Review: Just one Cornetto - Keith Mashiter

In Keith Mashiter’s new book, which is a well-written, detailed travelogue, the book details the best of what Italy and Sicily have to offer and follows the journey that Charles Dickens first made in the 19th century. We begin in Genoa and the opening chapter really brings this vibrant, picturesque region alive for the reader.

Keith’s detailed writings of his own journey, along with the history of the area included, make the first chapter a truly fascinating read.

Next, the reader is transported to Cinque Terre, where Keith and Gail’s adventure continues, I have to say I really felt like visiting the fishing villages such as Monterosso and Cornigilia, as the pictures painted in the book just sound so beautiful. As the journey continues, the reader can learn all about Keith and Gail’s time in Sienna, Rome, Naples, Punta Braccetto etc. However, Etna, with its lava brick walls was the place that really stood out for me, and the more I read about it, the more I want to keep my promise to one day visit Etna. I also read about Pisa with a special interest as this is a place I plan to visit one day. The description of San Miniato sounds gorgeous, and the Tuscan villages I read about in the book sound delightful, while “Campo Dei Miracoli” of the Field of Miracles sounds like a sheer joy to visit.

From the opening dialogue, to the closing pages, this book is a real joy to read. I like the easy going way in which the book has been written, and I like the tongue in cheek humour.

The book is easy to read and I found it a great way to wind down at the end of a long day. I liked the pictures that each chapter begins with and the map at the front is a good addition as well.

FREE BOOK NOVEMBER 11TH AND 12TH!! title - Kill Daddy *

Trauma from the past becomes a part of who you are. It weighs down on the present, suffocating life and preventing you from healing and moving on. If you continue to carry this baggage around long enough, you will eventually become who you are not. Believe in the essential goodness of your true self, however, and you will accept the past, but let go of the burden and finally become the real you. This is the story of one man's struggle to accept the past and move on before it destroys everything he is and could ever hope to be. In desperation Gerry flees society to save his sanity and ends up in the remote villages of East Africa. Midst the poverty, he encounters hope and more love than he could imagine. Will it be enough to save him? Can he repair the damage done to him in his childhood or will his abusers win in the end?

I was inspired to write Kill Daddy after I returned from my roller coaster ride In Kenya and Uganda where I spent almost 2 years living with the local people.Everyone was asking me-What is Africa like? I couldn't sum it up into an adequate enough reply. Then as I began writing about the journey I realized I was leaving out an important part of the story, which was- Why did I go there in the first place? Writing about myself and exposing myself to you all is honest but a little difficult. However, if I am to inspire and connect with people and find those who can identify with my journey, then I believe that writing is like art and must come from the heart.

The book has already received some good 5 STAR reviews, so far, from complete strangers and serious reviewers. *Courtesy of Gerry Aldridge Find the book at

: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FQQBV2O/

Finding Freelance Writing Work

Like any other self-employed work, finding freelance writing jobs isn't easy. However, if you are determined, and have a plan, then it can be much less of a challenge.

When I decided to go freelance on a full time basis, I ended up having a few sleepless nights and going over in my head which direct debits I could cancel. I also sent plenty of time trying to figure out where else I could save money, so I could make my savings just a little bit longer.

Fortunately, it didn't come to that as I re-discovered freelance writing sites. I had tried them in the past, but soon lost patience when I didn't win any projects. I guess I took the many rejections I had gotten just a little bit too personally, but when I went back to the freelance sites, I soon realised that if I was going to be successful, then I was going to have to get a thicker skin.

I also took some time out to ready other people's advice on how they secured work from freelance sites, and I read many accounts from people who had bid on 40 plus projects before getting their first job. It is just a matter of having some grit and determination and not giving u at the first hurdle. After 21 proposals, I was lucky enough to secure my first Elance project. I secured a project ghost writing a book, and I am just finishing a second book for the same client.

The work is was irregular to begin with, however, that is the nature of freelance work. I have since found that the more I pitch for work, the better I get at pitching, which means more work comes my  way every month. I also look for clients that require regular content so I can build up my client list that way.

The more clients I get, the more confident I become and the regular work makes the whole freelance writing business just a little less nerve-racking.

For now, I am working on Elance. Fiverr and People Per Hour. People Per Hour is one of my favourites as it is easier to secure work on there and they're fast at releasing funds when I've requested it

Do you have any tips for finding freelance writing work? Share your tips in the comments section below.