Back to the writing cave...

Well that was a short run of trying to be a more productive blogger, wasn’t it?! But I have good reason… I’m heading back into the writing cave!

You may recall that last year I sent my manuscript to the Cornerstones literary consultancy in London for a review – and received an eighteen page report telling me what was wrong with it. Devastation! But I gave myself some time and, taking on board all that had been said in the report, set about rewriting the story from scratch – keeping to the same basic idea but working on the actual writing style, tightening the plot, focusing on showing not telling, improving the pace, recreating the voice of my main character and improving characterization – and cutting out about 35 000 words, including a whole lot of unnecessary backstory.

A few weeks ago I sent the manuscript back for a second review and last week I had the report.

Shall we say I’m a happy camper? Shall we say I’m truly delighted? Yes, let’s – ‘cos I am! It was a terrifically affirming report, and a tremendous acknowledgement that all the hard work I’ve put in is paying off. The report includes phrases like “…you have real talent and this now a cracking story”, “a book with real potential”, “fast paced and gripping as any thriller could be, and atmospheric too” and, “a very promising novel”.

You have no idea how much that means given how close I was to chucking the story completely and trudging off to the bottom of the garden to eat worms for the remainder of my life. For the first time ever I feel like I am truly on the right track with my writing and as though I’m finally getting somewhere. They do say it takes the average person 10 years to get published… Let’s see, I’m now at year um, er…eight (admittedly five of those eight years was spent being very ill).

All that said, there is still work to be done and while the reader thought the last two thirds of the book worked really well, she’s recommended some changes to the first 50 pages. So that’s what I’ll be doing for the next little while. Which means, I'm afraid to say, that blogging will be taking a backseat yet again. A girl has to get her priorities sorted, you know.

I’m hugely fired up and I really do want to make this novel the best I possibly can. Once I’ve made the changes, I’ll send the manuscript back to Cornerstones and we’ll see where it goes from there. The reality is that few manuscripts are ever perfect, even when they’ve found an agent and publisher. The process is one of continual honing and continual learning, because writing, as much as anything, is a craft that can and must be learned if one is to succeed.

Meanwhile, in case you find yourself with the need to procrastinate (whaddayamean you never procrastinate...!?!) I’ve found a new way of creating stories which you may like to try… Browse through your bookshelves and see if you can create a short short-story using book titles…! Here are some of my attempts...

Sabriel, across the nightingale floor is how I live now. Just listen, the truth about forever proves time stops for no mouse.

Mister Monday, under the brilliance of the moon, Molly Moon's hypnotism and old magic caused the fall of Fergal.

Midnight, the Devil's kiss is parasite positive. Lirael gave a pure swift cry.

Writing, rewriting and an award

So, the rewrite is complete, several edits on the rewrite have been done and now it’s ready to go back to the writing agency for another review – a more generalized one this time. I’m not sure what to expect from the experience – a part of me knows that in all likelihood there will be still more rewriting to be done – and dreads the prospect – and a part of me looks forward to perfecting the manuscript, in the hope that it will ultimately find itself a “home” – i.e. an agent and a contract.

Of course, given all things writing, recessions, trends and Lady Luck, it could be that even after all this work - and no doubt still more - the manuscript may not be accepted anywhere. What then? Who knows but I’ll cross that bridge when I get to it – armed with a sharp sword with which to deal with the crocodiles. What do you mean what crocodiles? The Crocodiles. There are always crocodiles – didn’t you know?!

In the meantime I have another manuscript to work on. The first draft was completed last year but I’m well aware that the plot needs deepening and the characterization needs strengthening. I’ll probably, once more, hold the original story in my head and start from scratch. As it is, the first couple of chapters that I’ve already dabbled with are turning up in a completely new “voice” – which is proving to be both interesting and considerably more “immediate”.

But enough writery stuff – I was given an award last week by Keren David, a debut YA author, who’s first novel, When I Was Joe will be published in the UK by Frances Lincoln books in January 2010. And in time-honoured fashion, I’m suppose to a) pass on the award and b) share seven things about me.


The award is the Kreativ Blogger award and the rules are:

1. Thank the person who nominated you for this award.
2. Copy the logo and place it on your blog.
3. Link to the person who nominated you for this award.
4. Name 7 things about yourself that people might find interesting.
5. Nominate 7 Kreativ Bloggers.
6. Post links to the 7 blogs you nominate.
7. Leave a comment on each of the blogs letting them know they have been nominated.

Seven things about me - which you may or may not find interesting...

1. I am an “only-child”. Yep that’s right, no siblings.

2. Although I love writing for children, I’ve never been remotely inclined to have any of my own.

3. My favourite dog is the Golden Retriever.


4. I have nearly died on two completely separate occasions – makes you wonder what I’m still doing here, right…

5. I am currently researching material for a non fiction article on porcupines who live amongst some vines… the vines below, in particular.


6. Although writing is my passion, I still wonder what I’m going to be when I really grow up – if I ever grow up.

7. I’ve consumed far too much chocolate this winter.



As you know I don’t usually pass these awards on but I’ll play nicely this time…

So, the Kreativ Blogger Award goes to the following seven people (why only seven, it’s so totally unreasonable!):

Tessa at Aerial Armadillo
Lola at Aglio, Olio & Peperoncino
Val at Monkeys on the Roof
Janey at Wittering On
Mandy at Fire Byrd
Carol at Not Only in Thailand
Lori at Lori Times Five

(and no, the list isn't intentionally sexist - sorry, boys...)

And now let me attend to the squirrel who is tapping impatiently at the window for his supper.

Who'd be a writer, eh?

A composite of images created when I first started writing the novel - it helps one to "see" and "feel" the characters and the mood of the story

There is, I have to tell you, only one place you can go after “up” – and that’s down. You may recall the post from last Friday, with me on a focused, wild high of editing – feeling super optimistic about my novel. Hmm, yes, well… Several hours later I was down in the black hole of hopelessness.

I’d been buoyed up by news earlier in the week that the vampire trend which has been so big in the US was set to hit the UK and although my novel is not specifically a vampire novel it does fall into the paranormal genre. I prefer to think of the story as a coming of age tale. The vampire element, though fundamental to the story is not what the story is “all about” – it’s the means, rather than the end. It’s the journey of self-discovery and personal growth that is critical to the plot - but it does need the specific paranormal genre in which it is set in order to work.

Anyway, I contacted a couple of writing friends in the UK to get their view on what I’d heard and was told, actually, if you think about it, if the trend is about to hit the UK, this means that editors have already done the acquisitions. You have to bear in mind the two year lead in time. Anything that is about to hit the street now was acquired two years ago. In a nutshell, Vanilla, duckie, you’ve missed the boat.

Bugger, damn and far more colourful words sprang to mind. I wouldn’t have minded quite so much if a) I'd had set out to write to a trend and b) if I’d only written the first draft last week. But the thing was I wasn't writing to a trend and the first draft of the novel was written between February and April of 2006 (bang on trend target!).

So here I sit with my now edited and re-re-re-edited manuscript, facing the likelihood that even if it is any good (and personally, I think it is), that no one will want to take it on because its “missed the trend”. Pooh.

The thing is, where to now? One view is to put the manuscript aside and leave it until “later”. The other view is to submit it anyway and see what happens.

Fortunately, I am working on another manuscript and am thinking maybe I should just focus on that and get that ready for submission. But when you’ve put so much work into something it seems criminal to just walk away from it – and besides, I have a character who is having a major sulk at me and I feel really bad about her. She wants to be out there – and since she has all sorts of superhuman powers I’m a wee bit worried about what she might do to me!

Of course, there are lessons that come out of everything and in this instance, the writing lessons aside (more on that another time), the thing that struck me most forcibly is the choice I have in responding to the situation. Although my initial reaction was woe, doom and gloom, I realised too that I could choose not to be upset about it – and since not being upset is far nicer than being miserable, that’s what I chose to do.

You see, one can take two views on everything – the external, of the world, view and the internal, place of inner stillness, view. The one is ego dominated, the other is soul dominated. I opted for the latter. It’s ultimately, I believe, more sensible and puts one back on a level base from which to decide how to move forward. Much better, I think, that stonking around and feeling deeply sorry for oneself!

And as to what I’m going to do – well, I’ll let you know just as soon as I’ve figured it out! For now, I'm working on getting the other manuscript edited.

Pursued by words

My words are not my own. The come to me from some other place, having drifted through time and space. Filtering like autumn leaves and rays of dappled summer light, they settle, cloaking my shoulders and tickling my mind. In every hue from bright to misty they create a kaleidoscope of intensity. Tell us, they whisper, set us free. They clamour through me, determined to escape, seeking the tips of my fingers, the edges of my lips, intent on creating a whole - to form a new story.

I’m editing at the moment, tossing and turning between two completely different manuscripts to suit the vagaries of my topsy-turvy moods. One is a fantasy for 9 – 12s - a jolly romp written a long while ago into which I’m trying to weave a slighter richer, more deepening thread. The other is a supernatural work - magical realism, perhaps - for older teens, dealing with the reality and mystery of Death.

You can tell my moods are disparate and divergent, can’t you.

I put it down to the insanity that insists on persisting around me. But I’m still not ready to write about that, I’m still trying to find some semblance of sense – though I suspect that may be an unequal task.

Back to the editing – though I’d rather be writing something new given the way these words pursue me.

The work begins - and some enlightening entertainment

And so, the work begins, and what do I do, I venture to my blog. Tsk.

After a couple of days of procrastination, mostly as a result of "Oh. My. God! Where do I start?!", and another day of quietly shifting through the comments to my manuscript from my critique partners, I am now ready to settle down and begin work in earnest. The task, I think, will be less daunting that I first feared, and although I've never been terribly keen on editing, I have to say I'm suddenly very excited about making this story the best I possibly can. It helps that I like that story and that those who've read it feel the same. So the motivation is there, the energy is ready to tackle the job in hand and it's time to be focussed.

As I said in the previous post, this means blogging will become sporadic as I become more than a trifle goal directed - but needs must. I'll see you when I see you - I'll try to visit as time allows and I'll post when I can.

Good luck with all the things you're doing - I hope success and happiness flow hand in hand for you! Know that I hold you all in my heart and thoughts.

The attached shots were taken on a recent day out in the country and there's also a little something which I hope will amuse and enlighten! :-) Have a wonderful week!

In the words of Swami Beyondananda, that wise guru...

YEEEHAAAA! It's done!

(Image nicked off the internet.)

It's done. The first edit is complete! Whooohooo!!!

A friend said to me it sounded like I was experiencing childbirth with this edit. Well, all I can say if this was childbirth - and it was pretty damn painful - then the original writing process was sublime sex.

I don't know about the rest of you but for me, the first write of a new story is one magnificent adventure - it's passionate, intense, exhausting but entirely wonderful. Erm... just like good sex...

This story, like everything I've written (other than articles) just flowed from me - I wrote it one in a month, last year. I'm not a plotting, planning kind of writer, I'm what I call a "just writer" - I just write - any shaping or smoothing comes later.

So... when I get to the editing process... well, that's a whole other matter. It's when I edit that I have to think and consider. I have to hunt out extraneous words, pulverise any adverbs that might have snuck in, check my characterisation, my plotting, structure and voice. After the thrill of "just writing", this, let me assure, is a massive pain in the butt.

Fortunately, I'm getting better about it - and I hope - better at it.

But at least the first draft is now done. I'll send a copy off to my critique and writing partner (waves to Penny), and meanwhile start thinking about the next manuscript, which has been composting away for the past few months... I don't know about the rest of you writing sorts, but I find ideas and stories chase me down - I hope, frankly, that they never stop!

Very Brief Time Out

(Image from Anne Rice's Interview with a Vampire, duly nicked off the internet!)

Just to say, posting and visits and comments might be a bit scarce for the next day or so - I'm drawing to the end of the first edit of my present manuscript and things are a bit intense. Got the bit between my teeth, so to speak, and am galloping towards the finish. Please bear with me - I'll be back just as soon as I've sorted out these damned vampires! As if there isn't enough vampirism going on over at Facebook right now - all that biting, really! Anyone would think we'd nothing better to do other than going around nibbling each other's necks. Kinky, that's what it is. Tsk.

The chicken says she'll lend me her Granny - but I don't think I need a werechicken to come along and complicate things - there's no knowing what Granny Were might do - frankly, I shudder to think!