Book Review, Azincourt.

Azincourt by Bernard Cornwell.

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In his latest book, Cornwell focuses interest on Henry V's almost unbelievable triumph over the French.

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It must have been quite a quandary for him, deciding how to turn such a well-known story into something new and exhilarating.

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Thankfully, Cornwell is a master of words.

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The novel concentrates on individuals instead of the history-book version we’ve probably had stuffed down our throats. This creates impact and believability.

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Ordinary medieval men and women

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The tale follows Nick Hook, an English longbow man, and successfully places the victory at Agincourt into social perspective. We take a peep behind the lives of ordinary medieval men and women, at their faith, and the battle between the heretical Lollard beliefs and the Church.

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Corwell weaves all of these convincingly into the fabric of the story. Taking his past performance into account, it will come as no surprise that the battle scenes are strongly and persuasively portrayed.

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All in all this is a masterpiece well worth the read.

• Next post on Tell Me a Story - Holiday.
• My other blog - Bedlam

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End of - Book Review, Azincourt.

Holiday is over.

Well that's it for a while -end of holiday -back to reality.

We've just had a few days off and zipped over to Benidorm - full board, 4 star hotel - a snip at this time of the year - nice. We live about 45 minutes away, so it wasn't exactly a hard days travel - and it made a real change to be pampered.

We took in a few shows, saw an amazing firework display, sipped coffee and brandy a few mornings on the trot -and did a spot of people watching. Great stuff.

Sorry if you've missed my posts, but it doesn't do to let the world know you're not going to be home, not everyone is scrupulous....

• Next post on Tell Me a Story - Lindsey Mackie
• My other blog - Bedlam.

End of - Holiday is over.

Lindsey Mackie, début novel

Début novel

A mother-of-two will be pushing the boat out next week when her début novel is published . There will probably be one heck of a get-together at Gerrards Cross Church of England Primary School where she's planning a celebration .... and so she should.

Set in 2050

Lindsey Mackie, of Windsor Road, Gerrards Cross, spent three years following her lines of investigation and writing 'ASO', a novel set in 2050, when climate change and a scarcity of food and resources has totally changed the way society behaves.

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'ASO', published by Trubidor, is obtainable from the Gerrards Cross bookshop, Packhorse Road, where Mrs Mackie will be signing copies on December.

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Good luck, Lindsey Mackie. I wish you well. JK Rowling felt just the same with her first book …. And look at her now.

• Next post on Tell Me a Story - A book for Christmas
• My other blog - Bedlam.

End of - Lindsey Mackie, début novel

A book for the New Year

Books are always exciting.

If you're thinking of purchasing a book for the New Year and don't know where to turn for a new author, may I tentatively suggest you look at the first chapter of Without Reproach FREE here on MY WEB before going elsewhere.

Don't be disappointed for the New Year

I know it's a bit cheeky suggesting it, but unless you look you'll never know - and IF you're interested, please bear in mind that Amazon has already run out of my book once. Please don't leave it too late and be disppointed ....

1. Next post on Tell Me a Story - Qualifications
2. My other blog - Bedlam

End of post - A Book For the New Year

Qualification for writing?

Hello AJ, I have two questions.
The first one is, if somebody had no prior writing "qualification", is it impossible for that person to ever be published? I have a science degree and have never taken a writing class but have spent my whole life writing. I've been honing my 'craft' by sharing my work with other writers on the net and listening to their suggestions and incorporating most of them. Do people have to have writing experience that can be seen on paper?

Writing Qualification.

Hello Diamond-Raven. Thank you for the questions.
Having a recognized qualification in creative writing certainly isn’t a prerequisite to becoming published; originality of ideas and enthusiasm are factors that are more important.
Having said that, publishers are a funny old lot. Sometimes they’ll only consider you if you have experience, yet how can you get experience without getting published? I solved it by writing for magazines for years. There are always ways to get noticed, the Internet is an excellent medium.
Having said that, an understanding of techniques is necessary in order to impart those ideas successfully. I generally advise new writers to purchase a textbook, or take a course on creative writing. It can save years of frustration wondering why your work isn’t acceptable. Writing is a craft that can be taught - that's the qualification you need. When the craft reaches publication standard, it becomes an art.

Bullying and homophobia
AJ, my second question is a bit more sensitive in nature. I have been wanting to write a book loosely based on my experiences in high school as an atypical student and now as a teacher. Specifically, I want to address issues of bullying and homophobia in schools. Both of these issues are such important issues these days (and to me on a very personal level), but I feel that few books accurately portray either of these topics. However, I know the story would definitely be stepping on some conservative toes. Is it better to simply not bother trying to publish books that discuss issues that so many people are still highly polarized on or would I have a chance?

The issue of content is irrelevant. If you find a subject important, chances are so will millions of others. The days of censorship are long gone thank goodness. Treading on toes is no bad idea; in fact the more controversial you are, the more likely you'll reach the readership you're after.

Connected to that, do you believe that writing books that question things in our society today actually achieve anything? Do you believe that books have the power to actually reach the people at whom the messages in the books are aimed? 

Raven, writing books that raise important issues, question moralities, or query society is surely the right of a free society. Questioning what we do is the only way to advance. The power of books is paramount, isn’t that what book burning was about in dictator-led communities – the sure knowledge that books can and do influence the way people think?

Never underestimate the power of the written word. Even in these days of alternative communications such as TV, radio and the Internet, books are still extremely important.

I hope this has gone a small way towards answering your questions, Diamond-Raven. Good luck with your work.

• Next post on Tell Me a Story - Contemporary romance novel.
• My other blog - Bedlam.

End of - Qualification for writing?

Without Reproach, a Contemporary Romance Novel?

Hi AJ. I've seen a couple of press articles about you. I wondered howcome, as a man, you decided to write your novel, Without Reproach, as a Contemporary Romance novel? Isn't this a little unusual? I've toyed with the idea of buying it, but am unsure of what to expect.

Contemporary Romance Novel

Hi Cheryl. Nice of you to drop by. Thank you.
First of all I'd just like to say, if you're interested in taking it further, I've posted the first chapter on my website, so if you want to check it out to see if it's for you, click here on Without Reproach.
When I started 'Without Reproach' I intended it to be a mystery. I never dreamed it would end up in the contemporary romance sectors of book-stores. However, although men tell me they enjoy it, women have said some really terrific things - so it seems to suit all.
I've been asked a number of times when the sequel will be ready so it can't be too bad. I have to say this though, it isn't all hearts and feathers. Please don't expect it to be gooey.
Contemporary Romance novel, or not?
The story is centred on a young woman, in a foreign land, faced with a nude painting of herself that she knows nothing of. She inherits a fortune from a man she's never met, is not related to, and has never heard of. When she starts to vaguely recognize certain parts of the place where he lived, she thinks she's going mad...
As 'Without Reproach' developed, it seemed correct for it to have a love interest. It became quite steamy, but I fully believe, and other people have commented the same, that although it's explicit and pulls no punches, it's handled in a natural manner. I wouldn't have it any other way. It's probably this fact that has landed it as a contemporary romance novel.
Having said this, I had no say in where the book ended up. It was possibly the publishing house who listed it that way, but whatever, I realise that Amazon and all the other on-line stores, list Without Reproach as a contemporary romance novel.
So, contemporary romance novel it is
So, as I've said before in other interviews, what do I know, I'm only the author - It's discussed as a contemporary romance novel, it's listed as contemporary romance novel, so I guess contemporary romance novel, it will remain.

• Next post on Tell Me a Story - Christopher Paul Curtis.

End of - Without Reproach, a Contemporary Romance novel?

Christopher Paul Curtis

Another literary prize has been awarded

The more the merrier! I like to hear of encouragement like this.

In Toronto, the writer Christopher Paul Curtis of Windsor, Ontario, is the victor of the $20,000 TD Canadian Children's Literature Award for his book Elijah of Buxton. The novel looks at the African-Canadian life in Ontario during the mid-19th century.

English Language

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The award goes each year to the writer of "the most distinguished English-language book of the year." Christopher Paul Curtis, received the prize at a ceremony in Toronto hosted by the TD Financial Group and the Canadian Children's Book Centre.

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Well done, Christopher!

• Next post on Tell Me a Story - Carolyn Chute.
• My other blog - Bedlam

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End of - 'Christopher Paul Curtis'

Carolyn Chute, novelist.

Not a good deal.

If your image of a novelist is one of wealth and worldly goods, let me put you in the picture. 5% of writers take 95% of all income from books - not a fair deal for the rest of us. Most of us write because that’s what we are – writers.

Carolyn Chute's old typewriter.

The novelist Carolyn Chute apparently doesn't even have a phone, fax or computer. She writes on a huge electric typewriter that was probably high-tech in 1970. Carolyn and her husband, Michael, live in a small compound at the end of a rutted road in a rustic Maine village near the New Hampshire border, US.

Carolyn Chute, 61, a sardonic, straight talking woman, works in their home. The building is heated by wood stove, and has no hot water.

Wow! Carolyn I don’t know how you survive or why you keep going …. But I don’t suppose you know why I live in Spain either.

Good luck to you and yours. I hope your book sells well. May your future be bright.

• Next post on Tell Me a Story - Michael Crichton.
• My other blog - Bedlam.

End of - Carolyn Chute, novelist..

Author, Michael Crichton, dies.

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• How To Describe - Mastering Descriptive Writing
• To Write A Story - 20 Ways To Write A Story Better
• Story Characters - 7 Cool Ways To Jump-Start Your Writing

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Best Selling Author.

The celebrated best-selling writer, Michael Crichton, author of such novels as "The Andromeda Strain", and of course "Jurassic Park," was also behind the popular TV drama "ER". He died suddenly, at the age of 66.

Michael Crichton died without warning in Los Angeles on Tuesday, November 4, 2008, after a battle against cancer, according to his family.

Millions of people.

Michael will be sadly missed. A giant of the writing world, I think everyone in the western world will have heard of “Jurassic Park”. The writing of Michael Crichton has thrilled millions of people.

Michael Crichton, I salute you.

• Next post on Tell Me a Story - Submitting for publication.

End of post, Author, Michael Crichton, dies.

How do I submit my friend's book for publishing

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Submit for publication.

Hello Mister Barnett. My friend is fourteen and is writing a book. He’s written sixty pages so far, so is doing quite well. When he’s finished I’m going to be his agent and will want to send it to be edited then submit it for publishing. What I want to know is, how do I go about this? I don't want to let him down.

Not Qualified.

• Hi Brent. Mm…. I'm afraid you're not going to like what I'm going to say.
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• You realise an agent has to be au fait with all aspects of publishing it isn't just a matter of 'submit a book'. An agent has to be capable of sifting through legal papers, of forcing the hand of the publishing house, of making the most of royalties and advances, and of acting in the author's best interests in all aspects of publishing. I'm afraid you simply aren't experienced or sufficiently qualified to act on his behalf.
  
  I must also point out that a full book will call for somewhere in the range of 85,000 to 100,000 words, not a meagre sixty pages. There is a long way for him to go yet.
  
  For the sake of your friend, click on my previous post How Do I get Published. He'll need to make sure of his work and this MIGHT just help him on his way.
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• May I wish him all the best with his work. But PLEASE don't try to act on his behalf. If he has talent, he'll need professional help to guide him on his way.
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• Next post on Tell Me A Story - Brecon Farm.

A Year on a Brecon Farm

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You're as old as you feel.

Don’t ever let age put you off doing what you want.

At the age of 69, a début writer has published a book about life in the early 1950s after his grandchildren persuaded him to tell his story.

Haydn Llewellyn Davies, originally from Dukestown, Tredegar, decided to write about his recollections after years of retelling the stories to his 13 grandchildren.

Always asking questions

Mr Davies spent the past five years compiling his stories into a book, ‘A Year on a Brecon Farm’, which he has published himself. Mr Davies said: “It only came about because I put things down for the grandchildren. They are always asking me questions about my youth.”

The resulting book is a collection of Mr Davies’s memories of life on the farm

Well done, Haydn. Let there be more. I wish you every success.

• Next post on 'Tell Me a Story' - Solomon.
• Bedlam.
  
• End of - 'A Year on a Brecon Farm'
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John Howard Reid and Solomon

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Manoeuvres the bible.

In his newly released book, "Prophet, Priest and King", John Howard Reid tries to offer a balanced picture of the legendary king of Ancient Israel.

He manoeuvres the avenue between the opposing points of view of the Old Testament. In the Bible, Solomon was portrayed as both wise and irrational, esteemed and reviled, God-fearing and Godless.

Tyrant.

Investigating the Bible's allegations, John Howard Reid pursues a middle course, concluding that even excluding the fact the king supplemented his riches by methodically selling his own people into slavery, Solomon was a typical tyrant of his times.

What we have to remember though, is that in essence this is a work of fiction - a novel. Maybe he’s hoping for the Dan Brown effect?

I wish him well.

• Next post on 'Tell Me a Story' - Alastair Campbell.
• Bedlam.
  
• End of - 'John Howard Reid and Solomon'.
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Alastair Campbell takes a verbal thrashing

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Verbal thrashing.

Why is it the good and the great think once they’ve made it elsewhere, they can write???

Alastair Campbell's recent venture into fiction – a book called All in the Mind - took a verbal thrashing in the Sunday Times.

The reviewer, Peter Kemp, vented his feelings about Tony Blair's former spin-doctor and his book with, "Anyone for whom the name Alastair Campbell conjures up the image of a glowering bully, professionally adept at manipulating words to suit his purposes, will be confounded by it."

He went on to say, "The personality emanating from his debut novel is that of a swimmy-eyed sentimentalist whose verbal and inventive powers are remarkably meagre."

Superhuman patience.

And that was probably the most pleasant thing the journalist had to say. He continued slating Alastair Campbell with things like, "Slackly put-together sentences," and “Any reader persevering to this point,{the end} will have displayed superhuman patience."

The only problem is, verbal thrashing or not, Alastair Campbell will STILL outsell struggling authors who can out write him a hundred-fold.

The fact that his name has celebrity status will be more than enough to send him into the best selling list – Shit!

• Next post on 'Tell Me a Story' - Essential points of dialogue.
• Bedlam.
  
  End of - 'Alastair Campbell takes a verbal thrashing'.
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Ten essential points of dialogue in a novel

Tell Me a Story - writing tips

Dialogue is essential to your novel. Dialogue keeps a story dynamic, it can help dentify characters, it is a way of 'showing' instead of 'telling', and it shifts the tale forward.... Without good dialogue your story will die.

Okay, so I know everyone likes lists. To summarize my previous articles on dialogue I've made a list. Hope it helps a little.


Essential points.

1. It could be that up to fifty percent of your novel is made of dialogue – half your book, so make it good, make it realistic.
2. Characters should NOT indulge in chitchat. Every bit of dialogue should move the story onward. If it doesn't contribute in some way, scrub it out.
3. Dialogue should NOT be true to life – people speak in garbled ways - it should just read as if it’s true to life.
4. An easy way to check whether your dialogue is okay, is to record it. When you play it back, you’ll hear the shaky bits.
5. Every central character should have their own unique ‘voice’ that the reader begins to recognize - their own overused words - but not TOO overused. Be discrete, don't make them sound like morons by too much repetition.
6. The better you know your characters, the better the dialogue will be.
7. To a certain extent, you can impart age and character with dialogue without having to explain things to the readers. Young people speak in a different way to older people.... but beware of using the latest 'in' words. Your novel might soon become outdated.
8. Quality dialogue helps readers to become immersed in the novel.
9. Keep your dialogue to short bursts. If a piece of dialogue entails more than one paragraph, it turns into verbal diarrhoea.
10. Stay away from substitute words for ‘said’. Words like ‘affirmed’ ‘articulated’ and 'vowed', highlight themselves rather than how it's spoken. ‘Said’ is a small word that disappears and allows readers to concentrate on the story.

Make the most of your dialogue. Don't waste the opportunity to enhance your story and you won't go far wrong.

• Next post on 'Tell Me a Story', Bookworld.

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Looking for your next read? Try:

SHORT MOMENTS - a collection of short stories that will jerk tears
PAST SINS - a contemporary women's novel

Bookworld and 'Without Reproach'

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Bookworld.
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I was dead chuffed at a Halloween paty last night, when someone came up to me and started talking about my novel, and told me they'd seen it in the front window display of one of the BookWorld stores.

I was quite amazed.

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For me, it's like making front page news!!



Bookworld is one of the biggest bookstores around here, so for me it matters.
Thank you Mr(s). Bookworld. Long may you reign.

• Next post on 'Tell Me A Story', Olsen twins.
• Bedlam.
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Olsen Twins, Book Signing Protest

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Olsen Twins

Not only is the ability to string together intelligible words a prerequisite for churning out books, not only must you NEVER offend the Muslim brotherhood with your storyline, but what you wear is important too, so it seems.

Where will it end?

A book signing for fans of the Olsen twins, actresses Mary-Kate and Ashley, took an unattractive twist when irate campaigners assailed the event.

Protest

The two girls were staggered to find animal rights activists in uproar outside the store where they were signing books. The protests were part of a movement launched by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, against the stars for their fashion choices.

An angry PETA spokesperson said, "People who still wear fur haven't woken up to the fact that a big, dead animal on your back makes you look like a troll.”

Now I’m not getting stuck into the debate one way or another – but I wonder if the same spokesperson wears leather shoes? For some reason people seem to ignore foot ware - or don’t dead animals on your feet count?

Will there be a protest at my next book signing because I wear a leather belt and have woollen socks? Okay, so the sheep didn't die to give me wool, but leather....

1. Next post on 'Tell Me A Story', Danielle Steel.

Danielle Steel and her first blog

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Danielle Steel.

I feel extremely privileged.

I've had the extraordinarily good fortune to make a comment, on the very first blog post by the celebrated author Danielle Steel.

It's been accepted and is now showing, but in general, comments are, provided they don't contravine decency. I've respected her forever and it’s unbelievable that I should have discovered her blog when it's so new. I thought at first there'd been no other comments, that I was the FIRST, but it was merely that Danielle hadn't accepted the earlier comments at that point.

Apprehensive.

It's strange to realise that Danielle was as apprehensive about her first blog post as the rest of us. None of us know what to say when we start out. We just feel our way into the blogosphere a bit at a time. It falls into place after a while, thank goodness, or I wouldn’t be doing this now.

At any rate, I hope you all join me in wishing Danielle all the best with her new blog.

• Next post on 'Tell Me A Story', Louisa McCormack.

Louisa McCormack, The Catch

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Louisa McCormack .

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Lousia brings us her brand new story with The Catch. The characters in The Catch are a diverse mix of laid-back islanders and Toronto on speed. In fact, the first pages of The Catch almost need a programmed "breath break."
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Pages blur as heroine, Minnie, scurries through the frantic free fall of her days at the TV network. When her latest reality TV project goes belly up, she decides to regroup.
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Minnie is 40, a producer for reality TV. When her latest brainchild is turned down by the network, Minnie abandons her high speed city life for Tuck Harbour, a fishing village on Prince Edward Island. A tiny fishing village in Canada’s smallest province.
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The heroine traces Louisa McCormack’s own route in her move from Toronto to Prince Edward Island. "But," says McCormack in a noisy Halifax coffee shop, "that’s where it stops."
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We shall see!
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• Next post on 'Tell Me A Story', Dialogue.

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Undergoing MyBlogLog Verification

Dialogue, make it plain, make it obvious

Tell Me A Story

Caught up in dialogue

High-quality dialogue can help readers identify with characters. If your characters hold what appears to be a natural conversation, readers will be caught up with their story. They will feel they are part of what’s going on.

Dialogue has many uses. It can shed light on complex conditions. It can put us in the picture about the past, explain the present, and give suggestions about the future, but whatever way it’s used, it should always be obvious - make it plain.

Mistake

Your reader must at all times grasp what your protagonists are on about, don't make your dialogue hazy. It’s a mistake to make oblique references to events from dozens of pages earlier. The only time you can get away with that is if the incident was so amazing that the reader is bound to remember.

Unbearable dialogue

Be careful of what you allow your characters to say. The area where people come from, often affects the way they speak. This doesn’t mean you should try to write your dialogue in dialect or regional accent. The occasional use of a local expression can be enchanting, but a whole dialogue in dialect is almost unbearable to read.

Make dialogue plain and make it obvious.

• Next post on 'Tell Me A Story', Stolen book.