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.

Saturday, 8 May 2010

Drawings

I decided to put drawings and talk of said drawings on another blog,
doodle days, if any one is remotely interested in such things. This is in the hope of keeping focused on each hobby seperately. I say 'hobby' but it's more than that, but it doesn't earn a living and it's not full time so that's what they are at the mo.
I have just put my pic of Jack Sparrow on as I can't find my kitten drawings! Not to worry, I'm sure I've got them saved somewhere, otherwise I'll have to scan them all in again :) Haha, keeps me busy!

Thursday, 6 May 2010

And Another...

Rejection, that is. Not to worry. This one was from Woman's Day, the Australian magazine which admittedly I haven't researched so didn't expect much. That's an important rule isn't it? Research your market! I know, I know. Ok, will consider myself told off.
However, I've just sent off another story to WW to keep up the numbers!

Sunday, 2 May 2010

ask the author -great endings

For anyone who is unfamiliar with Spikethecat, Richard Hallows has a regular post 'ask the author'. Sue Moorcroft, Sharon Bolton and Adrian Magson give some insight into their writing. Latest post here
Also, there is a flash fiction comp at the moment, 200 words, £1 entry fee, winning entries to go in an e book, there are also several books to win, more details here
I once had a 60 word story in Chat magazine, they don't do them anymore, but that was thrilling at the time, unfortunately I never actually saw it as I missed the copy by the time I was informed my contribution had gone in! I've kept the letter though for my very thin portfolio. I have a very fat folder also, filled with rejection letters, just so I can read the many different ways I have been told 'No thanks'.

Saturday, 1 May 2010

Scary Stuff

Having a children's novel published has been my goal for (ahem) many years. However, when I imagine this dream becoming a reality, I always skirt around the changes it would probably mean to my life. A lot of published authors talk of promoting their work, interviews, talks in schools, newspaper interviews, social networking and book signings. I must admit it all seems a bit frightening, which has made me question whether I'm putting a hundred percent into my writing efforts? Am I afraid of what might happen? I'd like to think that if I ever get that wonderful letter/email/phone call that starts the dream rolling, then I'd take it all in my stride. I hope so, anyway. As a writer, I just want to see my book on the shelves!
Anyone else have the same fears? When I started writing as a teenager, I naively thought that I'd just post off the MS, sit back and wait for the cheques to roll in. Haha. HaHa. Ha.

Sunday, 18 April 2010

Spring Cleaning

I seem to have had a lapse in writing efforts, both blogging and short story wise. I've not got around to doing the re writes I was talking about. Well, I've done one actually, but I'm still not happy with it, so that's not going anywhere yet.
I could do with a creative episode, just lately I'm too easily distracted.
I'm in a spring clean mood at the moment, but am very frustrated because I haven't yet bought the paint etc to revamp. I've just had to make do with cleaning stuff. I'm a bit fed up to be honest. I've had a bit of a clear out, but somehow seem to have more clutter than when I started!
Although, it has been nice to see a bit of sunshine lately, I even wore my sandals today! It wasn't a great idea, my legs were freezing, it isn't summer yet is it?
I could do with a spring clean in my head, I think.