Rejections

I did send out submissions of ‘Ecklar’s Curse’, ‘Progression’, ‘Frightscape’ and ‘Justin and the Grunds’. I have since received a lovely rejection for ‘Justin and the Grunds’. The publisher kindly let me know the editors who saw my work felt that it showed ‘real promise’.

Sometimes the nicer rejection letters are harder to take than the usual form types. Wouldn’t it be great if all unpublished writers had a crystal ball to see exactly what the publishers, at any given time, wanted to include in their lists?

Never mind. We all know the score, so many writers and so few publishers.

Finally, I have something to blog about

Please go here and sign the Saving Aussie Books Petition against removing restrictions to Parallel Importation of books into Australia if you disagree with the Productivity Commission's report. You can read the petition before signing.

2009 is going by so fast

I thought I'd better check in to my own blog. I can't believe how fast 2009 is passing. I have decided to grit my teeth and start sending out submissions. I'll check out some competitions too.

Here is a great competition for anyone who has a completed manuscript. Check out

http://knightagency.blogspot.com/

March 24th post 'Enter TKA's Book In a Nutshell Competition!'

Apparently a writer has to do these things if they ever hope to be published, oh, and write more, of course.

Writing in the tropics

Here we are in the month of October and already hot.

I still visit the authonomy site regularly and honestly, even if you don’t want to join to read or comment, you can still read the forums – they’re a blast.

Our play ‘The Shed’ is still taking shape but I don’t think we’ll see it performed this year. We’ve all had other projects to keep us busy. Definitely next year. My co-authors and I worked with scenes five and six yesterday and I have to tell you, it is so much fun working with other people.

I’ve just entered the middle section of my wip. I love this part, I can play a bit and follow leads here and there. I don’t mind if I have to back track every now and again.

Spring is here

There is a new site just out of beta testing.

http://www.authonomy.com

The site is proving very popular. Authors upload their manuscripts and read/rate others.

So, if you like reading, go and check it out and if you have a manuscript around that hasn't found a home, go and upload.


I’ve put one up and if you like it, you might like to tell others about the site and, of course, my submission.


My novel, 'Ecklar’s Curse', is here if you’d like to take a look.


http://www.authonomy.com/ViewBook.aspx?bookid=1457

Beautiful August

August, and I’ve finally decided to plot a novel from start to finish. I have never done this before and while I’m finding the process enjoyable, I can’t wait to start writing the story. Someone said on a forum (I can’t remember which one, I read way too many) the first draft is the writer telling themselves the story. I liked that, but with detailed plotting, I think that is also a writer telling themselves what and whom the story is about, and hopefully, the first draft will/should make much more sense. The only way to find out is do it.

I’m reading Eats, Shoots & Leaves by Lynne Truss at the moment. I'd been meaning to buy the book for awhile but my kind sister bought it for me; an easy read for anyone who wants to brush up on his or her punctuation skills.

There are Many Ways to Write a Story

Among my other projects, I am co-writing a one-act play.

The Shed by Dale Furse, Rosa Christian and Stella McMahon.

We hope to have it completed soon and performed by 'Townsville Little Theatre' later in the year. While all three of us have acted and directed previously we have decided not to have any input into the casting or direction whatsoever.

While I am enjoying the co-writing experience, it is a lot more difficult than I thought it would be. With three different outlooks, imaginations and senses of humour we find we have to compromise sometimes but the story will be richer because of those differences. However, I think three co-writers are probably better than only two. With two there is no casting vote when a disagreement arises. It will be fun to see what the director and actors do with our play. I can’t wait.

By the way, I was pleasantly surprised to find J.M. Barrie’s Peter Pan was one of the books discussed on the ABC’s First Tuesday Book Club hosted by Jennifer Byrne, Tuesday the 1^st of July. Jennifer and her four guests all agreed that the original is an amazing story and everyone should read it again.