They say that time flies when you're having fun. Well actually, time also flies when you're not having such fun times, but only when it;s over and done and you can look back.
Scroll back to February 2014, (edges go blurry, and wobbly, as indicates travelling back in time), I am sitting in the conservatory tapping away at my laptop, dogs laying close by. Chapter 21 is complete.
Fast forward to September 2014, I have been struggling to be creative but have finally completed chapter 22.There is no longer a conservatory or dogs in the image.
Another jump forward to November 2014 and another chapter complete.
Major changes have rocked my life and darker times are looming ahead.
The book remains untouched, my world falls apart...
Time travel forward to February 2016, almost 2 years on from my last truly creative spell, and suddenly the story is progressing. Living through the last 2 years has been difficult, but I'm settled again, content with my life and the muse appears to be back. I have begun writing before, only for it to come to an abrupt halt, so this time, I keep my own council. I am near the end, I struggle with a section then decide it works as well without it, so I leave it out. I want a good ending, it needs to work...
Suddenly, I am there. 25 chapters, done, finished, my first book complete.
Well, ok, it needs editing, proofreading, sending out for beta reading. But in essence, I have completed the task, the excitement I had for this project is back, I enthuse when I speak to people of what I am working on.
Suddenly, the last 2 years have disappeared. I focus on a phrase that works for me:
When one door closes another one opens. The thing is we are normally so focused on the door that closed, we forget to look through the door that has opened, and that is usually where our focus needs to be, that is where the new opportunities are. Forget the regret and recriminations that belong to the closed door, it is pointless.
So now, it's April. The edit process if halfway done, I have feedback from new readers, and it is still good feedback. I am encouraged to continue to my goal of publishing my first novel. It feels so close, I can almost see it on the bookshelf in Waterstones.
Showing posts with label Book writing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Book writing. Show all posts
Friday, 22 April 2016
Wednesday, 30 July 2014
The Plan is Working...
Two more nights and the read through of 22 chapters is complete. Before going to bed last night the folder was closed, the work area set and the laptop opened ready for work.
The plan is for my alarm to wake me at 6am, allowing time to shower, have breakfast and get everything ready for work, I was sat at my laptop ready to type by 7am. That gives me a good hour to work.
I had already started working on chapter 23, and a quick scan through the first page and I was back on track with the story so far. I haven't written a sentence in over 4 months, it seemed strange to be sitting back at the keyboard waiting for words to emerge.
Over the last few months my laptop has been used daily, for all kinds of things, checking emails, searching Google, playing games... so it's not as if I didn't know where the keys were, but sitting down to write creatively is very different. There has to be structure, there has to be continuing plot, there has to be a consistent writing style. It is a task you learn and I certainly have learned that the more you do the easier it becomes, the brain does seem to learn the process.
I soon got back into the flow and in the hour have managed to write 1,800 words. The story has progressed and as I break to go and do my day job, I feel the plan to get back to writing has worked.
The break from writing has given me some distance from my book and re-reading it was a good way to re-connect. As I read the story it felt fresh again and as I read it, I realised I was actually enjoying the story, and that gives me hope that others will too.
For now, the hardest part is yet to come. The ending. So important to finish a story with a good ending, a believable ending, an ending that leaves the reader wanting to read more, a second, third book.
I am fortunate, I have the ending all planned out in my head, I have the skeleton of the ending mapped out on my timeline, my big, black notebook - a large A3 artists pad where every idea, thought, new discovery is jotted down. A notebook that is frequently referred to, all my characters are in there, all the plans to the city...
It is all there, waiting to be converted into the final few chapters.
For now, that's where it needs to remain until I have done another day at the office. The work of a first time author has to be fitted in around a normal daily life schedule. I do not have the luxury of saying writing is my job, I just have the dream that I will be able to say that one day, in the future.
The plan is for my alarm to wake me at 6am, allowing time to shower, have breakfast and get everything ready for work, I was sat at my laptop ready to type by 7am. That gives me a good hour to work.
I had already started working on chapter 23, and a quick scan through the first page and I was back on track with the story so far. I haven't written a sentence in over 4 months, it seemed strange to be sitting back at the keyboard waiting for words to emerge.
Over the last few months my laptop has been used daily, for all kinds of things, checking emails, searching Google, playing games... so it's not as if I didn't know where the keys were, but sitting down to write creatively is very different. There has to be structure, there has to be continuing plot, there has to be a consistent writing style. It is a task you learn and I certainly have learned that the more you do the easier it becomes, the brain does seem to learn the process.
I soon got back into the flow and in the hour have managed to write 1,800 words. The story has progressed and as I break to go and do my day job, I feel the plan to get back to writing has worked.
The break from writing has given me some distance from my book and re-reading it was a good way to re-connect. As I read the story it felt fresh again and as I read it, I realised I was actually enjoying the story, and that gives me hope that others will too.
For now, the hardest part is yet to come. The ending. So important to finish a story with a good ending, a believable ending, an ending that leaves the reader wanting to read more, a second, third book.
I am fortunate, I have the ending all planned out in my head, I have the skeleton of the ending mapped out on my timeline, my big, black notebook - a large A3 artists pad where every idea, thought, new discovery is jotted down. A notebook that is frequently referred to, all my characters are in there, all the plans to the city...
It is all there, waiting to be converted into the final few chapters.
For now, that's where it needs to remain until I have done another day at the office. The work of a first time author has to be fitted in around a normal daily life schedule. I do not have the luxury of saying writing is my job, I just have the dream that I will be able to say that one day, in the future.
Sunday, 27 July 2014
Getting back to writing...
Writing is a discipline, it's a task to apply yourself to, it doesn't happen without effort or planning.
My writing was interrupted for several months, and all the timescales for completion and publishing have passed and the the final few chapters have still to be written.
Sometimes circumstances change and the ability to think creatively isn't there, but I feel I'm ready to move my life forward rather than dwell on the past. I cannot change the past. I can, however, change my future. I can allow week after week to drift or I can knuckle down and start to work again.
I have decided it is time to knuckle down. Time to set new timescales for completion and publication.
I probably last wrote anything significant in February. I have written over 200 pages, I am halfway through Chapter 22. I have only 3 or 4 more chapters to write to complete the first draft.
Come on, girl, there is too much work done to leave it all behind.
This week I planned my weekend. Saturday would be a day to do all my jobs around the house leaving Sunday free. It would begin again Sunday... TODAY!
I have actually missed writing, missed seeing my story come together, missed my characters interacting but my brain was too fuzzy to see the story. Once I had planned to start again today, I found plot lines beginning to form days ahead of my target start date.
So, my plan for today was to have a day out, away from the house, away from the temptation to just do a few more jobs before sitting down and starting work. It seems such a long time since I worked on my book that the first thing I needed to do was to re-read what has already been committed to paper. And yes, although it is all done on my laptop, I really have it all printed out. It gives me a sense of how much work I have done, I find a sense of achievement seeing the folder grow thicker and I find it easier to work through to edit, proofread and generally add ideas.
I have moved house recently and need a new local National Trust place to visit, somewhere without the memories of my previous life. I chose Hardwick Hall, the home of Bess of Hardwick. It's only a couple of junctions down the motorway, takes about 15 minutes (when you don't go the wrong way... but that's another story).
I knew it would be busy today, we are still in the midst of a very hot, sunny English summer. I chose not to take my big camera, that was not the purpose of today. Today was about re-connecting with my book. The plan was to find a nice corner and settle myself down with a cappuccino and my manuscript and to spend some me time reading my creation. Due to the 45 minute journey I had, I was ready for a coffee as soon as I arrived and headed straight for the restaurant. Even though it was almost noon, there were plenty of tables outside, with or without shade and I settled myself down and began to read. I lost track of time, and when I finally glanced up I realised all the tables around me had filled up. My backside felt a little numb and I decided it would be good to take a break, have a walk and see some of the house.
There are 2 houses at Hardwick, one ruin and one complete. I walked over to the ruin first and took the audio tour. It was remarkably interesting and the views from the top of the old hall were stunning, due to the clear weather.
My writing was interrupted for several months, and all the timescales for completion and publishing have passed and the the final few chapters have still to be written.
Sometimes circumstances change and the ability to think creatively isn't there, but I feel I'm ready to move my life forward rather than dwell on the past. I cannot change the past. I can, however, change my future. I can allow week after week to drift or I can knuckle down and start to work again.
I have decided it is time to knuckle down. Time to set new timescales for completion and publication.
I probably last wrote anything significant in February. I have written over 200 pages, I am halfway through Chapter 22. I have only 3 or 4 more chapters to write to complete the first draft.
Come on, girl, there is too much work done to leave it all behind.
This week I planned my weekend. Saturday would be a day to do all my jobs around the house leaving Sunday free. It would begin again Sunday... TODAY!
I have actually missed writing, missed seeing my story come together, missed my characters interacting but my brain was too fuzzy to see the story. Once I had planned to start again today, I found plot lines beginning to form days ahead of my target start date.
So, my plan for today was to have a day out, away from the house, away from the temptation to just do a few more jobs before sitting down and starting work. It seems such a long time since I worked on my book that the first thing I needed to do was to re-read what has already been committed to paper. And yes, although it is all done on my laptop, I really have it all printed out. It gives me a sense of how much work I have done, I find a sense of achievement seeing the folder grow thicker and I find it easier to work through to edit, proofread and generally add ideas.
I have moved house recently and need a new local National Trust place to visit, somewhere without the memories of my previous life. I chose Hardwick Hall, the home of Bess of Hardwick. It's only a couple of junctions down the motorway, takes about 15 minutes (when you don't go the wrong way... but that's another story).
I knew it would be busy today, we are still in the midst of a very hot, sunny English summer. I chose not to take my big camera, that was not the purpose of today. Today was about re-connecting with my book. The plan was to find a nice corner and settle myself down with a cappuccino and my manuscript and to spend some me time reading my creation. Due to the 45 minute journey I had, I was ready for a coffee as soon as I arrived and headed straight for the restaurant. Even though it was almost noon, there were plenty of tables outside, with or without shade and I settled myself down and began to read. I lost track of time, and when I finally glanced up I realised all the tables around me had filled up. My backside felt a little numb and I decided it would be good to take a break, have a walk and see some of the house.
There are 2 houses at Hardwick, one ruin and one complete. I walked over to the ruin first and took the audio tour. It was remarkably interesting and the views from the top of the old hall were stunning, due to the clear weather.
From the old hall, you can look across to the new hall, an impressive building designed to portray Bess's wealth and standing in society. When Mary, Queen of Scots took refuge in England, Queen Elizabeth the first saw her as a threat to the throne of England and so she detained under the custody of the Earl of Shrewsbury and his wife, Bess (of Hardwick).
History lesson over, I promise. Any of you wanting to know more can Google Hardwick Hall and Bess of Hardwick.
Walking around the new hall was fascinating, it was opened in 1597 and it occurred to me as I walked around that it was probably very similar to the stately homes and palaces of Charles II, the time of the plague and the setting for my book, (1665). I felt a real connection with my novel as I wandered from room to room, visualising my characters there. I could not have chosen a better place for my visit.
Having completed my walk around the house I spent the next hour wandering around the gardens, seeing the splendour of the hall along the lawned avenue
And, as I wandered through the wooded paths came across this little folly in the base of a tree ... no explanation, just very cute.
Just goes to show you need to explore everywhere.
Walk over, houses explored I headed back to the restaurant for a further coffee and a chance to read a few more chapters.
I thoroughly enjoyed my day, I began to enjoy my book again and started to feel ready to write more. I am about halfway through reading it, and have already found a couple of inconsistencies, so more has been achieved than just re-familiarising myself with the story so far...
Now, my mind is buzzing and my fingers are itching... more coffee and several more chapters to read before I can start work, time to get the frothy coffee on.
Watch this space, my target now is to have this published in time for the Christmas market.
Saturday, 7 June 2014
I have a plan but shhhh... don't tell anyone!
After discovering that my book title had been used, I have spent the last couple of weeks cogitating.
And it's worked... I have a new title. My illustrator will re-design my cover and work can proceed...
But, it'll stay under wraps for now, don't want to risk this happening again.
In the meantime, I have a new timescale - end of September publication.
That should give me time to promote it ready to become a Christmas present for all those people who don't know what to get someone...
Watch this space!
And it's worked... I have a new title. My illustrator will re-design my cover and work can proceed...
But, it'll stay under wraps for now, don't want to risk this happening again.
In the meantime, I have a new timescale - end of September publication.
That should give me time to promote it ready to become a Christmas present for all those people who don't know what to get someone...
Watch this space!
Wednesday, 28 May 2014
Oh Bu**er!
It was always possible, but I thought I'd done enough to deter someone using the same title.
I had an idea for a title for the series of children's books I am working on. I set up the website with a holding page to keep both the .co.uk and .com web addresses away from others. I set up a Facebook page knowing that anyone searching to see if there was anything out there with the same title, they would hopefully be deterred from using it.
Unfortunately, it would seem all that was to no avail. Personal circumstances have delayed the completion of my first novel and in the meantime someone else has published using the same title I had come up with.
The story is very different although also features a dog, the covers could not be more different and the style of writing is quite different...
BUT...
I cannot help but feel very disappointed. Having searched the internet to ensure I was not duplicating a title, as recommended by various writing sites, to have this happen is really, well, disappointing.
It IS possible someone else came up with the same title, purely through creativity, it is possible someone landed on my website and as my book was not yet published, decided to use it. I'll never know. Maybe they haven't done the same research into the publishing scene and taken on the same thought process.
What is sure is that I cannot change what has happened, and so time for a brainstorming session. I still have the domain names and websites, but these days more and more people rely on Facebook and so that may not be an issue for this other writer.
I now need to move on and find a new series name, have the book cover re-designed...
... and get the book finished, published and out there.
Personal issues? Move over, they will have to take a back seat... I have a goal and I have a plan.
Now all I need is a title!
I had an idea for a title for the series of children's books I am working on. I set up the website with a holding page to keep both the .co.uk and .com web addresses away from others. I set up a Facebook page knowing that anyone searching to see if there was anything out there with the same title, they would hopefully be deterred from using it.
Unfortunately, it would seem all that was to no avail. Personal circumstances have delayed the completion of my first novel and in the meantime someone else has published using the same title I had come up with.
The story is very different although also features a dog, the covers could not be more different and the style of writing is quite different...
BUT...
I cannot help but feel very disappointed. Having searched the internet to ensure I was not duplicating a title, as recommended by various writing sites, to have this happen is really, well, disappointing.
It IS possible someone else came up with the same title, purely through creativity, it is possible someone landed on my website and as my book was not yet published, decided to use it. I'll never know. Maybe they haven't done the same research into the publishing scene and taken on the same thought process.
What is sure is that I cannot change what has happened, and so time for a brainstorming session. I still have the domain names and websites, but these days more and more people rely on Facebook and so that may not be an issue for this other writer.
I now need to move on and find a new series name, have the book cover re-designed...
... and get the book finished, published and out there.
Personal issues? Move over, they will have to take a back seat... I have a goal and I have a plan.
Now all I need is a title!
Certificate of Completion
In answer to a recent query asking if the writing course is accredited, please see the logo at the bottom left corner, IAO and check out their website
http://www.iao.org/lp/academicaccreditation/about-us.asp for further information.
Friday, 31 January 2014
One step closer
Back in December I mentioned in a post that I was due to meet with an illustrator, who would hopefully work on my book cover. I had a basic idea of what I wanted but as someone with no artistic ability it was always going to need some clever adaptation to bring it to life as it was in my mind's eye.
The referral came via a friend of a friend. Having checked out his work on his website, I liked the illustrations so arranged a meeting in the run up to Christmas.
Having outlined my story, my target reader and my main characters he asked if I had any ideas on what I wanted from an illustration and this is where I got a little bashful. Hubby and I had done a Blue Peter style mock up, with dogs that looked more like badly drawn horses stuck onto a background that needed a lot of explanation. I was quite nervous at the thought of putting this in front of a professional but in for a penny...
Thankfully, he didn't laugh, well not out loud at least. He talked through a few ideas and then started to sketch and, within a couple of minutes, he had a very recognisable picture of what I had outlined. He got my concept.
Armed with little more than my thoughts and a quick outline sketch we concluded the meeting and he said he would start work in the New Year and would send me an initial draft through soon.
Sure enough, early in January I received the first draft by email. It didn't 'wow' me. It was in black and white, bits worked and bits didn't. I took comments from family and friends who I trust, and then fed back my comments to the illustrator.
A second draft came back and while I found it difficult to visualise in colour, I did like the basic image.
A few more days wait and I saw the first colour print of my book cover. It brought a whole new set of issues, the balance of colours, the proportions... but there were elements that were absolutely spot on.
More feedback. A request for information and images for the back cover and a few more days wait.
Then today I received an email with both the front and back cover, full cover
and I love it.
No more tweaking, no more changes, I have my book cover. Another stage in the process is complete.
Definitely worth using a professional.
And for now, a thank you to all who have commented on the illustration to get it to completion but for now, the final version shall remain under wraps.
So exciting.
The referral came via a friend of a friend. Having checked out his work on his website, I liked the illustrations so arranged a meeting in the run up to Christmas.
Having outlined my story, my target reader and my main characters he asked if I had any ideas on what I wanted from an illustration and this is where I got a little bashful. Hubby and I had done a Blue Peter style mock up, with dogs that looked more like badly drawn horses stuck onto a background that needed a lot of explanation. I was quite nervous at the thought of putting this in front of a professional but in for a penny...
Thankfully, he didn't laugh, well not out loud at least. He talked through a few ideas and then started to sketch and, within a couple of minutes, he had a very recognisable picture of what I had outlined. He got my concept.
Armed with little more than my thoughts and a quick outline sketch we concluded the meeting and he said he would start work in the New Year and would send me an initial draft through soon.
Sure enough, early in January I received the first draft by email. It didn't 'wow' me. It was in black and white, bits worked and bits didn't. I took comments from family and friends who I trust, and then fed back my comments to the illustrator.
A second draft came back and while I found it difficult to visualise in colour, I did like the basic image.
A few more days wait and I saw the first colour print of my book cover. It brought a whole new set of issues, the balance of colours, the proportions... but there were elements that were absolutely spot on.
More feedback. A request for information and images for the back cover and a few more days wait.
Then today I received an email with both the front and back cover, full cover
and I love it.
No more tweaking, no more changes, I have my book cover. Another stage in the process is complete.
Definitely worth using a professional.
And for now, a thank you to all who have commented on the illustration to get it to completion but for now, the final version shall remain under wraps.
So exciting.
Saturday, 7 December 2013
Writing Course Deal
Yesterday, I was sent a link to a discount website I hadn't heard of before called KGB deals. On it was another online writing course specifically aimed at people wanting to self publish an e-book.
http://www.kgbdeals.co.uk/sheffield/deals/233077/14-module-writers-course---writing-success-for-you---sheffield
As someone who feels any information is good information and knowing how much I got from the previous 2 online courses I did, I have treated myself to an early Christmas present.
This course does not require you to pass a test before accessing further modules, and so far it is all written rather than audio do I can work on it without annoying others in the room.
Another key element of getting the book published is getting a good front cover. I think I have finally found a good illustrator that has previously designed book covers and worked with a publisher. I am hoping to meet with them before Christmas to work through my design so fingers crossed, that's another element sorted.
I've now passed 30,000 words and the storyline is developing well, so my March publishing target is still looking good.
http://www.kgbdeals.co.uk/sheffield/deals/233077/14-module-writers-course---writing-success-for-you---sheffield
As someone who feels any information is good information and knowing how much I got from the previous 2 online courses I did, I have treated myself to an early Christmas present.
This course does not require you to pass a test before accessing further modules, and so far it is all written rather than audio do I can work on it without annoying others in the room.
Another key element of getting the book published is getting a good front cover. I think I have finally found a good illustrator that has previously designed book covers and worked with a publisher. I am hoping to meet with them before Christmas to work through my design so fingers crossed, that's another element sorted.
I've now passed 30,000 words and the storyline is developing well, so my March publishing target is still looking good.
Sunday, 10 November 2013
Helpful Tips on Getting a Book Published
Writing can be a lonely task, generally a quiet, calm, relaxed atmosphere is required for thought and concentration and so by that very fact writers normally work alone.
Speaking with or listening to other writes describe their working techniques can help make you feel less isolated in your task. I find I work better when the rest of the household is asleep but this, by its very nature, means late night or early mornings. I have never needed a lot of sleep an so working late into the night is not a problem for me, but I found it refreshing when watching the 'Getting Published' workshop (see previous post) yesterday, to find I am not alone in this. Several of the people at the workshop get up early to have a couple of hours before the day starts for everyone else, or work long after everyone else is tucked up in bed.
What has this to do with getting a book published? Well, the first step is to get your book finished. It is one of the biggest reasons books don't make it. It's very easy to start a book, it's quite easy to get many chapters complete but it seems that the hardest part is actually finishing it and to do that you have to find manner of working that allows you focus.
The workshop covered a wealth of information, the guest speakers were very interesting to listen to and some of the websites they suggested have now been added to my favourites list.
Writer's dream that their book will be the next big thing, they dream of the manuscript landing on a publishers doorstep and the wheels being cranked up to get it into print. In truth, many publishers no longer accept manuscripts directly, preferring to have agents sift out the ones that won't make it first. Suddenly, getting an agent takes on a whole new perspective. If you are lucky enough to get a publisher interested directly, the contract then becomes the next big thing. While publishers will have their standard contract, this will be more in their favour than the writer's and the agent plays a massive part in negotiating the finer details to get. Listening to the agents at the workshop speak about what they do for a client I have to say my views on them was vastly improved.
One of the biggest pointers to getting published that came from all speakers yesterday was to read and re-read the submission criteria and make sure your submission complies with all their requirements or it will be unlikely to be looked at. If they ask for the first 5 pages, don't send the whole book. If they ask for your submission by email don't post a paper copy to them. Apparently, it is very common for people to completely ignore the submission requirements and this does not endear them to the agents or the publishers.
It also came over loud and clear what a protracted process getting an agent, getting a publisher and getting a book to market can be. It can normally take upto 2 years to get your book out there. Hazel Gaynor, the author of 'The Girl Who Came Home'. She had an agent and she had her book based on the Titanic, but she also knew she had a massive opportunity to make the book relevant with all the publicity surrounding the centenary of the sinking of the Titanic in 2012, but the timescale for getting her book published through traditional routes would mean she would likely miss centenary year so she chose to self-publish with Amazon, the route I plan to use.
It was very interesting to hear how much the marketing of a book matters, and how after months of working alone creating your book you then have to become incredibly sociable to promote your book.
So, a very useful workshop, and a promise of a further one in the new year on self-publishing. Depending on timing that workshop could be very useful or too late, only time will tell.
Now, to continue with my first point... time to write some more on my book and work towards getting the first draft finished and being at the point of typing the last 6 letters...T H E E N D
Speaking with or listening to other writes describe their working techniques can help make you feel less isolated in your task. I find I work better when the rest of the household is asleep but this, by its very nature, means late night or early mornings. I have never needed a lot of sleep an so working late into the night is not a problem for me, but I found it refreshing when watching the 'Getting Published' workshop (see previous post) yesterday, to find I am not alone in this. Several of the people at the workshop get up early to have a couple of hours before the day starts for everyone else, or work long after everyone else is tucked up in bed.
What has this to do with getting a book published? Well, the first step is to get your book finished. It is one of the biggest reasons books don't make it. It's very easy to start a book, it's quite easy to get many chapters complete but it seems that the hardest part is actually finishing it and to do that you have to find manner of working that allows you focus.
The workshop covered a wealth of information, the guest speakers were very interesting to listen to and some of the websites they suggested have now been added to my favourites list.
Writer's dream that their book will be the next big thing, they dream of the manuscript landing on a publishers doorstep and the wheels being cranked up to get it into print. In truth, many publishers no longer accept manuscripts directly, preferring to have agents sift out the ones that won't make it first. Suddenly, getting an agent takes on a whole new perspective. If you are lucky enough to get a publisher interested directly, the contract then becomes the next big thing. While publishers will have their standard contract, this will be more in their favour than the writer's and the agent plays a massive part in negotiating the finer details to get. Listening to the agents at the workshop speak about what they do for a client I have to say my views on them was vastly improved.
One of the biggest pointers to getting published that came from all speakers yesterday was to read and re-read the submission criteria and make sure your submission complies with all their requirements or it will be unlikely to be looked at. If they ask for the first 5 pages, don't send the whole book. If they ask for your submission by email don't post a paper copy to them. Apparently, it is very common for people to completely ignore the submission requirements and this does not endear them to the agents or the publishers.
It also came over loud and clear what a protracted process getting an agent, getting a publisher and getting a book to market can be. It can normally take upto 2 years to get your book out there. Hazel Gaynor, the author of 'The Girl Who Came Home'. She had an agent and she had her book based on the Titanic, but she also knew she had a massive opportunity to make the book relevant with all the publicity surrounding the centenary of the sinking of the Titanic in 2012, but the timescale for getting her book published through traditional routes would mean she would likely miss centenary year so she chose to self-publish with Amazon, the route I plan to use.
It was very interesting to hear how much the marketing of a book matters, and how after months of working alone creating your book you then have to become incredibly sociable to promote your book.
So, a very useful workshop, and a promise of a further one in the new year on self-publishing. Depending on timing that workshop could be very useful or too late, only time will tell.
Now, to continue with my first point... time to write some more on my book and work towards getting the first draft finished and being at the point of typing the last 6 letters...T H E E N D
Wednesday, 6 November 2013
Getting Published Workshop
I am always looking around on the internet for websites that are helpful to a first time writer, like me.
Sometime in September I came across a this website
http://www.writerswebtv.com/
I came across it just as they were about to show the workshop for Writing for Children, which was great timing. Although I couldn't watch all of it as I had already made plans to meet a friend for coffee, I did see quite a lot of it and parts of it were very informative. If you watch it live it's free or you can pay to download it and watch at your leisure.
As my book is progressing nicely, 15 chapters now in first draft, I have been doing quite a lot of research on publishing options. Imagine my delight when this link dropped into my email inbox today announcing the workshop for Getting Published being screened this Saturday. As it happens, I have no plans so I will be able to make full use of this free screening.
They are also offering a free critique of a submission letter which, as I am on the process of preparing one, is perfectly timed.
So, my Saturday is planned, I just need to make sure the coffee is brewing and the sandwiches made.
I'm really looking forward to it, notepad and pen ready.
Sometime in September I came across a this website
http://www.writerswebtv.com/
I came across it just as they were about to show the workshop for Writing for Children, which was great timing. Although I couldn't watch all of it as I had already made plans to meet a friend for coffee, I did see quite a lot of it and parts of it were very informative. If you watch it live it's free or you can pay to download it and watch at your leisure.
As my book is progressing nicely, 15 chapters now in first draft, I have been doing quite a lot of research on publishing options. Imagine my delight when this link dropped into my email inbox today announcing the workshop for Getting Published being screened this Saturday. As it happens, I have no plans so I will be able to make full use of this free screening.
They are also offering a free critique of a submission letter which, as I am on the process of preparing one, is perfectly timed.
So, my Saturday is planned, I just need to make sure the coffee is brewing and the sandwiches made.
I'm really looking forward to it, notepad and pen ready.
Monday, 4 November 2013
Writing a Story Book for Children... 15 Chapters done...
Having a break from routine is good but sometimes it can be difficult to get back into the flow. Since coming back from Malta I have struggled to get back into the flow of working on my book but today I made good progress.
I had completed the first section of my children's novel, 12 chapters and over 22,000 words before going on holiday and I took a print out of it with me to give it a first full read through. The book has fallen into the distinct sections without really planning it that way. I had to tackle the challenge of having 2 characters that went in separate story lines for a while. I had to consider whether to alternate chapters to follow the 2 stories or whether to write one story to a point and then rewind in time and write the other story to the same point. Neither really worked for my novel so I chose a 3rd option.
I followed one character's story to a point, then let the 2 characters meet up again. The 2nd character's story of what had happened while they had been apart was told as a conversation between the 2.
I am now at the point where the 2 characters are ready to move forward for the final section of the story.
My story timeline is still working well and I have not had to alter it since I began writing, it is definitely worth spending the time in getting that right from the beginning and to keep referring back to it on a regular basis, but I have found that I have a few more chapters than first expected.
I've just completed Chapter 15 and I'm all set for the main character's journey home with a few adventures and surprises on the way. I know I still have a long way to go but it's well on the way to getting completed.
I had completed the first section of my children's novel, 12 chapters and over 22,000 words before going on holiday and I took a print out of it with me to give it a first full read through. The book has fallen into the distinct sections without really planning it that way. I had to tackle the challenge of having 2 characters that went in separate story lines for a while. I had to consider whether to alternate chapters to follow the 2 stories or whether to write one story to a point and then rewind in time and write the other story to the same point. Neither really worked for my novel so I chose a 3rd option.
I followed one character's story to a point, then let the 2 characters meet up again. The 2nd character's story of what had happened while they had been apart was told as a conversation between the 2.
I am now at the point where the 2 characters are ready to move forward for the final section of the story.
My story timeline is still working well and I have not had to alter it since I began writing, it is definitely worth spending the time in getting that right from the beginning and to keep referring back to it on a regular basis, but I have found that I have a few more chapters than first expected.
I've just completed Chapter 15 and I'm all set for the main character's journey home with a few adventures and surprises on the way. I know I still have a long way to go but it's well on the way to getting completed.
Tuesday, 22 October 2013
A new writing space...
During the summer I have a lovely writing space in the conservatory looking out into the garden where I can watch the birds, the occasional cat and my two dogs as well as admiring the plants as they change with the passage of time.
Now that autumn is upon us and the nights are both dark and cold I have moved into the main room where we have a very inviting bay window next to a lovely warm radiator.
The downside to this is the TV as I now share the room with my husband and I cannot expect him to sit in silence when I want to write, especially as sometimes I can be sat for several hours, so I needed to find a way of shutting out the sound of the TV.
When I used to study I always had music on in the background and so I went looking for a set of earphones to plug into the laptop, which I found in the box my mobile phone came in, and a CD that I could work to. After rejecting a lot of CDs I came across the sound track to 'Philadelphia', which was a distinct possibility.
Getting myself settled and plugged in, I set it on to continual play, set the volume so that I could no longer hear the football (although I did hear the celebrations when a goal was scored) and I set to tackling another chapter.
A while later Chapter 13 was finished and I realised I had been able to concentrate completely, I have no idea how many times the CD played through but I do know on each occasion I had stopped only for one track, that of Maria Callas' aria. Wow, that's a powerful track.
So, I know I can work in my shared location and just need to find a few more CD's that work for me, but I am sure that through the cold winter months I will be able to sit and tap out the remaining chapters of my book with the only difficulty being the plot and the words and not the working environment.
And at least this way I will feel part of the family while still retaining the process of allocating a time and place to work on my book. And I may even get the odd cuppa brought to me as it will no longer be a case of 'out of sight out of mind'.
Now that autumn is upon us and the nights are both dark and cold I have moved into the main room where we have a very inviting bay window next to a lovely warm radiator.
The downside to this is the TV as I now share the room with my husband and I cannot expect him to sit in silence when I want to write, especially as sometimes I can be sat for several hours, so I needed to find a way of shutting out the sound of the TV.
When I used to study I always had music on in the background and so I went looking for a set of earphones to plug into the laptop, which I found in the box my mobile phone came in, and a CD that I could work to. After rejecting a lot of CDs I came across the sound track to 'Philadelphia', which was a distinct possibility.
Getting myself settled and plugged in, I set it on to continual play, set the volume so that I could no longer hear the football (although I did hear the celebrations when a goal was scored) and I set to tackling another chapter.
A while later Chapter 13 was finished and I realised I had been able to concentrate completely, I have no idea how many times the CD played through but I do know on each occasion I had stopped only for one track, that of Maria Callas' aria. Wow, that's a powerful track.
So, I know I can work in my shared location and just need to find a few more CD's that work for me, but I am sure that through the cold winter months I will be able to sit and tap out the remaining chapters of my book with the only difficulty being the plot and the words and not the working environment.
And at least this way I will feel part of the family while still retaining the process of allocating a time and place to work on my book. And I may even get the odd cuppa brought to me as it will no longer be a case of 'out of sight out of mind'.
Saturday, 21 September 2013
Writing a Story Book for Children - Part 3, Research, research and more research.
The idea of writing a novel seems simple. You sit down with whatever medium you intend using and begin to let your imagination run.
If you set your work of fiction in a fictional place with fictional characters no one can question whether it is accurate or not. It just has to be believable.
I, on the other hand, have decided to set mine in a real place, in a real historical time. London, 1665. Building design, street layouts and much more changed in 1666 when it was rebuilt after the London fire, and there are no photos in the archives.
And so, the research I have done has been extensive, sometimes hours of research for one sentence on my novel. I am not writing about the specific event in 1665, that is simply the background setting but it is important to me that it is factually correct. For example, my first chapter started during a thunderstorm which I later had to change when I found out that the summer of 1665 was hot and dry and drought like.
Tonight's challenge was to find out when the moon was full in June 1665. It took a few tries in Google to get the words in the search correct, but finally I got the answer I wanted and only 10 minutes of searching.
I can't even imagine where I would have started to find that information in the years before Google. The hours I would have spent in Libraries, the places I would have travelled to, museums, galleries and much, much more. Maybe it would have been more fun to research in that manner but it would certainly have taken longer. For starters libraries here are not open in the evenings when I do most of my work.
Ah well, answer found, it's back to work...
Monday, 16 September 2013
Writing a Story Book for Children - Part 2
A few weeks further on and I now have over 19,000 words written and I am over half way through the book. The story is falling together nicely, and I keep referring back to my story line time scale to make sure everything is fitting together as it should.
It is based in the 17th century and I need it to be historically accurate so research is key. Thankfully the Internet is a massive resource and by checking several sites I can normally verify the facts as being correct. I cross reference them with my research book if the topic is covered and I am hopeful that I am producing a book that will not be littered with faux pas.
Obviously as I write I have had to consider my options for publishing and, in order to retain editorial control as well as a high royalty payment I have decided my first book will be self published. That then leads to a whole new avenue of research, and my mind is simply over run with options.
Nicely timed, an offer fell into my inbox from the company I did the initial course online with, this time it's was a course about self publishing with Kindle Direct. Again the cost was not excessive and having read what each course module covered I decided it would be beneficial to invest. This time there are 14 modules on a audio/video basis and, as before, there is a wealth of information covered that will be highly beneficial when I am ready to publish.
I am always amazed at coincidences and recently a conversation took place that again had me wondering at how small this world really is.
My job involves contacting customers about their account and over the few years I have worked at this job I have built a good rapport with a number of customers and we generally have a little chat before getting on with the main reason for the call. Such a conversation took place a few weeks ago with a customer who lives 250 miles from me. We have never met but talk 2 or 3 times a month on the phone. On this particular day we got discussing my day off and what I had been up to. She enquired whether I had spent the day at the local shopping mall, or lazing in a Spa. Neither, I informed her, I had been working on my book. She expressed an interest and I began to tell her a bit about it. I've always wanted to illustrate a book, says she. I'm looking for an illustrator, says I and hey presto, we are now in collaboration on the front cover to my story.
So, my labour of love continues. So far, the plot in my head is translating onto the page and seems to be working out as I hoped. In a few weeks the first draft will be done and the hard work of editing and proof reading will begin, in the meantime I am thoroughly enjoying this phase of writing, watching the story unfold and seeing my characters deal with the challenges I throw at them. I have experienced the times sitting at my desk waiting for inspiration to come and nothing, and equally I have the times when the story flows so well I am still typing at 2 and 3am. Sometimes a single sentence can lead to an entire chapter being written in one sitting and, if hubby is not around to refill my coffee mug, it can be hours before I realise I haven't had a break. I get totally absorbed in my story and I hope this will translate into readers being equally entranced by it.
It has been an ambition of mine for several years to see my name on a book, on a bookshelf, and it really is starting to feel as if this is one ambition I will achieve. And that is a real motivator to continue...
It is based in the 17th century and I need it to be historically accurate so research is key. Thankfully the Internet is a massive resource and by checking several sites I can normally verify the facts as being correct. I cross reference them with my research book if the topic is covered and I am hopeful that I am producing a book that will not be littered with faux pas.
Obviously as I write I have had to consider my options for publishing and, in order to retain editorial control as well as a high royalty payment I have decided my first book will be self published. That then leads to a whole new avenue of research, and my mind is simply over run with options.
Nicely timed, an offer fell into my inbox from the company I did the initial course online with, this time it's was a course about self publishing with Kindle Direct. Again the cost was not excessive and having read what each course module covered I decided it would be beneficial to invest. This time there are 14 modules on a audio/video basis and, as before, there is a wealth of information covered that will be highly beneficial when I am ready to publish.
I am always amazed at coincidences and recently a conversation took place that again had me wondering at how small this world really is.
My job involves contacting customers about their account and over the few years I have worked at this job I have built a good rapport with a number of customers and we generally have a little chat before getting on with the main reason for the call. Such a conversation took place a few weeks ago with a customer who lives 250 miles from me. We have never met but talk 2 or 3 times a month on the phone. On this particular day we got discussing my day off and what I had been up to. She enquired whether I had spent the day at the local shopping mall, or lazing in a Spa. Neither, I informed her, I had been working on my book. She expressed an interest and I began to tell her a bit about it. I've always wanted to illustrate a book, says she. I'm looking for an illustrator, says I and hey presto, we are now in collaboration on the front cover to my story.
So, my labour of love continues. So far, the plot in my head is translating onto the page and seems to be working out as I hoped. In a few weeks the first draft will be done and the hard work of editing and proof reading will begin, in the meantime I am thoroughly enjoying this phase of writing, watching the story unfold and seeing my characters deal with the challenges I throw at them. I have experienced the times sitting at my desk waiting for inspiration to come and nothing, and equally I have the times when the story flows so well I am still typing at 2 and 3am. Sometimes a single sentence can lead to an entire chapter being written in one sitting and, if hubby is not around to refill my coffee mug, it can be hours before I realise I haven't had a break. I get totally absorbed in my story and I hope this will translate into readers being equally entranced by it.
It has been an ambition of mine for several years to see my name on a book, on a bookshelf, and it really is starting to feel as if this is one ambition I will achieve. And that is a real motivator to continue...
Monday, 12 August 2013
Writing a Story Book for Children
Several months ago I decided I would channel my energies and spare time into finally writing a series of books for children. The idea had been kicking around in my head for a while, spurred on by friends. The main barrier was finding the right angle... and suddenly it came to me.
It required a significant amount of research and planning. My first task was to find a good quality research book which, I eventually did only to find it was out of print. Fortunately you can find most things on the internet these days and it didn't take me long to find a copy of the book at a very reasonable price. The Ebay shop I contacted have a warehouse full of books and so were unable to give me specific details of the condition of the book over and above their initial categorisation of it being in good condition. One of my bug bears with books is when people either make notes in the margins, or fold over corners to mark their place.
I was really pleased to see that the book was in excellent condition. It was ex-library stock and still had its plastic dust cover on. Although it was only published in 2004, it had already been withdrawn by the library, so I can only assume it wasn't in high demand, but it was perfect for my research.
Having planned the book, sorted the timeline, got my characters and researched the setting, I sat down and began. The first few chapters flowed relatively easily and before I knew it I had 12,000 words 'on paper', (well, actually on the laptop and backed up on two separate memory sticks).
Then a positive little gem dropped into my inbox, a Groupon offer from these people. http://www.writestorybooksforchildren.com/
I had a good read around their website and decided I would be a fool not to take advantage at the offer price of £12.
10 days later, I have completed all 12 modules. One very rewarding thing about the course was that it actually confirmed that what I had already done was exactly the right approach. I now have so much new information about creating stories and getting a book into the market, and I am now the proud owner of a Certificate of Completion with a pass rate of 92%.
So, feeling totally charged up and full of ideas it's back to the writing. On the information given, I have a further 12 to 14 chapters to write and by the time I type 'The End' I should have approximately 35,000 words under my belt.
It's always nice to find a deal that turns out to be a little gem.
Now, back to work...
It required a significant amount of research and planning. My first task was to find a good quality research book which, I eventually did only to find it was out of print. Fortunately you can find most things on the internet these days and it didn't take me long to find a copy of the book at a very reasonable price. The Ebay shop I contacted have a warehouse full of books and so were unable to give me specific details of the condition of the book over and above their initial categorisation of it being in good condition. One of my bug bears with books is when people either make notes in the margins, or fold over corners to mark their place.
I was really pleased to see that the book was in excellent condition. It was ex-library stock and still had its plastic dust cover on. Although it was only published in 2004, it had already been withdrawn by the library, so I can only assume it wasn't in high demand, but it was perfect for my research.
Having planned the book, sorted the timeline, got my characters and researched the setting, I sat down and began. The first few chapters flowed relatively easily and before I knew it I had 12,000 words 'on paper', (well, actually on the laptop and backed up on two separate memory sticks).
Then a positive little gem dropped into my inbox, a Groupon offer from these people. http://www.writestorybooksforchildren.com/
I had a good read around their website and decided I would be a fool not to take advantage at the offer price of £12.
10 days later, I have completed all 12 modules. One very rewarding thing about the course was that it actually confirmed that what I had already done was exactly the right approach. I now have so much new information about creating stories and getting a book into the market, and I am now the proud owner of a Certificate of Completion with a pass rate of 92%.
So, feeling totally charged up and full of ideas it's back to the writing. On the information given, I have a further 12 to 14 chapters to write and by the time I type 'The End' I should have approximately 35,000 words under my belt.
It's always nice to find a deal that turns out to be a little gem.
Now, back to work...
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