Sunday goal acheived...

Sunday writing has gone well today. I've written over 3200 words (well more than my goal), and all that in just a few hours. I am so enjoying the process again, and get so into the story. Today I had to phone Janey and tease her a little about what is going on with 'the cousins'. The story has started to warm up nicely and the plot is thickening (I think that's what we say). This week I am going to try and write 2000 a day, but as I havea couple of busy days may not quite manage that. I love the NaNoWriMO page that let's me keep a check on my progress- it's so motivating:

ANd as for today's photo challenge:

Day 4 - TV ... The X-Factor's Dermot (or is it Russell from Pop Sensation?)...

Job(s) DONE

Today I have crossed off some of the things on my to-do list, and am well pleased with myself.

• Review Winner and publish second edition....... phew what a mammoth job that was. A few new bits, but basically the same as before but better edited, punctuated and proofed- well I blinking well hope so, all the time it's taken me - DONE

• Find music for a promotional video of 'The Magic of The Camino' - I knew exactly the piece of music I wanted but could only find it in video format. Easy - downloaded some conversion software, downloaded the video, converted the video to an MP3 file -ready to rock and Roll.  DONE

• Trip to Garden centre to get some winter flowering plants for the garden to cheer it (and us) up a bit... DONE.

•  Organise Xmas promotional competition for books. All IN HAND and details to be announced in next couple of days. 

•  Organise cover for 'La Magia del Camino' (Spanish copy of 'The Magic'). Had to translate all the text and add a couple of banners. All sorted and sent off for design adjustments. DONE

Well I think that's just about enough for a good day's work. Tomorrow I have a (new) morning class, so will be off and out early, back in time for lunch and an afternoon of more profitable action. HoT is becoming....

TulStig News

So.... what's been happening at Casa TulStig lately? - not much really -the usual stuff:

Friday I had a delicious lunch with Julie in Cubelles, whilst Tone stayed in bed having spent the night sick, then feeling too washed out to come. And talking of washed out the whole day was a wet one

On Sunday I did a massage - my first in ages, which felt good. As usual the Reiki kicked in so it was two for one offer. Jordi (Sue's partner) had hurt his back and wanted some help- MT to the rescue, and I believe he is okay now.

This week I finished reading 'The Pillars of the Earth' and thoroughly enjoyed it. It's set in the early middle ages, and tied up nicely with my history studies from back in the day. It's a big book (over 1000 pages) but well worth the effort. I now have to check the bookcase for something else that awaits me there. I was pleased to note I've also passed my reading goal for the year. I wanted to read 20 books this year and have read 22 so far.

I've spent a lot of time this week reviewing the updated copy of Winner, and am in the process of editing it and putting out a second edition, which will be better than the first. having ben on the Lulu site I was pleased to see taht changing the edition is much easier than I though it couild have been. Hopefully I'll have it all sorted yb the end of next week.

Today was one of the other teacher's birthdays so I made some raspberry muffins, knowing that he loved raspberries as much as me. As usual they were much appreciated by all my colleagues. Tomorrow is Julie's birthday so perhap I have a surprise for her too!

And for no other reason than I love the colours here's a photo of a stall at the Barcelona Boqueria Market that I took the other week:::

Of rain and writing

Today we have been blessed with a good old downpour of rain.

Today I had lunch with Julie, and as the rain started we had to move our table inside the restaurant, then when we finished , make a run for it- me back to the car, Julie back to her flat. On my way back from Julie's in Cubelles I felt trapped as the water rose in the drains -even raising some manhole covers about a foot above their settings - and closed the underpasses under the train line, but eventually found one I could get through and got home safe and fairly dry.  Since then it has been raining on and off, pouring and showers. We love it - the cats on the other hand don't and they took shelter on their jungle-gym.

Books update:

• Magia del Camino - Victoria is working like a trouper on the translation and hopes to finish sometime in December. We are then thinking of having a Spanish book-launch.  I love the way my words read as translated by Victoria, and know it'll be a great read (if you speak Spanish of course).

• Das Winner - I spoke to Michael today who is just over a third of the way through translating Winner. Luckily he's really enjoying the task as we ll as the story. HE hasn't read past the parts as he translates them and is looking forward to finding out the rest of the story. He's also got his mum to read what he has translated (Michael is originally from Germany) and she too is enjoying the story and wants more... Michael's also pointed out a few tips in a possible edit (second edition) of Winner, which I am currently working on.

•  Take Two - I had a quick chat from Janey today who has been reading Take Two, having rushed and bought her copy as soon as it went on general sale- she reported that she has already been in tears, and is loving the follow up to Winner.

• The Key -I must ashamedly admit that work on the new project has currently stalled.  I've been so busy editing and promoting the other books and setting up the HoT website (still under construction!), as well as settling back into my school timetable etc etc, but intend to get back to it this week. I've also been let down by a second possible illustrator, so if you can draw and fancy seeing your work in my kids book(s) let me know...

More promo

What fun last night Tweeting like a nutter during 'X-Factor' to promote 'Winner'. Doing a bit of the same last night, but the whole system seems a little slow. Thanks to Mr Brennan for helping out too -where were the rest of you Tweeters?

Been working on the Website again today - enjoying the creative process of putting pages and idea  together, but a bit scared about putting together the 'shop' part. Janey's agreed to be UK distribution for HoT products, just as well as there are already some on their way to Sussex.

As well as promoting all my own stuff I want to promote other Indie authors- anyone up for putting their products on my guest page? and how about an interview?

There's also going to be a News / blog type page giving out all the HoT news and anything related.

At the moment I am so tied up in the promotion and website set up that I'm rather neglecting the writing- there just aren't enough hours in the day- well there are but i guess I'm just not utilising them best. I'm really enjoying the 'other' creative processes at the moment, and then I'll have a holiday -after that I'll be getting back into the writing groove for sure.

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And today's photo prompt -something I do most weekends- well that'll be a visit to the Passeig maritime (Seafront) for a little drinkie: 

BTW - The glass is crooked.

General Updates...

This morning Tony was at the dentist for an update on his teeth (or lack of). He now has to wait until next week to get a temporary set fitted ready for our holiday next weekend.

After Tony's appointment and a bit of shopping I had a lunchtime drink with some of my chums from work, and even surprised Sue by holding Lilly and calming her down. It is well known I don't do babies!

This afternoon after a much needed siesta a little bit of writing.

So here are the updates for my works in progress and the published ones.

HouseofTulStig Webpage
I now have the domain and have been playing around with building a website. I have to admit to having got a bit stuck. Not quite sure what I want it to look like, and want it to be right before I go live with it. This is possibly a project for after our hols ... any suggestions, helpful hints etc all welcomed...


The Magic of the Camino
I'm still promoting the book through Facebook. The school I work for has included a link on their page, and now I've well over a hundred 'likes' of the MOTC page. Next week there is a draw for two free copies of the book which has helped the promo no end.
The translation to Spanish is going well. Victoria is currently translating chapter 29. I'm hoping for a Christmas publishing date.

Winner
Sales are stalled at the moment, and I have to admit I've not down a lot of promotion, but intend to start a big push this weekend during 'The X-Factor' as suggested by Nick. It will be a twitter bonanza. If you're on twitter I'd love for you to join in and help with the push. Watch out for hashtags: #JoeyFischer #Winner #PopSensation all attached to the hashtag of the programme. I fyou are willing and able I'd be so pleased if you could use any of these hashtags creatively, and/or just retweet what I'll be putting out. 
Watch out for a Facebook innovation too.... 

Michael is still busy translating this one into German. Publication date probably in the new year.

Take Two
Still waiting on the proof copy to arrive in the post. Once it's here I'll be checking it thoroughly, revising what's necessary and setting up for sale. Then I'll be popping out  the promos for that too. 

The Key
Chapter Two is under way - And part of the secret is revealled as Aaron steps up at lunchtime at Nana's. Who knows where this story will take me, but I do have a good feeling about it. 

So I guess that just about is a round up of my writing projects. One thing  I do know is that there will be a blog-like page on the new website which will have all these updates. 

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And so on to today's photo challenge. The prompt is 'Every Day' 

Writing and stuff

This week I have committed to working for the next four days on my writing and related things. I am doing this within a group of other like-minded people. The inspiration being created in the group is motivating and, well, inspirational! 
Even before the commitment started (Today) I got into it all-

• Organising and editing 'Winner' ready for an E-book -TICK
• Setting up a page for House of TulStig' on Facebook.  - TICK

Today I planned

• to edit at least 150 pages of Take Two. I ended up doing over 200 pages -just over 80 or so to go now - TICK
• to do some research into a 'House of TulStig' website.  TICK

I even signed up with a web-hosting company and now have 'Houseoftulstig.com' as a an additional domain to 'TulStig.net' - stepping outside my comfort zone now- and have been trying to set up the site- well outside my comfort zone now - After a few hours of messing around I set it aside before getting too frustrated. I did manage to set up an e-mail address for the site (information@houseoftulstig.com - if you want to give it as test for me?) -As for the rest Ill be approaching it bit by bit, so if you've any tips just let me know....

Feeling kinda pleased with myself for goals reached, but less comfortable about the website -stuff.. Never mind tomorrow's another day.

FIRE, Walking and Writing

FIRE

First of all a quick update on last night's awful events, which I originally thought I had overdramatised slightly..... 

This evening walking home from school I looked up at the hills behind our house and was shocked to see the awful effects of the fires, and even more shocked to see just how close they had come to our house. It was great luck that the wind died down and the Bomberos took control. The helicopters etc are still flying around and keeping an eye on everything, but it looks like we're in the clear.

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WALKING

This morning I dragged out my rucksack and started the preparations in earnest for next week. This of course included a trip to Decathlon this afternoon on my way to a class in Sitges.

I checked out the rucksacks to see if there was a lighter model, but decided I would stick to my old faithful. I did, however, get myself some nice new  bright white socks, some smart sunglasses and a new pair of lightweight shorts. Little by little I'm getting there....

Don't forget to join me on TWITTER and help me on my way by tweeting back. It'll also mean that you'll be there as my next Camino Book takes on its own life.

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WRITING

Today I am ashamed to say I haven't written anything in Take Two, but I shall rectify that tomorrow with a special extra push. 

I spoke to Michael this week and he sent me the first part of the translated (into German) Winner. He's translated the first five chapters and says he's getting a feel for it.

As for The Magic of the Camino Victoria is pushing on with the Spanish Translation well, and I'm really enjoying reading my story in another language. It's like a whole new story and I'm thoroughly enjoying it.

Amn't I lucky to have such wonderful friends who buy into my passion so well. With a bit of luck sales will go wild and both will be recompensed more than any of us can imagine.

Passion

What a fantastic word- that's for starters!

If you asked me what my passion was I think my first answer would be LIFE!!

On further thinking about this I would probably say that my passions change from day to day, week by week, month by month - get the picture. I'm not saying I'm fickle, but more that I like to do what I like and that's how I assuage  (another nice word. not sure if it really fits though?) my passions in many different ways and it all depends on so many factors.

At the moment I'm sure some of you could say what my passions are without even having to think about it. Got them- well at least the top two?  Right at this very moment my passions are writing and walking, or walking and writing, or maybe more precisely The Camino and Writing.

It's just TWENTY ONE days until I set out again on The Way, and I'm getting a tad excited. I'm busy setting up and preparing. And if you want to follow me day by day (phone coverage permitting) I will be Tweeting about my adventures when I can and feel the need to do so- So if you aren't on Twitter yet get signed up and start 'Following' me. Twitter is simple to use (I'm using it :-}) and you needn't really do anything once you're signed up and following me- you'll simply get the updates as I post them. If you want to reply all you have to do is write a tweet yourself or use the 'reply' thing at the bottom of my tweet- simples! 

On my new android phone, which by the way I am getting more used to each day, I have also installed 'Blogger' so hopefully with connectivity and if I'm not completely exhausted, or partying I will be sending back a daily blog. I'm also hoping to include pictures this year- wait and see how that turns out.

Another application I've installed is WhatsApp  -this is a free messaging service for android phones iphones. This allows me to send pictures free, so if you want pics from me too sign up for this if you haven't already- you can download it from your Apps-Store (hark at me sounding like I know what I'm talking about)- any questions just ask me- and I'll pass them onto my techie adviser - Nick!!

So that's the Camino passion. My other passion writing takes up a lot of my day at the moment too. I made a commitment this week to write at least 1500 words a day to try and get the sequel to Winner completed before I set off. So far so good. this afternoon I've been sitting in the garden typing away on my laptop and hit the 1850 mark, or just over and am very happy with my progress. Reading it back I like the way it sounds and think I know where I'm going with it all. I've even written a few song-lyrics to fit in with the story- yep I was amazed at that too!!

So tell me one and all- what's your passion today, this week, this month.. well you get the picture. I'm awaiting your comments just to prove someone is reading this and all my techno trials are worthwhile!!

Just another Monday.....

This morning I was up with the larks - Summer is here for sure, and the light bursting through our bedroom window is waking me earlier. Today I just couldn't lie there and longer so jumped in the shower, cut my hair and set off out into the field with Cuddy and Xali. It was beautiful.

Everything is becoming to take a Camino focus here at Casa TulStig. At least once a day I slip off into the Camino part of my mind. This morning I found a thread, via Facebook, about Albergues on the Camino Primitivo, which was very helpful. It lists the ones to stay in and the ones to avoid, all notes have been transferred to my guidebook for use on the Way.

Tone popped down town for a few essentials, and to surprise him for lunch I made a chilled Mediterranean tomato soup, which was refreshing and delicious. 

 I spent the afternoon adding another couple of thousand words to the Winner sequel and this evening just had a couple of classes. Nothing too stressful. This evening I've been back in the book reading what I've just written today and tidying it all up. Over the next few days I'm going to contact my cover-designer cousin for a mock up of the cover. Once we've agreed this I intend to let anyone who is interested in on the title....

Writing and Walking...

Winner:

Today I spoke to Michael, who is doing the translations of my books into German. He has been working hard on Winner to translate it and has had some problems with some of the 'gayer' terminology, so I have enlisted the help of a dear friend off Facebook to help out with these all important words and phrases.  We chatted on Skype about the characters and the story in general. Michael is now planning to get a copy of 'The Tales of the city' by Armistead Maupin in German, to get some idea of how that translates, as the Tales are written in the same informal style which I favour.

Winner's sequel:

Today I made a commitment to write at least 1000 words a day to push my novel towards its conclusion. Today I have actually written over 1600, and am very satisfied with what I have achieved.  I am also interested (not sure if that's the right word) in how I've kept to a commitment I 'publicised' when I hadn't pushed myself before or made that commitment to myself?!

Camino:

With just twenty seven days to go till I fly off to Oviedo I have had a bit of a wobble. Firstly I was worried that I might get lost as I don't have a guidebook in English like I have had for the last two Caminos. So I found a brilliant site with loads of pictures and lo and behold there are the 'shells' and 'arrows' all clearly pointing the way- that panic over then. And, for goodness sake, I have a book on the way- in Spanish, but I read the language well!! The pictures on the site also gave me a good idea of what to expect -I just looked at the first two stages, and it got me really excited to be on my way.

Another reason I'm keen to  get going is because today, after another Friend's post on Facebook I weighed myself, and found that I am quite hefty at the moment, almost the heaviest I've ever been. I am attributing this partly to my convalescence from Sciatica recently, and overuse of the bus instead of walking, but also know I eat too much.  Walking the Camino will change all that, and I shall return more slimline, once again. 

I've also been wondering whether to update my phone to a smart phone so that I can 'tweet' whilst walking, and with wifi be able to update this blog more regularly.  Although I've spoken to both my supplier and some others I don't really feel I know any better. So Nick I could be on the messaging in the morning with questions. If anyone else can help please 'comment your two penneth'!!

A little self-promotion....

Today I've had a busy day, despite feeling quite fatigued when I woke this morning.

Walking the dogs, and further than usual (Xali was up for a good run), blew the cobwebs away and I returned home feeling slightly more energetic. 

Time for a bit of self promotion I decided. Spurred on by Nick the other day I have been shamelessly promoting my books through Twitter and am really starting to get my head round it all.  I've even got a couple of new (literary) followers and have started following some folks in the literary world too.

Anyway today I set up a 'page' on facebook for 'The Magic of the Camino'.  Why I didn't do it before I don't know- well I do- something to do with being afraid of self promotion. Anyway I set the page up and let it go live at about 14.00. It's now just 22.30 (more or less) and already I've had 28 'likes' and a host of comments and questions on how to get hold of a copy.  Fantastico. 

This promotion meant that some of my chums from the Camino got in contact too, and so my mind went racing back to The Way, and how much I enjoyed the experience and value the friendships made on it.  I added a few photos to the page as well and the memories flooded back as to where, when and why I took the photos. Ah good times.

 Day One: Daybreak in the Pyrenees.

And a little further on with new friends.

OH, how much am I looking forward to getting back out. I am sure the Camino Primitov has more adventures in store for me....

Next job - to improve my profile on Amazon..... so if you have read 'The Magic' and you use Amazon please (pretty please) would you mind going to 'The Magic of the Camino' sales page and leaving a review... Thank you.

Wednesday

I've been sitting here cuddling a dog for the last half hour- Xali is so cuddly even when he isn't hungry. Cuddy, however, wont cuddle unless it's by accident, or if food is defo on the cards. I'n't it great to be loved!!

As for the rest of the day, pretty much a usual old Wednesday: bit of this, bit of that -gardening, washing and cleaning and then a bit of writing- and it's so good to be able to sit in the garden and read or write.

Today I also took a look at the reviews for 'The magic of the Camino' on Lulu and was overwhelmed by how good it all is, so decided to copy them over here (show-off did I hear someone say?)

• 
  By blawlor9- Ireland

  04-Apr-2012
  I really enjoyed this book too. I know Mark, but have not met him yet, yet I feel I know him even more now. He was very open in writing this book, I too like some of the other reviewers, felt I was doing the walk with him, the humour was great, lighthearted and emotional at times. The people he and Jane met along the way were interesting too going by his descriptions. I was amazed at the detail, that he put into the book, he must have made fantastic notes along the way. Well done Mark on a great read. Highly recommend.
• 
  By Anna O'Sullivan -Ireland

  11-Jan-2012
  I found that once I picked up the book, I couldn't put it put down. I felt captured by the physical, emotional and spiritual journey undertaken by Mark and how Camino imprinted itself on Mark's soul. Truly a wonderful read.
• 
  By nicholasbrennan- England

  06-Jan-2012
  A superb read. You can feel the energy emanating from the first to last pages. As previously stated, mark takes you along with him on a spellbinding and often emotional journey. Would definitely recommend this if you are contemplating The Camino or if you're just ineterested in the many highways and byways of Spain and the stories they hold.
• 
  By Andrea Tyrrell- Australia

  31-Dec-2011
  I enjoyed reading 'The Magic of the Camino' immensely. Mark's ability to draw me into his world, and walk the Camino with him and his companions was truly magical. I loved the way he wove humour into the routine of life, spirituality into the everyday, and joy into every page. I closed the book inspired to someday walk the Camino and experience its magic for myself.
• 
  By Carla Rodrigues- England

  30-Dec-2011
  I too really enjoyed this book. It had just the right amount of history for me, providing me with an insight of the Camino which helped set the scene. Like the other reviewers I too felt I was embarking on the magical journey with the author. Because of this book I'm hoping to do it myself one day. I would highly recommend this book, even if your not a walker. For me it was so much more then about walking.
• 
  By jane.tullett- England

  30-Dec-2011
  A really great read ,Once i had started to read it i couldn't put it down.
• 
  By Patricia m Field- England

  30-Dec-2011
  I found this book a delight to read well done it takes you to the place
• 
  By John Simmons- unknown

  29-Dec-2011
  I was given this book for Christmas, and really enjoyed it. I had no knowledge of the author or of the Camino beforehand, and was given it because I enjoy walking the English pathways. I now fully intend to make a trip along the Camino. Mr Tullett took me there with him and I was captivated- I hope the Camino holds the same Magic for me.