Here is another Blog from Turkey called Post Cards from Istanbul. But the actual site can be found at pointwhitedrive.wordpress.com and the writer has a cloud list of words related to Turkey. One phrase caught my mind Night Life in Istanbul. Okay readers, what do we think we'll find here? Yes, of course clubs and more clubs One of the clubs called Quick China looks very modern and romantic, dark and cavernous.
Showing posts with label British. Show all posts
Showing posts with label British. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 1, 2021
Turkey Comes to Trin Carl's Blog
Here is another expat blog, aysulove.com This woman is writing from Turkey. She has a montage of beautiful city pictures of Turkey in her cover page and she has a post called Ex-Pats the TV show. I like how she describes herself in her blog A married girl married and living in Turkey for 3 years, sadness to happiness. Here you will hear about the struggles and high points of living in another culture, learning the new ways to cook, speak, make friends along with many more. Now I really thought I heard it all when it comes to reality shows but here we go folks another show to add to your list. She posts a link of where you can find the show on her page aysulove.com/2014/01/19/ex-pats-the-tv-show-2/ .
Tuesday, July 30, 2019
British writer M.J. Perry
Today I'm interviewing British, Romance writer M.J. Perry who is a full time wife, mother, reader of romance and now an author. She has a love for happy endings so she decided to try her hand at writing her own. You can get contact M.J. on facebook and twitter.
I love writing. I like the thought of becoming a best-selling author, doesn’t every author? But honestly I just write for myself and hope that whoever reads my stories will enjoy them as much as I do.
So M.J...what are your ambitions for your writing career?
I love writing. I like the thought of becoming a best-selling author, doesn’t every author? But honestly I just write for myself and hope that whoever reads my stories will enjoy them as much as I do.Saturday, May 25, 2019
My Main Objective: Blog Search
2.tikichris.com/ is an expat blog from London. Now if you know anything about London you know that it has very Chic businesses. Chris has a post called London Daily Photo: High Street and it features a post on what I presume to be clothing store with a black manikin in a white slim fitting dress. What I love about London is that they got all these old school shops juxtaposed with neat organized merchandise.
Friday, January 11, 2019
Buttermilk Butter Berry Crumb Cake
Its hard to find blogs that really strike you but I think I found one today
www.mowielicious.com/ . This blog is really the most elaborate, most detailed, most gorgeous dessert baking blog I came across today. Mowie Kay, the writer, out does himself with huge handmade food houses made out of cashews, walnuts and dried fruits, as well as coffee cakes and loafs of bread. Mowie Kay is a travel photographer which obviously adds to his delightful food writing posts. His posts are published in magazines across London and beyond and you can tell why: shimmering gold touches are added to platters and spreads. Colorful holiday backgrounds to add to the setting he's trying to establish in her pictures.
www.sproutedkitchen.com, I like this blog because along with the beautiful pictures of sprouts and beat salad recipes are long, extensive stories that describe the writer's life outside of just cooking. I walk away feeling like I'm with the writer, Sara Forte, on her journey to and fro her relative's homes, to her favorite shops to buy the food for her famous recipes, to get-togethers with her friends, and thinking about her loved one's who are sick. Here is a recipe called Buttermilk Butter Berry Crumb Cake
Tuesday, March 14, 2017
British writer Dacarri Buchelli
With us today is British Fantasy Novelist, Daccari Buchelli. Aspergers Syndrome made it difficult for him to identify with his peers, thus Daccari often felt lonely until he picked up a book. His thoughtful words can be found on twitter and goodreads.
On onto the interview...
Let's get down to the nitty-gritty, what have you written?
Let's get down to the nitty-gritty, what have you written?
I have written various novels and novellas over the past six years, though at present I have only published one, a fantasy novel entitled Phoenix. I frequently write blogs and the occasional bit of poetry online, but am hoping to release a second novel later this year.
Which writers inspire you?
Terry Goodkind and J. K. Rowling have been such inspirations to me. Both focus on the Fantasy genre, though their target audiences vary from one another.
Goodkind creates epic fantasy novels that sport graphic violence and fierce magical beings, while Rowling has a softer touch with stories that could delight a person of any age. The style and determination of these two authors has sustained me throughout my own writing experience.
You'll probably be shocked to read this but this is the first time I've heard of Terry Goodkind. I'll add him to my authors to read.
Dacarri, what are your ambitions for your writing career?
I would like for my work to be an inspiration to someone, so that they may seek out their own dreams and strive to fulfill them. Sure, like most writers, I would love to reach best seller status one day, but being at the start of my professional career, I know that's unlikely to happen any time soon. For me, as long as my work leaves a positive mark on the world, then I have achieved what I set out to do.
I would like for my work to be an inspiration to someone, so that they may seek out their own dreams and strive to fulfill them. Sure, like most writers, I would love to reach best seller status one day, but being at the start of my professional career, I know that's unlikely to happen any time soon. For me, as long as my work leaves a positive mark on the world, then I have achieved what I set out to do.
Which writers inspire you?
Terry Goodkind and J. K. Rowling have been such inspirations to me. Both focus on the Fantasy genre, though their target audiences vary from one another.
Goodkind creates epic fantasy novels that sport graphic violence and fierce magical beings, while Rowling has a softer touch with stories that could delight a person of any age. The style and determination of these two authors has sustained me throughout my own writing experience.
You'll probably be shocked to read this, but this is the first time I've heard of Terry Goodkind. I'll add him to my authors to read.
You'll probably be shocked to read this, but this is the first time I've heard of Terry Goodkind. I'll add him to my authors to read.
Dacarri, what are your ambitions for your writing career?
I would like for my work to be an inspiration to someone, so that they may seek out their own dreams and strive to fulfil them. Sure, like most writers, I would love to reach best seller status one day, but being at the start of my professional career, I know that's unlikely to happen any time soon. For me, as long as my work leaves a positive mark on the world, then I have achieved what I set out to do.
I would like for my work to be an inspiration to someone, so that they may seek out their own dreams and strive to fulfil them. Sure, like most writers, I would love to reach best seller status one day, but being at the start of my professional career, I know that's unlikely to happen any time soon. For me, as long as my work leaves a positive mark on the world, then I have achieved what I set out to do.
What are you currently working on and what is it about?
I am currently working on two separate novels. One, Book Two of The Peradon Fantasy Series, leads off five years after the events of Book One and sees Queen Violetta Flame journey the four realms of Peradon in order to save that which is most precious to her, her daughter, Elinor.
The other novel I'm working on is a bit different from my usual work. It's a thriller aimed at those aged sixteen and up. The main character, Evylia Wilde, has been plagued by strange dreams since the night her parents disappeared fifteen years ago.
At Seventeen years of age, she begins to make a startling connection that there is more to these dreams than meets the eye. Evylia (whom I also refer to as Evy) is a strong willed young woman and it is a pleasure to be able to work with her, even if she is a fictional character.
What drew you to write in this genre?
What drew you to write in this genre?
I suppose I was first drawn to fantasy because of the kind of books my sister read. She did most of the reading in our family home and so I often got handed her books once she had finished with them. Some of her favourite authors were Phillip Pulman, Garth Nix, and Kelly Armstrong, so naturally I began to read quite a lot of Fantasy and quickly developed a taste for it.
For your own reading, do you prefer e-books or traditional paper/hard back books?
I'm a bit fickle when it comes to reading. While I do love the convenience of being able to travel and read with an e-reading device, there is nothing that compares to actually holding a print book in your hands and turning every crisp page. The smell of real paper, particularly old library books, is astounding and I could never part from my paperback books. As for a preference, I don't think I have one. I adore both of these ways of reading.
Do you think that the cover plays an important part in the buying process?
Do you think that the cover plays an important part in the buying process?
Definitely. Your book cover can make or break it for potential readers. It is the first thing they see and if it catches their eye, then its much more likely that they'll want to read the synopsis. Personally, if I don't like a books cover but if the premise intrigues me, I would prefer to purchase the e-book version, but if the cover grabs me from the get go, then I feel like I have to have a print copy.
In addition to this, your cover style will play a crucial role in drawing in your target audience. If the cover looks more cartoonish than anything else, then you're more likely to draw in parents with children, than you would other audiences.
I saw that you also do reviews on your blog and some of the books have fantastic book covers including God's Rogue by Kevin S. Chambers.
I saw that you also do reviews on your blog and some of the books have fantastic book covers including God's Rogue by Kevin S. Chambers.
What would you say are the main advantages and disadvantages of self-publishing against being published or the other way around?
Publicity tends to be somewhat difficult to maintain when self-published. There is a wealth of information online with people advising you on what to do and not do, yet a good portion of what we see on self-publishing blogs is utter rubbish. As a self-publisher, I believe that we as a community are forced to wade through the muck, to try and reach those golden nuggets of advice that we're searching for.
One advantage traditionally published authors appear to have is in not needing to do the main portion of marketing, if any marketing, for their works. There are people behind them that would take care of that.
On the other hand, self-published authors are expected to be Jacks of All Trades, even when most of the online tips we receive do not distinguish the crucial differences between terms such as book marketing and book promotion. We must teach ourselves every step of the complex process that is publishing and simply hope that our research and sacrifices pay off in time.
I do find it somewhat ludicrous that self publishers like myself are expected to be masters of marketing our own work when authors in the traditional sector are not expected to do so. Though I can fully understand and appreciate why there is a difference in expectations, it does demonstrate an unfair prejudice towards self-published authors.
In many ways, they are deemed as less talented and capable than those individuals that have been traditionally published. All I can say (having been a reviewer for many self publishers and Indie Authors) is that the self published works I've read over the past year have been so much more than the traditionally published books I have read. They have possessed a fire in them that has filled my soul with wonder and enjoyment every step of the way. They have taught me new life lessons and helped me to improve upon my own writing skills.
Do you have any advice for other authors on how to market their books?
Yes, I do. To all of the self-publishers or would be publishers out there, the first tip I give you is to sit down and define the difference between marketing and promotion, as well as book publicity. Just by knowing the differences between these core terms, you can make a change to your current efforts and focus on strategies that will actually help to get your book out there.
What part of your writing time do you devote to marketing your book?
What part of your writing time do you devote to marketing your book?
I'd say that I devote a good fifty percent of my time to finding ways of marketing and, or promoting my work. Personally, I wish that I could spend more time writing, but I am hoping that my determination to get my book noticed will pay off.
That's all the time we have today folks. You can get in contact with Dacarri at any of the methods below. Readers, if you have any words for Dacarri please write them in the comments below and I'll see to it he receives them.
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15093628.Daccari_Buchelli
Amazon Author Central: https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B01L5IH3QY
Amazon Author Central: https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B01L5IH3QY
Author website: www.buchellibooks.com
Blog: https://buchellibooksblog.blogspot.co.uk/
Pronoun: https://books.pronoun.com/daccaribuchelli/
Blog: https://buchellibooksblog.blogspot.co.uk/
Pronoun: https://books.pronoun.com/daccaribuchelli/
Email: Daccarim93@yahoo.co.uk
Tuesday, March 7, 2017
Youtube Sensation joins US Today
British Writer Jen Campbell grew up in the north east of England and now lives in London.She is the author The Bookshop book. and the Sunday Times bestselling Weird Things Customers Say in Bookshops series. "So funny. So Sad...Read it and sigh." Neil Gaiman
And onto the interview...
Jen, what are your ambitions for your writing career?
To continue writing books that people (hopefully!) enjoy. I write in many different genres; the next goal on my list is to write a novel.
You also have a channel on youtube. One of your videos, Unusual Narrative Structures, is one that caught my attention. I'd like to give my readers a sense of how your channel is so unique.
In the video you brought up two novels that have unique narrative structure devices: The Secret History by Donna Tartt, where you start in the middle and work out how you get there and The Dumb House by John Burnside, where you start at the end.
You quoted the the first line of The Dumb House:
“No one could say it was my choice to kill the twins no more than it was my choice to bring them into the world.”
Than you described Luke, the narrator, in The Dumb House as someone who is a very dark character who does very unspeakable things but you say he does things with certainty. He says things like: I have to kill this person, like I have to, it’s just obvious to me.
I like how you break down the books you read, and help readers understand them for their literary impact. It’s my opinion that a lot of booktubers could learn from your style.
I can tell that you do a lot of research on each book. You’re NOT just picking up a book and pointing it at the camera and saying "this is why I like this book...blah blah blah. It reminded me of blah, blah blah. I attend to unhaul it the first chance I get... blah blah blah, and move onto the next book."
For your own reading, do you prefer ebooks or traditional paper/hardback books?
I don't read e-books at all.
Do you think that the cover plays an important part in the buying process?
Yes, absolutely. I was a bookseller for ten years so have seen the impact a good cover design can have. You shouldn't judge a book by its cover alone, of course, but there's so much out there and having a beautiful binding can't hurt. It gets people's attention.
I love your book cover for Weird Things Customers say in Bookstores. Pictured is a cartoon character with a question posed to the store clerk:Do you have any books by Jane Eyre?
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| Jen Campbell's novel (pictured above) |
What are your thoughts on good/bad reviews?
I'm not sure if you mean positive or negative, or people reviewing a book in a 'good/bad' way. I think reviewers should be honest in their feelings for a book, whilst respecting those who wrote it. You can be critical about a book without being mean. As for what constitutes a 'good' review, it depends what your goal is. Literary criticism, or a pal recommending something? Both of those have their merits.
What is your favourite movie and why?
A tie between Spirited Away and Shakespeare in Love. The former because it gives me the same warm feelings that Through the Looking Glass does and the latter because I adore Tom Stoppard and intertextuality in equal measure.
What inspires you to get out of bed each day?
I love my job. It's hard work, and I work long hours, but working in a creative industry is inspiring. As a freelancer, my work is also very varied, so that keeps me on my toes.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Keep going.
Last question, what question have you always wanted to be asked in an interview? How would you answer that question?
That's kind of you to ask. I suppose, what drives me to create stories other than a need to write? And this ties in with your first question, too. A lot of my current writing centers around Othering, especially with regard to deformity and disability.
Representation in the media is a subject I'm extremely passionate about. We're making progress in the book world, but I don't think it's happening quickly enough. We've got a lot of ground to cover, and I look forward to the day when ignorant folk don't try and shame members of marginalized groups into feeling grateful for problematic representation.
Last year I was asked to take part in a dating show on TV called 'Too Ugly for Love?' where those with disabilites/deformities are sent on dates and then filmed. I declined. I talk about that more here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3S0igM_5BVA&t=7s
We still have our modern day freak shows, and those who oppose them aren't listened to enough because money and views matter more to the companies in charge. It's not ok, and I hope I'm doing my small part to voice that. I certainly plan to continue to do so.
I totally agree, people who like these shows are often into TV with a voyeuristic bend and often lack the maturity to help themselves.
That’s all the time we have today folks. Contact Jen Campbell at the links below. Readers if you want to suggest any awesome booktubers, please list them in the comments below.
Website: http://www.jen-campbell.co.uk
Writing Workshops: http://www.jen-campbell.co.uk/writing...
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/jenvcampbell
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/jenvcampbell
Facebook: http://tinyurl.com/3o3s4d2
Goodreads: http://tinyurl.com/hs8nxjm
More about Jen
Jen Campbell is a bestselling author, award-winning poet and short story writer. Her non-fiction books include the Weird Things Customers Say in Bookshops series and The Bookshop Book. Her poetry pamphlet The Hungry Ghost Festival is published by The Rialto, and her first children's book, Franklin's Flying Bookshop will be published by Thames and Hudson, summer 2017. She will be announcing the publication of another book very soon. Keep an eye on her Youtube channel for details: www.youtube.com/jenvcampbell Over there, Jen talks about all things books.
Sunday, January 4, 2015
Tuesday, September 30, 2014
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
"The Piano Teacher" by Janice Y.K. Lee
"The Piano Teacher" by Janice Y.K.Lee.The novel opens with a description of Hong Kong:dirty with people everywhere: businessmen from all parts of world, Indians, British and Philippinos, Pakistanis with Pakistani rug stores and lastly, the Chinese.
Lee describes the British and the Chinese their ability easily mingle with one another. And how the fish mongers butcher their fish in an unsanitzed manner, how feculence can be smelled and found in the alley ways of the tallest, high rise buildings.
The plot engages readers in the tell tale story of young newly wed by the name of Clair and her exposure to a brand new culture in Hong Kong. Clair, the piano teacher would come to teach Locket, a young Chinese girl how to play the piano. Clair is initially baffled by the prospect that a Chinese, upper class, family in Hong Kong would be well known in the community. She's surprised that the the family speaks immaculate English and at the parents interest in pushing their daughter, like an animal, to learn the piano.
When Clair asked the mother about whether Locket, the daughter, will be attending school in America, the Chinese mother simply retorts "I don't want to talk about Locket's education, I want to talk about yours."
When Clair becomes infatuated with the family's riches, she decides to take some for her own:stealing a trinket and scarf without being caught by anyone. Unfortunately, the family servant gets fired for stealing the items instead. Clair is once again baffled by the Chinese traits in the home, as the young pianist she teaches seems unruffled at the dispearance of the servant, exclaiming that her mother had always taught her that "all servants steal".
This incident would stick with Clair, putting her on edge in the family's home. Clair would come to have an affair in the novel, masking her obvious unfamiliarity in China with a new sudden interest.
Lee's generalizations of Americans and their over confident zeal, in this novel ,is obvious. But what is even more stunning is how Lee depicts the character of Clair. How could Clair be so unconscious of up-and-coming Chinese super power?
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Sasha and Norbu, One n Two: Oxford Circus
Sasha somehow made it past the walkers and joggers in the square, she could only think of one thing and it was getting back at misty, but for now she would have to battle traffic and traffic seemed to be consumed of bikers in the night...if she thought it was at all possible... police on horse and more police in black helmet hats, how she would get around this mob was something she wandered out loud...she took a chance one in the subway and asked on of the lady officers, "Excuse me Miss, I'm trying to get to this station", and she hurriedly took out her map from the side of her purse, almost ripping it in her haste...the lady police officer looking at her her bemused..and this young girls haste. taking her up and down, as she wore flig flops in tone of the dirtiest subways and a sun dress, and knowing that she'd like to be in the same sort of outfit but instead she was in a tight fitting uniform that just about hid what her brother would call her "FURP", and without lifting out her nightstick, she fumbled for her flashlight, as her eyesight was poor and she wanted to really help this girl in her sundress in the subway..She'd rather direct this poor unfortunate soul in the middle of England's subway system, to the male police officers nearby, why couldn't women just be more assertive and confident, Sasha thought to herself, as she saw the women police officer keep on looking in the direction of the male police officers. They wore the bright yellow vests that were supposed to somehow give them the protection, what protection did they need in a subway? Were they going to be hit by any number of the British who never seemed to even step on your shoes even though they walked 10 miles per hour in the under ground system, faster than any pace they they normally would up hold outside of the subway.
"Alright, well miss you wanna continue down this way?", she said motioning in one direction, "and when u get to this interval you will take a left, its all easy, just follow the signs"... the police women said, as she brushed back a few strands of her hair and looked on ahead.
Dismissively she took the police officers advice, not wanting the women's job whatsoever...she got out of the station and she had a plan..
Her plan was approved by Jenks, she would get money for the school, and she was proud, they would be able to have the kids go to theatre events and they too would find some joy in the theatre, and they might just walk away wanting to entertain people and wanting to take risks like she was... But she felt cheated, she had thought that she would have to work harder for this money...She thought she would have to practice the speech that she had written , the one in her Manila folder, that talked about the stories of this children...and all thoe ones she came across.. the students who told her stories how they were too busy cooking and cleaning for the eight children at ome...how their older sisters and brother were having kids and they were forced to stay home and watch their kids instead of going to college and getting a job of their own...how they managed to do this was unthinkable...
Where would they ever get an interest in the arts? wherever would they dream about something bigger than having huge families of their own one day? Where ever would they get the idea that they would escape north minneapolis and escape the life of getting shot into their homes, wheile their were sleeping, the bullets just coming two feet of their own head. where ever could they get the idea..that they could get out of this station of their life and instead of getting jobs that reinforced the same people who created the mess in their lives they could possibly get jobs that didn't include social work of helping the same people who shot into their home obtain food stamps and benefits...would they get jobs they didn't include them helping domestically abused women...and would they get jobs that helped a different sort of community, a sort of community where people who didn't shoot..
Sasha knew that they questions wouldn't stop bothering her until she finished her career working as a teacher in this city...but she knew that she wasn't no "Dangerous Minds" teacher either...She sat their near the oxford street station on a cement border to help collect her thoughts...she had to wait patiently for a call from Norbu, who was going to meet her..and so she spent that time waiting to peer out at the latest fashions of any passerby. She absolutely loved the cutoffs shorts with leggings look on many of the women, and especially how petite girls could use their petiteness to extenuate the look of their muscular running legs while wearing leggings, their brown satchel crossing their shoulder and their blond hair coming out in cascades of waves underneath a white crotchet hat...she loved this new athleticism the women were showing..this "I had a mission" and you nor I were going to interrupt their mission, as their cell phones held the messages of some lover who also had plans to meet them near oxford circus
"beep beep beep beep. beep beep beep beep" Sasha's phone began to ring from Norbu's call and Sasha escaped behind a an a malls pole to answer the phone, as the phone was so loud, she had yet to not be embarrassed when onlookers heard the phone, for which Sasha felt both embarrassed and rang louder and louder until she answer....almost giving her no choice to answer or at least shut up that loud incriminating sound that came from deep down her coats inner pocket..where she put it half the time was a mystery..she was always in a hurry, and stashed it at the nearest available pocket every time...answering it, she could hear Norbu's insistent voice..
"Are u there?"..Sasha stopped herself from pirouetting knowing that Norbu was impatient when he couldn't reach her, and often wandered how the heck, she still didn't know the trains stops..
"Yes, well here's the plan" she hated to be in Norbu's neck of the woods, where he had full control over whatever plan he made, and she was forced to oblige as it were, she was in central London, and he knew every stop and could easily calculate without a map, just which stops she could take and somehow estimate just how long she would manage to get to the meet up of his choosing..
Earlier post on Sasha
http://trincarl07.blogspot.com/2010/07/can-we-read-something-like-vampires.html
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