What happened to author Glennis Browne? Has she gone forever or is she resurfacing? And in what form?

via What happened to author Glennis Browne? Has she gone forever or is she resurfacing? And in what form?

August 15, 2019

What happened to author Glennis Browne? Has she gone forever or is she resurfacing? And in what form?

In May 2019 I disappeared from public view, except for occasionally forwarding on friends tweets and facebook posts. It was not my intention to disappear totally. After all, I am still alive and kicking.

Sick? Ill? The dreaded C word?

No, fortunately I have not been in the middle of those challenges, although for four months I have been aware of many who are facing such battles. To those of you reading this, who are suffering or caring for someone, I send my encouragement to keep on fighting. My prayers are with you.

Where have you been since early May, you might be wondering?

Following my dreams.

What? At your age? You must be close to seventy? Have you lost your marbles?

My hubby and I have always lived our lives believing if you are able to dream of a different lifestyle, and it is possible to follow the inclination to make the change, do it!

It’s that wanderlust spirit I write about in my novels – that excitement to begin something again, move somewhere new, and like when we were younger, test our capabilities, and stamina.

Across the Tasman sea from Australia back to homeland New Zealand we traveled. Everything we possess packed and shipped, like young Dan setting off with a rucksack and Charlotte sailing with her family across the other side of the world. And for whatZ?

To experience what life may be offering. Not the universe; I’m not into that theory, but wondering what we might do with what faces us.

It meant setting up another home, living on a tight budget while waiting for finances to be available from the sale of our previous home.

Walking the beaches of the world has seemed like utopia, we’ve done a bit of that over the years, but now at this respectable older age the dream is to live near the sea and walk the beaches of this beautiful Point somewhere out of the way in New Zealand.

What about leaving friends and family? Surely that is a wrench?

We asked ourselves what leaving these precious people really meant, and realised close proximity is all we have lost. It’s not that we ever lived close enough to visit every week. Months passed by before we shared meals and hugs, while phone calls, messages and photos kept up communication.

It must be hard making new friends in this new locality?

No, not at all. We have our Annie, our little Maltese Terrier Shih Tzu pup. Beach walks are her favourite pass time. On the beaches while she runs like a race horse, showing off while encircling us, we chat with other beach walkers.

There are so many clubs we have been encouraged to join… genealogy, writing group, garden club, miniature yacht races on the near by lake, Coastguard, Mariners’ Ministry, Motorhome club (every second house where we live has a motorhome or caravan), craft groups, and volunteering for the local ambulance service. What about voluntary Fisheries work?

Four months down the track, with Spring only two weeks away, the newly planted vegetable garden is growing and providing lettuce leaves, radishes and herbs, we are ready to begin.

For Hubby – his replica sailing ships are underway, The Endeavour has been started in his new workshop. Fisheries work is in the process.

For myself – I have a book to complete before Christmas, and there are some excited new friends who are eager to discover how to begin their own writing projects – the writing club might be the best way to help other like minded wanna be writers.

The Mariner’s Ministry has me curious – I might look into this and see how this group of locals support mariners from the ships. Makes me think about Dan from my first novel when he sailed the seas for five years.

I sense loneliness, depression, lack of provision for many needs when ships are tethered for weeks at a port away from large shops and facilities. How do they communicate with their own families when Internet cafes are not close by?

This group have a premises where mariners can lounge and relax. Some fish from the very beaches we walk. I’m curious to see if there is a need Hubby and I can fill – even if it is just friendship. Or a home cooked meal, perhaps. Time will tell.

As you can see, I am resurfacing – writing again, and reaching out. Friendships and companions are everywhere. This move hasn’t been a backward step. It has instead, invigorated us both.

I’ll keep you posted

April 1, 2019

How To Write a Bio — With Examples | Grammarly

Taking a few minutes to think about what you’re about isn’t just a great writing exercise, it’s a clarifying moment of personal development.
— Read on www.grammarly.com/blog/how-to-write-bio/

Ahem, perhaps I need to spend some time with my bio.

Hoping this is helpful. Thanks, Grammarly.

April 1, 2019

10 Tips For Creating Your First Children’s Picture Book | BookBaby Blog

A children’s picture book may seem simple, but creating a brilliant one is no easy task. How do you make yours smart, engaging, and fun?
— Read on blog.bookbaby.com/2012/07/ten-tips-for-creating-your-first-childrens-picture-book/

Hi to my friends and followers.

Recently I assisted a young nephew with a story he had written. He could picture his story in a book, with his name on the cover. Ideas flowed as I worked on his story, typing it up into written form. Ideas such as, maybe I can write a children’s book to add to my historical novels in The Fortune Seeker Series?

It is not necessarily a picture book, but something where a child might contribute and make it his own. Any child, from any country.

For I had dreamed up an idea that must remain hush-hush until I can share it. Watch this space in 2019.

Perhaps you are interested in creating a picture book yourself. These suggestions from a BookBaby Blog may be helpful.

Until next time,

Glennis

March 28, 2019

Checklists and Tip Sheets | One Stop For Writers

Our checklists and tip sheets can help broaden your understanding of how to create tension and conflict, deepen characterization, master the pace, and plot compelling novels.
— Read on onestopforwriters.com/image_tips

Thank you, thank you. What more can be said to One Stop Writers for such pearls.

May we all benefit.

Glennis

March 24, 2019March 24, 2019

My young nephews short story

https://1drv.ms/w/s!AgWOVPWMFHZ9grEL4m07lViunkS18A

Spencer is aged about seven or eight. He lives with his parents in New Zealand.

When we met at my brothers 70th birthday recently Spencer was curious after holding in his hands the latest of my novels. An ambition was birthed that day.

That afternoon I became aware of this young lad writing his own story. When I asked what he was writing about doing he proudly showed me his story.

I suggested he wrote it as if it was a book; drawing a cover on the front and writing the words in the pages – which he did. (His manuscript is below)

He read it to me, proud as can be.

I asked Spencer what he would like to do with it, and he asked me to turn it into a book. Publishing it. Creating a cover. Naming him as the author.

Why not? I thought. Encouragement at this age just may be the very thing that will make this child excel and do something in his life that is uniquely who he is.

Today I worked on his story, added bits and enlarged the storyline, then sent it away for his parents to photocopy and staple it as a book.

Below is my version of his story.

Written by Spencer Ladds

February 2019

Published by Aunty Glennis

March 2019

The Mysterious Island and The Boy Named Jack

Once apon a time a little boy wanted to go fishing.

So he jumped into his canoe and paddled away to a good spot.

Then he spotted an amazing Island, so he paddled away to the island. It was amazing ….. …. because it glistened in the sunlight as if it was a mirage.

‘I’m going to check out what is on the island,’ Jack said.

Once he got there he wondered what the island was called, because nothing seemed real.

So, he tried to find someone to ask but he couldn’t find anyone else on the island.

‘I shall name it Lonely Mystery Island,’ Jack said to himself walking towards his canoe. But he couldn’t find the canoe. It had disappeared.

‘Perhaps the canoe was washed away by the waves as the tide had come in while I was exploring the island.’

Jack looked in every cove, behind every bush, but couldn’t find it anywhere.

‘It is no use,’ he thought, ‘I am stranded with no food. And something on the island isn’t friendly as this place feels spooky.’

Then Jack heard a loud, ‘Boo!’ and he leaped like a spring into the air before tripping over a log. Behind him he heard footsteps following him along the sand. Jack started running towards a palm tree. And he fell hitting his head on a tree branch.

‘Ouch,’ he said, rubbing the sore spot on his head before standing up again.

‘I’m out of here,’ he said, ‘as something is strange about this island.’

‘Boo!’ something shouted again, as Jack continued running along the sand; ducking and diving from whatever was hitting his body while he was running. It felt like small stones or peanuts.

‘Aagh!’ Jack said, reaching for something to hold to protect himself as he was now frightened; He picked up a palm leaf.

‘What was it that went boo!’ Jack shouted, ’is someone else here? I can hear you. You didn’t scare me, all I need is help,’ Jack shouted.

‘Help?’ a voice asked from near him, ‘Hehehe, you are a funny little boy.’

Jack held up the palm frond, listening. ‘I’m Jack. I need help.’

‘I need you as well Jack as I’m actually very hungry. Tell me, do you taste good, Jack the little boy?’

Jack realises he might be in danger, and says, ‘I must out run what-ever it is. Perhaps I can climb this palm tree and there I’ll be safe.’

And he did climb the palm tree.

While trying to climb the palm tree in his bare feet, Jack heard something strange – like someone laughing. It sounded like there was a monkey higher up the palm tree. Clinging to the palm tree Jack scanned the palm fronds to see what was laughing at him.

All of a sudden, coconuts began falling from the top of the palm tree.

‘Oh no, I am being attacked. Stop It,’ Jack called. ‘I am not food. I am a boy and I can’t leave the island because I have lost my canoe. Will you help me?

‘Hehehe’ was the only reply.

‘Are you a monkey?’ Jack shouted.

‘No, I am not a monkey,’ the voice laughed.

‘What are you then?’ Jacked asked.