Tuesday, 25 October 2011

Obsolete World

You will notice a new link in the Wonderful Distractions side bar.  This is Obsolete World, the blog of artist Jeannie Lynn Paske and the beautifully sorrowful creatures who populate her forgotten land.  I was drawn immediately to these wispy, ethereal beings and the sparse sunset landscape that they wander through.  I imagine they all have a good story to tell. 

Hope you enjoy the site as much as I do.http://obsolete-world.blogspot.com/

Sunday, 23 October 2011

Man Booker Prize News

Follow this link for news and reactions to the result of the Man Booker Prize 2011, plus reviews of all six books short-listed for this year's prize.

If you haven't read Julian Barnes' winning novella The Sense of an Ending yet I can assure you that it is well worth your money and your time.  Great characters, great structure, great ending.

Sunday, 2 October 2011

Fitter, Stronger, Happier

Well, somehow it's still summer.  Better late than never, I suppose!  Apologies for the lack of posts in recent weeks, I've had my head down and focused on writing the novel.  Progress is good.  I've also been catching up on a bit of reading - which is like filling up with petrol for writers.

I recently finished 'What They Do In The Dark' by Amanda Coe, a story about the loss of innocence set in 1970's Doncaster.  All credit to Amanda, I've never read a book as fast as i read hers.  Why?  Because it was truly engrossing and because I knew from quite early on that something disturbing was going to happen at the end.  A bit like the car crash that you can't help but look at, I had to find out what would happen to the characters.  And they were thoroughly believable characters too.  Amanda's name may be familiar to some - she has also written scripts for the Channel Four series 'Shameless.'

You'll also see a link in the Wonderful Distractions sidebar to the website of Myke Gray.  Myke is one of Britain's leading Personal Trainers.  I thought this site would be helpful to anyone struggling with the work-life balance, whether they be a full-time writer or not.  Myke has a great philosophy on life and well-being.  His site is completely free and offers exercise videos and meal plans.  Please take a look if you are wanting to make a positive change to your lifestyle.

Until next time.  Come back fitter, stronger, happier!  

Tuesday, 6 September 2011

Why Should Anyone Care?

Click the link below to read an article by Science Fiction writer Cory Doctorow.  Here he poses the question 'why should anyone care' about the stuff we write?

http://www.locusmag.com/Perspectives/2011/09/cory-doctorow-why-should-anyone-care/

It's interesting to consider the processes and considerations that go into the purchasing decisions of readers. How do we catch their attention?  How do we project our fictional worlds onto the public conscience?  How do we sell the creation of our imaginations?

Sunday, 4 September 2011

Progress Report: Third draft. Chapter 5


Somewhere out there is the end.  The place where my final draft rests.  That shaft of light breaking through the darkening sky is hope.  It's telling me not to give up.  It's telling me that the iron sea of doubt is the trickiest obstacle I have to conquer.  Those mountains in the distance can be climbed; their peaks puncture the clouds and their summits are sprinkled with success.  Bring me my swimming trunks of self belief.  Bring me my crampons of determination.

September 4th.  Third draft.  Chapter Five.  Fifteen weeks until Christmas.  Tick tock, tick tock.  Feeling the pressure.

I'm going to try working in two week blocks (see blog entry How long does it take to Write a Novel? - 16.07.11).  Two weeks on each chapter to redraft and edit.  And I'll post fortnightly updates on my progress detailing any frustrations  / tips / life-changing discoveries. 

Back in two weeks with a report on chapter five.