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Freedom Flights: Episode 38 - Eagle's Flight

Episode 38 of Freedom Flights sees the return to Chayka Field of an unexpected supporter with some new recruits, and who is met by a character who will remain forever. There’s also a hint or two about events in the next episode. I will continue trying to foreshadow future incidents without making my characters react as if they know what will happen in 2025. Until a just and lasting peace for…

[rorafa]

#IWSG – Book Dawn

It’s time for another Insecure Writer’s Support Group post, and an opportunity to reflect on the dawn of my book adventure. First, it’s just a month since I submitted my Snowdon Shadows police procedural, Fevered Fuse, to London-based publisher Joffe Books. Not surprisingly, I’m still waiting for the publisher to answer. I’ve yet to start rewriting ‘Fates Maelstrom’, the second book in my…

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Freedom Flights: Episode 37 – Strategy and Tactics

Episode 37 of Freedom Flights concludes the Polish scenes, so the next episode sees the return to Chayka Field of an unexpected supporter with some new recruits and is met by a character who will remain forever. I will continue trying to foreshadow future incidents without making my characters react as if they know what will happen in 2025. Until a just and lasting peace for Ukraine is reached,…

[rorafa]

Freedom Flights: Episode 36 – Never Fade Away

This Episode of my ongoing fictional Ukrainian story ‘Freedom Flights’ is dedicated to Juanita’s and my friend and exceptional carer, Samantha Pieper, who died yesterday, aged only 25. One of the ongoing characters in the story, Sergeant Marusya Dudziarz, was inspired by her. A GoFundMe page has been started “to help cover the unexpected costs of her funeral and memorial…

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#IWSG – Writing Fears

It’s time for another Insecure Writer’s Support Group post, and an opportunity to write about something opportune. On Sunday evening, I finally submitted my police procedural, Fevered Fuse, to London-based publisher Joffe Books. After researching the best independent publishers for crime fiction, Joffe Books was my first choice. I should hear back from them within three months. While waiting for…

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#IWSG – Fantasy Dreams

It’s time for another Insecure Writer’s Support Group post. Although I started writing this on April 1st, I’ll stick to the truth and avoid fooling you. Fact 1. Yesterday, as promised, I received the final edit from my editor’s assistant of my police procedural, Fevered Fuse. Hopefully, this means I will submit the manuscript to the first publisher by the end of this month and should hear back…

[rorafa]

Freedom Flights: Episode 35 - Heroes Never Die

Episode 35 of Freedom Flights continues the medevac plotline and deals with the Kursk aftermath in Ukraine. Because of the events in this episode, it will become apparent that there will be scenes in Poland next time. I will continue trying to foreshadow future incidents without making my characters react as if they know what will happen in 2025. Until a just and lasting peace for Ukraine is…

[rorafa]

Freedom Flights: Episode 34 - Wings of the Phoenix

Episode 34 of Freedom Flights concludes the MIA story in Kursk, at least until the ongoing aftermath back in Ukraine and Poland. I’m being deliberately vague not to spoil the episode, but all will become clearer by the last scene. As I said in my recent IWSG post, recent international events have distracted me, but since then the repercussions have been hard to ignore when writing scenes set in…

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#IWSG – Metamorphosis

Although it’s time for another Insecure Writer’s Support Group post, I’ve been too distracted by recent international events to plan for this. At least I managed a March 1st post for my wife’s birthday and St David’s Day. I have started writing Episode 34 of my Ukraine saga, Freedom Flights, but it’s been hard to write scenes set in September 2024 knowing what happened last Friday in the Oval…

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Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Sant

Some of you might know it’s St David’s Day, when the Welsh celebrate the Patron Saint of Wales. We may not be Welsh, but our hearts are still there. Daffodils are among the most recognised symbols of Wales, plus the red dragon. Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Sant More important for me though, today is my wife Juanita’s birthday. She is the light and rock in my life, who stands with me through all the trials…

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Freedom Flights: Episode 33 - Timed Intervention

Episode 33 of Freedom Flights continues the Mirage chapter for the Night Witches and develops the MIA story in Kursk, which must conclude dramatically in Episode 34. Until a just peace for Ukraine is reached, I will continue to write more episodes, never forgetting the brave people fighting for freedom. Let’s pray Western aid and weapons continue to reach the country and in time to change their…

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#IWSG – Reappraisal

It’s time for my first Insecure Writer’s Support Group post of 2025, having missed the January IWSG post… I realised it was too late when I saw others posting. At least I managed a Christmas-New Year post. However, I have also posted Episodes 28-32 of my Ukraine saga, Freedom Flights. I will post the next episode later this week, and there should be many more until I write about the just peace,…

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Freedom Flights: Episode 32 - Trust is a Mirage

Episode 32 of Freedom Flights begins a new chapter for the Night Witches and picks up on the MIA story in Kursk. But there is more to come in Episode 33. Until a just peace for Ukraine is reached, I will continue to write more episodes, never forgetting the brave people fighting for freedom. Let’s pray Western aid and weapons like F-16s continue to reach the frontlines and in time to change…

[rorafa]

Freedom Flights: Episode 31 - Headway & Heartbreak

Episode 31 of Freedom Flights focuses on the final stages of the rescue mission to Kursk and the ongoing approach to medevac flights. It also hints at a new challenge for the Night Witches. Until a just peace for Ukraine is reached, I will continue to write more episodes, never forgetting the brave people fighting for freedom. Let’s pray Western aid and weapons like F-16s continue to reach the…

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Freedom Flights: Episode 30 – Perilous Pursuits. Part 2.

This is Part Two of Episode 30 of Freedom Flights, which focuses on the rescue mission to Kursk. However, the search for Nadia may take several episodes. Please be patient. Until a just peace for Ukraine is reached, I will continue to write more episodes, never forgetting the brave people fighting for freedom. Let’s pray Western aid and weapons like F-16s continue to reach the frontlines and in…

[rorafa]

Freedom Flights: Episode 30 – Perilous Pursuits

This is Part One of Episode 30 of Freedom Flights. This episode sets up the rescue mission to Kursk in Part Two but deals with injuries that need to be addressed. Until a just peace for Ukraine is reached, I will continue to write more episodes, never forgetting the brave people fighting for freedom. Let’s pray Western aid and weapons like F-16s continue to reach the frontlines and in time to…

[rorafa]

Nadolig Llawen

Slate Heart – http://www.welshgiftshop.com Nadolig Llawen a Blwyddyn Newydd Dda i chi i gyd! This means ‘Happy Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all‘ in Welsh, as my heart is still there even though I’m an Anglo-Chilean now living in the USA…. seven hours behind Wales or anywhere in the UK. I should have posted this some days ago, but I’ve been trying to finish the next episode of ‘Freedom…