Finally - It Happened to Me!

If you are long term readers of this blog, you will know that for many, many years, I have been trying to become a published author.

I've had a lot of rejections along the way but for some strange reason (insanity maybe?) I refused to give up. 

I have been thinking and learning about self-publishing for a long time because I'd decided that if no one wanted to publish me then I would do it myself. 

But something inside me wouldn't give up the dream.

I'd been working on what I will call here, for now, Book 1, for a very long time. In fact in a very different format it was one of the first longer pieces of work I ever wrote. Over the years, I worked to improve it (in fact I wouldn't recognise it now from the original). I came across the rejection letter from Mills and Boon from that very first attempt, and I have to say I whole-heartedly agree with them. 

Book 1 has been through 2 critiques through the RNA's New Writers Scheme, and my online writer friends have also been kind enough to comment on it on numerous occasions.

After finally getting Book 1 to be the best I thought it could be I decided to submit it to Choc Lit.

And, I'm delighted to say that this is the result

To say I'm chuffed to bits is the understatement of the year.

I'm so looking forward to working with the Choc Lit team who seem a very friendly bunch.

The other Choc Lit authors seem lovely too, and I've already have lots of encouragement from them.

So, now the hard work really begins, but I'm looking forward to getting my teeth stuck into it and can't wait for the day when I can say I'm a published novelist.

Its been a long time coming!

How Do You Want To Be Published?

I’ve been writing for a long time now with limited success. As a working mum, bringing up a young family, its always been hard for me to find the time to write consistently and most of my writing has been in fits and starts.

 

During this time, I’ve had several short stories published in women’s magazines, but so far have had little luck with sending longer pieces of work to agents. 

 

With the demise of the short story market I have lost a little bit of my love for writing short stories and so am concentrating now on writing romance novels. 

 

In the past I’ve been a member of the Romantic Novelists Association and have received feedback on a couple of my novels through the New Writer’s Scheme. This year I’ve been working on one of those novels previously submitted and dare I say it, I think now it’s in much better shape. 

 

It’s always been my dream to be traditionally published – it’s the ultimate validation that you are indeed a writer and that your writing is worth paying good money for, but recently my thoughts have turned towards self-publishing. 

 

Self-published books haven’t always received good press. The ability to easily upload and publish a piece of writing meant that anyone could become a published author regardless of the quality of that work. This has led to a poor reception for self-published authors. 

 

But following my research I think the tide is turning. What has struck me more than anything is that self-publishing doesn’t have to be – and shouldn’t be – second rate. In fact, I think it would be impossible to make a living from your writing if you didn’t consistently produce professionally written and edited work. There is of course much to learn and that’s what I’ve been trying to do through online courses, and the increasing number of podcasts which are available to listen to, and the thought of being in control of my own destiny is certainly appealing. 

 

With my youngest about to head off to university in September, finally the time might be right to devote more time to my writing and building a business out of one the things I love doing the most is certainly appealing.

 

What are your thoughts on traditional versus self-publishing? 

 

Work In Progress

As ever I started off the year with good intentions and I made some initial progress writing and submitting a couple of short stories. Then I turned my attention to my current novel in progress. I had rejoined the Romantic Novelist’s Association New Writer’s Scheme, and my aim was to edit a mostly complete first draft into something I was happy to submit for feedback. 

Unfortunately this took a lot longer than I had anticipated. There was a lot to rewrite and some holes in the plot which needed some serious rethinking and which involved large amounts of writing from scratch. The novel is set in my home town, Chester, but takes place during the first few years of World War II. It follows the story of two sisters as they reach adulthood, struggling against the backdrop of war and the difficult relationship they have with each other.

By the time I had completed it, it was early August. I was happy with what I had done but was equally as happy to send it off and start work on something fresh. As it was close to the RNA deadline I anticipated a long wait for the feedback but this wasn’t a problem as I felt I needed some space from it. To my surprise the feedback came back only a week later. Not sure if this was a good sign or a bad sign, I nervously opened the document. Unfortunately, I think it was a bad sign. I’ve submitted a few novels though the NWS and always found the feedback to be detailed as well as constructive. Sadly, I found the feedback this time to be rather harsh. I’m not saying it was wrong, although there were some points I didn’t agree with, but I can honestly say I was devastated by how flawed she thought the novel was, both regarding character and plot, bearing in mind how much time and effort I had already put into it. I metaphorically put both the novel and the feedback away in a drawer until such a time when I can view it with more objectivity. When I do look at it again I’m sure I will be able to gain more from the feedback but at the time it just floored me.  At the same time the short stories I had sent off earlier in the year were also rejected.

Maybe at this point a saner person would have decided to give up writing altogether but maybe I’m not sane. Instead I went back to my short stories, editing earlier ones and starting to write some new ones. I’ve also started to write a memoir on what it was like to have a brain haemorrhage and the effort it has taken to overcome it. I’m not sure the latter is something I will submit for publication or even self-publish but at the moment its something I feel the need to write. In order to get something down on paper I signed up for NaNoWriMo and so far it is working well for me. Eight days in and I’ve written 12,000 words.

As well as all this I dug out feedback from the NWS on a previous year. The feedback on this novel was much more positive and offered detailed suggestions on how to improve it. Its given me the inspiration to do some work on this too and so at the moment I’m feeling very positive.  Long may it continue.

Here I Go!

I’ve been a member of the RNA New Writer’s scheme a few times now and have found the critique service invaluable.  I’ve always wanted to attend one of the many events which are held throughout the year but so far the dates have always clashed with other commitments.

However, this year I seized the opportunity of attending an afternoon tea party in York on 30 September. I love afternoon tea, to be greeted with a glass of prosecco won’t be a hardship, and am especially looking forward to hearing the guest speaker, Milly Johnson.

I booked this ages ago yet I can hardly believe that next Saturday I will be getting on the train to attend the event. I could drive myself by car and it would be a much shorter journey, but to be honest I don’t want to pass up the opportunity of reading and writing time on the train.  After the stresses and strains of the last few months it will be really nice to have some me time and most importantly to be surrounded by fellow writers.

Of course I won’t know any one there but I’ve heard that RNA members are a friendly bunch, so if you see a women looking a bit lost, please do come and say hello.

Catching Up

I haven't been around in blogland for a while. July passed me by in a haze of family commitments. With the end of term, Mum's Taxi went into overdrive, going to tournaments and end of year treats for every part of my kids' lives. Social life? Sorry? What's that? I don't have time for one.

This end of year was particularly poignant as my eldest left primary school. It only seems like yesterday when we went for our first visit, sat on tiny chairs whilst we listened to the Headteacher telling us all about the school. But it's not all sad because I'm really happy with the school he's going to and he's so ready to move on to the next stage of his life.

The boys are spending three days a week for most of the holidays playing football, which they love, and which gets them away from the xbox. It also gives me some time to work.

Paid for work has been a bit thin on the ground recently but the other week I had a massive project to undertake. It meant spending 5-6 hours a day staring at a computer but it felt good to be back in a routine again. It also meant that writing went out of the window though, I was so exhausted when I'd finished that working with other words just wasn't an option.

I haven't done much actual writing recently, as I have been really struggling to complete my script for the RNA's New Writer's Scheme. Well it's done now, finally, and I sent it off on Friday with a huge sigh of relief. I can honestly say it's not my best piece of work, and probably needs a lot more doing to it, but for now its the best that it can be and it will be interesting to get some feedback to see where, if anywhere, I go from here with it. It certainly feels satisfying to have it completed as it's a project which was started many years ago (can you believe, it's conception was on a typewriter?!?).

So now I can re-group, get some short stories written and sent out and oh, perhaps find a job?

Hope you're all enjoying the summer, shame the weather has become a bit hit and miss since the lovely weather earlier.

Write It Down!

I’m incredibly behind on my submission to the New Writer’s Scheme at the RNA this year.   In January I decided that I would revamp a book I started many years ago, because the story has stayed with me and I thought it would be good to complete it.

 

However, because my writing was in its infancy when I started to write it, I have found that I have had to do a full re-write rather than an exercise in editing.  I’ve struggled to maintain any kind of momentum and have written it in fits and starts with times of no writing at all in between.

 

Yesterday I finally finished the first draft – hoorah!  But it does require a serious edit and I’m running out of time.   I’m going to concentrate on doing the best I can with it during July and then send it off.  It won’t be to the standard that I would like, but at least I’ll get some feedback.

 

I still need to write a synopsis (yeuck) and think of a title.   I was running through possible titles in my mind the other day as I concentrated on some mundane domestic task.  I came up with a brilliant idea, but because I thought it so good, I didn’t write it down.  How could I possibly forget it?? 

 

Well, you know what’s coming next don’t you?  Two hours later the title had been completely erased from my mind.  I struggled to come up with something else, but nothing compared to the sparkling brilliance of my first title came to mind – well, at least I don’t think so. 

 

Then, yesterday, I had a sudden flash of inspiration and now I have a title – but I have absolutely no idea whether it’s better or worse than the original or even if it’s the same.

 

Lesson to self:  WRITE IT DOWN!

 

This is my third year as a member of the RNA, and although I haven’t had a chance to attend any of the meetings, the value for money for me comes in the feedback you receive on a completed novel.

 

So by the time I receive the feedback on this one I shall have three novels which could potentially be edited and sent out. 

 

The trouble is, I haven’t had the time to edit any of the previous two because I’ve been concentrating on the next one.  So next year, I’ve decided not to continue my membership and concentrate on the three existing.  It’s a bit of a shame, because I like the challenge of the submission, but there’s no point in having those manuscripts sitting in a drawer is there? The downside is that when I want to rejoin, I’ll have to camp on the website when the RNA opens its applications, as the competition to join the scheme is fierce!

Stepping Out of My Comfort Zone

For the last eight years I've been working more or less full time but as I mentioned in my last blog, my job finishes at the end of this month.

For a long time now, I feel as though I've been stuck in a rut, but have been unable to change anything because I didn't want to jeopardise a potential redundancy package.

The truth is, I've become comfortable, my life is familiar and on a day to day basis, nothing really challenges me (apart from the moods of my family but that's another story). Part of me is really excited by new challenges but as the time grows closer when I will lose my safety net, part of me is just a little bit scared too.

Last week I had a meeting with a consultant, to give me some advice on setting up as a freelance. This was all part of my redundancy package from my employer, which I think is a real bonus. I've been talking about working for myself for a while now, but this was one of the first real steps towards doing anything about it. At first I was just a little bit nervous, but it actually proved to be a beneficial experience and he is now working on drafting a new CV for me, which I can use as a marketing tool.

The next day was another new experience as I travelled to Southport to go to a Chapter lunch with the RNA. I'd never met any of members before, and I hadn't been to Southport for years either so I didn't even know the area. However, it was a real treat to be travelling by train and I even managed to get some work done on my journey. The lunch was a sit down affair, so it wasn't that easy to mingle, but the people I was sitting beside were lovely and made me feel right at home. To spend an entire day thinking and talking about writing was a novelty.

A novelty which was to be repeated on Friday as I went to the Woman's Weekly Live exhibition in Manchester. Now, this was an event I nearly bottled out of, not because I didn't want to go, but because it would take ages to get to by train - my preferred choice. The obvious thing to do was to drive there as it would take half the time, but I'm absolutely hopeless at driving in places I don't know, especially in cities. Of course I've been to Manchester loads of times, but usually as a passenger, and that's completely different. I have absolutely no sense of direction; it's almost as if that part of my brain is missing. Whenever I have to go to new places around home, ie taking the boys to football pitches that I've never been to before, I usually try and do a dry run first and my lovely husband is very patient with me.

But on Friday I was on my own, so I loaded myself down with directions - perhaps I need to invest in Sat Nav? - and went on my way. The first bit was easy as it was the journey I take to my mum's but the second half was the new bit. But I did it. I did get a little bit lost at one point but found my way out of it and was really pleased with myself. I even managed to get myself back too, not always easy to the do directions backwards. Well not if you're me anyway. It certainly got the adrenaline pumping but it was worth it.

The event had several fiction workshops, which was my reason for going, and was run by Gaynor Davies herself (fiction editor), Della Galton and Jane Wenham-Jones. All three of them were absolutely lovely. The event had an entry fee of £8 but that was for three days. Of the five workshops, you were only supposed to be able to do two per day. Unfortunately I could only go on one day, so I booked myself in for the two I wanted to do most. On Friday though, the workshops weren't fully booked so we were allowed to join the other workshops too which was fantastic.

It was so good to be able to meet Gaynor as she was able to give us an idea of what she is looking for in the short stories she selects. As far as market research goes, you can't get better than that. I think it really shows that Woman's Weekly is committed to giving new writers a chance and now, I just hope I can translate that into my writing and hopefully some sales.

One of the sessions was a one to one which I had with Jane. She was really helpful, and showed me how I could improve the story I had taken with me.

So thank you all ladies, it was a brilliant day and excellent value for money. If Woman's Weekly hold an event near you, I would definitely recommend going.

This week, I'm going to take things a little more quietly. Last week was about challenge, this week is about catching up. On Saturday though the family are off to Leeds. It's my eldest's birthday on Sunday, he will be 11. Where did that time go? He supports Leeds (football) so we're off to the match. Can't wait! But I get to stay the night in a hotel and I am getting used to watching football, it's one thing I get plenty of practice at these days. Wish me luck!

　　

　

It's In The Bag!

Finally, I’ve finished editing the novel – well, at least for the time being anyway. The package is now in a large jiffy envelope and later today will be winging its way to the RNA’s New Writer’s scheme.

I feel released, like a great big boulder has been chipped off my shoulder. I will admit that the editing process has taken me rather longer than I had anticipated and at times, as each self-imposed deadline passed without a completed manuscript, I was beginning to wonder if I would even be finished by the end of August; the RNA’s final deadline. I also have to admit that it’s not the completely perfect manuscript I had envisaged it would be. But it’s the best I can do for now. I don’t expect miracles from this submission – I can’t imagine anyone snapping this novel up and giving me a three book deal, but I’m looking forward to receiving an expert’s opinion on it and at least see if I’m on the right track.

This is the beauty of the New Writer’s Scheme. For £100 not only do you gain membership to a prestigious writing society but you also get feedback on a full novel, which I certainly think is value for money. I will be able to give a more knowledgeable account of this experience though once I have received the feedback of course. But for the time being I’m just glad to have achieved my aim and am looking forward to concentrating on other writing for a while.

It’s been a long hard slog but I got there in the end. Roll on the edits!

Apologies For Absence

Two reasons for being a bad blogger:

1. Half term holiday in Majorca
2. I've being trying (trying being the operative word) to edit my novel so that I can send it in to the RNA before the deadline for the New Writers Scheme expires - OK so August sounds a long way away but I would like to get it in before then.

After our wonderful family holiday in February we decided to spend a week in the sun at half term.  In the past we have visited Majorca at this time of year and had fantastic holidays, so we decided to go back.  Alas, perhaps this year was a mistake.

Rain at the airport was the first sign that this was not going to be a sun filled event. 

The next five days of intermittent rain and constant overcast skies tested the patience of all involved somewhat, along with the noise, too many people in one venue, greed and rudeness of fellow holiday makers. I'm not exaggerating honest - but this holiday made the sit com Benidorm seem positively sophisticated.

Still, I'm trying to remember my New Year's resolution to be a glass half full kinda girl and at least it was a break, I wasn't at work, cleaning, cooking, washing or ironing (but I've done all that since I've been back) and it gave me plenty of time to think.

The most important thing I want to do this year is to complete the edit on my book so that I can send it off. 

So I came home with renewed vigour and focus and promptly rewrote the first five chapters of the novel.  Quite extensively in some cases.  So, now I'm happy with the opening chapters but I've changed so much that its had a knock on effect on the rest of the plot.  I know it needed it but to be honest, my head is now in tatters and I can't work out the rest of the plot. 

I will get there in the end, I know I will but at the moment I can't see the wood for the trees!

Hope your writing week is going better than mine.

Dodging The Doubt

Self doubt, I think, is one of the hardest things a wannabe writer has to live with. The questions which buzz around my brain a lot are, “Am I any good?” or “Will I ever be any good?”

I suppose the only way we can tell is by getting our work “out there”. Sometimes even that doesn’t help though, especially when the rejections keep flooding back in.

I am yet to find myself at a stage where I have a novel good enough to send out to potential agents. So far I have completed first drafts of two novels. The first will probably never see the light of day and languishes on a bookshelf in a folder. It is, I think, a poor first attempt but maybe one day I’ll dig it out again and see whether it has any glimmer of potential. The second, I was part way through a first edit when I lost my way and was then side-tracked by the thought of writing something completely new during November and the challenge of completing the 50,000 words with NaNoWriMo.

At the moment I am concentrating book 3. Since the end of November I have completed another 15,000 words and am hoping to reach 100,000 by the end of March, that’s if I pull my finger out anyway. Then I will break away from it, try to finish the first edit of book 2 and then return to edit book 3. Well that’s the plan.

Over the years (and I do mean years) I have been trying to test my talent, or lack of it, with short stories. And herein is where rejection lies. In fact so many of my stories have been rejected that whenever an A4 envelope comes bouncing back through my letter box I refuse to take it personally. I simply open it up, look at the standard rejection slip, sigh, re-read the story, edit, print and send it somewhere else. And then after four or five rejections I put it in a folder, alongside novel number one, and chalk it up to experience.

It’s not all doom and gloom though. I have been on several courses and have received some very positive feedback. I know (or at least I think I do) where my strengths and my weaknesses lie and am determined to work on both. And then last year, one story which I had dusted off and sent out for the third time, actually came highly commended in a Writer’s Forum competition and was published in the Weekly News. Proof positive that not making the grade first time round isn’t an indication of whether something is any good. So maybe I do have some talent after all.

I’ve tried a couple of writer’s circles in my area in an effort to get some outside feedback but neither have worked out for me and there I’ve drawn a blank. So I need to find some way of testing the water without publication and without paying out a fortune on critique services.

I was hoping to join the Romantic Novelists Association, New Writers Scheme, and have a novel critiqued that way. Sadly though, I missed the boat for this year and now the scheme is full. Maybe next year I’ll be a bit more on the ball/

In the meantime though I’ve taken the plunge and signed up for a correspondence course with the Writer’s Bureau on Novel and Short Story Writing. Watch this space to see how I get on.