Begin to Write workshop with Just Write It! http://justwriteit1.wordpress.com/
25 Monday Aug 2014
Posted Uncategorized
inBegin to Write workshop with Just Write It! http://justwriteit1.wordpress.com/
25 Monday Aug 2014
Posted Uncategorized
inI was given a lovely warm welcome today at Southwold library. I had a super time and met some lovely people, including the fabulous manager, Charlotte.
There are so many different, lovely events taking place in this library, such as, story time for under seven-year olds, bingo, reading group, Baby Bounce and Tot Rock, Internet training, craft and chat, learn Spanish and many more. If I lived in or near Southwold I would be in there all the time.
Wheelchair accessible
Southwold Library
http://suffolklibraries.co.uk/branches/southwold-library/
Friends of Southwold Library
http://suffolklibraries.co.uk/about/member-organisations/friends-of-southwold-library/
11 Monday Aug 2014
Posted Uncategorized
in10 Sunday Aug 2014
Posted Uncategorized
inWelcome, Richard Hardie…
Can you tell me a little about yourself?
Sure. I live near Southampton with my wife, son and an aged cocker spaniel. My daughter lives nearby in Winchester with her fiancée, whom she’s marrying in 2 weeks time. Things are very frantic therefore and several mortgages will be necessary to pay for it all. It is, of course, going to be worth every penny!
I worked in the IT industry for 40 years (I started young!) and began by selling cash registers in Birmingham shop to shop and pub to pub. In at the deep end! By the time I finished I headed up insurance solutions sales for HP in the AsiaPac region and latterly EMEA, before becoming sales director of another company across the same geographies.
Now I do the odd bit of part time work and spend most of my time writing books for kids.
What was the first story you wrote?
When I was ten I can remember going with my father to his office and being plonked in front of a typewriter, given a blank sheet of paper and being told to “have a go”. By the end of an hour I was bored, but I’d written the first page of something about a brave kid (aren’t they all) called Stephen Keen who becomes a detective. Maybe I’ll write page 2 sometime!
Were you inspired by someone or something?
When I was at school, the English teacher (Mr Tweedy, and for some reason known as Spud) gave us a 5th form project to write an essay on a nominated topic (select 1 from 3). I think I chose A Still Day. I thoroughly enjoyed writing it and Mr Tweedy obviously saw something in it because for a man who was notorious for giving low marks, he gave my essay 19 out of 20 and read it out to the class, much to my embarrassment. In a way therefore he inspired my love of words and the desire to write books.
Why do you write?
I’ve often thought that writing a book is very much like putting together a complicated 1,500 piece jigsaw puzzle… and I always liked jigsaws! There’s a great sense of achievement as the picture takes shape.
The greater “why” is difficult to answer, but I’ll try:
-I want to
-There are few greater thrills than seeing your own well-crafted book in print
-Walking into a library or shop and seeing your books on the shelf is wonderful
-I love doing signing days
-I need the money!
All those are selfish reasons, I know. However they’re pretty valid.
I love building things and seeing the finished product…. whether it’s a sales strategy resulting in a sale, a gardening project, or writing a book. It’s the sense of accomplishment I love.
Can you tell us about your newest book?
The Trouble With Swords is the second in the Temporal Detective Agency series. Leap of Faith was the first.
In the second book, Merlin (a well-disguised woman) and Arthur have eloped and gone on a sort of honeymoon leaving Marlene (Merlin’s sister) and two wizard apprentices to look after things. Unfortunately someone has stolen Excalibur, without which Arthur is just another warlord thug. It’s his talisman and holds the country of Camelot together. The Temporal Detective Agency has to find the sword very quickly, or both Arthur and his kingdom will be annihilated. The adventure takes the Agency to Ancient Rome, Ancient Egypt and to Shakespeare’s London before the meet their ultimate foe in an explosive showdown.
It was great fun to write and I hope people find it great fun to read!
How did you come up with the story?
In 2002 I wrote and produced the Scout and Guide Association Gang Show and decided to make it a show with a story, rather than a series of loosely knit jokes and songs. The plot was very roughly what became Leap of Faith, at least with the characters and the idea of Merlin as a woman falling for Arthur was certainly a key element of both the show and the book. In fact, I have to admit that when we ran the auditions for the show, a Brownie Leader was brilliant in the part and got the part straight away. It meant a rewrite, but she was brilliant and it gave the story a nice twist.
Incidentally Terry Pratchett co-wrote one of the scenes with me in which we kidnapped him during a signing at an Ottakar’s bookshop. We filmed it and showed it as part of the show story every night. The publicity we got from that was amazing. Terry actually appears (with his permission) three times in Trouble With Swords, but you’ll have to read the book to find out how!
The story evolved as I wrote the book over the years until it became Leap of Faith and The Temporal Detective Agency series.
What genre best fits for the book?
Good question.
Terry Pratchett once said that he writes books for kids that are read by grownups, and books for grownups that are enjoyed by kids. I couldn’t have put it better. Publishers love slotting people into genres and age groups, and if I was to do that my books are humorous fantasy for the 12+ age group. However many of my readers are Young Adults and actual adults. I try to write so that anyone who reads my books will enjoy them and all people, no matter what age, or sex will find something that makes them what to read the next page, the next chapter and hopefully the next book.
What are some of the benefits and challenges to writing?
Finding the time is my biggest problem.
Writing Leap of Faith wasn’t so bad, because I had no theoretical deadlines, no Twitter or Facebook pressures, wasn’t blogging, or keeping websites and review sites up to date. I just had the realities of work to deal with. Writing was a secondary hobby.
The second book and all others initiate a time problem. Asides from those items listed above, I’m now wring the third book in the series, plotting the fourth book, promoting and doing signings for the second book, and trying to make sure the sales on the first book don’t stall. Talk about being a juggler!
The benefits? Well, I love doing it. My characters are so well rounded now that they’re becoming old friends. I now know how they’ll react and what they’ll say in a given situation.
Let’s also face it…. there are very few jobs where you can sit down in your own home, or in the garden, let your mind’s wanderings appear on a computer screen and if you’re lucky, get paid for doing it.
Do you attend a writing group?
I’m a member of The Writing Buddies, a writing group with both published and unpublished authors based in Southampton. We actually have members from several miles away that we never see, but as we have a Facebook group page we keep in touch anyway. The group meets on the first Friday of every month and I try to make it when possible because writing can be a lonely job and it’s good to exchange news and experiences.
Do you have someone to critique your work?
Yes… me! I’m my worst (or best) critic up to the point where I get it edited via my agent and publisher. I also have a wonderful friend called Marit Meredith who reads my Agency books and points out any anomalies that crop up, especially where time travel’s involved. Marit is also an author and has just submitted her latest novel, The Box, so the very best of luck to her. Her first book, Diary of a Would-Be Protagonist is available on Amazon and well worth a read if you like quirky humour.
My agent in America, Caleb Mason is wonderful at doing a plot edit. He’s very cosmopolitan and reads my books for a world-wide audience, rather than just for the States. My publisher has allocated the same editor to me so far and Maureen Vincent-Northam is both knowledgeable and wonderful at spotting the little mistakes other people gloss over. What gets past me, Marit, Caleb and Maureen is ready to go to press!
One golden rule is never to ask close family or friends to critique. They’ll either be over-kind, or blazingly honest!
Are you working on something new at the moment?
Book three in the Temporal Detective Agency series is half complete and mostly takes place in America for a change. I’ve even written the final two chapters of the fourth book.
Marit and I are also going to be collaborating on a rather special cookery book, probably towards the end of next year.
Do you have any tips for aspiring writers?
Terry Pratchett once advised me to keep the day job, so I’ll reiterate that. He’s right, of course, because writing books is a precarious and very poor living, except for the few who sell best sellers.
A previous agent told me to keep the letters GOWTS on my keyboard. It stands for Get On With The Story. Too many authors get carried away and go down a plot branch-line that may be tremendous fun, but has little relevance to the story and potentially bores and then loses the reader. Worse, of course, it won’t get a publisher in the first place!
Getting published in the current climate is getting harder and harder. There are so many more people now that have time on their hands to write and they also have the ability to self-publish on Amazon for pretty well zero cost. It explains why Amazon sites have literally millions of books, stories, samples etc. to choose from. Unfortunately many are truly awful. In fact for every book that is published through a traditional house, over 1,000 are actually written. So my advice would be… if an aspiring writer wants to actually appear in print as opposed to just write a book for their own pleasure, be prepared to make it perfect, employ a professional editor, get it test read by people who will be honest… and still be prepared for multiple rejections.
The other bit of advice is to keep at it. Don’t give in. If it’s what you really want to do, there WILL be someone out there who will help you realise a dream; just find them!
What is your writing routine?
I spend much of the morning answering emails, blog comments as well as Facebook messages and comments. I tend to do much of my writing during the evening (late rather than early) and at weekends (family permitting).
I write in my study, sitting on a sofa using a laptop. I use a Dell Studio XPS. It’s small, powerful and very compact. My cocker spaniel used to sit on the sofa with his head on my lap and watch the cursor swishing round the screen. Now he’s old and tired, so spends much of his time asleep.
On Friday I always post a blog at 6.30pm. It may be an interview or it may just be comments about something, but I’ll spend 2 to 3 hours putting it together during the Friday before posting it.
Do you have an editing process?
I trust spell checkers to some extent, but not completely!
If I’ve had a break from writing for more than 2 to 3 weeks I’ll reread the last chapter I wrote to make sure I’m still speaking with the same “voice”. My books are narrated by a 14 year-old girl, so it’s very necessary! It also reminds me where I am in the plot so in a way I’m editing as I write.
The main edit starts a month after finishing a book. I find that a 4 week gap is necessary to clear the mind. I’ll then read it as a reader, looking for silly mistakes and anomalies, correct those and then read it line by line for grammar, spelling and other errors. Marit then reads it and tells me where I need to change things, although she usually adds “I love it!” She’s such an encouragement! I then read it again, as a reader, before sending it to Caleb, at which point the editing process is external.
How important is it for you to share your writing?
If by SHARE you mean sell my books, then yes that’s very important to me as a source of income. However I’m also an extrovert and I love telling a story that people will read and enjoy, even though I may not be reading it to them face to face. Having said that, in September I’m starting library and school visits to do author talks and school visits. I’m such an egotist!
Where can people go to read your work?
People in the Southampton area can find my books in most public libraries. They’re also in a number of school libraries and I know of at least one special needs school where during the last half hour of every day the last year teacher reads from Leap of Faith… time and good behaviour permitting!
All good independent bookshops in the UK and some chains either stock my books, or can certainly get them by the next day as paperbacks.
As to the best place to go to read my work… I would suggest a comfy chair in their own homes with a copy of one of my books, that’s been BOUGHT!
Where can people find you on the internet?
Both Leap of Faith and Trouble With Swords are available on all Amazon and Kobo sites as both paperbacks and eBooks. As paperbacks they’re also available from internet sites such as Waterstones.com, Foyles.com and Lovereading4kids.co.uk.
The links to Amazon UK are:
http://goo.gl/61bkC9 and http://goo.gl/2iSFO0
Is there anything else you would like to share with your readers?
No, I don’t think so, except I’d obviously like to thanks all those people who have already bought a Temporal Detective Agency book and ask those who haven’t done so yet to get down to their local bookshop (of which there are a dwindling number), or get keyboard tapping onto Amazon! That’s the only way I’ll know that the Agency is appreciated by the discerning English reader!
Many thanks, Suzan. It’s been a pleasure!
I have enjoyed it too Richard and I’m ensure your readers will as well.
09 Saturday Aug 2014
Posted Author, Editor, Uncategorized
inWelcome, John Hudspith…
Can you tell me a little about yourself?
I live in the UK with my wife, Andrea and two lovely dogs, and writing is my living.
What books have you published?
Kimi’s Secret, a paranormal sci-fi fantasy and its sequel Kimi’s Fear.
Were you inspired by someone or something?
Yes, I set myself a challenge to create an original otherworld and an original storyline that would encompass all those things I loved when I was growing up: aliens, ghosts, time-travel and monsters under the bed; a story that could be enjoyed by adults and kids alike.
What do you like about writing a story?
The creational challenge, coming up not only with something new but an enjoyable plot.
Can you tell us about your newest book?
The second book Kimi’s Fear takes off where the first book ends. Kimi finds herself accused of murder and must travel through time and dimensional space to prove her innocence.
How did you come up with the story?
A few `what-ifs` presented themselves at the conclusion of Kimi’s Secret, so I guess the story came up with itself.
What genre best fits for the book?
None, really. Bloody genres.
Are you working on something new at the moment?
Yes, an adult horror with a touch of ghostly fantasy.
Do you have any tips for aspiring writers?
Reading is an artform, too. So many aspiring writers fail to grasp this.
What is your writing routine?
I sit down and write and the hours fly by. I don’t set word count targets, simply write the next scene.
You’re an editor as well as a writer. What’s the editing process for your own work?
With the Kimi books I drafted once through then went back to the beginning to start the editing and tightening process. The work in progress, however, needs a different approach. With up to eight POV characters, each with a different narrative voice and a tightly-woven plot, I’m editing and polishing each chapter as I go, which can mean up to ten drafts per chapter, then it goes to beta readers, another polish, then off to my own editor for a final inspection.
What do you enjoy the most/least about writing?
Most: playing in the magic zone. Least: writer’s arse.
How important is it for you to share your writing?
I’m as vain as the next, and like nothing better than making that psychic connection with a reader on the other side of the world and playing my stories out in their head.
You have many excellent editing testimonials. Where can people find your editing services?
http://www.johnhudspith.co.uk/
http://kimissecret.wordpress.com/about/
https://www.facebook.com/JohnHudspithEditor?ref_type=bookmark
Could you share your editing FAQs? I believe you offer a free sample edit?
I do, yes. Send me the opening chapters to your work and I’ll tell you where you’re going right and wrong.
05 Tuesday Aug 2014
Posted Uncategorized
inCHATTY CAT: THE FIRST SIX MONTHS.
Reviewed by: Pen and Paper
http://pettywitter.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/chatty-cat-first-six-months.html
28 Monday Jul 2014
Posted Uncategorized
inI will be running a variety of writing workshops on the East Coast.
09 Wednesday Jul 2014
Posted Uncategorized
inOn Blythe Valley Radio talking about my book, Beyond My Control: Why the Health and Social Care System Need Not Have Failed My Mother http://goo.gl/OoFsfA
05 Saturday Jul 2014
Posted Uncategorized
inI am being hosted on Brookcottagebooks blog:
Chatty Cat by Suzan Collins – Promo Spot
Celebrating the launch of a new book by Suzan Collins – Chatty Cat – The First Six Months, [a true account of a rescue cat settling into her new home, made into a story]. The book is now available to buy.
Blurb
One woman. One cat. Two very different ways of thinking. Meet Chatty Cat and her human [hooman] as they get to know one another. Chatty Cat is a smart but scared cat who has been adopted and is getting used to her new home. Her hooman thinks she knows exactly what Chatty Cat is thinking and what she needs. Chatty Cat however has other ideas and with a mind of her own, her hooman begins to wonder who is actually in charge!
This book is a very light read and I know that the author enjoyed writing it, not only because it is about Chatty but also the last book she wrote [true story] was very hard to write [and harrowing], ‘Beyond My Control: Why the Health and Social Care System Need Not Have Failed My Mother’.
Author Suzan Collins is an internationally selling author and lives on the East Coast in the UK. Suzan writes romance and has also written an array of non-fiction books that pertain to her work as a consultant/trainer in health, social care and management.
Suzan enjoys writing fiction as it allows her to make up stories [and eat cake!] and write non-fiction to inform others [and eat cake!].
Her latest book, ‘Chatty Cat: First Six Months’ is a book about Chatty who was a rescue cat and settled in to live with her new owner, Suzan. Or is Chatty the new owner…?
Where to find Suzan:Website: http://www.spcconsultancy.com Facebook Authorpage: http://goo.gl/zfiqyv Facebook: http://goo.gl/i2Lp5U Twitter: @suzancollins https://suzancollinsauthor.wordpress.com
Where you can find Suzan’s books: Amazon UK http://goo.gl/SZgln9 USA http://goo.gl/qNk4SR Italy http://goo.gl/nuzYya Australia http://goo.gl/ibc10L Canada http://goo.gl/GIdQLH
Waterstones http://goo.gl/8oBjUB
Where to find Chatty Cat
FB: https://www.facebook.com/ChattyCat?ref_type=bookmark
Blog: http://chattycatno1.wordpress.com/
http://brookcottagebooks.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/chatty-cat-by-suzan-collins-promo-spot.html
16 Monday Jun 2014
Posted Uncategorized
inWelcome, Dallas A. Dixon…
Can you tell me a little about yourself?
My name is Dallas A. Dixon. I am 71 years old and have been married for 48 years to Rita, my lovely wife. We have two daughters, two son-in-laws, and three grandchildren. I enjoy spending time with family, bicycling, working out with weights, gardening, and of course, writing. Immediately after graduating from high school in 1961, I left home and spent 4 years in the US Navy, including 3 years aboard the submarine USS Bang. Soon after my discharge from the navy, I began working for an engineering and land surveying company located in Iowa. I remained with the company until I retired in 1999. I began writing after I retired.
What was the first story you wrote?
After I retired, I needed something to keep me busy, so I decided to write an autobiography about the first sixty years of my life. Three years later, I hired a local print shop to print several copies of the manuscript. Then, I did a lot of research on bookbinding, and finally hardbound seven books. About six months later, I began writing my first novel titled “Miss Nancy: June 5, 1964, to September 13, 1964”, and published it in 2009. I published the sequel to it in 2011.
Were you inspired by someone or something?
During my years of working as a land surveyor and engineering assistant, I occasionally wrote legal land descriptions, as well as construction specifications for engineering plans. I always enjoyed typing, especially after computers appeared containing word processing programs.
What do you like about writing a story?
I enjoy writing because I can travel all over the world without leaving home, and can enjoy all sorts of experiences with many different characters. Most people who know me, consider me as a very quiet, soft-spoken type of man. I guess I do write and listen more than I talk.
Can you tell us about your newest book?
The title of my third and latest novel is “Duke and Alice: November 2010 to September 2011”, published in April of 2014. Duke and Alice, a loving couple in their late sixties, live in a quiet neighborhood in Waterfield, Iowa. In the spring of 2011, they travel to California in order to bring their troubled teenage grandson, Jason, back to Iowa for a summer stay with them.
Jason’s wealthy father, Calvin, had earlier become involved with illegal drugs, and began frequenting parties offering drugs, as well as sex. Calvin soon introduced his wife, Mary, into the drug and sex scene. Jason’s parents eventually obtain a divorce, and soon afterwards, law officers arrest Calvin for illegal drug crimes.
As Jason begins bonding with Duke and Alice, Mary enters a thirty-day drug rehabilitation program in California. When Mary finishes the program, she moves to Waterfield, Iowa. Calvin blames Duke, Alice, and Mary for his arrest, and eventually drives to Iowa with plans to settle the score violently. Will Duke, Alice, and Mary survive Calvin’s drug induced, violent actions?
How did you come up with the story?
I wanted to write a story about grand-parenting and helping family members.
What genre best fits the book?
It is difficult to specify one particular genre, but I write about spicy romances mixed in with crime, action, and revenge on criminals.
Are you working on something new at the moment?
Not this summer. However, there is always a new story spinning around inside my mind. At the current time, I am contemplating writing another novel, but it is very time consuming and a lot of hard work.
Do you have any tips for aspiring writers?
I suggest he or she does a basic outline prior to writing. As he or she writes the story, keep a separate list of your characters. I like to list their appearance, how they speak, how they act, etc. It is very easy to get characters mixed up while writing. The list will help. Do not become discouraged. Just keep on writing. Keep a dictionary by your side, for you cannot always rely on automatic spell check. When the manuscript is finished, be very cautious about choosing how to publish the book. Research, research, research. I recommend either going through the traditional publishing process, or self publish the book through Amazon, Smashwords, or Createspace. I published the first two novels through a self-publishing company. It was very expensive with little return, at least in my case.
What is your writing routine?
I usually write one chapter, and then proofread and edit it three times before moving on to the next chapter. When I complete writing, proofing, and editing each chapter, I put them all together into the manuscript. Then, I edit and proofread the entire manuscript, usually three or four times. When I am finally satisfied, I add the front matter and back matter to the manuscript.
What do you enjoy the most/least about writing?
The most enjoyment I receive from writing is when someone tells me that he or she has enjoyed reading one of my books. To me, the least enjoyment is formatting the manuscript for different e-book publishers.
How important is it for you to share your writing?
It is very important to me. I am very happy when someone reads one of my books. I occasionally write informational articles on the blog that Google allows me to use, and I try to include articles from other authors. The latest blog post on my blog is by Suzan Collins. I thank you, Suzan. It is my hope that in the future, other guest bloggers will write articles on my blog about different forms of abuse they have experienced or witnessed, with the hopes of stopping the abuse that goes on in this world. If anyone is interested in guest blogging on my blog, please contact me.
Where can people go to read your work?
My first two novels are available at RoseDogBooks.com, Amazon.com, and Barnes and Noble.com. My third novel is available at Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble.com, Createspace.com, and Smashwords.com.
Where can people find you on the internet?
Email: dal629@mchsi.com
Blog: http://www.dallasadixon.blogspot.com/
My Amazon Author’s page: http://goo.gl/wT3296
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dallasadixon
Twitter: @DallasADixon
Is there anything else you would like to share with your readers?
I first thank you, Suzan, for giving me this opportunity to interview on your blog. I appreciate it very much. I thank all who have purchased and read my books, and I encourage you all to write reviews for my books and other author’s books. The reviews help other potential readers decide if they want to read the books. Thanks again.
Thank you, Dallas, for this interview. Suzan.