Category : Musings

I write, therefore I am.

Filed Under : Musings,Writing by Sarah

Jun.10,2011

“Why do you write?”

I’ve lost count of the number of times I get asked that. I often shrug and say, “because I can.” Or, “Why do you breathe?” There’s no easy answer.

But, why do I offer my writing for you to read? That’s a whole different question.

I do that because I am no shrinking violet, I do that because I want, demand, that my voice be heard. I do that because I love engaging with people, love watching people and I bask in the feedback that I get, yes, even the not so positive as well. I love it all. After all, I want my creation to spark a reaction from you. Read More…

Tags : musing, rambling, why publish, why write, Writing

Child of the Portal – Cover.

Filed Under : Kindle,Musings,The Portal Series by Sarah

May.9,2011

It’s time to make a final decision on the cover for the ebook edition of Child of the Portal, the final book in the Portal series.

I found a simply stunning image on facebook, amongst the pages of people I’m connected with there. This original image was a photograph taken by Helen Noble, at Monk Haven, St Ishmaels, Pembrokeshire. Helen has managed to capture something magical, it caught my eye and I fell in love….

Thankfully Helen has kindly allowed me to use the photo for the cover. Read More…

Tags : child of the portal, cover, ebook, kindle, nook, portal series

Bogged down

Filed Under : Musings by Sarah

Mar.16,2011

I’m drowning… in paperwork, in detail and nitty gritty, in car hunting and dealing with life.

Sometimes it happens this way and the creation of new plots, places and characters goes on hold. Read More…

On my desk.

Filed Under : Musings,Writing by Sarah

Feb.19,2011

Currently on my desk….

I have a handful of projects lurking on my desk and I’m working on them all. They’re each at different stages, and some need more work than others.

My head is a little crowded ….

Sam.

When Sam left before the beginning of The Portal Between, she went willingly. She wasn’t abducted, but Ametsam still prevented her from coming home and she never told Kate exactly what he did.Sam never explained to Kate, or to us, why she hated him, why she was so damaged both physically and mentally when she came back. Read More…

Tags : child of the portal, in progress, portal series, Sage, sam, test readers

Competition closed.

Filed Under : Musings,Writing by Sarah

Feb.4,2011

The Amazon/Createspace ABNA competition is now closed. The competition runs once a year and accepts only 5,000 entries in each of two categories. I’ve entered Child of the Portal into the Adult Fiction category.

This first round is the hardest to crack, as it’s not judged on the author, who remains anonymous through most of the competition. Nor is it judged on the work submitted. Instead, this first round is judged on the very short 300 word book pitch. For me, writing the book was easier and that has taken over two years. The pitch has gone through several revisions and has been brutally cropped and trimmed until only the barest bones of the main plot arc are gleaming there like bones in the desert. Read More…

Tags : abna, child of the portal, fantasy, kindle, portal series

Slightly scared.

Filed Under : Musings,Publishing,The Portal Series,Writing by Sarah

Jan.20,2011

It’s always a slightly nervous moment when a new work goes out to test readers for the first time. A couple of evenings ago I typed in the final scene to fill the last gap on “Child of the Portal” and then I popped it onto my new kindle (love that thing). A quick sense skim and then it was time.

Like ripping off a plaster I just emailed it out to my small handful of trusted test readers, and now I’m going to hide….. Read More…

Tags : 2011, child of the portal, editing, ethics trading, lily, portal series, test readers

2010, What a year.

Filed Under : Musings by Sarah

Dec.30,2010

On the writing front, another book released: The Map and The Stone, another NaNo won, a competition lost, Portal 3 progressing and still not finished, but a huge milestone covered in it. I’m pretty much done on the first draft now and just need to fill gaps and give it the first look over to get it ready for test reading – so, test readers, get your red pens out and check they still work please!

Solstice 2010.

Filed Under : Musings by Sarah

Dec.21,2010

“Solstice is the day when the sun shines for the shortest time. It’s the day when the night is longest. From then until after Christmas the days are dark and the Earth sleeps. So when the sun goes down on Winter Solstice we light fires and candles to help it come back in the morning. We bring green branches into the house to remind ourselves that Spring will come again soon.
Without the darkest nights we couldn’t look forward to the dawn of a new day. Without the cold dark of winter we wouldn’t appreciate spring and summer properly.
So we bring light, heat and life into our homes to remember the last year and …look forward to the next. We give gifts to bring to mind the people we love. We feast to give thanks for a fruitful harvest, and we save seeds to plant in the spring.”

(Lily, The Portal Between)

May light fill your life and heart, may the gifts of the Universe be plentiful.

Sarah
xx

Musing.

Filed Under : Casting,Musings,The Portal Series,Writing by Sarah

Dec.8,2010

Ever since I don’t when, I’ve had Gillian Anderson in my head as Lily. But I’m fickle.

Lily?

Emma Thompson – What do you think?

I’m working on Portal 3 (still “Child of the Portal” at the moment) and as the first draft draws to a close there are some revelations that are wringing the emotion from Lily, tearing her apart and forcing her to see herself as less than the super human who can just waft in and save the day at exactly the right moment. There are things happening that really test her and push her to make the choices she’s been avoiding. Lily is being made to face her own demons and the lasting effects of the actions she took and the choices she made before she knew Kate, before she left Ametsam. Read More…

Tags : child of the portal, kate, lily, portal series

Remapping

Filed Under : Musings,The Portal Series by Sarah

Nov.30,2010

I’ve picked up Portal 3 again. The manuscript stands at roughly 85,000 words and is close to the first draft being finished, I suspect around the 100k word mark before I go back over it and fill the gaps, plug the holes and do that first round of editing that makes it readable. Read More…

Tags : child of the portal, kate, lily, portal series, sam

Sarah Barnard

Magical Portals, Spaceships and flying cars….

Category : Musings

I write, therefore I am.

Child of the Portal – Cover.

Bogged down

On my desk.

Currently on my desk….

Sam.

Competition closed.

Slightly scared.

2010, What a year.

Solstice 2010.

Musing.

Remapping

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