Friday 28 October 2011

I dont wait for moods.

I don't wait for moods. You accomplish nothing if you do that. Your mind must know it has got to get down to work.~ Pearl S. Buck


I wish I could say the same. I havent blogged in ages and I havent even managed to edit any of my book- time has just dissapeared and I dont know where it went. But some progress has been made on Goa Traffic - my interview came through from Diverse traveller magazine. About 15 questions all pretty good. I think it will make an interesting read and I hope it will encourage more people to start writing!!! They also want to give the book away in a competition for a book review- it will be good to see what becomes of that. 


That is all my news so far. I think I have a new name for The book Club- The Bittersweet Vine- what do you think? and also I have a new image for the new kindle version I am doing for Goa Traffic- I guess I have been doing something productive - I just need to get back to Book number two - I have 5 weeks to get draft number two complete and I am only a quarter way through.... Help!!!



Thursday 20 October 2011

Everybody walks past a thousand story ideas every day.

Everybody walks past a thousand story ideas every day. The good writers are the ones who see five or six of them. Most people don't see any.
Orson Scott Card




What have I been doing? Too busy to do anything. I did however go to a literary festival the other Saturday where I heard two authors speak. One being traditionally published and the other being self published. Both books seemed interesting – ‘A Diamond in the sky’ by Margaret Pelling and ‘Invisible’ by Frank something or the other- he actually teaches creative writing somewhere in Oxfordshire.

It was my first literary festival experience- and it was more of a library talk than an actual festival but I really enjoyed it- Its good to know there are other authors out there and unless you have hit it big- whether you are traditionally published or not- it’s a struggle.

‘The Book Club’ for want of a better name is on hold- although from next Wednesday I will continue the edit. It has just been so busy I have not had any time with it- Maybe the space will invigorate my writing!

The literary festival gave me some ooompf to promote Goa Traffic- It was nice to hear from Authors that marketing was a struggle as they just wanted to get on with their next book.

More great reviews on amazon and goodreads.com has given me inspiration and I have contacted my two local branches of Waterstones (I dropped off copies of the book months ago)

I am also sending a copy to Rick Stein- well he loves Goa and the book is full of food descriptions too! And maybe the Richard and Judy book club! Also I need to call all those book shop buyers as well and get cracking with my new kindle version of Goa Traffic!!!!! I am meeting with my creative consultant to discuss the new front cover next week! So much to do.

Thursday 13 October 2011

All that we are is the result of what we have thought.

All that we are is the result of what we have thought. The mind is everything. What we think, we become.
Buddha

I apologise- I havent blogged in how long? I dont know a long time. I have been swamped by family things and work.... ughhh. Dont you just hate it when work takes over and you have less time to concentrate with the things you love doing?! Well work has taken over a bit and family like I said and a short trip as well to Budapest and Vienna... both beautiful in their own magical ways I might add. 


First an update on Goa Traffic- I think I blogged that the book giveaway on Goodreads.com was a huge success with a couple of 4/5 star reviews coming from the site which is great. the feature in the Ocelot magazine was a bonus as well and today Diverse traveller magazine called to say they want to do an author interview! 


So the fruits of my labour are paying off!!! I am still working on a cheaper kindle version too.


In regards to the un-named book number two- well lets stick to the original name for the moment- The Book Club. I am still working on it- I am ashamed to say that I have not done much editing on it as yet. I am a quarter way through and itching to carry on with it - I just need to find the time. 


I have finished The Slap- longlisted for the booker prize- I cant say that I was that impressed. It was a bit too 'in your face' for me. I am now reading Netherland by Joseph O'neill- I will let you know how it goes!!!!

Sunday 2 October 2011

There's no secret about success.

There's no secret about success. Did you ever know a successful man who didn't tell you about it?
Kin Hubbard



So today I got a plug on the Ocelot Magazine!! http://www.theocelot.co.uk/modules/news/article.php?storyid=1597


Take a look- its on page 28! very excited about it. Goa Traffic is on its way up. Its funny writing a book and then promoting it. It is such a journey and a learning curve but I am glad to be on it. 


On the reading front. I have just read One Day- a modern day great - it has been deemed to be. I didnt think so. I know that people in glass houses shouldnt throw stones but I just have to... I didnt like it. I didnt identify with the characters when I should have and so reading it became a chore because I didnt really want to know what was happening to them. I suppose one good thing I did learn - is that your audience have to identify and like the characters within the novel. Of course many people did in One Day - after all it has sold over a million copies etc... I personally didnt like it. But then again that is the beauty of books... different types for different people.