ProjectREUTSway challenge #4

This week saw the final challenge from Reuts Publications.

One of my guesses for this weeks challenge was correct! Shapeshifters.

It could have featured Werewolves and other Were-Animals, Skin-Walkers, Shape Shifters, Selkies.

The title for this week was Shifty Stories to Read in the Dark. My entry was called SHIFTING SEAS and was based around the story of 'The Fisherman and his Wife' by the Brother's Grimm.

The challenges are now over. Four short stories, in four weeks. I need a lie down!

The Reuts team are busy selecting the stories they will feature in the Anthology. I should know if any of mine made it into the final book by the end of December, so keep your fingers crossed.

As always, here are a few visuals that assisted my story this week.

Melody xxx

ProjectREUTSway challenge #3

This weeks challenge was better for me. I felt a lot happier writing about demons rather than zombies. Some people may argue there's not much difference, and maybe there isn't. But, I still found it easier.

The title for this week was Fairy Tale from Hell. My entry was called THE DEVIL'S MATCH and was based around the story of 'The Little Match Girl' by Hans Christian Andersen.

The few people that have read my entry have asked how can I possibly mange to make them hate angels and love devils. But I did!

One more challenge to go, and we are all guessing what it'll be this coming week. Dragons / shapeshifters / witches?

We'll soon find out.

Here are a few visuals that assisted my story this week.

Melody xxx

ProjectREUTSway Challenge #2

This weeks challenge from ProjectREUTSway was an incredibly difficult one for me. Stepping completely out of my comfort zone I had to write about zombies, mummies or ghosts!

I am no zombie girl, and mummies are not a great kink of mine either, so I tried to write a ghost story. Even that proved a difficult thing, but I did eventually pull something together and sent it off yesterday.

The title for this week was The Ugly Dead. My entry was called BREATH OF DEATH and was based around the story of 'The Twelve Dancing Princesses' by the Brothers Grimm.

Half way through the monthly challenges there are only two more to go. I'm hoping for devils, or demons, and possible dragons. There's a lot of discussion on twitter about shapeshifters as well. Maybe I need to bring Orontes into that one! He is an Oceanid after all.

As always here are a few visuals that helped me along my way with this weeks challenge.

Melody xx

ProjectREUTSway

The first challenge of the ProjectREUTSway was announced last Sunday and the closing date for submissions was last night. The theme for the challenges, running throughout November have to be based on stories published by the Grimm Brothers, Hans Christan Andersen, or any 'fairy' story that has been adapted into a Disney movie.

The title of this weeks challenge was 'Bloody Ever After', and bloodsuckers of some kind had to feature.

I wrote a story called, 'Ugly Beautiful', based on 'The Ugly Duckling', by Hans Christian Andersen. Hopefully it will do well and make it into the final anthology that Reuts Publications will publish. But, there is strong competition out there and I'm sure some excellent stories. We'll just have to wait and see.

If 'Ugly Beautiful' isn't selected for the anthology then I shall publish it on here, and on my website so that you can all have a read.

Those that know me, know I love good visuals when I am writing. There are several pictures featured on Melody Winter Pinterest if you want to see the pictures I used while writing 'Ugly Beautiful'. But here are three that were very inspiring.

Until next week

Melody xxx

 

 

  

Nanovember

Today is the first of November, or in writers circles the start of NaNoWriMo.

Every November writers from across the world sign up in an attempt to write over 50,000 words in a month. It's something I've always thought about doing, but with the pressure of writing the SD series (My own pressure - no one else's) I have never committed to doing it.

Exciting news though. The publishers, Reuts.com, have launched their own mini NaNo. ProjectREUTSaway. This will be a series of weekly challenges that the writer has to conform to and write between 2,000 and 5,000 words each week. I have signed up for this - there's no commitment to write each week - so we shall see how it goes.

On the SD front - I am 25% through my estimated word count for Sachael Delusions, the third book in the series. There is so much happening in this book - new species, and the death of two major characters. Who? When? Why?

Just to keep everyone happy - here's a picture of Azariah. Sweet dreams.

Melody xxx

On-line

I wanted to start this month with a visual that I have had taken rather a lot of inspiration from this week. I'm currently writing the third book in the series and a certain Sachael has become the focus of attention - this is who I picture when I write.

 

 

There is such a lot happening for me at the moment. Things seem to have stepped up a gear or two in the last week, and that's mainly thanks to people I'm meeting through my twitter account.

I never used to have a twitter account. I shied away from it. I didn't understand it and never wanted to. That was until I was forced to have a serious think about my on-line presence. Websites, Blogs, facebook, twitter, Pinterest, tumbler ARGHHHH! It was all too much.

I took the plunge with my website and claimed the name of the blog you are currently reading even though I had no intention of using it for some time. It just felt safer to have it ready and waiting.

How things have changed. My followers on twitter are growing steadily, I have a blog that I will continue to post on every Friday, I have a facebook account (That, I admit, I very rarely visit) And just this week, I set up a Pinterest for Sachael Dreams. I am still holding back on tumbler.

It's easy to think that nobody bothers to read what I write, tweet or post, but I have come to the conclusion that if only a handful of people read my ramblings then I'm reaching someone. Maybe the day will come when I get inundated with people following or commenting or looking my name up, but I'm not here for that. I'm here for people to follow my writing journey. Each and everyone of you that I talk to, interact with and generally freak out with is important. You are part of my journey and touch me with your words and suggestions. You all know who you are, but I want to thank you here. Barbara, Krystel, Claire, Denise, Summer, and last but not least the people who are REUTS.

Links:

Melody Winter Website

Pinterest - Sachael Dreams

Melody Winter Twitter

REUTS

Autumn

It certainly feels like autumn has arrived here. The weather has turned colder than it was a few weeks ago and the last glimmers of sunshine seem to have very limited appearances.

There's something about this time of year though that makes it feel special. The chilly mornings are mixed with dampness in the air and a hint of the winter to come, but when it's not raining there is a peaceful 'waiting' moment; a time of year when nature prepares itself. The colours of autumn are all around us: reds, oranges, burnt browns and occasional hints of green. Berries adorn nearly every tree you look at and contrast with the blue or even grey skies above.

I was able to see some of my photographer friends photos this week; ones she took at Ravenscar. I wanted to show you a couple of the ones she took of my favourite area of Yorkshire - the beach at Stoope Beck, and the mermaids tables at the foot of Ravenscar. In the picture at the bottom of the 600ft cliffs (which we climbed down!) you can see how large the mermaids tables are - it's always a surprise when people see the size of them!

 

 

I've just got back  from Ravenscar. My friends and I had an amazing time. Ravenscar never ceases to deliver! The scenery is stunning, and each time I visit I uncover another secret walkway that has remained hidden from me on previous trips. This time we ventured down to the barn that is clearly visible from the top of Ravenscar. I had always imagined this building to be where Estelle lived, and the apprehension I felt as we approached it was crazy. I don't know what I expected - Estelle to walk out of the door? We also braved the dizzy height of the cliff face at Ravenscar, and headed down the 600ft drop to the bottom. We were rewarded with the company of several seals and a fierce outgoing tide. The mermaids tables gradually uncovered themselves as we waited for the tide to show us their position, although our impatience left us with wet feet as surges of water caught us out many times!

 

September is always a strange month for me. The cold mornings, but regular sunny skies always remind me of Ravenscar. This year is no different. At the end of the month I will be taking my yearly trip to Ravenscar for a long writing weekend. Even though the third book, which I have just started writing, is not based in this remote town, I still feel closer to Estelle and Azariah while walking around the cliff tops and rocky stretches of beach.

I'm constantly  surprised by the beauty of the place as it changes through the seasons, although I have yet to see it when the fog covers the top of the cliffs or when snow blankets the ground. I imagine the fog would make the whole town very eerie, but the snow, by contrast, would make it stunning.

I was recently contacted by someone on twitter who alerted me to a feature film he would be making in Ravenscar - a thriller. Obviously this is something far away from the genre of Sachael Dreams, but it was exciting to discover that someone else has obviously seen the visual potential that Ravenscar offers.  With the excitement came a little bit of jealousy as well. I feel that Ravenscar is mine - a place where my characters live - not a man featured in a thriller. It's strange how attached I have become to the place in such a short passing of time.

Just in case anyone has forgotten - THIS is Ravenscar in the background.

First news

 

At last, I can announce that the Melody Winter blog is now operational.

So, just to begin with - here is a little bit of information regarding the 'Mine' series.

The second novel in the series, Sachael Desires, is currently being written. There are five books in the series which will take you on a roller-coaster of a ride, surprise you with their twists and turns, and hopefully have you falling in love with the main characters. There will be an influx of new creatures, names and places that, even though based in real life, will take on their own meaning in the books as my imagination weaves them into the stories.

I hope you will join me on what promises to be a wonderful and exciting journey.

I also have a website: www.melodywinterbooks.webs.com On the website you will be able to sign up as a member, and receive monthly updates on the progress of Sachael Dreams. As one of the first members to join the site you will receive priority information about events and news concerning the eventual publishing of any Melody Winter books.

~oOoOo~