A Life So Strange

Life has always see-sawed between the ordinary and the extraordinary so it's no surprise that I'm writing contemporary fiction with a supernatural twist. From being born into the surname `Strange' and growing up with a fascination for the unexplained (something I shared with my siblings), it seems the universe set me on a path that would spark the imagination. 

Over the last few days, I've been working intensely on my debut novel, The Mobile Librarian. On a number of occasions, while deep in thought reflecting on a scene (usually a spooky one), I have been distracted by unexplained movements in my writer's den!

First, a stack of pebbles fell over, which scared the life out of me as I was deep in dark thought at that precise moment. On another occasion, the curtains moved as if disturbed by an invisible hand. Oh, and I've been seeing a shadow - much like the ones that appear in some of my images. Although these things make me jump a little, I am quite at ease. These are the little extraordinary moments, the ones that make me question reality.

Now, let it be said that I am Mulder and Scully rolled into one. My logical brain looks for scientific explanations while my imagination is prepared to believe the unbelievable. And, this is how it has always been for me. I am open to every possibility even if it can't be proven or understood at this time. There is, after all, more to the world than what we see. You will find that I explore this through my novel and, as I make further progress on this long journey, I realize that everything in my life has been preparing me for this - writing novels that are laced with possibilities and extraordinary happenings.

Over the years, I've experienced many strange things. These events have expanded my consciousness and fuelled my imagination and now I'm able to feed these ideas through my writing. Some day, I will share some of the strange goings on that have been part of my life.

Recently, I caught an interview with the singer, Robbie Williams, and discovered he has always been fascinated in the unexplained. He also mentioned about the importance of having some magic and the extraordinary in our lives. Boy, how true!

Oh, but the ordinary keeps me from spinning off into oblivion. I've just come through an intensive part of the MA Professional Writing course and, though slightly exhausted, I am pushing on with my goal to complete a working draft of my novel by year end. (The image above shows just some of the pages from my free-writing sessions.) Of course, I still have to focus on making a living - very difficult when just about every part of me is wandering through different realms.

I want to close by thanking you all for your wonderful and encouraging thoughts. Thank you also for signing up to my writer's newsletter. You are the light that keeps shining when I'm in the darkest of places. Your presence means the world.

Well, it's time for me to return to the work. So, you bright beings, here's wishing you brilliance in your days, and don't forget to embrace the extraordinary. It's magical!

My Novel - Title and Blurb Revealed!

Can you hear the whispers in the wispy mists of this day? Do you see glimpses of other worldly souls skipping through the gossamer veils?  Here we are on a recent outing to the woods, sliding into other dimensions ...

Do you ever wonder what's on the other side of here?

Oh, but wait a while with your wonderings because it's time for revelations! As promised, I'm announcing the title and a brief outline of my debut novel, which is now in advanced stages of development.

So, without further ado ...

The Mobile Librarian
By
Carol Anne Strange

While driving in rural Lake District, mobile librarian, Tom Philips, is astonished to see a beautiful naked woman dancing on the fells. What is more astonishing is that she disappears right in front of his eyes. When he sees the same woman again, just a few days later, he discovers that she’s a healer called Cali Silverthorn. Despite their different outlooks, Tom, the only academic son in a farming family, is attracted to the spirited Cali. He is drawn into a world that makes him question reality, as he realizes, to his bewilderment, that she has an incredible gift. Although Tom’s world is as ordinary as Cali’s world is extraordinary, they fall in love. Tom soon finds out, however, that Cali is in grave danger and that other forces are at work, which threatens their relationship and the very fabric of every day life.

There you go. Oh, I'm so nervous! I hope the title and story outline resonates. I know many of you have been waiting a while to find out more. Of course, I still have much work to do before the novel is in a state to present for publication (ETA first half of next year - 2010 - if any literary agents or publishers are interested). And, there is where its fate will rest!

Between now and then, it would help greatly if anyone interested in reading my novel will follow my blog and sign up for my free e-newsletter. To be in with a chance of publication in these difficult times for authors, it would help if I can show the publishers that I have readers eagerly waiting for this and my future novels. So, if you enjoy contemporary fiction with a supernatural twist (or know anyone else who does), please do sign-up.

Here, in my wordsmithy, it's been a very busy time of late. The Writing MA schedule has been horrendous these past three weeks and this has really impacted my writing. The irony! What with trying to keep an income coming in too, I have seen very little of the world outside, and I'm growing pale. I'm content though when I'm writing, fuelled by woodsmoke memories and leaf-blown kisses and, of course, your wonderful good wishes.

So, are you intrigued by The Mobile Librarian? Would you like to know what happens to Tom and Cali? I'd love to hear from you and, as always, so look forward to your comments. Wishing you all magic-filled days. x

Experience the Extraordinary

Do you ever question your eyes?

You see, there are other worlds just on the visual periphery of our own reality. If you wait for a while, you might just spot a glimmer of light slicing through the thin fabric into the extraordinary.

Take a look at another of my novel’s teaser videos. Don’t forget to turn the volume up!



Can you see those glimmers of light?

Open your eyes wider and start dancing into the extraordinary realms. Life may never be the same again!

Meanwhile, here in my writer's nest, the journey continues. Despite the distractions of everyday life and making a living, I am still writing and finding escapism in my characters' adventures. The going feels frustratingly slow though. And, just to keep the pressure ramped up to the maximum, the next phase of the Professional Writing MA begins. There is much work to negotiate between now and the next portfolio submission in February.

Oh, but you all keep me so inspired and encouraged. I'd like to thank you for all the positive messages that you left me following my last post. Your kind thoughts and encouragement always make such a huge difference. What's more, I'm feeling so much better now that I'm on a new course of herbal medicine. Nature's magic is quite amazing!

Now, bright stars, I wonder - would you like to know the title of my novel? Can I tempt you with a brief story outline? Yes? Look out for my next post when the unveiling begins. Until then, I'm wishing you bright beams of brilliance.

Challenges of Living a Creative Life

I’ve been so busy travelling in my imagination, skipping from realm to realm, spending time with the characters in my novel, that I haven’t always been focused on every day matters.

And, it isn’t surprising when I’ve been in worlds such as this one …



For me, writing creatively means that I become totally immersed in the world my characters inhabit. I live their story through their emotions and their lives play out in my mind’s eye. And, this is how it must be if I am to create a story that will capture the hearts and minds of my readers. This journeying can come at a cost though …

Over this past week, ordinary world pressures caught up and delivered me to a place of fear and despair. Panic set-in. My imagination collapsed under the weight of tiredness, the flare-up of an old health issue, and the hefty challenges of living a creative life. For a few days, I didn’t have the energy or the mindfulness to write, and so I placed myself into the serenity of meditative sanctuary, and began the process of recovery.

Nature’s essence and positive intention have helped restore equilibrium. I went to see my medical herbalist today and I’m back on a course of medicine. In other areas, there are still challenges ahead but I know it is the way of things to be touched by light and dark, and, as a writer, I’m richer for all experience.

Fortunately, the fires of creativity are still burning bright and I’m back to travelling between realms ~ just in time for Halloween. Work continues on my novel and, I dare say, will be fuelled by this ordinary world episode.

So, stay tuned, kindred spirits. I’ll be releasing more details about the novel soon, along with other news. I wish you joy, love, and magic at this enchanted time of year.

Life is But a Dream

Time passes so quickly that it has a kind of illusionary quality akin to dreaming. I wonder, sometimes, whether I am here or there ...



I have tumbled out of time this week. I finished my latest portfolio submission for my Writing MA so found myself just a little bit exhausted from the work. And, another milestone marked the arrival of my beautiful little granddaughter, Ruby Jane! Yes, I have entered the realms of the Grand Elder and have become even more pre-occupied with time's passing.

And, so, I felt the need to rest and replenish over the past few days and have done so with a gallery visit, and immersing myself in music, film, poetry, art, and fiction. I have also basked in the October glow just holding the moment to stop it sliding into oblivion. The change of pace has done me good. You don't realize when you're in the realms of creativity how much you are pushing yourself. Sometimes, stepping off the treadmill is necessary to restore equilibrium.

Fortunately, bright stars, I'm ready for the next burst of writing and with the veils between worlds so fragile right now, I can imagine disappearing into a dream. Am I here or am I there? Perhaps it's all relative.

Wishing you all many moons of sweet stillness. Love. x

Gliding into October

The darkness is creeping here in Lancashire's red rose county as autumn digs in, and, as I continue writing the novel, I'm barely in the realms of the real (whatever real is!). So, I'm calling in briefly to share a new teaser image and video with you.

Here I am with the veils between worlds so filigree thin ...



Notice the ghostly figure running through?

And, here, another video teaser ... Don't forget to turn up the volume!



Thank you, once again, to my dear Mr Fenwick and my brothers, Mark Strange and Jedi Richard Strange, for taking part in the shoot.

And, here we are, another month gone already! Fly, fly, the song of time ...

When you are lost in creativity, time passes so quickly, and I am writing with an insatiable passion. When I'm not physically writing, the words are still forming in my head and stitching through my soul, waiting to be delivered on paper.

This week, I'm busy preparing my next portfolio for my Writing MA and then I continue writing my novel towards year end, hoping I will then have a rough manuscript ready to polish come New Year. Still lots to do!

Moving on, and I'm very aware of life chasing me, baring its teeth. Yet, I have no fear. I know what I have to do and, in living authentically, I aim to spend out my earthly days creating stories and, hopefully, bringing you some magic, love, and light into everyday life.

Do keep popping in and leave a comment. It's always a pleasure to hear from you! Apart from updates on the novel, I'll soon be sharing other news, ideas, thoughts, and insights as the journey continues.

Wherever you are, whatever you're feeling right now, here's wishing you all that you wish for. Much love. x

PS ... Thank you for all your recent good wishes regarding the Wales in Words comp shortlisting. Although I didn't go on to win, it was an unexpected pleasure to be shortlisted. The eventual winner was Dalesman's Welsh Ramblings, and a well-deserved win too. I do hope to return to Wales before too long and I'm sure it will be a setting for one of my future novels. Before then, I aim to return to the Lake District, Glastonbury, and Edinburgh, which all have a place in my debut novel, in-between travelling between worlds of course!

Strange Goings On in the Woods

As autumn blows in, stealing summer's heart, I have been playing out in the woods along with some of the Strange clan and my dear Mr Fenwick. We were there to capture some images and teaser videos for my debut novel, which will act as promotional and companion material for when my fictional work is ready to go out into this world.



And, here I am, with my brothers, Mark Strange, and the mysterious figure of Jedi Richard Strange. What fun we had!

The images are only vaguely representational of the characters, and give just the essence of what's to come. In actual fact, these images have inspired another set of characters and an idea for a future work of fiction! This has been added to the slate of projects that I already have lined up. I just love it when the muse springs out of the ether.

And, here is one of a series of short teaser videos ...



I have to say, this makes me smile. It's a bit over dramatic, especially with the music, don't you think? It was, however, fantastically fun to create.

Thank you to my kin for their support and creative input. My brother Mark's film-making vision really spiced up the shoot and resulted in producing some great source material.

Now, as I write, I'm conscious of the fading light. I'm working feverishly, summoning words out of the mercurial muse and weaving them into being. I must increase my weekly wordcount if I'm to finish a first draft ready to polish come the New Year. A tad ambitious? Possibly, seeing that I'm so pedantic! Apart from writing, I also need to start thinking about agents and publishers, which is the current focus on the Writing MA. Oh, yes, there's much still to do. Little-by-little, the novel is manifesting.

So, I'd like you to know that your thoughts, your support, your kindness, and friendship, help immensely as I journey with the writing. It is such a long and exhausting voyage but filled with magical moments. And, I want to thank you, kindly, for your patience as the story unfolds. Your bright presence in my life means so much.

I must return to my writer's nest. More updates soon from beneath the milky glow of the autumn moon.

Love to you all. x

Wales in Words

Hello All,

Just a quick update before my next post to announce how delighted I am to be one of the seven shortlisted blog writers for the VisitWales `Wales in Words' competition!

UK Days Out

You may recall that Mr Fenwick and I visited beautiful Pembrokeshire back in June. You can read about our trip here. Shortly after, I was nominated for the Wales in Words award, so it is a lovely surprise to find that I've made the shortlist!

The eventual winner will gain the fabulous opportunity to experience a short break at a beautiful boutique hotel called Holm House in South Glamorgan. What a treat! It would be bliss to return to the wild and wonderful that is Wales ~ a landscape permeated with magic and soothing song that continues to inspire my writing. Win or not, it won't be long before we return, and I hope you'll be able to visit some day too.

Here I am ... back on Pembrokeshire's Manobier's shores ... dreaming ...



I'll post again soon (I've been busy-busy writing) but for now ...

Be the bright stars that you are and I'm sending you sparkling good wishes, brightened with the essence of Wales.

Sliding into September

It's been dark, damp, and definitely chilly here of late and, while multi-directional rain has been bombarding our little house here on the cusp of the country valley, I've been blanket-wrapped to stave off the cold while I'm writing. Cosy! Oh, but I'm feeling the desert's heat on my skin as part of me has been journeying with one of my characters into Arizona's heart ...



Can you hear the eagle's call?

I see, and I'm there in an instance.

And, this journeying without moving occupies me with a passion as I write the days into wild oblivion.

So, just a short post for now as there are milestones ahead, and plenty to do before I reach them!

I hope you are all wonderfully well and thank you all for your continuing support, encouragement, and bright presence. It is a joy to be sharing the journey with you.

Until next time, be the dreamer and the dream. x

Autumn's Song

Summer days are waning now here in this little corner of England and, although there is hope of warmer climes to come, I am hearing autumn's song on the breeze. A fertile time ahead for my writing and a chance to make significant progress on my novel.

Talking of my novel, here's another image representing doorways into other dimensions.



Although I'm depicting myself in the visual teasers (simply because I have the images to work with), my leading lady, Cali, is someone quite different ~ a captivating dark-haired girl with an extraordinary gift. But more to come about Cali!

As for Tom, my leading man, oh boy! Well, when you read my novel, you will form your own image of Tom but, from a writerly viewpoint, I need to have my own picture clearly in mind. His personality has elements from a number of guys I have known or admired (same for all my protagonists) but my greatest inspiration for Tom is courtesy of Mr Alex Kapranos of the band Franz Ferdinand. Now, apart from being an handsome guy, he appears to me as being warm, down-to-earth, and personable, although I imagine there is an edgy side to his character (as there is with us all), and he really sums up my leading man. Here's a clip of Alex singing Katherine Kiss Me ...



When he sings this song, I imagine him being Tom singing `Cali Kiss Me'!

So, now you know just a little more about the essence that is perfuming my novel and, slowly-slowly, it is weaving into reality.

With autumn calling, next week heralds the return to my Writing MA after the summer break. I have thoroughly enjoyed the slower pace of the past few weeks, which has enabled me to be spontaneously creative as well as catch up on other elements of my work and life. It has been a productive and blissful time.

So, bright stars, my love to you as always. Until the next instalment, safe and magical journeys. x