Pen & Ink Designs

12/12/2024

On the 9th September I announced I was sleeping my Facebook due to health issues. At the time I did not want to expand on this. This has, of course, meant I have not been available for over 3 months.
After much thought I have now decided that the support I have received from people in the know has now spread and so I am bringing you all up to date on my current situation.
This is NOT to garner any sympathy as I am not the only person who is suffering from some form of Cancer. All are needing our thoughts, prayers and wishes to get well soon.
HERE GOES:
Wednesday we visited the Oncologist at Velindre Cancer Hospital for the results of my recent CT Scan. The aim was to check my chest after picking up Long Term Covid which has left me with a 3rd heartbeat. Most strange. And to check on my progress.
I will summarise what has happened over the last few months. Forgive me if I am repeating anything you might already know.
OCTOBER – Having been diagnosed with a rare type of cancer (Neuroendocrine) I started the chemo treatment. At that time I was unaware that I had contracted a chest infection and Covid. Trust me, not a nice mix. This resulted in my being poorly, going into hospital for a few days whilst having to face moving to a new apartment on a limited amount of notice.
NOVEMBER – This month appeared to improve and in the main I felt okay. Had one or two problems which were quickly sorted by Velindre. Was going to have a second dose of chemo but this was delayed for 2 weeks due to my bloods and immune system not able to cope.
The comedy of it all was an invitation to meet a new doctor at The Cardiff City Hospice. Believe you me this was worrying until we discovered they were there to help both Derek and Me cope with what I am going through. My sister Margaret (ex-nurse) laughed as she thought it hilarious that I was thinking they knew something I didn’t.
DECEMBER – A big improvement. Had 2nd Chemo and did okay although it has left me weak and unable to walk far without tiring. Got a Granny Mobile (wheelchair from the Hospice) and my driver does his best, although I do worry it might tire him too. Velindre organised a CT Scan to check up on how the chemo is doing, even after only 2 treatments.
TODAY we got the results but unfortunately it is not what we wanted to hear. The Chemo hasn’t worked with the problem being in the liver. After a long discussion I made the decision that I will not let down all those people across the world who are supporting me. The fight will go on and I’ll get these little so and so’s out of my body.
Thank you to all those who have sent me messages of support, love and prayers. All are very much appreciated.
And that’s it. Derek and I wish you all a great Xmas. We hope Santa (who ever that is) brings you all the goodies you want. Love from Ann & Derek. xx

09/09/2024

Due to recent health issues, I will be sleeping my facebook account until further notice.
I thank all those who have and are supporting me at this time.
Please DO NOT accept any requests which appear to be from me as they will probably be a scam.

27/07/2024

For those authors who register their books with the PLR (public lending rights) part of the library. Please note that when you add illustrations, if they are not yours, you must inform the PLR what share the illustrator has a royalty right to. Also, if you place the illustrators name on the cover or copyright page with the intention of acknowledging them you will also have to dedicate a percentage of the royalty to them. This is regardless of the fact that you may have paid outright for those images. Now I, like all others want illustrators to have their fair share however, if you have a contract that states you are purchasing the work outright and will have complete copyright over the whole of the work with no royalty being payable (which means spending a lot of money to do this) please bear in mind you may end up having to argue the point with the PLR that you are entitled to all 100% of the Royalties due you. Otherwise, you will end up paying twice. This comment is based on the experience of an author who spent thousands of pounds for full copyright of a series of images and who has a contract that clearly states no royalties will be paid to which both parties agreed.

12/03/2024

B093 WRITING SHOULD BE FUN, FUN, FUN.
One thing I stress when dealing with any writer is that writing should and must be fun. And yet often I discover writers who feel stressed about the various aspects of the process. Either because they can't get started, have suddenly some to a full stop some 30,000 words in or, are wondering how to finish their novel. My answer is to stop worrying. Let go and start to have fun with your writing. Today's podcast is all about why writing should be fun and how have some with your writing process.

One thing I stress when dealing with any writer is that writing should and must be fun. And yet often I discover writers who feel stressed about the various aspects of the process. Either because they can't get started, have suddenly some to a full stop some 30,000 words in or, are wondering how to....

12/03/2024

P116 VIVIDLY DESCRIBE YOUR CHARACTERS
Making sure you have characters that are realistic means describing them vividly. It is your job as the writer to ensure that your reader can envisage the characters in their mind when reading about them. Todays podcast gives you some insight into how to do this.

Making sure you have characters that are realistic means describing them vividly. It is your job as the writer to ensure that your reader can envisage the characters in their mind when reading about them. Todays podcast gives you some insight into how to do this.

12/03/2024

B092 MY WRITING TIPS
In this podcast I wanted to share with you a few writing tips that I think may help you when it comes to writing your story. Remember, most stories have already been told just not in the way you will tell it. And that is what writing is all about. By using your imagination, emotions, experiences etc and by thinking outside the box you should be able to produce a great masterpiece.

In this podcast I wanted to share with you a few writing tips that I think may help you when it comes to writing your story. Remember, most stories have already been told just not in the way you will tell it. And that is what writing is all about. By using your imagination, emotions, experiences etc...

12/03/2024

P115 SUGGESTIONS FOR ENGAGING YOUR READERS:
We all know that reviews are good but remember not all are relevant or genuine, and if a bad one is given it's hard to remove it. Today we discuss the various ways you can attract readers to follow and interact with you, other than just by leaving reviews.

We all know that reviews are good but remember not all are relevant or genuine, and if a bad one is given it's hard to remove it. Today we discuss the various ways you can attract readers to follow and interact with you, other than just by leaving reviews.

12/03/2024

B091 BEING A GHOST WRITER: Being a ghost writer can be both easy and hard. The easy part is that you are taking someone else's ideas and helping them create a story or writing about their life. But it can also be hard especially if writing a memoir. In this case you must remember to ensure you write as if the person in the memoir but also are able to do it without losing your own writing style. In this podcast we explain more.

Mentoring Writers Resource Box podcasts offer new and developing authors assistance as they travel their writing journey (whether self- or traditionally published). We mentor adult writers of all ages worldwide while mentoring under 18's through our sister organisation Kids4Kids.org.uk. With over th...

26/01/2024

Understanding the use of ISBN's. In todays podcast we briefly explain the history of ISBN's, why they are needed, where you get them from, and their uses.

We have all probably heard about quick writing authors. Those writers who appear to churn out a new book as easily as if baking a cake. You are may be one of those authors or perhaps one of the many hundreds of other writers who sit and wonder how do they do it. In this podcast we will look at what....

26/01/2024

Understanding the use of ISBN's. In todays podcast we briefly explain the history of ISBN's, why they are needed, where you get them from, and their uses.

Becoming an Indie Publisher for the first time can be daunting. One of the things you really need to understand is why and how we use ISBN numbers. In todays podcast we briefly explain the history of ISBN's, why they are needed, where you get them from, and their use.

09/01/2024

The latest podcast from Mentoring Writers is live. Titled, How to Express Themes in Writing' we explain why themes are important and which ones are relevant to most writing. listen now.

Writers fall into differing categories having varied genres and styles. Even though a writer may have the idea for a good book without the right characters and themes the story could fall flat on it's face. Today we look at some famous stories covering the differing elements of theme and examine how...

16/12/2023

I was delighted the week before last to interview the five ladies of The Ten Penners. An Australian writing group which is a part of the Gold Coast Writers Organisation down under. I have known at least 3 of the current members for some years now through membership of SCBWI and through my visiting my family in Aus.

The interview went well and was a delight and a joy to do. There are two versions. A podcast version which is available on the Mentoring Writers Resource Box Podcast Show and a video version available on my YouTube Channel. Check what the ladies have been up to and the fun we had recording the interview.

Podcast link: https://sites.libsyn.com/273518/site
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9n9leagFqg

The Ten Penners is an off-shoot Group of the Gold Coast Writers organisation in Australia. Recently they launched their latest anthology. Today I talk with t...