Another year bites the dust... Goodbye 2013

And now, the end is near...

I find it hard to believe that this is the last day of 2013 - where did that year go? UNBELIEVABLE!

Anyway, to top up the year, my blog has been featured by Jill Edmondson, I have been interviewed online, and I was nominated for an award... pop goes the weasel! HA!

When it rains it falls... but as I have said in my blog post, ON GIBRALTAR BOOKSHELVES, nothing can compare to seeing your book for sale on a real bookstore!

The reviews from readers have also made me smile, and made me think that perhaps I am a reasonable writer after all - thank you...

So, here goes - ENJOY

HAPPY NEW YEAR - I hope 2014 does not whizz by as fast as 2013 did!

Vanessa Wester :) xx

Reflecting on the last year, my thoughts at the end of 2013, is live on THE EVOLUTION TRILOGY blog, and has been featured by Jill Edmondson - LINK HERE

Interviewed by Tony Gilbert, thank you - LINK HERE

Nominated for...

This nomination came from Scarlett Flame - a very feisty red-head who is all heart! Thank you

All details on this award can be found HERE

I have received these "awards" over the last year and have to admit that I find them to be a bit like chain letters... you either are into them or you are not. Either way, I am glad someone thought of me and so I will recommend some bloggers who I wish to "award" now. By the way, you can collect up to six stars... ooooooo

So, a very Happy New Year to the following bloggers - please attach this badge of honour to your site if you wish...

Terry Tyler   Susan Buchanan   Val Poore   Carol Hedges   James Smith   Francis Potts

Can I also remind you that HYBRID is now FREE, please tell your friends and download. Thank you :)

= >>>>>> CLICK ON THE LINK FOR AMAZON, SMASHWORDS, NOOK, KOBO, etc...

20,000 views... WOW

I just realised whilst updating my blogs that I have had over 20,000 views on this blog!

Awesome... Thank you to anyone who has come and had a look at my rambles!


Anyway, I had a fantastic Christmas with my sisters in Tewkesbury... we stayed in a massive converted barn (I did however look forward to my shower when I got home since the shower head was so big it flooded you, so I bathed instead... it was quite nice actually). I hope you all had a great Christmas too...

I am going to try and keep this blog updated with extras (like recipes, etc) in the new year... I know there are a lot of cake fans out there!

Saying this, I ate a lot of food (still am - but I made a soup today... phew) so I am going on a "diet" in January - when the clothes start to get tight, it's time to do something. My diet will mainly consist of exercise, more fruit & veg (tuna salads!) and less chocolate :(

It has to be done... So, here are my New Year resolutions

1) More exercise
2) Less processed food
3) Write again...
4) Major clear up - yes, some books HAVE to go to the charity shop!
5) Read... (this is easy!

What are your top ideas?

Happy New Year to you all
All the best,
Vanessa :) xx

P.s. if you want to read my debut novel, HYBRID, as an eBook for free, then head on over to The Evolution Trilogy for all the links to Amazon, Kobo, Nook, etc - I have had over 1000 downloads in the US already! :)

BOOK LAUNCH in GIBRALTAR: THE EVOLUTION TRILOGY

I have just got back from Gibraltar... its amazing how much you can pack in in three days! PHEW...

Anyway, it truly is an incredible place - tell me anywhere else where you can call an old school friend (thank you Paula Latin) in the morning and then get mentioned on the radio station, have a TV crew sent to you for an interview that afternoon, and then get interviewed by local newspapers resulting in my first ever one page interview! I know, WOW...

Thank you so much to Alice Mascarenhas from the Gibraltar Chronicle for the feature.
LINK http://www.chronicle.gi/headlines_details.php?id=32150



And this is the GBC live TV interview - yes, I exist... for all of my virtual friends - I am not a BOT! :)

Newswatch - 17/12/13

LINK http://www.gbc.gi/television/tv-player.php?programme=475&episode=6328

Anyway, this is me signing books I sold... what a nice feeling!

Please head on over to my Trilogy blog (LINK) for more information... and spread the word about HYBRID being FREE as an eBook...

Thank you so much for you support & encouragement,

MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR

Vanessa :) xx

HYBRID is now FREE (Ahhhhhh...)

Yesterday, I realised that my debut novel, HYBRID, has been price matched on Amazon and is now FREE.

I have to admit that I have no idea how to feel about it...

On the one hand, I might get loads of readers interested in the Trilogy and in my dream world it'll soar up the charts, and then a movie company will... (cough, cough, cough...) YEP, steady on - like no chance!

So, the downside is that loads of readers will hate it and give me horrible reviews and then I will sob my heart out, hide in a dark corner and never come out! (A bit over dramatic, maybe?)

Anyway, either way, I have to stop being so scared. Truth, I am petrified. This past week I have been wallowing in the doldrums of self-pity...

I have convinced myself that the Trilogy is rubbish and that anyone posting good reviews is just being kind - since I know I can also get bad reviews. Like, for example, in the US where a reader decided to write an essay for a review! Have mercy on me... Everyone is entitled to an opinion, but do you have to give away the entire plot in a review!

I can't help but wonder sometimes if these reviews come from genuine readers, or authors hoping to divulge their pearls of wisdom on other (supposedly) lessor authors... who knows? Truth, it got to me - I am human :(

Anyway, I have to move on from the Trilogy. It is finished - done! Time to write something else, something different.

I am just lacking motivation. Is it because it is so dark & gloomy, or because I have been unwell (anaemic), or just because...

Anyway, I would be really grateful if any of you kind people out there can spread the word about HYBRID being free... if you don't like it, don't read it - simple :)

All the links to Amazon are on THE EVOLUTION TRILOGY blog, but this is the UK, US, one to get you there directly.

All the best,
Vanessa :) xx

p.s.

Now heading off to put up Christmas Tree to cheer myself up... tra, la la la laaaaah, la la la lahhhh