November 11 comes round. I'll be wearing my poppy tomorrow no matter that people seem to be fussing about such things. I think there's more to fuss about, frankly, but hey ho. So poppy and two minutes silence. Meanwhile working hard, waiting hard, and hoping hard that the planets are in alignment and lady luck is on my side. Fingers crossed that people like my novel, that people like my songs but mostly that people start liking each other. That's the biggest hope of all.

May Day 1916

OK so you may not know this but I've always loved reading about and researching into the Great War. Why? You loyal folk might well ask and it's nothing to do with the centenary. It stems from childhood, in fact, stems from finding big fat books sitting on the shelves at home, obviously belonging to my dad, and being curious about them. One book which particularly grabbed my attention was called 'The First Day on the Somme.' I remember the cover which was black, white and red, but not the author. Sorry. However, though I didn't read it all, being young, I was very moved by what I did read, and the biggest shock was the number of soldiers who died on that first day. It's this which is behind the lyrics of my band's new single, 'May Day 1916'. It's about the letter sent by one woman to her husband who's on the Western Front. She knows nothing about The Somme and what's to come. Her letter brings a little piece of home to her husband, a little something about the children, the garden, that day's celebration. Nothing about what she really feels, her fears, her loneliness. She has no idea what's going to happen to her husband, or if he'll ever come home. Probably he doesn't. The letter is written with love. Anyway, we like it so much we thought we'd try to sell it and raise money for the Royal British Legion in the run up to Remembrance Day. So we're trying really hard to push it. We release the single on October 14. Available on download or on CD (one of four songs). If you're interested have a look at it on Youtube and wish us luck. Thank you.

whoah, time's winged chariot

Seems to me that time just slips away, like someone pulling the mat from under you. Please stop and give me a breather, why don't you? Ah well, some requests are made to be left ungranted. But here I am anyway. Lots going on , very little of it to do with writing and that's OK because it's needs must and it doesn't stop my head from filling with stuff which will be consigned, sooner or later, to the page or the screen. Having said that, still writing to earn a meagre crust (let's face it, some crusts are lovely, especially with butter plastered on top) and working on the novel. Apropos that, changed the sex of the main character which has given me immense freedom. Should have done that ages ago I reckon. Living and learning. This writing lark. Still singing, by the way, squeezing in the odd gig, still thinking about new songs. Wish me luck, you canny folk, drop me a line if you feel the urge.

My last blog was full of errors! Whoops. Never mind. Written in a hurry and prood that rushing isn't goof. Tee hee.

The French title has landed! I have my advance copies already gracing the shelves which are positively groaning with foreign issues. No, I'm  not moaning. Exact opposite! Now then, I've had a few recent face book friend requests, thanks for those. But, I'm not trying to be churlish or unfriendly but if anyone out there would like to send messages you can do it via my website (www.celiabryce.co.uk) or via the Celia Bryce Band face book site. I'm happy to be friends with anyone who would like that, but my personal face book site isn't much good for anyone but family, who understand that I'm not great at keeping in touch or answering friend requests.  Hope you all understand. Thanks once again/

Coming Soon...

... the French version of Anthem for Jackson Dawes. Looking good. Hopefully I'll  have some copies on my shelves soon.

Happy New Year to one and all and let's hope it's a better one for anyone who's suffered loss or heartbreak. Sometimes listening to the news makes me very sad indeed. But, I've had some lovely tweets from Brazilian readers recently which makes me feel especially honoured and cheers me no end. So thank you for that, you wonderful people. Just to let you know, book two is now completed, book three well under way with a second draft almost completed, and well, who knows. Wish me luck at this time. So many hurdles to jump, hoops to crawl through, mountains to climb. Gee, this writing lark's no breeze. Fingers crossed on all counts. Bye for now, folks.