May 24th, 2009
A quick update on progress…
I mentioned recently about switching tactics and approaching literary agents with an initial query letter rather than a package of letter, synopsis, and sample chapters (based on each agent’s preference).
Some agents make it known that they will respond within a few days, to query letters. My experience so far has been just that. [...]
May 12th, 2009
The first round of approaches to literary agents are back – all rejections. So it is time to regroup and prepare for the next batch, with a new tactic…
I wrote recently about receiving rejections from literary agents. There is always a little disappointment to receive a negative response, after all, you are trying to gain [...]
February 14th, 2009
If writing really is re-writing, then I’m thoroughly wrapped in writing right now!
In addition to completing the final chapters of Persistent Spirit, I am in the process of the third draft of the first ten chapters. These will be off to some enthusiastic friends for proofing.
The opportunity to submit to a publisher has motivated me [...]
January 19th, 2009
I completed writing the latest Persistent Spirit audio chapter over the weekend and realised I had just created the starting points of five associated short stories in the space of a few paragraphs. There seems no end to the possibilities.
The TableRappers book series is planned to have short story collections spread amongst the full novels [...]
December 7th, 2008
A few months ago, when buried right in the middle of my novel writing, the thought of discovering a problem with the story large enough to consider rewriting perhaps 20,000 words and killing perhaps another 15,000 was horrific. Oh how attitudes change.
I’m 110,000 words complete in the second draft and a flaw has occurred to [...]
November 19th, 2008
Getting everything about your characters in place before the writing begins is the surest means of weaving your story and characters together throughout your book – erm… no.
I was thinking around a recent comment on my character arc post. Kev wrote:
Planning a story arc for a character can be difficult until you know the character [...]
November 14th, 2008
If you’ve been paying attention here, you’ll know that my big project, TableRappers, has been conceived as a series of novels. Currently four are planned, with aims to create a least six. This presents a significant challenge in managing character arcs.
Arcs are, of course, essential. The reader must follow a character’s journey through each story [...]
September 25th, 2008
As a reader, discovering new writers and learning to trust them can sometimes be a toe-stubbing, root-riddled ramble. Having had my time stolen far too frequently by disappointing reads, I try to explore the potential based on recommendation or general background hum. Just this week, and despite the general hum sounding distinctly positive, I had [...]
August 27th, 2008
Bear with me while I pop back in time a handful of years to when I messed around with stand-up comedy.
For the first few years as an aspiring stand-up comic, one must tread the rocky paths of the open spots. These are the 5 minute – or if you are lucky 10 – slots that [...]
August 22nd, 2008
I wrote on my personal blog about how work – that’s the bit that actually pays the rent right now – overshadows pretty much everything else, including the creative writing. When writing has to be squeezed-in to available hours, it can be tough to summon up the inspiration.
The day-to-day demands of working in the UK [...]