Bits and Stuff

Have you seen that advertisement in cinemas fighting against piracy?  HERE it is if you haven't. Well it reminds me of my blog.  Obviously the fact that it isn't frequented like it once was, rather than any pirates being among the readers, you understand - although I wouldn’t mind the gogeous Johnny Depp dropping by.

Anyway, I thought I’d resurrect it, blow away some of the cobwebs, and say HI!  *WAVES*

I have got things to report.   Good things.  I DID crack The People’s Friend – oh yes indeed - and my story should be out any time soon, which is VERY exciting.   And I DID tip my Short Story Sales over the 30 mark – and today SOLD my 33^rd story!  It was a much needed boost, I can tell you.  There have been some self pitying days in my writerly world of late.  Days when rejection after rejection plopped through my letter box. I would have cried if it wasn’t that I’ve developed the hide of a rhino where writing is concerned. OK, I cried.  

On a positive, I’ve got a new puppy.  Here she is, looking like butter wouldn’t melt – let me tell you it does.

And, whoop!  I’ve finished re-writing NOVEL 1, and feel, for the first time since the idea was born, very happy with it - it’s time to cut the apron strings and see what happens.    

In other exciting news, the very lovely Karen Clarke’s novel: My Future Husband

has been published in Germany.  It’s a fantasticly, funny novel – and I wish it every success!

And the equally lovely Suzanne Jones' - writing as Suzanne Ross - pocket novel Trust in Me is due out this week, I believe - can't wait to pick up my copy!

So that’s a quick catch up.  Hope you folks are all keeping jolly well.

X

Is Anybody Out There?

Crumbs, I can't believe how dusty my blog was.  But with a little squirt of Pledge, and a quick nip around with a duster – it’s sparkling like new!

Well it’s been a while hasn’t it?  And although I’m peering through a now shiny screen – I'm wondering if you're there at all.  I wouldn't blame you for disappearing onto other blogs that update miraculously before your eyes, bringing with them exiting news and intelligent banter.  So, by way of an apology and a bribe to get you back, I’ve brought cupcakes.

Okay, so how have you all been over this past – ummm – four and a half months?  Is it really that long?  I’m so ashamed, but have an excuse for being absent without leave. I was waiting to announce that I’d achieved some of my 2012 goals. 

Except I haven't!

I'm doing okay though, as I've now sold 29 stories. I'm nearly able to add an extra star here - and I'm wearing my goggles and flippers in anticipation of plunging feet first into the 'I've sold over 30 stories club.'  Plus I've been asked for a story re-write by People's Friends would you believe?  Although I haven't yet dragged out my dancing shoes ready to celebrate cracking such a fab magazine, as I know they could still easily pass.

Ooh, and just to say Chloe Kent's (a.k.a, the lovely Karen Clarke) brilliant novel Dancing Queen has finalised for the Novelicious Undiscovered 2012 competition.  Go Read - it's FAB!


In other news – well I could go on and on and on, as waffling is my favourite past-time - as my hubby often says with his eyes, but I’d best not.  Just in case nobody’s there reading.  So I’ll just say I’ll be back soon with interesting and exciting posts on writing and other super intelligent stuff in the very near future – and I really, hopefully, maybe mean it this time!

X

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

'Well,' I hear you say, 'where the devil have you been?’ Actually I’m not sure anyone is saying anything, as you’ve probably all lost faith in me as a blogger by now.

But 2012 will be different. I promise. It's on my list of New Year's Resolutions to blog more regularly - and I never break a resolution - well only sometimes.

In the mean time have a great Christmas and a very happy 2012!

X

Non-smoker: Looking to share a novel with suitable voice and genre.

When I studied Creative Writing a few years back, my tutor emphatically told the class that to write you need to find your own voice and decide on a genre. Well I’ve found my voice twenty-seven times. Yes, I have multiple writing-personality disorder. And I’ve had more genres than hot dinners. (My tutor also said avoid clichés – so pretend I didn’t say that)

The thing is, I’ve written ghost stories, murder mysteries, comedy (well attempts at), love stories, chick-lit, tear-jerkers, factual articles, a children’s novel – oh, and now I’ve completed a thriller novel - but I still can’t find my voice or my genre.

Plus, I’m continually drawn to writing in first person. I pop myself right there in the protagonist’s head, and, well, talk like them. A thousand voices – but which one’s mine? Ooh, I feel like Rory Bremner.

So this whole 'voice' thing is a bit complex then, isn’t it? If you write in first person, then you are that person, that character – they can’t all be you, can they?

I suppose, then, I’m still experimenting. And if, by some sort of miracle one of my VERY different novels are ever snapped up – I would develop that voice and run with it.

In the mean time, I'll continue to have fun experimenting with different styles and voices. In fact, I’ve got a comedy, tear-jerker with lashings of ghosts, a dollop of murder mystery and a smidgen of love interest - written through twenty different first person viewpoints, on the go right this minute. You think I'm joking. :-)