2019
It is not until New Years Eve, one can truly reflect on twelve months now gone and waters passed under the bridge taking in its flow, memories, achievements and adventures. There is no doubt 2019 took me to places both in my head and around Wales I did not plan, nor expect. ‘Crach Ffinnant – Rise of the Dragon’ (Volume II) released at the beginning of the year was another milestone in this incredible journey with Words Matter Publishing since winning a writing competition the previous year with ‘Crach Ffinnant – The Prophecy’ (Volume I). Spurred on and no pun intended, it was clear Volume III must be written and the quest began.
Debbie and I set about touring North Wales particularly sites of great relevance to the story of Glyndwr. From castles to abbey’s to mountains holding nothing but historic memory we camped and pondered, me writing and Debbie sketching. ‘Crach Ffinnant – Ravens and Dragons’ was born and completed with very little effort but a shed load of fun and adventure. Volume III is due for release early in 2020.
We attended book fairs and events throughout the year, signing books and giving readings, spreading ‘Crach’o’Magic’ wherever we landed. Lazzmatazz 2019 hosted a book fair and literature festival as a fringe event and due to success, this will also be a feature of 2020.
After a grand summer as autumn approached, out of the blue we received a call from Cheryl Beer http://www.thesleepingstoryteller.com Cheryl offered to publish our children’s story, ‘Pablo the Provider of Pixie Picnic Parcels Packed with Poached Parsnip Pie Products’ telling of a pixie with memory problems beautifully illustrated by Debbie Eve. In October Cheryl gave us the book, beautifully printed and presented, made from sustainable sources, it was a joy to behold. An unexpected ‘fairy’ had come to call, waved a magic wand and whoosh!
I have been busy throughout the year recording the audio book for ‘Crach Ffinnant – The Prophecy’ and again ‘crach’o’magic’ struck. Grant Eden of http://www.oystermouthradio.com expressed interest in a serialization for radio and ‘Tales from Wales – Book at Bedtime’ was born with ‘Crach Ffinnant – The Prophecy’ narrated by me as the featured book. With eight episodes of twenty nine completed, ‘Crach Ffinnant’ has hit the airwaves across cyberspace with more magic to be revealed in 2020.
This whole journey is exciting and certainly full of magic, seeing my creation of Crach Ffinnant grow and begin to flourish from an idea, to paper, to print, to radio and now….. if ‘crach’o’magic’ prevails… to the screen. Volume One – ‘Crach Ffinnant – The Prophecy’ has been pitched for Project Alpha 1 hosted by BooksOffice in London. Voting is for one month beginning 14 January and if successful work will begin in March of 2020. I am also submitting my historical drama, ‘Ballad of Penygraig’ in a further project later in the year.
2020
With 2019 almost done I look forward to the adventures ahead this coming year with the release of Book III ‘Crach Ffinnant – Ravens & Dragons’ and completing Book IV, ‘Crach Ffinnant – Justice Prevails’ ready for release in the summer. I cannot pretend some trepidation in my step when considering the bids for my work perhaps getting to the screen, it is exciting and full of magic and in the meantime, Book at Bedtime continues on http://www.oystermouthradio.com More ‘road trips’ for research, fun and intuitive magic, Lazzmatazz 2020 and other events. With no idea where last year would end, there is some idea where this one starts. Happy New Year to all.
SPECIAL THANKS
I owe the following people much gratitude for their support in 2019. Debbie Eve, Tammy Koelling, Cheryl Beer, Grant Eden, Michael Kennedy, Karen Gemma Brewer and the many kind folk whose paths crossed.
Lazarus Carpenter - Author 