tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85078957736605056932024-02-07T12:30:19.988-08:00SUE NOYE CLARKThe ups and downs of being a writer + books, reading and other interesting thingsAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14259593459893658823noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8507895773660505693.post-5613515940205058072014-03-24T05:44:00.001-07:002014-03-24T06:50:36.935-07:00SEVEN WAYS TO MOTIVATE YOUR WRITING<ul>
<li><b>STOP IN THE RIGHT PLACE. </b>Make sure that whenever you were last writing you stopped at an interesting point. This means that you'll be eager to continue when you get back to it.</li>
<li><b>GET INTO THE ZONE. </b>Read through the latest two or three pages (or even more) of what you've written - this will take you away from what's happening around you, and into the world of the story you're creating. </li>
<li><b>DANGLE A CARROT.</b> Make an agreement with yourself that after you've written a certain number of words you'll give yourself a present - a coffee, something good to eat, chocolate, anything you enjoy...</li>
<li><b>SET YOURSELF A TARGET</b> - <i>"I'll write ... words in the next 30 minutes" - </i>and keep to it. Don't delete anything, just write. It might just remind your brain that that is what you want it to be doing at the moment.</li>
<li><b>FOCUS ON ONE OF YOUR CHARACTERS. </b>If you absolutely cannot write any prose, take one of your characters and compose his/her complete life history. Birthplace, childhood, events that happened at school, in teens, first love, likes and dislikes, etc.</li>
<li><b>WALK AWAY WITH A PROMISE. </b>If you can't even motivate yourself to do this, then walk away AFTER promising yourself that you will come back after a certain time and write for at least 30 minutes.</li>
<li><b>VISUALISATION. </b> Picture your finished book - edited, printed, cover designed, blurb written, complete.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14259593459893658823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8507895773660505693.post-64653868077957487562014-02-27T06:22:00.000-08:002014-03-01T02:53:13.655-08:00MOVING YOUR STORY FORWARD...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
...AND BACK </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgr3YQ-i8YhyOMdSA_rxxGHmGp7wab4Gi9ZCWsAeNPLpJiY3i74eFyXuIMwkNsXHLoZagKCRhaI0yrK0VbTwruwL0aqSOMf16UBIscJLNMyTY5f0foBPzmANySs84DmCtMq03ILh6fcbI/s1600/Clock+and+Book.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgr3YQ-i8YhyOMdSA_rxxGHmGp7wab4Gi9ZCWsAeNPLpJiY3i74eFyXuIMwkNsXHLoZagKCRhaI0yrK0VbTwruwL0aqSOMf16UBIscJLNMyTY5f0foBPzmANySs84DmCtMq03ILh6fcbI/s1600/Clock+and+Book.JPG" height="157" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Image courtesy of Winnond/FreeDigitalPhotos.net</span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Unless your story happens all in one day, it's inevitable that you'll be moving from one period of time to another. And, of course, you need to let your reader know that you have jumped forward - maybe only a day or two, maybe months or years.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
How do you do this?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I think it's perfectly okay to write <i>"Two days later..." </i>or <i>"Six weeks later..." </i>or <i>"The next month..." </i>to indicate how far on the story has moved. But it's probably not a good idea to use the same phrases over and over again, all the way through.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Here's a list of possible alternatives I sometimes resort to. If you have some other ideas please add them to the list, or email me and I'll do it - let me know if you'd like your name and/or blog or website details added too.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>PHRASES TO USE TO MOVE STORY FORWARD</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<ul>
<li>A year passed. It was a happy one, punctuated by...</li>
<li>Day followed day, week followed week until...</li>
<li>It was a another week/month/year before...</li>
<li>Towards the end of that week/month/year</li>
<li>For almost 2/3/4 months... </li>
<li>By the time summer/her birthday/Christmas had arrived...</li>
<li>During the days/weeks/months that followed</li>
<li>By June that year...</li>
<li>In the middle of November, three weeks later...</li>
<li>Over the next few months...</li>
<li>The weeks dragged on...</li>
<li>By the time...</li>
<li>She was glad when that particular day/week/month/year was over...</li>
<li>One Saturday in July they heard...</li>
<li>Once back at...she started to....</li>
<li>It wasn't long after...</li>
<li>Time dragged by until...</li>
<li>When they were home again...</li>
<li>It was a long summer... </li>
<li>It didn't seem possible that a whole month/year had gone by since...</li>
<li>Nothing had changed since her last visit six months earlier...</li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: center;">
...<b>AND SOME WAYS TO MOVE BACKWARD</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<ul>
<li>She could remember when...</li>
<li>She had only been nine or ten when...</li>
<li>That had been the year <i>(some event occurred)</i></li>
<li>In her mind she was back at...</li>
<li>That had been before...had even thought of...</li>
<li>If she'd only known then...</li>
<li>The trees around the farm were taller...</li>
<li>She closed her eyes and was almost immediately back...</li>
<li>It had been a long time before...</li>
<li>The years fell away...</li>
<li>It had been during the Summer of...</li>
<li>It was strange to think her own grandmother had once stood here...</li>
<li>It was a smell/sound/tune that always made her think/reminded her...</li>
<li>She read through her diary of <i>(year)</i>...</li>
<li>She looked at the childish writing at the beginning of the book...</li>
<li>She picked up the photograph...</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14259593459893658823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8507895773660505693.post-40271912574083388752014-02-17T05:23:00.000-08:002014-02-17T08:22:01.992-08:00WRITING, WORKING, EATING, SLEEPING, PLAYING...<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">How Do You Balance Writing With Everything Else In Your Life?</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtEHQh1vwtirMOi8F5QOguedW5dSp7fxMPeUicF9YRlh5bhztll9gFj3wkVC2SO1QUa5ywjUZsRpNFOOMi8mH922uAgkfTPTTSYcFT0xRIL65lGP9K-n64IddikFuS3pYPo09KMKExV7E/s1600/spheres+on+scale.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtEHQh1vwtirMOi8F5QOguedW5dSp7fxMPeUicF9YRlh5bhztll9gFj3wkVC2SO1QUa5ywjUZsRpNFOOMi8mH922uAgkfTPTTSYcFT0xRIL65lGP9K-n64IddikFuS3pYPo09KMKExV7E/s1600/spheres+on+scale.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Image courtesy of Danilo Rizzuti/FreeDigitalPhotos.com</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The other day I read an interview with US novelist Charles Sheehan-Miles. He has self-published 12 novels and writes 3000 words every single day "come what may". <a href="http://selfpublishingadvice.org/blog/how-i-do-it-charles-sheehan-miles-shares-his-success-story-as-a-self-published-author/">Here's</a> the link to the interview.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
In reply to the question "How do you get/stay in creative mode? he replied <i>"Sometimes I struggle with this, because day-to-day life can interfere. As a self-employed indie author, I have to produce books. I can't take a break, or a vacation, or a sabbatical, because if I don't publish, I don't get paid. So I meditate, I day dream about my stories, I think about them when I'm going to sleep and when I'm waking up, and I set a goal of writing three thousand words a day no matter what."</i><br />
<br />
I admire his dedication and his self-discipline, but I think I would find such self-denial difficult to achieve.<br />
3000 words are a lot to write in a day - at least, I think so. I've occasionally managed that many - when everything is flowing, when words and sentences present themselves rather than having to be searched for. But more often it is probably between 700 and 1,700. So although 3000 words are do-able, for me they wouldn't be do-able day after day after day. To achieve that number of words daily I'd have to:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>write without correcting, not use a thesaurus, not regularly check over what I'd written , not do any deleting, & etc. All this stuff takes time and fiddling about. (Although, actually, I do think it's a good way to write - just let it all come out, and do all the correcting, changing words and what have you when you've finished). </li>
<li>go into machine mode</li>
<li>probably not eat for quite some time</li>
<li>avoid all distractions, such as taking out the washing that I'd put in machine before I marched into writing room to commence day's work, and which I'd forgotten to ask husband to take out because of fierce concentration on forthcoming writing. Hence, washing would moulder in machine until one of us remembered it was there. There would be no answering the phone; no opening door to courier/postman who was bringing the urgent birthday present I'd bough online; no staring out of the window at the sky/trees/birds for inspiration or a simple re-charge; no getting up for walk around to avoid stiff knees ...</li>
</ul>
<br />
Charles Sheehan-Miles sounds remarkably hard-working and strong-willed, and I'm glad for him that he's had twelve books published. I'm sure he would say that his goal of 3000 words a day is partly responsible - we all know how important it is to set goals. But I think it's rather sad that he feels he can't take a break or a holiday. Unless of course, he's not too bothered about breaks and holidays, in which case, it doesn't matter.<br />
<br />
He speaks about "day-to-day life" interfering. But that's what life does, doesn't it, unless we writers lock ourselves away alone in a cell somewhere and throw away the key.<br />
<br />
Writing isn't separate from my life, it's a precious part of it. But I don't want to let it <i>be </i>my life. I'm passionate about it, I love it, it fulfils me, but it's not the only thing in life that I love, am passionate about and fulfilled by.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>"In order to write about life first you must live it." Ernest Hemingway</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>"Writing isn't about making money, getting famous, getting dates, getting laid, or making friends. In the end, it's about enriching the lives of those who will read your work, and enriching your own life, as well. It's about getting up, getting well, and getting over. Getting happy, okay? Getting happy." St</i><i>ephen King, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft</i><br />
<i><br /></i></div>
And however you do it, however many words you write in a day, however many goals you achieve, or don't, however self-disciplined you are, or aren't - writing is utterly wonderful, and I love it!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14259593459893658823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8507895773660505693.post-79008960180712160092014-01-30T05:24:00.000-08:002014-01-30T05:24:02.609-08:00PLOTTING YOUR NOVEL<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="simple snowflake graphic" height="200" src="http://selfpublishingadvice.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/images-2.jpg" width="177" /></div>
I've just read the following article by Richard Denning about using the Snowflake Technique to plot and write a novel.<br />
<br />
I thought it was fascinating - have a look and see what you think <a href="http://selfpublishingadvice.org/blog/writing-how-to-use-the-snowflake-technique-to-write-a-novel/">http://selfpublishingadvice.org/blog/writing-how-to-use-the-snowflake-technique-to-write-a-novel/</a><br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14259593459893658823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8507895773660505693.post-54992120693544495322014-01-20T03:18:00.000-08:002014-01-20T03:18:38.506-08:00THE THERAPY OF WORDS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEVBp9HI7odF1BwFJzrp5xRdzEZPcAGF8k3PHkNaYv9-4y7gTC8XlrRJiqWDpeYsQg4nLeB9hMrANAVPk44evHBvtUMU3ng5RLCMy3gS63EmJwYiibJ7BLtgix62FHKor9H1LXgfBVkbs/s1600/pen+and+flowers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEVBp9HI7odF1BwFJzrp5xRdzEZPcAGF8k3PHkNaYv9-4y7gTC8XlrRJiqWDpeYsQg4nLeB9hMrANAVPk44evHBvtUMU3ng5RLCMy3gS63EmJwYiibJ7BLtgix62FHKor9H1LXgfBVkbs/s1600/pen+and+flowers.JPG" height="200" width="162" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
I've just finished reading <i>The Secret Life of Bees </i>by Sue Monk Kidd (magical) and in the 'Conversation with the Author' section at the back, she mentions something that Isak Dinesen, who wrote <i>Out of Africa </i>once said:<br />
<i>"All sorrows can be borne if we put them in a story or tell a story about them."</i><br />
<br />
So true. And it made me think how powerful words, and writing them down, can be - even if we <i>don't</i> tell a story.<br />
<br />
Even if you only write a list, you'll no doubt have experienced the relief, and ease of mind that can come with moving something from your mind, out onto a piece of paper.<br />
<br />
Everyone will have been through tough times in life, and sometimes, carrying sadness or troubles inside can be too weighty to bear. Turning those feelings into words can truly lighten the load.<br />
<br />
And if you can tell a story at the same time, so much the better, although I think you'd have to be careful to find the right balance between emotional outpouring and creative construction. <br />
<br />
Ever since I was given a Five Year Diary when I was thirteen, I've kept a journal, and it's true that whenever I've been through difficult times, writing things down has always been a relief and a help.<br />
<br />
I volunteer for Cruse, (a UK charity offering free bereavement counselling) and I often suggest to people who are grieving, or/and angry or going through one or several of the emotions that follow the loss of someone loved, that they try writing their feelings down. Or maybe writing down the words they never spoke, but always wanted to, to the ones they loved and who are now gone.<br />
<br />
Graham Greene wrote: <i>"Writing is a form of therapy; sometimes I wonder how all those who do not write, compose, or paint can manage to escape the madness, melancholia, the panic and fear which is inherent in a human situation."</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
Ah yes, the wonderful power of words, and writing - where would we be without them?<br />
<h1 class="quoteText" style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 15px; padding: 0px;">
</h1>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14259593459893658823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8507895773660505693.post-51766522607242247762014-01-03T07:20:00.000-08:002014-01-03T07:20:23.794-08:00Friendship, Books and The Secret Life of Bees<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNDt_ZVhocUVuf0TqfcEQKPm9GRCPiFM66Ply9nJwGph1rjwMfIJ60cg5SyM3DGydpAwmd5Ggw-w2rJvC9ecsp2lcCcAHgTnuc3Va-lX-1uJO19JVI_bcN6wqKNpS1gBJvMGtObtOk85I/s1600/hands+making+star.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNDt_ZVhocUVuf0TqfcEQKPm9GRCPiFM66Ply9nJwGph1rjwMfIJ60cg5SyM3DGydpAwmd5Ggw-w2rJvC9ecsp2lcCcAHgTnuc3Va-lX-1uJO19JVI_bcN6wqKNpS1gBJvMGtObtOk85I/s200/hands+making+star.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Here's a little story of love and friendship.<br />
<br />
One of those vicious viruses (?viri?) decided to visit our house this Christmas and has decided it doesn't want to leave.<br />
<br />
My husband and I have been wandering around like zombies for the past week or so, listless and coughing, sneezing and hacking, and generally looking like a pair of pale, hollow-faced frights!<br />
<br />
Our friends, Danielle and Richi, rung us on 1st January to wish us a Happy New Year, and during conversation we explained that we haven't been/aren't feeling so good.<br />
<br />
The next day, they turned up on our doorstop to wish us well and bring us a Bag of Goodies. Inside there was a bottle of rum, a jar of Manuka honey and some lemons. This was to make Danielle's "Grog" - large shot of rum, hot water, lemon juice and a spoonful of honey or brown sugar - to be taken with an aspirin. Also in the bag were some satsumas, a pack of croissants, and a packet of Choco Leibniz biscuits - those delicious plain buttery biscuits with dark chocolate spread over the top.<br />
<br />
And there was one more present, wrapped up, at the bottom of the bag. <i>"All the other stuff is good for the body", </i>said Danielle as she and Richi waved us goodbye. <i>"But that is good for the soul".</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
When I opened it, there was a copy of <i>The Secret Life of Bees. </i>And there was also a beautiful handmade "Get Well" card.<br />
<br />
I can think of so many books that are 'good for the soul' and I'm looking forward to reading this one - I've seen the film and have been meaning to read the book for a long time. I can't imagine a world without books, or the effect a 'bookless' world would have on our souls' well-being.<br />
<br />
But neither can I imagine a world without the warmth and love of friendship, of people who care enough and take the time to bring brightness into grey days.<br />
<br />
So here's to Friends, Grog, 2014 and all the books we have yet to read...<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14259593459893658823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8507895773660505693.post-64487064832886689762013-12-21T07:02:00.000-08:002013-12-28T02:19:34.020-08:00Christmas extract from book-in-progress<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span id="goog_1799221361"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpfvJGnynNP9ogI9drfyQ2JEO8GawdjBmOq_A-kL_qLq1SUJlKxRaJVJfWqzKdRIz465o__gONPKV7PT374KrSJtuTH9AsS6yA8YV3Ar8PG-ZAHXDygSZ2S4nfU_DC_N55NkHL9MDx004/s1600/blue+sky+with+stars.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpfvJGnynNP9ogI9drfyQ2JEO8GawdjBmOq_A-kL_qLq1SUJlKxRaJVJfWqzKdRIz465o__gONPKV7PT374KrSJtuTH9AsS6yA8YV3Ar8PG-ZAHXDygSZ2S4nfU_DC_N55NkHL9MDx004/s320/blue+sky+with+stars.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span id="goog_1799221360"></span><br />
<br />
<br />
I was wondering what I could write that would have some relation to Christmas, and suddenly thought of "the Christmas oranges" piece from Chapter 8 of my book-in-progress - provisionally entitled <i>Pendipper (</i>although the title could change, I haven't decided for sure).<br />
The story begins in 1941 when Jean Swallow leaves London to work as a land girl at Pendipper, a farm near St Noyes* in Cornwall owned by the Tillyman family. The various relationships that she builds with each member of this family forge connections that remains strong, and have a powerful influence on the rest of her life. Although Jean eventually returns to London, and decades pass by, the link with the Tillymans, and Pendipper is never broken.<br />
Jean marries Will, one of the Tillyman sons, but her friendship with Lilian, Will's sister, is equally as significant, despite the fact that the two women have utterly different personalities: Jean, bright and easy-going, Lilian, proud and intolerant. And it is this arrogant pigheadedness that will not allow Lilian to forgive her other brother and their uncle, when their collusion means that the family farm has to be sold.<br />
This is a compelling tale of a family unfolding over the years. Of wartime struggles. Of life on a Cornish farm and life in London. Of two women's friendship. Of unforgiveness that turns into bitterness and resentment. Of tragedy. Of love. <br />
<br />
Here's "the Christmas oranges" extract.<br />
<br />
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="border: 1pt solid windowtext; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 491.55pt;" valign="top" width="655"><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin: 0cm 41.3pt 0.0001pt 0cm;">
…after the King’s speech was over, Lilian went out to the scullery and came back with two oranges.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin: 0cm 41.3pt 0.0001pt 0cm;">
‘Lilian!’ exclaimed Jean gleefully. ‘Where the heck did you get hold of those? Blimey, I can’t remember when I last saw an orange!’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin: 0cm 41.3pt 0.0001pt 0cm;">
‘They had some in the market when we went up to Plymouth last week,’ said Lilian. ‘There weren’t many and we were only allowed two each. The lady behind me in the queue had the last of them, so I was only just in time. I didn’t even know what I was queueing for to start with, but I guessed it was something good.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin: 0cm 41.3pt 0.0001pt 0cm;">
‘You clever girl,’ said Evalina. ‘What a lovely surprise.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin: 0cm 41.3pt 0.0001pt 0cm;">
‘Ooh, smell that smell,’ Jean purred ecstatically, as she began peeling one of the oranges and a fine spray of citrusy fragrance hit her nostrils. ‘All we want now is a few bananas and we’ll be well away.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin: 0cm 41.3pt 0.0001pt 0cm;">
‘They’re those long, yellow things, aren’t they?’ joked Samuel. There had been no bananas in the shops for years, and although he knew he’d recognise one if he saw it, Samuel was hard put to remember exactly what one tasted like.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin: 0cm 41.3pt 0.0001pt 0cm;">
After the oranges had been peeled and divided up, and Aunt Ellen had reminded Lilian to keep the peel to grate and put into a pudding, all the segments were laid out onto a plate. There were three pieces each, with two left over.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin: 0cm 41.3pt 0.0001pt 0cm;">
‘You and Raymond have the extra,’ said Evalina. ‘You deserve it, Lilian, for all the work you’ve done. That dinner was delicious.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin: 0cm 41.3pt 0.0001pt 0cm;">
‘No,’ said Lilian decisively. ‘I think we should keep them for Will and John.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin: 0cm 41.3pt 0.0001pt 0cm;">
‘But Lilian, dear…’ Evalina began.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin: 0cm 41.3pt 0.0001pt 0cm;">
‘I know,’ Lilian interrupted. ‘They might not be back for ages. But it’ll be a symbol. I know it might sound stupid, but when they’re home we can give them their pieces of orange and we’ll be able to look back on today and be thankful it’s all over and…well…just be thankful.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin: 0cm 41.3pt 0.0001pt 0cm;">
Jean leaned across and gave Lilian a warm kiss. ‘That is a flipping brilliant idea,’ she said. 'You're more sentimental than you make out, Lilian.'</div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin: 0cm 41.3pt 0.0001pt 0cm;">
The oranges, in some unfathomable way, had managed to dispel the undercurrent of sadness that had been rippling quietly amongst the family all day long. And the feelings of anger that had been gnawing at Jean – mostly directed towards the War, but also, unfairly, at Will himself for not being there to share the twins’ first Christmas – had shrivelled up and gone. Lilian was right: the oranges were a symbol; a representation of faith that one day, in the hopefully not too faraway future, normality would return, the family would be complete, and there would be icing on the Christmas cake.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin: 0cm 41.3pt 0.0001pt 0cm;">
As Jean ate her orange segments, savouring each tiny mouthful, she remembered how her brother had once told her that if she wanted something strongly enough, and if she truly believed she’d get it, then she would do. It had been on a Christmas Eve when they were children, and they had been talking about the presents they were hoping to receive. Eric had been desperately hoping for a bicycle, and although his father had explained that there wasn’t enough money for bicycles, Eric had gone on believing that on Christmas Day, his hope would be fulfilled. And, miracle of miracles, it had been!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin: 0cm 41.3pt 0.0001pt 0cm;">
Jean had been thrilled for her brother, and awestruck that his trust in the power of unshakeable belief had been confirmed. But she could also remember thinking, <i>“What about all the other children who were hoping and wishing for things and then didn’t get them?” </i>Was it because they hadn’t believed hard enough, or was it simply that, however hard you tried, sometimes believing didn’t work?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin: 0cm 41.3pt 0.0001pt 0cm;">
When it comes down to it, Jean thought, her tongue sucking into the tangy sweetness of the orange, all you can do is hope for the best. I want my husband back, and Susie and Tony their father, and Evalina and Samuel their sons, and Ellen her nephews and Lilian her brothers – the same as hundreds and thousands of others do. Everyone is hoping for the best, and believing as hard as they can. And everyone is waiting, because that’s all they can do.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin: 0cm 41.3pt 0.0001pt 0cm;">
And waiting, thought Jean, is the hardest bloody part of all.</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
* St Noyes doesn't actually exist, but I visualise it as being on the edge of Bodmin Moor, somewhere between Liskeard and Launceston.<br />
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: 'Bradley Hand ITC'; font-size: 22pt;">Wishing everyone a peaceful<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: 'Bradley Hand ITC'; font-size: 22pt;">and happy Christmas<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: 'Bradley Hand ITC'; font-size: 22pt;">and all you wish for in 2014</span></i></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifIizUVgbNL6VXAVAF10itisSkxaiS7osKMrvgRNvUb5Oe6cS68U5tyMQz89rYzmGtydOXsKyur_SsrA-dMh0uc4_HM6n0foBi-L5C2YHnGBmRaMJd0hp9NhGhW2fiFbHnoES7oiRupVM/s1600/merry+christmas.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifIizUVgbNL6VXAVAF10itisSkxaiS7osKMrvgRNvUb5Oe6cS68U5tyMQz89rYzmGtydOXsKyur_SsrA-dMh0uc4_HM6n0foBi-L5C2YHnGBmRaMJd0hp9NhGhW2fiFbHnoES7oiRupVM/s320/merry+christmas.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Images courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net</i></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14259593459893658823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8507895773660505693.post-64918244711802738442013-12-10T04:41:00.000-08:002013-12-11T02:13:52.678-08:00PROMOTING YOUR BOOK - THE IMPORTANCE OF A WEB OR BLOG SITE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7v2UuehyHY1BfTe9MHEpq7Dncju6YNYUPNr1dEhH8KenLqcxsXEl7bBz4KK12JWpjCadC1U06WYltu2Er5BzrNOh6NyXmyCOVaAkXXBehAHlSFVkmwixcpLhV8L2X7i3KDIeFgIPmSeg/s1600/For+Marketing+post.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7v2UuehyHY1BfTe9MHEpq7Dncju6YNYUPNr1dEhH8KenLqcxsXEl7bBz4KK12JWpjCadC1U06WYltu2Er5BzrNOh6NyXmyCOVaAkXXBehAHlSFVkmwixcpLhV8L2X7i3KDIeFgIPmSeg/s200/For+Marketing+post.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Inage courtesy of pixtawan, freedigitalphotos.net</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
You may well have read what I'm going to write on numerous other blogs and websites. I don't mean my words, but similar advice. I know that when I'm searching for help and guidance - not just on marketing, but on all the various aspects of writing and getting a book published - often the same old chestnuts come up again and again.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
And, of course, the ideas and suggestions that <i>do </i>keep appearing, are the ones to take notice of. But sometimes, it's only after you've read a certain piece of advice for the umpty-umth time that the lightbulb goes on, and you realise that the reason people keep saying "this is a good idea" or "defininitely do that" is because those things work.<br />
<br />
I would say that one of the most vital things to do is to set up a blog site or a web site. And although I kept reading that this was 'essential' and 'crucial', I procrastinated. <br />
<br />
Procrastination is one of my weak points and I freely admit it! I knew I'd be able to create the blog site, but at the same time I knew I wouldn't find it easy, and that it would be time consuming and that it would probably drive me to distraction. I don't think in a technological way, that's the trouble. So far as I'm concerned, life is too short for fiddling about with bits of html and trying to get my head around things I don't have any desire to understand.<br />
<br />
But I could see the sense in having a central focus site for me, and for my book and so, by the end of July this year, I finally got my blogsite up and running. It's probably not a good idea to follow my example - I should have had the site in place before I even put my book up as an e-book on Amazon back in March. And certainly by the time I signed the contract with Matador in April.<br />
<br />
I think of my blogsite as a combination web/blog and it serves a variety of purposes. It's enabled me to let people know about my book, and me; to create an interest in it by writing about the publication process; to put up links to online sellers where my book is being sold, or offered for free as a 'Giveaway' (on Goodreads). I've been able to publish reviews, background and description of the book, make extracts available to read or/and download. I've also shared tips and advice that I've found useful and, hopefully, in time, will read about others' experiences.<br />
<br />
As I've said, my blog site has been in existence since July, but it's only now - December - that I'm beginning to notice an increase in the number of people visiting the site. This is probably because my book came out in paperback last week, and I've been promoting it - and the blogsite - in all sorts of ways. On every leaflet and poster and bookmark I've had printed, I always list my blog site address. On all the emails I sent to friends and acquaintances on publication day, I added it. When people want to know more about the book, I always mention my blog site.<br />
<br />
But for the first few months, there were hardly any visitors at all. This is when it's hardest to keep posting. I must admit that at first, I only posted once every 3 or 4 weeks, and it probably would have been better to add something more often. But I did post regularly, and have been writing more often since October - come to think of it, maybe that's why there've been more visitors.<br />
<br />
The thing is - don't give up. Even is it feels as if you're talking to no-one, and no-one's listening, and no-one's reading what's taken you so long to write. Even if you feel you can't be bothered, and what's the point anyway. Don't lose heart. Although I did sometimes, I must say. But I continued putting up my posts, and writing about this and that, and offering bits of advice and recommending useful sites. And I realised then that I'm not just writing this blog for other people, but for me, too. And that's the important thing, because, hopefully, your enjoyment and enthusiasm will come across.<br />
<br />
It's important to optimise your site so that search-engines (e.g. Google) can find it. <i>Jim Lodico</i> has written an excellent article <a href="http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/6-ways-to-optimize-your-blog-for-search-engines/">6 Ways to Optimise Your Blog for Search Engines</a> which explains things a lot better than I could.<br />
<br />
Enjoy blogging, and if you have anything to say, please do add a comment.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14259593459893658823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8507895773660505693.post-83832790232408841922013-12-01T06:00:00.001-08:002013-12-01T06:00:59.593-08:00PUBLICATION DAY!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdl6Oz1scgPfh1gtnYSchbV6fkA1BTk0Hi1T6c51qahg3OgWgZVD0MjaMwgGoBSONATbK2pxC7gdFD4aWmqC-GUP4YdxEzRAwLO0ysO-aP5hxiDGEnte4GbvJpW6sBI-xklagOuRlfpt4/s1600/ID-10093823.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdl6Oz1scgPfh1gtnYSchbV6fkA1BTk0Hi1T6c51qahg3OgWgZVD0MjaMwgGoBSONATbK2pxC7gdFD4aWmqC-GUP4YdxEzRAwLO0ysO-aP5hxiDGEnte4GbvJpW6sBI-xklagOuRlfpt4/s200/ID-10093823.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
My book, Dependence comes out in paperback today! I've been working towards this day since the beginning of April when I first emailed Matador for a copy of their<i> Guide to Self-publishing.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
What a lot's happened since then. Signing contracts. Sending my ms out into the big, wide, world (all those words that took so long to write, and all my characters who have become so real - suddenly, I felt protective and vulnerable). Getting it copy edited. Writing blurbs and bios and book descriptions for my book and my Author's Page on the Matador website. Sorting out cover images. Creating a blogsite (a lot of cussing and swearing until I got the hang of it!) Designing posters, leaflets, bookmarks, more posters. Distributing them. Distributing Advance Information sheets to bookshops and libraries and anywhere that would take them. Compiling Press Releases. Putting my book up as a giveaway on Goodreads. Uploading an excerpt to Book Goodies. Arranging a book signing...<br />
<br />
There were days when I detested all the marketing and book promotion and just yearned to get back to my next book and write.<br />
<br />
But it's worth it. All the painstaking trawling through sites to find "how-to" advice; all the googling, and searching, and letting the world - or a bit of it - know that my book exists and what it's about and where it can be found. It really is worth all the effort, and time, and patience - and if you're working on the marketing side of things for <i>your</i> book, don't lose heart, because you will eventually see results for all your hard work.<br />
<br />
You can read about my journey to publication <a href="http://suenoyeclark.blogspot.co.uk/p/blog-page.html">here</a><br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14259593459893658823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8507895773660505693.post-13771542448961162642013-11-25T07:24:00.000-08:002013-11-28T03:43:27.654-08:00BOOK SIGNING<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLNyNdCMcrBLzP3KUGcvFWqx0vOjpgXIfOoEX6_dNLYnPGmkq-8Zt2kJtq5USCDOXD8wEHLQx43bExgB22YCRpRhr7f1EOXxvF2Y0xguRmg1g6H9zG54mxQkjvIMF1jZCUeQxQUrXEjGI/s1600/New+Image.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="129" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLNyNdCMcrBLzP3KUGcvFWqx0vOjpgXIfOoEX6_dNLYnPGmkq-8Zt2kJtq5USCDOXD8wEHLQx43bExgB22YCRpRhr7f1EOXxvF2Y0xguRmg1g6H9zG54mxQkjvIMF1jZCUeQxQUrXEjGI/s200/New+Image.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
Last week, when I was in our local shopping centre, I popped in to have a look around a new shop/gallery which opened about six weeks ago.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
It turned out to be a the pART Project, run by our local arts forum, to provide the opportunity for local artists - of all types and genres - to showcase their work.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The two people running the shop suggested I use it to do a book promotion/signing for my new book (they'd read about the book, and me, in the paper a couple of weeks before - result of the press release I sent out - proves it's worth the effort!). To be honest, I hadn't thought much about doing a book signing. Or rather, I've been thinking about it but not done anything.<br />
<br />
I know that they are usually done in bookshops, but I think this venue will be perfect. It's quite small, so people will notice me - hopefully - and there are other things around to take peoples' interest. The place and the people are relaxed and friendly, and it's a comfortable place to be. And whereas before, I'd been thinking <i>"Not particularly looking forward to book signing but know I ought to do it because it's getting my book and me out there" </i>now I'm actually looking forward to the event.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
After checking out various writers' advice and tips about doing book signings, I've come up with a Book Signing To Do List, which is on the <a href="http://suenoyeclark.blogspot.co.uk/p/tips-advice-f.html">Tips & Advice page</a><br />
<br />
I've designed and am having printed some bookmarks and posters and have ordered some "Signed by Author" stickers. The sites I used are:<br />
<br />
<div>
<a href="http://www.centreprint.co.uk/">Centreprint online</a> I went here to design my own, custom made, bookmarks. Pretty easy. Free postage. A couple of days after I sent order, I received a "proof" - after I'd confirmed by reply of email that I was happy with the bookmark design, they went ahead with printing. Based in Wolverhampton, they're a family business. Cost: £42 for 100 bookmarks<br />
<a href="https://www.zazzle.co.uk/">Zazzle</a> This is where I bought my "Signed by Author" stickers. There are masses of different designs, and you can alter or add any word or words that you want. Cost: £6.97 (4.20 + 2.77 postage) for sheet of 20 stickers 1 1/2" (about 6.5cms) diameter<br />
<a href="http://www.green2red.co.uk/">green2red</a> I designed and ordered two posters (A2 size - 420mm x 594mm) from this site. Very easy to use. You can choose your own background colour (as you could with the bookmarks), font and font size, upload images, and all as simple as anything to move around, add, delete and generally mess around with until you've created the perfect poster. Cost: 2 posters £7.88 (3.94 each) + delivery £6.95 + VAT £2.97 = £17.80<br />
<br />
If you live in the Sittingbourne area, you're very welcome to come along to the book signing of my book <i>Dependence </i>on Friday 6th December, from 10am until 2am, at the pART Project, The Forum, Sittingbourne. I'll be happy to chat and to answer any questions about the book.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<i>For anyone living in Kent, the pART Project is at Unit 16, The Forum Shopping Centre in Sittingbourne</i>. <i>It's run by the Swale Arts Forum in collaboration with Litter Angels and the Sittingbourne Retail Association.</i> <i>Besides offering the space for local artists to exhibit and sell their works, it also offers an events space for individual exhibitions, talks, demonstrations or film show. Find it on Facebook at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/127645453925960/">https://www.facebook.com/groups/127645453925960/</a></i></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class=" clarion text body" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: start;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14259593459893658823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8507895773660505693.post-39469067895892104492013-11-25T02:16:00.003-08:002013-11-25T08:13:38.993-08:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>TAKE IT EASY TODAY...</b></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>alone...</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFUBQuQsBHBwX0vnD1FZS7FPaaNqwiTLsGBXM-nVv4-ItdvZqJRaS3c8Y_gssf0jrg-NaY_hnem84BUo2SVHC_ZuFalTMUPLa23Yk4OADORbW2QtOKib2FBiMk14r09PUroriWJTLxI1w/s1600/sunday+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFUBQuQsBHBwX0vnD1FZS7FPaaNqwiTLsGBXM-nVv4-ItdvZqJRaS3c8Y_gssf0jrg-NaY_hnem84BUo2SVHC_ZuFalTMUPLa23Yk4OADORbW2QtOKib2FBiMk14r09PUroriWJTLxI1w/s200/sunday+001.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b> ...or with someone you love</b></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfJnN9y_D1rg-fVKE0WvBH_scPML48eeUjW6uleMJYpjIUEMlJUFMkS73yQ7WKEByv9NkcAcVMBUNZh7PLKSNo8gNB9DKPzY5sSN_9zhZnW9u0TYVox-xclA7-B8kVwT7dfuGrE1rGr6Q/s1600/cats+007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="display: inline !important; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfJnN9y_D1rg-fVKE0WvBH_scPML48eeUjW6uleMJYpjIUEMlJUFMkS73yQ7WKEByv9NkcAcVMBUNZh7PLKSNo8gNB9DKPzY5sSN_9zhZnW9u0TYVox-xclA7-B8kVwT7dfuGrE1rGr6Q/s200/cats+007.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14259593459893658823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8507895773660505693.post-35967202753877496532013-11-11T04:42:00.002-08:002013-11-11T04:42:48.916-08:00THE POWER OF WORDS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsu0yw_DfccE5jXUkeaSxQz4CnoHhehyphenhyphen06kPn_v9_UBkqQe7B5GSpCDQ_4qCZpz6bPKilG4q5eCmQLA25SdlPwNhnOxoViWzFXBYBl7pp1jx0eNipe9UQQFsg_YtvQKrcsiCIVEsZjBGA/s1600/image+for+power+of+words.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsu0yw_DfccE5jXUkeaSxQz4CnoHhehyphenhyphen06kPn_v9_UBkqQe7B5GSpCDQ_4qCZpz6bPKilG4q5eCmQLA25SdlPwNhnOxoViWzFXBYBl7pp1jx0eNipe9UQQFsg_YtvQKrcsiCIVEsZjBGA/s320/image+for+power+of+words.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Image courtesy of Sattva/FreeDigitalPhotos.net</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><br /></i></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
I watched a programme last week, <i>Speeches That Shook The world, </i>and near the end, its presenter Simon Armitage quoted some words from <i>On The Sublime, </i>written by the Greek writer, Longinus, around the first century AD.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>"The effect of elevated language upon an audience is not persuasion but transport."</i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
It just made me think that that's what I'd hope my writing would do - not influence or persuade anyone to my way of thinking, or doing, or being, but simply to be a means of transporting my readers to another world for a little while. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14259593459893658823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8507895773660505693.post-30093005811729909072013-10-24T02:50:00.001-07:002013-11-13T07:03:24.073-08:00WRITING A BLURB - SOME GOOD TIPS<div align="center">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtWcePUwg00F0GOsy1B55jgVPvowkxA7i0yNGe5gsoHOhwdWamg3eCJglK2fA0YdyaotJrjTigNdgQ4Z_cBaPQt7RgDvFFCHyr6MdcDJrx-hF-h7JwbdMBJZZJcnXyX4k9WxM3-5tOgCg/s1600/Blurb4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" esa="true" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtWcePUwg00F0GOsy1B55jgVPvowkxA7i0yNGe5gsoHOhwdWamg3eCJglK2fA0YdyaotJrjTigNdgQ4Z_cBaPQt7RgDvFFCHyr6MdcDJrx-hF-h7JwbdMBJZZJcnXyX4k9WxM3-5tOgCg/s200/Blurb4.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<strong>IS THIS HOW YOU FEEL WHEN ATTEMPTING TO WRITE A BLURB?</strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<strong></strong><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
Your precious manuscript is going to become a book.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The characters you created and who have become so real are going out into the big, wide world.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
You're feeling protective, proud, apprehensive and excited.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
And then, at some point during the publishing process, you discover you need to write a blurb - a short summary of your book which will appear on the inside flap of a hardback jacket, or the back of a paperback. It's also used on online descriptions, posters, fliers & etc.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Creating a blurb is not an easy job. It is very difficult and very exasperating. You will probably write and re-write your blurb more times than you did your book. You'll write and delete, write and delete (or write and scribble out) until you're sick of it. Your head will buzz and, unless you are a saint, you will get quite cross. Or extremely cross.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Writing a blurb is one of the evil necessities of an author's life, and in my opinion ranks in the same category as going to the dentist's and cleaning the lavatory - necessary, but definitely not something you enjoy or look forward to.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
But, I'm afraid, blurbs have to be written. So here are a few tips that have helped me, and links to sites which offer some excellent advice.<br />
<a name='more'></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDypvwt30hOs87CKjEOTxecUnbv3ynaAQb9jyTycj5W0-WKRdglEx_wo-tRSu_CgLTJZ9WeNZtzdK04QzZFz8mFxmHcMpxxjfuTbmSqGmnOdxHXGUhDNsLs5-sACvdSvUxCNQi3-57bPg/s1600/tps2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" esa="true" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDypvwt30hOs87CKjEOTxecUnbv3ynaAQb9jyTycj5W0-WKRdglEx_wo-tRSu_CgLTJZ9WeNZtzdK04QzZFz8mFxmHcMpxxjfuTbmSqGmnOdxHXGUhDNsLs5-sACvdSvUxCNQi3-57bPg/s200/tps2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<ul>
<li><div style="text-align: left;">
<span id="goog_130130846"></span><span id="goog_130130847"></span>Always keep in mind that the blurb is there to whet the reader's appetite, and to make them want to read your book</div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;">
Practice writing blurbs about some of the books you've read and know well</div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;">
Don't try, or expect, to create the perfect blurb immediately. This is impossible. Start by writing down what comes to you, and then cut back and prune, correct and re-write, and then cut back and prune some more until it's blurb-size</div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;">
Aim for a blurb of about 250 words. This seems to be the average. Some people advise 150, others 300 and someone even suggested 500 words. Although this seems rather long to me, the blurb can depend on the size of the book, so if it's a huge tome, 500 words would perhaps be okay</div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;">
Begin with a short, sharp 'tag' line. Don't try to rush this bit - it's the worm on the end of the fishing line...</div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;">
Write in the present tense, and in the third person</div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;">
Use emotive words</div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;">
Keep sentences short and to the point</div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;">
Insert a question that it's clear the book will answer</div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;">
Try to be objective - imagine you're writing the blurb for someone else's book</div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;">
Try to cultivate a friendly feeling towards your blurb</div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;">
Have a look at the following sites:</div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: left;">
"How to Write an Effective Book Description" by Richard Ridley <a href="https://www.createspace.com/en/community/docs/DOC-1462">https://www.createspace.com/en/community/docs/DOC-1462 </a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
"How to Write a Book Cover Blurb" <a href="http://www.lightmessages.com/lmjom/writing/229-how-to-write-a-book-cover-blurb.html">www.lightmessages.com/lmjom/writing/229-how-to-write-a-book-cover-blurb.html</a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
"How to Write a Book Blurb" by Alison Baverstock <a href="https://www.writersandartists.co.uk/self-publishing/articles/140/marketing-and-publicity/how-to-write-a-book-blurb">https://www.writersandartists.co.uk/self-publishing/articles/140/marketing-and-publicity/how-to-write-a-book-blurb </a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
"Writing a Blurb? Some Key Tips by Goodreads <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author_blog_posts/4009090-writing-a-blurb-some-key-tips">http://www.goodreads.com/author_blog_posts/4009090-writing-a-blurb-some-key-tips </a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span id="goog_696039041"></span><span id="goog_696039042"></span>Good Luck! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14259593459893658823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8507895773660505693.post-19506651568433973602013-10-12T07:47:00.000-07:002013-11-25T07:52:34.714-08:00WRITING A PRESS RELEASE <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIx9alQimF3KRZR-tYTnzvk0y6uSc-TgkKOjKV_zczTToRGrW4byY0SSx0B05v3zFj-rOy4S-LIjLo2poBQlWbCzZgStrNqmY1JRBjDrdEa56y5-eoYI0hXTDvCQp2yS_H0rozTOfNsqI/s1600/marketing+books.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIx9alQimF3KRZR-tYTnzvk0y6uSc-TgkKOjKV_zczTToRGrW4byY0SSx0B05v3zFj-rOy4S-LIjLo2poBQlWbCzZgStrNqmY1JRBjDrdEa56y5-eoYI0hXTDvCQp2yS_H0rozTOfNsqI/s200/marketing+books.jpg" width="200" zsa="true" /></a></div>
<em><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Image courtesy of ddpavumba/FreeDigitalPhotos.net</span></em><br />
<br />
If you're an indie publisher, writing a Press Release is yet another thing that comes under the heading of "Marketing and Promoting Your Book".<br />
<br />
You don't have to do one, of course. But I think it's a good idea, even if creating it will probably drive you to distraction.<br />
<br />
The purpose of a Press Release is, like all book promoting, is to let people know 1) that your book exists and to generate interest in it, and 2) to give some info about you, the author.<br />
<br />
In this case 'people' are 'the media' - journalists and suchlike, who are in a position to bring your book to the attention of potential readers.<br />
<br />
I decided to write a Press Release. It took several days and gave me a stinking headache! I posted (not emailed) it to ten papers within roughly a forty-mile or so radius of where I live, using as a hook the fact that I am a local author.<br />
<br />
Four days later, someone from one of the papers emailed to ask for jpegs of images of my book cover and of me - hopefully because they're going to write an article. A few days after that, another paper rang me for an online interview for a "piece about my book", which was published that same week.<br />
<br />
I did a lot of trawling through the internet, finding out what a Press Release should contain and how to set it out and a whole host of info. You can read what I found out on the <a href="http://suenoyeclark.blogspot.co.uk/p/tips-advice-f.html">Tips & Advice page</a><br />
<br />
I put my Press Release onto <a href="http://www.biblioscribe.com/free-book-press-release.php">Biblioscribe</a> (A free service allowing authors and publishers to submit press releases for free.<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"> </span><a href="http://www.biblioscribe.com/press/publish/book_press_release/New_Book_depicts_the_Poignant_Struggle_Between_Love_and_Addiction.shtml">Click here</a> if you'd like to read it.<br />
<div align="center">
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14259593459893658823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8507895773660505693.post-9932626130449559612013-09-28T05:54:00.001-07:002013-09-28T05:59:11.588-07:00DESCRIPTIVE WRITING<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOWTy0xXx1AahZPTIoZur2g0kN5X7-k1KP6ozCwZbzfFYb399-nqdoxnHGDwaugzHQm-7ZpxSUBlaiHrfW4r0TjMm5ZWATgyk_E_NB6IergpqrHTPlylnBFGv74Y7IslD4P-XlTaf5rQ0/s1600/IMAGE+DESCRIPTIVE+WRITING.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_lm_277084="null" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOWTy0xXx1AahZPTIoZur2g0kN5X7-k1KP6ozCwZbzfFYb399-nqdoxnHGDwaugzHQm-7ZpxSUBlaiHrfW4r0TjMm5ZWATgyk_E_NB6IergpqrHTPlylnBFGv74Y7IslD4P-XlTaf5rQ0/s320/IMAGE+DESCRIPTIVE+WRITING.jpg" width="320" ysa="true" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Image courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net</span></em></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<strong>WHAT <em>IS</em> DESCRIPTIVE WRITING?</strong><br />
<ul>
<li>Describing a person, place or thing in a way that creates a picture in the reader's mind</li>
<li>Using as many as possible of the five senses - sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch - when describing something</li>
<li>Including not only what is going on 'outside' the character who is describing something, but also the emotions and feelings it arouses 'inside'</li>
<li>Not rambling on at great length using many flowery adjectives. This can become both tedious and meaningless. Descriptive words need to be relevant and precise in order to be powerful</li>
<li>Using comparisons and/or contrasts to help reinforce the description</li>
</ul>
<strong>THE FIVE SENSES</strong><br />
I think including as many of the senses as possible make a real difference when writing descriptions. <br />
I recently went to Tuscany for a holiday. The scenery was stunning and I soon found myself grabbing a notebook to jot down descriptions of this, that and the other for future reference! Once home again, and reading what I'd written, I realised that <br />
<a name='more'></a>the descriptions that had the most impact, and brought Tuscany back to me most vividly, were those that also included senses other than just the visual, such as:<br />
<ul>
<li>sounds - <em>"the tinny chimes of the church bell" </em>or <em>"the lazy click-clack of someone walking along the narrow cobbled street down below".</em></li>
<li>sight, smell (and taste) - <em>"the mouthwatering lusciousness of the fat, red tomatoes roasting with garlic and rosemary and lashings of olive oil wafted out of the window as I gazed across the valley to the sun setting below the distant, silhouetted hills". </em>It's almost impossible to bring to mind the smell of those oily, garlicky, rosemary tomatoes without also imagining how they're going to taste!</li>
<li>smell, touch - after visiting a rather run-down, decrepit 12th century church, I wrote about the <em>"musty, candle-scented air" </em>and described how the <em>"cold lifelessness of the marble under my hands, and the pigeon droppings on the floor, and dust everywhere made me feel sad that the church was so neglected".</em></li>
</ul>
Our senses are vital in our inter-reaction with everyone and everything, and I think the more of them we use, the more of an affinity is created. If we put our minds to it, I'm sure we could all write a paragraph or two of fairly eloquent prose about the visual beauty of a tree. But to bring it to life in a reader's mind, we'd need to bring in more of the senses. The sound of its leaves, for example, rustling in the breeze. Or perhaps the creaking of an aged branch. And maybe we'd describe the feel of the ridged crustiness of the trunk against our hand. And that smell of earthy oldness. And what about that sense of feeling safe and protected when we stand close to a mature and venerable tree...<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<strong>EXAMPLES OF DESCRIPTIONS USING SOME OR ALL OF THE SENSES</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
When he opened his eyes the moon was full on his face. He could smell his own sickness on his flying jacket and he could feel, in a way that pained and troubled him, the beat of aircraft engines pumping and thundering in his left arm. This arm was also wet and hot. The terrible thump of engines beating down the arteries seemed as if they must finally sever the arm from his shoulder. <em>(From 'Fair Stood the Wind for France' by H. E. Bates. First published 1944 by Michael Joseph)</em></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Later, after they'd eaten a lunch of boiled eggs and potatoes with bread, Tariq napped beneath a tree on the banks of a gurgling stream. he slept with his coat neatly folded into a pillow, his hands crossed on his chest... Laila sat on the edge of the stream, dipping her feet into the cool water. Overhead, mosquitoes hummed and cottonwood seeds danced. A dragonfly whirred nearby. Laila watched its wings catch glints of sunlight as it buzzed from one blade of grass to another. They flashed purple, then green, orange. Across the stream, a group of local Hazara boys were picking patties of dried cow dung from the ground and stowing them into burlap sacks tethered to their backs. Somewhere, a donkey brayed. A generator sputtered to life. <em>(From 'A Thousand Splendid Suns' by Khaled Hosseini. First published 2007 by Bloomsbury Publishing)</em></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The scullery was a mine of all the minerals of living. Here I discovered water - a very different element from the green crawling scum that stank in the garden tub. You could pump it in pure blue gulps out of the ground, you could swing on the pump handle and it came out sparkling like liquid sky. And it broke and ran and shone on the tiled floor, or quivered in a jug, or weighted your clothes with cold. You could drink it, draw with it, froth it with soap, swim beetles across it, or fly it in bubbles in the air. You could put your head in it, and open your eyes, and see the sides of the bucket buckle, and hear your caught breath roar, and work your mouth like a fish, and smell the lime from the ground. Substance of magic - which you could tear or wear, confine or scatter, or send down holes, but never burn or break or destroy. <em>(From 'Cider With Rosie' by Laurie Lee. First published 1959 by Hogarth Press)</em></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
My heart thudded. Not like before when it had just been beating a little faster than normal; now it thundered against my chest wall as if it was trying to escape and burst out of my body. When I closed my eyes everything was red and pimpled with stars. I could hear a strange sound, deep and gasping, and it took several seconds before I realised it was me, struggling for air... I held onto the drawer-knob for dear life. At that moment it was the only substantial object left in my world.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The inexplicable panic continued to roar through me like a giant tidal wave... I opened my eyes and the wall came and went in a way which made me want to be sick. Armies of mice raced across my shoulders and down over my arms. I swallowed hard, only there wasn't anything to swallow. I was on the inside of a jagged scream which at any minute was about to explode into a million wounding shards. <em>(From 'Dependence' by Sue Noye Clark. To be published 1st November 2013 by Matador)</em></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Jack Firebrace lay forty-five feet underground with several hundred thousand tons of France above his face. He could hear the wooden wheezing of the feed that pumped air through the tunnel. Most of it was exhausted by the time it reached him. His back was supported by a wooden cross, his feet against the clay, facing towards the enemy. With an adapted spade, he loosened quantities of soil into a bag which he passed back to Evans, his mate, who then crawled away in the darkness. Jack could hear the hammering of timbers being used to shore up the tunnel further back... The sweat ran down into his eyes and stung them, making him shake his head from side to side. <em>(From 'Birdsong' by Sebastian Faulks. First published 1993 by Hutchinson)</em></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Ellen sat awhile listening to the soothing chirrup of the cricket and the pleasant crackling of the flames. It was a fine, cold winter's day. The two little windows at the far end of the kitchen looked out upon an expanse of snow; and the large lilac bush, that grew close by the wall, moved lightly by the wind, drew its icy fingers over the panes of glass. Wintry it was without; but that made the warmth and comfort within seem all the more. <em>(From 'The Wide Wide World' by Elizabeth Wetherell. First published 1850)</em></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<strong>SOME MORE THOUGHTS</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Long descriptive passages are a thing of the past: today's readers have neither the time nor the patience for them. Therefore, whenever you include them, you have to make them work hard for you. They should paint in the background of the story, elicit some emotional response in the reader and be an integral part of the story, not merely an embellishment. They should also be painted vividly and briefly.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
A description of a threatening storm or a deserted landscape or a brilliant summer's day should convey something more to the reader than a mere picture of the setting. In the first two, the reader should experience an inner shiver of apprehension and a feeling that something is going to happen. In the latter, all is well for the character involved, at least for the moment. If a tiny cloud appears far off on the horizon, however, we know trouble of some kind is on its way before long.(<em>From 'The Fiction Writers' Handbook' by Nancy Smith. First published 1991 by Judy Piatkus (Publishers) Ltd)</em></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<strong>CHEKHOV'S ADVICE TO A YOUNG WRITER</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
"In my opinion, descriptions of nature should be extremely brief and offered by the way, as it were. Give up commonplaces, such as: 'the setting sun, bathing in the waves of the darkening sea, flooded with purple gold,' and so on. Or 'swallows flying over the surface of the water chirped gaily.' In descriptions of nature one should seize upon minutiae, grouping them so that when, having read the passage, you close your eyes, a picture is formed. For example, you will evoke a moonlit night by writing that on the mill dam the glass fragments of a broken bottle flashed like a bright little star, and that the black shadow of a dog or wolf rolled along like a ball.'" <em>(Anton Chekhov, quoted by Raymond Obstfeld in 'Novelist's Essential Guide to Crafting Scenes'. Writer's Digest Books, 2000)</em></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14259593459893658823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8507895773660505693.post-5403489433944222962013-08-28T04:27:00.000-07:002013-09-28T06:04:11.770-07:00DISTRACTIONS and DELAYING TACTICS<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrxzm0fZ3CwLholz_KjgqqbQD-uUrCAcMBbxswQnh-0KsJAnmCAYs7IO3hGNEzDWATyjVVNCj4m586kAkI3QJQ7frMIxn0FWGvKM656mCwh21mxZrQ9paRrAXYo7f9c5aFKG4QzWu9Yxg/s1600/delaying+tactics+image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" osa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrxzm0fZ3CwLholz_KjgqqbQD-uUrCAcMBbxswQnh-0KsJAnmCAYs7IO3hGNEzDWATyjVVNCj4m586kAkI3QJQ7frMIxn0FWGvKM656mCwh21mxZrQ9paRrAXYo7f9c5aFKG4QzWu9Yxg/s200/delaying+tactics+image.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image courtesy of Stuart Miles/Free Digital Photos.net<br />
<br />
<div align="left">
<span style="font-size: small;">If things aren't flowing on the writing front; if I'm not "in the mood"; if I need to change/correct/rewrite something I find myself creating Distractions and Delaying Tactics.</span></div>
<div align="left">
<br /></div>
<div align="left">
<span style="font-size: small;">I say "I", but we all do it, and writers seem to be remarkably adept at coming up with excuses and reasons to just put off getting back to PC, laptop, tablet, pen and paper when things aren't going smoothly, and sometimes, even when they are.</span></div>
<div align="left">
<br /></div>
<div align="left">
<span style="font-size: small;">Here's a few examples of some DandDTs I came up with today:</span></div>
<ul>
<li><div align="left">
<span style="font-size: small;">Decide to make Tomato Sauce as there's an abundance of tomatoes in greenhouse and we can't possibly eat them all unless we eat only tomatoes for every meal every day for the next week. Tell myself that sauce-making won't take long</span></div>
</li>
<li><div align="left">
<span style="font-size: small;">Whilst in kitchen, waiting for tomatoes to roast, instead of using the time to dash into Writing Room and write one or two hundred words, come up with idea of making pesto to put in freezer, something I've been meaning to do for past few days. Convince myself this is a very necessary job, as all five basil plants are now flowering, and their leaves are the size of saucers, and if I leave the pesto making even one more day, it will be too late.</span></div>
</li>
<li><div align="left">
<span style="font-size: small;">Make "To Take" list for forthcoming holiday</span></div>
</li>
<li><div align="left">
<span style="font-size: small;">Spend time in affectionate communication with cat</span></div>
</li>
<li><div align="left">
<span style="font-size: small;">Finally, find some remnants of self-discipline, and go to Writing Room with great intentions; but</span><br />
<a name='more'></a> when there, realise tomatoes will be ready in 15 minutes. Look at draft of latest novel, think, look out of window, curse under breath, and return to kitchen telling myself I can't get focussed for a mere quarter-of-an-hour. Brush to one side the fact that I didn't try, so I am talking rubbish</div>
</li>
</ul>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<li><div align="left">
<span style="font-size: small;">Pick up Italian phrase book and try to memorise for umpteenth time "That was delicious" <em>("Era squisito!") </em>so can be complimentary in restaurant, should meal deserve it</span></div>
</li>
<li><div align="left">
<span style="font-size: small;">Take tomatoes out of oven, and make sauce, which is far more fiddly, and takes far longer than I imagined (no, if I'm honest, I knew it would take ages, but pretended it wouldn't)</span></div>
</li>
<li><div align="left">
<span style="font-size: small;">Check emails</span></div>
</li>
<li><div align="left">
<span style="font-size: small;">Make cup of tea</span></div>
</li>
<li><div align="left">
<span style="font-size: small;">Put dishes away in cupboard</span></div>
</li>
<li><div align="left">
<span style="font-size: small;">Spend time in affectionate communication with other cat</span></div>
</li>
<li><div align="left">
<span style="font-size: small;">Remember haven't posted friend's birthday card; even though friend's birthday is four days away, somehow feel it is necessary to post her card now, this very instant. </span></div>
</li>
<li><div align="left">
<span style="font-size: small;">Go into garden for wander about. See weed. See several more weeds. Just <em>have</em> to pull them up.</span></div>
</li>
<li><div align="left">
<span style="font-size: small;">Because I'm now feeling guilty at all this procrastination, go back to Writing Room, hoping that inspiration and enthusiasm might strike in equal portions. Laptop has closed itself down; on desk scribbles in notebook are barely decipherable; one of cats has sat on notebook and page is covered with bits of fur and assorted dross; empty coffee mug, and plate with scattered toast crumbs from yesterday not very appealing. Sort out drawers and empty wastepaper basket.</span></div>
</li>
<div align="left">
<span style="font-size: small;">Decide that I might as well accept that I've distracted and delayed this day away, and am not going to be productive in a creative, writing kind of a way today.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Make vow that tomorrow will get up early, and immediately after breakfast will go straight to Writing Room and write, despite whatever else is going in. Will ignore such things as ironing, cat-smoothing (unless cat is sitting on desk and this can be done whilst writing).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Will try to accept that Distractions and Delaying Tactics are all part of a writer's life, and so long as they don't happen too frequently, and I don't beat myself up for being weak and lacking in self-discipline, I'll accept the fact that maybe there's a reason I need to take a breather for a while, step back, smooth the cat, do a few unnecessary things, before returning to my wonderful world of writing.</span><br />
<br />
<div align="left">
<span style="font-size: small;">I'd love to hear what distractions and delaying tactics you use.</span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14259593459893658823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8507895773660505693.post-58887074664618014142013-07-30T11:27:00.000-07:002013-09-28T06:01:12.996-07:00WRITER'S BLOCK - or Blank Mind Syndrome<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRQQuI_Rax4ZoC-Lfsz5sdQZqATexM8dqABD8CyaJFSc_YEBcmzLOoiv2yz-eQ1uhnlrfhhO2HAS8qNWYlhLPCwu71zUk1vt18vQxJyzvfqq7lCMvs9N2LdbLa8HE9lh6UyjRSdScFrZg/s1600/natural+thoughts+image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRQQuI_Rax4ZoC-Lfsz5sdQZqATexM8dqABD8CyaJFSc_YEBcmzLOoiv2yz-eQ1uhnlrfhhO2HAS8qNWYlhLPCwu71zUk1vt18vQxJyzvfqq7lCMvs9N2LdbLa8HE9lh6UyjRSdScFrZg/s200/natural+thoughts+image.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Image courtesy of Idea go/FreeDigitalPhotos.net</span></em></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="left">
You must have experienced it – and pretty regularly, I’m sure, if you’re anything like I am. I call it Blank Mind Syndrome, or BMS for short. </div>
<br />
<br />
You start out filled with ideas and enthusiasm and energy, as thousands of words skirmish inside, all raring to come out and be strung into magnificent sentences and paragraphs. You’re feeling creative and powerful and confident.<br />
<br />
And then you sit down in front of the blank computer screen or piece of paper and suddenly you’re blank too. <br />
<br />
What’s happened? <br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
You make a supreme effort and write a few words. Then you read what you’ve written, realise it’s rubbish, sigh, curse, press delete and sigh again. You sit, adjust the jar with the pens in, fiddle with a spot or a fingernail, lean back, lean forwards, get up, sit down. You stare out of the window or at the computer screen or a blank piece of wall and disappear into a trance. This is all very well if you want to be meditating, but not if you're trying to write. You don't know you've been lost in a trance until you come out of it a couple of minutes later and realise you've been staring at nothing, and that your mind has not pestered you in any way for 120 whole seconds!<br />
<br />
You think it may help if to go away for a few minutes, and decide to go and make a coffee. While you’re in the kitchen you think you’d quite like a slice of toast, and then you realise you haven’t phoned the person you’d said you’d phone/put the bread in the machine to bake/booked that dental appointment, so you spend an hour eating toast, drinking coffee and performing unnecessary tasks before you return to your writing space. <br />
<br />
Pepped up with coffee and toast, you decide you’re going to make a real effort. But nothing happens. You curse or weep, convinced your creative juices have dried up and that you will never write again. <br />
<br />
This is Blank Mind Syndrome (BMS). Don't worry, it will pass, but there are ways to accelerate its departure.<br />
<br />
Here are 10 tips I’ve found helpful when assailed by BMS:<br />
<br />
1. If you’ve written something, don’t delete it. At least if you’ve begun to write something there’s a possibility it may gather momentum.<br />
<br />
2. If you’ve started, try to continue writing. Even if you’re thinking it’s rubbish, even if you’re despairing that you’ll never write again, even if it actually is rubbish. Just carry on writing.<br />
<br />
3. Don’t sit and fiddle with pen-jars and fingernails. Focus on what’s in hand.<br />
<br />
4. Although it does sometimes help to leave something you’re having trouble with, and come back to it later, don’t leave something just because you’ve run out of persistence. Stick with it.<br />
<br />
5. Don’t invent excuses to keep you from returning. We could all fill hours and days doing things simply to prevent ourselves having to wade through BMS.<br />
<br />
6. Don’t be cruel to yourself: Your creative juices are still lush and plentiful and you will definitely write again.<br />
<br />
7. Set yourself a time limit. Decide you will write, rubbish or not, for the next hour and not delete anything. Remind yourself that no-one but you is seeing what you’re writing and that while you are writing you’re getting the better of BMS!<br />
<br />
8. Promise yourself a treat. This is entirely up to you, but you could think “Right, after 200 words I’ll have a coffee, after 500 a peach and a 10 minute break, after 1000 a haloumi and hummous wrap…….” Whatever does it for you.<br />
<br />
9. Don’t correct as you go along. Let it flow. If you stop to change a word or a description, you’ll interrupt that flow.<br />
<br />
10. Forget the staring at the wall trance. Why not try meditation? It will surely help to change Blank Mind Syndrome to Blissful Meditative State! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi55pYFCDtdjpP2xQosyhgE_OttSC61mYFaTInlXL6wHcHRRpZqO1YbwPhygm3EXhQuAeBASv2403quRdMefgFBXV9ImEJKbyFc0fkmsNi9ANbkVyBbflsa7ypRs_fLXn-X_JyYwZSckXA/s1600/figure+doing+meditation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi55pYFCDtdjpP2xQosyhgE_OttSC61mYFaTInlXL6wHcHRRpZqO1YbwPhygm3EXhQuAeBASv2403quRdMefgFBXV9ImEJKbyFc0fkmsNi9ANbkVyBbflsa7ypRs_fLXn-X_JyYwZSckXA/s200/figure+doing+meditation.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Image Courtesy of Master Isolated Images/FreeDigitalPhotos.net</span></em></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14259593459893658823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8507895773660505693.post-86451180677431752112013-07-29T04:58:00.000-07:002013-07-29T06:57:02.814-07:00THE DREADED MARKETING!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUvH33hHM3Z5mzRLPF_hzWX0SEBV_FQEALT4s1CtynjNtlG6twQLAi6IgvC-o598sKJue_gL_8j-F1CSRJ3fJYfy5ISQ7czx8jJK64TgRgBZgb9M8p1ovfnenmwftD2EPZZky_Ww_1b3U/s1600/Marketing+Image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img bba="true" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUvH33hHM3Z5mzRLPF_hzWX0SEBV_FQEALT4s1CtynjNtlG6twQLAi6IgvC-o598sKJue_gL_8j-F1CSRJ3fJYfy5ISQ7czx8jJK64TgRgBZgb9M8p1ovfnenmwftD2EPZZky_Ww_1b3U/s320/Marketing+Image.jpg" width="320" /></a><br /><em><span style="font-size: x-small;">image courtesy of smarnad/FreeDigitalPhotos.net</span></em></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
That’s the trouble - it’s not just a case of unravelling ideas until you have a plot, turning it into a book and then, one way or another, having it published.<br />
<br />
If that’s all I had to do, I’d be perfectly happy. After all, I’m a writer and that’s what I want to do – write. <br />
<br />
But it turns out I now have to go about selling my book – and myself – to the world. Or at least the part of the world that constitutes my potential readership.<br />
<br />
Marketing. To me, the word smacks of pushiness, selling, standing up and yelling <em>“Look at me! Look what I’ve done! Come and look! Come and buy!”</em> I’m not a pushy, yelling kind of a person and I’m not especially comfortable with the idea of selling myself.<br />
<br />
However, I’m discovering <br />
<a name='more'></a>that I just have to get over it and get comfortable with it! Although a publishing service provider will do a certain amount towards publicising the book, the author also needs to promote it in as many ways as possible. And I think this particularly applies to those of us who are self-publishers.<br />
<br />
In Matador’s marketing section they write; <em>“…for the majority of self-published authors, the more you put into the marketing yourself, the more rewards you can reap.”</em><br />
<br />
Although I realise the truth of this, I surely can't be the only one who thinks marketing is a necessary evil. There must be others besides me who grimace inwardly at the idea of press releases, book launches, building ‘media platforms’etc?<br />
<br />
A book I’m finding helpful is <a href="http://www.troubador.co.uk/book_info.asp?bookid=854"><em>A Seriously Useful Author’s Guide to Marketing and Publicising Books</em> by <em>Mary Cavanagh.</em></a> It’s published by Troubador Publishing Ltd and costs £7.99.<br />
<br />
I also read an article by <em>James Calbraith</em> on the <em><a href="http://allianceindependentauthors.org/">ALLI (Alliance of Independent Authors)</a></em> blog, relating his experience of his first year as an indie author. He gives advice on what has and hasn’t worked for him re getting himself, and his writing known about. He eventually whittles down to five concise points what he considers he’s done right over the past year. It’s worth reading and if you’d like to have a look you can find him on:<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<a href="http://selfpublishingadvice.org/blog/my-first-year-in-self-publishing-8000-sales-on/"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">http://selfpublishingadvice.org/blog/my-first-year-in-self-publishing-8000-sales-on/</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<br />
There’s a hoard of good advice on the ALLI blog.This is the link: <a href="http://allianceindependentauthors.org/about.html">http://allianceindependentauthors.org/about.html</a> If you sign up (free) they’ll email you links to new articles/info every few days.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile, I'm repeating this simple mantra: <em>No-one will buy a book they don't know exists. The only way anyone will find out about it is if it is marketed. I am an essential part of my book and I have to take an essential part in its marketing. Accept it!</em><br />
<h2>
<br /> </h2>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14259593459893658823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8507895773660505693.post-77821954408937163412013-07-24T07:06:00.000-07:002013-07-24T08:05:10.786-07:00THIS BLOGGING BLOG!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihtHke_x7wpOyi1mAmkzKQSE3MDYlUlKWTSNU8WLYGgNrSHIFlHnWIHcWq9NTrLeHrHVWlbe5UJ8VPZhLHz7Km8OHY3wrvoKDwh_tHXFcDgnIMOe4-rrpcrNAcmuOTgxiVUYH3czEFvpU/s1600/blog+image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img bba="true" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihtHke_x7wpOyi1mAmkzKQSE3MDYlUlKWTSNU8WLYGgNrSHIFlHnWIHcWq9NTrLeHrHVWlbe5UJ8VPZhLHz7Km8OHY3wrvoKDwh_tHXFcDgnIMOe4-rrpcrNAcmuOTgxiVUYH3czEFvpU/s320/blog+image.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Well, this is my first post. Hello everyone. There have been not a few blogging expletives as I have been creating this site – my mind doesn’t work at its best in blog-creating mode, I have to say.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But here it is, and it’ll have to do for now!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">I’ve read quite a lot about blogging, and whether or not writers need to do it. Opinions are divided but I particularly liked what <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Randy Susan Meyers </i>had to say on her blog <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://www.randysusanmeyers.com/blog/">Word Love.</a> </i>Her agent told her: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Try it, see if you like it, if you do, then blog. If you don’t, don’t”. </i></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Seems like sense, doesn’t it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>I found Randy’s article <em>(To Blog or not to Blog: Authors Online)</em> informative and helpful – you can read it at <a href="http://www.randysusanmeyers.com/2010/10/to-blog-or-not-to-blog-authors-online/">http://www.randysusanmeyers.com/2010/10/to-blog-or-not-to-blog-authors-online/</a></span><br />
<br />
Image courtesy of Iamnee / <a href="http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/" target="_blank">FreeDigitalPhotos.net</a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14259593459893658823noreply@blogger.com0