03 Sunday May 2015
Posted in Just Write It, Virtual write in, Writing
Tags
Virtual write-in this afternoon (Sunday) 3-4pm UK time. If you would like to join us please like our Just Write It! FB page and leave a message on it to say you’ll be joining us and come back at 4pm and tell us all what you have been doing e.g. writing, editing, reading through etc. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Just-Write-it/366023433491753
27 Monday Apr 2015
Posted in Author, Books, Waveney Author Group
Tags
aspiring authors, Blogging, Enid Thwaites, Helen Meneghello, Helen Thwaites, Jo Wilde, Pam Finch, Suzan Collins, Waveney Author Group, writing, Writing a book
Today we met in Beccles Library to discuss social networking, after all, if you’re writing a book you want people to know about it, right? We had intended looking at all aspects of social networking and started by booting up the laptops and looking at blogging using the WordPress site. We soon found that the WiFi connection was not strong enough for us all to be on line at the same time and unfortunately we achieved very little but we had fun. Many thanks to all at Beccles Library for letting us use their room.
15 Sunday Mar 2015
Posted in Author, The Cut Halesworth, Waveney Author Group, writers, Writing
On the train going to The Cut at Halesworth.
At The Cut.
It’s very busy at The Cut and we order our food as soon as we can (so we can eat and get started on our work).
After we’ve been fed and watered we get our laptops out and get down to do some work. It’s really busy and noisy but we manage (just about) to discuss fonts and formatting the pages of our current work.
We played around with these measurements…
Novel-font BOOK ANTIQUA 10 or 12
Poetry-font BOOKMAN OLD STYLE 11.5 OR CALIBRI 12 for a less formal look. For ebook, COURIER NEW is a good one to use.
Size of page-
Margins- Top 2cm Bottom 2cm Left 2cm Right 2cm
Paper-width12.7cm height 20.29cm
Layout-header 1cm footer 1cm
Then it was time for some more food…
All fired up and eager to get home to do more writing we left The Cut and walked to the station to get the train. Fortunately this sign below told us we were on the right platform (inside joke).
A super day with super writers!
15 Sunday Mar 2015
Posted in Author, authors, Planning, The Coconut Loft, Waveney Author Group, Writing
Suzan Collins, Pam Finch, Helen Thwaites, Enid Thwaites, Helen Meneghello, Carole Gomez-Cornejo and Jo Wilde met in November at a Just Write It! writing workshop. All seven of the authors have agreed to publish their works in time for the Author Fair/Pop up bookshop at The Coconut Loft, in Lowestoft, this July. Their works include novels, autobiographies and memoirs.
13 Friday Feb 2015
Tags
Bella Osbourne, chick lit, It Started at Sunset Cottage, kindle, NaNoWriMo, published, romance, writing
Welcome Bella Osborne…
*offers Bella a cup of tea*
Can you tell me a little about yourself?
Thanks for the opportunity to appear on your blog, Suzan. I’m a wife and mother and I live in the Midlands. I’m eternally grateful for the wonderful people in my life and tea, wine, holidays and cake… oh, and custard creams.
What was the first story you wrote?
I can’t remember if it had a title but it was about a thief who stole the crown jewels – I was about nine at the time and the story was so long that my teacher typed it up for me and then stuck it on the classroom wall.
Were you inspired by someone or something?
I was always taught to respect and look after books so reading and being read to was always very special to me as a child. Like so many children I loved the Enid Blyton stories, with Secret Seven being my absolute favourite. I started writing at school and have continued to do it on and off for many years.
Why do you write?
It has always seemed quite logical to me to write my own stories so I’ve never really questioned why I do it. My question would be ‘why doesn’t everybody do it?’ It’s the best fun ever! It is also the best excuse to sit at a computer, drink tea and eat Olympic quantities of custard creams.
Can you tell us about your newest book?
My debut novel ‘It Started at Sunset Cottage’ is out as an e-book on 12th February 2015 and in paperback on 23rd April 2015. It has two strong women at its core. Kate is an author and is consistently calm, reserved and measured whilst Sarah is a sharp-tongued single mother who acts first and thinks later.
After losing her fiancé, Kate is slowly getting her life back on track when
Timothy Calder, A-list actor and leading man in the movie adaptation of her book, turns up on her doorstep, hoping to lie low after his latest tabloid scandal. But after a rocky start, they find they have a few things in common: a liking for Lady Grey tea, walnut whips and bad ‘knock knock’ jokes. Actually, the bad jokes are just Tim.
Sarah on the other hand is trying to hold down two jobs and shut her ex-husband out of her life. When he goes missing she thinks it’s the answer to her problems until Sarah becomes number one suspect.
How did you come up with the story?
I really wish I had a super intelligent response for this question but the honest answer is that Kate appeared as a character and the ‘what if?’ questions started flying around my head and it all grew from there. I was keen to have two related threads in the story, which I switch between and hopefully make for a compelling read.
What genre best fits for the book?
It is definitely Romance but when it comes to narrowing that down to a sub-genre then it gets a bit tricky. It is a romance novel that incorporates humour with underlying menace and intrigue. It has been described as being both witty and poignant but hopefully readers will enjoy it despite its lack of obvious pigeonhole.
What are some of the benefits and challenges to writing?
For me the benefits are that I simply love writing. When I’m writing it feels like it’s what I should be doing (apart from being with family, eating custard creams and being on holiday obviously). I get a real buzz when I’m sat at the keyboard and the words are tumbling out and when I typed The End on my first completed novel I felt a huge sense of achievement.
The biggest challenge for me is juggling all the other roles that I have in life and squeezing it all into 24 hours whilst retaining what’s left of my sanity.
Do you attend a writing group?
Not as such but I do attend a local writing course which meets weekly and provides me with a safe environment to share my writing. The tutor and course attendees have been a huge support to me over the last two years.
Do you have someone to critique your work?
I do. I am very lucky to have a hugely supportive writing tutor, a friendly grammar Nazi, an inspiring agent and a wonderful editor, oh and a lovely husband who I make read it too. I then have a fabulous bunch of beta readers who read it for story and tell me honestly if it’s any good.
Are you working on something new at the moment?
I have just finished my first attempt at a children’s story, which I’m very excited about and really hope I can find a publisher for. I am also part way through my third novel for adults, which is based in an office and has themes of romance, humour and underlying menace.
Do you have any tips for aspiring writers?
Seek out other writers. I can’t explain how brilliant it feels to be around other writers. I would recommend joining groups, courses and the myriad of genre writing associations. I joined the Romantic Novelists Association on their New Writer’s Scheme and I have learned so much from their events, met some amazing writers and made some terrific friends.
Make time to write. If you really want to write, then something else has to give; be it social media, Candy Crush, television, sleep or the cleaning – trust me in a year’s time you won’t regret not having done those things but you will regret not having found time to write.
What is your writing routine?
I work part time so I am lucky enough to be able to dedicate time each week to writing. I also squeeze in time whenever I can especially if I’m in the middle of a WIP or doing something crazy like NaNoWriMo. Even ten minutes can be enough to get a few words down. If you wait for a two hour window it’ll never happen!
I am also a big planner so I spend a long time developing my characters, understanding them as people and plotting out the story before I ever put pen to paper, finger to keyboard or custard cream to lips (it’s a kind of reward mechanism).
Do you have an editing process?
I write a first draft then put it away for about four weeks. I get it out, crack open a new packet of custard creams, read it through and redo the bits that don’t work as I go. I try to focus on each scene and mentally check what it is adding to the overall story and if it’s the best it can be. Then I send it to my agent who tells me what works and what I need more of. Then I send it to my Editor who will make some suggestions for improvement. Then it goes to a proof reader and then we all breathe a sigh of relief.
What do you enjoy the most/least about writing?
I love the first buds of a story (as long as they don’t pop up when you are trying to finish something else). That stage when you have no idea where the story is going to take you and you have to learn about your characters is the most exciting for me.
I’m less fond of the editing. I can read something ten or more times and not spot a typo because I’ve become blind to it. But I do like being able to tinker with it. The hardest bit is letting go.
How important is it for you to share your writing?
You know what, it’s actually not that important. I can say that because I kept it to myself for years. I never really expected to get published so the fact that real people are going to read it is very scary. But now that it’s happening I truly hope that readers enjoy it.
Where can people go to read your work?
Amazon via this link http://goo.gl/2yl8Qz
Other e-reader book stores for ‘It Started at Sunset Cottage’ and there are some examples of output from my writing class as well as some terrific work by other course attendees at www.tellingtalesonthursdays.weebly.com
I also write a fortnightly column called Bella’s Scribblings for the Novel Kicks website. www.novelkicks.co.uk/category/bellas-scribblings/
Where can people find you on the internet?
Is there anything else you would like to share with your readers?
A big thank you to each and every one of them!
Custard cream anyone?
Don’t mind if I do.
Thank you for a lovely interview, Bella and good luck with your writing. Suzan.
11 Sunday Jan 2015
Welcome, Jackie Griffiths…
Can you tell me a little about yourself?
I have a BSc in Psychology and Computing and an MA in Psychoanalytic Studies, and have been writing fiction and non-fiction material for twenty years. In 2003 I founded an online copywriting business providing content for websites, print, and digital media, before deciding to sell up in 2010 to concentrate on writing novels and short stories. I am now working on my third novel – a philosophical exploration about marriage, friendships, and what it’s like to be a woman living with modern dilemmas.
What was the first story you wrote?
I started writing when I was very young, still at junior school. I wrote stories in my spare time, and dreamed of the day I would become a writer when I grew up. My best subject at school was English – a class in which I was once told that I had too much imagination (is this possible?). I started a detailed daily diary at the age of sixteen and continued this for a decade. It’s fascinating to read back on now. A true insight into the workings of a young teen mind and the problems, worries, hopes and desires that occupied me nearly thirty years ago. In the first year of senior school I wrote a prize-winning short story. I was eleven at the time. It was about twin babies inside the womb, written from their perspective as if they could think and communicate intelligently. One dies and the other is left to live on alone until birth (which is when the story ends). I won a brand new pack of colouring pens for my efforts, and was extremely proud. I have no idea what on earth inspired me to write such a morbid story at such a young age, having never experienced death or tragedy, nor had a twin brother or sister. And yet… at the age of thirty-nine I went on to have twin babies myself.
Were you inspired by someone or something?
Several years ago an older friend of mine was diagnosed with cancer, and told me that he would have to undergo chemotherapy for three months. Due to the fact that several hundred miles separated us physically and I had my family depending on me, I could not travel to be with him in person. Instead I vowed to write an email every single day in order to keep him company, and to ‘be there’ for him as best I could. The emails gradually evolved into fairly long stories to keep him distracted and entertained, which he admitted he greatly enjoyed, looking forward to receiving them every day. He couldn’t leave the house for long periods of time due to being immunocompromised, and he was completely on his own without wife, family, or partner. At one point during this trying time he suggested I had a real talent for writing and should consider making a career in the field. I then remembered that I had wanted to write a book twenty years ago, and had even formed the perfect idea… That very same evening I sat down and started writing a novel. Six months later it became my first published book: ‘Ox Herding: A Secular Pilgrimage.’
Why do you write?
I write because it’s the only occupation I want to have, the only way I want to earn a living, and something I greatly enjoy. Books have played a very significant part in my life and it’s a wonderful thing to be able to actually write myself, and maybe have an equivalent positive effect on others’ lives.
Can you tell us about your newest book and how it came about?
‘Ox Herding: A Secular Pilgrimage’ is a fictional adventure based on the Chinese philosophical classic, ‘The Ten Ox Herding Pictures’: a set of ten pictures that depict the journey to enlightenment through ten distinct and progressive stages of spiritual development. The story unfolds in the form of a fantastical, Carrollesque adventure told from the point of view of Jae, who, like Alice, one day crosses over from reality into a strange dream-like world, where, perhaps unlike Alice, she progresses from confusion to a state of profound wisdom.
The pilgrimage begins with an average person in everyday life dissatisfied, troubled, plagued with metaphysical and spiritual questions, to which there appear to be no answers or obvious way forward. These questions rapidly come to dominate Jae’s thinking, compelling her to focus on them completely and seek tirelessly for answers in every way she can.
Thus commences the circular journey to enlightenment, with the seeker passing through each of the ten stages to arrive, finally, back at the tenth, a place very similar, if not exactly the same, as the original stage, but with one vital difference: a fundamental change has taken place in her way of being and thinking. The burning questions have vanished; the yearned-for answers have vanished; in their place there is only awareness, freedom, love.
On the path through the stages, the main character, Jae, experiences some extraordinary adventures in a strange world where unusual people offer her tempting theories about the meaning of life. Her task is to find her way back home by deciding which of the theories makes the most sense, which way of living is the key to the gate that lets her back to her real life.
Thirty years ago, when I was just a teenager, I had a crucial discussion with him about the meaning of life. He gave me a set of the ‘Ten Ox Herding Pictures’ and asked what I thought they were, and whereabouts I thought I might be on the path. I did my best to answer, but from that moment the pictures went into my psyche and stayed there simmering under the surface. “One day,” I thought, “I will write a book with ten chapters to describe the journey a young person makes in her search for meaning and purpose. One day I will know how to write it and what the content should be.” For twenty years the concept seeped from my mind through my soul into the marrow of my bones, and then suddenly last year I was ready. I sat down at my computer to write the chapter structure, which came out onto the screen almost without effort. Six months later the book was written and edited. ‘Ox Herding: A Secular Pilgrimage,’ describes a journey to find… that which has never been lost.
What genre best fits for the book?
This is a book that could fit a variety of genres. Perhaps literary fiction, perhaps adventure, perhaps spiritual or philosophical fiction.
Are you working on something new at the moment?
Yes, I am currently working on my third novel which has been given the working title of ‘Breaking the Chrysalis.’ In it I address issues that concern the modern woman living in a world still dominated by the male gaze. Through lively conversation, exciting events and close friendships and relationships, the main character, Susanna, grapples with such questions as what to do if your husband desires you but the physical attraction you felt for him has long since dried up. How it feels to be groped by a respectable doctor or consultant and what to do about it. What it’s like to live with a pervy neighbour who insists on reminding you that he’s seen you naked, etc. But the book isn’t complaining and depressive, it’s really an exploration about how it feels to live in today’s world and emerge positive, triumphal, and successful. It’s a piece of fiction, a novel, and the main character will have many choices and decisions to make – but I can’t vouch that she will necessarily make all the right ones! We’re all human after all, and even main characters don’t have flawless vision.
Do you have any tips for aspiring writers?
Yes. The best writing advice anyone ever gave me was, “a writer writes.” It sounds simple, but if you’re not actually writing, or in the process of writing, are you, in fact, a writer? It was meant as an encouragement to get me writing and keep me at it, and it worked! I wanted to be a writer and realised that if I aspired to refer to myself by such a title then I really had to be writing.
What is your writing routine?
I write when the children are at school. It’s the only time I can get things done, knowing that I won’t be interrupted by someone wanting help in the bathroom or needing a sandwich or requested to play a game of Connect 4.
Where can people go to read your work?
Link to Book on Amazon.co.uk:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00J2WWOYM/
Amazon.com:
http://www.amazon.com/Ox-Herding-Pilgrimage-Jackie-Griffiths-ebook/dp/B00J2WWOYM/
Nook (digital):
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ox-herding-jackie-griffiths/1119839561?ean=9780992928704
Smashwords (for many types of eReaders):
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/479373
Google Books/Google Play):
Kobo:
http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/ox-herding-a-secular-pilgrimage
Where can people find you on the internet?
Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8079006.Jackie_Griffiths
My website [coming soon]
http://www.jackiegriffithsauthor.com/
Society of Authors:
http://www.societyofauthors.org/node/66286
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/oxherding.pilgrimage
LinkedIn:
www.linkedin.com/pub/jackie-griffiths/97/433/b35
Google+:
https://plus.google.com/u/0/+JackieGriffithsUK
Twitter:
@jackieauthor
Thank you Jackie for taking the time out to be interviewed and good luck with your writing. Suzan
31 Wednesday Dec 2014
Tags
adventure, author, book release date, books, cat, Chatty Cat Spring into Summer, staff development, supervision for staff workingin social care, Suzan Collins, writing
I would like to say a big thank you to all my readers, libraries and bookshops for their fabulous support during this year.
‘Tomorrow is the first blank page of a 365 page book. Write a good one.’
Brad Paisley (Singer/song Writer).
30 Tuesday Dec 2014
Tags
adventure, Ann Bowyer, author, books, Editing, Get Reading Literary event, glynis smy, Jayne-Marie Barker, Jo Wilde, Marketing, Planning, published, publishing, Researching, Rosy Thornton, Start writing, Suzan Collins, writing
We [Just Write It!] held our first writing workshop this Autumn and were delighted to see so many people, all enthusiastic and wanting to write.
The workshops included: Getting started, Planning, Researching, Editing, Publishing and Marketing. I joined authors/tutors: Ann Bowyer, Glynis Smy, Jayne-Marie Barker, Jo Wilde and Rosy Thornton.
Feedback …
“I had a great time with some great people. Thank you for inspiring me to ‘Just Write It!”
“Thank you for the uplifting weekend. I take away renewed interest. These workshops have geed me up to move on with my work.”
“A lovely and inspirational weekend. It has been great to get to know more like-minded people and share time and ideas.”
“Thank you so much – I feel more alive than I have felt in months.”
“I absolutely loved this experience.”
“Thank you for a great weekend. I have enjoyed meeting other would-be authors and I feel truly empowered to write my book/s.”
Watching the fox and the ducks tease each other.
Some of the group have made a commitment to write and self publish a book [small, medium or large] by July 10th 2015. This group call themselves ‘Waveney Author Group’ [WAG] and will hold monthly meetings to support each other with their writing projects. I have agreed to be part of this WAG group and look forward to meeting up with the group in January 2015.
Just Write It offers a variety of writing workshops-
Getting Started and Planning Fridays
Editing and Different Styles of Publishing Saturdays
Pitching to Publishers/Agent and Marketing Sundays
If you would like more information on our writing workshops please click www.justwriteitworkshops.com
15 Monday Dec 2014
Creative writing submissions: Story Fridays
https://www.writers-online.co.uk/News/958/Creative_writing_submissions_Story_Fridays/
27 Thursday Nov 2014
Tags
author, books, Indie and traditionally published authors, pop up bookshop, The Coconut Loft Art Gallery, writing
Author Fair/Pop-up Bookshop Lowestoft 2015
Indie and traditionally published authors! No bookshops this side of town? No problem! Why not showcase your books in a unique ‘pop-up bookshop’?
Dates: Sat 25th and Sunday 26th July 2015.
Venue: Already established for its two vibrant galleries of colourful, original paintings, the Coconut Loft Art Gallery, 8 Waterloo Rd, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 0AA, is the perfect venue to showcase your books. As well as allowing you to show off your work, the Coconut Loft also sells sensational Italian coffee, ice cream and great value lunches, adding to its established footfall.
Time: 10 am – 4pm. And after a successful day, why not unwind with fish and chips on a Blue Flag beach just 100 metres from the gallery for an exchange of feedback and ideas?
Prices: just £7.00 per table per day, or take advantage of a great SPECIAL OFFER of £12 per table for both days. Tables will hopefully be available both indoors and outside. You can also choose to do a reading of your work.
Book early to avoid disappointment! We are expecting authors from all over the country and are prepared to extend the number of days if there is sufficient demand. Early bookers can be sure of securing accommodation at the best prices before the holiday season starts.
Where to stay in Lowestoft http://goo.gl/fkiv87
Close to Lowestoft train station http://goo.gl/9EhMjI
To secure your place at this unique event, simply visit the Just Write It! website, and don’t forget to say if you wish to do a reading. www.justwriteitworkshops.com
Places are limited so why not book yours TODAY?
