A Terrific Time with Technology

Yesterday was my mother’s 80th birthday and since we have family all over the world, and many family in the UK were also unable to travel very far, she was happy to have a quiet celebration at our house. We were wondering how to make a gathering of the select few of six of us extra special when my niece came up with a grand idea.
With only a week to go we emailed family from France, Australia and the UK to ask if they were able to make a quick video for mum. My niece collected them in a folder, amongst photos which were sent and then my mum’s brother and wife, who had only just returned from holiday suggested talking on Skype instead.
Mum had never used Skype before and I had never connected with my aunt and uncle in Sydney on Skype, and so it was a bit nail biting, but at 8pm technology did not let us down and there they were.
Now, mum had not seen her brother for over 14 years and so, as you can imagine, she was quite emotional about it all. They had set the alarm for 5am their time, and so it was wonderful the way it all came together.
After champagne and cake my niece showed all the video clips from France, Australia and the UK: daughter, son-in-law, grandson, nephews, cousins and friends. Mum even tried to speak to them as she did with her brother.
Suddenly our home was full of love for someone very precious to us all!!!!

Jean Batten ~ The Garbo of the Skies by Ian Mackersey ~ A personal book review

It was one of those fortuitous moments when I discovered Ian Mackersey’s biography of one of the pioneer aviators of the early years of long distant flight. which I found on one of my last visits to Ampthill’s bookshop (which is sadly no more) Although the period is outside the research for my current novel, with my kindled interest in early flight I was intrigued to read about a woman who made her name in very much a man’s world. I am also at the beginning of researching for the next!

I was not disappointed. The skill of Ian Mackersey to write a biography with the action, suspense and emotion of the best of novels or films is quite remarkable.

You learn of Jean’s early years and are astounded by her sheer determination, despite relative poverty, to learn to fly, conquer the loneliest of journeys, through sand storms over land and torrential rain over vast dangerous oceans, without so much as a life-jacket (she didn’t have the space in her small Moth or her later Gull) or a radio, (technology existed but her funds did not stretch that far.) The fact that she was ruthless, and on many occasions appeared heartless, did not diminish her amazing skill as an aviator and navigator, with only charts and a torch to guide her way.

Following her world breaking times to fly alone from England to Australia and back again and then on to her homeland, New Zealand, the biography turned into the best example of a private detective novel, where the author and his wife followed Jean’s trail after her disappearance. Giving up was not an option, as they interviewed people who knew Jean in England, Australia, New Zealand, Spain and Majorca. She was an extremely private person, dominated by her mother Ellen throughout her life, and was devastated by her mother’s death. This followed other personal blows of her early but short four years of fame in the early 30′s being brought to an abrupt end; losing the love of her life in a tragic plane crash in Australia and being grounded at the beginning of WW2 and her trusty Gull taken for war use.

Real life is not like a novel. The writer cannot manoeuvre the events to make a neat and happy end and since I did not know what happened to Jean Batten, I was riveted to the last page.

There were a few coincidences which gave me a jolt. Ian informed us that Jean’s plane was once in the Shuttleworth Collection. Since I visit quite regularly I will investigate this and let you know. He also talked to a gentleman who worked for Britannea Airways who actually lives in my village here in Bedfordshire and so I must talk to him too, and finally as an aside Jean Batten visited Guernsey once, albeit briefly!

Anyone who is interested in early aviation or also amazing women in history would enjoy this book.

You can still buy secondhand copies via Amazon although the new copy at £137 is a trifle expensive!

Jean Batten ~ The Garbo of the Skies by Ian Mackersey

Talking to your Readers

Today I am going to share with you my experiences and tips for making contact with potential readers but especially ideas for giving talks about your writing:

On Line Contact

Since the launch of Riduna, like all authors on Social Media today, I have been reaching out to potential readers, and that moment of contact, be it an encouraging tweet or a more in depth e mail, gives me a great deal of pleasure. On line contact is great and the surprises of these responses never fails to give me a lift.
A couple of good examples of this are when I was e mailed by the last lighthouse keeper to live on Les Casquets just off the coast of Alderney, following my blog about the story of the legendary lighthouse keeper’s daughter; and then there was my blog about my favourite book of all time, The Skallagrigg, when Michael Horwood, the author contacted me; but there have been many more, too numerous to mention here.

The ability to connect up with people with similar interests from all parts of the globe is astounding. There are several Alderney born people who have linked up with me from, for example, Canada, New Zealand and Argentina. This leads to colourful and varied tweets about a place we all hold close to our hearts, however far away.

Face to face

Another rewarding area of my promotional work is meeting real people!

Book signings are the obvious ones and I am beginning to work out a schedule for my sequel Ancasta, which will be more comprehensive than my experience with Riduna. It is not only the actual book signings which have an impact here, but mentions of the event in the local newspapers, on the radio and posters in the bookshop. In England be warned. If you ask to put a poster up in the local library they will charge you to do so.

Talks – In the last three years I have also given several talks and once your name is on the network of possible speakers, you soon find that your details are passed on from one group to the next. My talks have included three local libraries in Bedfordshire, two local and thriving ladies groups and a Walk and Talk on Alderney itself.

Last night I was warmly welcomed by the Aragon Ladies in Ampthill. The hour went so quickly and I felt a real rapport with this group. We finished the evening with a little quiz and a feeling that there was much more to tell, which might be saved for another occasion in a couple of years time.

If you are thinking of giving a talk about your writing here are a few pointers:

1. Be prepared. It goes without saying that it’s good to write a script, initially. After making a draft, I feel quite happy with, I always do the following:

- Read it aloud and time myself

- Make a set of prompt cards

- Talk it through with the prompt cards onl

- Never read from a script at the talk

2. Plan a variety of approaches to interact with your audience. For example:

- Start with a brief outline of what you are going to talk about and split it into parts. (This evening I am going to talk about my family history, my research, how I came to write my first novel Riduna and a bit about the island of Alderney itself……….

- Ask questions of the audience (Who likes Historical Fiction? Has anyone visited Alderney? This gets them engaged with you. Has anyone been to one of my talks before? is a good one! If they have, maybe you will have the confidence to adlib and change your approach a little, or adapt your content.

- Always say at the beginning how you would like questions. Are you happy with interruptions during the talk? Would you like them to put their hand up? Will you give time for questions at the end or also half way through? (This option breaks the talk somewhat, and adds variety, but I usually say that I’m used to interruptions teaching 16 to 19 yr olds, so don’t stand on ceremony and ask questions whenever you wish to – within reason, of course!)

- You could plan a short quiz with a prize of a chocolate bar or two. If I do this I ask them to stand up at the end, because I’m not going to mark them all myself, then, as I give out the answers, people sit down if they get an answer wrong. It’s a bit of fun and your audience has been patiently listening to you for about 45 minutes by then, so I usually find they like to stretch their legs!

3. To Power Point or not to Power Point, that is the question! I asked writers their opinion on this matter before my first talk and had a wide variety of responses at either pole of the argument. Some said that it was distracting and others said it was extremely helpful to give a visual impact. Personally, I found it really useful as a visual and verbal prompt, but then I only used pictures, photos and key words and phrases. That’s all I needed to keep on track. The last two talks have not had the facilities and so I must admit being a bit more nervous without this prop. After all, the only thing the audience was now looking at was myself! Last night though, I had got in my stride and it went very well, so I’m happy either way. It’s up to you. If the facilities are available you can decide.

4. Give yourself some quiet time before the talk. Usually my talks have taken place on my writing days, but last night it was after a full day’s work. I rushed home, threw something in the oven for tea, my husband loaded the car with my things, which I’d got ready the day before, I washed, changed and dashed out of the house. Luck had it that I arrived fifteen minutes early and so sat in the quiet of the car park gathering my thoughts. Those minutes were so precious and put me in the right frame of mind for the evening ahead.

5.  Always try to finish as if there is more to come and maybe they’ll invite you back in a couple of years’ time. Not too soon though!

6.  Try to mingle afterwards and chat, giving people time to ask questions in a more casual manner.

7. Should you make time for a book signing? This is your personal preference again, but I see these talks as an opportunity to get to know people and to reach an audience rather than as hard sell. If you do have a book signing then it might be polite to ask the organiser beforehand if they think it is appropriate. You may find that, if it is advertised as a talk and book signing, some might be put off. I don’t know. But if you advertise a book signing locally later on, your audience will now know who you are and might be prompted to come.

8. Always have promotional material handy. Free bookmarks with your website details on them are great and people pick up leaflets if you leave them out. I always have Alderney brochures out as well and joke about my talk as a promotion of the island in disguise which causes amusement. These are usually snapped up at the end which is great.

9. Don’t forget that you are usually paid for giving the talk, including travel expenses if appropriate. I usually ask for the minimum, because I gain so much pleasure out of the occasions, but you can usually negotiate.

10. All it takes is dropping in to your local library, or researching to find out the phone numbers of various groups which are usually advertised by posters in local supermarkets. As I said earlier, once you have given a successful talk, you will find your name is passed around and people contact you too.

Have you any tips for writers thinking about giving talks? Let me know and

good luck!

Harriet Quimby ~ First woman to fly across the English Channel in 1912 ~ another 100yr old flying fact

I am just reading a biography of Jean Batten, one of the famous female world aviators of the early thirties and fascinating it is too, but it got me thinking about the pioneers in the era of my second novel, Ancasta (out very soon.) Although I have no women flying in my novel, I do have women whose roles in life change without recognition, due to their personal circumstances and also the aftermath of World War One.

Thus I was excited to discover Harriet Quimby, the first woman to fly over the English Channel, who did so as early as April 2012 and, since her birthday was in May, I think a blog to celebrate her life is appropriate.

An Amercian and already a screen writer of silent movies, she passed her  pilot’s test in August 1911 in the USA. The Wiki biography of her is brief, but it does say that she gained little media attention for her achievement, due to the devastating news of the sinking of the Titanic at the same time. Taking only 59minutes for the journey from Dover to Calais, I feel her achievement is all the more remarkable since it was a matter of only eight months after her success in gaining her pilot’s licence and she had travelled over the Atlantic for the successful attempt.

What strikes me about the characters of these early aviators is their single minded determination to break records or rise to the next challenge. Their challenges appeared to totally dominate every moment of their lives and, although each appeared to be ruthless, to the exclusion at times of others and any sense of a normal life, you could not help but admire them greatly!

I found a group who have already celebrated Harriet’s achievement, incidentally the namesake of my primary character in my novel Riduna, Women of Aviation, and so if you’d like to know more it is worth checking out.

 

It’s just a ‘Wet Bank Holiday Monday’ sung to the tune of ‘Pleasant Valley Sunday!’ or making a novel memorable

The Monkees song ‘Pleasant Valley Sunday’ was rolling around my head but more the tune to words ‘It’s just a wet bank holiday Monday!’ At this point I would like to pay a tribute to Davey Jones who died at the relatively young age of 66 years in March this year.

I admit it. I was a member of the Monkees Club when I was very little. That dates me doesn’t it and it prompted me to browse on the internet for the rest of the real lyrics and I was taken aback by the timeless nature of verse two:

‘See Mrs. Gray, she’s proud today
Because her roses are in bloom,
And Mr. Green, he’s so serene,
He’s got a TV in every room.

Another pleasant valley Sunday,
Here in Status Symbol Land,
Mothers complain about how hard life is,
And the kids just don’t understand.
Creature comfort goals, they only numb my soul,
And make it hard for me to see.
Ahhh…thoughts all seem to stray to places far away,
I need a change of scenery.’

If you’d like to read the whole song click on this link:

Lyrics

Wow, what a pertinent message from what I considered to be a frivolous pop band. Isn’t that what a lot of people are striving for today; moving away from ‘Status Symbol Land’ towards something more worthwhile?

The wonderful thing, and sometimes irritating, about a catchy tune is the fact that we cannot get it out of our heads and even more amazing, years later, sometimes we still remember all the words too. Mind you it could be a person, time or place which triggers the memory.

How many novels stand the test of time in the same way? Of course there are the classic we are all introduced to at school but how many others. I could count on two hands those novels which have made such an impact on me that I could call them unforgettable and those are the ones I like to keep and they are not necessarily well known, they just met a particular need at the time. Like songs too, their messages often stand the test of time.

How can we as authors strive to achieve this impossible feat?

1. Writing the best written novel we can. Goes without saying.
2. Writing a series perhaps.
3. Linking a story to a particular setting so that the place stirs memories of the novel and characters for the reader.- ~ a good holiday read maybe
4. A unique plot line.

What do you think? How are you striving to achieve the impossible?

What can I remember about ‘Pleasant Valley Sunday’?

1. The Monkees sang it.

2. ‘Charcoals burning everywhere’ and

3. ‘no one seems to care’

Not bad I suppose for a song frm the ’60′s’!

May 1912 The RFC was born ~ Another 100 Year Old Flying Fact!

In May 1912, one hundred years ago, The Royal Flying Corps was born, serving both the army and navy of the day. It took a while for the military to take these new air machines seriously, known as aeroplanes by that time. Up until then many in the military would not consider the potential of this relatively new, and still flimsy, mode of transport. They were looked upon as frivolous toys for the rich and famous, who had too much time and money on their hands to fritter away for pleasure and thrills. To put this in perspective, it was only nine years since the Wright Brothers’ first powered flight. Pretty amazing!

It became impossible to ignore the increasing skills of the pilots of the day, as exciting feats in aerial acrobatics hit the press. You can read in more detail on the following link, about the first pilot, a Frenchman called Adolphe Pegoud who, in 1912, performed a ‘loop the loop’ and also flew upside down, much to the astonishment of all who witnessed the act.

History of Aviation by James Watkins

A detailed history of the conception of the Royal Flying Corps can be found on many blogs and also Wikipedea , but what interests me is the affect it had on the area of my research; in Hampshire,  Southampton Water and the Solent.

Firstly, The Royal Flying Corps’ 1st squadron were based at Farnborough in Hampshire, originally famous for its Air Balloon factory.

Secondly, in my last blog I talked about The Naval Review in 1912 and the first flight off a moving ship. The annual Naval Review, a red letter event in the calender of Portsmouth and the surrounding area, would no longer be a time when the prowess of the naval fleet took all the limelight, since now the flying power of the navy began to steal the show. 

The first waterplane to take off in the UK was in November 1911 from Lake Windermere, Cumbria, and so it was not surprising that the Solent area was just a few months behind when in 1912 that the first “Waterplane“took off from Hamble, Hampshire, sponsored by the Daily Mail.

Aeroplane factories were springing up all over the country, especially with the endorsement of the military, and the shed, which was built in order to assemble and house the waterplane at Hamble Point, beside the Hamble River, where the aircraft made a successful test flight in early July 1912, was Luke and Co Ltd and Hamble Engineering.

The Solent area was certainly a key military location for the UK. It was on the coast for patrols and cross channel flights and was a significant strategic area for the  army, with the Victorian Palmerstone Fortresses guarding this part of the coastline. Then, of course, there was Portsmouth, the long established naval base.

This was truly an  exciting period in the history of this region, and more is yet to come.  

May 1912 Amazing Flying Facts

On our way home from Cornwall I was enthusiastic to visit the Fleet Air Arm Museum at RNAS Yeovilton in Somerset. As I explained in my talk last Monday, I never imagined I’d become a ‘flying boat’ anorak, but I was so excited to see models of the first ever aircraft carriers during World War One.

Did you know that the first pilot in the world to take off from a moving ship was in May 1912, which is why this post is scheduled to go out a day later than usual?

Forget about the jets which zoom of aircraft carriers today, (if we had any,) and try to imagine the flimsy air machines from back in those days. Yes, it was an amazing feat of daring on the part of the pilot and advanced engineering skills on the part of the designer, don’t  you think?

Commander Samson flew a Short pusher amphibian bi plane, that’s one that floats on the water as well as fly to the uninitiated, from the battleship HMS Hibernia just off the coast of Portland, Dorset. This happened during the Naval Review in May 1912 and must have been quite a spectacular sight to all who witnessed the event. In fact, so impressed was King George V that Commander Sampson dined with him on board his royal yacht the Victoria and Albert.

Returning to the museum, I was also pleased to see the Supermarine Walrus, restored to its original glory, though I’m not sure whether it is airworthy. Does anyone know? This was designed by the famous RJ Mitchel, who, of course, designed the Spitfire and it was built in 1939 in Woolston, Southampton.