November 2023

November 2023

Sliding towards the end of the year

November has come and almost gone. The month my children call pointless because they just want to get to December. Life, I tell them, as I rush round with a hoover and a to-do list, is not a race.

It has been a month of rain and log fires and caving in and turning the heating on. The cat fell into a cup of (cold) tea and the (clean) toilet bowl. Enzo refuses to go out without his fleece on. Wiener just refuses to go out. Buddy doesn’t feel the cold on a walk or in the sea but barks and taps on the door within two seconds of being put outside. 

I was forced to put the Christmas trees up (yes, note that plural) before the 1st of December. It took hours and I was grumpy and guess what the cat did within seconds of the lights being switched on?

So all in all, November has seen the normal highs and lows with lots of wagging tails and teenage tantrums and small dachshund poops hidden in corners.
 
[EDITOR’S NOTE: Yes, I can definitely confirm that the cat FELL into the cold tea, no matter what Wiener might say.]

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Book Two

The cat is out the bag (and the loo, and the cup of tea, and the Christmas tree). I can talk about Goodbye Birdie Greenwing and share the incredible front cover. Ta-dah! How gorgeous are those ducks?
 
Proofs have landed and I’ll be doing a giveaway next month. I really hope you love Birdie, Jane and Ada as much as I do.
 
And don't forget, you can pre-order now...
 
Amazon
 
Bert's Books
 
Waterstones

Some Early Reviews Are In

I'm already hearing some lovely things being said about Goodbye Birdie Greenwing from its advance readers posting to Goodreads...
 
 
"A truly brilliant follow up to Dog Days... Ericka writes with so much heart."
Sarah Woodcock
 
"The story tackles family, loneliness, loss, the power of community and connection, grabbing the most out of every moment... The author understands human emotions and motivations... Her imagery is sharp and fresh but instantly relatable and real... Loved loved loved."
KathVBtn

"Wow, wow, wow! Ericka Waller has done it again and smashed it out of the park with this one...Goodbye Birdie Greenwing pulled at my heartstrings and had me falling quickly and deeply in love with it."
Alisha Maltby - mybookscape
 
 
"What an absolutely amazing book! I loved all the characters and it’s so well written you feel completely immersed in it all."
Helen
 
"This book is a sure-fire winner... It has charm, absolute bags of it."
Louise
 
 
"I don't think there's a single character in Ericka Waller's books that I don't want to be, befriend or glare disapprovingly at."
@WaughGas [on X]

Top Tips - Dig Yourself Out of That Hole

We all feel a bit pants now and again. Here are my Top Seven Tips for shaking off a case of the blues and perking yourself back up…
 

1: Talk it through
Putting your feelings into words can be enormously helpful but sometimes it’s best to avoid the sympathetic friend or the calm, reasonable counsellor and go for the right kind of audience - one that doesn’t talk back. I’m lucky enough to have a whole cohort of dedicated, supportive, discreet and silent listeners in the form of three dogs and a cat. Telling all your worries to your pet, while holding a piece of cheese, as they remain rapt, quivering with attention, devotion, and understanding, is often the most effective form of therapy.
 

 
3: Watch Christmas films early
Evidence shows it boosts endorphins. Yes, really. Jude Law in The Holiday? Okay, if you insist. Karl in Love, Actually? Again, if I must.
 
4: Eat an orange
…and read the Wendy Cope poem about an orange. Vitamin C and soul food. Oranges literally smell of happiness. And yes, a Terry's chocolate orange still counts.
 
At lunchtime I bought a huge orange -
The size of it made us all laugh.
I peeled it and shared it with Robert and Dave -
They got quarters and I got a half.
 
And that orange, it made me so happy,
As ordinary things often do
Just lately. The shopping. A walk in the park.
This is peace and contentment. It's new.
 
The rest of the day was quite easy.
I did all the jobs on my list
And enjoyed them and had some time over.
I love you. I'm glad I exist.
 
 
5: Go to bed really early
… preferably with a scented candle, crisp, fresh bedlinen (mmmmmm) and a good book. Pick a book that you really want to read, not the one that’s next on your pile and definitely not one that you feel you should be reading. You can even re-read an old book if you want. Madness, I know!  If you don't read books (because you are a savage) then may I recommend watching the first season of New Girl?
 
6. Laugh
Remind yourself of something that really made you laugh. Like that time a lawyer appearing at a virtual court case via Zoom had a problem with a filter – and helpfully confirmed “I am not a cat.”

    
 x 
 
Mute
 
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7. Go…
Get into your comfiest footwear and just go outside, in any weather, rain, sunshine or wind, and remember that you are still here. Still alive.
 
[EDITOR’S NOTE: It’s actually the vintage Somerset Cheddar that I prefer, Ericka. Now, what were you blathering on about?]

Pondering Solipsism

When we look at a colour, are we both seeing the same thing? When we smell a rose, how can we be sure that we're experiencing the same scent?
 
We can't - and I find that fascinating. So much so that I wrote a new blog post about it. Head over to my site to check it out.

Read 'Your Wild and Precious Life'

Here Comes the Sun - A New Short Story

Naturally, all that ruminating on our inner lives and the the human condition had me comtemplating the vastness of humanity and the minutiae of our lives as well - and the billions and billions of stories that the world has to tell every day. And that inspired a new short story.
 

Read 'Here Comes the Sun'

Book Reviews

As ever, I've been discovering some fantastic books this month.
 
If you're looking for some recommendations or gift ideas, my latest 'Mini Book Reviews' are over on my website.

Latest Book Reviews

5 Books With Another Twist

Bookstagrammer and avid reader Alisha Maltby asked if she could take a slightly different approach to our regular '5 Books...' feature and has provided us with a list of favourites across a range of literary genres.
 
From gore-laden crime to heart-rending romance, Alisha's selection is live on my website now.

Check Out Alisha's Selections

The Parting Shot

I love this action shot of my canine companions - the look of sheer deternination on little Enzo's face; Wiener vaiantly keeping pace; and lovely old Buddy trundling along with a very special find. Just joyful.
 

Christmas is Coming...

Well, there we go - another month and the penultimate edition of the Enzograph for 2023 done and dusted. We're already into the Festive Season but I'll hang onto those Christmas Greetings until next time. Best of luck with all your preparations. See you just before the Big Day.
 
Peace and paws out, people.
 
Love,
Ericka (and Enzo)
xxx
 

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