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Thursday 2 November 2017

Staying Motivated When #amwriting a Novel

Southwold (during recent visit)
This blog was six years old last month. Yes, six years since I thought I was close to publication with book 1, and needed to build an online presence! I sent that book to around fifteen agents/independent publishers and was asked for the full manuscript a couple of times, but after receiving a critique which said I should get on with my next book and put book 1 to one side; I decided to take the advice. I have been thinking about book 1 recently though, and the time away from it has been good, but I plan to re-write it to match the length and genre of my book 2 (was present day with WWII journal excerpts; plan to re-write as a dual timeline). 

I’m still working on that second book, although it is going fairly well. I have pitched it to agents a couple of times, and feedback has been positive with requests for a full (which I haven’t sent because it isn’t done...). A successful and well-known agent approached me a year or so ago, although my book turned out not to be what they were looking for (but that did give me a boost).

It’s moving forwards at least, as I’m sending 10K sections to a mentor every month (or so, depending on summer hols etc-I have two kids). I started working with a mentor in January of this year, and I’m over halfway through the novel now (this is around the tenth draft). It could be moving more quickly, yes, but life is busy, and for some reason I chose to set my novel in the eighteenth century and present day-and I’m no eighteenth century expert. At the moment, I have to accept there is only so much time for everything, and as long as the book is moving forwards that’s the main thing.

I used to get stressed when there wasn’t time to write, which would then make it more difficult to write when the time arose. Now, I have this new process where I work on 10K at a time, I no longer feel stressed, about writing, at least. I go without writing for a few weeks sometimes, especially during school holidays, but as long as I have my self-imposed deadline to work towards, I manage to get the 10K done. I have extended the deadline once (last time) when life took over a bit, and that last 10K felt like a struggle-the words did not come easily-because a few weeks had lapsed since the previous section. Just getting that section completed and sent off to my mentor was more important to me than whether it was my best writing. Because then I was back on the road to book completion.

I know that if/when I’m ever published, I wouldn’t have the luxury of writing 10K at a time, but when life is busy, sometimes it’s difficult to justify spending hours on an activity which is unpaid, rather than spending time with my kids. If/when I’m published, I shall have to work more quickly, of course.

Southwold
So, how do you stay motivated when writing a novel?

I know, from my neetsmarketing work and from writer/author friends, that this is something so many writers struggle with; even those who have published many books, and sold many too. It’s comforting to know that even authors who are published feel unmotivated and lose confidence sometimes. 

For me, setting deadlines works, with so many words to be done by a certain date. And if I don’t meet the deadline, I simply extend it and move on. 

Then, I have to get my head ready to be able to write. I do lots of yoga, go for walks. Although I am sociable, I like to spend time by myself, and have always been this way-to read, or watch a TV programme or film that I want to watch. Sometimes I have to do a lot of this to get myself in the zone. If life has been hectic, I can’t just go and write without getting my head straight first.

Writing other stuff helps to build confidence, and it's what I do when I can't focus on my WIP, but want to write. I enjoy writing flash fiction because it doesn't take much time, at all, and it's a good way to exercise the old writing muscles. I've written a handful of short stories, although I don't find them easy to write. When my short story, The Reminiscence Tea was highly commended in the February issue of Writers' Forum, that was a real boost.

Edith Pretty's house through the trees at Sutton Hoo
Going out for the day, especially to do research is motivating. I love walks and visits to country houses with the family, where I visualise scenes from my WIP. I've been to Sutton Hoo twice recently during short breaks in Southwold (a favourite place), and find the story of Edith Pretty and Basil Brown, and how the treasure was discovered fascinating. I'd like to write a short story inspired by the place, but haven't worked out how yet.

Writing retreats are worth it. I can’t say I’ve achieved much in the way of word count on the writing retreats I’ve been on (especially compared to one of my inspiring author friends who has usually done 1K+ before I’ve even got out of bed). But, I do love to be around other writers who are friends and draw inspiration from them. Even if I don’t get many words down on the retreat, I usually achieve a light bulb moment in relation to my WIP because I have the luxury of thinking about it all day for two-three days. Then, when I return, that’s when I get the writing done, because I’m truly in the zone. I have a retreat coming up at the end of November, in the Cotswolds, and I can’t wait.

If you struggle to motivate yourself to write, you are not alone, and it is fixable, even if you haven't written for months, or more. It's National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), which I know is helpful to many writers for getting the words down. I'm not taking part this year, but one of these days I hope to.

So, six years on, I'm not published, but I feel I've learnt how to write in that time, and publication is realistically closer than it was then. I know a lot about the publishing industry now, especially through my neetsmarketing work, and that's helpful when knowing who to approach and how. Hopefully, in another six years, I'll be there-otherwise it will be a bit embarrassing...!

Saturday 8 July 2017

How Does Reality TV Help Writers?


There’s been a lot of talk in the press and on social media about the latest reality TV hit, Love Island (which seems to be continually trending on Twitter #LoveIsland) and how not everyone would admit to being a fan. Here’s one of many articles on the subject, written by Tim Jonze, via The Guardian.

I am generally a reality TV fan, but I find some shows more addictive than others-my favourites being The Only Way is Essex (TOWIE), Made in Chelsea and Celebrity Big Brother (CBB). Sometimes I watch I’m a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!, but it varies each year, depending on who is taking part. The problem with watching reality TV is that it’s a time-consuming occupation. In the past, I’ve added up the hours spent watching CBB, and thought-I could have spent all of that time writing. But then I told myself I was doing research...I have to say, when episodes have become very negative with nothing but arguing or ganging up on someone (even if they’re being unreasonable, I can’t bear to watch it), I’ve skipped them as I watch reality TV to feel happy rather than miserable.

But, what can reality TV offer to writers? A great deal.

If you’re writing about characters in their 20s, and it’s been a while since you were in your 20s (ha!), this is the perfect way to find out more about how the life of a twentysomething has changed. Some programmes, such as CBB don’t allow phones, but with TOWIE and Made in Chelsea, (and even a little bit in Love Island), phones are used constantly to communicate-to arrange dates or to invite people to parties with messaging, FaceTime, Voice Memos, and occasionally good old-fashioned phone calls. There's a lot of talk on TOWIE about what's been seen on Snapchat too re photos from nights out of boyfriends with other girls etc. In TOWIE, they keep showing people paying for drinks at the bar using their phone as well. All of these details, although small can be used to make the life of a twentysomething character more real. And I certainly need this info for the main present day character in my WIP (#amwriting a dual timeline also set in the eighteenth century).

Many reality TV programmes, most of those mentioned above anyway, are about dating or relationships-helpful if you’re writing romantic fiction about twentysomethings. 

These programmes tend to include people with a range of personalities, which can fuel ideas on how to develop a character. There are those who keep their cool at all times and never truly reveal themselves; those who play games and who are there to win; those who enjoy winding others up or playing people off against each other. Then there are those who fly off the handle-but sometimes this can be the result of someone continually pushing their buttons. There are the alpha males and alpha females who naturally take the lead in a situation, or play the diplomats when others argue. When the programme is a competition, often those who are most liked by the other contestants win.

I avoided Love Island initially this year because I couldn't get into it last year. But after all the fuss in the press and on social media, I thought I’d give it a go. And yes, now I’m a bit addicted and disappointed that it doesn’t seem to be on on Saturday nights-my husband is out and for once I wouldn’t have to watch it on catch-up (there is some kind of round-up of the week episode on)-which is why I’m writing this post instead.

And who are my favourite characters in Love Island? I can’t help liking Kem and Amber. Wouldn’t everyone love a Kem in their life to do their hair (he's a hairdresser) and to talk to about their problems? But after last night's episode, where they were split up during a recoupling, who knows if they’ll be there at the end?

Previous Post: There's Something About #amwriting in Costa Coffee
Latest post from my neetsmarketing blog: What are Hashtags, Why Use Them, and How? 


Friday 5 May 2017

There's Something About #amwriting in Costa Coffee

Rhododendron and bluebells at Winkworth Arboretum
I just checked and realised I haven’t blogged here in March or April. Life has been busy, but also I’m struggling to find anything to write about on this blog. Since 2011, I’ve done a lot of posts about writing, and pep talks to self, and who wants to read more of those? If/when I’m published, I’ll be able to blog about my research and to talk about writing and editing and finishing a novel as if I know what I’m talking about. Yesterday, I did what I usually do when not knowing what to blog about. I wrote a draft post on what I've been doing since my last post, covering: spring research walks in bluebell woods and visits to country houses, a trip to Southwold; Larry in the new series of The Durrells dropping his typewriter from a tree, having pages from his manuscript stolen by magpies and no one turning up to his book launch; working with a mentor, and my thoughts on a book I’m reading by a favourite author, Anne Tyler-Vinegar Girl.

Bluebells at Hatchlands Park
I confess, I’m behind with my latest 10K words for my mentor. I’ve extended my (self-imposed) deadline to the end of next week due to neetsmarketing work and preparing for my upcoming course on social media for writers in London, 6 May. And then the Easter holidays and family stuff delayed me a bit. Last week I went to Sotheby’s to speak to an art expert, to ask research questions as my WIP is about an eighteenth century painting. He was very generous with his time and knowledge, and it was such a privilege meeting him. I would have liked to blog about that, but I can’t without giving away the plot of my book.


So, I came up with the idea for this post in the place where I have many of my light-bulb moments: in Costa Coffee. This is where I go to write when I’m stuck and the words somehow flow. Is it the coffee or the setting?-I don’t know. I also go to Costa to write blog posts, or to work when I need a change of scenery. The staff are always friendly, the music undemanding and there are usually a few other customers tapping away on their laptops too, which is comforting. 


The WiFi is excellent too, the best of all cafés I’ve tried. (Another café good for WiFi can be found at Squire’s Garden Centre, and they do a great breakfast fry-up with hash browns and BOGOF coffee too; perfect for post-insomnia or hangover days). When in London, if I have time to kill before a meeting, I head for the nearest Costa and order a medium cappuccino or cortado in a takeaway cup with lid if using the laptop, in case of spillage. In my favourite Costa, I have a favourite table by the wall, which more often than not is unoccupied. It’s a table for two and I usually sit with my back to the window, but today I’m facing the window, for a change, watching the traffic go by.


I need to get that 10K done by the end of next week, then I’ll be back on the road to manuscript completion. I had a 1-2-1 with an agent at the London Book Fair in March, who gave me really positive feedback on the first three chapters and synopsis of my WIP, which was nice. Now I just need to get the darn thing finished and send it in. So, a few #amwriting trips to Costa Coffee will be in order next week.


Me en route to The London Book Fair
Tomorrow (6 May 2017), it will be fifteen years since my mum passed away, and I've written about her on this blog a few times. Here's my post from last year, My Mother and The Durrells. I'm so glad The Durrells is back, perfect viewing on a Sunday evening.

Friday 10 February 2017

Breaking the WIP into pieces #amwriting

Daffodils spotted at Winkworth Arboretum, spring is on its way!
As mentioned in my previous post, Keep Calm and Carry on Writing, I’m working with a mentor. With all the demands of daily life, having someone out there who cares about my book as much as I do really helps. And knowing they’re waiting for me to send over my work drives me to bring each section to the highest level possible. I’m finding this way of working more manageable than producing the whole book at once for a critique, which in the past has felt like a mammoth task. Having a reason to shut the door on everyone and say, ‘I’m off to write for a couple of hours (and stay away!)’ is also helpful.

So far, I’ve sent over two lots of 10K words and I’m working on the next section. Each section is more challenging because there are missing scenes or scenes which need to be expanded. The story needs to move in the right direction and follow on from the previous section. As I progress through the novel, I’m finding that, oh, I need to write a scene with the mother there or tea and cake with Mrs Braithwaite deserves more than a mention, it should be a scene

I’m also identifying what I need to do research-wise as I go. Peter Ackroyd’s book on Venice is my current bedtime reading #exciting. And at some point, I need to go to an auction at Sotheby's or Christie’s.

At the end of last year, I found my WIP a big confusing mess and sorting it out seemed overwhelmingly impossible. Hopefully, breaking it into manageable pieces will get the book finished. We’ll see. This blog post is especially short, because I have to get back to the WIP...until next time.

Monday 9 January 2017

Keep Calm and Carry On Writing

My ideal writing view

Hello, and Happy New Year. I did intend to write an end of year post, but it didn’t happen for various reasons, mainly that I had a cold virus which dragged on for weeks, going away and returning a few times. It’s now more or less gone, apart from a cough, which is hanging about for longer than it should. I did write an end of year post for my alter-ego neetsmarketing's blog though, neetsmarketing Two Years On.

I’ve read a few old neetswriter blog posts over the past week, and I do go on a bit about getting my book 2 finished! It’s still not done despite all of my promises to myself (although it did move forwards quite a bit in 2016), but last week, I did something new: I found a mentor, and I’m feeling positive about the whole thing. I’m not going to say who it is, as I don’t want to spoil this new writing development in any way, but if all goes well, I of course will shout this person’s name from the rooftops. My goal is to get book 2 completed and to start book 3 by the end of 2017. Let’s see how it goes. I’ve already (almost-we’re just sorting the date) booked in a writing retreat with some fabulous and encouraging writing friends for the spring.



A bit of good writing news too: my short story, The Reminiscence Tea has been highly commended in the Writers’ Forum magazine’s short story contest (issue #184, February 2017). This is the first short story I’ve completed with success, so I'm very pleased.

Here’s to a good writing year in 2017 for all the writers out there!




And in typical neetswriter blog tradition, here’s an uplifting beach photo to remind us of what summer looks like.

Southwold, summer 2016, not a bad writing view either