Friday, 19 December 2008

Party time on the Costa Blanca

A fantastic Party







In case you're thinking what a strange and twisted person I am, maybe now you'll see why. With my very own Little Devil, how could I be different. My wife Val - I love her to death.
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- A fantastic party, thanks Jack and Kath Chambers for all the time and effort. Thanks also to our friend, retired international model, Micheline De Marsac, for taking the photo and emailing it to us.


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

End of post - Party time on the Costa Blanca

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JK Rowling, Beedle the Bard and Charity


The Tales of Beedle the Bard
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JK Rowling's new book, "The Tales of Beedle the Bard", has become the fastest selling title of the year – and incredibly, the proceeds from the book are being donated to charity.
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A fantastic gesture.

The book is doing so well that more than 2.6 million copies have been sold in less than two weeks.

Wow! As a writer struggling to get my name in the public’s eye, I can’t get my head around figures like that. It's a fantastic gesture.

Since it’s release on December 4, "The Tales of Beedle the Bard" also became the top selling book of 2008 on both sides of the Atlantic, topping the USA Today and Daily Telegraph charts and raising 4.2 million pounds ($6.5 million) for charity – a mind boggling amount.
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JK Rowling
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I can only applaud her - JK Rowling, you’ve shot up in my estimation.
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Rowling, who is now the world's richest author, originally hand-wrote and illustrated seven copies of Beedle the Bard, six of which she gave away as gifts and one which she sold at auction in 2007, fetching $4 million for aid organizations.
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Earnings from the book, which has an international print run of eight million copies, will go to the Children's High Level Group (CHLG), a charity for vulnerable children in Eastern Europe co-founded by JK Rowling.
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JK - I raise my hat to you.
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To Write A Story - 20 Ways To Write A Story Better
How To Describe - Mastering Descriptive Writing
7 Cool Ways To Jump-Start The Story Characters In Your Writing
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End of post - JK Rowling, Beedle the Bard and Charity

Tuesday, 16 December 2008

Twilight fever strikes again?







Is Twilight fever about to hit us again?


Stephenie Meyer, author of the very fashionable vampire series, "Twilight," is desperately trying to set fan’s minds at rest over the sequel film, 'New Moon'. She assures fans that it is in a safe pair of hands with the film's new director.


The author dealt with concerned fans on her website on Monday, urging them to put their trust in the director, Chris Weitz.

"I'm excited to work with Chris and I think he brings a lot to the table," Stephanie wrote on her website. "I'm really looking forward to seeing his vision for 'New Moon.'"

Not faithful

The fear of many fans is that under new direction the screen adaptation of the sequel would not stay faithful to the story line, and that the second film would be entirely different to the hugely profitable 'Twilight.'

Meyers was adamant it would. "He is also very aware of you, the fans, and wants to keep you all extremely happy," she said. "Torches and pitchforks are not going to be necessary."

After the debacle over her latest book – where some fans demanded their money back - and the fuss over her so-called stolen manuscript, the last thing Ms. Meyer wants is for the film version to fall flat ….

It takes little for disappointed fans to turn elsewhere….


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

End of post - Twilight fever strikes again


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Review - The Handmaid and the Carpenter, Elizabeth Berg



A new view on Nativity

The best selling author, Elizabeth Berg, uses her emotional words to lure us into the lives of Mary and Joseph. Berg overhauls the customary Nativity story by examining a very human couple, struggling with their faith in each other, and in God.





When all is said and done, how many people would believe their wife if faced with the same shocking news.



Jumbled sentiments
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Berg's work creates an awareness of a far off place and time, yet keeps the couple's jumbled sentiments bang up to date.

This is a tale of devotion in many ways. It’s not easy for Joseph and Mary to come to terms with her pregnancy with only her own faith and a few confused dreams as guidance. Joseph fights with his religious values, as well as his trust in Mary's word, yet stay close to her.

Berg's story is a confidential vision of love, and utterly human flaws and challenges readers to think.





A story worth reading.
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To Write A Story - 20 Ways To Write A Story Better
How To Describe - Mastering Descriptive Writing
7 Cool Ways To Jump-Start The Story Characters In Your Writing


End of post - The Handmaid and the Carpenter, Elizabeth Berg

Monday, 15 December 2008

The accidental Author




Success story
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Wow! There’s hope for us yet.

As far as the book world is concerned, one of the most surprising triumphs this year comes from William P. Young. He penned a tale about a man who confronts his demons while holed up for the weekend in a ramshackle cabin in the woods with God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit.



The Shack, William P. Young's first novel, has sold in excess of 4.4 million copies in 24 different countries, after being spurned by 26 publishers. A lesson to be learned by those who fill their study walls with rejection slips. It CAN happen - just keep plugging away and it might be you next time.



Accidental Author
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"I'm not a real author. I'm an accidental one at best," he says. "I've always written as gifts for friends or family, whether it's poetry or songs or short stories or whatever. My wife, said, `Someday I'd like you to write something as a gift for a kids.' She later told me that she was thinking of four to six pages."



Young was born in Canada but moved with his missionary parents to remote New Guinea when he was 10 months old.

William’s success is like a fairy-tale come true. It’s the sort of thing we all dream of …. It never happens …. Yet it has.





Good luck to him.... I just wish a little of it would drip in my direction.


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


End of post - The accidental Author
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Sunday, 14 December 2008

To write, or not to write. That is the question.

Tell Me A Story

Incestuous relationships

Hi AJ, I’m looking for a bit of advice. I want to write a book. I know incestuous relationships are wrong, but will it be acceptable to write a story about it? I love creative writing. I want to write about a girl being in love with someone in the close family, but would the issue be too contentious - too emotive? I have an idea and wonder whether to continue and write it through, or should I just drop the whole thing before I get too far.
No such thing as normal
Hello AndrĂ©, glad you stopped by. Of course it'll be okay. It sounds as if it might be a good story line …. and there’s no such thing as 'normal'.
What I will say though, is that with this sort of issue make sure your creative writing is poignant. Be really emotive, wrench a few heartstrings and you'll be just fine. Go for it.
What you mustn't do is include the incestuous relationships just for the sake of shock. As long as it's sensitive then there's no problem. Make it natural, bring in the 'ah' factor, and your story could just be a winner.



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End of post - To write, or not to write. That is the question.
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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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Saturday, 13 December 2008

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.


End of post - A disappointing day
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Friday, 12 December 2008

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.


End of post - Celebrities campaign to boost book sales

Tuesday, 9 December 2008

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.




End of post - Joan Barfoot to read from her book, 'Exit Lines'
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Friday, 5 December 2008

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.

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Looking for a good read? Try:-

or
Past Sins - Contemporary fiction

Thursday, 4 December 2008

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????


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


Monday, 1 December 2008

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

Saturday, 29 November 2008

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.


End of post - Fule wonder fuel.

Friday, 28 November 2008

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.


End of post - Spain can be damn cold

Thursday, 27 November 2008

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.


End of post - Writing is lonely

Wednesday, 26 November 2008

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.
End of post - A holiday poem

Tuesday, 25 November 2008

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.







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

Monday, 24 November 2008

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....
End of the post - When to submit your manucript

Friday, 21 November 2008

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…

End of post - BookSwim, a novel idea