Rereading Jane Eyre

AtoZ Blogging Challenge April 2022. F is for Film Courage, Franceska Chef Recipes @YouTube

YouTube Channels and Youtubers for writers and everyone else!

I’m joining the AtoZ challenge sharing YouTube channels and Youtubers I follow as an independent author, researcher, learner, reader, and someone who is interested in emotional growth and physical wellbeing, as well as entertainment and current affairs.

I’ve enjoyed watching YouTube videos for years, but in 2020, when the pandemic broke out in Europe and the first lockdown was imposed as a security measure in most countries, I decided to go Premium on YouTube and I started watching even more videos on a wide variety of entertaining and informative topics, which I’d like to share with you over the coming month. I hope you enjoy!

Today I’m featuring two YouTubers and channels. The first is a film channel, Film Courage, and the second one is a cooking channel, Franceska Chef Recipes

Let’s start with Film Courage. I’m very pleased to share this channel with you today, because I’ve learnt so much about writing novels from this channel. I highly recommend it for novel writers. You can watch interviews with expert screenwriters and film makers sharing their theories, ideas and experiences in film and television. There are great videos on story structure, themes, characters, pacing and so many other topics, which are also important for novel writing. This is one example of a great video by Jill Chamberlain on story structure that works for novels as well as film.

I love cooking and this is one of the channels I follow with ideas for something delicious and special to cook. The recipes are in Italian, which is a beautiful language I understand and speak, so I love listening to her, but there are subtitles in English and very clear images on the videos, so they’re really easy to follow. This delicious cake is one of her last videos, and I must admit, I haven’t made it yet, but I’ll let you know when I do, because it looks easy and delicious!

I hope you found these channels interesting or useful, and if you want to check out what other bloggers are writing about this month in the AtoZ Blogging Challenge check them out on Twitter , Facebook, or Instagram.

Meanwhile, I hope you’re enjoying this chilly April! (At least it’s unusually chilly in Europe for this time of year).

By the way, if you’d like to check out my novels in The Eyre Hall Series, find out more by clicking on the image below which will take you to the information on this website.

Click on my photo for *the link to my Amazon Author Page*

AtoZ Blogging Challenge April 2022.E is for English Heritage, Dr Sten Ekberg and Ed Mylet on @YouTube

YouTube Channels and Youtubers for writers and everyone else!

Today I’m featuring two YouTubers and channels. The first is a very special history channel, the second is a doctor with great tips for a healthy life, and finally the great Ed Mylett, who interviews experts on various aspects of personal growth.

Let’s start with English Heritage. They prepare short and varied videos on all things British, from Victorian cooking, with a ‘real’ cook using ‘authentic equipment’ in a ‘real’ Victorian kitchen in an English stately home, such as the vide below.

As you can imagine, this channel has been invaluable for my research into Victorian England! There are also postcard videos on different parts of the country and countryside and videos on history too, and they also have tales from English folklore. I love the way they manage to make every video interesting and fun for viewers of all ages who are interested in English history.

Dr Stan Ekberg is a holistic doctor and Olimpic decathlete. He makes informative and useful videos on food, health and physical wellbeing. He explains everything for people with no medical background, but he doesn’t talk down to viewers, and he also justifies all his advice with evidence and sound theories.

Of course if someone has a serious health or emotional problem, YouTube is probably not going to solve it, they would need to visit a specialist, face to face, but often we have minor ailments which his videos can help you with, and they’re informative even if you don’t have any ailments.

This video on blood pressure is clear and informative, but that doesn’t mean you have to stop taking your medication. It’s useful and complimentary information to help you understand the process and why it may be high and how you might be able to lower it.

I’ve already posted on Ed Mylett’s book Max out your Life. This is Ed’s YouTube channel. He posts videos every Tuesday in which he interviews experts on motivation, health, relationships, business and plenty of other interesting topics.

This is one of his latest interview on regret, with Daniel Pink, the author of The Power of Regret.

I hope you found these channels interesting or useful, and if you want to check out what other bloggers are writing about this month in the AtoZ Blogging Challenge check them out on Twitter , Facebook, or Instagram.

Meanwhile, I hope you’re enjoying this chilly April! (At least it’s unusually chilly in Europe for this time of year).

By the way, if you’d like to check out my novels in The Eyre Hall Series, find out more by clicking on the image below which will take you to the information on this website.

AtoZ Blogging Challenge April 2022. D is for Deutsch Lernen! Easy German and Your German Teacher @YouTube

YouTube Channels and Youtubers for writers and everyone else!

Today’s two featured YouTubers and channels show that you can use free YouTube resources for language learning. As my daughter, her husband and my grandson live in Germany and plan to stay there for the moment, I’ve started learning German. I have two two-hour classes a week, but I also watch YouTube videos to help me with my learning. This post is also a reminder that you can learn any language, any plenty of other things on YouTube, completely free, although some channels offer you the possibility of contributing via Patreon, where you can download supplementary materials.

Let’s start with Easy German. They do short, live videos out in the street, as well as classroom type videos, which are usually outdoors, too, and they cater for all levels. I love that I get to hear real German people talking in real situations. There are subtitles in German and English. It’s a fun and authentic way to learn German. This is their latest video, Check out their playlist for different levels.

Your German teacher is a completely different type of channel, as the videos are more os a classroom style learning, which is also useful. Sometimes I just want someone to explain some aspect of grammar. I don’t need the fun! This is a great channel for that with loads of topic on different levels. This is one of their more basic videos. Check out their playlist for more.

You can also find channels with short stories in German and tips for language learning. Just choose your language and what you want to learn, type it into the search bar and you’ll find loads of channels. You’ll have to sift through to find the one/s you like, subscribe and you’re good to learn any language!

Meanwhile, I hope you’re enjoying this snowy April! (At least it’s unusually snowy in Europe for this time of year).

AtoZ Blogging Challenge April 2022. C is for Chris Williamson @ChrisWillx and Closer to Truth @ClosertoTruth on @YouTube

YouTube Channels and Youtubers for writers and everyone else!

Today’s two featured YouTubers and channels illustrate the incredible variety you can find on this social media. I’m going to introduce you to a 27-year old model and club promoter from Newcastle, who took part in the first season of the reality show, Love Island, in the UK, and to another channel neuroscientists, physicists and philosophers are in search of consciousness, the cosmos, and the meaning of life. Both channels are inspiring and engaging because both of them offer insightful interviews with guest speakers.

Let’s start with Chris Williamson. His channel has playlists on relationships, life hacks, and modern Wisdom clips, which are snippets of conversations with experts on a variety of topics, as well as longer conversations.

I enjoy his insights into male psychology, because I’m over sixty and still trying to understand the modern male psyche, which is vital for a writer! This conversation on The manosphere, a collection of websites, blogs, and online forums promoting masculinity against feminism, was eye opening and thought provoking.

The next blog I’m featuring is Closer to Truth which I usually enjoy, although I must admit sometimes the complex interweaving of science and philosophy goes way over my head! Robert Lawrence Kuhn, author of 25 books on business strategy, finance, science and philosophy, asks complex and provocative questions to his illustrious guests. Most of his videos are usually between ten minutes and twenty minutes, which is a perfect length, especially if, like me, you need to listen to twice, sometimes!

This is a great video about What is time? He interviews experts and academics on the subject.

One of his most recent videos in which he interviews Richard Gott, professor of astrophysics at Princeton. is called ‘Why Did Our Universe Begin?’, is one of the episodes which were harder for me to grasp.

Meanwhile, I hope you’re enjoying this snowy April! (At least it’s unusually snowy in Europe for this time of year).

AtoZ Blogging Challenge April 2022. B is for @BookClubMom and Book Ends Literary Agency @Bookendslit on @YouTube

YouTube Channels and Youtubers for writers and everyone else!

Today, I’d like to introduce you to two channels; the first is Book Club Mom. I started following Barbara Vitelli’s blog ages ago, and I recently started following her YouTube channel. She’s an inspiration for me! I’d love to start a channel myself, but I never seem to find the right time, place, or equipment to film, plus I’m a little shy, but I’m sure I’ll get around to it, eventually. I love the way Barbara films and narrates her videos. She’s so natural and calm and interesting. She has several playlists as you can see below. If you click on the image it will take you to her channel and playlists. I love listening to Barbara talk about everything bookish, and I’m sure you will too!

This is a lovely bookish post about books with dedications, especially written by people we love.

The next blog I’d like to feature today is Book Ends Literary Agency. I actually sent them a contemporary novel I wrote, but although it passed the first hurdle and they asked for the whole book to read, it was then rejected. It’s really hard to get to know or even speak to Literary Agents, but this channel is really useful for writers because we can hear more about their profession and listen to their advice to writers. Click on the image to see their playlists.

I like all their videos, but they have a whole playlist on various aspects of rejection, like this one.

Meanwhile, I hope you’re enjoying this snowy April! (At least it’s unusually snowy in Europe for this time of year).

AtoZ Blogging Challenge April 2022. A is for Absolute History and Ali Abdaal on @YouTube

Change of Theme!

Instead of writing mentors books, I’ve decided to take part in this year’s AtoZ sharing YouTube channels and Youtubers I follow as an independent author, researcher, learner, reader, and someone who is interested in emotional growth and physical wellbeing, as well as entertainment and news.

Some background information on YouTube

The initial idea was just to share personal videos online. When that didn’t work, the owners changed it to a dating site, which also failed. They then decided to update the technology so that anyone could upload a video easily, and the idea went viral. That was in early 2005. In October 2006, Google acquired YouTube, and the rest is history. At he moment, over 300 hours of video are uploaded every minute!

You can find out about almost anything you are interested in or need to find out in seconds. However, not all channels are the same. As with all social media, you do need to sift through to find what you’re looking for and this may take some time at first.

I spend so much time on YouTube and find it useful and entertaining, so over the following month, I’d like to introduce you to some of the channels I follow and can recommend.

Today, I’d like to introduce you to two channels; the first is Absolute History.

Would you like to know what WWI soldiers ate in the trenches? Or see what the most brutal medieval weapon looks like and how it was used? Or find out about poverty, prisons or disease, and much more, in Victorian England? Perhaps you’re interested in the pioneers who settled in New Zealand, or how the East India Company changed word trade, or hundreds of other interesting historical topics. Browse through their content and you can choose from their over 500 short, instructive and beautifully crafted videos.

I love their playlist on the Victorians and Victorian England, which is the time my novels in The Eyre Hall Series are set.

The second channel I’d like to share with you is Ali Abdal’s. He has videos on productivity, life hacks, YouTube, lots of great non-fiction book recommendations. His videos are useful, clear and concise.

I especially enjoy his Book Club videos, like this one

Meanwhile, I hope you’re enjoying Spring 2022!

AtoZ Blogging Challenge April 2022 #ThemeReveal #WritingMentors #MondayMotivation

My Mentors

Following the main blog’s theme: ACCOMPLISHING YOUR DREAMS, AND THE DUALITY OF 22. I’ve decided to write about my mentors, the people who have helped me accomplish my dream to be a published author since I started my blog in 2013.

These writers and speakers have enlightened me with their spoken and written words, in fiction and non fiction, as well as with their YouTube channels and podcasts.

Their spoken and written words have inspired me to follow my own writing journey and shown me to believe in myself by generously sharing their knowledge, experience, and wisdom.

They do not know it. But they are my mentors and I will always be grateful for their help. During the month of April, I’d like to share what they taught me in the hope that it will inspire and help you in your journey, too.

I look forward to sharing my posts and reading other participants’ posts, too, throughout April. If you’d like to join in follow the link on the image below.

Happy blogging! And Happy first day of spring!💖♥️

‘Snow Moon at Eyre Hall’ Chapter 28: Jane Eyre’s Return to Eyre Hall #BookLaunch

One of the highlights of Snow Moon at Eyre Hall, which was published yesterday, is Jane, Michael and Helen’s return to Eyre Hall after the traumatic events which occurred in Thunder Moon at Eyre Hall, during which the three of them were separated and confined away from their home, Eyre Hall.

Jane was taken to Grimsby Asylum, Helen was sent to Lowood Institution, and Michael was imprisoned in the icehouse. Their ordeals led them to take refuge in a Beachill, a small seaside village in Cornwall, where they have started a new life.

Their return to Eyre Hall, in chapter 28, is an emotional experience for all of them, especially for Jane, who built Eyre Hall when she married Mr Rochester, with the money she inherited from her uncle, who had a winery in Madeira.

Chapter 28 – Return to Eyre Hall

Eyre Hall, February 1870

Jane

Huge white snowflakes whirled and fell on the thick snow already covering the lawns of Eyre Hall. I craned my neck to glimpse at the silver clouds sliding across the waning gibbous moon and the fragments of jet-black sky peppered with tiny sparkling stars.

Helen pointed to the ground. “Why has the snow got a blue glow?”

“It must be reflecting the light of the moon. If there was a new moon, the snow would be black,” I replied.

“I forgot it was so pretty. Max says it never snows in Beachill.”

Annette rushed out to greet us when she heard our coach. “Come inside quickly, there’s a frightful gale.” A young girl took our coats and said she’d carry our luggage upstairs to the new wing. “Tell Tomas to help you, Trish,” said Annette. “The trunks are heavy.”

We stepped into a drawing room ablaze with the furious burning of crackling wood. I gasped. It was just as we had left it.

“What’s wrong?” asked Annette.

I waved my hands in the air. “Nothing has changed.”

“Why would it? I love the way you decorated Eyre Hall, Jane. It’s perfect.”

I searched for the house I once lived in and imagined I would never leave. The furniture, the paintings, the candleholders, and chandeliers were identical. “And yet nothing is the same.”

Michael’s hands rested on my shoulders. “Shall I kindle the fire, mistress?”

I sighed. “It seems such a long time ago, Michael.”

“Eight months since we last came and fifteen months since we lived here,” he replied, but it didn’t matter how many days or months had passed, we had returned to a different place in another lifetime.

“I’m hungry, Mummy!” said Helen.

Seconds later, a tall young man with a sullen face and heavy eyebrows entered.

“Sorry, Mrs Rochester. I was taking the trunks upstairs. What do you need?”

“Thank you, Tomas. Bring us some tea, hot chocolate, biscuits, cakes, and ham sandwiches.”

As we ate, Annette asked us about our journey, James, Helen’s school, and the final chapters of The Orphan, but carefully avoided asking about our reason for coming. At last, Helen fell asleep on the couch and we were free to talk.

****

Jane and Michael’s reason for returning to Eyre Hall is the climax of Snow Moon at Eyre Hall and the Eyre Hall Series itself. As those of you who have read the series can imagine, it is related to Junot, the Sin-eater, Bertha Mason, and Mr Edward Rochester. The final secret Bertha left at Thornfield Hall will be revealed in Snow Moon at Eyre Hall, at last.

Read Snow Moon at Eyre Hall to find out Bertha’s last secret here. It’s on launch offer at 0.99 and you can also read it for 0,00 on Kindle Unlimited!

Snow Moon at Eyre Hall: Book Five of The Eyre Hall Series de [Luccia Gray]

Snow Moon at Eyre Hall is Book 5 of The Eyre Hall Series. I suggest reading in the following order:

Resurgam, An Eyre Hall Series Novella

Blood Moon at Eyre Hall

All Hallows at Eyre Hall

Twelfth Night at Eyre Hall

Volume One of The Eyre Hall Series: a Box Set including these first four novels.

Thunder Moon at Eyre Hall

Snow Moon at Eyre Hall

Midsummer at Eyre Hall (to be re-edited and re-published in autumn, 2022)

UK Link to The Eyre Hall Series

US Link to The Eyre Hall Series

International Link to The Eyre Hall Series

Subscribe to my newsletter for special offers, updates, and new releases here!

#BookLaunch Snow Moon at Eyre Hall #5 #TheEyreHallSeries #Histfic #JaneEyreSequel

Snow Moon at Eyre Hall is the fifth novel in The Eyre Hall Series, the exciting and intriguing sequel to Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte, including more mystery, drama, action, and romance, set in Victorian England.

In the latest addition to the series, readers will experience births and a christening, deaths, burials and exhumations, prophesies, curses, blessings, and restitution, revenge and betrayal, as well as love and altruism.

Jane’s son, John Eyre Rochester, and Annette Mason, Bertha Mason’s daughter, have married and taken over Eyre Hall and the Rochester Estate, after offering Jane a settlement (in Thunder Moon at Eyre Hall).

Jane, now Mrs Kirkpatrick, and Michael have moved to Cornwall, with Jane’s daughter, Helen, in search of a more peaceful lifestyle.

But they must decide whether to accept Mr de Winter’s offer and take over the running of his impressive home, Manderlay, and accept his son, Max, as their ward, after his father’s imminent death, or remain at cosy Primrose Cottage, where they lived as fugitives (in Thunder Moon at Eyre Hall).

Jane has fallen in love with Manderlay, but Michael suspects Mr de Winter and his magnificent mansion harbour even more devastating secrets than Eyre Hall.

Isaac das Junot, will revisit Michael to remind him of the Blood Moon Prophecy, which the Sin- Eater, revealed in Blood Moon at Eyre Hall, which is reaching its culmination. Jane, Michael and Helen must return to Eyre Hall and decipher the final secret from the attic at Thornfield Hall.

Expect hours of enjoyment, especially lovers of Victorian fiction and historical drama. At the moment it is on special offer at one dollar/euro/pound! Can you resist? And you can read this novel and the entire series free on Kindle Unlimited!

Amazon.com / Amazon UK / click here for worldwide link.

Snow Moon at Eyre Hall: Book Five of The Eyre Hall Series by [Luccia Gray]

Readers will have a more enhanced reading experience if they read the novels in the following sequence:
Resurgam: An Eyre Hall Series Novella
Blood Moon at Eyre Hall #1
All Hallows at Eyre Hall #2
Twelfth Night at Eyre Hall #3
Thunder Moon at Eyre Hall #4
Snow Moon at Eyre Hall #5
Midsummer at Eyre Hall #6 to be released in July 2022

What, you’re not sure if you’ll like the series? Why not try Resurgam: Am Eyre Hall Series Novella and prequel to the series, for an international link click here.

Happy Wednesday and Happy Reading!

Photo by Karolina Grabowska on Pexels.com

Insecure Writers Support Group #IWSG ‘7 Lessons Learnt in 2022’ #amwriting #writingtips #January2022 #BookBlogger

This post was written in response to the Insecure Writer’s Support Group monthly (first Wednesday of every month) blog hop to where writers express thoughts, doubts, and concerns about our profession. By the way, all writers are invited to join in!

The awesome co-hosts for the January 3 posting of the IWSG are Erika Beebe, Olga Godim, Sandra Cox, Sarah Foster, and Chemist Ken!

7 Writing Lessons Learnt in 2022

1: Amazon KDP select is my best option at the moment.

I decided to go wide in summer 2021. I signed up with Draft2Digital, and although they are professional and helpful, I’m going back to working exclusively with Amazon. Going wide is not worth the extra work at this stage of my writing life and writing career. I have only sold six books, and it is probably my fault for not advertising with the other book sellers more actively, but I don’t have the time. I need to simplify my life and at the moment Amazon exclusive is my best and simplest bet.

2. A solid morning routine is beneficial for my life and my writing.

I used to get up at seven and go to work, but when I took early retirement in 2019, I had some difficulty adapting to a new writing routine. I had never written in the mornings, as I was working as a teacher. I used to write in the evenings and weekends. After reading The Miracle Morning for Writers in 2020, I decided to implement the routine in my new life. I’ve discovered that the first three hours of writing, from 7-10 are my golden hours. I’m more creative and productive.

3: I’m a plantser

I started out as a pantser. I had four clearly define characters and an idea and I started writing to see where the characters would take me. It was a wonderful experience. I had the time of my life writing my sequel to Jane Eyre and new characters and plot lines grew so much that one novel became and trilogy and then a series. However, I soon realised I needed a structure to tie all the strands, so I read plenty of books on plotting, which helped me structure and finish my novels. I recommend Save the Cat for Writers as one of the most useful and practical books on the topic. And I thought I had become a plotter, but it was just a phase!

Now I’d describe myself as a plantser. I start with a few characters and a conflict which I explore and when I have about 10,000 words and a good number of scenes, I write a loose outline, to help me stay focussed, and write. I allow the characters to drive the action and the outline gradually meanders, so I feel I’m exploring as I write.

4. The Eyre Hall Series will have many more installments.

I’ve written three new books and one novella in the series this year. I’ve also reedited three novels in the series, that means I’ve worked on seven books this year! So my morning routine is definitely working for me! I have lots of ideas to continue and expand the series even more. I’ve also planned other novels in the series and revised a contemporary thriller I had written a few years ago.

5: Writing is my lifesaver

Throughout these two difficult years of Covid plus numerous personal issues, writing has helped me wake up feeling optimistic and energetic enough to carry out a healthy morning routine, write, look after my family, make time for friends and hobbies. My novels have been my lighthouse in a dark, stormy sea.

6: I still love blogging

I’ve been doing more creative writing than blogging this year, but I’ve realised I don’t want to stop blogging. I enjoy having a little window to the world where I can be seen and heard, and interact with other bloggers. I hope to have more time to blog in 2022.

7: The more I read the better writer I become

I’ve been reading widely this year; fiction as well as non-fiction. I especially enjoy thrillers and historical novels, but I’ve also read science fiction, memoirs and non-fiction books this year. I’ve incorporated many books on personal growth which have helped me immensely. I’ve shared many of them in my #MondayMotivation posts. Everything I read helps me improve my craft.

What lessons have you learnt as a writer in 2022?

If you want to find out more about my novels check out my home page, and if you want to find out about my new releases and special offers, subscribe to my newsletter below.

Happy Reading and Writing!

YouTube Channels and Youtubers for writers and everyone else!

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YouTube Channels and Youtubers for writers and everyone else!

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YouTube Channels and Youtubers for writers and everyone else!

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YouTube Channels and Youtubers for writers and everyone else!

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YouTube Channels and Youtubers for writers and everyone else!

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Change of Theme!

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Chapter 28 – Return to Eyre Hall

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This post was written in response to the Insecure Writer’s Support Group monthly (first Wednesday of every month) blog hop to where writers express thoughts, doubts, and concerns about our profession. By the way, all writers are invited to join in!

7 Writing Lessons Learnt in 2022

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