ho ho ho. It’s something I’ve been talking about for so long I hardly dared believe it was going to happen myself! But it IS happening and lots of exciting new services are coming soon. As always, the main aim for the blog and website (soon to become one fabby site) are to provide as much information and resources to the writer as possible. This includes information on agents/publishers/competitions/workshops/conferences/retreats…….I will continue to help writers on every step of their writing journey with a range of affordable critique packages on offer, from basic to elite. You know, I’ve spent so long on my own writing journey that I don’t want you to do the same. I’ve learnt the short-cuts the hard way. So it’s my aim to assist you in your writing dreams and make them happen as quickly and as effortlessly as possible. You don’t have to go down the winding road I’ve been wandering for 3 years!!! Here’s the how to do it the quick way. The new site will include lots of writing guidelines and tips on how to write your book AND include information on how to get your book published! I’m really excited by this last part as it’s a brand new angle on the site and will involve working alongside someone very special to me and between us we’ll provide you with the complete writing package. So please be patient just a while longer and I’ll keep you updated.
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
This sounds gorgeous!!!! If you want a peaceful and pampered writing retreat to finish that book of yours then check this out. Also, remember to keep an eye on my website because there’s another writing retreat listed on there - in Spain - and over the summer months I’ll be uploading more. Retreats are great for taking a chunk of time away from everyday life and knuckling down without distractions on your writing.If you have a retreat venue which you think is ideal for writers, then please get in contact and I’ll put the details on here (my blog) and at a later point, on my main website. My aim is to provide as many options to the writer as possible and that includes idylic retreats all over the world!Starting with Devon…… Retreats for you.A place that gives you space.If you’re looking for somewhere peaceful to write, in a supportive and nurturing environment, I can help.Picture the scene. After a warm welcome to Retreats for you, a good meal, and a soak in a scented bath, you slip between pure white cotton sheets, and are soothed to sleep by the velvety black silence that is the village of Sheepwash, in rural Devon. Next morning, rested and refreshed, you come downstairs to find a substantial breakfast waiting for you, including freshly laid eggs and home made bread and yoghurt.The morning is spent writing at your desk, in your comfortable room (with a kettle and hot drinks tray). And after being served a simple but delicious lunch, you go for a walk in the glorious Devon countryside, returning to curl up on one of our large squashy sofas. Lulled by the peace and tranquility of the environment, you snuggle under one of the soft rugs draped over the sofa ends, and have a short nap.You spend the rest of the afternoon producing yet more quality words (why wouldn’t you, when there are no distractions and no chores to do). Later, tea and home made banana bread arrives, and you spend time gazing into the depths of the huge log fire, basking in its warmth and allowing its flames to fuel the now crackling muse.A glass of wine and a dish of olives is brought to you, and over a hearty dinner, you enjoy good company and - if you so choose, discussion of your work, along with plenty of encouragement.If however, you prefer to be solitary, that’s fine too. Our 16th century rambling thatched house and garden offers plenty of nooks and crannies. You can wander at will, make yourself comfy and relax wherever you like.The only house rule at Retreats for you is that guests aren’t allowed to do any domestic chores.All you need to do is write.www.deborahdooleyjournalist.co.uk/retreat.html
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
