I am the mistress of disguise. Or at lease that's what I have been telling myself recently as I looked back at a ton of old paperwork in various names.
Perhaps I should explain. I was born Carmen Capuano but changed my name to that of my stepfather's at around the age of ten, becoming Carmen Capuano McCammick.
Some years later I got married and became Carmen Capuano McCammick-Hughes but it was not long before this cumbersome name took its toll and was shortened to Carmen Capuano-Hughes [as I had always kept the Capuano as a middle name, it got somewhat upgraded there.]
Then, when I got divorced, it was back to Carmen Capuano. And it is in this name that I have written my series of books The Owners Volumes I-V [Volumes VI-X are still waiting to be written.]
Now as I start another genre of book, one which is more adult themed, I find that once more I need a name change. The Owners books are carefully written and suitable for even pre-teens to read. Not so this new book. And the moral part of me finds that the new title will not sit well in my head alongside my other titles.
In other words, I would not wish anyone looking up The Owners on Amazon to innocently come upon this other book. And I am not even talking a 50 shades sort of book here. This is a book about adult relationships and one woman's journey through them...so the content will of course at times be risqué.
And my new name? Well that would be telling now wouldn't it? ;)
Saturday 7 September 2013
Friday 6 September 2013
Hello!!!!!
I am pleased to say that I have just finished writing the very first chapter of my newest book.
I have made the decision to write a different style of book whilst also continuing on with the Owners series.
Now this may seem like a strange decision to make, however it is not done lightly. I have been asked time and time again for a certain kind of book...so much so, that I cannot ignore its rise in popularity.
I can't tell you much about this book, other than it will ring true with most women I have ever encountered. It is a tale of one woman's journey through relationships, minus the hearts and flowers. But it will be a story full of true-to-life characters and realistic situations.
Due to the adult content however, I will not be publishing it under my real name so I will let you guess when the time comes.
As for the blog, well I will continue to post snippets from The Owners here and talk about anything that takes my fancy.
As ever, you can contact me on facebook or through Carmen.capuano@ymail.com
Monday 2 September 2013
Hello again!
It has been so long since I typed anything of any length, I have almost slowed down to a crawl but I'm sure that by the end of Chapter 1 in Volume VI, my fingers will be flying across the keyboard as usual.
I have so much to tell you, I almost don't know where to start. But as I have already shown you the picture of me at one of the recent creative writing sessions I did for Sandwell Council, it seems logical to start there.
I cannot speak highly enough of both the library staff and the families who attended the sessions. The children were alert, bright and eager to participate and it was clear they were thoroughly enjoying story making.
The comment slips they handed back to library staff afterwards spoke for themselves, with one comment reading:-
"A fantastic invaluable experience for my children to experience today. An opportunity that will remain a fond memory for life."
I have to say that on reading that comment my eyes welled up a little. To have touched someone's life in a positive way, no matter how minor, is both an honour and a joy.
And it made me think about the people who touched my own life in minor ways but who collectively shaped me into the person I am today...the history teachers who showed me that without knowledge and understanding of our past, we can never fully comprehend our future. The substitute English teacher who taught me the symbolism of poetry and the foreign language teachers who taught me that words can both divide and unite.
It was with these thoughts in mind that I journeyed up to Scotland a few days later to meet up with family and friends. Dreading the journey as ever [it's a long way, you know!] I was buoyed by the thought of meeting up with these long established friends, some of whom I hadn't seen in over ten years.
We were all decades older then we had been at school and we had all had children. And during those years since school we had all created our life stories and in some cases fate had done a pretty good stepping in job, to wreak misery wherever it's little hand touched...but after all that, we were still the excitable, hopeful band of girls that we had been at school.
Linda - irrepressible and funny and probably the only person who can talk faster and louder than me!
Karen - loyal and steadfast and possessed of a quiet dignity which allows her to make her point in an almost regal manner.
Lesley - still cute as a button and almost bursting with life, her vitality and humour was truly wondrous.
[Shona - strong, supportive and caring was unfortunately unable to attend due to family illness ...and yet I felt her presence in every memory we mulled over.]
And me - just grateful that these fine women wanted me in their lives! We had not seen each other for so long and yet our bond was as fresh and strong as it had been all those years ago.
At the end of the night, fond farewells were said all around and promises were made that we would all keep in better touch. But in a very strange way, it doesn't really matter whether we do phone or email each other in the intervening time before my next visit. That friendship is there and will always be there, hibernating gently in the corner, awaiting it's wakening. And it will never be lost or forgotten, nor will it ever die.
So with a happy heart I continued with my stay in the country of my birth. We visited Loch Lomond, a place so beautiful I fear my words will not do it justice. So vast and so unspoiled it arrests the eye and heart in equal measures. Mountains meet lake and are reflected back upon the still waters and if you stand very quietly you can feel yourself transported back in time to a world which was less commercialised and much more real. Not keen on walks, the kids nonetheless love it there and the dogs are in their element.
Sadly we made the return journey to our caravan park but there were more treats in store. The Ayr site we were on was hosting a talent competition for children and I was astounded by the talent of the winners and so pleased to be able to award them signed copies of The Owners, Volume I, Alone.
Well done Morgan, Robyn and Jessica!
And Scotland, as Arnie would have put it, don't worry 'cos "I'll be back."
It has been so long since I typed anything of any length, I have almost slowed down to a crawl but I'm sure that by the end of Chapter 1 in Volume VI, my fingers will be flying across the keyboard as usual.
I have so much to tell you, I almost don't know where to start. But as I have already shown you the picture of me at one of the recent creative writing sessions I did for Sandwell Council, it seems logical to start there.
I cannot speak highly enough of both the library staff and the families who attended the sessions. The children were alert, bright and eager to participate and it was clear they were thoroughly enjoying story making.
The comment slips they handed back to library staff afterwards spoke for themselves, with one comment reading:-
"A fantastic invaluable experience for my children to experience today. An opportunity that will remain a fond memory for life."
I have to say that on reading that comment my eyes welled up a little. To have touched someone's life in a positive way, no matter how minor, is both an honour and a joy.
And it made me think about the people who touched my own life in minor ways but who collectively shaped me into the person I am today...the history teachers who showed me that without knowledge and understanding of our past, we can never fully comprehend our future. The substitute English teacher who taught me the symbolism of poetry and the foreign language teachers who taught me that words can both divide and unite.
It was with these thoughts in mind that I journeyed up to Scotland a few days later to meet up with family and friends. Dreading the journey as ever [it's a long way, you know!] I was buoyed by the thought of meeting up with these long established friends, some of whom I hadn't seen in over ten years.
We were all decades older then we had been at school and we had all had children. And during those years since school we had all created our life stories and in some cases fate had done a pretty good stepping in job, to wreak misery wherever it's little hand touched...but after all that, we were still the excitable, hopeful band of girls that we had been at school.
Linda - irrepressible and funny and probably the only person who can talk faster and louder than me!
Karen - loyal and steadfast and possessed of a quiet dignity which allows her to make her point in an almost regal manner.
Lesley - still cute as a button and almost bursting with life, her vitality and humour was truly wondrous.
[Shona - strong, supportive and caring was unfortunately unable to attend due to family illness ...and yet I felt her presence in every memory we mulled over.]
And me - just grateful that these fine women wanted me in their lives! We had not seen each other for so long and yet our bond was as fresh and strong as it had been all those years ago.
At the end of the night, fond farewells were said all around and promises were made that we would all keep in better touch. But in a very strange way, it doesn't really matter whether we do phone or email each other in the intervening time before my next visit. That friendship is there and will always be there, hibernating gently in the corner, awaiting it's wakening. And it will never be lost or forgotten, nor will it ever die.
So with a happy heart I continued with my stay in the country of my birth. We visited Loch Lomond, a place so beautiful I fear my words will not do it justice. So vast and so unspoiled it arrests the eye and heart in equal measures. Mountains meet lake and are reflected back upon the still waters and if you stand very quietly you can feel yourself transported back in time to a world which was less commercialised and much more real. Not keen on walks, the kids nonetheless love it there and the dogs are in their element.
Sadly we made the return journey to our caravan park but there were more treats in store. The Ayr site we were on was hosting a talent competition for children and I was astounded by the talent of the winners and so pleased to be able to award them signed copies of The Owners, Volume I, Alone.
Well done Morgan, Robyn and Jessica!
And Scotland, as Arnie would have put it, don't worry 'cos "I'll be back."
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