A wasted day - the blight of Internet websites....

I wasted hours yesterday.

Digital voice recorder

I'm on the lookout for a camera - I'm probably the last person in the Western World to have a digital camera, so I started looking for one on the internet. I also want a digital voice recorder to help with writing - thought it was a good idea to look for one at the same time.

Website

I found a Sony camera and an Olympus recorder that would suit just fine - so far, so good. The next step was to order - always a bit dodgy - I wish websites were user-friendly. It annoys me when I have to prat about finding what I'm after. Why aren't they easy to navigate???

In my past life I designed digital control systems for a cement manufacturer, and it didn't matter how complex the underlying system was - if it wasn't absolutely simple to operate, I had a bollocking from the lads on the control desk....

I think someone should give website designers a bollocking.... Why are most of them so complicated?

At any rate, this was where I hit a MASSIVE stumbling block. After negotiating through the spiral of websites, not ONE of the British or American sites would mail the stuff to Spain - WHY NOT?

In the the past, I've had all sorts of goodies delivered from several different sites both in Britain and America, so why not these? I was absolutely pissed off in the end... Just what is it with these sites that stops them mailing a simple little camera and recorder to Spain? Does ANYONE know?

Emphasis on customer

One site in particular, angered me. It has outlets in numerous countries all over Europe, so you'd think this would be the one.... Not so. When it came time to press the accept button, it threw a wobbly and came up what was fast becoming a familiar sign - 'cannot deliver to this geographical location' .... WHY?

When I clicked on a little flag at the bottom of the page it sent me to their Spanish outlet site - with the same goodies - but it was written in Spanish - no translation - my Spanish is shit. WHY couldn't they have simply transferred the order, why put the emphasis on the customer.

They piss me off. What's happened to 'The customer is King', bit? Shouldn't they be trying to help customers, not put them off....

• Next post on Tell Me a Story - A disappointing day.
  
  
  End of post - A wasted day - the blight of Internet websites

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A disappointing day

Not a pick to choose.

What a disappointing day yesterday was.

We travelled all the way to the Carrefour Hypermarket on the N332 on the outskirts of Benidorm to see if they had anything I fancied for Christmas - there wasn't a damn scoot. I hate that, you put yourself out - look forward to picking and choosing then there ain't a pick to choose.

Roundabout mad

It didn't end there. After I finally gave up on a Christmas gift, we decided to visit a restaurant we knew in La Nucia - which wasn't exactly close by. We had to worm our way to the 'Nucia Park Restaurant' through the traffic - not an easy task considering the Spanish have gone crazy since they discovered roundabouts. We negotiated seven or eight on what was previously a straight road - in fact I'm advised there are eleven in total, it's a good thing we didn't go the whole hog.

Jarred

When we arrived the staff were very welcoming, we were the first it seemed. We seated ourselves on the glazed balcony overlooking the sierras, soft music in the background, friendly waiters hovering.... but they had a scrawking radio on in the bar area - keeping the staff happily informed of local news and events I presume - it jarred somewhat with the music.... scrawk in one ear, soft music in the other... when will they learn to keep the customer satisfied, not themselves?

We were handed the carte and found the price had jumped from 12 euros per head to 16 euros. Okay.... things have to go up.... but it was quite a hike since last time, especially considering we have much less in our pockets with the exchange rate being so bad. I wasn't about to quibble though, it's a nice place, nice spot, so let's have a nice lunch.

Value for money

Except when it came it was quite.... ordinary. I can't say it was bad. It was edible, it was hot, it was served with good-grace.... but it wasn't worth the money.... it certainly wasn't worth an increase.... and we used to enjoy it there.... a pleasant place, full of customers.

That's the problem. There are so many eating houses to choose from - so many giving good value for money, why go to one that doesn't.

I guess that explains why we were the first guests... everyone else already knew....

Ah well.... you only get bitten once. Scrub the 'Nucia Park Restaurant' from list, another one bites the dust.

• Next post on Tell Me a Story - Book Sales.

End of post - A disappointing day
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Celebrities campaign to boost book sales

This is music to my ears. Jon Stewart, Barbara Walters and several other celebrities have started encouraging people to purchase books during the holiday season.

"Books make great gifts because they're an amazing way to kill time while your Web site is buffering," Stewart joked during a two-minute video promotion, http://www.booksaregreatgifts.com/, organized by the Association of American Publishers to boost books.

All credit to them. I wish there was more support. Let’s make it a world campaign… Let’s sell books.

• Next post on Tell Me a Story - Joan Barfoot.

End of post - Celebrities campaign to boost book sales

Joan Barfoot to read from her book, 'Exit Lines'

Joan Barfoot.

Prize-winning London author Joan Barfoot is to be the highlight of an evening of reading and music at the St. Thomas Public Library tonight.

The program, which is FREE, is called Winter Lights. It will embrace singing, mulled cider and other seasonal nibbles to get the audience in the holiday spirit.

"What better way to chase away the dark of the weather outside than with Winter Lights," said Paul Blower, head of adult services at the library.

Exit Lines

Joan Barfoot will read from her latest novel, Exit Lines, which was published earlier this year.

• Next post on Tell Me a Story - Authors rewrite.

End of post - Joan Barfoot to read from her book, 'Exit Lines'
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How many time do authors rewrite manuscripts

Tell Me a Story - anwers.

Hi, AJ. I’ve heard that most authors rewrite their manuscripts before getting published. But just how many times does an author rewrite a manuscript to get it to the point where they are pleased with it?

Hi, Jonathan, nice to hear from you. The thing is, it isn’t often an author simply dives in to rewrite the whole thing, well at least none I know, does.
Most authors make adjustments here and there which over time could build into major changes. Just occasionally they scrub out whole passages and redo them. If an author doesn't like the way a section sounds, or like the way the story has developed they simply have to tweak.
Panic.
'Without Reproach' was re-written several times - I lost count. I even rewrote the first three pages on the VERY morning I was to hand the manuscript over. As you can imagine, it drove me into panic. The publisher’s editor was very good though and not only allowed me to do tiny adjustments whilst it was in the editing stage, but to change the way it ended just before the editing was complete.
However, when the book hit the market, I wished I wished I'd done it all differently.
Like most creative people, I don't think authors are ever satisfied.

• Next post on Tell Me a Story - JK Rowling.

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Looking for a good read? Try:-

Short Moments - collection of 10 short stories

or

Past Sins - Contemporary fiction

Jk Rowling, a rare original edition

Extreme Popularity

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It’s strange to think that an author with so few writing years behind her can be thought of as having ‘rare and original’ work accredited to her, but JK Rowling has achieved such a status. I suppose it’s a measure of her extreme popularity.

An original edition of JK Rowling's latest book is going on display at the New York Public Library, just as the book is being released around the world.

"The Tales of Beedle the Bard" is a compilation of five stories that's alluded to in the last book in the "Harry Potter" series. It is due to be published today.

Gifts

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JK Rowling initially created and illustrated seven copies of the book. They were intended as gifts. She presented one to Arthur Levine at Scholastic, which published the American edition of her books. It's Levine's copy that is on display at the library from Thursday until January fourth.

Does anyone want a rare and original edition of my book just in case????

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

End of post - JK Rowling, The Tales of Beedle the Bard

The economic downturn and books

Hello AJ, a question if I may. Some friends are anxious about the economic downturn we’re facing. What do you think it mean in terms of selling books, or getting published? Are we condemned?

• Hi Andrea, I'm no economic expert, no-one can know beforehand but let's be realistic. Do people really stop reading because of lack of money? They might cut back on some luxuries, but reading…. people still read. I know I do. Don't you?
• 
  I suppose there'll be restraints and it might be that advances on royalties reflect a certain fear, but historically, books tend to do well during downturns in the economy. Maybe it's because people need extra release from the reality of a depressed state of life, but books still change hands.
• Publishers will still need to publish new stuff. The industry is not condemned, we authors are not damned. If you dream of being published, don’t give up on it.
• Next post on Tell Me a Story - Fuel.
• My other blog - Bedlam.

End of post - The economic downturn and books

Fuel wonderful fuel

We have wood!

We have wondeful fuel and now we can be warm. A metric tonne of assorted wood arrived and now I'm shifting as much as I can into the wood store before it rains. The rest will have to remain under tarpaulin until I can get to it.

Mind you, the weather is better here than some places in Spain. Apparently the dreaded white stuff has been lurking. We sometimes see it on the mountain peaks that surround us, but for some reason other places have it this time.... Let them keep it.

Walking the streets.

We're supposed to be travelling to Benidorm tomorrow to find a birthday present for a friend who'll be hitting a rather big one in a few days. I just hope it doesn't chuck it down with rain (or worse) whilst we're traipsing around the streets.

I don't think I'll be sitting on the sea-front with a café-con-leché and brandy, watching the world go by this time - maybe tucked away somewhere warm, deep inside....

Brrrr.

• Next post on Tell Me a Story - Spain can be cold.
• My other blog - Bedlam.

End of post - Fule wonder fuel.

Spain can be damn cold

With a bit of luck the fuel for the wood-burner will arrive this morning. If it doesn't it won't be long before we feel the cold.

Gas now cost 50euros for a large bottle for central heating and we use a bottle every five days when it's cold - very expensive.

I've managed to cut up some dead-wood from the surrounding area, so it's supplimented the heating bill somewhat, but we've had to succumb and place an order because I can't keep pace - we're using wood a lot faster than we hoped - the weather has turned into a damp cold that gets into your bones.

For those who think Spain is wonderfully warm all year around - forget it. Winters can be cold and houses aren't insulated like the civilized world. You can't get into the concrete roofspace to lay insulation - so when it's cold -its damn cold.

The wood should have arrived yesterday, but wouldn't you know, rain came down in buckets and it couldn't be delivered because it was soaking wet. I just hope it's dried sufficiently overnight.

It's windy (and perishing) this morning so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it will be here soon.

• Next post on Tell Me a Story - Writing is lonely.
• My other blog - Bedlam.

End of post - Spain can be damn cold

Writing is lonely

Thanks to a very considerate wife, I'm able to devote a few hours each day to writing.

Yet, hours spent alone at my computer usually propagate emotions of self-reproach - remorse for not spending time with her - guilt for not building yet another wall, shame for not painting the villa that I know she wants painting. Maybe this anxiety is widespread among writers. It would be terrible to be the only person who feels like this…. but I need my own space, I WANT to write, if I don't find time to write, I feel deprived. We should all be able to do the things WE want at some time during the day. After all, what are we here for, to everything that others want and nothing for ourselves?

So, fellow authors, let's raise a glass or two to wives who understand that writing is necessary to us, and on occasions even makes us better…. in some way.

But I still feel guilty about those damn walls.

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

End of post - Writing is lonely

A holiday poem

Tell Me a Story

Asked to write a poem

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As an exercise at my local writer's circle we were asked to write a poem. I've never thought of myself as a poet, so it was good to be pushed into an area that I wasn't comfortable with. I based the poem on life experience.

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A number of years ago, we booked a holiday in an area of Turkey that was newly opened to tourism. I was devastated with my first sight of the resort. I thought it looked like a third-world bombsite.

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The next day, however, we saw it in a completely different light; quaint, original, and unspoilt. From then on we thoroughly loved the place. I decided to write this poem as an expression of those thoughts.

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A Turkish Holiday
Exhilaration and trepidation, then on first sight, demoralization,
Waited months and built up hopes,
Wanted sun, not skiing slopes,
Wanted warmth from land, from hands,
Hoped and dreamed of stretched out sands,
But hopes are dashed, as reality clashed, with the brochure’s hash.


Relaxation brings revitalization, and no longer tired, a realization,
That eyes are fresh under warming sun,
Not tired from travel, not devoid of fun,
And poolside seats and a friendly face,
And an eager charm, make a saving grace.
Now hopes are raised, are more in phase, with the brochure’s phrase.


Exhilaration and animation, days of bliss and exploration,
Found new friends and found new ground,
And loved each day, and can’t understand,
Just why I thought, that I had bought,
A week of hell in tired old shorts.
First impressions were false perceptions of the brochure’s conceptions.

Happy Holiday!

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Hope you liked my little poem .... well more of a ditty I suppose. I enjoyed doing it. I might try more at a later date.

• Next post on Tell Me a Story - Without Reproach, the first chapter free.

End of post - A holiday poem

Without Reproach - First Three chapters FREE

Tell Me A Story 

Romantic Suspense - Free

Loads of you have been asking me to present the first chapter of my romantic suspense novel, Without Reproach, so you can see what it's about. I suppose it's no different than browsing through a book before you buy.


I have to admit I was a bit hesitant about it - but I bow to your wishes - after all, I don't suppose I'd ever buy a book without skimming a few pages.. So, you asked for it - I've made it available.


If you go to Scribd you can read THREE CHAPTERS - all quite free and easy. Please do it and let me know what you think.

• Next post on Tell Me a Story - When to submit your manuscript.
• My other blog - Bedlam.

End of post - Without Reproach - First three chapters FREE.

When to submit your manuscript

Tell me a Story

I'm always telling newbie writers to edit, edit, and edit again. Too many writers submit their stories in the full flood of passion - believing their words to be magical.

Submit your manuscript

The moment of high-passion is the wrong time to submit your precious manuscript, you should put it away for a period of time - a couple of months if possible, then read through it again with fresh eyes. It's surprising how those magical words suddenly appear rather timid and powerless.

It's not the time to throw the manuscript away though. It isn't the moment to discover you can't write worth a jot. It's a moment of revelation. You have become a writer. You now see your mistakes. You perceive the error of your words. It's a time to rejoice because you've seen the light. Now is the time to edit the damn thing until it shines.

Be your own Critic

Self-analysis is the state writers should strive for. Become your own worst critic, and you'll not go far wrong. Search for those awkward passages, for the dreaded 'purple prose' and dump them.

You MUST hone your work, you must edit and edit… but when is the right time to stop all this polishing. I can’t answer that. I just know there’s a time when I say, enough is enough and send the damn thing off. I always want to change it afterwards, mind….

To put it in context, I came across a pearl of wisdom today and I simply have to share it….

• “When one tries TOO hard to seek perfection, the most apparent thing is the blemish.”

So polish it until it shines - but there's a point when it can't gleam any brighter... the trick is knowing when....

• Next post on Tell Me a Story - BookSwim.
• Kindle Romance

End of the post - When to submit your manucript

BookSwim, a novel idea

Here’s a new idea.

Doorstep.

Readers take note! BookSwim is an online rental and delivery service for books. If you’re too pushed to go to the library, this is a fascinating option, which delivers books-for-rent right to your doorstep.

No late fees.

Here’s how it operates: Readers order books online from BookSwim and receive them through the mail. They can choose between options that would allow them to receive from three to 11 books at a time. These books can be kept for as long as the reader likes with no late fees.

When finished with at least a couple of books, the reader returns them to BookSwim in a pre-paid return bag that comes with every shipment.

Readers who enjoy their books and don’t want to part with them have the option to purchase.

Unfortunately, it’s only available in the US at the moment – but who knows…

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

End of post - BookSwim, a novel idea

Amanda Morgan, The Lights of Home

Published

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A resident of Sandy, Oregon, Ms. Amanda Morgan has had her novel, The Lights of Home, accepted and published by OakTara of Virginia.

Amanda Morgan’s story is of an archaeologist who inherits a bed and breakfast in north-central Washington, and her experiences in this new neighbourhood.

Morgan thanks her late father for stimulating her with tales of life in Washington. It seems it's almost a family business, because her sister, Lynne Wenick, designed the book jacket for Amanda - well done all!

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Degree in archaeology

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Morgan, like her main protagonist, was an archaeologist. She received a degree in anthropology from the University of Oregon and a master's in archaeology from the University of Sheffield in England.

Morgan is working on a prequel to her novel.

• Next post on Tell Me a Story - The chair.

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End of the post - Amanda Morgan, The Lights of Home

Mark Tucker, "The Chair"

Three novels

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A 52-year-old native of Brazil, Dr. Mark Tucker has written three novels, one of which was a romance-comedy and another plotted around a detective, however, until now, none of them have been published.

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Tucker's novel, The Chair, has recently been accepted and published by Tate Publishing And Enterprises LLC.

..
Thirteen years

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He said the writing for The Chair came quite easily. However, it sat gathering dust for 13 years before he took the plunge to try to get it published.

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Mark was born in Brazil in 1956 and graduated from Brazil High School in 1974 and attended Brigham Young University before going to Indiana State University, earning a bachelor's degree in biology.

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While at ISU, Tucker said his passion for writing scratched and clawed its way to the surface. He said he was inspired to write after putting together a paper for a psychology class at the school.

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He earned his masters degree in biochemistry and his Doctorate in pharmacology.
In 2003, he retired from the medical field to focus on his writing career.

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Good on you Mark. Way to go!

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

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End of post - Mark Tucker, "The Chair"

Will publishers accept a book submission by email

Hello, AJ, I love your blogs. If you post this I shall know it’s for real.

Publish a book.

My question is this. I need to find a publisher to publish my book.
It’s somewhere about 10 to 13 chapter and I think it’s ready (I’ve followed your advice in your other posts). Now I would like to find a publisher that I could just send the book to by e-mail. Does this ever happen, or do you have to go and meet them and talk about it? If you have any ideas or know of a publisher that would want to publish a fiction adventure book, please, please, let me know!

• Email, snail-mail
• Hi, Clara. In general my submission letters have always been by email. However, my last publisher wanted two hard copies and a disc copy after acceptance. I was lucky enough to live not too far from the publishing house and was able to hand it over personally, but if you don’t want to do that, what’s wrong with snail-mail? Some of my short stories went by snail-mail, it just takes a little longer that’s all.
  
  Dizzy
• When it came to editing the actual book, it was done entirely by email. The editor would send me a query about a certain part, and I would either alter or discuss what needed to be done. The chapters flew back and forth over the ether until they were dizzy.
  I'd suggest that most publishers would be similar. For a list of publishers try http://www.writersandartists.co.uk/ or similar, and after choosing, ask their permission.
• Next post on Tell Me a Stort - Azincourt.
• Related posts

End of, Will publishers accept a book submission by email

-----------------------------------------------------------

Looking for a good read? Try:-

Short Moments - collection of 10 short stories

or

Past Sins - Contemporary fiction

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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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.
• 
  
• 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.
• 
  
• 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.
• 
  
• 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'
• 
  

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'.
• 
  

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'.
• 
  

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.
.

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.

.

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.
• 
  

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 .

.
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."
.
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.
.

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.
.

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."
.

We shall see!
.

• Next post on 'Tell Me A Story', Dialogue.

Site authentication

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Site authentication posting.

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.

Tatiana Boncompagni and the stolen book!

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Stolen

Oh oh! Trouble looms.

The wife of heir to Hoover domestic appliances, sued her sister on Monday, accusing her of talking credit for her new novel, "Hedge Fund Wives", and publishing stolen chapters of the book onto the Internet.

Socialite and freelance writer Tatiana Boncompagni wrote the novel and for those not aware, she’s the wife of Max Hoover – wow, talk about power trip.

The book is due to be published by HarperCollins Publishers, in May 2009. It will be a sure fire hit now. It was always assured because of who she is - but now it’ll break the bank.

Publicity stunt

Jeez, these celebs piss me off! Publicity rolls towards them like shit to a blanket.

As far as I'm concerned it's just another stunt, similar to the one recently pulled by Stephenie Meyer when her latest novel was supposedly leaked 'WHOLE' to the internet.

• Next post on 'Tell Me A Story', Mary Soliel.

Mary Soliel, debut book

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Congratulations are in order.

.

Another success story for a first timer. I love to see first timers strike lucky. It gives heart to us all.

Mary Soliel

The debut book by Mary Soliel, a non-fiction called, I Can See Clearly Now: How Synchronicity Illuminates Our Lives, has been selected by USA Book News as a Finalist in both Best New Non-Fiction and Best New Age Non-Fiction categories of the National Best Books 2008 Awards.

Well done, Mary Soliel. Long may your success continue.

• 
  
• Next post on 'Tell Me A Story', Halloween poem.

A Halloween poem

Tell Me a Story - Halloween Poem

I hold up my hand, I'm no poet so writing a Halloween Poem doesn't come naturally....

Unpretentious

I'm a novelist. Modern poetry, like modern art, escapes me. I'm of the old school. Poems, to me, should have rhythm and rhyme. So it should come as no surprise that when called upon to write something resembling poetry, I turn to unpretentious stuff.

Okay, so, we've been invited to a party and we’ve each been asked to bring along a Halloween Poem. So here’s my little ditty. Forgive my lack of chic and style; I’m a simple soul.

A Halloween Poem

The Witch


Cackles and crows, and twelve toed boys,
And smelly old crones with bent up bones.
And toads and mice, and long hair with lice,
All tangled and torn start to SWITCH

With fingers crooked in, scratching mole ridden chin,
And hairy old nose, rheumy eyes squinting close,
She drools spittle and blood, and under black hood
All tangled and torn, wears no STITCH.

Mumbling 'tongues', with a broom she prances the room,
And raises her hand, teeth bared, black and fanged,
With eyes rolling bright, she screams into the night,
All tangled and torn, she’s a BITCH

Fear clutches the earth, ghosts writhe and give birth
To worms horrid and cold, no place even for bold,
The world groans and hangs head, as she raises the dead
All tangled and torn, from the DITCH.

The dead, dance in the night, whilst living take flight
Fleeing magic and seer, and dark Halloween fear.
And though rain spews down black, and lightning bolts crack,
All tangled and torn flies the WITCH

So.... my little Halloween Poem is soon to be aired. I hope it goes down all right. If YOU want to read it out at your party, feel free, but please remember to mention my name.

• Next post on 'Tell Me A Story', Future of books.

End of post - A Halloween Poem


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Looking for a good read? Try:


SHORT MOMENTS - A collection of 10 short stories
PAST SINS - A contemporary novel

The future for books

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Should Authors stop writing



Anthony, is there any future for books? I think advances in technology are perhaps making electronic books and audio books slightly popular, but now-a-days teenagers don’t like reading. They enjoy films more. The future of books seems to be on the wane; do you think books have any future at all in the coming years? Should authors just stop writing?

• Hello Colin, an interesting point, but what are you basing it on? Where are the facts to back it up?
• 
  
• Hullabaloo
• 
  
• It seems to me the attractiveness of books has never diminished. Look at the frenzy over Harry Potter, look at the long queues and hullabaloo over the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer - it’s tantamount to adulation, and almost on the scale we saw when the Beatles first hit the scene.
• 
  
• I think reading will never 'die a death'. There’s certainly latitude for media other than books, but the power of the written word remains awesome and I seriously doubt books will ‘die a death’.
• 
  
• When people read, they’re transported by the story. In their mind they construct the most ideal circumstance possible for the adventure. When watching films, they see the director's version of events and it can NEVER be as perfect as the one in their mind.
• 
  
• I think most people will agree that a film is rarely as good as the book. So Colin, my answer is, as far as I'm concerned the future of books remains assured.

• Next post on 'Tell Me A Story', Dialogue.
• Bedlam.

End of - The future for books

Dialogue, characters, and stock words

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Stock words in Dialogue

Sometimes it’s a good idea to give your central characters a phrase or a few stock words of dialogue, which are theirs and theirs alone. It can help identify and it sets characters apart. It happens in real life so why not in your story. We all know people who have this habit – in fact, we probably all do it to a greater or less extent - take a listen to your own dialogue sometime.

Let your character(s) repeat the words on odd occasions so the reader gradually identifies them, BUT don’t do it too often, or you could make them sound slightly crazy. If your heroine is bouncy and thinks life is “terrific”, you shouldn’t make it her stock answer to every situation, better to use the term intermittently, so readers increasingly recognize the tendency.

Identifying the speaker by dialogue

Carefully consider the words and phrases before you ‘tag’ a protagonist with them. Make sure it’s in keeping with character and social class. Remember, don’t over-do it, but do bear in mind this really is an uncomplicated way to identify the character.

**** Dialogue ****Dialogue **** Dialogue ****

• Next post on 'Tell Me A Story', Oprah Winfrey.