All Change.

Saturday 24th May. 12.20pm outside Kefallinia airport- outside temp. 32oC. Calm, cobalt seas and sky. Warm breeze carrying scent of jasmine and oleander.

Monday 26th May. 7.39am Basingstoke backbedroom - outside temp - well, it is cold, lashing down with rain and the trees are bending over in the wind. Scent of toilet bleach and electricals.

See pics above. I don't really need to add any more to that, do I?

Back here in the real world, and it is all change.

From 1st June I shall be migrating over to a new blog on Wordpress. The address is : http://rayannelutener.wordpress.com/

All of the posts from this blog will be transferred over, and this blog will be kept open for a month or so then archived. You can still make comments on the Wordpress blog as normal from a Blogger account.

Why move?

Wordpress has a lot more features - including the ability to add a lot more layers and background pages similar to a website. I do not currently have a website and am holding back until I have a clear idea of what my PenName is going to be, so Wordpress seems to me like a great stopgap site.

And the new blog will be under my name, making it easier for folks to find me.

I do hope that you will bookmark my new site and come and visit from 1st June.

In the meantime I need to work on the new blog so it is ready for visitors.
See you there soon.

Summer Hols

Just when the good weather reaches the UK - I am leaving for my hols.

2 weeks in the Ionian should give me the boost I need to finish the thriller revision, and gear up for the next couple of books which will take me over the summer.

Hope the sun shines on you, wherever you are, and see you again soon.

J J Abrams and Amy Tan on Creativity

Jurgen Wolff * had an excellent blog and several websites for creative people and his daily blog is always interesting.

Through Jurgen I have come to know of the TED Lecture series where leading experts in all fields of modern life are invited to give short presentations.

It is an awesome reference on the mind processes of some of the most inspiring people in the western world today.

This morning I listened to J J Abrams talking on the Mystery Box.

J.J. Abrams traced his love of the unseen mystery -- the heart of Alias, Lost, and the upcoming Cloverfield -- back to its own magical beginnings, which may or may not include an early obsession with magic, the love of a supportive grandfather, or his own
http://www.ted.com/talks/view/id/205.

Go here to watch on YouTube: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=vpjVgF5JDq8

In another genre, Amy Tan spoke at this year's TED Conference.

'Novelist Amy Tan digs deep into the creative process, journeying through her childhood and family history and into the worlds of physics and chance, looking for hints of where her own creativity comes from. It's a wild ride with a surprise ending.'

Brilliant. Fascinating to learn about the completely different mindset of another writer.
Go here to listen to it - http://www.ted.com/talks/view/id/250

* http://www.timetowrite.blogs.com/

Holiday Packing - The Jeff Kitchen Screenwriting Method

This is the Dilemma.

I am about to start a two week holiday in the Greek Islands [ see picture - this is the view from the kitchen window].

Question: Do I take a complete break from this writing business? Do I go on strike, and refuse to give in to the separation anxiety, angst and general lack of functionality associated with not telling lies on paper on a daily basis.
IN other words. Do I actually take a holiday from writing anything other than postcards?

OR? Do I accept the inevitable and stash enough paper and pens in my hand luggage [ just in case the suitcase goes missing in two airports, you understand] since this greek village has a 'mini-market' where the supply of children's school exercise books and pencils can be very limited. I may, gulp, RUN OUT..

CRISIS.
And what if I am obliged to read fiction written by other authors who, another gulp, are ten times better than I am at holding the reader spellbound on her poolside lounger? Forcing me to face the fact that I am doomed as a thriller/romance writer and my old day job is a much better idea.

DECISION AND ACTION.
Two new A4 pads- squared paper of course, and six ballpoints. No laptops. No palm held.

RESOLUTION.
I feel a lot better now. Thank you for your concern. Nothing else to see here, go about your business folks. All well.