My Seven Day Nature Challenge

I was recently nominated on Facebook to take part in a seven day nature challenge where I had to post a nature photo - past or present, each day. So I thought I'd share them here.

Day One was blooms in my garden on a lovely sunny morning.

Day Two was the lane along which Poppy and I walk each morning and afternoon, but the morning photo was so very different from the one I took in the afternoon I just had to share them both.

Day three was a photo of a Chaffinch I took last summer.

Day Four was a photo of my favourite flower. I always treat myself to Tulips when I can.

Day Five was again taken on a morning walk.

Day Six was taken in the National Trust garden of Llanerchaeron.

Day Seven was of my chickens enjoying the long grass of summer.

I hope you've enjoyed my photographs.

Rachael

xx

Inspiration - its all around us

It's been a busy week on the farm, with silage being harvested in preparation for winter and this means lots of workers to feed and time spent away from my writing desk.

I like to write every day, even if it's only a few hundred words, but sometimes even that isn't possible and I usually find it can be difficult to get back into the rhythm of writing. Procrastination, or faffing as I prefer to call it, usually strikes and as much as I want to get back into my current work in progress it sometimes doesn't happen. The last few days have been like that, so armed with a magazine I decided to give myself a bit of time out over a coffee and almond croissant in my local coffee shop.

As always, I was drawn by the cover and indulged in the lovely photographs of Eva Longoria's and Pepe Baston's wedding. In the article it stated they'd married in their home because they wanted something intimate and private. 

Instantly my mind began working. In the book I'm currently writing, my hero Antonio and his bride-to-be Sadie also want a small and private wedding. From this similarity, ideas began to form in my mind but Antonio's apartment in Rome might not be suitable for their wedding, but being a billionaire, he could buy a beautiful villa that would be perfect!

So now that I've had my little light bulb moment, I can get back to finishing Antonio and Sadie's story. Next time you are feeling a little distracted from what you need or want to do, give yourself some time out. Even the smallest amount of time can help.

Rachael

xx

Living the High Life - for a day or two!

Thursday last week was the Romantic Novelists' Association Summer Party in London and the annual award of the Joan Hessayon Award, for which several of my friends were nominated, but as usual I was too busy catching up with friends to take photographs.

I left home early on Thursday and after a quick walk along Aberystwyth sea front, caught the train to London. Quite a few hours later, I emerged from London's underground to the bustle of a city I love visiting.

Quite a contrast from the town I left behind, but there is so much to see and do in London that I never quite know where to start first.

My stories are full of glamour and London always gives me the opportunity of seeing a glamorous city in action. From chauffeur driven cars to the gorgeous shops, it's all very different from rural Wales. This time myself and a few friends had afternoon tea before the summer party -  yet more research!


On Friday morning I set off for a walk in St James's Park before heading back home on the train. At first it was peaceful and quiet and I enjoyed watching the pelican's on the lake.

Then everything changed as the Queen's Guards made their way to Queen's Guard Parade to the sound of their band.

All the excitement made me wish I was staying in London a little longer. Maybe next time!

Rachael
xx

Time Out To Refill My Creative Well

Yesterday I made the most of a having a friend to visit for the weekend and the gorgeous sunny weather and did one of my favourite things. I explored a castle, which dates back to the late 1100's and a grand old house. Both Newton House and Dinefwr Castle are part of the National Trust’s Dinefwr Park.

We spent the morning wandering around Newton House, which was hosting a wedding weekend. The drawing room was all set out to showcase what a wonderful setting it would make for a wedding and of course sparked a few ideas in my head. Then after a leisurely lunch we walked to the castle.

On the way through the woodland, the first flush of bluebells were bravely appearing but the promise of a spectacular display in just a few weeks means I will be going back armed with my camera.

The views from the castle were stunning and the blue sky lent an air of summer to the afternoon as we explored the ancient walls and climbed up and down narrow twisting steps. Afterwards we strolled around the grounds and enjoyed some of the walks, of which there are many.

It was a beautiful day out which left me refreshed and revived. Exactly what I needed as I am about to start writing a new book. My creative well is nicely refilled. Thanks Sarah Jane!

What do you enjoy doing when you take time out?

Poppy's Corner - growing fast

I'm almost five months old now and have been a writer's dog for three months - and it's great! Just a few days ago I had the very important job of inspecting author copies of the next book.

I've also worked out how to put a stop to her continuous tapping on the keyboard when really she should be giving me my breakfast or letting me out in the garden. I jump in her lap and put my chin on her keyboard. Works a treat!

It's also good fun living on a farm as there are loads of fields to go exploring in and we go for long walks around the farm or along the country lanes. We've been to the local park and I've had a dip in the river, which was cold, but I loved that. Especially when I could shake all over her!

There are lots of wild cats here on the farm and two think they live in my house. What a cheek! Each morning they wait on windowsills to be let in and fed and then they curl up for a day of sleep either in front of the Aga or in the sun shinning through the window. Cats are fun to chase and pounce on, but I do pretend to get on with them and even let them share my sunny spot -for a while at least.

I'm going to have my first trip to the beach soon, so I'll be back another day to tell you all about that. 

Poppy

xx

A Day For Romance

Happy Valentine's Day!

Have you ever wondered how St Valentine's Day came about? Here are a few things I discovered.

The Victorians considered it bad luck if a Valentine's card was signed.

In Medieval times, young maidens would consume an array of strange foods in the hope of seeing their future love.

Wearing your heart on your sleeve is an expression believed to have originated in Medieval times when young men and women would wear a name, selected from a bowl, on their sleeve for a week for all to see.

King Henry VII declared February 14th the holiday of St Valentine in 1537

Chocolate became synonymous with St Valentines' Day when Physicians of 1800's suggested it would calm pining for lost love. The first box of Valentine chocolates was produced in the late 1800's.

Why a red rose? It was the favourite flower of Venus, the Roman goddess of Love.

Do you have any fun facts you can add? 

Pinterest - My Guilty Pleasure

I’m currently beginning work on a new book and what better excuse is there for whiling away time looking at inspirational pictures! Each time I start brainstorming a new book idea I create a new board on Pinterest for the story. I usually keep it secret for a while – just until I have settled on the hero and heroine and their story.

I’m a visual writer. I need images to stimulate my imagination and set my creativity free. Well, that’s my excuse for adorning my writing room wall with photographs of hot men, sometimes in varying degrees of undress. Above my desk I have a board I use to display some of the images I have selected for my work in progress which means I can sit there looking at the photographs and slip into their world.

My Pinterest Board for Xavier and Tilly's story, New Year at the Boss's Bidding

Since I seriously began writing romance, I have always looked for images that stir the imagination and often find just flicking through a magazine can trigger an idea. If I’m not ready to explore that idea I will write it down in my notebook and revisit it one day.

My Pinterest Board for Zafir and Destiny's story, The Sheikh's Last Mistress

Images are also useful when you hit one of those walls they call writers’ block. I find that if I spend a bit of time on Pinterest, even if I’m just looking and not pinning, something pops up that helps to open up my mind and get me back on the right side of the wall and writing.

I also have personal boards there too. Places I’d love to go and Things that make me smile are perfect for wasting time filling a few spare moments. So if you haven’t already done so, give it a go!

You can view my Pinterest account here.

Happy Pinning!