Stephanie Meyer, and Forks, Washington State

Tell Me a Story - comment.

Just a mention in a popular book can work wonders.

For example, the Twilight series from Stephenie Meyers has unleased thousands of visitors on the small backwater of Forks, Washington State.

Previously, no one had heard of the place, now it's innundated with cash-spending folk.... It must have solved the financial problems of several local business people.

It goes to show that good things can come from sh*t.

I just wish she'd mention my book in her blog. I mention her's often enough..... There's no justice is there....

For more information, see the full article on 'Buzzle'.

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End of post - Stephanie Meyer, and Forks, Washington State
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Book Publicists

Tell Me a Story - information.

One of my Twitter 'friends' is Carolyn Howard Johnson, American award winning author.

I've just received a Tweet from her regarding information about Book Publicists. If you're interested in pushing your book, then I suggest you give it once over. Some good stuff in there.

Ascot party at Llosa de Camacho

Tell Me a Story - current affairs....


Okay, so we all have our daft moments. Mine was last night at an Ascot theme party.

I made a 'top-hat' out of cardboard and covered it with an old sheet. The jacket was crumpled for three days to make me look like a loser. I lost my shirt at the races with heavy betting. My pocket kerchief was a pair of red knickers and the bowtie was something my wife used at halloween last year.

All in all we had great fun, even though it had been raining just before the party began.

Below, me in my strange outfit.


Most of the ladies wore strange attire too....


Mine host was David Regnard - looking suave, as ever.



My friend, ex-international model, Micheline de Marsac done up like a dog's dinner.

A great view across the valley and Llosa de Camacho

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A good time was had by all, until it started to rain again shortly after midnight. Still, there's always next time... next theme.

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Thanks to David and Brenda for staging the party.

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End of post - Ascot party at Llosa de Camacho

Jayne Ann Krentz publishes her novel on Twitter

Tell Me a Story - comment.

Most writers get frustrated at not being able to publish their work. I've been incredibly lucky to have mine in print, but it wasn't always like that. If you're struggling, here's a novel way of getting your book out there..... If you find it useful or encouraging, please give me a thumbs up on Stumble, Digg or whatever Social Bookmark site you use....

Jayne Ann Krentz, a New York Times best selling novelist is transporting one of her popular characters, private investigator, Fallon Jones, to cell phones and laptops of readers everywhere.

Jayne Ann Krentz about to launch novel on Twitter.

Looking for ways of reaching new readers, Jayne Ann had already dismissed Twitter as a way to tell people what she is ‘doing right now’’ as being far too boring –I have to agree. I’ve only just started exploring Twitter, and as far as I can see most people tweet shit.

However, instead of writing about what she’s doing, Jayne is taking her tweets and publishing a micro-novel, 140 characters at a time.

Wow! Talk about a serialized novel…. This has to be the ultimate in bite sized reading….. I might consider doing it myself if I get sufficient followers on ajbarnett …

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End of post -Jayne Ann Krentz publishes her novel on Twitter

Danny Gokey raises money for charity

Tell Me a Story - comment.

American Idol star, Danny Gokey, has helped raise $10,000 for charity. He used his popularity to persuade Tweeters to ‘follow’ football star, Nick Barnett (@nickbarnett ) raising Nick's followers’ to 10,000 followers!!!

Incredibly they pulled it off it in only 9 hours!!

Well done Danny. Now another Professional football player, David Clowney ( @davidclowney )will also donate $5,000 if Danny can persuade 5,000 people to follower him by the tenth of July.

So, if you’re on Tweeter, get your fingers twiddling and help Danny to raise another $5,000 for charity.

*** Danny Gokey, Danny Gokey, Danny Gokey ***

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End of post - Danny Gokey raises money for charity

Adam Lambert's first album

Tell Me a Story - news

I told you Adam Lambert followed me on Twitter. Well I've now returned the compliment and I'm following him too. I've just had my first tweet.

The tweet from Adam Lambert (American Idol) reveals that 19 Recordings have signed him to a record deal. Along with this exciting announcement, it was also disclosed that his first album will be licensed to RCA Records for release this autumn.

Great news, Adam. I wish you all the best. With your talent, I know you'll do incredibly well.

*** Adam Lambert, Adam Lambert, Adam Lambert ***

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End of post - Adam-Lambert first-album

Adam Lambert is following MY Tweets

Tell Me a Story - comment.

I cannot believe this. I am blown away. I have recently started to tweet. Twitter is still an unknown quantity to me, so I'm only just about fumbling my way through. I've had a handful of people 'follow' me so far but today...... Wow!

Today my mind is reeling. At 16:25hrs (local time) I had a new follower .... The incredibly talented ADAM LAMBERT from American Idol.

ADAM LAMBERT is following what I say..... Can you credit it..... I am gob-smacked .... I've been a fan of his since first seeing him perform.... I only hope I say things he wants to hear.

Adam Lambert, Adam Lambert, Adam Lambert, Adam Lambert,

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End of post - Adam Lambert and My twitter.

Alice Hoffman on Twitter

Tell Me a Story - comment.

Twitter was bound to be abused at some time.

In this particular case it was furious author, Alice Hoffman, when she took the decision to use Twitter to distribute a reviewer's phone number and email address. She attempted to persuade followers to get back at Roberta Silman, after she published a not-so-good review of Alice Hoffman's most recent book, The Story Sisters, in the Boston Globe.



Alice Hoffman raised a few eyebrows whilst the literary world brooded over whether reviewers should really be punished for saying what they think.


Apparently, the literary world sided with the reviewer. After receiving bad replies for the injudicious tweet, Hoffman attempted to metamorphose the tantrum into an ethical standpoint, saying, "Girls are taught to be gracious and keep their mouths shut. We don't have to. Just the same as we writers don't have to say nothing when someone tries to destroy us."

I’m afraid it’s one of the crosses we authors bear when we put our work up for public perusal, my dear. You know what they say, if you can’t stand heat, get out of the kitchen….

Still, looking on the bright side, I suppose it will bring plenty of publicity for the book ..... Or am I getting a tad cynical in my old age ....

*** Alice Hoffman, Alice Hoffman, Alice Hoffman ***

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End of post - Alice Hoffman on Twitter

Jim Howell, Copper Eyes

Tell Me a Story - crime writer.

They say write about what you know. I know I do it when I write, as do many more authors, and so it seems does Captain Jim Howell.

Jim Howell pursued offender for 33 years at Dallas County Sheriff's Department. However, Jim Howell is also a writer with two novels under his belt; one of them a crime novel set right there in the Sheriff's Department.

Jim Howell controlled the agency's criminal investigations department until retiring to spend more time with his family, which also allows him time to write more novels.


Howell's second book is called Copper Eyes, about a Dallas County sheriff's detective who suspects her sergeant is a serial killer.

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. . We wish you well, Jim.

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End of post - Jim Howell, Copper Eyes

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Jk Rowling sued for plagiarism

Tell Me A Story - comment.

When I saw the headline JK Rowling sued for plagiarism, my first thought was 'Not another Stephenie Meyer'. I felt cheated that yet one more top-paid author had written over someone else's work.

It's hard enough for me coming to terms with celebrities jumping on the bandwagon and ousting REAL writers, without highly-paid authors messing about - and JK Rowling is the most highly paid of them all.

The worst of it is, 5% of authors cream off 95% earnings (if you think all writers are dripping with money - think again). So if one of the top-paid writers is cheating.....

Most of us write books and stories because we love writing - but we get zilch returns - just a drop of goodwill from readers every now and then.

However, having read the article - and providing the information is correct, I feel there is hardly a case to answer.

Take a look at JK Rowling sued for plagiarism, and tell me what you think.... Not that I go along with JK Rowling having such a large slice of the ever-decreasing cake, but I hate for the image of writers to be tarnished.

*** JK Rowling, JK Rowling, JK Rowling ***

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End of post - Jk Rowling sued for plagiarism

Stuart Neville, The Twelve

Tell Me a Story - technology.


I’ve always advised new writers to keep a notebook handy – ideas are ephemeral; they develop a nasty habit of slipping from us if we don’t jot them down immediately.

However, technology changes things. As much as I dislike change for the sake of change, I admit to tentatively embracing it. I don’t want to get left behind. Lately, I’ve been experimenting with an Olympus digital voice recorder to record those little ideas that seem to jump into my head at inconvenient moments.

It seems I’m not the only one to embrace technology. Author, Stuart Neville, has discovered his own way of taking notes.


The Twelve, by Armagh writer, Stuart Neville, first saw light of day life on the screen of his mobile phone, before ending up with approval from none other than novelist James Ellroy.

Ellroy, author of LA Confidential and American Tabloid, said that Stuart Neville's thriller was, "The best first novel I have read in years".

"The book started life on my mobile phone," Stuart Neville explained. "I literally got up out of bed with this idea in my head for a novel and the first thing I put my hand on was my PDA phone. I started writing it digitally there and then on the mobile screen because it was handy, and then later copied it onto my computer."

So there you are. I always knew mobile phones were useful for something…. most people are welded to them for no good reason…. but as a notebook…. great!

*** Stuart Neville, Stuart Neville, Stuart Neville ***

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End of post - Stuart Neville, The Twelve

Creative writing - dialogue

Tell Me a Story - Dialogue.

Anthony, can you help me? My dialogue never seems ‘real’. Have you any tips you can share?

Hi, Pauline. Dialogue is VERY important. Your novel needs to contain around 50% - 60% dialogue to keep it moving along.

I know it sounds trite, but try listening to the way people talk. Study the selection of words, and the tempo used. People don’t speak in long sentences, so make sure you write your dialogue in short, sharp sentences.

As you listen, decide which of those spoken words are actually suitable for your writing. In real life, when we meet someone, we greet each other with worn-out phrases, asking how they are, etc. This is monotonous stuff. Readers are intelligent and understand that small talk occurs – they simply aren’t interested. They want to get to the substance of the conversation without everyday fluff. Remove the minutiae; give the readers what they want.

You also need to append dialogue with body language. Without body language, readers can’t always appreciate the value of words. Readers need to see the protagonists in their mind's eye as they talk - do they grimace, smile, frown? Body language can completely alter the meaning of words.

Adding body language can also alter the pacing of the work. There are times when brisk dialogue is necessary, and times when we want to slow it down. Describing body language can slow it quite subtly without altering the substance.

One thing I must point out. Be VERY careful if your character has a dialect. Writing in heavy dialect can become distracting and time-consuming, and most readers tire of it quickly - one of the rare times when you should TELL, not SHOW.

Hope this helps a little, Pauline – and good luck.

*** dialogue, dialogue, dialogue ***

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End of post - Creative writing - dialogue

The Dublin Literary Award

Tell Me a Story - comment.

So first-time writers can get recognized after all! It's about time. There is hope for us !

Boston-born writer, Michael Thomas has been bestowed the Dublin Literary Award for his debut novel, 'Man Gone Down'.


The prize is among the literary world's most rewarding, with a grant of $140,000 - pretty incredible.





Michael Thomas overcame a solid consortium of writers in the final list that even included Junot Diaz' Pulitzer Prize winning 'The Brief and Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao'.

Well done, Michael. Let's hope there is more to come from you. You give all new writers hope.

*** Michael Thomas, Michael Thomas, Michael Thomas ***

*** Dublin Literary Award, Dublin Literary Award, Dublin Literary Award ***

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End of post - The Dublin Literary Award
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Freedom of speach and author, Liu Xiaobo

Tell Me a Story - Opinion.

Wow! This makes me feel humble. I might spout off every now and then, I might moan about things I don’t agree with, but would I do it if there were a threat of a jail sentence hanging over me for doing it?

Freedom of speach.

We in the Western world, forget just how lucky we are. We forget that freedom of speech has to be fought for. We forget that most people in the world are afraid of mouthing their opinions in case of state retribution… To wit: -

Even though his jail sentence has just been completed, the Chinese writer, Liu Xiaobo, remains in custody in Beijing, as the establishment maintains he is still in violation of China’s criminal law.

Mr Liu, 53, was detained by police on December 8, one day before the publication of the Charter ‘08 document that he co-authored with more than 300 fellow intellectuals who were calling for a new constitution, human rights, elections, freedom of religion and expression and an end to the Communist Party’s hold over the military, courts and government.

“The Public Security Bureau say they must keep investigating his case,” Mr Liu’s lawyer said.

Surely, all they were asking for were basic human-rights, things we take for granted over here?

I suppose it just reinforces how much importance is actually placed on writers. We tend to forget that people actually read our work .... and some might even follow our advice ....

*** Liu Xiaobo, Liu Xiaobo, Liu Xiaobo ***

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End of post - Freedom of speach and author, Liu Xiaobo

Lauren Conrad and L.A. Candy

Tell Me a Story - rant.

One more celebrity has nudged their way into the publishing world.

TV star, Lauren Conrad, has released her first novel, L.A. Candy, and boy does it piss me off.

Celebs and their publishing houses know they’ll make a mint from their work. They already have a ‘face’ - they’re known to millions, so millions will buy.

We writers – the ones who try to avoid daft sentences, the ones who strive to produce sensibly structured work – struggle to get a foot in the door – we can’t get publicity - yet a celeb goes viral as soon as they put pen to paper.

We all know promotion is required to sell books – but how does an unknown author achieve it?

I've tried it all, read various blurbs that guarantee to show us how to achieve notoriety - been there got the ‘T’ shirt - no results.

In a classical Catch 22 situation, publishing houses rarely promote ‘unknown’ authors - only well known authors who don't really need it get a push. Newbies have to make their own way - and if you’re with an independent publishing house – forget it – no budget for you my friend.

How do we achieve celebrity status…… Maybe shooting somebody or robbing a bank would make a difference…… Anyone got a gun....

Just thought I’d let you know it hacks me off – just in case you hadn’t already realised.

*** Lauren Conrad, Lauren Conrad, Lauren Conrad ***

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End of post - Lauren Conrad and L.A. Candy