Hi and welcome back to the coffee house. It’s going to be a quick one today but a welcome break from the busy schedule. Let me tell you why…
After two weeks of crazy mentoring for the BBC 500 Words writing challenge for the children at school and a flu bug or two, I am slowly catching up with life again. I’m so pleased to say that our wonderful writers were all given an opportunity to showcase their great imaginations and with a little help, scribe those stories for the competition. The variety and detail was impressive. Above all, their proud, smiling faces made the long hours and many discussions on plots and narrative all worthwhile. They are absolute gems!
Given the pressure of an upcoming assignment involving a collaboration with other online students, I’ve had to step up my studies (with all that free time I have!). This weekend was spent reading Hard Times by Charles Dickens. It’s only taken me the past three or four months to finish the book! I couldn’t get past the first chapter. Once I allowed my mind to adapt to the language, I thoroughly enjoyed it and look forward to analysing the text. The online work is going to require more research and reading than usual, but should be interesting.
On the writing front, my poor Snotty Norman and Spotty Sally have been left in limbo, just as their adventure was about to unfold at their new school. I’m determined to keep going but just need the time to slip back into their world to see what happens next. Watch this space for updates. Moofy and Flo have sat back in despair, waiting for the last minute additions to be sketched and painted. My oil paints are packed under boxes, making it a challenge to finish the book. Unfortunately, they’ll have to wait until I can access my paints again for their book to be completed.
More exciting news has developed over the half term holidays with the local library encouraging my involvement in the Summer Reading Challenge (which I’ve mentioned before). What it entails is more writing and presenting a fun plan for local children to enjoy that runs along this year’s theme. That’s waiting on the back burner until I finish the collaboration.
To top it all off, we are moving house in the next few weeks. By now, we’re pretty organised when addressing the list of things needed for the move. Throw in some birthdays in between and a sprog begging for a birthday party as soon as we’ve settled, and I think the schedule is pretty full! So, a shot of espresso is definitely required today instead of the usual Darjeeling tea!
How has your fortnight been? Does you have a crazy schedule too? Let me know what’s been happening with you.
Thoughts by Mello-Elo 
I am always reading so many things inbetween blogging or writing new visions . My go to is Patricia Cornwell Bed of Bones and before that I was reading Jeffrey Deaver Skin Collector which the Bone Collector was made a movie look ridiculous. Once I am done would like to read Giles Blunt the author behind Cardinal series.
Knowledge is power effects change
Slainte
Alex
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Alex, you’re so right: knowledge is power and does affect change. I’ve watched the movie of the Bond Collector but haven’t had the opportunity to read the book. It will be put on ‘must read’ list. Thanks!
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Also not sure if you read true crime but highly recommend Behind the lines by Kate Lines . She was vital cog to implementing more efficient resources into Canadian Law Enforcement . She worked on some very high profile cases including Ken and barbie killers Karla Homonika and Paul Bernardo , Russell Williams . Also she was only female Canadian officer to be invited to FBI BAU to enhance her criminal profiler skills.
Cheers
Alex
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That sounds good, thank you. Not sure if this is up your alley but The Real CSI – a forensic handbook for crime writers by Kate Bendelow (a forensic expert) is good.
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Yes I am very familiar with forensic sciences Eloise , I have back ground in weapons detection enforcement and private sector . Patricia Cornwell was in forensics before she became an author her character Dr. Kay Scarpetta is based around her own experiences. She also prove with burden of proof who saucy Jack really was in her book Jack the Ripper Portrait of a Serial Killer. I will check out that book sounds exciting.
Slainte
Alex
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And Skin Collector the sequel to Bone Collector which makes the SK look like boy scout compared to skin collector his method of killing his victims are through poisonous bio toxins talk about excruciating form of tormenting death Eloise .
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I was tempted to use arsenic for my serial killer (I know – it’s very basic in comparison), using the scent as a lead for my detectives to link the murders. But, after much thought, I’ve decided to try something more psychological approach as a lead.
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Interesting let me know when you are done the book . Arsenic is very easy to produced and can be commonly found, knowing how to masked it is where that takes knowledge. In the Skin collector one of his most deadly toxins was synthetic highly concentrated botanist of Hemlock and night shade. What is the synopsis of your SK ? What makes he or she tick ?
Did they have rough childhood ?
Suffer emotional or physical abuse
Did they have strict parents or parent ?
Are they sexual sadist or is about inflicting psychological mind games on their victims like Dr. Hannibal Lector ?
Slainte
Alex
Would love to hear more detail this is very intriguing.
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He’s definitely a sexual sadist and takes pleasure in control and perfection, hence the reason why he lives to stage his bodies once done. Here’s a link to a brief portrayal I did a while ago whilst creating him. https://eloiseds.com/2018/03/10/my-killer/
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It certainly sounds busy, Eloise, but rewarding too.
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Very true. Just not enough hours in the day. 😊
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