"FUIMUS - We Have Been"

"FUIMUS - We Have Been!" motto of Clan Bruce


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Sunday 23 January 2022

BOOK NOOK; Write It All Down by Cathy Rentzenbrink


"Let me tell you a secret about my writing. I have wanted to write books for as long as I knew what one was. I have spent my whole life immersed in books and reading. I make sacrifices for writing."

As an author, I have read a lot of books about writing over the years, from the beginner books that tell you how to set out your work and submit to publishers, to the ones that promise you will have a novel in less than a few months, with an agent and publisher not far behind.  

I have found some writing books to be condescending, with the author assuming that all their readers are completely unpublished, and others to be wildly optimistic about one's chances of getting a full-length manuscript picked up. Some books promise best-seller lists and awards, while others sap away the reader's enthusiasm from the start with statistics on the slim odds of getting a publishing deal.  

When I heard that Cathy Rentzenbrink was going to release a book about writing, I was thrilled, largely because of how much I had enjoyed her previous book Dear Reader, which I read as part of my MA in Creative Writing.  Cathy was one of our guest lecturers, giving one of the most useful classes of the whole course.  I found her to be warm, friendly and extremely funny.  I liked her immensely.  She is very down to earth and this comes across in both her writing and teaching style.  As I sat in her class last year, I found myself wishing that she was a permanent member of our faculty staff, because her lecture was so fun and informative.

Luckily, she has now shared her teaching tips, tricks and professional know-how in her new book Write It All Down.  Like Dear Reader, I read this book in one sitting. Although it is centered around writing memoirs, the information Cathy shares is useful for all forms of writing. The book is structured in four parts, which collectively guide you from the very early stages of discovering your theme, to the final act of polishing the last edit. The book features writing prompts throughout.

For me, reading this book was like stepping back to my time as an MA student and taking part in her class again.  I recognized some of the tools in the book from her lecture and it was lovely to revisit them in a more relaxed manner, without the pressure of assignments hanging over me.  I could simply enjoy the teachings and the memory of that class. 

In a way, Write It All Down is like a special souvenir of my MA days, now that my graduation has taken place and I am back in the world of writing books again myself.  I can revisit that class whenever I want to, just by picking up this book.  It also means that you too can enjoy a taste of what I experienced on the MA as well, without the pressure or expense of going to university - you can read Cathy's book to benefit from the same level of teaching.  

It's a book that will challenge you to explore your motivations for writing, while encouraging you to write authentically and trust your own voice. It will make you laugh out loud and tap into your courage as you find your place upon the page. It will gently persuade you to show yourself, warts and all.  As if all that wasn't enough, the book ends with a tour of Cathy's writerly bookshelf and tons of top tips from dozens of other well known authors. 

Write It All Down is a book that should be on every writer's bookshelf, and whether you write for yourself or for publishers, it is a fantastic primer and a source of valuable inspiration for writers of all levels.  It has earned a permanent place in my study and now sits snuggly alongside Dear ReaderHappy Reading and Writing!

Marie x

AD: This book was sent to me by the publisher for review purposes.  It is available now in hardcover and digital formats. 


Wednesday 12 January 2022

SILVER SIREN; SAS: Red Notice

 


I have just finished watching a fabulous film on Amazon Prime called SAS: Red Notice.  It's not the kind of film I would normally watch. In fact it's the kind of film women often sit through just because their boyfriend wants to see it.  All I can say is, Sam Heughan made me do it! I've had a thing for him ever since I fell for him as Jamie Fraser in Outlander. I also have a Sam Heughan calendar for this year and he is smoking hot on every page - he will put a spark in all my days! 

So, when I saw that he was playing the lead character in this film, which is based on a novel by Andy McNab, I thought it was an interesting combination and I was curious.  I wasn't disappointed at all.  It's a fantastic story! The plot is something I'd never even considered as a possibility - the hijacking of the Channel Tunnel by a gang of baddies - who even guessed that could be a thing? Well, apparently Andy McNab has seen it coming and it is not pretty! The off-duty SAS guy Tom, (aka my one true love Jamie Fraser!) has to sweep on in and rescue everyone, including his future wife. So it's a high stakes plot and the film moves along at a good pace.

Sadly, we don't get to see Sam Heughan bear-chested and dripping in the water, but he is running around in a black leather jacket for most of the film and he also has quite a sexy water-drinking moment, which I greatly appreciated. Also, he is acting in an English accent, rather than his native Scots, plus his hair is short, not the long luscious locks we dream of running our fingers through - but hey, it's still Sam, running around playing the hero and protecting his girlfriend, so what's not to like?

I loved every minute of the film and I am totally surprised by that, as conflict films are not really my thing. I'm more of a period drama girl to be honest. But this is the second time that Andy McNab has pleasantly surprised me - first with his non-fiction books that I have reviewed here and here on my blog, and now this.  It has made me want to read some of his novels, which I have always avoided as I thought they might be too gory for me, but if the film is anything to go by, it's more about big explosions, than soldiers losing limbs, which is good.  I can cope with that. So I might download the book too. Alas, it's unlikely to have Jamie Fraser on the cover, but at least now I can imagine the sexy Sam in the role as I read the book in bed at night 😏

It's a fab film, Sam is sexy as hell, and you should definitely watch it, even though it's a movie for men. Enjoy - I certainly did! 

Marie x

Tuesday 11 January 2022

MUSICAL DOLL; Music for the Wolf Moon

 


January marks the time of the Wolf Moon, which falls on the 17th of this month.  After the hectic festive season, I always like to think of January as holding a quieter kind of magic.  It is a time to bunker down from the cold weather, eating hearty foods which keep out the chill and toasting your toes by the fire. It is a time to keep the wolf at bay. 

The Wolf Moon reminds us that scarcity can snap at your heels if you do not make provisions for the lean times. There is an old saying 'the wolf is at the door', which means that want, hunger and poverty are being keenly felt.  It has been a time of great hardship for many during the pandemic, so the message of the wolf moon is even more poignant.  Fill the cupboards, light the fire and wait out the winter months, which have only just begun. Better times will come. 

In the past, wolves would venture closer to villages at this time of year in search of food. If hunting was not providing enough sustenance for the pack, they would resort to scavenging from humans.  This gave rise to the belief that they would snatch children and babies - which might not be far from the truth.  Any infant or small animal would have been an easy target for a hungry wolf! But they are not evil creatures.  Quite the contrary, for wolves are loving, loyal pack members, who maintain family groups and work together for the survival of the pack as a whole.  They are extremely intelligent and courageous animals.  

Having no natural predator, wolves are at the very top of the food chain. Humans require traps and weapons to kill a wolf, so even we are no match for this magnificent creature. I have heard that wolves are being reintroduced to certain parts of the Scottish Highlands, in a re-wilding program and I hope that this is true.  I would love to meet a lone wolf on my rambles there but I don't think I'd want to meet a whole pack at once!  It is lovely to think that the Highlands might soon be even more vibrant with the sound of howling wolves! I would dearly love to hear that.  I'll have to keep my ears open when I'm up in the Highlands this autumn. You never know your luck!


In the meantime, I have discovered a couple of beautiful albums from New World Music that perfectly capture the spirit of the wolf and the energies of the wolf moon. The first is called The Wolfstone by Medwyn Goodall.  This is an enchanting album! It has strong Celtic vibes. In some ways it reminds me of the soundtrack for season one of Outlander, which I love!  It has that same quality of sound, with Uillean pipes and drums, so if you like the Outlander music then you will probably enjoy The Wolfstone too.  

It is the kind of album that gets you up and moving, so it's good for cleaning and organizing the house, or for rearranging your altar and sorting through your magical supplies.  There are some stunning tracks on this album, but my favourite ones are Shield Maiden, Northbound and The River Folk, which I must say, is the perfect track for dancing with a Highlander! 


The second album is called White Wolf Spirit by Wychazel and this one is more of a shamanic journeying type of album.  It makes me think of Native American Indians, with the male chanting and the rattles.  It is a lovely album, very good for more meditative work, spell casting, dream work, journaling, yoga etc.  I would say that this album is one that you can play in the background while you are busy crafting art, or Witch-Crafting. If you have a thing for American Indians, this one will be right up your street. 

Both these albums are ideal soundtracks for the Wolf Moon Esbat, so if you are planning a gathering or a special ritual then, either one would provide the right sort of atmosphere. Personally, I prefer The Wolfstone and that is the album I will be playing on the night of the wolf moon later this month as I cast out my intention spells for the year ahead.

Until next time, enjoy the Wolf Moon and all that the cold season has to offer!
Blessed Be
Marie x