tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035539633952778742024-03-13T15:02:46.502+00:00Scribbler Maxi's MusingsMaxihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13881927674109243192noreply@blogger.comBlogger94125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-603553963395277874.post-72088575226646733002016-10-18T17:46:00.001+01:002016-10-18T17:46:05.984+01:00Please pop over and subscribe to the new blogHi everyone<br />
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Just a quick reminder that I'm no longer using this blog. Please pop over to the shiny new one at <a href="http://www.scribblermaxi.co.uk/">www.scribblermaxi.co.uk</a> and subscribe!<br />
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There you'll find all the details about what's happening and the latest book, which will be out in November. <br />
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Thanks so much for your continued support. It's much appreciated. Maxihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13881927674109243192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-603553963395277874.post-66494047351244544342016-06-13T00:11:00.001+01:002016-06-13T00:11:31.057+01:00Don't Forget! Don't forget that my new website is now live, with the blog now having been transferred over to there. <br />
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You can find it <a href="http://www.scribblermaxi.co.uk/" target="_blank">here.</a> I'd love it if you followed me over there. Things have been a little slow recently but I'm hoping to get back into the swing of regular blogging now, and I'd be so happy for you to join me! I also have a Facebook page <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MaxineMorreyAuthor/" target="_blank">here.</a> All 'Likes' appreciated! :) I'm also on Twitter @Scribbler_Maxi. You can find me on Instagram under the same handle, and would love to hear from you!<br />
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I look forward to seeing you all at the new location soon! <br />
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Thanks so much!<br />
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Best wishes<br />
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Maxi<br />
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Maxihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13881927674109243192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-603553963395277874.post-14181908040737775092016-01-02T16:04:00.000+00:002016-01-02T16:04:11.827+00:00New Blog & WebsiteFor those of you who have kindly returned here, and those of you who are new, you'll see that the blog hasn't been updated in a while. If you're a reader of this blog, you'll know that part of this was because I was madly writing for a deadline and since then, have been involved in promotion such as guest blog pieces, etc. It's left little time for my own blog - although I'm not complaining! <br />
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The other reason is that I've been moving to a new blog. This one will be left for old posts but new things are now going up on my website <a href="http://www.scribblermaxi.co.uk/">www.scribblermaxi.co.uk</a>. I'd love it if you started to follow me there now, instead. I've also got an Author Facebook page <a href="http://www.facebook.com/MaxineMorreyAuthor" target="_blank">here. </a><br />
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There aren't too many posts yet but there are some fun blog posts that were done as part of the promotion for 'Winter's Fairytale' and the online RomanceFest that took place in November, as well as a link to a playlist I compiled for the publisher to go with the new book, so feel free to pop over and have a look around. <br />
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I'm still working on it, and hope to make it a bit 'prettier' and add posts, but I'm still working out the best way of doing everything at the moment, so I'm not promising weekly updates, or anything. I know from the past that this just doesn't work for me but I will be doing my best to keep it active! <br />
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For those of you who have followed me on here, I very much appreciate your support and look forward to seeing you on the new one! <br />
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In the meantime, happy writing! <br />
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Maxihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13881927674109243192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-603553963395277874.post-80703310226480160012015-09-02T11:09:00.000+01:002015-09-02T11:09:07.170+01:00Madly Writing! Hello!<br />
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I'm so sorry there's been rather a gap since the last post, but I do have a fairly good reason...I won a competition - the UK Carina 'Write Christmas' one that I mentioned in a previous post! And yes, I'm still a bit stunned! <br />
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I got the call having just come round from some minor surgery, which made it all a bit surreal. I was so glad when they announced it on Twitter the following day <br />
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There was a little part of me that was wondering whether it had all just been me and the anaesthetic! <br />
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The chapters I'd sent in were from a book I'd started but had put aside to work on the SYTYCW15 entry, and hence it wasn't finished. And now it has to be finished in super quick time so I'm busy working on that pretty much all the time at the moment. It's a bit nerve wracking because, being a writer, I'm always finding something to worry about with it - but hopefully they'll like the rest of it just as much as the first chapters. I'm well aware there will be a slew of revisions but I shall just have to take that on the chin as I know that, as part of Harlequin, these people really know what they're doing. <br />
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There isn't a title for the book yet but as soon as I know, I'll pass it on!<br />
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In the meantime, we are currently in the throes of setting up a website which I'll be transferring my blog to, so when that's live I'll let you know about that too and hope that you will come and say hello to me there. <br />
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I really hope everyone else's writing is going well this summer! Now, I'm off to the depths of Christmas to carry on with the novel!<br />
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Happy writing! Maxihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13881927674109243192noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-603553963395277874.post-24113534649016501682015-07-31T10:40:00.000+01:002015-07-31T10:40:54.038+01:00Entering Writing CompetitionsYes, I'm still at it! There are currently a few going on with similar ending dates that really aren't that far away (one being midnight tonight!) so it's all been a little bit hectic. But I am enjoying it, in a 'Oh my gosh, I'm never going to get this done' kind of way.Well, apart from the synopsis writing times which a writing friend has termed 'Synopsis Stress' ' a very apt description. <br />
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I did get the <a href="http://www.romancewritingcompetition.com/" target="_blank">Kobo/W H Smith Romance Writing Competition</a> finished with a few days to spare, so I was pleased with that. This left me time (I use this term loosely) to start work on the <a href="http://www.carinauk.com/write-christmas-competition" target="_blank">Carina UK Christmas Competition</a>. The due date for this is midnight tonight. No pressure. I'm pretty much done with it. I spent yesterday trying to work out the best one hundred word blurb to go along with it, and I think I'm there now. I need to go over the chapters again and just make sure I'm happy with them before packing it all off on its electronic way with lots of good wishes.<br />
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It's been an interesting experience writing 'out of season'. Although the last week or so, it's not been great weather here in the UK, so not that hard to imagine it being winter. But I wrote most of mine the previous week when it was in the high 20s, with sun beaming through the open windows. To help get in the mood, I was watching Christmas films - Love Actually, The Holiday, and Serendipity were the main ones. Mowing the lawn on a very warm summer's day whilst listening to Michael Buble's Christmas Album was also a new, and interesting, experience. It did actually all help though and I'd recommend it if you're in a similar spot. Although it did occur to me that, although I was busy trying to get my head into a snowy landscape, for half the planet, I was already experiencing the correct conditions for Christmas! An Antipodean Festive Season can be pretty toasty! But the outline of the competition did seem to suggest they wanted a 'cold' Christmas setting, which is what I've gone for. Now I just have to hope that the judges like it! <br />
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Once this is on its merry way, I'll be getting my head down on the <a href="http://www.soyouthinkyoucanwrite.com/" target="_blank">So You Think You Can Write </a>competition. I have a LOT to do on this as, although only a partial is submitted, if you are chosen (pick me! pick me!), the rest of the manuscript needs to be ready. Bearing in mind so far all I have is notes, I need to get scribbling! <br />
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I hope everyone else's entries are going well. I'd also be interested in how you get yourself in the mood when you have to write something that's 'out of season'. Feel free to leave a comment below with any tips!<br />
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In the meantime, happy writing! Maxihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13881927674109243192noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-603553963395277874.post-23543226619030077502015-06-19T09:56:00.000+01:002015-06-19T09:56:42.435+01:00So You Think You Can Write (SYTYCW) - Boot Camp Two - The SequelYesterday, Harlequin held their second Boot Camp of the Year the <a href="http://www.soyouthinkyoucanwrite.com/" target="_blank">So You Think You Can Write (SYTYCW) Boot Camp</a> - this was the sequel! <br />
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If you're a regular reader of this blog, you may remember that I took part in last month's Boot Camp (post <a href="http://scribblermaxi.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/competition-update-and-so-you-think-you.html" target="_blank">here)</a> which I thoroughly enjoyed. It was interesting and fun, and good for motivation, plus I also connected with a few more romance writers whom I have kept in touch with on Twitter, so that was a really fun aspect of the day. <br />
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Last month I was lucky enough to have pretty much the whole day to myself and devote to the Boot Camp - although by the nature of it, you can dip in and out, which can be handy. This month it fell on a day when there were other things going on, so I wasn't as in depth with it, but I did still get to read all the blog posts, and most of the chats. There was one on the forum on the subject of research which I highly recommend. Reading about what other people do was both useful - and amusing! <br />
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Another fun part was the Twitter chat on 'hero and heroine inspiration' - participants tweeted pictures of actors/models whom they used as inspiration for different novels. Looking at pics of gorgeousness - what's not to like? I can certainly think of worse ways to spend time! <br />
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The whole thing is to help motivate romance writers, especially those taking part in Harlequin competitions. They also set a challenge each month in the Boot Camp - last month was to send in a first page, from which six are picked for critique on the site. This month's challenge was for a synopsis. I thought I'd have a shot at this. I didn't get picked last month but you've got to keep trying, haven't you? Because this was obviously a challenge that could take longer (is there anyone that enjoys writing a synopsis?), they opened the doors for this the previous evening. I pootled along and got a good half way through mine. It was going quite well and then, disaster! My WP programme just died. For no reason. I went to save it and it effectively told me: 'No, I don't want to.' And promptly shut down. Without saving my work. As it happened, I'd had a pretty rubbish day and the only thing that had gone well was that synopsis. And then it was just gone. <br />
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I realise I probably should have saved earlier, which I normally do and then at least I would have lost a smaller amount but still. It was pretty upsetting. By that point it was later in the evening and I didn't have time to start over again then and there. I decided to start again in the morning. Because of the time differences, I had a few hours in the morning to work on it before I needed to get it over for the challenge. However, it seemed the Writing Gods weren't in the same mood yesterday because, wow, it was hard going and it didn't sound anywhere near as good as the previous days work had. Also, with the other stuff going on yesterday, it was a bit harder to absorb into it. In the end, I decided that it just wasn't going to work if I rushed it. I actually have a couple of other WIPs, one of which the synopsis was pretty much done. I decided to tweak this, and make sure it looked ok and then sent that over. <br />
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As it was, after all the drama, mine wasn't one of the ones picked for assessment, but I was still glad that I submitted something. Just in case! <br />
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I don't know if there will be another Boot Camp next month. They did put out a survey asking what we'd like to see another time, so hopefully there will be more. They're definitely good fun and a good place to link up. May's one had a chat with Editors which was a good opportunity to ask questions that you might not otherwise get to ask, so I'm hoping they might include something like that again. I'll be posting on Twitter if I see any updates, so don't forget to <a href="https://twitter.com/Scribbler_Maxi" target="_blank">follow me there</a>.<br />
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Apart from taking part in the above, I have been really getting on with my writing, which feels great! It's been a bit nuts here because, apart from being up and down with being ill (finally got an appointment on Thursday, wish me luck!), putting in some new front garden borders and doing a bit of temp cover last week, I've been just so eager to get on and write, and read! Which is great! I think I'd lost that a little bit but it really feels like it's back at the moment, which is good. <br />
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Now all I need is an acceptance from somewhere to boost that...<br />
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Hi to everyone who took part in the Boot Camps and I look forward to carrying on our chats - writing, and non writing related, and good wishes to every writer out there. May you and your pen have a good day!<br />
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Happy writing! <br />
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<br />Maxihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13881927674109243192noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-603553963395277874.post-48733408528199564512015-06-01T16:21:00.000+01:002015-06-01T16:21:54.085+01:00Writers' Bureau Course, Short Story Markets and Reading ResearchSo, today I have been quite productive in that I've read a book and done part of the next assignment from <a href="http://www.writersbureau.com/" target="_blank">The Writers' Bureau</a> that I've had sitting around for far too long. <br />
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I was going to start on the next question too but it involves writing a short story aimed at a specific market and, right now, I have absolutely no idea of any markets for 2000 word stories. Hence, I've ground to a stand still until I can get some more information on that front - any advice would be great appreciated! Luckily the <a href="http://womagwriter.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Womag blog</a> is already on my Bloglovin Feed so I'm sure that will have useful info, as it always does, thanks to Patsy and the other fabulous writers that contribute, like <a href="http://www.carol-bevitt.co.uk/" target="_blank">Carol.</a> I think I need a trip to the newsagents in the meantime too to start looking at a couple of the mags that I know do still accept short stories, like Peoples' Friend. To be honest, I've never been great at short stories, so this bit of the course is quite daunting, more so than writing a novel! But all I can do is try. <br />
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As mentioned in the previous post, there are a couple more competitions I have in mind to do - so far - this year, if possible, both in the Harlequin Mills and Boon realm. This is a market I've aimed at before, and had some encouragement in, but then life got in the way in a rather major way and it all got pushed aside a bit. But I have been wanting to get back to it, as I enjoy reading these fun little escapist novels, and writing them - even if I haven't got one published yet. I'm a demander of 'happy ever after' in my reading and, obviously, my own writing. My view is that there is enough bad news and depressing events in the real world so if I can read, or create, one where I know it's going to turn out ok, then that's just perfect for me. Now, of course, that doesn't mean things can't happen in the middle - they have to in order to make that happy ending all the more appreciated. So, with that in mind, this is a market I feel happy making the effort in. Taking part in the <a href="http://www.soyouthinkyoucanwrite.com/" target="_blank">Boot Camp</a> last week really was a good exercise in building enthusiasm so I'm now in the process of pulling out the plan of a book I made a looooong time ago and pretty much rewriting the few chapters I had already written. <br />
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As for the other competition, I'm not sure what to work on for that. I do have an idea rattling around but I need to build on that and see where I want it to go, and talk to the characters a bit more and find out who they really are. I'm not entirely sure which line to aim this one, and they have expanded a lot since I last looked into it properly years ago so I am enjoying diving back into this world and reading a bunch of books in the different lines to see which one I feel I may like to have a try at. <br />
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As a quick tip, it seems the digital editions are often a certain amount cheaper than the print versions, so that may be something to bear in mind. I'm not normally an ebook girl - even though I've got a Mark One Kindle (hubby loves technology and thought I would too as it's 'booky'...) but finally, years later, I have taken advantage of this sweet present from him and have just finished my first full novel on there. And, you know what, it wasn't a bad experience! I could even eat my cereal whilst reading without ending up wearing half of it. Bonus. This may be a turning point. Although, my, it's tempting to buy those books so quickly, isn't it?<br />
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Good luck in whatever you are working on at the moment. <br />
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Happy writing! <br />
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Maxihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13881927674109243192noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-603553963395277874.post-14426693912914543522015-05-24T15:02:00.000+01:002015-05-24T15:02:01.067+01:00Competition Update and So You Think You Can Write BootcampWell, sad to say I didn't place anywhere in the <a href="http://www.prima.co.uk/leisure/tv-and-books/prima-mills-and-boon-writing-competition" target="_blank">Prima Flirty Fiction competition</a> that I mentioned in a previous post. Obviously, it's disappointing but not necessarily surprising. From what I understand, they were swamped with entries so it was always going to be difficult. But it was still a good experience and it's good to have things out there, even if the chances are slim. <br />
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I've been trying to make an effort to enter more competitions and just generally submit things a bit more so far this year and, despite nothing having come of it at the time of writing, I'm still fairly pleased with my progress and efforts. It does at least make you feel like you're doing something towards the dream! <br />
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This week I also took part in the <a href="http://www.soyouthinkyoucanwrite.com/" target="_blank">So You Think You Can Write boot camp</a> - this is an event that Harlequin holds fairly regularly. Throughout the day, there are various 'events' like a Twitter chat with editors, and another on the forum - allowing you to ask questions of the specific genre editors that you might not otherwise get the chance to. <br />
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During the day, you were also given the opportunity to send in the first page of a novel, of which 5 (which actually turned to 6) would be critiqued later that day on the site. I did enter this, again, for the challenge, but wasn't lucky enough to be one of the ones picked. Congratulations to those that did though, as it's a great opportunity - even a few short words letting you know as to whether you are heading in the right direction or not can make a world of difference.<br />
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It was a fun day, and I met a few other writers on Twitter through the event, so that was great. I don't know anyone IRL who writes, so it's great to connect with people in this way. The day starts at 5am EST, and some people in various parts of the world were up at an ungodly hour to take part. I would say that, if they stick to a similar schedule in the next one (June I believe), you can probably catch a few more hours sleep as everything stays on the site, and the first couple of events weren't time critical - just posts on the blog, etc. I'll certainly try and take part again next time though as I did enjoy it and the layout still lets you scoot off and get other things done as and when you need to. <br />
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If you also took part, I'd love to hear from you, and what you thought of it.<br />
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Until then, happy writing! Maxihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13881927674109243192noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-603553963395277874.post-82229475050749116002015-05-09T14:43:00.000+01:002015-05-09T14:43:20.055+01:00Writing CompetitionsI've been entering a few writing competitions this year as another avenue of hoping to get that all important break. No luck so far - close but no cigar as they say. <br />
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I recently heard about the <a href="http://www.graziadaily.co.uk/2015/04/calling-all-new-writers-it-s-the-baileys-first-chapter-competition#.VU3rsul0zrc" target="_blank">Baileys First Chapter</a> competition and was really unsure as to whether I would enter this one. Taking someone else's start and building on that was quite different to anything I'd done. The other thing was the closing date. <br />
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By the time I saw this, actually on Twitter (a good source for discovery, I've found), it was only a couple of days until closing. Whilst the competition was only to write 800 to 1000 words, it wasn't a case of not being able to get it done. It was more a case of 'Eek! Where can I go with this?'. I ummed and aahed and almost didn't enter but in the end, sat down in the afternoon and got an entry done. It's gone in. I'm not sure that it's any good but either way, it was a good exercise, both on doing something a bit out of my comfort zone, and also on short deadlines. <br />
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Next on my list to enter is <a href="http://www.romancewritingcompetition.com/" target="_blank">this one.</a> Bit of a longer deadline on this one and as I've already had several attempts at Mills and Boon, this is another chance for some practice, if nothing else. I'm just trying to decide as to whether to use an existing idea from a couple that I've noted down, or think of something entirely new. I think I'll probably have a proper look at the ideas I have and see what I think - if I'm not totally in love with them, then it's probably best to start afresh.<br />
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Meanwhile, the agent hunt still goes on...<br />
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Happy writingMaxihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13881927674109243192noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-603553963395277874.post-62940545015339991712015-04-23T09:32:00.000+01:002015-04-23T09:32:18.501+01:00Maintaining The SearchSo, just a quick update for you on the Great Agent Search. <br />
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The quest didn't get off to a great start when the first agent that I approached, one that in the <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/writers-and-artists-yearbook-2015/9781408192450" target="_blank">Writers' and Artists' Yearbook</a> mentioned their speciality as 'encouraging new writers' replied advising that they weren't accepting new submissions at present. <br />
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With that one out of the way, I tried my next favourite. I got a reply back from this company on Tuesday. Unfortunately, another rejection. Also unfortunately, the agent advises - as is often the case, that they are too swamped to go over the reasons as to why it wasn't suitable. I completely understand this situation but it can be a little frustrating to not know what areas may need some improvement in order to give the work a better chance. They did advise to try another agent because publishing is such a subjective business, but, as far as my experience goes, I think that's just a pretty standard final paragraph on a rejection letter. <br />
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Yesterday morning (Wednesday), I went back to the list I'd made and chose another agency before heading to their website to read up on them, and check their submission procedure. The first two both took about a week or so to get back to me, which is much quicker than when I was doing an agent search a number of years ago now for my first novel - the delights of the digital age! However, this one does warn of a longer waiting period, so I may well do as I'd mentioned in my previous post and get off another couple of submissions during the next couple of days as well. <br />
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That's all the news for now. Sorry I don't have anything more exciting to report! I hope all of your writing is going well, and if you are also in search of an agent, that your own quest is faring a little better than mine at present. <br />
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Happy Writing! Maxihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13881927674109243192noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-603553963395277874.post-49855849866822791952015-04-07T08:35:00.001+01:002015-04-07T08:35:24.660+01:00The Search Is On...Well, it's that time all us writers love. Time to steel ourselves and develop a love/hate relationship with either the postman or the 'You Have Mail' sound on our phone/computer. <br />
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Yep, it's time to play Hunt The Literary Agent! The rules are quite simple. You send off the first few chapters of a work you've poured your heart and soul into and ideally receive a 'We love it' reply but more often than not, receive plenty of 'Not for us'. Or even worse, all you receive is silence. I know that editors and agents explain this as a lack of resources on their part and I completely understand how understaffed magazines and publishing houses, etc are these days. It's just so frustrating not knowing whether you should hang on just a little longer to see if you get a reply, or if your enquiry has been binned weeks ago! <br />
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When I was going through this process several years ago, it was the case that you could only apply to one agent at a time. I am sure there are still some agents that prefer this, but from what I've read, the norm is now to send out several enquiries at a time which at least means that you can cover more bases in one go. <br />
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I did eventually secure an agent that first time round which was an amazing feeling. I can still remember the phone call! Sadly they weren't able, in the end, to get a publishing deal for me and after a few years we parted ways due to them moving back abroad, and us also being on the move abroad. <br />
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So, having spent the afternoon yesterday with <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/writers-and-artists-yearbook-2015/9781408192450" target="_blank">The Writers' and Artists' Yearbook</a> I now have a short list for the first batch of enquiries. It would be so nice if this was the <em>only</em> batch of enquiries I have to make - all we can do is hope! <br />
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In the meantime, I just have to write the 'intro' letter. I swear that such things as this, and synopses, are more difficult than writing an entire novel! <br />
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Good luck to anyone else currently on the same safari! <br />
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Happy Writing!Maxihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13881927674109243192noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-603553963395277874.post-9544765027812755232015-02-14T22:18:00.000+00:002015-02-14T22:18:14.282+00:00DisappointmentsThe lot of a writer is often interspersed pretty frequently with disappointments. Today was one of those days.<br />
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Today was Shortlist Announcement Day for publishers, <a href="http://www.choc-lit.com/" target="_blank">Choc Lit</a> and their 'Search For A Star' competition. Sadly I wasn't on it. <br />
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Of course I know I need to just take it on the chin and move on to the next door and give that one a knock. And I will. But that doesn't mean I'm not going to flail around down here on the mat for half an hour. I really like my book and someone else didn't. Not a new concept for any author, successful or not. You can't please everyone. I know that. But it doesn't make it any easier. Not right now anyway. <br />
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Going back to that previous paragraph, what I pick up from that is that I like my book. And I do. Getting it prepared for that submission meant, as we all know, reading it through many times. And I still enjoyed it. I like my characters and wouldn't kick my hero out of bed. I think that's a pretty good start. It might not have been right for Choc Lit but that doesn't mean it's not right for someone else.<br />
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But I will get up, brush myself, and my book off and try again. Just not tonight. Maxihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13881927674109243192noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-603553963395277874.post-30579246683538343192015-02-07T12:21:00.000+00:002015-02-07T12:21:15.719+00:00Are Self Help Books Helpful?I know! A post. An actual post! Wow, right? I've had the draft of this post written for ages but somehow it just didn't get as far as here. I've had my head down working on something else and this got a bit neglected. Sorry about that. I'm still beavering away on the other thing but I decided that this post is definitely going up today. So here we go. <br />
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I have a shelf entirely dedicated to 'How to Write' type books. A couple of them cover individual genres, and the rest are a varied selection including the always to be recommended, Stephen King's <a href="http://www.waterstones.com/waterstonesweb/products/stephen+king/on+writing/8662748/" target="_blank">'On Writing'</a><br />
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Admittedly, with exception of the latter, and a couple of specifically recommended ones, most of them were bought many years ago almost in bulk in a <a href="https://www.writers-online.co.uk/Writing-Magazine/" target="_blank">Writing Magazine</a> book sale. Although the knowledge I hoped that these tomes would impart was a significant reason for placing the order, I cannot truthfully say that knowing a box would soon turn up, filled entirely with books, did not also hold some sway. <br />
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I still have not read them all. Don't get me wrong, I didn't order hundreds - possibly six or seven, and I have read others around them, including a couple I found in a wonderful bookshop in London's Charing Cross Road. This, at a time, when there were many more there than there are today. The shop was all angles and stairs and I spent a good long time in there, mooching about. I've no idea if it survived the swing of the Amazon blade (a blade I admittedly help sharpen), but I'd like to think it has. <br />
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But back to the books. The funny thing is, and I realise there is nothing especially new in this thought, but sometimes 'how to' books - on any subject - can be a double edged sword. Reading them is time you could actually be writing your own words. I know of people who spend ages reading such books, websites, articles, etc but never write a word. Only they can answer the question as to why that is the case for them, but it's no secret that such books can certainly be a distraction. <br />
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So, perhaps the trick is finding a good balance. Because there's no doubt that some of the information contained in these books is most helpful. Some, as previously mentioned, are extremely helpful and regularly recommended by writers from all levels on the success scale. Reading them can really motivate you. They can really make you believe that, yes, I can actually do this!<br />
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And there's the key - you need to actually do this. It's not going to be great immediately. That's why it's called a First Draft. It's ok. As had been said before, it's pretty damn hard to edit a blank page, so at some point you need to put down the self help books and pick up your pen. Information is great. But sometimes too much information can be just that - too much. Sometimes we just have to jump in and flail around a bit. And it's amazing what can be learned during that time, however inelegant it looks to start with. <br />
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What's your opinion on How To books - help or hindrance, or a bit of both? I'd love to hear!<br />
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Happy Writing!Maxihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13881927674109243192noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-603553963395277874.post-18502362496764283052014-12-02T09:35:00.002+00:002014-12-02T09:35:55.570+00:00Another SubmissionYes, I hope you were sitting down for that one! I have indeed sent off another submission. And this time it was actually a novel!<br />
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As you know, I've been umming and aahing about sending this off - or rather about who to send this off to. I've been through the whole trying to find an agent thing previously, although not with this book admittedly. I did actually secure an agent way back then too, but although I got some good feedback from a few of the publishers, no deal was ever struck. <br />
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In the meantime, I had been working on other things, as one is meant to do so I wasn't just sitting waiting by the phone, but when it came time to send this baby off into the big, bad world, that experience was still in the back of my mind. <br />
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I realise it's not a unique to me experience either. That's not what I'm getting at. It's just that whole big waiting game thing. And sometimes you don't even get an answer so it's hard to know whether the agent has read it, binned it or even received it. I did send postcards with a mss previously but that doesn't really solve the 'have I left it long enough to contact them' dilemma. <br />
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Anyway, in the end, it became irrelevant because as I was pondering the problem, I happened to see a competition being run for novels. It was already close to the final day for submission but as my book was all ready to go, I thought it might be worth a shot. I know the date that decisions are being made so if I don't hear from anyone then, I'll also know I didn't make the cut. At that point, I can resume along the original path but, for the moment, this felt the right thing to do. <br />
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So, wish me luck and I'll most definitely keep you posted.<br />
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Congratulations to all of you who completed NaNoWriMo. I hope that it proved useful for you and that you're now taking a well earned couple of days rest.<br />
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Happy Writing!<br />
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Maxihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13881927674109243192noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-603553963395277874.post-74557615333133383622014-11-09T12:10:00.001+00:002014-11-09T12:10:21.762+00:00Time Out and a SubmissionHello everyone!<br />
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It's been several weeks since I was here so, sorry about that, but I've come to realise that sometimes life just gets in the way of all our plans and that just has to be accepted, mostly by me. I'm getting better at that, but that isn't to say I don't still find it frustrating when health and stuff gets the upper hand for a while. <br />
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Still! I haven't been totally resting on my laurels - although resting was something that took up a few weeks, unfortunately. Firstly, I'd been having some pain and numbness in my hands and knew this as a sign than I needed a trip to the osteopath. True to form, there were some pretty big knots that had built up and so a fair amount of squashing, twisting and crunching went on.<br />
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I usually feel a bit off for a couple of days after these sessions but this one was particularly bad and I was pretty ill for about a week. Just as I was picking up from that, my ankle decided it was time to have one of the worst flare ups it has ever done. Perfect timing. Just as we book a real holiday for the first time in nine years, I can't even walk on it! There was nothing to do but rest it as totally as I could in the hope that it'd be ok in time for the trip. I was so stressed as it was so bad, we really were unsure as to whether we would be able to go. The holiday involved a certain amount of walking and hopping on and off trains, so crutches wasn't exactly an option.<br />
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Long story short, a perfectly timed check up with my surgeon meant that he was able to whack a steroid injection in to help settle it in time. I'm not a big 'trainers as fashion' girl but I could get my ankle supports in my boots so with a bit of fudging about, as much resting as possible, and a stock of painkillers, we were ready to go! <br />
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The flower garlands we were greeted with</div>
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Finally at the top after five hours on the UNESCO 'Toy Train' from Kalka to Shimla</div>
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Last time we visited here, it was dazzling in midday sun. The sunset visit this was just as amazing</div>
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The incredible sight of the Palace of the Winds, Jaipur</div>
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We took the trip through <a href="http://www.greatrail.com/" target="_blank">Great Rail Journeys</a> and whilst it was great to visit, and sometimes for us, revisit the sights of India, the schedule was pretty full on. I'd taken my writing pad for any ideas and scribbles on our days off, and a journal to record thoughts in, but I only got a few days journaling in and never even got to look at the pad! It was literally up, breakfast, trip, dinner, bed. And there were some very early starts (4.50am in the foyer, anyone?!). Hence, very little inspirational writing took place. </div>
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On the other hand, I did have a couple of ideas and one of which was to twiddle and then send off a short story that I'd had written for ages as part of the <a href="http://www.writersbureau.com/index.php?source=ppc" target="_blank">Writers Bureau Course</a> - an assignment I still haven't finished. Oops. And guess what, I actually did it! Off it tootled in an email. Whether anything comes of it, who knows, but at least I have tried. Short story writing isn't something I've done a lot of at all so I'd be over the moon if it did get published!</div>
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And whilst time to ourselves was very short, and brain and body was generally too exhausted to even think of picking up a pen, I've stored all the sights, sounds, and yes, smells (!) away for reference purposes in the future. That's the good thing about being a writer, no experience, big or small, is ever wasted. </div>
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I hope all of your projects are coming along well, and good luck to anyone tackling <a href="http://nanowrimo.org/" target="_blank">NaNoWriMo</a> this month!</div>
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Happy writing!</div>
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Maxihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13881927674109243192noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-603553963395277874.post-66966425129548953632014-09-28T17:12:00.000+01:002014-09-28T17:12:02.799+01:00Picking An IdeaI currently have several ideas bubbling around in my head. I spend time just staring into space, turning over story arcs, character possibilities, time periods, and imaginary locations. Of course, whilst we all know I am 'working', to others it does indeed just look like I'm staring into space! The trials of a writing life...<br />
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But my question is, when you have various ideas pulling at your brain, which one do you go with? How do you choose? Should you always finish something else before you start to write the new idea that is bouncing off the inside of your cranium? And yes, I realise that was several questions and not just one. Sorry.<br />
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I'm in the above situation now. I have one novel that is fairly complete in a First Draft (Very Rough) way. Should I continue on bashing that one into shape and put this entirely to the back of my mind or should I get this one spilled out onto paper (or screen) asap, or perhaps a mixture of both? The 'idea' at the moment is set a little after the Second World War. I wasn't around then, my parents were tots and I don't have grandparents to ask so I have a fair bit of research to do when it comes to getting the setting right on that. So I have been thinking that perhaps I could work on the research of that one, and when it's writing time, save that for the 'official' WIP. <br />
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Any ideas? How do you handle these dilemmas?<br />
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Happy Writing!<br />
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Maxihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13881927674109243192noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-603553963395277874.post-91813517117370025462014-09-13T10:47:00.001+01:002014-09-13T10:47:10.679+01:00A Reading SuggestionI've just finished reading a really interesting book called <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Housekeepers-Tale-English-Country/dp/1781310432/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1410599551&sr=8-1&keywords=the+housekeepers+tale" target="_blank">The Housekeepers' Tale</a> by Tessa Boase, and I wanted to pass on the recommendation to read it.<br />
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The book takes five different housekeepers, of varying periods and tells of their lives below stairs, the sometimes complicated relationships between them and their employers and what happened to them if they fell foul of these employers. It really shines a light on how hard their work could be, especially when hired as a cook slash housekeeper, which wasn't uncommon when the gentry were trying to tighten their belts. What surprised me is the age that many of these women worked until - and no extra consideration apparently thought of with their age in mind. Yet many of these women continued to work for the house for decades, even though they may note their frustrations in their private diary. It is easy to see how servants could be almost institutionalised within the walls of the house when you think that they lived in, working often seven days a week, with time off only for church attendance, and perhaps one afternoon a week. With the ease of travel today, it is easy to forget how limited movement was the servants of these great houses, which were often situated miles from towns. <br />
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I was especially interested to read of one of the housekeepers of <a href="http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/uppark/" target="_blank">Uppark.</a> We know more of Sarah, this housekeeper, perhaps because she was mother to H G Wells. This grand house is now in the hands of the National Trust, and one we visited several years ago. It has a run of underground tunnels, lit by skylights, for the servants to go about the house without the fear of bumping into one of the family. It was chilly the day we went and the tunnels felt a little dank, despite the light streaming down. A great fire tore through the house in 1989, destroying much, but the 'below stairs' area was pretty much untouched, with thoughts that the dampness of the area made it much harder for the fire to gain any ground here. And yet this was where people lived and worked every day - it makes you wonder for their health, both physical and mental. Having read this book, I am now keen to go and revisit the house with this extra insight into Sarah's life. <br />
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This book was a gift, and I think it is always wonderful to be given a book that you then thoroughly enjoy. I am a lover of visiting these great houses, so it was intriguing to read about the people who haven't got their paintings on the wall, (for the most part - some families had a quirky tradition of having some of their staff painted), and how a life could depend on the whim of a mistress.<br />
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I really recommend this book. It is an enjoyable, and interesting read. My only quibble was that the author did occasionally drop in her 'imaginings' of what the housekeepers were thinking, etc, but it was only on occasion and not enough to ruin the book by any means. Should you be writing any sort of historical novel, I think this would be a great read to get a information and a feel for how servants were treated, and also an insight into the lives of those employing such staff. The trials and tribulations of trying to find a good housekeeper are in fact illustrated in one of the chapters. <br />
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If you do get a chance to buy or borrow this book from the library, I do hope you enjoy it and I'd love to hear your opinion on it.<br />
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Happy writing!Maxihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13881927674109243192noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-603553963395277874.post-86879767994014779822014-08-29T16:45:00.000+01:002014-08-29T16:45:48.520+01:00Pondering and ProcrastinatingThese two could probably be one and the same thing, albeit not intentionally. But when it comes down to it, I still haven't got any further with sending my latest finished novel off to anyone to take a look at, and immediately get into a huge bidding war with several publishers vying for my literary affections. Ok, so not exactly, but we all have to dream a little (lot?), don't we?<br />
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I had all good intentions of sending it off a couple of a month's ago, heading out to the most local Waterstones to snap up a copy of the recently released <a href="http://www.waterstones.com/waterstonesweb/products/writers27+and+artists27+yearbook+2015/10349433/" target="_blank">Writers' and Artists' Yearbook 2015</a> with the plan to look up a couple of direct publishers, to see what I could glean about them. I also wanted to take a look at which agents might be looking for novels in my genre. I was a little surprised therefore, not to find the original publisher I was thinking about listed. I wasn't too worried about this but still thought I'd like to take a look at some agents' listings before I made my final decision. And this is where things rather stalled.<br />
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I had all good intentions of doing this but I just haven't got around to it. There always seems to be something else to do - helping out my parents with a few things, something I always want to do as they have done so much for us in the past, and continue to do so, it feels good to be able to repay the favours whenever we can. We also had a friend being deployed so wanted to get together with them, before he flew off, dealing with some ongoing health issues and just the day to day, ins and outs of this thing called life. <br />
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I know that people say you have to just sit down and write and I know that - and I try and do that as much as possible. The health issues mentioned mean I rarely have as much energy as I could really do with to get everything I need to done. Some things have to get sacrificed. It took me a long time to realise that, and it's still hard and I don't always get it right but the important thing is to try. And try I will. I have to admit, the thought of traipsing metaphorically around the agent list once more doesn't exactly fill me with glee. I remember all those rejections last time. Although, I do take heart in that quite a few of them did have hand written notes on them saying nice things. <br />
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This weekend is a bit crazy, as it's Air Show season in the world of UK aviation and <a href="http://advancehelicopters.com/" target="_blank">Advance Helicopters</a> will be exhibiting at our home base of <a href="http://www.shorehamairshow.co.uk/" target="_blank">Shoreham.</a> Feel free to cross fingers, toes, eyes and legs for good weather as it really helps bring out the crowds (the good weather, not the eye crossing!) and proceeds go to a <a href="http://www.rafa.org.uk/" target="_blank">great cause.</a><br />
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After that, amongst everything else on my ever growing To Do list is to sit and go through the yearbook and make a note of any agents who deal in my genre. I suppose, in the back of my mind, there is a nagging doubt of 'is it worth it', when all we hear is about tv 'celebs' being asked to write books whilst those of us who don't have such connections or fame are lying untouched in an email slush pile somewhere. Or am I being too cynical?<br />
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I'd love to hear your thoughts on the above and any tips you may have? It's quite a few years since I sent fiction out to do the rounds so I'm grateful for any helpful suggestions!<br />
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Happy writing!<br />
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<br />Maxihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13881927674109243192noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-603553963395277874.post-40411331060965844672014-07-21T09:53:00.001+01:002014-07-21T09:59:20.383+01:00Could New 'Snooping' Law Cause Trouble For Writers?News of a <a href="https://uk.news.yahoo.com/mi5-allowed-track-terror-plots-internet-035144262.html#qhfHBdl" target="_blank">controversial new 'snooping' law </a>the Government is trying to introduce in Britain has caused upset amongst some who feel this is too much of an invasion of privacy. The law will give the police and MI5 the power to read peoples' email and tap into phone conversations. This new law is a reaction to the unrest in the Middle East and the threat of terrorism on home soil.<br />
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Personally, I'm not bothered. In the same way that I'm not against the many CCTV cameras that span our towns and cities. These have proved themselves in the past to be of use in providing evidence in crimes and really came into their own with the <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11534951" target="_blank">London Bombings in 2005</a>. My view is that if I'm not doing anything wrong, then I've nothing to worry about. This goes for the emails and phone too. Perhaps that's a little naive but if someone wants to listen in on how well my tomatoes are doing, then so be it. I know this isn't the view of everyone, and that's fair enough. But I do have one slight niggle...<br />
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What happens if they look at browser history? I, like many other writers, use the internet as a research tool. And sometimes I'm researching how a person could commit a crime of some sort; if they did so and so, would forensics be able to track them? What is the least traceable poison? Looking at a writer's browsing history could give a very false impression of the kind of person they are! Let's hope the powers that be have allowance for us creative types.<br />
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Happy writing!Maxihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13881927674109243192noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-603553963395277874.post-15684185760760696462014-06-29T13:09:00.002+01:002014-06-29T13:09:51.775+01:00Finally!At last! The final edit is done. It's definitely taken longer than planned due to a few other factors, but isn't that always the way with life? <br />
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As it is, it's done. I'm just letting it sit now for a few days when I'll go back through once more and just check that I've got the layout right. And then comes the scary bit - sending it out into the big wide world. <br />
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After that, there's not too much I can do but live in hope.<br />
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Wish me luck!<br />
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Maxihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13881927674109243192noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-603553963395277874.post-33472721618885828022014-05-23T17:27:00.001+01:002014-05-23T17:27:44.503+01:00Nearly There!Yes, I am <em>still</em> editing the novel. You may remember in my last post that my 'first reader' - also known as hubby, was now doing his thing and finding all the mistakes. Well, that plan which worked pretty well in the past now no longer really fits. <br />
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Once upon a time, hubby worked in London and had an hour's commute on the train. This allowed time for a kip on the way up and any reading I needed him to do on the way home. These days he no longer works in London and so doesn't have that commute. He also runs his own business which means that work doesn't stop at the door. So, whilst he did try and do some, it was pretty obvious that it wasn't going to be the ideal set up. <br />
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After some pondering, I took over the job and once more am going back through the novel trying to winkle out typos and 'am-I-entirely-sure-that-makes-sense' moments. I'm nearly there. Probably about 30% left to go through, according the Mr Kindle. <br />
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I downloaded (uploaded?) the manuscript as a pdf onto the Kindle to make it nice and transportable, initially for hubs, but it worked pretty well for me too. I have to admit it's a bit fiddly noting down the sentence and what it needs to be changed to in the accompanying notebook but I'll see how it goes when I get to the transcribing part. I'll let you know! <br />
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So, no great news but I thought I'd just give you an update on things. I'm itching to finish now but almost dreading it too because then it comes to the point where it has to go out into the big old world on its own and possibly get maimed by editors. But what can you do? I suppose that's all part of the process. And I know that. And I know that people like John Grisham and JK Rowling were turned out a tonne of times, just as most of us have been, but it doesn't make it any easier or less painful, if we're being honest! <br />
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I'll be back - hopefully soon - to say I'm finished! <br />
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I hope everyone else's projects are going well in the meantime and wish you lots of luck if you're in the sending out stage already!<br />
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Keep writing!<br />
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Maxihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13881927674109243192noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-603553963395277874.post-29833105890822057382014-04-08T17:20:00.004+01:002014-04-08T17:20:58.103+01:00Paper Edit 1 CompletePhew! Have finally finished Paper Edit Number One. I say finished. I've finished making a hideous scribbly mess on the paper manuscript but now have the joyful task of transposing all those squiggles on to the computer version. Fun! <br />
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I'm feeling quite good about the changes I've made - at the moment. Probably, like most writers, if you come back to me in about, ooh, say five minutes, I'll be of the opposite opinion and the belief that what I have written and/or changed is terrible and what was I even thinking? But that's all par for the course, isn't it? (Isn't it?!)<br />
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I've got to page 56 so far, and obviously still have plenty to go. The thing that did strike me as I've been doing all of these edits is that I've been enjoying going through the novel again, and spending time with my characters. I'm really hoping that may suggest that if I've enjoyed reading it, then there might be other people out there that will feel the same way...fingers crossed!<br />
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The plan is to finish transferring all these changes onto the main document and then give it a few days before doing another read through myself. I'll make any changes then that I feel need to be done and then I'll be passing it onto my First Reader (also known as hubby) for an opinion and another pair of eyes for picking up random letters and bits of punctuation that I've left lying around. After that, well, we'll see!<br />
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I'm aware that it may seem strange to some that a man is my 'first reader' when it's a romantic novel. Whilst I can understand that, I also think it's good to get a fresh perspective for me. I realise that there are some men who wouldn't be in the slightest bit interested in reading a novel like this and I understand that too, completely! And I have to say, if he was picking out a book to read, it wouldn't be in this genre, and that's fine. But in this case, I've found that it works for me. He'll tell me what he likes and what he doesn't, or what he felt wasn't clear, for example and I trust him to do so. He won't say 'Oh, it's wonderful, darling!' if he thinks it stinks because he knows that I wouldn't want him to do that. Conversely he's not going to nit pick at every tiny thing as I have heard of happening at various writing groups. Personally, I think the two most important things you need in your 'first reader' are trust and honesty. That isn't determined by gender, or genre preference.<br />
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In the meantime, I hope everyone else's work is coming along well. Keep on keeping on!Maxihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13881927674109243192noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-603553963395277874.post-56480497160920876012014-04-02T11:23:00.000+01:002014-04-02T11:23:39.150+01:00Paper EditingYes, I am still editing the current novel. I'm on the paper version now, having already gone through it on screen. I'm about half way through at the moment and hoping to get a bit more done later on today. It's turning into a fairly big job as there were some scenes that needed to be moved about to stop a bit of 'time travel' and I think it'll flow better in the places that I've put them. That's the plan anyway. <br />
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I know a lot of writers really dislike editing but I'm not too worried about it. It's all part of the process to me and at least, when I print it out, even though I still know there's a tonne of work to do yet, I can still see that I've got a novel in front of me. Which is pretty exciting! <br />
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And come to think of it, it's just as well I am on the paper edit at the moment as I'm about to be offline for a little while for a computer rebuild. When I replaced my laptop a while ago, following a long and loyal service from my Sony Vaio which needed retiring thanks to the many strange noises it made, not to mention the fact that it was even slower than me at waking up in the morning, I wanted something a bit smaller and opted for a SSD. On the plus side, this is super whizzy, on the down side it has less storage. So, the time has come to upgrade its innards to give me some more space. We knew this time would come, and I'm still really happy with the machine itself. The slow start up used to drive me mad and the fact there's no moving parts is great when you're clumsy like me and it wouldn't be unheard of for you to trip over the lead...<br />
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So, I may be offline for a little while but I shall be back and hopefully I'll be reporting that Paper Draft Number One has been completed! Let's hope! <br />
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Good luck to anyone else editing at the moment.<br />
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Maxihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13881927674109243192noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-603553963395277874.post-73509678949053250752014-03-23T14:41:00.000+00:002014-03-23T19:32:50.811+00:00Does Spelling Matter?Spelling is one of those things that seem to incite fairly different views - a bit like Marmite. Either bad spelling really bothers you or you're really not too bothered by it at all. <br />
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I fall into the first category and it seems that to some, this means I am labelled a pedant. I don't think that's necessarily true. It just means that I was taught that spelling was important and whilst I agree and accept that language changes, sometimes for the better and sometimes for the worse (don't even get me started on 'chillaxing'!), I still think there's a very big place for correct spelling.<br />
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When I read a book or a magazine then I expect things to be spelled correctly. After all, this is something I have paid money out for and these people are doing it for a living. And for the most part, things are, although I did come across a bit of a honker in a copy of <a href="http://www.sewmag.co.uk/index.php" target="_blank">Sew magazine</a> a couple of issues back, and it wasn't an isolated incident. There does seem to be an issue with the production in some magazines, not so much with spelling, but with getting the 'right' version of words when there are two that sound the same. English is not an easy language as we have an abundance of such words to trip us up, but these are people who are being paid to publish something made of words. Shouldn't they therefore have higher standards?<br />
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The argument brought up against 'good' spelling is that language evolves and we shouldn't be so hung up on the idea of how something is actually written down, but should instead concentrate more on the meaning. I can see the point of this argument in that the meaning of something is obviously tantamount to the experience of reading, but to make it into a 'one or the other' choice is detrimental.<br />
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Pre school children can work smartphones and the like better than the actual owners in a lot of cases and that's understandable. They are being born into a world of technology that has moved on faster than almost, if not any, other period in history. It's part of their world. It's not 'new technology' to them, it's just there. It's normal. However, when children are handing in essays written in text speak, and are either losing the ability, or never even being taught how to really spell words, then we have a problem. <br />
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Arguing that they don't need to learn spelling because even homework is done on a computer these days, as handwriting becomes a lost art, is only a half truth. Yes, a computer can check the spelling, but is your computer set to the correct language? Not correcting 'color' for 'colour' isn't an error if the language default is still US English and you're writing for a UK audience, whether that's a teacher or a magazine readership. And of course, the other thing with computers is that they are checking for spelling but don't know the difference in context between there, their and they're, for example. All of these are correct but they don't all fit in the same hole.<br />
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Personally I don't think we're doing any favours with the lack of spelling education in the classrooms. It's like the lack of competition debate. Yes, I get the idea of not encouraging competition so that 'everyone's a winner'. That made sense in a meeting, I'm sure. But in reality? Perhaps less so. And this is coming from someone who was pretty much always in the last couple to be picked for sports teams. Teams were generally picked by the cliquey kids who were also often good at sport and I was neither cliquey not sporty, so whilst an attempt to make me feel more included would have been nice, I don't think it would have worked. Competition is part of human nature. It's going to happen. Out in the big wide world we have to fight for everything - including jobs, which is where we come back to the spelling issue.<br />
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One of my PA jobs involved opening the CVs (or resumes, depending where you are reading this) received whenever we had a employment opportunity. I had a pile that I'd hand to the boss and a pile that went to the shredder. My boss' first criteria was that he didn't want to see CVs or application letters that were full of mistakes. His view, and one held by many employers, was that if someone hadn't taken the time to get things right in the application, how much commitment would they have to their work? That might seem unfair but applicants get whittled down and that was the first hurdle. It's important to remember that, whatever technology gives us, spelling is not irrelevant.<br />
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I'm not saying choose spelling over creativity, not at all! I'm just hoping that we can have both.<br />
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As a last note, these thoughts are only about 'everyday' spelling. Issues like dyslexia, etc are obviously a lot more complex and are in no way being included in these thoughts. As someone who has both relatives and friends who deal with such struggles, I completely understand what a challenge these can be and would never trivialise such things. <br />
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I also realise that 'resume' should have an accent over the last 'e' but there doesn't seem to be any way to insert anything like this within Blogger. Perhaps I need to start writing the posts in Word and then copy and paste. If anyone does know any different, I'd love to hear from you.<br />
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So, am I being pedantic in liking things to be spelled correctly? What's your view? <br />
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Maxihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13881927674109243192noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-603553963395277874.post-35487535106274492492014-03-03T13:43:00.001+00:002014-03-03T13:43:57.833+00:00Falling in Love AgainApologies for the absence. Any of you that have read the blog before will know that last year I had a publisher let me down on a contracted book right at the last minute and, to be honest, it put me off writing for longer than I expected. I did take a break at the time and then try and get back into it, but I don't think my heart was in it. It was the second time I'd experienced a deal being pulled, despite a contract and I think there was a lot of 'why am I bothering' still lingering around inside me.<br />
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However, I pulled out a novel that I've been trying to finish editing for ages and got stuck into it. I really enjoyed the first read through (I hope that doesn't sound too vain!) and now Screen Edit 1 is complete, I'm about to start the first paper edit - having first had to schedule in some serious paper buying! <br />
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It's taken a while but I've fallen back in love again with, not only my current novel, but also the act of writing itself. I am, once more, bumbling about with my head in the clouds and talking to people who don't exist. It's brilliant! Maxihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13881927674109243192noreply@blogger.com5