A NIGHT FILLED WITH MUSIC

The competition to find the top choir in Kent last Saturday was incredible – singers of all ages sang songs ranging from religious, gospel, folk, show-stoppers to haunting love songs from countries like Africa, effervescent songs from Spain through to pure Georgian chants. It was a true celebration of music and will linger in my mind for ever. 

The winners from St. Edmund's School sang with a superb purity of sound and their singing was achingly beautiful. The audience sat in silence for a few moments after they sang, then everyone burst in loud applause.  

What a talented group of young people to listen to. It gives me hope for the future when the future will be populated by people capable of making so many people happy.

THE NIGHT BEFORE THE SNOW

When I woke up this morning the world had turned white. A flurry of snow swirled past my window and dusted the leaves on the trees. Just like a Christmas card I thought, but it is nearly April and here in the UK, we are still caught in winter.

Tonight I am singing in a competition in Canterbury and I’m wondering if I can drive my car to the venue.  Our choir practiced for hours last night; the night before the snow and it was joyous. One of the songs we are singing comes from Tanzania. We are singing it in Swahili and the words are beautiful in both the following languages.  

Malaika

Angel
Malaika, nakupenda Malaika.

Angel, I love you Angel.
Malaika, nakupenda Malaika.

 Angel, I love you Angel.
Nami nifanyeje, kijana mwenzio?

And I, your young lover, what can I do?
Nashindwa na mali sina, we,

Was I not defeated by the lack of fortune.
Ningekuoa Malaika.

I would marry you Angel.
Nashindwa na mali sina we,

Was I not defeated by the lack of fortune,

Malaika , Ningekuoa Malaika.

I would marry you Angel.

WRITING & TEA-LEAVES

There are many reasons why people become writers. In my case it was tea-leaves.  Very strange, but true. My Welsh grandmother used to read the tea-leaves for the entire neighbourhood when I was a child. I grew up thinking she was clairvoyant, until the bubble burst and I realized she was a weaver of wondrous tales. I too am a weaver of tales.  Writing is as important to me as breathing. 

As some of you know if you’ve been reading my blog, this year has been a thrilling one for me as my psychological thriller “THE DAY OF THE SWANS” has become a finalist in the People’s Book Prize.

I do hope you will read the book and tell me what you think of it. Writers need feed-back.

IDEAS FOR NOVELS

                                                                 A FATAL FACADE

 

The idea for my forth-coming crime thriller came from discovering that for hundreds of years the Catholic church allowed abandoned babies [ usually illegitimate ] to be left in a small wheel in a room in the walls of convents in Italy. The anonymous mother then rang a bell and the wheel was moved around so that the baby was brought inside the convent and was eventually adopted. Isn’t that amazing? What’s even more amazing is that this practice is still continuing today!

TALENT AND TENACITY

 

I've just been emailing a fellow Celt in Scotland. I love the country as its wild ruggedness reminds me of Wales where I grew up. [Around the corner from Dylan Thomas but many years separated us.] I spent many hours as a teenager reading his poetry in Cwmdonkin Park where he wrote  “The Hunchback In The Park” and spent many other hours trying to imitate his poetic style; the results were appallingly bad.

 

You’ll be glad to know that my writing has improved a great deal since then and to prove it, my 6th novel, a crime thriller called A FATAL FACADE is being published in June. 

 

I hope you like the cover; I think it's great.

 

 

 

It’s a hard struggle to become a published writer, especially for someone who was told in school that she was slow. I was left-handed and was forced to write right-handed which really screwed up my network of neutrons so I started stammering. Fortunately, the nuns allowed me to revert to my left hand and I stopped stammering. Eventually, against all their predictions, I got three degrees and lectured in English. I know my struggles [along with the writing techniques I teach] have inspired many of my students to be published.

 

Many good writers don't continue because of the rejection. It's awful to have rejection letters. [ I have had so many I could wall-paper my bathroom with them!] But after picking myself up from the floor, I worked to improve my writing. 

 

And, as I say to my students, if I can do it, so can you.  

A RACE TO THE FINISH

My publishers have just told me that I’m one of the finalists in this prize and I’m thrilled. Still some hurdles to jump. The finalists will compete again. Further voting will take place between 21st to 29^th May 2013 when the public will be asked to vote again for the 12 finalists in each category to determine the winner of that category’s People’s Book Prize 2012/13.  The winners will then be  announced at the Award Ceremony on 29^th May 2013. 
 
I do hope you buy the book and vote for it.
 
Here are some of the comments on People’s Book Prize. I hope they encourage you to read the book before May and vote for it:
 

“A very well written book which kept me hooked to the last page and which had a wonderful twist that all good psychological thrillers must have! I very much liked the characters who were realistic and believable. The descriptive passages made you feel you were there. The idea that you are the sum total of past memories and that someone could plant memories in your mind is devastatingly simple, but effective in this wonderful plot. A well-researched book that is a very good read”
“I just loved this book! I have read and enjoyed other books by Ms James but this one is exceptional even for her. The whole idea of the plot is so original and captivating. This book is enjoyable on so many levels which is what I like my reading to be.”
“Thoroughly enjoyed the novel. It was gripping and interesting. Would like to read more books by same author.”
“This is a fantastic book. Once I started reading it I couldn't put it down. Having had some experience with cognitive behaviour therapy it is extremely believable and had me on the edge of my seat as each page turned.”

“A thrilling read.”
“Great read, I couldn’t put it down.”
Marvellous book and very riveting. Really liked the exploration of reality and identity.
This book is an excellent read, well written, creative and exciting, so that you simply don’t want to put it down until the last page is turned. I would like to add my vote for this book. It is an excellent read."
"A great read. Couldn’t put the book down. Marvellous landscapes, interesting well-researched characters and most of all suspense galore!"
"A cracking read from its beginning to its climactic end. Read before Christmas!"