front of me, and no don’t worry I am not delusional just watching the Australian open final as I write this so if you do not get it till after lunch it is his fault. I am a huge an of Federer, in an age where so many sports stars have become arrogant he remains a gent, there are no tabloid front pages of tantrums, affairs or drug scandals, I think he should be the sporting hero we show as a an example to children of what you should aspire to and though I am not a fan of Rafa Nadal I have to say this match has been a Tennis master-class.

So I haven’t spent much time this week at the computer again but I do need to seriously get stuck in to the various projects I am working on and that also means getting my routine back in place as far a blogging and everything else. I find once I start neglecting one aspect of my writing I neglect all, the slippery slope is very steep for me, so today I will be working on the newsletter for Wednesday, and don’t forget if you choose to sign up whether here, via FB or my website every month when you open the newsletter you are entered in a prize draw for that month, the prize changes each month and is announced in the newsletter. So let’s get on with a few blogs for this week…

  1. I can honestly say I have never considered writing nonfiction, I read lots, especially true crime but writing it always seemed so much like hard work to me, all that research and fact checking and then trying to make it different to all the other books on the same subject, So when I spotted this post on a blog I follow I thought hmmm this might be an interesting journey to follow, it might not be to everyones taste but I am in on seeing how he does in this class https://thevelveteenmaraca.wordpress.com/2017/01/27/serious-nonfiction/
  2. So, you have written a book, think the hard work is done, think again, it is only just beginning! Actually persuading people to read your book is tough, you give the ebook away in promotions it sits on kindles untouched but even if people read it getting them to leave that all important review is even harder. While I am not sure the classes are right for me I do think the articles on this blog are always well worth a read https://warriorwriters.wordpress.com/2017/01/26/how-to-sell-your-book-first-what-is-it/
  3. Next up is one that made me stop and think, about friendship, what it means and when it is not really friendship but something else which is hard to define, and how sometimes the only option we have for our own sanity is to walk away from a situation, I confess I have had some myself where I really should have followed her example in taking the practical steps a lot sooner than I did https://blessedwithastarontheforehead.com/2017/01/28/a-real-friend-knows-when-it-is-time-to-let-go-of-the-friendship/
  4. The next one is a photo blog, I love to travel but don’t get to do as much as I would like, damn that bank account lol but I do get to see places through the eyes of others here on WordPress and it is not only the sunny days that can give you a taste of a new location https://briangaynorphotography.com/2017/01/28/the-shroud-of-the-city/
  5. And lastly we go full circle, I talk about how for me to be more productive I must be busier and more organised for others the opposite is true but I love this description of being called back by the muse, I also fell in lose with one of my characters but not saying which one lol https://artistpath.wordpress.com/2017/01/27/enchanted/

As you may guess from the fact this is landing in your inboxes after one pm the tennis went to a fifth set, Roger distracted my by being awesome and he won so I am rather happy about that. off now to top up the coffee and update the website before cleaning the bathroom, what glamorous lives we authors lead!

Lazy Sunday #29 and Vlog Time#88 – Glossybox Unboxing
8. Vlog Time · Lazy Sunday

Lazy Sunday #29 and Vlog Time#88 – Glossybox Unboxing

paulaacton1 Comment

A little different lazy Sunday today as I have really not read any blogs this week, I hope by next week a semblance of normality will be returning but I do feel you are owed a slight explanation for my recent absence.

I am not going to go into details but most of your are acquainted with my children via my blog and social media, you know that the monster has not had the easiest of starts to life, fighting of meningitis as a baby, having to have adenoids removed etc. However the one bit I do not really discuss is that he is awaiting assessment for autism, he is incredibly intelligent but he struggles with the social aspects of school, this last month or so beginning in the run up to Christmas he has been having a tough time.  His confidence and self esteem have hit rock bottom, nothing caused by anyone else, simply issues where he cannot perceive the world in the same way as those around him. There have been dark days, days where I have cried, frustrated I cannot make everything okay for him, days where I am angry at a system that has meant we had to reach rock bottom before anything starts happening. The most important thing has been spending lots of quality time with Jack, okay the house looks like a bomb has been dropped in it, the washing pile is huge but using a mixture of positive and negative reinforcements for behavioural issues I am hoping we are through the worst.

I was not going to say anything but then thought you know what, it is what it is, you are here not just for my writing, you could just check out the website for that, but because this is the place you come to get to know me, and this is part of me and my life. I am not perfect, neither are my kids but we are all doing the only thing anyone one can do and that is get through life as best we can and hopefully leave a legacy of love, respect and smiles. Yesterday I took the monster for to a Chinese buffet here and if you missed the photo on instagram here he is discovering a new favourite, crab claws…

whatsapp-image-2017-01-21-at-21-26-10

So As I have no blogs to share I am going to share a couple of other things I have been watching…

  1.  One of my favourite vlogs, yes it is morbid but also totally fascinating https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8DxI8Pn1Uw
  2. I finally got round to watching this, and as divisive as it has been to fans I have to say even as someone who prefers the Marvel Franchise I loved it  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmRih_VtVAs
  3. I know Bunny is not to everyone’s taste, she can be loud and over-exuberant but I love it when she does these first impression videos and the Does this thing really work video’s not sure I would want to try this but I always try the masks in my Glossybox and occasionally they do not work out so well and the prices are ridiculous https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6jD0p2lyaM&feature=em-uploademail

So last thing today a quick unboxing vlog

Lazy Sunday #28
Lazy Sunday

Lazy Sunday #28

paulaacton1 Comment

I want to say this is the first Sunday of 2017 but technically it is the second however as you got a vlog then it is the first Lazy Sunday. So have you got your coffee ready? For most of the posts this week you will notice the theme is resolutions, you can read my post here but I just want to take a minute to talk about why I make resolutions each year. I am later than usual publishing this but I went out last night so am slow getting my thoughts together today lol.

If you have followed me for a while you know each year I post a set of resolutions at the start of the year and then follow them through to differing degrees of success. Last year I was terrible at doing a monthly update, this did not actually mean all the resolutions failed, for example Ascension and Voices were both published. for me the actual act of writing my resolutions post is a way of actively focusing my mind on what I want to achieve in the coming year, both personally and professionally, the updates allow me to see whether I am on track. It is worth noting that missing out on writing the updates does not mean things are not going well but rather sometimes I feel that there is nothing new to add to a previous month although I am still moving in the right direction. for many of us our lives are so busy that giving ourselves targets and reference points we can refer back to helps us maintain a focus on some aspects that it is easy to lose in the chaos of everyday existence. Making time to exercise seems like something that would seem simple but until it becomes an established part of a routine it is easy to neglect, having told the world you intend to do it can be the motivation needed to make it happen.

Enough of me anyway and onto some blogs…

  1. The first lot of Resolutions come from Emmy Leigh I especially love the one about creating an environment in which all can flourish, I frequently find myself getting stressed trying to balance everyday house work etc against writing time and need to find a better balance https://emmyleigh.wordpress.com/2017/01/01/new-year-again/
  2. The next one really does embrace the idea of learning from each experience and moving forward https://blessedwithastarontheforehead.com/2017/01/02/new-year-time-to-renew-and-redo/
  3. The final lot of Resolutions is from Ellie and are quite similar to some of mine I love the idea of an office but until I move one day that is not an option https://quotidiandose.wordpress.com/2017/01/02/new-year-new-plan/
  4.  There is going to be another Annual Bloggers Bash  in London this year and they are running a competition to help fund it, I have the date pencilled into my diary and am hoping to be able to attend this year http://sachablack.co.uk/2017/01/01/the-big-bash-competition-2017/
  5. And the final blog for this week is one I hope you will all follow, not only as I am one of the signing authors at two of their forthcoming events but also I hope to be at many more https://hourglassevents.wordpress.com/2017/01/01/2017-the-year-for-darker/

That is it for this week hope you enjoy xxx

Lazy Sunday #27
Lazy Sunday

Lazy Sunday #27

paulaacton2 Comments

We missed last week due to my illness and the next couple of weeks have rather important days falling on the Sunday, so this is the final Lazy Sunday for this year so I decided to share a couple of extra posts today, hope you enjoy them and thank you to all the wonderful bloggers who share the blogosphere with me.

The first couple are very dear friends who both lost loved ones this year and remind us that no one is promised tomorrow and that this time of year the empty chair can be especially painful.

  1. The wonderfully talented Dallas lost her dad this year, she shared the the painful journey of watching a dynamic man lose his battle against diseases which rob you not only of your body but your mind https://crazytraintotinkytown.com/2016/12/01/for-next-year-i-think-ill-just-be-happy/
  2. Another friend lost her mum and her bravery in sharing the grieving process both before and after her mum’s passing is to be applauded, we protect ourselves so much from the parts of life we don’t want to consider that when we are personally struck it breaks us, only by being brave enough to face the darkness can we really appreciate the light, https://veggiewitch.wordpress.com/2016/11/30/grief-is-a-surreal-place/
  3. I don’t want this to be only about grief so I want to share this awesome blog, they do not publish very often but when they do the photos and knowledge they share blow your mind https://sartenada.wordpress.com/2016/11/30/white-trees-arboles-blancos-arbres-blancs-arvores-brancas/
  4. Next up is one of two posts from the same blog but for very different reasons, so first of all because I love the way this lady keeps her sense of humour when so many others would have given in to despair https://jmgoyder.com/2016/11/29/green-juice-adventures/
  5. The second post is one she put up for her son, because we all have dreams but taking the step to make it happen is always the hardest part, https://jmgoyder.com/2016/11/09/ming/
  6. One from one of my favourite places to read poetry, an alternative look at the festive season https://willowdot21.wordpress.com/2016/11/29/christmas-lies-bleeding/

And finally because I believe we should end this one a high something to make you smile

Lazy Sunday #26 plus Vlog Time #82
8. Vlog Time · Lazy Sunday

Lazy Sunday #26 plus Vlog Time #82

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Hi guys been so busy with edits just didn’t get round to blogging, I filmed the vlog a couple of weeks ago then lost the footage and as I just found it decided to share it anyway then get back into my routine this week, as usual life is hectic, we have Christmas coming up, I am dancing at a Hafla next Sunday which will be my first ever public appearance belly dancing which I am incredibly nervous about, I am hoping to be able to share some footage but because there are children in the group it is a little awkward but we shall see what I can do. So lets get on and share a few blogs, a music video and the vlog.

  1. I have shared posts from this vlog before but I decided to share this as I love it when people try new things, this time instead of photos Nigel shares a video which is shown at high speed I really did enjoy it and feel it has a very different dynamic to time lapse which is the way you would normally expect this to be done, it feels more gentle, less dynamic which in this case fits the feeling of the scenery incredibly well.  https://nigelborrington.com/2016/11/02/landscape-videos-a-misty-morning-on-the-kings-river-kells-county-kilkenny/
  2. I love this blogger though he does not post as prolifically any more, however when he does post it is always worth a look   https://russelrayphotos2.com/2016/11/02/these-are-a-few-of-my-favorite-signs/
  3. I love these images so of course I had to share with you guys  https://cafebookbean.com/2016/11/05/stairway-to-heaven-lookbook-2/

I want to share a video with you now, I have plugged this band here before but want to do so again with their new single…

And finally the vlog…

Lazy Sunday #25
Lazy Sunday

Lazy Sunday #25

paulaacton3 Comments

Good afternoon, I know these are getting later but it seems a lot of people were letting off a lot of noisy fireworks last night so it took a while to get to sleep. We didn’t go to a bonfire this year, I have a lot going on personally at the minute and the monster is not a big fan of crowds but hopefully next year we will go to an organised display. So quick update, the print version of Voices is now available on Amazon I will do a proper post tomorrow including links but the final proof copies arrived and are looking good though of course I will be sitting down and doing a proper read through just to treble check for the millionth time lol.

Right onto today’s blog offerings…

  1. I am a big fan of people paying it forward and sharing other peoples posts as long as it is done properly with full accreditation this young man has done just that and his friends images are wonderful    https://paintdigi.wordpress.com/2016/10/21/beauty-in-nature-d2-photos-of-plants-art-and-beauty-images-for-you-8/
  2. Everyone says you should always look to the future and not dwell on the past but sometimes it is a good thing to glance over your shoulder to appreciate just how far you have come  https://stephanie-hurt.com/2016/10/28/flashback-friday/
  3. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder but for me you cannot do better than to look to nature for true magnificence this ladies images capture such fascinating moments and make art from them https://drawandshoot.me/2016/10/28/birds-falling-like-leaves-off-trees/
  4. We need to support each other as indie authors, we do not have the marketing budgets of traditional publishing houses, cannot get out books onto book shelves as easily but what we can do is share posts spread the word and give each other a shout out whenever possible  https://lindaghill.com/2016/10/27/thank-you-3/
  5. Finally a brilliant spooky story worthy of the Halloween season  https://roughwighting.net/2016/10/28/the-old-mansion-on-my-street/
Lazy Sunday #24
Lazy Sunday

Lazy Sunday #24

paulaacton1 Comment

It has been a strange week I have been trying to sort out a few things in my own head emotionally which I won’t go into here, but they are the usual things, what do I want, what will I accept, what will I settle for?

In my case I have never been one for settling, I am very much an all or nothing person, I would rather dive in and fail than dip in a toe and back off scared of the water, but with age you realise the risks more, and taking that plunge becomes more difficult, you know what you have to lose, possibly have already come close to drowning, and fear the experience being repeated. But the idea of settling, over short changing yourself and in turn others does not appeal to me, maybe I have an inflated sense of my own worth but I do think we all deserve to be happy, to find someone who makes us happy that we can walk side by side with as equals, am not sure if there is anyone out there who will fill all my criteria but I know I would be much happier alone than trying to make do with the wrong person.

But enough of me, it is Sunday so you are here to share blog posts so here we go…

  1. The first blog I am sharing is from a FB friend and I love the fact this lady is getting her well deserved success but she also brings home the realities of being an author, that unless you actually have lots of money, a rich husband or a Hollywood film deal the chances are the life of an author is far less glamorous on most days than people think https://suemoorcroft.wordpress.com/2016/10/22/champagne-or-black-gunge-on-the-washing-machine/
  2. The next post I am sharing deals with a similar subject in some ways, how do you write and earn a living at the same time, if you hit hard times is it okay to ask for help? Some people have been slated for setting up Kickstarters, Patreons and other fundraising things to help pay the bills while they write, personally I believe that as long as you are being honest about what you are asking for the money for it is totally up to individuals to decide if they wish to give, so I am sharing this post you can take a look for your selves and make up your own minds https://slstacy.wordpress.com/2016/10/22/antici/
  3. The next blog is one of my favourite bloggers for sharing insights into their personal life, I love his humour and he is a very special friend, always ready with hugs and a smile, if you don’t follow him already then you should, https://barsetshirediaries.wordpress.com/2016/10/22/shopping-inspiration/
  4. Next a a blog post from a lovely lady who frequently visits me here, she sells exquisite hand made jewellery but it was the sentiment of this post that caught my attention today https://barsetshirediaries.wordpress.com/2016/10/22/shopping-inspiration/
  5. Finally a free book, and one I just grabbed for myself as given my own experiences with a dating site recently I can see the potential humour, https://morgenbailey.wordpress.com/2016/10/22/freebie-alert-my-chick-lit-novel-ebook-the-serial-daters-shopping-list-is-free-sunday-23-oct/

And don’t forget you can still get my book for free today if you have not already grabbed one…

Amazon UK

Amazon.Com

Lazy Sunday #21 Vlog Time #76
8. Vlog Time · Lazy Sunday

Lazy Sunday #21 Vlog Time #76

paulaacton1 Comment

Am back!

Did you miss me? What can I tell you am back, my hair has gone alarmingly pink lol but I am feeling really good. I needed to take a step back to make some decisions about my personal life or to be fair my lack of it, so I made some changes, joined a dating site, despaired of the human race and came to some conclusions but this is not the place to talk about those but I will post at a later date about some of the conclusions I reached.

So lets get this done. I am heading out this afternoon to the cinema with the kids to see this film…

So for now a couple of blog posts to share and a vlog then back to normal from tomorrow…

  1. It seems so long since I had an away day, really feel the need for one growing especially after seeing posts like this https://nigelborrington.com/2016/09/06/september-on-the-river-swans-on-the-river-suir-county-tipperary-photo-story/
  2. I personally try not to put too much faith into statistics, after all I have never actually met anyone who has taken part in one but regardless of the inspiration this post is still genius https://thestoryreadingapeblog.com/2016/09/06/the-health-benefits-of-reading-fiction-guest-post/
  3. As you know I do love my notebooks and keep a rather sporadic journal, however although I can see the merits of this particular technique I fear it is not for me however I thought I would share it just incase it is the right fit for any of you https://frootbat31.wordpress.com/2016/09/03/the-joy-and-woe-of-morning-pages/

 

 

Catch you all next week for coffee and a chat and scheduled posts in between xxx

8. Vlog Time · Lazy Sunday

Lazy Sunday #19 & #20 Plus Vlog Time #75

paulaacton1 Comment

Okay a whole lot today and first up the vlog which will explain why last Sunday everything got turned upside down…

So that being said a couple of bonus blog shares this week as I had actually started the post last week and t had sat in drafts waiting…

  1. I have heard several very similar reviews to this one, and I do think that it is because it is a play and so much of the visual will have been left out, I wish JK had maybe released it as a play and gone a little further and completed it into an actual book, I know there are a couple of short stories to come and I will probably read it, as well as those but the reviews do not have me rushing to it, I hope the play appears on DVD as many people cannot afford or physically travel to the West End even if they could get tickets, but maybe the way to go is read this with friends and act out the parts yourselves for now https://lucywilliamspoetry.wordpress.com/2016/08/21/harry-potter-and-the-cursed-child/
  2. I love this picture, it reminds me of proper Autumn’s where the leaves turned on the trees and fell into crispy, deep carpets you could swish your feet through and throw them in the air, they did not just end up as wet slush in the gutters https://thewearytravelers.wordpress.com/2016/08/22/autumn-mist-germany/
  3. I know it is probably wrong but I really, really want to read this book now https://pbbpb.wordpress.com/2016/08/22/flesh-philip-jose-farmer-1960/
  4. My lovely friend Heidi is revamping one of my favourite series I just really hope she does the print versions as I would love to have them sat on my bookshelves https://hnsieverding.wordpress.com/2016/09/03/time-to-reveal-my-secret-project/
  5. A new blog this week and one I hope will develop, the art work I have seen is bright and vibrant and full of possibilities, I am not sure if it is because of the way language translates but I would love to hear more about what it inspired in the artist rather than the short sentences trying to tell the viewer what to feel and I hope they take that in the spirit with which it is meant, I find art to be such a personal thing and hated being told what it should evoke especially if I saw it different to the other person, I am the person who was not impressed by the Mona Lisa regardless of the number of eye levels and perspectives, but decide for yourselves https://paintdigi.wordpress.com/2016/09/04/my-31st-painted-picture-mon-31e-tableau/
  6. There are times we all struggle to put feelings into words and thankfully there are others who do it a far more eloquently, 18 months ago I wrote the eulogy for my grandma and know just how hard it is to put your thoughts in order to pay tribute to those whose loss robs you of the most, sending love to a dear, dear friend as she begins her journey through life without her hero xxx https://crazytraintotinkytown.com/2016/09/03/to-lose-someone-you-love-is-to-alter-your-life-forever/

Okay confession time I am sat sobbing after reading the last post, I came so close last week to living it myself, we know one day we will bury our parents, it is the way of life, how it should be, but that does not take away the pain. We are always greedy for just one more day. One of the main things we need to remember in life is love for today, don’t leave things unsaid or put things off without real need, no one is promised a tomorrow xxxx