What am I doing this month?

This month I have passed my latest book to my editor, for the second time. The artistry and skill of the editor is vastly undervalued. The editor can provide substance and considerable guidance to the writer's words. This latest book, 'RED: Sophie Carter and the Lost Queen,' will be released later this year. It will go through a series of edits and reviews before it is released, to ensure that the reading experience is what you expect when buying a book.

First, I would like to give you a little precis into the story, starting with why it is important to me. When my children were little, I used to tell them bedtime stories each night. As they aged, the stories became more inventive and thought provoking. As they aged, they persuaded me to write these stories down. I started writing these books four years ago, and there will be five books in the series, starting with RED, and then BLUE. To understand why these titles are relevant, you will need to read the books :)

RED: Sophie Carter and the Lost Queen

Sophie Carter never expected to lose her mother into a strange and dangerous world. But when a portal opens in Sophie's backyard, she finds herself in a land of magic and mystery, where a Wizard rules with an iron fist. Now, Sophie must discover a way to survive, make new friends, and discover the truth about her mother’s past. But the Wizard is not the only enemy she will face.

There are dark secrets hidden in the fantasy world, and Sophie will have to unravel them before it’s too late. To make matters worse, her school nemesis, Gemma, also enters the world, becoming a powerful and ruthless Witch.

Red is the first book in the Sophie Carter and the Lost Queen quintette of books, a thrilling fantasy series that will take you on an unforgettable journey.

Thought for the day

I often get thoughts that roam around my mind for several hours and come to no understandable resolution. Today is one of those days.

Today, I was driving through a school zone at the obligatory 30kph. Yes, this seems slow to us drivers, and it is frustrating. However, it is also for the safety of the children, besides being the law in Canada.

In our fast-paced world, people often feel pressed for time. The urgency to reach their destination quickly might override their consideration for safety. Those extra 5-10 seconds could seem insignificant to them in the grand scheme of things.

Sometimes, drivers may not fully comprehend the significance of school zones. They might be unaware of the specific hours during which the reduced speed limit applies. Additionally, distractions, like phone calls or daydreaming, can cause them to miss the signs altogether. This is not a viable excuse for people who pass through the area regularly. We should always be aware or our location and the warning signs around us when driving.

Some drivers might underestimate the potential danger of speeding through a school zone. They may think, “It won’t happen to me,” or assume that children are rarely present during those hours. This is an erroneous belief, since an accident, or error, when driving can happen to anyone at any time. There is never an excuse for poor driving. Slow down if you believe you are not in a perfect state of mind to drive.

When running late or feeling frustrated, the driver may prioritize their own convenience over safety precautions. Such familiarity can lead to mistakes, leading to forgetfulness and errors. School zones are 30kph for a reason and to only slow down when a police officer is present undervalues the reason for the limit.

Unfortunately, speeding has become normalized in some contexts. If other drivers around them are also flouting the rules, an individual might follow suit, assuming its acceptable behavior. This leads to a follow-the-leader approach, and if the first car races through a school zone, then others may follow.

Selfishness can also cause someone to pass through a school zone at speed. They can think they don't need to slow down as they are 'Good drivers.' This is not a question of how good a driver you are. It's safer to slow down and respect that there are children in the neighbourhood.

It’s a complex interplay of factors that contribute to such behavior. We can continue to raise awareness about road safety, emphasizing the critical role school zones play in protecting our children. Perhaps through education and empathy, we can encourage more responsible driving behavior.

Thank you for reading my blog. I truly appreciate your love and attention to my musings. Have a wonderful weekend.

Steven