May is action on stroke month and The Stroke Association’s theme is to make it purple. For information on how you can participate, support and donate; please check out their website http://www.stroke.org.uk

Today is Charity Tuesday and two of my main national charities to support are of course Cancer Research and The Stroke Association both continue to raise awareness and research two of the main killers -though on the positive side we all know you don’t necessarily die from cancer and/or a stroke.

I believe one of the fears of many woman is of course breast cancer though having a stroke is more likely to happen according to some statistics.

My daughter is doing the Race for Life this year, we did it together a few years back in memory of grandmothers both sides of the family.

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But please, please  remember the local charities too -in my own village of Redbourn Hertfordshire, the Redbourn Care Group helps improve the lives of those in need within the community providing vital transport for the elderly to hospital visits, day centres, food shopping to name a few.

I have recently read a brilliant article written by Kelly Farley ‘Fatal Silence’ on male suicide. Men are often suffering in silence with their bereavement holding onto the misconception that they have to be ‘the strong ones’ and not show their feelings.

I had purposely included the ever delicate subject of suicide in ‘Dancing in my Dreams’ now with my agent/publisher. I discuss how we should refrain from the old-fashion and somewhat incorrect term of ‘committing suicide’ which often offends – bearing in mind it is no longer a crime to take one’s life.

Over the years I have known friends and colleagues that have lost loved ones this way and it is one of the saddest ways to face bereavement. Sadder still is society’s lack of compassion at times for the bereft who in many ways deserve even more support and understanding.

Left without the opportunity to say goodbye and often riddled with misplaced guilt and a mind full of ‘what if?’ questions the bereft often also face hostility.

As statistics prove not all suicides have mental issues though one might question that they may not have been in ‘their right frame of mind’ when they make the decision to end their life this way.

Support those going through bereavement however their loved one has died. Their loss is painful whatever the situation and in the case of suicide they too can become depressed and even contemplate suicide themselves. It is not uncommon for children that have lost a parent this way to see this as an option for themselves too.

There are support charities and agencies who can help and Freud was right about the talking cure; ‘the purpose to change hysterical misery into ordinary human unhappiness.’ 

In life we all need encouragement..but what happens when those around think your latest project or opportunity is a non-starter?

You can ask for opinions if you feel you really need them before taking the plunge, you may receive advice even when you haven’t asked for it…

But encouragement will be forthcoming from true friends who may know you best and understand your desire to branch out and try something new.

However, blind encouragement of course helps no one. And as a very wise lady once told me..’I can come with you to the dentist but it’s you that will sit in the chair and have your teeth drilled.’

Make your own decisions and listen carefully to your instinct…has it served you well in the past?  Then go for it.

Remember…if it seems too good to be true….this time it may be your time!

Anybody living local to St Albans and with a passion for naughty puddings should definitely stop off at The Pudding Stop. Not only are the staff extremely welcoming but the puddings are to die for. Pecan pie like you’ve never tasted. Yum yum yum.

Speaking as the world’s worst chatterbox and rambling writer some times less is more. When I used to run a Writers group I set my mixed bunch of somewhat crazy but lovely people to write a story in fifty words. I have also set this challenge when working with clients and children when trying to get them to focus and think and write succinctly.

Here’s my attempt at that exercise…and no it’s not a true story

The Dinner Guest (one man for dinner)

Derek was missing.  She was devoted to his needs, tolerant of his tantrums and a victim of his abuse. Derek could carve a piece of meat…perfect slices every time! The advice was clear; ‘Kill him with a frozen leg of lamb. Then eat the evidence!’ 

Who would carve this Sunday’s roast? Evelyn King ©

On twitter today I saw a plea from nfp Synergy to journalists to help promote charities more. I rarely miss an opportunity to mention a charity or useful service to my readers it’s all about thinking public. Admittedly like most people I have my pet charities in additional to those for animals!

Seriously – where possible I try to point those in need of the right support to an appropriate charity -whilst being aware that many writers object to writing free of charge it is a gift to help others through our writing. Giving a voice to those that for one reason or another are loss for words is rewarding.

Anyway I don’t have time to bake cakes..and we all do what we do best!

My above named latest publication is now with my Agent/Publisher Owen Burnham and was written out of love and respect for my own mother. No other role in life is more rewarding and/or demanding than that of being a mother.  A little taster…..

‘They say there is nothing stronger than the bond between a mother and her children and for the really lucky ones among us aside of that bond may come a lifetime of the best mentoring one can receive and, of course, a beautiful friendship.

The advice given selflessly by a mother is based on her own wisdom, life’s experiences and driven by pure love and a desire to help you reach your potential safely and feeling secure in that love.

This project has been in the making for many a year and predominantly so since my own Mother died in 2001. I hope that I never took her love for granted but maybe it’s a case of only when they are no longer accessible on a daily basis we then truly begin to appreciate just how wonderful they were.

I know when my own mother died I felt I had loss my sense of purpose and extend my genuine empathy to those of you who may have lost your mother and subsequently feeling the same.   Annie Manning ©’

Few years back I met a nice guy called Ian Starkey an avid Chelsea fan at a Stroke Association event. He had been a black cab driver who had suffered a stroke. We chatted and I agreed he should write a book and encouraged him to join a creative writing class. Ian’s book ‘From Black Cabbing to Blackouts’ has now been published and available from Amazon.  An honest and insightful read  into his recovery and experience.

As a stroke survivor myself I try where possible to help others and of course promote the excellent work of the Stroke Association and other stroke support charities such as InterAct Stroke Support. (please see my website for further information http://www.anniemanning.com)

Please visit. http://www.stroke.org.uk  and http://www.interactstrokesupport.org