I seem to be getting into the habit of writing a weekly blog. Now that I have actually put it into print it will probably go haywire and it will be ages before I get the chance to get another posting done.
The last time I was on I was saying that I was stuck. I still am to a certain extent. I have managed to get some writing done; having got to chapter three. I was hoping that I might have managed to pick up the rhythm a bit but obviously not. Here is hoping that sometime soon things are just going to fall into place again.
Not even finishing my Christmas shopping and finishing my Christmas cards for posting has managed to get me into the flow of things like I had hoped. I am hoping to get unstuck soon. I better go as I feel that I might manage to get something put down onto paper once I have made myself the much needed coffee. Wish me luck; please!
Thursday, 18 November 2010
Wednesday, 10 November 2010
Stuck
I've got going on novel number two. I have managed to write the first chapter and am onto the second but have got stuck over the last few days. The first novel flowed so easily I couldn't write it down quick enough but this one is just so much more difficult for some reason. I really must try much harder. (That sounded like an old school report there sorry).
I have to admit for some reason I knew the second one would be harder but I thought I would have more difficulty in acutally coming up with the idea not settling down to writing it. But each to their own I suppose. I best go and see if I can manage to get myself into the swing again. Here's hoping my next post will be a bit more positive.
I have to admit for some reason I knew the second one would be harder but I thought I would have more difficulty in acutally coming up with the idea not settling down to writing it. But each to their own I suppose. I best go and see if I can manage to get myself into the swing again. Here's hoping my next post will be a bit more positive.
Friday, 29 October 2010
Novel Number Two
How many times in the three and a bit years I have been doing the WB course has that lack of self confidence kicked in? Many I can assure you, and it has done it again. This you may have noticed, fellow bloggers, in my last blog.
Now thankfully the lack of self confidence has now gone and things seem to be getting back on track again. How do I know this? I have started novel number two.
Novel number one has been worked to within an inch of it's life, to say the least, and after a visit to the local library to use their copy of the Writers and Artists Yearbook so I could get a list of agents I have started the task of sending out my work in the hope that an agent will like what they see and decide to take me on as a client. I live in hope with fingers, toes, arms and legs all crossed. But to stop my nerves from kicking in and my self confidence plummeting into the depths I have started the second book in my trilogy. The background work has been done, new characters profiled (must get the profiles of the returning characters out of the filing system), scenes and chapters typed and printed, and today pen got put together and the second novel has begun. A day to remember although if the last book is anything to go by it will soon become and dim and distant memory.
And so to the filing box before I forget and pull out those profiles I desperately need. I hope that I will hear from you all soon.
Now thankfully the lack of self confidence has now gone and things seem to be getting back on track again. How do I know this? I have started novel number two.
Novel number one has been worked to within an inch of it's life, to say the least, and after a visit to the local library to use their copy of the Writers and Artists Yearbook so I could get a list of agents I have started the task of sending out my work in the hope that an agent will like what they see and decide to take me on as a client. I live in hope with fingers, toes, arms and legs all crossed. But to stop my nerves from kicking in and my self confidence plummeting into the depths I have started the second book in my trilogy. The background work has been done, new characters profiled (must get the profiles of the returning characters out of the filing system), scenes and chapters typed and printed, and today pen got put together and the second novel has begun. A day to remember although if the last book is anything to go by it will soon become and dim and distant memory.
And so to the filing box before I forget and pull out those profiles I desperately need. I hope that I will hear from you all soon.
Monday, 25 October 2010
Writing Changes
I was always the sister that many thought was the shy, quiet one. I think I have surprised a few people along the way as I haven't turned out to be so shy and retiring. My other half just snorts at me when I say that I was once, shy and retiring.
Even though I have come out of my shell, so to speak, my self confidence hasn't exactly been very high. I would never be able to do something like Strictly Come dancing or X facter as I am neither very good at dancing or singing. I would also be very embarrassed at having to do something in front of the general public.
However, when I made the concious decision to try writing a novel I managed to get to the end. I was filled with elation. I had managed to do it but then came the scary bit. I had then to go on and start my attempts at getting an agent. This is not the easiest of things. I know that from the many interviews I have read about other authors. But if I had still be that shy, quiet and retiring youngster that I once was then I would have given up after the first rejection and gone no further; but I have now applied to two further agents. I would never have done that in what now feels like a previous life. It is amazing just how obvious to me it now is; just how much I have changed and all because of a writing course and great tution.
Even though I have come out of my shell, so to speak, my self confidence hasn't exactly been very high. I would never be able to do something like Strictly Come dancing or X facter as I am neither very good at dancing or singing. I would also be very embarrassed at having to do something in front of the general public.
However, when I made the concious decision to try writing a novel I managed to get to the end. I was filled with elation. I had managed to do it but then came the scary bit. I had then to go on and start my attempts at getting an agent. This is not the easiest of things. I know that from the many interviews I have read about other authors. But if I had still be that shy, quiet and retiring youngster that I once was then I would have given up after the first rejection and gone no further; but I have now applied to two further agents. I would never have done that in what now feels like a previous life. It is amazing just how obvious to me it now is; just how much I have changed and all because of a writing course and great tution.
Sunday, 12 September 2010
Nervous Novelist
I never thought I would see the day when I could actually turn round to people and say that I had written a novel. But I have and I do. Not only have I done that but I have actually sent away the first the chapters and a synposis attached to my initial email as requested by the agent I would like to represent me.
I don't recall feeling as nervous as I did that Tuesday when I had pressed the send button and everything disappeared from my screen and winged its way to its destination. Those first few seconds after it had gone I felt a surge of nerves and excitment. It was better than the feeling when I had known the last of my exams were over at high school; and so I told everyone that I had finally plucked up the courage and done it.
Now I am nearly two weeks on since pressing that send button. The one which is going to let me know whether I am really any good or not as a novelist. I still have a long wait for a reply I hasten to add. It will be at least six weeks before I hear anything and even then it will depend on how busy they are at the other end. All I can do is wait. But it is like waiting for that dreaded brown envelope containing the certificate with my exam results on it. Nerves are beginning to grow and I still have at least a month. But I have to admit even thought there are all these emotions running rampant I am glad that I took the plunge and didn't. If I hadn't then I would be regretting it right now. All I can do is sit and wait and get on with the sequel. To many ideas so little time.
I don't recall feeling as nervous as I did that Tuesday when I had pressed the send button and everything disappeared from my screen and winged its way to its destination. Those first few seconds after it had gone I felt a surge of nerves and excitment. It was better than the feeling when I had known the last of my exams were over at high school; and so I told everyone that I had finally plucked up the courage and done it.
Now I am nearly two weeks on since pressing that send button. The one which is going to let me know whether I am really any good or not as a novelist. I still have a long wait for a reply I hasten to add. It will be at least six weeks before I hear anything and even then it will depend on how busy they are at the other end. All I can do is wait. But it is like waiting for that dreaded brown envelope containing the certificate with my exam results on it. Nerves are beginning to grow and I still have at least a month. But I have to admit even thought there are all these emotions running rampant I am glad that I took the plunge and didn't. If I hadn't then I would be regretting it right now. All I can do is sit and wait and get on with the sequel. To many ideas so little time.
Friday, 3 September 2010
What is it about nerves?
I am an emotional person. I always have been. That is a part of my life. I know this and have accepted this fact. Nothing is going to ever change that. But what is it about nerves?
I am not nervous all the time don't get me wrong but. There is always a but isn't there? whenever I have an interview or sit and exam, or in this instance sent an email with the first three chapters of my first ever book along with the synopsis as requeste, my nerves just kick in. I can't help it. They weren't there two seconds before I sent the email but as soon as I pressed the send button then every single nerve I possess came out of hibernation. Followed very quickly by a feeling of euphoria.
I don't regret what I have done. I always wanted to be able to say that I have written a novel and tried to get it published but it is just that initial pressing the send button and knowing that I have actually done it. No sooner had the nerves kicked in then they disappeared again and all I wanted to do was tell all my friends that I had actually had the guts to do. Numerous texts and phone calls later and I am still on a bit of a high. The nerves have disappeared but the feeling of euphoria is still at it's peak and those ants have now come out of hibernation. Why can't it just be one thing at a time? It takes me until about midnight to actually calm down again to be able to sit in my seat without wriggling about. Don't even ask me to go to bed at that point there is just no way I am going to be able to get to sleep.
I must try and find something that takes my mind of it but the only thing I can think of is starting the next novel. Hhhhhmmmmm might let those nerves calm down a bit more. Sleep seems more valueable than starting a novel right away. Especially a half past midnight.
I am not nervous all the time don't get me wrong but. There is always a but isn't there? whenever I have an interview or sit and exam, or in this instance sent an email with the first three chapters of my first ever book along with the synopsis as requeste, my nerves just kick in. I can't help it. They weren't there two seconds before I sent the email but as soon as I pressed the send button then every single nerve I possess came out of hibernation. Followed very quickly by a feeling of euphoria.
I don't regret what I have done. I always wanted to be able to say that I have written a novel and tried to get it published but it is just that initial pressing the send button and knowing that I have actually done it. No sooner had the nerves kicked in then they disappeared again and all I wanted to do was tell all my friends that I had actually had the guts to do. Numerous texts and phone calls later and I am still on a bit of a high. The nerves have disappeared but the feeling of euphoria is still at it's peak and those ants have now come out of hibernation. Why can't it just be one thing at a time? It takes me until about midnight to actually calm down again to be able to sit in my seat without wriggling about. Don't even ask me to go to bed at that point there is just no way I am going to be able to get to sleep.
I must try and find something that takes my mind of it but the only thing I can think of is starting the next novel. Hhhhhmmmmm might let those nerves calm down a bit more. Sleep seems more valueable than starting a novel right away. Especially a half past midnight.
Friday, 27 August 2010
Big Bang Weekend
My holidays ended with a very busy weekend last weekend. I have barely recovered from it and today is friday. That says alot doesn't it.
Last Saturday I was helping my friend and her mum at an event with the birds of prey. Well busy doesn't even begin to describe how the afternoon went. There were a number of other stalls round about us doing there own thing. But for some reason the crowds instinctively knew we had arrived.
We had barely got the boxes and various pieces of equipment out of the car when we had a row of young people wanting to know what we had in the boxes. Before the last of the birds had been brought out of their boxes there was a queue. I have never seen anything like it. Imagine it if you can; eight birds and three woman faced with a queue that seemed to disappear into the distance. We were stunned. It was so busy all of the time that it was a case of 'Lunch' what is that? and as for a loo break we had our legs crossed until we couldn't keep them crossed any longer. We each had to make a mad dash to the toilet and a mad dash back again. That was kinda funny I have to admit. The neverending queue (we seemed to be the only ones who had this queue) made the afternoon passed very quickly. Before we knew it everyone was tidying up round about us but we still had that neverending queue of people. We could have been there all night if the crowds had had their way. We were all glad to get home again. I have never seen three women be able to move things so quickly in my life before with exception to the loo run.
Sunday was spent at Braehead in Glasgow at the Collectormania Convention. This is the one day of the year that I really look forward to. We get to have a look around for things that we (my husband and I) are really into. It was so much fun. We arrived early and got to look around first. Five hours laters and we are only thinking on leaving after participating in a couple of question and answer sessions with some of the stars that were there. Red Dwarf and Dr Who. I might have guessed. I have never been so tired in all my life. But I came away with some things that related to the Harry Potter movies. Well that is my thing and I enjoy it. Roll on November and Deathly Hallows Part 1.
Last Saturday I was helping my friend and her mum at an event with the birds of prey. Well busy doesn't even begin to describe how the afternoon went. There were a number of other stalls round about us doing there own thing. But for some reason the crowds instinctively knew we had arrived.
We had barely got the boxes and various pieces of equipment out of the car when we had a row of young people wanting to know what we had in the boxes. Before the last of the birds had been brought out of their boxes there was a queue. I have never seen anything like it. Imagine it if you can; eight birds and three woman faced with a queue that seemed to disappear into the distance. We were stunned. It was so busy all of the time that it was a case of 'Lunch' what is that? and as for a loo break we had our legs crossed until we couldn't keep them crossed any longer. We each had to make a mad dash to the toilet and a mad dash back again. That was kinda funny I have to admit. The neverending queue (we seemed to be the only ones who had this queue) made the afternoon passed very quickly. Before we knew it everyone was tidying up round about us but we still had that neverending queue of people. We could have been there all night if the crowds had had their way. We were all glad to get home again. I have never seen three women be able to move things so quickly in my life before with exception to the loo run.
Sunday was spent at Braehead in Glasgow at the Collectormania Convention. This is the one day of the year that I really look forward to. We get to have a look around for things that we (my husband and I) are really into. It was so much fun. We arrived early and got to look around first. Five hours laters and we are only thinking on leaving after participating in a couple of question and answer sessions with some of the stars that were there. Red Dwarf and Dr Who. I might have guessed. I have never been so tired in all my life. But I came away with some things that related to the Harry Potter movies. Well that is my thing and I enjoy it. Roll on November and Deathly Hallows Part 1.
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