I picked up an old copy (2009) of Writing Magazine and read a article on the debut novelist Hilary Dixon.

Apparently, she read in the Guardian about the dearth of love stories in the literary world. So, she wrote a novel, When Rooks Speak of Love which is more about love being seen as the primal element rather than as a romantic sentiment.

However, her style of writing meant that it was a struggle for her to get published – 18 rejections later – she was successful with Solidus publishing.

If a novel isn’t easily pigeon-holed, then mainstream publishers may not find the book interesting as it isn’t easily marketable.

Against my views, I wrote a more people friendly ending – but somehow it grates with me – I like the darkness of life to be reflected – and let’s face it , endings are often grim, painful and dark.

With my current WIP ,there is one death in the pipe line – but the death serves a purpose to the plot.

I liked this quote from Hilary Dixon (2009) –

“Try to define yourself as a writer. It’s the act of writing, not the fact of being published, that makes you a writer.”

So cool 🙂

Ian Rankin (2009) advises- “To become a writer, you have to believe in yourself and in your work.”

Oh yes, I hear you 🙂

I’m re-writing first 3 chapters of current WIP after feedback from youwrite. The last one was harsh to start with but then gave me 5 out of 5 for characters & plot – but the harshness has made me read over & over again with a red pen in hand.

I am avidly reading books & articles on dialogue, character and so forth which makes me return to my work with a critical eye – I am either enthused or sinking in the pool of ‘is it worth it?’

I think I write in the genre of Black Romance – does that exist?
If not, it should, & I name it now, as that is what I write.

Happy Word Flow One & All

I have sadly been struck by the ‘I am a pants writer’ disease. It has nibbled away at me for a few days before erupting into the full blown disease.

I have hidden away from this blog, I have hardly tweeted and i have only had short bursts of writing interjected with taking one daughter or the other to the GP, parents evenings and general household necessities.

Why is it that some days I feel I have a story to tell, emotions to explore and characters to create, and other days, I feel an empty darkness pervading my soul that prevents me from putting pen to paper or fingers to keyboard.

It’s not writers block – the characters live and play in my head most days – and I’m not clinically depressed, I just find waiting for agents to say yes or no hard at times. The longer the time goes on the easier it gets I suppose, but even ease can fluctuate.

The odd tweet about this has seen me receive sweet words from people on Twitter so I know I’m not alone in suffering from this malicious syndrome – but malady in numbers doesn’t feel less painful.

I went to a comedy club last weekend and Arthur Smith said that I was too kind, hence I’ll not always get what I want – does he know something I don’t?

I have a couple of competition pieces in the pipeline if I can put words to quill.

Fellow writers and bloggers – what do you do in times like these? I had a hot cross bun with jam and clotted cream which I suppose helped as I’ve written this!

Happy Word Flow One & All

Call me impetuous, but I’ve uploaded my current WIP – Almost an Affair – onto youwritecom

Why another novel on the site I hear you cry – well, I thought it might be useful to start ‘working’ with the site whilst I have only written 17, 500. I like to keep a check on my writing this way, so it made sense to me.

Almost an Affair

Her husband James has just died, but his past is resurrected through his mistress, another woman and her son. Celia tries to cope with these revelations whilst she tries to please everyone around her, especially her daughter, Jennifer.
She sometimes forget her own needs.

I’m sorry this is short, not that well today and I have one of the guineapigs on my lap with my laptop – nightmare city!

This is a little taster, but I’ve a long way to go as there are quite a few characters and their paths are winding.

Happy Word Flow One & All

I had eagerly awaited my 1st review on youwrite.com and when it arrived yesterday, I soaked up every word of advise.

The first 3 chapters was given 3 stars out of 5, which thrilled me – phew.

However, the reader had gone to great lengths to point out parts that didn’t work so well, so last night and this morning, I have been changing the parts suggested. Too fast, I hear you cry, why not wait to hear what others have to say.

Yes, I hear what you’re saying, however the reader had literally written thousands of reviews and she clearly understood the craft of writing.

I somehow wish it hadn’t taken me so long to join the site, but as the old adage goes, better late than never.

Anyway, the sun is shining and it’s Mother’s Day so I will bid you all farewell.

Happy Word Flow One & All

I’m enjoying youwrite.com as I’ve reviewed 2 pieces of work, so 2 more to go then I can read what others have said about mine. On reading the works, I realised how well other people write – not that I ever doubted it – and what competition is out there to tempt the agents and publishers.

Does this make me want to turn and run – no – it makes me want to write better and work harder. I think my current WIP is perhaps better written that the previous one – but perhaps all writers feel that way about their work?

I have entered 2 competitions recently but i expect to come nowhere as i made some rudimentary mistakes that I only spotted afterwards – less haste blah blah.

I have finished another comp piece that I need to send off but I must check it before – it’s so annoying that spellcheck doesn’t pick up single letter mistakes ie. p- u -o

I’m finding that my current characters are buzzing around my head during the day even when I’m doing something else – they feel so real – I just hope they feel as real to the readers that will one day fall upon my work in a library or WHSmith or Amazon – it’s good to dream.

Dreaming isn’t enough – I must work, work , work at this dream to make it come true.
Only I have the power and control over my dreams – I need others’ expertise so help the dream become a reality.

Happy Word Flow One & All

A rejection letter flopped through the letterbox and I was instantaneously transported to failures-ville, thinking that my genre didn’t fit in and that I was unmarketable – poor me syndrome kicking in.

I logged onto Twitter and a fellow writer – Jammer 0501 – James Killick – who’s blog you can connect to via this site, made me laugh as we began talking about my love of Anita Brookner and how I don’t write about vampires.

Anyway, he challenged me to write a short story combining the Brookner – Vampire genres and I’ve already written a page and a half – when finished, I will see if a writers’ mag would publish it.

So out of the gloom, I’m reignited and swilling new words and thoughts around my brain.

I’m now also approaching a couple of publishing houses to see if I would do better there – I can’t give up – I don’ want to and all writers have highs and lows – I could do with more highs though.

If you’re reading this, you’re probably on Twitter – if not, tempt yourself into another dimension – it really can perk you up with the french fries are down.

Happy Word Flow One & All