Stuck?

Stuck?

Imagine being locked out of your house and in an attempt to get in you end up jammed in your toilet window with your legs dangling outside.  Now imagine the fire brigade being called to extract you from that precarious situation. Well this is what happened to a colleague of mine. What made it worse was she was carrying weight which resulted in her being well and truly squished. As a solution the firemen extracted the whole window rather than coat her in goose fat. The poor woman ended up bruised around her middle not to mention the emotional bruising from feeling so humiliated. What made it worse was this whole fire team were hot. So there she was with dangling legs, a skirt and huge knickers. It is at times like that I wonder whether the universe is having a bit of a joke or clearly demonstrating the feeling of being completely stuck.

The thing is this lady realised that not only had she been stuck in her toilet window she also felt stuck in life. It was then she realised she had to do something. She had not realised how unhappy she was until she was jammed peering precariously down her toilet for a couple of hours until the firemen arrived. It was as if she was experiencing her inner stuckness externally. She then decided she needed to find a solution to stuckness. A series of events resulted in her taking a breathing workshop. The breathing was called Somatic Resonance Integration breathing. This style of breathing makes you relax into your body and find areas that feel stuck. You then focus on that area and breath into it. When the whole area is expanded you then say aloud that you feel stuck. 'I feel stuck.' Simple eh? Well the physical response that comes from this is astounding. Some people growl others scream and others simply shake... Then once you have done that you repeat the breath which is mouth mouth breathing until the area is filled again and repeat 'I feel stuck,' you do this until the area is cleared. You may wonder how this affects your life. Well often we feel stuck externally and this is represented within us internally. So when we enter our internal world and remove the areas of stuckness and allow the energy to flow then we shift our perceptions and that shift changes our external experience.

So why do I write this? Well I am a little stuck at the moment with one of the books I am writing. I have about five thousand words to go and it is quite a difficult part to write. It involves writing about shadows and darkness. In all truth I would rather not go there. So maybe that is why I am writing this blog - another little procrastination! My house is also suggesting that it needs to be cleaned too! Ha. Writer's block / stuckness is such an interesting thing. It is like a mental constipation where only when you relax and don't force then it can flow. The thing is I put a deadline on the completion of this book and I have realised for me that creativity can't be controlled. It is like trying to catch a chicken. The more I try and chase the blooming idea chickens the more the creative creature slips my grasp. So using my paddleboard method - I have chosen to relax into it and 'sit and give it a try...' There are no demands, there are no controls I simply shift my mind into enjoying the process rather than racing along. One paddle at a time, or in writing- one sentence at a time... That is the only way I can succeed.

For those who are now interested in the SRI breathing, this is part of a Chiropratic method called Network Spinal Analysis. It is something that I used to clear and calm my nervous system. It is also something that enabled me to cope with a very stressful job and enabled me to remain focused. Anyway, after reminding myself of the SRI stuckness exercise, I am now back into writing free-flow and will be completing my new book. If you feel stuck it might be worth giving the breathing technique a try and see what happens!

"Intriguing with a WONDERFULLY twist at the end"

This is the 2nd story by this author I have read and I love it. Will eagerly seek more by her. The story was captivating, mystical magical and entertaining. The parental
Bed time stories and deceptions of the various monsters and creatures of fantasy keep you guessing as to what it is. The reveal is more magical for the build up and Even more amazing than described. Loved it and highly recommend it for kids and adults alike. Good luck figuring it out. I received this audiobook from the author narrator or publisher for free via audiobookboom in exchange for an unbiased review

THE HIARY-LEGGED MYSTERY ON AUDIBLE LINK: http://www.audible.com/pd/Kids/The-Hairy-Legged-Mystery-Audiobook/B01H2HF0XU/ref=a_search_c4_1_1_srTtl?qid=1468187800&sr=1-1#publisher-summary

Enjoy my books at the following link:

http://www.audible.com/search/ref=a_hp_tseft?advsearchKeywords=Ruby+allure&filterby=field-keywords&x=0&y=0

New Year - New Writing - Get Started!

AUDIBLE BOOK AVAILABLE HERE:

 

LINK TO BUY ON AUDIBLE:

http://www.audible.com/pd/Self-Development/A-Short-Course-In-Creative-Writing-Audiobook/B012OVUKE8/ref=a_search_c4_1_1_srTtl?qid=1443260320&sr=1-1

 

LINK TO PAPERBACK ON AMAZON.COM

A Short Course in Creative Writing
by Ms Ruby Allure
Link: http://amzn.com/1517234832

 

Link to Ruby Allure books on Audible:

http://www.audible.com/search/ref=a_hp_tseft?advsearchKeywords=Ruby+allure&filterby=field-keywords&x=0&y=0

The Joys of Working on Your Audio Book Creation

The Joys of Working on Your Audio Book Creation

 

Spending the evening listening to an Audio Producer transforming your written words into an audio book is a pleasure that one can be likened to the experience of first tasting chocolate. This Sunday evening I am listening to another five chapters of The Ocean Callings being made into my next audio book. That will be my final audiobook created in a year. That means eight of my books will have been taken on by audio producers and made into audiobook creations.

I have to say that I am so grateful that ACX.com exists because it enables indies and professional authors to have their books turned into audiobooks. What's more, they distribute the finished books through Amazon, Audible and ITunes. Since I am an avid audio book reader the ACX process seemed logical to me. Although, what I had not expected was how professional the audio producers were. Each have all been amazing, hard working, stuck to deadlines and all of this without the promise of an income. Why would they do that? To get good books out there and to take on projects they feel passionate about... I know - I was stunned too.

So this evening I have a nice large glass of sparkling water, a homemade choc-jack and a multitude of accents that fill The Ocean Callings. I have to say that in truth that is bliss. The funny thing about it is that tomorrow I will be back in the world of corporation where ghosts, legends and mystical stories will be replaced by mathematics, metrics and the running of a social media team. That is the reality and the publishing world for me is that beautiful escape. I have to say I love this era where one can write a book, have it published, make their own small films and reach audiences without the arduous processes that existed in the past. We really live in the instant era and for that I am grateful. Also to have drawn the attention of such talented producers is also a real joy.

If you are an indie or a professional check out ACX.com and if you want to find a producer then put your books up for audition. Who knows you may find the perfect producer to give you books audio life!

Link to ACX.Comhttps://www.acx.com/

Link to Ruby Allure books on Audible: http://www.audible.com/search/ref=a_hp_tseft?advsearchKeywords=Ruby+allure&filterby=field-keywords&x=0&y=0

Do You Want To Feel The Creative Writing Juices Flow?

So you want to feel the creative writing juices flow?

 

This week, in celebration of The Short Course In Creative Writing reaching the Amazon market place in paperback, I will be posting 5 consecutive lessons in Creative Writing. Fun! Fun! Fun! In addition, I will add in the sample of the audio book sections that has been posted on Sound Cloud - where you can listen to them for free!

LINK TO SOUNDCLOUD

https://soundcloud.com/ruby-allure/creativewriting-edit-99-retail-sample-mastered

So before we get all literary and fluid, let me ask you to dispose of your inner critic - the major dam and hindrance to enabling creativity to flow. I would then ask you to ask the inner saboteur to take a vacation too. The saboteur is the clever little part of you that keeps telling you that your writing is not good enough and that you have to delete it before other people see it. Admittedly, these two 'baddies' are useful in life. They protect your from ridicule, they keep you safe and keep you from experiencing change. In fact, they cleverly keep you stuck in the creative rut. So be very aware before you begin this epic writing adventure that these rather shady inner characters will cleverly find ways to sneak into consciousness and find clever procrastinations and distractions!

 

On the counter balance we have the inner optimist, who is often held hostage and gagged by the critic and saboteur. Well, ask that inner optimist to rise to the surface along with the inner coach. These two aspects of the personality are the ones that enable you to experience the now and find good things about your work. Sometimes they may even say 'hang on that is pretty good!' Imagine. So are you ready for those creative juices to flow? You might want to check out my previous blog on 'When do you have your best ideas?' And then Monday will be a whole new week of luscious creativity!

In the meantime, have a listen to the lovely Erin on SOUNDCLOUD and see how you feel:)

https://soundcloud.com/ruby-allure/creativewriting-edit-99-retail-sample-mastered

LINK TO PAPERBACK ON AMAZON.COM

A Short Course in Creative Writing
by Ms Ruby Allure
Link: http://amzn.com/1517234832

 

The Beauty of Audio Books

There is such talent in a person who can bring a book to life through voice. I had never really considered it before because I create through written word. The words construct according to my mental landscape and fly out onto the page. Sometimes I write at 90 words a minute and find that I am not consciously thinking anymore. That is what I do. Yet lately the world of story has expanded onto audible. Being able to hear the story is wonderful and imagine a book you have written being interpreted by an actor or actress with an engaging voice. That actor or actress 'gets' everything you thought and provides a tone of passion which makes the hairs on your head stand on end. I had never realised it was possible. However, it is such a joy. To be able to listen to a story is something I have always loved since being a child and now my dream is being realised in the form of audio books. I cannot express the feelings of enthusiasm that I feel. This is the equivalent - imagine doing a headstand whilst riding a huge wave on a longboard! Or learning that a mysterious person had paid off your mortgage. I guess that comes close... What I will say is that I am more than grateful that three extremely talented actresses have arrived in my life to take The Money Farm, Labyrinthine and A Short Course in Creative Writing to a whole new level. I hope these audio books to be completed by the end of June because I honestly cannot wait for the world to hear how these women tell stories. Excited???? I am practically leaping around the room. The thing is I had better get back to my film script writing... You might notice there is a hint of bloggin' procrastination going on here.

Incidentally if you have a good book that would work on audible have a look at amazon ACX. They have been amazing so far!

I just need to say:

I AM SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO EXICITED!!!!

THESE ARE THE BOOKS:

 

http://amzn.com/B00SA83ZQU

http://amzn.com/B008Y65FWU

http://amzn.com/B00TZWLRL0

 

http://www.amazon.com/Ruby-Allure/e/B00M9Y4GAA/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1

An update on an Indie book world

Fifteen years of writing consistently has finally started to pay off. In my previous blog, I talked about the WHY in why people write. There are times when you are writing and writing and nothing is happening. That is just how it is. Then one day it is as if everything starts to come together. It is as if the universe smiles on you and says let's give this person who is not going to give up a bit of a chance.

This only really started in the last two years. I was the proverbial blue bottle that kept flying into the window and banging its head. I would fall onto the proverbial window-sill, lay slightly stunned for a while and then get up and do it again.

During that time I taught creative writing, worked full time as a business analyst, competed at rowing and wrote in between. You might notice I like being busy and managed all that by creating structures that enabled me to be consistent. What makes it easier for me is I like the feeling of progress. Even if I write for ten minutes then I am progressing. The point was - nothing was happening. So one day I had to re-evaluate my WHY. My great dream of international fame, fortune and flying  helicopters probably was not going to manifest in reality. Instead I realised I had been chasing illusions and actually the reason why I wrote was down to the fact I loved writing. I simply loved creating stories and it did not matter whether other people liked them or whether people bought them. Instead it was spending time in creative inner landscapes imagining. As soon as I realised that it was not about how much money I made and whether there was any interest.  I was going to write anyway because it was my passion and my hobby- that is when something shifted. The struggle stopped and I had more energy to write what I wanted, how I wanted. My books went on promotion and the sales started. I know it is sad but when you have twenty downloads in a week you feel as though you have been 'found'. That sense of liberation seemed to send a signal up to the universe and people arrived in my life who desired to make my books into audible books. That is where I am now. I am working with a fantastic producer who is turning Labyrinthine into and audible book. It seems to take it to the next level and I am loving it. After that, who knows, I am completing a couple of film scripts of The Ocean Callings and Labyrinthine because the producer I should have those ready 'just in case'. So let's see what the next step is... All I can say to all you Indie authors is persevere and find ways for you to make things happen. All the while, love what you write and enjoy it. That is the greatest reward you can have - enjoy every moment of your creation. The way I see it is if I can do it then so can other people. I can have a break through then surely sharing it with others will help them to keep going against all the odds. There will always be doubters and people who tell you why you won't succeed. It is your choice to listen to them. My advice is keep going, enjoy what you create and put the work out there because there is more than enough audience for all of us.

http://amzn.com/B008Y600X4

 

http://amzn.com/B008Y65FWU

 

 

Why write a book?

Why write a book?

Do you really want to a write a book? The idea has been buzzing around your head like an aggravating fly. Snatches of scenes keep popping up and your find yourself writing down snippets on random pieces of paper, even loo paper. The characters turn up in dreams or you find yourself drifting off at work and engaging in imaginary conversations with characters and how their day has gone…  Oh and that is just the beginning.

Those who are not of the literary stance will read the above an interpret it as madness and in truth, maybe it is. The thing is the desire and the compulsion to write has to be accompanied with a reason ‘WHY’. Otherwise why else would you sit alone at a desk for hours tapping a keyboard? That is the reality - you are sitting alone imagining and transforming that image in your mind into words in hope that someone will read it. Maybe someone will read it, maybe they won’t – so if no one reads it then what is your WHY?

The WHY could be anything. For me, my why, is that I am able to step into my own inner fantastical world where there are no limits. I can imagine anything I like and push my characters beyond their boundaries rather than have to experience the situations myself. Admittedly, Love Hunt, is based on reality and I would rather have imagined the scenarios rather than experience them in reality.

So once you have your WHY you have your fuel to remind you what you are writing for. Many of the WHY’s from my students have been quite amusing. ‘I want to put characters in some of the weirdest situations and see what happens.’ Some say they want to be the next bestseller (you can’t dismiss someone else’s why by the way). In the memoirs class my students wanted to use writing their life story as a catharsis/healing or for their family to read in future generations.

Something I will mention is that often when there is a WHY outside of yourself motivating yourself to write becomes easier. The WHYs that don’t work are usually based on money. One student once said I want to write to become rich. Well, that why is never guaranteed and there are more ways to make money which are time efficient. I think my favourite WHY came from a girl who wrote some brilliantly humorous pieces ‘I want to make space and time to sit and laugh hysterically at my own jokes while I write.’ Of course the sense of enjoyment she achieved through writing and simply enjoying resulted in her completing numerous books and drove her to make sales. Her infectious enthusiasm and humour shone from her novels.

So my advice: before you begin writing work out your WHY. It will be there to remind you when you are cleaning the toilet to avoid writing that you have a reason why you chose to write a book.

 

Link: http://amzn.com/B00TZWLRL0

Labyrinthine - the chapters the actress read and blew me away!

LABYRINTHINE - RUBY ALLURE

Copyright Ruby Allure

http://amzn.com/B008Y65FWU

 

CHAPTER 1

 

When an eye shows clarity and light, a connection to the soul is revealed.

When an eye is devoid of the celestial blueprint, the soul is lost...

It becomes Retina Blue

 

The moment of awakening came from the most unexpected source, at the most inconvenient time. It plunged a person’s life into complete disarray - that was how it was supposed to be.

     Olivia squinted in pain, rays of light shone directly into her eyes from the window. Her apartment looked bleary. She lifted her face from the floor and peeled some sketches from her cheek. Instinctively she checked the back of her head for blood. Nothing. Her black, curled hair was matted but there was no wound. Through the blur, something darted across the room. She froze. An androgynous figure wearing black was moving closer.

Inhaling hard, she shook her head. What the..?

The silence bristled.

A dark shape in the intruder’s hand caught her attention. ‘It’ intended to kill her.

Quiet.

“When you’re good and ready we will talk,” it said.

Its voice was deep and confident - mysterious. “That’s once you stop bloody fidgeting!”

Olivia stared. It did not return the glance, instead its eyes, behind dark glasses, remained fixed on an ornate, shimmering hourglass. It appeared to be counting something down.

“What have I done? Who are you? Who sent you?”

“Shhh! I’m waiting,” said the figure.

“Waiting for what?”

“Waiting for the precise moment.”

 

CHAPTER 2 

In the exhibition hall of an exclusive art gallery, a plump, fuming, fifty-something art agent paced up and down muttering under his breath. As he loosened his tie, his shifty eyes darted about in agitation. Hunching his shoulders, he grew increasingly rigid.

“That girl’s always late! It’s her last bloody chance!”

He scraped his chubby fingers over his balding head.

“Complete and utter disrespect! What does she think I am?”

He paused by a white framed window and stared out. For a moment, he just shook his head and checked his watch. I’m sick of it! If she doesn’t get here soon, I’ll have her bloody killed, that way her work might be worth something!

The agent’s face grew increasingly crimson, “this is her last bloody chance!” he spat.

 

CHAPTER 3 

In a luxurious hotel, overlooking Bournemouth’s sandy beaches, Max laid on his king-size bed, smiling at the naked woman before him. He admired her curves as he traced his finger across her tanned, lean stomach. She smiled a coy smile, removed his hand from her hip, and slipped on her black, satin dress. “Time for me to go,” she said.

He sighed, “you don’t really have to go, do you?”

“You know I do.”

She gazed at him, bent over and kissed him on the forehead. Max gazed at her breasts and then into her eyes.

She shook her head, turned, and glanced over her shoulder as she walked towards the door.

He watched the elegant woman leave the room and adjusted himself. He would never see her again.

“Damn, I have to call Olivia!”

Max yawned, rolled over and reached for his mobile. He resented having to call Olivia. She had an exhibition looming and would be at her wits end. Did he really need to deal with all that stress? He huffed; what he put himself through just to be with her was ridiculous. Max smiled wryly; he had his reasons and it was nearly time.

CHAPTER 4

At that precise moment, a ragged, jaded old woman with a plume of matted, white hair clung to a trolley as it careered down a steep hill. She laughed hysterically to herself whilst muttering to the three dolls perched on the wire mesh. Each doll was dressed as an angel and gazed into the distance with crooked doll eyes. Onlookers gazed at the eccentric old woman.

          “You haven’t seen me, you’ll forget… I forgot... So will you.”

The time had come. She had been called. She had a role to play; she just wished she knew the source of the knowledge.

CHAPTER 5

Olivia pulled her knees into her chest and sat with her back against the white wall. Whenever she moved, she winced. Had she been beaten? Drugged? 

“What do you want from me?” she asked again.

The intruder made a sideways glance, “I don’t want anything from you in particular.”

“Look - stop playing games. I know you’re here to…” Olivia gestured at the dark shape.

The intruder waved the object like a toy. “Oh this... No, you have it all wrong. It’s not so much that I’m here to kill you - it’s a mere warning. There are powers at work of which you have no understanding. And it’s far better you know of such things now, before you make any discoveries.”

Olivia gazed suspiciously at the person before her: had someone sent it? Chewing her lip, she frowned. Why warn an artist trying to make a comeback? Olivia glanced at the door. Could she get past?

“I know what you’re thinking and I wouldn’t try it if I were you,” it said.

CHAPTER 6

Max grabbed a white towel from the rack and admired his perfectly sculpted physique in the mirror. He spent hours at the gym pounding the machines for that very reason; he was attractive and knew it. He could have anyone, but he had become ‘stuck’ with Olivia. She was the deal, and he was attached to her until the exhibition was complete.

He glanced at his mobile and huffed; he had to call her. Reluctantly he dialled and waited. After three rings, Olivia’s answering machine clicked on.

“Good morning, darling. I hope everything is okay with the exhibition. I wish I could be there to support you but you know how these conferences go. Work, work, work! Anyway, good luck with the hanging – you know it will look fantastic. Anyway lo…ve you and see you when I get back.”

He checked his watch seven-thirty am and frowned. He called her mobile. No answer.

“Where are you Olivia? You hardly sleep so what are you doing? Get that bloody work up and get me my money!”

 

CHAPTER 7

 

The answer phone beeped. Olivia listened to the message and glanced at the intruder; it stood with its arms folded shaking its head. “Don’t trust him. His tone reveals he’s a liar.”

Olivia ignored the comment as she grappled to sit upright. “You know what? I don’t get this... What are you doing here? What do you want from me? If it’s money...”

“Why does it always have to be about money? Do I look as though I have the slightest interest in shinny pieces of metal?”

What did that mean? “Then…?”

“As I said... I’m waiting.” The person in black paused and glanced out of the window and back to the hourglass in front of it.

“Are you some kind of weird stalker of ex-child prodigies?” asked Olivia.

“God, no!” The intruder leant against the wall and sighed. “Do you understand the concept of timing?”  

“In relation to what?” asked Olivia glancing at the door.

“Don’t bother thinking about escape. There isn’t time... And the timing is in relation to the universe,” it responded.

What did it mean? How could she get out? She squinted and touched the back of her head. It was still painful. Olivia frowned; the intruder was real, wasn’t it?

CHAPTER 8

 

The art agent clenched his fists and gritted his teeth. “She’s done it again! How many times do I have to endure this behaviour?”

Richard, the agent, attacked his mobile phone and pressed re-dial.

“She’d better be on her way! Or... or I’ll...” he muttered. Unconsciously he stamped on the black and white patterned marble floor of the gallery. The phone rang.

“This is Olivia, please leave a message,” said the answering machine clicking on.

“Where the bloody hell are you? Get your pathetic arse over here now! I will not take this shit anymore! You will get here and put this exhibition together or we both lose everything!” he yelled. When he was finished, he snapped the phone shut. Smack! It collided with the floor. The agent loosened his collar; beads of sweat caressed his forehead and dribbled down his nose. Clasping his chest, he groaned and swayed.

CHAPTER 9

Olivia’s instinctive response was to recoil while the verbal darts flew from the answer machine.

The intruder appeared entertained by her response.

Silence.

Smiling, the intruder watched the last few golden grains trickle through the timer.

“That’s it, my timing’s done,” it said calmly. 

“No! What? You held me at gunpoint so my bloody arsehole of an agent could have a go at me? What kind of weirdo are you?” she demanded.

The intruder turned its back on her and shook the hourglass.

“Yep, the timing is perfect. Time to go. We did well. Er… Thank you.”

Olivia flushed red. “Wait! What are you and who are you working for? Why did you do this?” 

With its back to her, the intruder removed its dark glasses. For a moment, it paused and blinked a couple of times.

Olivia recoiled, “what the...?” She dug her fingers into the carpet and jammed her feet into the floor. Her instinct was to escape but all she could manage was to shake her head.

“I work for someone higher. I am known as the Connector and the timing is falling out,” it said casually. “It’s all got a bit chaotic, usually I wouldn’t take such measures…”

“You’re mad!”

The Connector’s thin lips curled. “Believe what you wish.”

Olivia shifted to kneeling. “What on earth are you?” asked Olivia, tears trickling down her cheeks.

The Connector waited, it expected the inevitable.

Urgently, she grabbed her stomach and suppressed a wave of nausea. Goosebumps prickled all over her body.

The Connector glanced back at the hourglass, “I have overstayed my ‘time’ and witnessing my eyes will help you in the future - we will meet again.”

“But I don’t want to meet again!”

“The conscious choice is not yours and it will be a much nicer experience next time. I won’t bring the weapon.”

Olivia hugged herself; the Connector’s eyes were large and clear. They were so beautiful, so turquoise. Yet there was something missing.

The Connector gestured, “by seeing my eyes you will know what you are looking for - what is extra in you and what I am missing. You are now on a search for Retina Blue: it will be the genius behind your work. Think of it as a divine gift.”

It paused and gazed into her eyes, “you are very lucky- if luck exists,” it smirked.

“Retina Blue? What on earth does that mean?” she asked in a dazed tone.

“I said our time is up! The rest is up to you.” The Connector turned towards the window, paused for a second and glanced back.

“Olivia, consider the people you have in your life. A lot of them are arseholes. Time to clear them out! Transformation is coming!” It grinned, waved, ran and then jumped.

Olivia scrambled urgently to standing and sprinted towards the window. Her glance navigated one hundred and eighty degrees. Nothing. It had disappeared... How was that possible?

The space between the ground and the window was empty. There was no evidence and nowhere for it to go. Nothing. The only other visible living entity was a squawking raven perched on a chimney of the apartment block across the street.

“Go to routine Olivia,” she whispered to herself.

 

CHAPTER 10

The old woman glanced at her watch; she had two miles to walk to the designated position. She felt tired and weary, just old. Admittedly, there were other ways to travel, it was just she should not influence anything and definitely not talk to anyone. “This one will be perfect,” she croaked.

 

The link to the book: http://amzn.com/B008Y65FWU