About Me

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Hi, welcome to my blog, I am a writer of short stories, children's and YA novels . An acceptance from People's Friend finally made me a published writer! Yeah, happy days! I have since had stories published in The Weekly News and The Last Laugh anthology. My main love is writing children's/YA novels...I'm now enduring a fruitless search for an agent... I also draw and paint, I like to draw animals (usually my adorable crazy cats!)Occasionally famous people and motorcycles.

Tuesday 29 October 2013

Re boot required

I haven't posted since February. February? Is that really right? I'm checking. Can't be.
I can't believe it.

What have I been doing?
Really, I haven't been productive.
I've read a few books. I have finished writing a children's book. I have painted 1 picture. Just 1. Tut.
I painted it in summer, it was so hot I had to have a wide brimmed hat on.
Here it is, I put it in my living room. It cheers me up as it reminds me of the lovely (though brief) summer we had.

I have had all my short stories rejected, but considering I have only sent out 4 or 5 in the last six months, that's hardly surprising.

I had a problem with my very grumpy black cat upsetting the neighbour's cat. Amazingly this seems to have been resolved. I changed her food from biscuits to we sachet food. She seems to be happier, so maybe she was grump because of her tummy?
She's purring away, most of the time. So if I decide to have a halloween jaunt, I could take my trustee black cat with me! :)

Today I have re booted myself. I have been on my laptop all day. I started at 9. I stopped for a couple of tea breaks, and I made tea for everyone at 5pm. Apart from that, I have been sat here all day. My neck's aching now. (very worried about the double chin, but that's another story)

Anyway, today I have spent the day playing around with CreateSpace, I have decided to get a copy or two of one of my books. So I have done that, but now have to wait 24 hours for it to be approved or whatever it is they do.

'The Marmalade Plot'  It's a childrens book for age 7-10, about an alien who comes to stay. It's under the umbrella of 'The Xanlean Exchange' so with possible options of expanding the story with further tales.It's a story I sent to publishers some time ago, but on getting nowhere, I put it away and forgot about it.
This week I have been reading and editing it, I like it after all, so it's going to be my first printed book -  with some formatting errors. Hehe, never mind.

It has been very frustrating I re-uploaded the file about six times, the formatting kept going haywire, and it still isn't right, one or two chapter headings are in the wrong place. I have grown impatient and have submitted it anyway. Maybe it's my works programme, when I save as a doc, it just loses all sense of reason and doubles in size and moves my headings.
Oh well. I enjoyed making the cover at least. I can't wait to buy a copy even if it's not perfect.

In fact I can't wait for the email to say it's approved.
I will post again tomorrow, I want to show you the cover!

With so many writers self publishing now, I feel I'm being left behind, so after this I am going to take the plunge ever deeper and publish my precious teen novel. I've decided there's nothing to lose.



After selfishly waffling about my self, I want to ask, how are you all?
I hope you're all well and enjoying your writing!

Ooh and a bit of Halloween fun with Haiku competition, thank you, OldKitty!!

12 comments:

  1. Lovely Penandpaints!!! What's all this about being not productive!??! You've got that lovely painting, you've solved the kitty problem, made your kitty very happy and restored neighbourliness, you've sent off more short stories than me and now you've produced your ANOTHER gorgeous and adorable book!! Yay!!! Good for you!!! And GOOD LUCK with it!!!!

    Oh I miss the summer just gone and looking at your fab painting's just brought back the sun and warmth again! Take care
    x

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  2. Well when you put it like that...you always make me feel better, you know! Thanks so much for staying with me even though I've not been here much :/ xx

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  3. Wow it doesn't look to me as if you've been unproductive. That picture is beautiful and the book sounds great! And it's good to see you back!

    Isn't it funny how a change of food can make a difference to a grumpy kitty? :-) x

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    1. It's amazing the difference it makes, I'm so happy that she's happy :) x

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  4. I don't think anyone could be more productive than that - good for you, penandpaints!
    The summer was far too hot to produce much work, but you created a really beautiful painting.
    Your book sounds marvellous and I look forward to hearing and seeing more.
    And it's amazing to solve a cat crisis too. Our shy little cat had been sad for years and we finally realised he had an eye problem. After a lot of time at the vet, Muffin is now transformed into the happiest and most affectionate cat you could imagine. Very satisfying!
    Lovely to see you back again and best of luck with all your projects.x

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    1. Hi Joanna
      Aw, that's good, I'm so pleased that Muffin is all better, it's a shame they can't tell us exactly what's wrong, we just have to try our best guess!
      x

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  5. Time flies when you're enjoying life! I can't believe we're at the end of October already. I do like your summer painting.
    Afraid I can't help with your self-publishing problems - I haven't taken the plunge yet - but I suspect we're all going to have to get to grips with it sooner or later.

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    1. Thank you, Linda.
      I know, it's a learning curve. I had hoped to be published in the traditional way, but 10 years on, I think I'm better taking matters into my own hands!

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  6. Good to see you back writing and painting! Love that gorgeous summer scene. Good luck with your publications!

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    1. Thank you, Rosemary
      It's lovely to be back and chatting to you again x

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  7. Good to have you, back - your painting is lovely.

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    1. Thank you, Wendy, great to see you here too x

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I appreciate all your comments, thank you!