This is a blog you’ll enjoy if you like writing! I write for magazines in the UK and abroad and I am also the Agony Aunt for Writers’ Forum magazine.



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Battersea Dogs and Cats Home

I recently did a feature for the People’s Friend about Battersea Dog and Cats Home to tie in with  ITV1’s series, Paul Grady: For the Love of Dogs.  The feature comes out in People’s Friend on October 20th, but in the meantime here are some of the rather lovely pictures that were taken by a friend who went with me.  Thank you, Peter.

 

One of the saddest statistics, at least for me, was that 37% of all the dogs in Battersea are Staffie Crosses. This is Jacob who was at the time of my visit, Battersea’s longest serving resident!

I have a Staffie Cross called Rosie. Here she is.

Rosie is an ASBO dog – she doesn’t like other dogs. She was brought up by a man who thought it would be fun to teach her to fight. Now, despite consulting various experts  she has to be walked separately on a lead from my other dogs and preferably when there is no one else around.

I wrote this poem for Rosie and all the other ASBO dogs and owners out there who have to go out before dawn if they want a peaceful walk.

 ASBO Dogs

 There’s an underworld of dogs,

they come out before the dawn,

when the city streets are dark still,

and there’s frost on every lawn.

They’re the growlers and the snappers,

and the ones that start the fights.

They haul their owners round

beneath the avenues of lights.

They tread in endless circles,

and they don’t come face to face.

Wearing harnesses and muzzles

in some endless pre-dawn race.

There’s an underworld of dogs,

called the monsters and the pests.

The biters and the fighters;

they can’t mix with all the rest.

Their owners are pariahs, they

side-step each other madly.

A wave across a football pitch

’cause dogs behaving badly!

Their owners are the saviours,

And the only ones to go

To the last chance sanctuaries,

where the dogs are on death row.

There’s an underworld of owners,

who gave up an easy ride,

for the hassle of an ASBO dog,

snip-snapping by their side

There’s an underworld of dogs,

who’d never chase another ball.

Without an underworld of owners,

they would never live at all.

© Della Galton, 2012

 

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One Step Ahead – Daily Della #08

This week’s Daily Della is ready for your downloading pleasure!

One Step Ahead – Daily Della #08

Second in a series of Twist-in-the-Tale Daily Dellas – five short stories, each with an unexpected ending.

One Step Ahead; Maggie isn’t best pleased when her son tells her she’ll no longer fit into a size 12 dress, especially when he puts his money where his mouth is. “I bet you a fiver you won’t buy anything in a size 12 when you go shopping for the dinner dance, Mum.” Maggie’s confident she’ll prove him wrong when she sets out. Didn’t she read somewhere recently that dress sizes have gone up in line with British women getting larger? But who will win the bet and who will get the last laugh?

Hearing Voices; When Emma joins Talking Dates, she finds herself conjuring up images of what her dates will look like by how they sound. Surely it figures that a man with a gorgeous voice will be – well – gorgeous. But Emma is in for one or two surprises.

Mother Love; Family weddings are difficult at the best of times, and when the bride’s parents have both married someone else they are even more complicated. But it should be possible to put aside your doubts and jealousies for just one day, shouldn’t it?

My Gran; Sherry loves going to her gran’s for lunch on Fridays, even though sometimes it’s a huge effort. Like today – when she’d rather be chilling out at home. On the other hand they’ve made many a memory in her gran’s house, even though things have never been quite what they seem.

Car Trouble; Agreeing to car share with her teenage son was never going to be a wise move, especially when Dianne remembers her own teenage car sharing experiences. Things went badly wrong back then and it looks like history is going to repeat itself. It doesn’t help that her mother can’t wait to say, I told you so.

Only £1.53 (or local equivalent)
Read the first few pages for free.
Purchase it now from amazon.co.uk | amazon.com


See all the books in the Daily Della series here

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Educating Nita – Daily Della #07

If you’re a regular visitor to the blog (you can subscribe for free to this blog using the yellow ‘RSS’ heart icon over on the right and have new posts delivered to you via email) you’ll know all about my short story e-book anthology ‘Daily Della’.

Until now I’ve been choosing stories from my extensive collection of short romantic fiction, but from today, and for the next four weeks, each edition of Daily Della will feature five twist in the tales – five stories, each with an unexpected ending! Well, they were unexpected to me so hopefully they will be to you 🙂

Educating Nita – Daily Della #07

In Educating Nita, Lynn and Ian are beginning to get exasperated. Nita cannot decide which college course is best for her – Accountancy or Art? She keeps changing her mind. AlthoughLynn is a little more sympathetic than Ian because she remembers how hard it was to choose when she did the same thing. Not to mention how unhelpful her parents were. Surely the most important thing is that Nita is happy. Isn’t it?

Seeing Red; Gordon cannot understand why he is failing to get his features published – his writing class tell him they are spot on. Neither can he understand why Chloe Bennett, editor of Prime of Your Life, seems to enjoy torturing him so much. Then he discovers she is doing a talk at his local library. So he goes along to ask her – and finds out the shocking truth.

4 Oaks Drive; When Carol’s, boss asks her to show Mr and Mrs Hardy around 4 Oaks Drive, she is none too pleased. They are the prospective buyers from hell and complain loudly (in front of the owners) about every property they view. Will4 Oaks Drive prove to be the exception – or does she have to resort to plan B which is to murder them and bury their bodies beneath the ornamental patio?

Facing The Truth; Helen’s new man works in a health and fitness centre and he likes her to look good. But Liz, Helen’s elder sister, thinks his suggestion Helen has botox is a step too far. She goes to his workplace to give him a piece of her mind – with surprising results.

The 100-Metre Race; Carol’s son Toby is worried about Sports Day – or to be more specific the 100 metre race.
“I’m competing against Jack Wilson,” he confesses, “and he’s hot favourite.”
“Yes, but the taking part is more important than the winning,” Carol tells him firmly. But Toby still looks very worried. Because Jack’s dad has told him something entirely different.

Only £1.53 (or local equivalent)
Read the first few pages for free.
Purchase it now from amazon.co.uk | amazon.com


See all the books in the Daily Della series here

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Two more Daily Dellas

Just in case you haven’t noticed there are two more Daily Della anthologies available for your Kindle-enabled device – Try Me, and The Piano Man (The FREE Kindle reader app is available for all smart phones, tablets, PCs and Macs. Download it here.)

If you haven’t tried a Daily Della maybe I can twist your arm. Each anthology contains five of my favourite short stories, ideal for your daily coffee break, hand picked by myself from my twenty-five years of writing for magazines.

If you’re really quick you can get Daily Della #4, Can’t Buy Me Love, for FREE from amazon.co.uk | amazon.com – but be quick, the offer ends this Sunday.

Below is the current list of Daily Della titles, but to be informed of Daily Della titles as they come available subscribe to this blog via email for free by clicking here.

Happy reading!

Love, Della

TRY ME – Daily Della #00

This promotional ‘Daily Della’ is a special cut-down, cut-price version, designed to give you a taster.
In this issue:

When Emma and Jilly see an advert for NUDE male cleaners they wonder whether it’s genuine. Emma decides there’s only one way to find out – she has visions of naked men ironing her clothes – and despite Jilly’s protestations, she rings the number, in The Naked Truth.

The last place Karen expects to find herself on her thirtieth birthday is stuck up a tree, but thanks to her niece and nephew, ten year old twins, Conrad and Sarah that’s exactly what happens. They tell her not to worry, Tom will get her down and they disappear to find him. Then to make matters worse it starts to rain and Karen’s left worrying about the identity of the mysterious Tom, in On One Condition.

Debs and her friend go to see a Welsh male voice choir and Debs falls in love with a gorgeous tenor, third row, fifth from the left. When they play her favourite hymn, ‘When the Saints Go Marching In’ she begins to feel like a sinner herself. Especially as she’s married to Andrew who’s waiting patiently for her back home, in Saint or Sinner.

Only 77p (or 99c)
Read the first few pages for free.
Purchase it now from amazon.co.uk | amazon.com

Lessons in Love - Daily Della #1Lessons in Love – Daily Della #1

In our very first issue we bring you a touch of romance.

In Lessons in Love, Kate discovers that Martin, her new client, is not quite the dating beginner he’d like her to think.  The Colour of Love explores what happens when you hear voices in colour and see people as different tastes on your tongue.  A Right Time for Everything is a story about healing and renewal and House Rule Number Three is a light hearted tale about the dangers of falling for your lodger.  Finally, do questions get simpler or more difficult to answer as we grow older?  Especially when they’re to do with matters of the heart.  Della’s story, A Blue Moon, may just help you to decide!

Only £1.53 (or $2.99).
Read the first few pages for free.
Purchase it now from amazon.co.uk | amazon.com

Waiting for Love – Daily Della #2

Daily Della Two brings you another selection of romance.

Waiting is a poignant story about what happens when you fall in love, but you’re both married to other people, and you don’t believe you have the right to tear lives apart.
Who are the mysterious couple who dance in the sunset on the edge of the corn field? Find out in The Last Dance.
In The Mood for Love is a light hearted tale about expectation and a ring that can predict the wearer’s moods? Roots is about belonging, and learning to feel at home, both with places and with people. And In The Longest Journey Becky knows that other women lust after her man. Jake is so gorgeous he can take his pick. But will he succumb to temptation?

Only £1.53 (or $2.99).
Read the first few pages for free.
Purchase it now from amazon.co.uk | amazon.com

More By Love Than Judgement
– Daily Della #3

More By Love than Judgment is the story of a girl who loves elephants. Romeo and Juliet and the Peanut that Changed History, is a tongue in cheek look at Shakespeare’s famous story while Reasons for Marriage is about two best friends reflecting on their relationships. What happens when you’re in love with your best friend but can’t tell him? Find out in Presents. And The Guitar Man is an epic love story set on the Devon coast.

Only £1.53 (or $2.99)
Read the first few pages for free
Purchase it now from amazon.co.uk | amazon.com


Can’t Buy Me Love
– Daily Della #4

Can’t Buy Me Love is the story of Lissa, who’s obsessed with her career until the day her world crashes and she finds solace in the rhythms of a ferry – and its ferryman. Losing her job and her man at the same time isn’t fun, but then Karen meets David and it begins to feel like Luck Or Destiny. You can tell a lot about a man by his taste in candles, Katie reckons, Is she right? Find out in Candles. A mysterious blind date gets more mysterious by the second in An Angel Saved My Life. And finally, Murphy, this story holds a rather special place in my heart. In twenty-five years it’s the only short story I’ve written, which resulted in three fan letters. And reading it again just made me cry. That’s all I’m going to say!

Only £1.53 (or $2.99)
Read the first few pages for free
Purchase it now from amazon.co.uk | amazon.com

Pictures of Love
– Daily Della #5

In Pictures Of Love Nikki is worried she might not be marrying the right man. Can her best friend and a mud-covered dog reassure her? Learning to swim at the age of 45 when you’ve been terrified of water all your life is a big deal. But Claire soon finds out that both swimming and love are simply A Matter of Trust. Apple Dumpling Pie is the story of how a supermodel and a very overweight man find the love they’ve always dreamed about. What do you do when you’re cleaning a second floor window and you’re confronted with a very attractive naked man? Falling off your ladder is just the beginning of the drama in Window Cleaners and Romantic Heroes. Janine is Dreaming of Dinner For Two when she hits on a creative idea. Her community centre has a table which sells items for charity. Maybe she could sell herself – in the nicest possible way, of course!

Only £1.53 (or $2.99)
Read the first few pages for free
Purchase it now from amazon.co.uk | amazon.com

The Piano Man – Daily Della #6

In Daily Della #6 we bring you…

The Piano Man: Alone in Spain, and recovering from a traumatic divorce, Chloe finds peace in the music of a gifted pianist, who entertains the tourists nightly. Neither of them is looking for love, but then they spend a night together that both will remember for ever.

Not Quite The Orient Express: Abbey’s best friend, Joanne, persuades her to celebrate her thirtieth birthday in style with a luxury four-course dinner on a restored steam train. Abbey’s more at home in jeans and trainers than short skirts and high heels, especially when there’s some climbing around on footplates to be done – and a rather fit man looking on.

Shower Power: Andrea reckons you can tell a lot about a man by his bathroom. And she should know. She’s an expert on bathrooms – her job is to design and install them. Her latest client, flirty Ben Stickland, makes choices that reveal him to be a laid-back guy who’s into comfort and style. Andrea thinks they have a lot in common, but then his wife turns up.

Never Too Late: Kieran is about to meet Megan, the prettiest girl in Ireland, but he’s worried she’s out of his league. As he walks through the cemetery to meet her beneath the village clock, he’s racked with doubt. Maybe he should forget the whole thing.
But a hundred years earlier, Dillon Grady, whose grave Kieran passes, was late meeting the girl of his dreams and he’s spent several decades regretting it. Dillon is determined to make sure history doesn’t repeat itself.

The Juggler: Carol has a boyfriend who calls her C – she suspects because he can’t be bothered to say the rest of her name. Dennis is learning to juggle with fire because his fiancé thinks he is boring. Both of them dream about having a more fulfilling relationship. But love, like fire juggling, is always a risk. Do either of them have the courage to change?

Only £1.53 (or $2.99).
Read the first few pages for free.
Purchase it now from amazon.co.uk | amazon.com


The FREE Kindle reader app is available for all smart phones, tablets, PCs and Macs.
Download it here.

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Agny Ant Letter

I received this letter today for my Dear Della page.

Deer Dela,

I have wrote a book and going too sellfpublish it but my friedn Kimberley says what are them colored skwiggly lines under al the wrods and i dont now but do you now if the swiggles will com out in the book wehn i done it pleaase.

sellfpublsihed arthor of IT WERE MY LIFE?

OK, so I know it was a spoof, but it did make me smile, and as I can’t use it for my actual Dear Della column in Writers’ Forum, I thought I would print it here. It came from an author and reviewer friend of mine who has read so many badly produced self published books lately, she feels like throwing her hands up in despair.

Not of course that any of us would do that, would we?  Excuse me, I just have to rush off and check my latest proof copy for my publisher 🙂

 

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Update on Swanwick Erotica

Now I have your attention, I am, of course, talking about my How to Write Erotica Course at Swanwick Writers Summer School – as opposed to any actual erotica taking place at Swanwick, which naturally I’m not aware of, and if I was my lips would be sealed!

Everyone thinks writing erotica is quite a serious subject – and indeed I can’t entirely disagree – but learning how to write erotica is about as far away as you can get from serious. I have never seen so many women (and a handful of men) laugh so much in my life. Martin – you were an absolute star. I will never see you in quite the same way again.

My students did actually learn some things too about the art of writing erotica, I hope! Many of them left saying the course was an eye opener. It certainly was for me – I just couldn’t believe what filthy minds you all have. Tush! Whereas my mind, of course, is as pure as a fresh fall of snow 🙂

Anyway, I thought I would share a few of the main points here now.  For anyone who is interested.

The biggest mistake writers new to erotica make is to think the story isn’t important. It is. Obviously there should be sex – this is after all, erotica, but there must be a story too. Lack of a story is one of the main reasons we reject submissions at Xcite Books.

Another common reason for rejection is because it’s obvious that the writer has simply added a sex scene to an otherwise non-sexy story. There must be sexual tension throughout.

Do use inventive settings. Your characters do not always have to be in a bed – or even indoors. A different setting – for a good reason, of course – can mean the difference between a rejection and a sale.

Do use humour, it can work extremely well in erotica, which can sometimes be too intense – or just plain silly without it.

Do build your characters. They are the ones ‘performing’ so to speak. They should be vivid and real.

Don’ts

Don’t generalise or use clichés. Be specific.

Don’t get carried away with adjectives. Clumsy overwritten description doesn’t work in erotica any more than it works in any other writing.

I am running this course again on Saturday 10 November, 2012, in Bournemouth. It runs from 10.00 am till 4.00 pm. And there will be a chance to bring along your own erotic scene for feedback – if you are brave enough. Cost is £35. Please email me if you’d like further details.

 

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Swanwick The Writers’ Summer School 2012

And while I’m on the subject of brilliant writing conferences, here is another one. Swanwick Writers’ is in Derbyshire in beautiful surroundings. And if you fancy a week getting totally inspired and motivated and learning loads, not to mention partying every night, this is a great one to do.

http://www.swanwickwritersschool.co.uk/

The food isn’t quite as awesome as Caerleon’s, but the accommodation is excellent and the courses are excellent too. Very good value again – prices start at £390 which is an all inclusive price.

This year’s speakers include: Helen Lederer and David Nobbs

This year’s courses include Truth is Stranger than… by Jane Wenham Jones

and E-publishing by Peter Jones – could they be related??

Also, I’m doing a short course called, ‘Writing erotica’ which should be fun!

It’s not too late to book, but you’ll need to be quick. Bookings close 6 August.

I shall report back on how good it was later!

 

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I Am A Best Selling Writer

I am a best selling writer.  And so is Lynn Hackles.  Here is the picture of us recording these words on film.

 

Lynne Hackles and I saying we are best selling writers!

No, we have not gone mad.  No, we have not just hit the best seller lists. And no I am not pregnant – just forgot to hold my stomach in! We were both attending a brilliant course at Caerleon Writers Holiday in Wales, run by a lady called Solange Hando called Make It Happen In 2012.  The course was about motivation and one of the exercises she asked us to do was to state out loud what we wanted to become, as if it was happening now.  You wouldn’t believe how motivating this was. Try it and see. And let me know how you got on.

Solange’s other tips included making an Olympic style chart listing five things we wanted to achieve and pinning it over your desk where you can see it every day and brainwash your subconscious into making it reality. Another creative visualisation task, which is very effective.  Here is mine:

Another of Solange’s tips was to publicly state your goals. It’s a lot harder to renege on goals that you have publicly declared you will do. So, I have just done this too – to you all. (That’s if you can read it!) But I know what it means, which is the main thing. Please feel free to nag me at intervals. And if you would like me to nag you too. Let me know.

The whole course was a delight. In fact, Caerleon was a delight.  The atmosphere was amazing. Anne and Gerry Hobbs are wonderful hosts. Being among a hundred plus writers for a week was incredibly inspiring. The food was awesome. I am heavier and happier for having spent a week at Caerleon, which is an annual writers’ holiday.http://www.writersholiday.net/caerleon.htm

Next year’s holiday is already in my diary. It will take place at Caerleon on 28 July to 2 August 2013 and will include the following courses:

A Complete Introduction to Contemporary Romance – Kate Walker

Creative Non Fiction – Adding Colour to Technical Writing – Simon Whaley

Wannabe A Writer We’ve Heard of – Jane Wenham Jones

How To Write and Sell Erotic Fiction – Della Galton

And there are others too. I really recommend this, all for a price of £499

Hope to see you there.

Della xxxx

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More Daily Della

A friend of mine told me recently that you can’t have too much love in your life, and so with this in mind I’m pleased to announce that as of today there are two more romantic Daily Della short story anthologies available, Can’t Buy Me Love and Pictures of Love. That’s another ten short stories to enhance your morning coffee break – and for a few days only you can get More By Love Than Judgement (Daily Della #3) for FREE – but you need to be quick. Hop over to amazon (.co.uk | .com) now.

In Daily Della #4, Can’t Buy Me Love is the story of Lissa, who’s obsessed with her career until the day her world crashes and she finds solace in the rhythms of a ferry – and its ferryman.

Losing her job and her man at the same time isn’t fun, but then Karen meets David and it begins to feel like Luck Or Destiny.

You can tell a lot about a man by his taste in candles, Katie reckons, Is she right? Find out in Candles.

A mysterious blind date gets more mysterious by the second in An Angel Saved My Life.

And finally in this edition, Murphy. This story holds a rather special place in my heart. In twenty-five years it’s the only short story I’ve written, which resulted in three fan letters. And reading it again just made me cry. That’s all I’m going to say!

Onto Daily Della #5 and in Pictures Of Love Nikki is worried she might not be marrying the right man. Can her best friend and a mud-covered dog reassure her?

Learning to swim at the age of 45 when you’ve been terrified of water all your life is a big deal. But Claire soon finds out that both swimming and love are simply A Matter of Trust.

Apple Dumpling Pie is the story of how a supermodel and a very overweight man find the love they’ve always dreamed about.

What do you do when you’re cleaning a second floor window and you’re confronted with a very attractive naked man? Falling off your ladder is just the beginning of the drama in Window Cleaners and Romantic Heroes.

Janine is Dreaming of Dinner For Two when she hits on a creative idea. Her community centre has a table which sells items for charity. Maybe she could sell herself – in the nicest possible way, of course!

If you haven’t tried a Daily Della yet why not visit amazon (.co.uk | .com) and download one. More By Love Than Judgement is currently FREE for a few days, but the other four titles are still only £1.53 (or $2.99) from amazon (.co.uk | .com) and remember, you don’t need an actual kindle to read them – the free kindle app is available for all types of computers, smart phones, ipod touches and ipads.

Happy Reading!

love

Della xx


Lessons in Love – Daily Della number one
Only £1.53 (or $2.99)
Read the first few pages for free
Purchase it now from amazon.co.uk | amazon.com

Waiting For Love – Daily Della number two
Only £1.53 (or $2.99)
Read the first few pages for free
Purchase it now from amazon.co.uk | amazon.com

More By Love Than Judgement – Daily Della number three
Only £1.53 (or $2.99)
Read the first few pages for free
Purchase it now from amazon.co.uk | amazon.com

Can’t Buy Me Love – Daily Della number four
Only £1.53 (or $2.99)
Read the first few pages for free
Purchase it now from amazon.co.uk | amazon.com

Pictures of Love – Daily Della number five
Only £1.53 (or $2.99)
Read the first few pages for free
Purchase it now from amazon.co.uk | amazon.com

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Something sad with a happy ending

Yesterday, something rather sad happened. I was on my way to teach my class when I came across five men who were trying to ‘persuade’ a young horse to pull a trap. This was on a busy road with traffic coming both ways so I stopped.  One man was at the front, pulling as hard as he could. The others were behind the horse, slapping, shouting, flicking a whip. They were not being gentle. The horse was clearly terrified.

I have come across this situation once before. Last time I was on a heathland walking my dog.  Last time I asked the men to stop what they were doing. Last time I got into a row with them. This did not help. It certainly did not help the horse. It made them angrier. It severely traumatised me.

Yesterday, faced with a very similar situation, I ached to get out and tell them, ‘this is not the way. Terrifying the horse won’t help.’ But I knew they were unlikely to listen. They didn’t strike me as the ‘listening’ kind. By now, I was holding up the traffic. One of the men waved me past.  I agonised with myself. I thought of that quote, ‘all it takes for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing’.

But there I was – about to do nothing.

Five minutes later at my class, by now quite upset, I phoned a dear friend. He suggested I might call the RSPCA – or perhaps the police. Was beating up a horse a crime? Were they beating it up? No – not really – although I did wonder what they would do in private – if they were prepared to do so much in public.

Would calling the RSPCA or the police help the horse? In my experience, this was unlikely. Perhaps the authorities would respond – perhaps the men would be angry, perhaps their anger would turn in on the horse. perhaps it would make things worse. I hate feeling helpless. So what should I do?

I believe in karma. I believe that doing something good has to help. And it seemed to me that the best thing I could do would be to help another horse. So this is what I’m doing. I have just sponsored a horse called Gulliver at Redwings Horse Sanctuary. Gulliver looks a bit like that horse last night.

Here is their link. Just in case you want to check out what Gulliver looks like – or maybe even sponsor your own horse.

http://www.redwings.org.uk/

Right – I must stop ranting and get down to some work.  And apologies for going off my writing topic. But I wanted to get that out of my system.

Happy writing everyone.

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