Music While You Work

 Some people love to listen to music while they're writing. I'm one of them, at least during the first draft, when I want to feel closer to the action and with the mood or setting. I don't listen to songs, because I'd just sing along! 

I never listen to music when I'm editing. Being dyslexic, I need all my concentration to correct my own work. It's a slow process and I do appreciate someone running through the text with me. 

(The number of times my teachers used to show me a word and ask something like, 'Does that look as if it's spelt right?' - how would I know?)

So back to music. I have a very varied library, thanks to our family Apple Music subscription ( sorry about the plug). Right now, I'm loving the music written for Assassins Creed. Yes, the game! The music is very evocative of time and place and I have become a big fan. 

What music do you listen to when you're creating something?

 Two wonderful books! I read 'A Gentleman...' because it was on Obama's book list and fell in love with it. So it was with some trepidation that I hazarded the second book. While the setting appealed to me in the first book, this one didn't, at first glance. Once I was reading, all that changed. It's a masterclass in descriptions and the characters will draw you in, just as they did with the first book. I have to say, I can't wait for the next volume by the amazing Mr Towles.

The Five Kingdoms

 Today, I thought I'd introduce new readers and old ones to an updated map of the Five Kingdoms. This map appears only in the final book, so if you haven't got that far, it gives you a  broader idea of the geography than in your current book. This map covers all the major sites from all the books, except The Green Islands from Blue Mantle.

 

Love this image of Foix Castle in the region of the Ariege, France. It forms part of the cover for my first book, 'Silver Mantle' in its new format on Amazon. It stands on the top of a hill that can be seen from miles around and guards the valleys that converge at the town. It also overlooks the Ariege River, rather like the Citadel of Vellin in the book. It was the home of the Counts, including those who became protectors of religious freedom during the Wars of Religion. It became a refuge for the persecuted Cathars.

Re-learning How to Blog and The End of a Saga

 Yep! Forgotten how to do everything it's been so long between blogs. Well, that's because writing has had to take a back seat for quite a while, but now I'm back, well almost. 

Here's the thing, I've decided to put all my now out-of-print work on Amazon. It's been fun and not always easy, but in the end it is done. 'The Mantle Chronicles' (Y.A. upwards), first published with Lothian, are complete. 

However, I haven't finished with The Five Kingdoms. Young adults grow up and some of them wanted to know more, so a new series will be spawned, 'The Codex of the Queens' details the lives of some of the more important women in the history of Magra, starting with Katherine, the legendary first woman to wear the crown, not to mention a full suit of armour. She's also Megwin's ancestor. More about all that on the Mantle Chronicles Blog, soon. It will also be having a name change.

The first draft of 'The Gathering' - Katherine's story, is completed and now needs a good edit. It will be published under the name 'H. G. Merritt' to distinguish it from my Y.A. books. 

AND OFF WE GO AGAIN!

Starting to revamp this Blog. So much to catch up on but for today, just check out the new Books list. I’ve been busy. The books are all on Amazon and available as e-books or paperbacks. Images of the cover and what they are about will follow but if you can’t wait, check my author page on Amazon too.

Quick word about publishing on Amazon - it’s wonderfully easy really and all the pitfalls that you might encounter are easily fixed.