by annakeenanhill | Oct 3, 2020 | Uncategorized
Let me explain how I had an impromptu drenching for the second time in two days.
Yesterday I waved goodbye to my husband as I set off on some errands. My last words, ‘Take the key out the door and I’ll let myself back in.’
I should have known that there may be some issues ahead. Keys and my husband have a history. Granted, usually, it is because he loses them but, that is another story.
Within the hour, I returned and was unable to put my key in the lock. I quickly realised that he must have forgotten my request. Smiling to myself, I pulled my phone out of my pocket and called him. I knew he was in, I could hear the music, but that turned out to be the problem. He could also hear the music, and nothing else.
After about 10 minutes of standing in the drizzle, I managed to grab his attention by a combination of mobile and landline calls.
Oh, how we laughed as he apologised for his mistake.
This morning we awoke to leaden skies and constant rain. But this didn’t deter him from a brisk walk with one of our two dogs, Floyd, the chocolate labrador.
I made a fresh cup of coffee and enjoyed the company of our other dog, Pugwash, whilst reflecting on the wise decision I had made.
About an hour later he returned, I opened the door and stepped outside to grab Floyd and wash him down.
Once Floyd was clean, I tried to enter the house to pick up his towel, but the door remained shut. I tried again, nothing. Floyd and I looked at each other. I smiled down at him reassuringly then attempted opening the door for a third time with a little more force. Once again, nothing.
On tiptoes, I peered through the glass at the top of the door, expecting to see my husband making coffee and oblivious to my plight. All I could see was my phone on the kitchen table and Pugwash looking out at me anxiously.
Great. Now I couldn’t call either. Still patting Floyd’s soggy head, I rapped, repeatedly on the door, to no avail.
By this time, I was almost as wet as Floyd, and he had been swimming in a local reservoir.
I then had a heart sink moment when I heard the boiler click into action, and it dawned on me that my husband was now running a bath. It appears that walking around a reservoir in a waterproof coat requires a nice warming bath on your return. Whereas standing outside in a t-shirt and jumper is perfectly fine.
It was around now that I realised my right foot was wet. Not an ideal time to discover you have a hole in your shoe, so I was now getting wet from the head down and right foot up.
After more knocking on the door, I decided it was useless and stomped down the cellar steps to keep out of the rain whilst I waited out his bath. I did invite Floyd to join me but, he chose to remain perched on the backstep, forlornly staring into the middle distance.
It was with great joy that I heard the water from the bath cascading down the waste pipe and, I immediately returned to my door-knocking vigil.
TWENTY-FIVE minutes later, he returned to the kitchen.
He was greeted by my face, bedraggled and pressed up against the window, as I balanced on the step with aching calf muscles.
Smiling, he walked over and unlocked the door, ‘What are you doing out there?’
Floyd and I walked past him and I reached for the towel…
by annakeenanhill | Mar 5, 2020 | Uncategorized
It’s World Book Day!
What a fantastic idea by publishers and booksellers to celebrate authors, books, illustrators and a love of reading. To further add to the joy millions of tokens are given out each year to encourage children to exchange them for a book. It’s vital that young people are allowed to discover the magic of reading and it’s something that will probably remain with them throughout their lives.
What better gift is there than the ability to escape to a million places, learn something with each page turn, reinforce or challenge beliefs, gain confidence and strength, be inspired and entertained plus a trillion other benefits for minds of all ages.
The quote by author George R.R. Martin is so true. By delving into the pages of books an infinite number of possibilities await. Don’t be the man who only lives one life.
by annakeenanhill | Jun 18, 2019 | Uncategorized
This beautiful notebook was a gift from my eldest son. He wanted me to have somewhere nice to write down all the ideas I have for my next book. I have been delighted with the response I have had to, ‘One Month In My Mind’, and have been encouraged by many readers to continue the story of Gemma. So with this in mind, I have been making notes, jotting down ideas and generally pondering the way forward for my main character.
But these are simply the little extra bits of detail that may well prove useful. Generally, when I write, I have a very basic idea of where the story will go. But I don’t like to plot down to the last detail. I want to enjoy the writing process as much as (I hope) people enjoy reading it. But I’m not a complete Panster, as I feel it would be easy to write yourself into a corner and find yourself stuck. So, like many writers, I suppose I’m a Planster, part plotter, part panster.
What I do know is that within the pages of this lovely notebook are many secrets that will be woven into Gemma’s next adventure…
by annakeenanhill | Feb 24, 2019 | Uncategorized
Sometimes it may seem like I disappear for a while and that little is going on. But I can assure you that is never the case!
There is always a lot to do behind the scenes, whether that is more writing, plotting or editing for the next release or maybe promoting what is already available.
This week I set my sights on Apple and I’m very happy to say I achieved my goal.
‘One Month In My Mind’, is now available from Apple Books in 51 stores around the world!
by annakeenanhill | Feb 5, 2019 | Uncategorized
I thought it would be nice to look at one of the minor characters within, ‘One Month In My Mind’. There are a few scattered throughout the story and I had great fun with them all.
For me, whilst writing, these big personalities (who only make brief appearances) are an excellent way to allow Gemma to grow. They also provide the perfect scenarios to highlight how skilled Gemma is in the art of observation and to drive the view that we should all take more time to acknowledge the environment around us.
Teapot House itself is actually identified quite early on in the story, but it isn’t until Day 12 that Teapot Woman really starts to make regular appearances. I don’t intend giving away too much here, as it would spoil it for anyone reading or considering reading, the book. Suffice to say that I gave a little whoop of delight every time I came up with the perfect exchange between the two of them…
As always, please feel free to leave any questions in the comments section or send me a private message.
