LOOKING BACK... AND FORWARD

It has been a good year for me. I managed to to get some short stories published here in Australia, and for the first time broke into the overseas market - thanks to The Weekly News in the UK. I've had several articles published in the Fellowship of Australian Writers, Writers Voice; they've really boosted my confidence in wanting to share my knowledge/opinions with other writers. Being a part of the novella, Sounds and Silence, brought together by various members of the FAW (NSW) Isolated Writers' Branch was an enjoyable experience for me. I can't even explain the awesome feeling of holding my first published novel, Dream Keeper, in my hands - magic! I surprised myself this year and maintained my writing focus which also enabled me to draft out a non-fiction book and another novel. No, not bragging, just acknowledging to myself that with focus and determination I am able to complete tasks that I set for myself!

I'm looking forward to 2012. I'm pumped up and feeling confident. Yes, there is still so much to learn, but to me that's what living is about - learning. I am passionate about inspiring new writers along their writing journey while I continue my own journey to improve my writing skills as I further nurture my craft.

I've been reading various blogs about setting writing goals. There are those who are dead-set against it and those who wisely advise not to set your expectations too high, but do set some goals. Personally, I will be setting myself some goals because I need that sense of direction.

What are your opinions about goal setting and will you be setting yourself writing goals for 2012? I would very much like to hear from you.

Well, I'm off to set myself some goals for 2012...

Keep writing....

HO! HO! HO!

As another year comes to a close I would like to congratulate all of you on your writing successes this year. I also would like to congratulate all those writers starting out for persevering, for being determined and for not giving up - your turn will come. It's the perseverance and determination that does get you there in the end!
Blogging has opened up a world to me which I feel very privileged to be a part of. I have made many good friends who have supported and encouraged me along my journey. People who have taught me that rejection is part of the writing process and the whole experience of the writing journey is to become a better writer. I have learnt so much; from being informed of writing markets to the creative process itself. Thank you for opening up your world to me.
Ho! Ho! Ho! Merry Christmas and may 2012 be a great one!

Keep writing....

NOVEL MARKETING AND BRICK WALLS

I once read writing a novel is the easy part. At the time I wasn't sure exactly what that meant. But now as I market my novel, Dream Keeper, I know exactly what that means. I'm not all that comfortable with self-promotion but I do know it is something I need to do to make readers aware of my book. I write, as I'm sure many others do, to be read. I'm trying to bring the attention of Dream Keeper to my obvious market, the readers. I had this idea to join readers forums so I could let as many readers out there know of my novel's existence. I am finding promoting one's book on such sites is considered spam and has left me wondering how does a writer promote their novel on line? I even tried to leave my website address as my signature; I wasn't able to do that because that too is considered spam. I really don't see what is so wrong about promoting a novel you've put your heart and soul in, to readers, in readers' forums.

Has anybody got any ideas how I can promote my novel online without upsetting the so called 'powers that be' ?

I feel like I have hit a brick wall. But, on the up side, I came across an interesting saying the other day: 'If you hit a brick wall don't hit your head up against it - find a way around it!'

So if anybody out there has any suggestions about how I can find a way around my brick wall, I would be very grateful.

Keep writing... keep reading...

DREAM KEEPER - IT'S TIME TO FACE YOUR FEARS

We have a dream. We write. We arm ourselves with persistence and determination. We get rejected, but we keep on going because we have a dream and we strive to make that dream come true. The publication of my first novel, DREAM KEEPER, brought tears of joy to my eyes when I held the first copy of my novel. This is why I persevered and I held on tight to my dream - for this moment! Dream Keeper is available through my author website, where you can read what the novel is about and there are links to online stores where you can order a copy if  you wish. But, for me the hard work is far from over - marketing! So armed with another load of persistence and determination I will do the best I can to bring my novel to the reader, so they too can enjoy the journey of Dream Keeper - It's time to face your fears!

FIRST DRAFTS

Today I finished typing 82,000 words of my novel manuscript. I can't believe how quick this novel has come about. I had so much fun writing it. The story unravelled in my mind so fast sometimes I had problems keeping up with the material that came from...the muse? Between you and me I think he was showing off. The next thing I plan to do is read the whole manuscript from start to finish, check the story line and that all the stories within the main story connect, check the flow and all those basics such as making sure character descriptions are consistent. Then it's the hard part of putting the manuscript away and bringing it out with fresh eyes. I know I must be patient with this.

What would you suggest is a good length of time to put the manuscript away before revising it? I'd probably be lucky to last a month before I brought it out again. What about you?

Meanwhile for me, it's back to writing short stories. I'm looking forward to that.

Keep writing....

WRITING - GETTING STARTED

Set yourself a writing project. I remember as a child standing in a library. I was in awe at all the books lining the shelves. I always had the greatest respect and admiration for authors. Writers have this gift where they are able to entwine thousands of words together to create a story which transports the reader into another world. The reader becomes a part of this other world where they are able to see and feel what the characters see and feel. A book that is able to mesmerise and take the reader away from their real world, to me is magical. I stood there in that library all those years ago and I knew that day what I wanted to accomplish in my life. I wanted to have my books up on those shelves.

If you’re up for it your very first writing project can very well be your novel, or you can opt to take one step at a time. Prepare yourself. A writing course would be a good starting point for you to learn the basics, from grammar to story structure. Subscribing to writer’s newsletters and journals will give insight into what is happening in the writer’s world. You will be provided with information on writing tips, competitions and markets. Read writer’s blogs and visit writer’s forums. You can learn from other writers. Reading about how published writers go about the business of writing is a huge stepping stone along your journey. It’s interesting reading the processes of other writers. Process is something you experience, it is something you learn. Part of these processes will be something you use as you nurture your own writing process - eventually you will have your own process. When you feel you are prepared to venture out and create your own piece of writing decide on your writing project:

LETTERS TO MAGAZINES
Deciding on your first writing project can be as simple as a letter to a magazine. For me knowing that the editor wanted to publish what I wrote gave me some confidence. Getting paid for it was a bonus. Sometimes the magazines may ask about your opinion or experiences on a particular topic, you could submit a letter about something humorous or thought provoking or you could simply write in to let them know what you like about their magazine.

ARTICLES
Think of something you are particularly good at, or have some knowledge about and write about it. It could be anything from gardening or cooking tips, family budgets, travelling hot spots, to how you overcame a hurdle in life or beat an illness.

POETRY

Poetry comes in many forms; from three line haikus, to rhyming to free verse. Poets are finding an audience for their work by places which provide a venue for their readings; pubs, libraries, writers groups etc. There are also competitions, literary journals and other writers’ magazines which accept submissions of poetry. Use your imagination and create music with your words!

SHORT STORIES

What sort of story do you enjoy reading? Focus on creating your very own short story. You be in the driver’s seat and take the reader on a journey. It takes practise to create a concise piece of writing with a beginning, middle and end. A story with conflict and resolution that has to be achieved in a certain number of words is challenging, but it is fun too.

WRITING FOR CHILDREN

Once you have decided which age group to write for read as many children’s books as you can. The range is varied; from children’s picture books to young adults. Summon your inner child and let your imagination do the rest.

NOVEL

Writing a novel is a huge challenge, but a rewarding one. Here you have your main story and main character intertwined with stories inside your stories that bring the characters together. What genre are you particularly passionate about? This would be a good starting point for you. 

So, no matter what your writing project is, don’t think about it, JUST DO IT!

CHAPTER LENGTHS

Recently I was asked;  How long is a chapter? For me, a chapter is as long as it needs to be. I work out what I am trying to say without any word limit in mind. I think it's important that the chapter is not a means to increasing your word count - a dead spot, it has to move the story along in an entertaining way where perhaps the reader is learning more about the characters - who they are and the conflicts that need to be resolved, something is revealed, or information supplied which links in with an incident that happens later on in the story. I believe it is important too to end your chapter with the reader keen to turn that page in eagerness to read your next chapter. 

What do you think?