Christmas Countdown – Day 24

Merry Christmas Everyone – I hope Santa is good to you (with lots of lovely new books to read). I’m off to wrap more presents, the bottom of that tree is looking a bit pathetic.

 

Colette’s Christmas Countdown – Day 23

Nearly there – wow this decision to do 24 days of blogging in a row has been a bit of an undertaking (and I’ve only slipped up once).

I was lying in my bed the other night trying to think of what to write about next, and I thought, well, I could write about ideas, where they come from and how to catch them. Then I remembered a piece I wrote a few years ago for a pamphlet produced by the G2 Writers. The piece On Reading made it in, but I rather like the piece On Writing too. Here they are – have a read and let me know what you think.

On Writing & Reading

Colette’s Christmas Countdown – Day 22 – A Little Late

Apologies – Yesterday’s blog got lost somewhere between church and a party, so I’m going to recreate the spirit of the day. Basically, I had breakfast, then lunch, then ate all afternoon, before coming home for dinner, so this post is the first meal of the day, with another along shortly.

Only two more sleeps until Santa comes, but I started off the Christmas festivities proper with a family party at my brother’s house. The guests ranged from 1 to 86, with almost every decade represented in between (although no one in their 40s or 70s). We had young kids running about, teenagers getting slightly squiffy on fizz, twenty-somethings in the flush of romance, thirty-somethings dealing with their toddlers, those in their 50s and 60s pulling food out of the oven and into their mouths, and the 86 year old, sitting watching it all, and giving her tuppenny’s worth when required. All in all a lovely day – all human life is here.

I am well aware though that everyone doesn’t have a big family or the ability to hold parties, and while I thoroughly enjoyed myself yesterday, my mind was with a couple of people spending time in hospital beds, with their families around them. It can be rubbish to be in difficult situations when everyone else is out enjoying themselves, and my thoughts and prayers are with them.

Now I’ve caught up with yesterday, I better get on with today. See you later.

Colette’s Christmas Countdown – Day 21

Christmas Presents:

It’s traditional in some Scandinavian counties to give books on Christmas Eve. I might do that, yet, but as I am too tired to think of today’s blog- it’s been a busy, busy week for Beech Editorial Services – here’s a wee Christmas story for you today.

Empty Pillowcase

Colette’s Christmas Countdown – Day 20

Christmas Present not free today, but cut-price and still time to order the paperback of All the Places I’ve Ever Been from Amazon. My Kindle Countdown Deal will be running from today – only 99p – with the price going up to the still deliciously reasonable price of £2.99 in a few days time.

All the Places I’ve Ever Been – Meg is on the run, so where better to hide than on the tour bus of a rock band. Join her on her adventures to all the places she’s ever been. Click on the image for a preview.

Christmas Countdown – Day 19

I’ve not been sleeping particularly well for the past couple of weeks. I think the impending doom of the election; staying up all night to watch it; and the excitement that Santa is nearly here, have disturbed my sleep a bit. But not to worry, I lie in bed thinking up wee stories or serenading myself with the million-tune jukebox I hold in my head. So why can I not get Cliff Richard’s Mistletoe and Wine out of my head. This must be one of the worst Christmas songs ever – I think maybe even one of the worst songs ever – yet it is going round and round in my head while I try to get to sleep. Insomnia doesn’t get much worse than this.

Apologies if I’ve now given you an earworm too.

Christmas Countdown – Day 18

My kitchen isn’t looking very festive at the moment, so I decided to buy some bunting to cheer it up.

Well someone needs a proofreader

Serves me right for shopping in Home Bargains (although their chocolate and toothpaste are really cheap).

Colette’s Christmas Countdown – Day 17

Elf on the Shelf – is still looking for some books to read

Lots of interesting books here on language and writing – I think he’s listening to hear if a good word or two will pop out of Fowler’s Dictionary of Modern English Usage, either that or he’s drunk.

Looking after the books for Beech Editorial Services.

Colette’s Christmas Countdown – Day 16

Whoops, I missed a day yesterday, but my Christmas tree is now up, and some people may get cards from me this year. I’m still suffering bit from a very persistent cold, and some RSI to boot, so have treated myself to a new keyboard and mouse. I stopped using a full sized keyboard a couple of years ago – probably around the same time as I got a touchscreen laptop, but I’ve been doing more editing recently and my right hand was beginning to complain.

Hopefully it won’t take too long to get used to the larger keyboard, though I’ve already tried and failed to move the mouse with a touch pad that isn’t there. Oops.

Keep reading, and watch out for offers coming soon.

Colette’s Christmas Countdown – Day 14

Chocolate Time – Though if you are still trying to hold yourself back until Christmas Day before the big blow out, you could always just read about chocolate, with today’s Free Book – The Chocolate Refuge. Click on the image for a preview.