God, where does the time go when it's not around here? (apologies to the BNL there) It only seems like a couple of days since my last Blog update but it's 8 days. FFS. Long days delivering and a couple of days for Xmas and that's it. Click and it's gone.

And so now we are in this weird limbo week between Christmas and New Year where many people have lots of days off and it feels like some sort of hiatus whilst we wait for the new year ahead to begin. Of course it's also the time where we look briefly over our shoulders and then look forward with plans and things for the year ahead and beyond.

Today I see another of our FlashDogs - Stella - has got her planning on the go and it looks damn good so far. Check it out ...

So I've gotta start thinking about the plans for 2018 over the next couple of weeks; when I've got a minute.

Whatever my plans are it will prove more successful than this - soon to be last - year's plan; whilst the plans were sound the implementation was pants.

I dare say my plan will be posted up here sometime in early January.

Looking forward to putting a decent plan together - it's nice to spend that time thinking about something larger in a holistic way.

Best of luck to those of you out there with plans in mind too!

It's been over a week since a blog update. Not good enough! I need to get more regular with programming it in.

Anyway it's getting that time of year when you look back at the year that's gone and look forward to the one ahead. I'm not quite there yet, and I'll look into it in more detail in the weeks ahead, but there are a few things that are obvious with respect to my reading and writing;


Reading:

1. I've read more books than 'planned' (I use that word loosely) and there have been some fab reads of old and new books.
2. Most my reading has been actual paper books. Out of 47 books this year I think only two or three have been on the Kindle.
3. Successfully got through plenty of books that have been sat on my shelves for years. Result!
4. That said, I keep getting second hand books in and failing to give any away (I just can't do it).

Writing:

1. My plan at the start of the year was detailed and a bit of a stretch.
2. Er, nowhere near completing any of my plans at all. Complete FAIL!
3. Still, I am happy to get published in three books issued this year (the two Infernal Clock anthologies and the Tax Tales book).
4. I seem to be on a three publications a year mission over the last few years. So for next year I will have to aim for that as an absolute minimum.
5. Have enjoyed seeing the FlashDogs come in with the weekly FlashFeed prompt. Kudos guys!

Other stuff:

I must get a proper job and a better balance to things - which will also help me do more writing!

Well the apocalyptic snow hasn't arrived in this part of Merseyside so the match will be on. It also means that I did not go into town early to take photos of a snow blanketed city. This gave me time to write my FlashFeed1.9 and keep up my 100% record. Huzzah! Still time for you to get in there with your story - click on the pic for the link.


Flash Feed 1.9 'Send Someone a Love Letter'

Anyway, now time to get down to town to watch the Liverpool derby (and maybe that other one from down the road).



With the lack of snow today here is a pic of me and my sis in the snow (which goes well with my #VSS365 today) from very back in the day in snowy Southport. My sis looks nothing at all like my niece (well, EXACTLY really). It's an old fashioned snowman kids- having a fag!

Not managed any writing this week yet. Been reading Calendark though - it's excellent! Should finish it tomorrow and aim to get a review on to Amazon and/or Goodreads during the week ahead. In the meantime I've been reading Sal's chosen sentences from each story on Twitter. These extra 140 characters are giving her more options aren't they!

The week at work has been a mixture of fences and ditches. Well, cold weather and breakdowns. Was fearful of the snow and ice in Snowdonia today when I was handed that route, but it didn't turn out to be the hospital pass I thought it would be. Ye haw! Just a wee bit of snow and no slip-sliding away into ditches or trees - always a bonus!





Last night the forecast for tomorrow was heavy, heavy snow across Liverpool and the north west, and whilst I am off for the day I had two concerns 1) it better not bloody mean the Liverpool v Everton derby gets called off and 2) better charge my camera so I can get some nice pics of Liverpool in the snow.

That said, Snowmageddon has now been un-forecast and Liverpool is forecast to be a bit nippy but not under feet of snow. At least that means the game will defo be on, but the chance of getting some nice snowy photos looks to be postponed.

Really looking forward to the match, will get a few choice beers in Liverpool too - and finish off Calendark. At some point I need to do this week's FlashFeed; haven't even checked out the photo prompt yet.

Yes, the day is here, it's come around very quickly. 'Calendark: The Infernal Almanac' is Out Now!

Get yourself on over to Amazon and get the lovely Paperback or download it on to your clever Kindle device thingy and start reading it now.



I've only read two stories (and one of them was mine) so I'm looking forward to getting stuck into it myself.

There's all these lovely authors in it, including two of us from The Poised Pen writing group:

• David Shakes
• Stephanie Ellis
• Craig Anderson
• Sian Brighal
• F. E. Clark
• Catherine Connolly
• Christina Dalcher
• Mark A. King
• Marie McKay
• Chris Milam
• Sal Page
• Ewan Smith
• Chris Stanley
• Clive Tern
• AJ Walker

I'm gonna read the stories in the order they come, it is based around the calendar after all; Tick-tock that Infernal Clock.

Once again many thanks go to the Editor-in-Chief - Stephanie Ellis, the Concept Man - David Shakes and the artist - Tim Youster. Well done guys.