#AtoZChallenge: G is for Ghost Hunter

I’ve seen things. Scary things, funny things, even cute things! I am a ghost hunter, and I absolutely love the pursuit of the hidden world.

Before I had children I was out almost every weekend, sometimes on both the Friday and the Saturday night, doing ghost hunts. I worked with a group called North West Spirit Seekers (now defunct), and then I tried a few new companies as well. Overnight ghost hunts are just amazing, at least to me.

#AtoZChallenge Badge G by vampire writer Catherine Green at SpookyMrsGreen.com mindful parenting and modern pagan lifestyle blog.
#AtoZChallenge Badge G

#AtoZChallenge: G is for Ghost Hunter

Ghost hunting is the reason I call myself SpookyMrsGreen. It seems to fit, because every time somebody mentions a haunting, my ears prick up and I get all excited. I live in a row of terraced houses that are haunted, and I am not the only resident to experience the activity. My neighbour and I even converse with our resident ghost as a matter of daily routine! During my ghost hunt adventures I have seen a disembodied face in an abandoned nightclub. I have seen a white mist apparition in the garden of a stately home. I have lots of photos featuring light anomalies and orbs, and some of those are not even from official ghost hunts. Spirits follow me around!

You could call me nosy, I suppose. I mean, I am basically prying into the lives of dead people when I go in search of ghosts. I have learned that not all spirits are keen to speak with the living. Some of them just want to go about their routines as they did when they were alive. Others are very happy to talk. Some take great pleasure in frightening people. They are basically humans without a physical body. And they are free to go anywhere they choose. Now that is a scary thought! You can see my ghost hunter diaries in previous blog posts. Try out my epic ghost hunt at Bodelwydden Castle in North Wales to get you started.

See you tomorrow, for the next letter in the #AtoZChallenge.

image of a group of ghost hunters conducting a séance and table tipping experiment in a dark room. Ghost Hunter Diaries: Table Tipping Experiment at Bodelwydden Castle with Catherine Green of SpookyMrsGreen.com mindful parenting and modern pagan lifestyle blog.
Table Tipping Experiment at Bodelwydden Castle

Did you enjoy this article? Download your FREE copy of LGBT fantasy short story It’s Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels) and meet the werewolves of Cornwall, England.  Click here

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#AtoZChallenge: F is for Friends and Family

I am blessed to be surrounded by a very loving family, and a wonderful circle of friends who will always be there when I need them. In fact, I would go so far as to say I am abundant in friendship, which is a fabulous feeling.

Since having children, my local group of friends has grown enormously. Funny how I managed to find time for socializing in my home town when I wasn’t commuting for miles to my old day job!

#AtoZChallenge Badge F by vampire writer Catherine Green at SpookyMrsGreen.com mindful parenting and modern pagan lifestyle blog.
#AtoZChallenge Badge F

#AtoZChallenge: F is for Friends and Family

Friends and family are incredibly important. We all know this, and we all acknowledge this fact. However, sometimes we do lose our way. We neglect to keep in touch with our friends. We drift away from our families. Sometimes we do this intentionally, for personal reasons. Sometimes we simply become so wrapped up in our day to day lives, that we forget to pay attention to these vital relationships. I am guilty of this just as much as everyone else. The fact remains, that when it really matters, I can count on my friends for support. And I know how much my family members love me. And I love you all in return. Kisses!

Could I tempt you to read my new short story, The Wolf and the Fairy, available to download now? Thank you!

See you tomorrow, for the next letter in the #AtoZChallenge.

Text reads, "The Wolf and the Fairy - download now! A magical tale of love and betrayal." Image of a man and woman about to kiss. She has claw marks on her face and is brightly coloured. He appears in greyscale colour and his shirt is ripped. Fairytale werewolf fiction. 3D book cover image for The Wolf and the Fairy by LGBT fantasy book writer Catherine Green.
Contemporary adult Gothic fairytale “The Wolf and the Fairy” by Catherine Green.

Did you enjoy this article? Download your FREE copy of LGBT fantasy short story It’s Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels) and meet the werewolves of Cornwall, England.  Click here

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#AtoZChallenge: E is for Empath

Being an empath is something that I took a while to accept. I always felt emotional for other people, but I was led to believe that it was hormonal, and my feelings were often dismissed.

Outwardly I was a happy, healthy, cheerful girl. Inwardly I was often in turmoil, but I could not express it. I am the quiet one. I am the one who listens and rarely voices an opinion. I feel very deeply for the world around me, but it is a physical, emotional feeling.

#AtoZChallenge Badge E by vampire writer Catherine Green at SpookyMrsGreen.com mindful parenting and modern pagan lifestyle blog.
#AtoZChallenge Badge E

#AtoZChallenge: E is for Empath

I had never heard about being an empath until I began to work with North West Spirit Seekers. Through them I got to work with many esteemed mediums and experienced paranormal investigators. Gradually I began to understand what these strange feelings were that I couldn’t put a name to. I feel emotions from other people, and if I see someone crying, I usually start crying in sympathy with them. It can be very embarrassing sometimes!

When I was younger I tried to hide these deep emotions. I absolutely refused to cry in front of other people, not even my family. Gradually I learned that I had to let it out or it would consume me. Sometimes a good cry, a big scream, or even a hearty laugh can make us feel better. It is our body’s way of offloading all of the energy that we absorb from the busy world around us. I always feel better after releasing in this way. Have you tried it?

Could I tempt you to read my new short story, The Wolf and the Fairy, available to download now? Thank you!

See you tomorrow, for the next letter in the #AtoZChallenge.

Text reads, "The Wolf and the Fairy - download now! A magical tale of love and betrayal." Image of a man and woman about to kiss. She has claw marks on her face and is brightly coloured. He appears in greyscale colour and his shirt is ripped. Fairytale werewolf fiction. 3D book cover image for The Wolf and the Fairy by LGBT fantasy book writer Catherine Green.
Contemporary adult Gothic fairytale “The Wolf and the Fairy” by Catherine Green.

Did you enjoy this article? Download your FREE copy of LGBT fantasy short story It’s Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels) and meet the werewolves of Cornwall, England.  Click here

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#AtoZChallenge: D is for Daydreamer

Ah, how wonderful it is to daydream! It sometimes feels like my only form of escape, the one activity that keeps me sane on those days when I feel every inch the downtrodden housewife.

I know I made my choice to live like this, and I know the reasons why, but still I yearn for a little something more. And then I remember how lucky I am to have such a wonderful family and a safe and easy life, and the whole cycle starts all over again. Daydreaming is far better.

#AtoZChallenge Badge D by vampire writer Catherine Green at SpookyMrsGreen.com mindful parenting and modern pagan lifestyle blog.
#AtoZChallenge Badge D

#AtoZChallenge: D is for Daydreamer

One of my favourite daydream scenarios is the one where I own my VW Camper van, the classic bus that we associate with hippies and dreamers. Ah yes, I can just see her tootling down a winding country road, with me behind the steering wheel, my children and dog sitting beside me. We will travel all over the UK, and beyond, in search of adventure and mystery. I want to visit old stone circles and historic buildings. I want to discover hidden caves, beautiful countryside walks, and fabulous beaches. I want to use all of the history of the British Isles to further embellish my novels and stories.

And then one of my children starts to scream, another one throws something across the room, the dog begins to bark at nothing, and I snap back to reality and find myself standing at the kitchen sink with a bowl full of dirty dishes. A quick fix of the situation, pacify the children, back to the kitchen and my daydream can resume… It’s a wonderful life, and all that!

Could I tempt you to read my new short story, The Wolf and the Fairy, available to download now? It would make me very happy, and bring me one step closer to achieving my dreams… Thank you!

See you tomorrow, for the next letter in the #AtoZChallenge.

Text reads, "The Wolf and the Fairy - download now! A magical tale of love and betrayal." Image of a man and woman about to kiss. She has claw marks on her face and is brightly coloured. He appears in greyscale colour and his shirt is ripped. Fairytale werewolf fiction. 3D book cover image for The Wolf and the Fairy by LGBT fantasy book writer Catherine Green.
Contemporary adult Gothic fairytale “The Wolf and the Fairy” by Catherine Green.

Did you enjoy this article? Download your FREE copy of LGBT fantasy short story It’s Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels) and meet the werewolves of Cornwall, England.  Click here

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#AtoZChallenge: C is for Creative Crafts

Good morning! Today I will talk about being a creative person. My art is writing. I know that I am good at my craft. I don’t have any specific accreditations to show off, but I have always had an intuitive way with words.

I love to be creative with my writing. That is why I struggled to get into journalism, which is what I originally planned to do. It is too restrictive for me. I need to tell stories, not facts, and being a fiction writer is the perfect medium.

#AtoZChallenge Badge C by vampire writer Catherine Green at SpookyMrsGreen.com mindful parenting and modern pagan lifestyle blog.
#AtoZChallenge Badge C

#AtoZChallenge: C is for Creative Crafts

There are lots of other ways to be creative, of course. I dabble in card making when I find the time, and I like to make bead jewellery, although again that has fallen by the wayside in favour of my books and my children recently. It will be there waiting, when I am ready to return. I am fortunate to be a member of a local artisan group called The Middlewich Creative. We are all local artists, living and working in the Middlewich area. We have artists who paint, sculpt, and create intricate patterns with beads and paper, we have crafters who are skilful with knitting, crochet, sewing and much more.

How do you like to be creative? Perhaps you are a clever cook, or your talent is baking exotic cakes and puddings. Maybe you are a magical gardener, turning a bit of soil and grass into something spectacular to view. There are many different ways to be creative, and I love to see what other people can achieve in the name of art and beauty. My daughters are both very creative, and they enjoy drawing and colouring (and writing). I will continue to nurture these talents as they grow older.

In the meantime, why don’t you read my new short story, The Wolf and the Fairy, available to download now? See you tomorrow, for the next letter in the #AtoZChallenge.

Text reads, "The Wolf and the Fairy - download now! A magical tale of love and betrayal." Image of a man and woman about to kiss. She has claw marks on her face and is brightly coloured. He appears in greyscale colour and his shirt is ripped. Fairytale werewolf fiction. 3D book cover image for The Wolf and the Fairy by LGBT fantasy book writer Catherine Green.
Contemporary adult Gothic fairytale “The Wolf and the Fairy” by Catherine Green.

Did you enjoy this article? Download your FREE copy of LGBT fantasy short story It’s Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels) and meet the werewolves of Cornwall, England.  Click here

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#AtoZChallenge: B is for Booklover

I love books. It comes with the territory of being a writer, I reckon.

My fondest childhood memories involve visits to our local library and afternoons spent curled up on the sofa or in my bedroom, devouring the pages of my beloved books. I even used to imagine I could be like Matilda from the famous Roald Dahl story book. She was my childhood heroine.

#AtoZChallenge Badge B by vampire writer Catherine Green at SpookyMrsGreen.com mindful parenting and modern pagan lifestyle blog.
#AtoZChallenge Badge B

#AtoZChallenge: B is for Booklover

Books are visual. Books are tactile. Books have a unique smell that just makes you feel safe and exhilarated at the same time. They take you to foreign countries, alien landscapes, and they introduce you to people that you may never meet in real life due to circumstance and fate. I love the crisp, clear sound of a page when you turn it, and that crack of the spine when you open a book for the very first time. Yummy!

It is incredibly difficult for me to walk past a bookshop. I have to step inside, even just for five minutes, so that I can wander around and gaze lovingly at the contents of the shelves. My favourite bookshops are the second-hand ones, where you find dusty old stacks, piles of treasured paperbacks and hardbacks, and dimly lit, narrow corridors between the bookshelves. Bliss!

See you tomorrow, for the next letter in the #AtoZChallenge, and why not download my brand new short story, The Wolf and the Fairy: A Contemporary Adult Fairy Tale in the meantime.

Text reads, "The Wolf and the Fairy - download now! A magical tale of love and betrayal." Image of a man and woman about to kiss. She has claw marks on her face and is brightly coloured. He appears in greyscale colour and his shirt is ripped. Fairytale werewolf fiction. 3D book cover image for The Wolf and the Fairy by LGBT fantasy book writer Catherine Green.
Contemporary adult Gothic fairytale “The Wolf and the Fairy” by Catherine Green.

Did you enjoy this article? Download your FREE copy of LGBT fantasy short story It’s Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels) and meet the werewolves of Cornwall, England.  Click here

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#AtoZChallenge: A is for Authorpreneur

Hello and welcome to the #AtoZChallenge 2016. Blimey, the year has flown by yet again! This year I have decided to focus my A to Z blog challenge on everything that makes up SpookyMrsGreen.

I will reveal some insights about me, LGBT fantasy book writer Catherine Green, I will share aspects of my personality, and interests and pursuits that all come together to form this magnificent blog that we see today.

#AtoZChallenge Badge A by vampire writer Catherine Green at SpookyMrsGreen.com mindful parenting and modern pagan lifestyle blog.
#AtoZChallenge Badge A

#AtoZChallenge: A is for Authorpreneur

My word for the letter A is Authorpreneur. It is a word I have picked up during my adventures in becoming a published author. Back in the early days of my professional writing career, I was so excited to have finally been published, that I neglected to research the real implications of our industry. An actual publishing company liked my books enough to want to publish me, and I was ecstatic! I was also incredibly naive. During the years that followed, I have explored lots of avenues in creative writing, freelance writing, and how I can earn real money doing what I love.

It is not easy, let me tell you. I have learned many hard lessons in the past six years, and I am still learning more every day. My income falls way short of anything that can be called a living wage, and I am very lucky to have a husband with a steady, full-time job that supports us both. It is not enough, and so I simply cannot sit at home writing my novels and short stories. I have to diversify. I have to monetise my websites, approach potential clients, and do all manner of things that I previously knew nothing about. It is very much a work in progress, but it finally seems to be progressing in the right way. See you tomorrow, for the next letter in the #AtoZChallenge.

Text reads, "Free e-book download. LGBT werewolf fantasy story. Download Now." Image of a sexy man showing a tattoo on his chest staring at the viewer with a sultry gaze. Vampire and werewolf fantasy books for adults. 3D book cover image for "It's Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels)" from the vampire and werewolf fantasy book series by LGBT fantasy book writer Catherine Green.
LGBT werewolf fantasy story “It’s Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels)” by Catherine Green

Did you enjoy this article? Download your FREE copy of LGBT fantasy short story It’s Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels) and meet the werewolves of Cornwall, England.  Click here

Note: This article may contain affiliate links, meaning that if you shop using the links I share, I receive a small income at no extra cost to yourself. Thank you for supporting SpookyMrsGreen!

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Welcome to Spring and the #AtoZChallenge

Phew! We made it to the end of another term at school, and I for one am very glad to have a couple of weeks to recover from the daily challenge of the school run.

My daughter received her second certificate for 100% attendance at school this week, and I am taking that as a personal win because I was the one who got her there, every day without fail, with the toddler and the dog in tow. It was tough, but we did it!

Catherine and children walking by the canal in Middlewich at SpookyMrsGreen.com mindful parenting and modern pagan lifestyle blog.
Catherine and children walking by the canal in Middlewich

#AtoZChallenge 2016

This weekend I am looking forward to some spiritual adventures at the Rosemary Douglas Mind, Body and Spirit event in Stafford. Come and see me if you are in the Staffordshire and West Midlands vicinity. I am talking about my Redcliffe novels series and my upcoming release The Vampire of Blackpool, as well as sharing stories of my ghost hunting adventures and my life as the pagan housewife.

And then we have the annual A to Z blogging challenge. It has taken me a bit by surprise this year, although I did remember to sign up a little earlier than I usually do. My theme for the #AtoZChallenge 2016 is, quite simply, all about me. You see I had a little identity crisis a while back, and I realised that my blog needed some direction. So I called myself the pagan housewife. If reflects a little bit of everything that makes up SpookyMrsGreen: author, mother, ghost hunter, pagan, wife and everything else in between.

Come and join me throughout April as I share stories, snippets and anecdotes. I might throw in a Tarot reading, or an Angel card reading. I might share some photographs from my adventures in the natural world in the North West of England. I might talk about my children and my family. Who knows? There is a lot to discuss. See you later, and have a fabulous Easter Weekend!

April A-Z Blogging Challenge Participant 2016 SpookyMrsGreen.com mindful parenting and modern pagan lifestyle blog.
April A-Z Blogging Challenge Participant

Did you enjoy this article? Download your FREE copy of LGBT fantasy short story It’s Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels) and meet the werewolves of Cornwall, England.  Click here

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Breakfast with the Easter Bunny at Bridgemere Garden Centre

Join the SpookyMrsGreen family as they have breakfast with the Easter Bunny at Bridgemere Garden Centre.

#MummyMonday Meeting the Easter Bunny at Bridgemere Garden Centre SpookyMrsGreen.com mindful parenting and modern pagan lifestyle blog.
#MummyMonday Meeting the Easter Bunny at Bridgemere Garden Centre

Breakfast with the Easter Bunny at Bridgemere Garden Centre

I had decided that it was time we had a family treat for Easter, but it transpired that I am actually working all of Easter weekend at the Rosemary Douglas mind, body and spirit event. Anyway, after a little investigation, and remembering that we celebrated the Spring Equinox yesterday, I found our way to one of my favourite local destinations.

Bridgemere Garden Centre is a fabulous place to visit. I often go there for crafting supplies from Hobbycraft, and for coffee and cake in one of the restaurants. This time I took the family, more specifically my husband and our two daughters, for a special event. We were offered the opportunity to have Breakfast with the Easter Bunny courtesy of Wyevale Garden Centres. I knew it would be fun and worthwhile, but I wasn’t quite sure how my young children would react to the Easter Bunny when he made his appearance. As it turned out, they loved him!

A tasty breakfast

Our breakfast was very tasty and the children’s food had been cooled down before serving so that they could tuck in straight away. That little touch is something very special to a parent who is trying to placate a starving child while desperately blowing on their food so they don’t burn their tongues again (you know what I mean!). Our host, Freya, was very efficient and helpful, and she developed rapport with the children straight away so that they chatted to her like old friends.

The event was planned to be cosy and private, and the children were entertained with Easter goodies that included posters to colour in, Cadburys Mini Eggs to eat, and a free cuddly toy. My elder daughter chose a duckling, while my toddler chose a little bunny rabbit. The toys are lovely and will make perfect keepsakes for cherished memories. After breakfast, Freya took us all on an Easter egg hunt in the garden centre shop, offering sweets as prizes for the children. Then we returned to the restaurant where the children decorated their own Easter themed biscuits. That was a very fun activity, as you can see!

Meeting the Easter Bunny

Our breakfast party ended with the long-anticipated meeting with the Easter bunny. He strolled around the room, meeting children and parents, getting up to mischief and making everyone laugh. It was a lovely event, and I certainly recommend it to other parents. We plan to return another time since it is easily accessible and makes a nice day out when you need a change of scenery. Our girls had lots of fun running around the outside garden centre, where they admired the dinosaurs in the Jurassic Golf compound, and they played in various summer houses that were dotted around. My husband even found an unusual but appropriate birthday gift for his mum, so it was a winner all around!

#MummyMonday Breakfast with the Easter Bunny at Bridgemere Garden Centre craft activities SpookyMrsGreen.com mindful parenting and modern pagan lifestyle blog.
#MummyMonday Breakfast with the Easter Bunny craft activities

Did you enjoy this article? Download your FREE copy of LGBT fantasy short story It’s Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels) and meet the werewolves of Cornwall, England.  Click here

Note: I received free tickets for this event in return for an honest review.

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A Little Tipple to Aid the Creative Flow

We are all familiar with the old stereotype of the writer: scribbling away in a dimly lit garret, cobwebs hanging from the ceilings and shelves, shoulders hunched protectively over their latest work of art, and a bottle of something golden and alcoholic sitting beside them on the desk. Ah, bliss!

Do you enjoy a drink while writing? Read my blog post to see what helps loosen my creative flow and which alcoholic drinks I prefer to sip while writing my LGBT fantasy books for adults.

Gothic image of a vampire drinking blood from a wine glass while a woman lies unconscious on the bed behind him. 3D eBook cover image for “Christmas with the Vampires” by LGBT fantasy book writer Catherine Green.
“Christmas with the Vampires” by Catherine Green. An Edwardian vampire short story.

A Little Tipple to Aid the Creative Flow

I know that is a totally unrealistic representation of the 21st century writer, but I still find the romantic notion very appealing. And yes, I do enjoy a drink myself. Indeed, I regularly reward myself with a glass of wine or a bottle of beer in the evenings after I put the children to bed. I deserve the treat, dammit! But I am getting a little bored of the same old bargain booze. I want something different, something that better suits my mood and my feelings about being a writer.

So, I discovered The Drink Shop. Wow, what a selection! I mean, they have just about any alcoholic drink you could dream of. I saw a bottle of Britsh Royal Navy Imperial Rum on sale for a mere £999. Yes, that was in the sale! Blimey. I need to sell a heck of a lot more books before I could even consider purchasing such an extravagant treat. But a girl can dream…

Actually, I am more of a wine drinker, but I am open to suggestions, and I do enjoy a glass of Baileys or a martini and lemonade once in a while. What’s your favourite tipple? My dad is a whisky drinker. My mum enjoys a glass of port on occasion. And now I feel thirsty… Cheers!

Text reads, "Free e-book download. LGBT werewolf fantasy story. Download Now." Image of a sexy man showing a tattoo on his chest staring at the viewer with a sultry gaze. Vampire and werewolf fantasy books for adults. 3D book cover image for "It's Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels)" from the vampire and werewolf fantasy book series by LGBT fantasy book writer Catherine Green.
LGBT werewolf fantasy story “It’s Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels)” by Catherine Green

Did you enjoy this article? Download your FREE copy of LGBT fantasy short story It’s Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels) and meet the werewolves of Cornwall, England.  Click here

Note: This article may contain affiliate links, meaning that if you shop using the links I share, I receive a small income at no extra cost to yourself. Thank you for supporting SpookyMrsGreen!

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