Post from December 2019.
The Woods in Winter
That is my favourite bit of path in the woods by my house. It’s also the most productive. When I get stuck with a storyline or a finicky little plot detail that just won’t iron out, that’s where I go, and solutions become clear. Big epiphanies about characters and back stories happen there too. Maybe it’s because it’s a timeless landscape. Or maybe I just feel relaxed and at peace there.
Just now though, I am recovering from flu and can’t walk in the woods. Soon, I tell myself. Soon. I can sit up and write so I may really need to go there soon! (Edit 2022: it would not be soon. This was the start of a non-woodland path to an auto-immunity diagnosis that would wind its way through hospital stays and many monstrous moments!)
Reviews
I’ve been deeply touched by how much thought people have been putting into their reviews of THE MERMAID AND THE BEAR.
Local Quine Kate the Quiet Knitter’s review “This wonderful magical tale then takes a deviation towards the darkness and from here Sinclair’s research and writing really shines. Her portrayal of 16th century Scotland is entrancing, and the details of the witch-hunts taking place in that time are fascinating.”
On the Mum, Write NOW blog “Overall the characters are lovable, I found it interesting that their lives intertwined slightly with Shakespeare and also touched on LGBT culture and attitudes at that time. It really felt that there was a depth of historical knowledge informing the narrative which I always enjoy.”
An Impertinent Interview
And the Wee Writing Lassie wrote about the book and asked me 7 impertinent questions! “Another inclusive detail in Ailish’s novel is the fact that her heroine – Isobell – is a plus sized woman, and this is never treated like a problem, or something about her that needs to be fixed, by the narrative. All body type inclusion, yeah!”
The Woods in Summer
The same path, though the other end and other direction, in the woods, in summer:
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The woods look like the road less travelled….beautiful!
They are rather wild!
What a beautiful place to wander, love the contrast between summer and winter.
I love the ever changing nature of the woods too.
Lovely seeing the same path at two different times of the year! The snowy scene is my favourite though, I do love snow!! … I am also making myself read more this coming year too, so I think I will add yours to my list too 🙂
I hope you enjoy it!
I’m hoping to give the book my full attention over Xmas. Sorry about your flu, I had a jab this year for first time. Perhaps you’d like to read my book?
I could certainly add it to a tbr read list. Is it on Amazon or Goodreads?
Not yet still trying direct sales. Waterstones in Ashford just sat on copy for a few weeks, but Canterbury Christ Church Uni bookshop will promote it with my lecture there on 17 Dec
I think the publisher has to be approved by one of Waterstones distributors before they can stock or order it. Listed on appropriate databases etc. Independents are great; they can do what they like
Very beautiful photos – looks a great source of peace!
It really is
What a beautiful path! No wonder you love it.
I really do
That path look so beautiful! Completely different in both seasons.
It is a wonderfully changeable landscape too
What wonderful woods! I sometimes regret, as a writer, having settled for a house in town. My mental journeys to the woods are still my inspiration. The first photo catches my breath in my throat.
The weather created a perfect scene that day.
beautiful scenery. Get well soon.
Thank you
I love your fairy land path through the woods. Congratulations on the thoughtful reviews of The Mermaid and the Bear. I hope you feel better soon!
Thank you ⭐️
You’re welcome!
I love the contrasting photos in your post! Hope you’re well and on your feet again soon.
Thank you
There really is something about forests for me too. Couldn’t agree with you more. Oh, and I added your book to my TBR!
They are magical! I hope you enjoy the book
Oh yeah, I love hiking because of how magical it can be. Me too!
🙂
Beautiful, hope you feel better soon!
Thank you
Sorry to hear you’ve had the flu, no fun. Congrats on the wonderful reviews!
Thank you
What a magical spot!
It is ✨
Thank you for sharing your woodland walk, it is so beautiful even during the winter season.. I bet it looks wonderful during the Autumn. Hope you are now fully recovered from the nasty flu bug.
Thank you 🙂 It does look great in Autumn too.
Have just purchased your book and looking forward to reading it. Will certainly review it. Getting reviews is so difficult. Love your photos! I know I’ll never get back to Scotland, so sad about that, but your pictures take me there. Thanks so much.
Thank you so much! And I’m glad you enjoy the pictures 🙂
What a beautiful and peaceful path!! I hope you feel better soon!
Thank you
These are wonderful pictures of what I can see is a wonderful place. I love pictures (or visions) of roads or trails leading ahead until they disappear, and a tunnel of trees makes it perfect. You are lucky to have such a place.
Please get well soon.
I am blessed in this place. And thank you 🙂
What a wondrous snow picture! Check out my review at saylingaway.wordpress,com, but I put it on Amazon, Amazon UK and Goodreads too. Best of luck – great story!
Thank you so much for your review Noelle 🙂
Hello there. You’re fortunate to have a place where writing dilemmas resolve themselves.
Enjoy the week!
Neil Scheinin
Walking just about anywhere seems to help.
Lovely photos (and reviews)! Feel better–the flu is no small thing.
Thank you
The snow pic is pure magic.
I loved that scene
That path is beautiful! I wish I had something like that near where I live. I hope you feel better soon!
Thank you
gorgeous pics!
Glad you like
The two views of your wonderful woodland path are gorgeous! I am so sorry you have had flu! Get better soon. Congratulations on the thoughtful reviews.
Thank you
Best wishes for your recovery. I’d be walking that path, too. It’s likely beautiful in all seasons.
It really is, quite overgrown with bracken at the end of summer.
Another lovely set of pics, Ailish! I have posted a review of your book on my blog, Goodreads and Amazon UK – I loved it… Have a lovely week:))
Thank you so much for your wonderful review
You’re very welcome:)). I thought it a beautiful story.
And here is the link… https://sjhigbee.wordpress.com/2019/12/04/review-of-the-mermaid-and-the-bear-by-ailish-sinclair-brainfluffbookreview-themermaidandthebearbookreview/
What a difference snow makes. 🙂 … to everything! 😀 … hope the lurgy shifts soon and you are out and about soon. 🙂
It really does. I’m quite looking forward to seeing some snow this season 🙂
I particularly like the photograph at the top of this post, it’s outstanding.
And you are fortunate in your reviewers, who obviously read with care.
Gosh, I so enjoyed this lovely post! The woody path made me think of “Stopping by woods on a snowy evening” by Frost
I wish those trees were in my backyard. I love how twisty they become near the top.
As always, I love your posts and those photos of the place you walk—-beautiful! I wish you all the best with your book!
Thank you! I needed a tree for my new diorama and couldn’t think of one, now I have it !!
Enchanting
A novel to add to my to buy and to read list ♥️
Lovely photo’s – those woods look beautiful!
Beautiful!
Beautiful spot to walk through! There is something about walking that inspires the mind to create.
There really is.
Simply beautiful!
Oh, my, I am so envious of your woodsy path. Simply beautiful.
It is a wonderful path 🙂
Is there a time of year that this place is more productive for you, or is it a year-round inspiration?
It’s a beautiful spot – reminds me of when I used to live in the winterlands…
Me – I don’t have a physical place that I go – they’re all in my mind.
It’s effective in all seasons 🙂
Well done
woke up this morning thinking about my next walk in the woods near our home, and had the suprised pleasure of bumping into your blog. thanks for the images, visual and literal, of your own woodland visits! – greetings from Tennessee, Kathi
Woodland walks are wonderful 🙂
That path by your house is absolutely epic! I am not surprised you get inspiration from it! Wow!
I do love that path!
I feel like I could happily walk through those woods and stay there as a hermit, or the local witch-like lady <3
Then there’d be two of us 😀
Love the path where clarity and inspiration arrive. A calm, distraction free environment will do that! Thanks
It is a wonderful path.
Exquisite captures of what appears to almost be a mystical world