To Plan or Not to plan…

That is the question.  Here’s what I do.

I had been writing for about ten years on and off by the time I heard this, and when I did it really stuck with me and it does today.  I remember something that Terry Pratchett had said on TV during an interview and it was basically this, if you are stuck about what to write then begin with two characters, get them talking to each other and see where it takes you.  I was quite pleased when I heard this because that was how I had been doing it all along.

But I always end up having to do some at least.  Taking into account that your story has to have a definite beginning, middle and end, it is important to recognise where the crisis point is and so you can take the action down to the resolution point. Minette Walters (The Shape of Snakes) said in an interview that she waited until she got to the halfway point before deciding who the murderer was.  So she was just as surprised herself.

You may disagree, but all I can say to that is, that we are all different.  I usually find that as long as you are true to your characters and give them the life that they ought to have then I find that they take things off into their own direction anyway.  It’s quite exciting when this happens, then you find yourself writing just to see what happens next and that gives you even more of a thrill about writing.

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There are a few places left on this women’s commercial self-edit workshop 21-23 September at Charney Manor, Oxon, to be run by Julie Cohen.  They only take about 15 authors and if you book by 21st July you’ll qualify for an early booking discount of £60. You’ll also be able to meet Broo Doherty from Wade & Doherty who will be coming for the agent talk. See below. Please email or call for a programme.http://www.cornerstones.co.uk/workshops.htmTelephone: 020 8968 0777

The Build on Books Appeal -Taken from the website http://www.codep.co.uk  - a British Based Charity operating in London and Sierra Leone.Currently in Sierra Leone three out of ten people are literate and this figure is lower for women with only one out of ten. After fifteen years of Civil War, a large section of the population lost out to education and through Build on Books the aim is to replenish and improve their existing reading materials for both adults and children and boost their reading culture. Once the Equiano Centre is complete, the donated books will be housed in the book kiosk and learning rooms.Every year 13 millions books are sent to landfill in the UK. Build on Books aims to recycle as many unwanted books as possible by sending them to Sierra Leone where the Sierra Leone Library Board will receive, sort and distribute them amongst schools, libraries and learning centres in the region.To date we have received tremendous support; we have collected 200,000 books from participating schools and local community organisations nationwide and with the help of our partners, Green-Works, have been able to ship our first container out to Sierra Leone. Our thanks go to everyone who has made a contribution.If you would like to donate books you no longer require, we have five drop off points around the UK in Leeds, Wigan, Glasgow, Reading and near Birmingham – thanks for the generous support of Business Moves Group. As well as fictional books, we welcome educational text books and factual books for all levels. Our only ask is that the books are in good condition.Contact: Ranall Leckie, CODEP Fundraising and Events Manager – ranall@codep.co.uk or call 0207 219 4193More info at: www.codep.co.ukTo donate books contact: Ranall Leckie ranall@codep.co.uk

Choosing your Attitude

When we are in the process of writing or even working to get published it can be a rollercoaster ride.  We need to stay steady through this ride and focused on our ultimate goal of the published book in our hands.  Having been through that process, there is nothing nicer than having the proof copy in your hands for the first time.  So what can we do as authors that will help us through this time?

In my book Remembering Perfection (www.rememberingperfection.com) in the chapter Reality and Attitude I talk about how the one thing we have absolute control over is the attitude we choose to adopt when something happens in our lives.  Right now, if you feel like many things outside of your control it is quite useful to feel in control of one aspect. 

So choose your attitude.  When you originally decided to write your book you knew that you had something to say.  That part of you that wanted to express through words was so strong that nothing could stop you writing.  Wherever you are in that process the most important thing that you can is ask yourself is; what attitude can I adopt that would put me in the most positive mindset to get this book out there and into the publics hands? 

If you can bring yourself to the present moment you can choose to think creatively, not only about solutions, but also new opportunities that you could create.  By choosing a good feeling attitude it gives you the ability to respond with awareness rather than unconsciously react. 

For example I had a few problem with my publisher not delivering what was promised.  To begin with I got frustrated and angry, but I soon realised that this attitude was not going to solve the problem.  So instead I started to ask myself how could I work with the publisher to make the best of the situation?  How could I be grateful for what has happened rather than focus on what hasn’t?  Slowly this new attitude began not only to make me feel better because I was taking responsibility for the promotion of my book, but I also began to get new opportunities to promote it. 

If you catch yourself with an attitude that is making your feel bad then it is a sure sign that your thoughts are not in a good space.  Stop a moment and ask yourself, what attitude would serve me better?  It is the one sure place where you have total free will, use it – what have you got to lose?

Jessica works internationally as a Life Fulfilment Coach empowering people to create the life they choose and gain fulfilment in every area of life.  She offers a free introductory session to discuss how she can support you in making the transformation you want and feel excited about your life again.  If you would like to arrange a time for her to call you please email her at jessica@jessicamcgregorjohnson.com or call +44 203 239 6155.  For more information visit www.jessicamcgregorjohnson.com 

She has recently published her first book Remembering Perfection – Everyday Inspiration for Living your Spirituality for more information visit www.rememberingperfection.com

It’s me again!  Popping up amongst all these worthy articles….which is a very productive way of using the blog when I am tied up at work.  So, I hope you’re finding the articles useful - there’s plenty more to come including my fave.  One on erotic literature.  Liking it.So, it’s summertime.  It’s hot.  Maybe you’re thinking of going on holiday?  Maybe you’re even thinking of going on holiday to Marbella?  Well, look no further.  A very good friend of mine (who I met when I led a series of writing workshops in Marbella) has a fantastic resource website for holiday-makers jetting off to the bling bling chic boat capital of Spain.  He pointed me toward his site the other day because if you look very carefully in the twitter box - there I am!So, a little link back to him -http://www.gomarbella.com/marbella/malagabus.htmlIf you’re not going to Marbella, don’t worry.  It’s not everyone’s cup of chardonny.  But if you are going to Spain, pack your sunscreen.  It’s a scorcher out there.  Not that I would know - because this year, the first time in YEARS, I am in England for the summer.And it’s raining.  Boo.For those of you who still remember a book I was once bleeting on about - well, get this - it’s finished!  And I’m now editing it.   Now re-modelled as a sexy teen paranormal romance, I’m on chapter 15 out of 40.  Yes, gone are the days when I was writing a mind, body, spirit adult out to transform the world.  The closer the deal comes, the more I have sussed out what the market wants and, dare I say it, conformed.   Of course, I haven’t lost my dream of transforming the world, i.e., I haven’t completely sold out!   The message of actualisation is still in there.  And to be honest, it’s probably better than it’s not being rammed down the reader’s face!  The book carries the message that there is something else out there and if you look hard enough, you might just find it….The dream moves ever closer.So, keep dreaming, keep sunning.  Keep smiling.