WRITING BETWEEN SIPS: MY NEW BOOK IS HERE

From my heart to yours

So I’ve done it!

In the midst of resigning from my day job, planning an overseas trip, packing to move out of Sydney and writing my 2^nd fiction novel……. I decided to make a book!

Call me crazy.

I like to keep life interesting.

Introducing ‘Shorter Than A Coffee Break’

I wanted to create a book you could dip into during life’s little pauses, like waiting for the kettle, riding on the train, in a waiting room or at your coffee break at work.

Shorter Than a Coffee Break is perfect for those times.

Inside this book, you will find a mix of short stories. Some uplifting, some scary, some sad, but all short.

1. The first part showcases my much-loved drabbles. Short 100-word fiction stories.

2. The second part is for my longer short stories, some of which have been included in past anthologies.

3. At the end of the book, when you are hopefully fully inspired, I have included some prompts for you to try writing some yourself.

Here is a glimpse of one of the short stories:

“The heat of the sun was burning the back of Hannah’s neck. It felt good somehow. Dulling the other pain, the one constantly under the surface, never quite leaving her mind. Only sleep could erase it briefly; in her dreams, returning to her special time.

She checked the tomato plants, keen to find signs of fruit, of life. Nothing. Bright green growth, climbing up around the makeshift stakes she had collected from her walks in the bush. Bright green limbs reaching for the sky. Beautiful new bright baby limbs, but barren. Hannah’s chest tightened. What was she doing wrong? Every day she nurtured the plants in her garden, watering and regularly feeding them mulch and fertiliser.

‘What else do you want?’ she whispered to the plant, drinking in the smell of fresh tomatoes wafting from the plants whenever she touched the green leaves.

‘Why don’t you fruit? I can smell you. So close. Just give me one tiny baby tomato. Just one is all I ask.’

Hannah rubbed her eyes, deleting the wetness threatening to roll down her cheeks. Don't be so emotional. It’s only tomato plants. It’s not….”

~~~~~

Shorter Than a Coffee Break is a collection of my short stories written over the last 8 years. Many of them helped me hone my craft. They taught me how to write compelling characters and interesting plots. Most of all, I learned the art of tighter writing, leaving out the fluff and moving the story forward. Plus, they go amazingly well with a coffee 😊

These stories mark my writing journey over the last 8 years. They may not be perfect, but they were written with heart, and each was perfect in its moment.

Where can you get Shorter Than a Coffee Break?

Shorter Than a Coffee Break is currently available as an E-book on Amazon.

A perfect gift for a busy friend who needs a break, or even better, a treat for yourself.

How you can support this little book:

• Grab it free with Kindle Unlimited

• Buy it on Amazon

• Share it with friends who love short reads

• Review the book - I’d love to know your favourite story

• Try the prompts in the back of the book and share them here on Substack

Thank you for being part of my writing journey. I hope these stories bring a smile, a tear or a spark of inspiration. Just in time for your next coffee break.

Sal ♡´･ᴗ･`♡

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Until next time, wishing you many cups of coffee (or whatever is your beverage), creative sparks and gentle wellness.

Love to hear from you.

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Author of Secrets In The Lakes

Secrets in the Lakes’ is a romance suspense novel that delves into the themes of friendships, small town secrets, a mysterious death and a young woman’s journey towards love and self-discovery.