 |
| Me, just before I pitched at The Write Stuff, The London Book Fair |
 |
| Loved this blossom in Cambridge |
My interview with Jackie was to talk mostly about my neetsmarketing work, but she also asked about my writing: when I started to write and about my work in progress, as well as about The Write Stuff. The link is here, and I talk about The Write Stuff from 3:20.
 |
| Me, arriving at Brooklands Radio, Weybridge, Surrey. |
 |
| Stunning magnolia tree in Oxford |
I commuted into London for several years, reading a great deal on the train. Some of my favourite books were released during that time: Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, Chocolat, Memoirs of a Geisha; amongst others. I discovered Anne Tyler by browsing the books alphabetically in Waterstones, Canary Wharf-something I used to do more. Now I usually head for the tables first. In the back of my mind, I always wanted to write novels.
I started to write properly in the summer of 2003, which I can’t believe is fifteen years ago. Since then, I’ve been to many writing classes and conferences; and written flash fiction, short stories and a couple of novels. My progress may seem slow, but there have been times when I haven’t written and a lot of the time (like many writers), I’ve been fitting it in with everything else (kids, work etc). But, I’ve almost finished the current draft of my work in progress and then, after a good edit, I hope to start submitting it properly, and to move onto my next book.
 |
| The Smoking Room at Ickworth |
Since I started this blog in 2011, I’ve recorded my writing journey, and the latest item to add to the writing CV is being a finalist in The Write Stuff at The London Book Fair.
The Write Stuff is a Dragon’s Den
style panel event where six authors pitch their books to a panel of literary
agents in front of the Author HQ audience, with the chance to win a follow up meeting with an
agent.
 |
| L-R: Paul Blezard (host), Jo Unwin, Julia Silk, Carrie Plitt, Diana Beaumont, Tim Bates. |
I emailed a 250 word submission to Midas PR which included a cover note and synopsis without expecting to get any further. After that, I was longlisted and asked to send the first three chapters of my work in progress. Then, I received news that I was a finalist, totally unexpected.
Preparation took a long time. I had
to reduce key points about my novel and myself down to a three minute pitch. Initially, I wrote the pitch as
though it was a speech. Then, I recorded it on my phone which came out at four
minutes. I reduced it down to the main points, and removed any repetition until
I got the pitch down to 2 minutes 46 seconds. I divided the pitch into fourteen
points and wrote them on a piece of card. Then, I learnt each point off by
heart, so I only needed to glance at the card to get the next point. My biggest
worry beforehand was that my mind would suddenly go blank (which thankfully it
didn’t), so I also cut out the pitch into three parts and stuck it onto back-up
cards, which I didn’t use.
The pitch went as well as it could (i.e., I didn't get stuck and forget what I was talking about) and each agent gave two minutes of feedback. I wish I'd asked a friend in the audience to record
their comments on my phone-a good idea if you ever take part. All I remember is the
feedback was mostly positive-they said I spoke well. One agent
said she wished I’d given a one line pitch, which was a shame as I’d taken
that out in order to get the pitch down to three minutes, thinking I didn’t
want to repeat myself. Should have kept it in, but never mind!
My novel is a dual timeline set in
the eighteenth century and present day, and a couple of the agents said they
preferred the eighteenth century parts. They suggested I remove the present
day part of my novel, making it a historical novel. For now, I’m sticking
with my gut which is to finish the novel as a dual timeline-as I’m almost there-and will see what
happens when I submit.
So, that’s my writing journey, so
far, although I still feel after fifteen years that I’m near the beginning, but who knows what might
happen if I carry on…?
The winner was Michele Sagan, who chose to have a meeting with
Julia Silk. There is a lovely photo on Facebook (which I've shared from London Book Fair's page) of all
the finalists with the agents and host, Paul Blezard.
 |
| Me and fab friend, Jules Wake, having a glass of fizz after The London Book Fair |
What’s Your Writing Journey? Have you
always written? Have you been writing for years, and hope to get a novel published one of these days?
Other posts on this blog:
Not Wanting the Book to End (inspired by Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine)
Recent guest post as neetsmarketing, via Emma Darwin:
About me (Anita Chapman):
I’m a freelance social
media manager with clients in the world of books. I run my own one day social media courses for writers in London and York, and I’m a tutor at Richmond and
Hillcroft Adult Community College (Surrey), where I run Social Media for Writers and Bloggers courses #neetsrhacc (next course starts 7 June 2018). I also have a blog on social media for writers with lots of how-to posts. Find out more via my website.
