Z.R. Southcombe's Blog, page 27
April 10, 2015
Jess the Pirate
Jess is one character who is actually based on someone I know. The real Jess is a friend of mine who is in the Royal New Zealand Navy, so a pirate character for her is perfect! She’s intellligent, pretty (like Jess the pirate) and has just the right amount of attitude… I’m not sure if she has obsession with cupcakes, though.
Jess the pirate definitely has an obsession with cupcakes. So much so, that in the third book (which I’m drafting now) she and Simon travel the world to find exotic new recipes so they can open their very own bakery!
April 9, 2015
What is Independent Publishing anyway?
For the April A-Z blogging challenge, I’ll be blogging about my latest release, The Caretaker of Imagination.
I hadn’t intended on being independently published, and I’m so glad I’ve chosen this path, but what is independent publishing?
Customarily, and author will write, edit, and rewrite a manuscript, send it into an agent or a publisher, and wait for one of them to believe the manuscript is saleable in the book market.
Once a publisher accepts a manuscript, they then have their own editor look through it, the author makes some changes, and then it’s back to the publisher who prints and distributes the book. The author and the publisher both promote and advertise the book. This is how I’d intended to publish my work.
As an indie author, it basically means that I am my own publisher – not only do I need to write, edit and re-write the book, I also have to get it printed, distribute it, and market it myself. That’s a lot of responsibility!
The pressure is worth it, though. You may have heard the adage, “With great power comes great responsibility”. Well, it works the other way around, too. I have a lot of responsibility, but I have the power – or control – to make decisions the way I want them.
Publishing independently meant I could choose my illustrator (Jane Thorne) who’s also a really good friend of mine. It’s meant that I only made changes to the story that I wanted to make, and that we could put out a Limited Edition run with Jane’s favourite illustration on the cover.
It means a lot of hard work to get my book in the hands of eager young readers, and I’ve had to learn to do stuff that I’d never dreamed of having to do – marketing, taxes and web skills. It’s been a brilliant journey so far and I can’t wait to see where it takes me next!
If you’re interested in The Caretaker of Imagination, you can purchase it from one of the links below:
April 8, 2015
Humour
For the April A-Z blogging challenge, I’ll be blogging about my latest release, The Caretaker of Imagination.
My humour is sort of along the dad-jokes line, though I don’t often like to admit it! When writing The Caretaker of Imagination, I often laughed at my own jokes (something else I don’t like to admit) and wondered if anyone else would find it funny. But where does this humour come from?
In the early stages of drafting this book, I was reading Douglas Adams. I think, because that’s what I was reading, some of his humour leaked into my work (not that I’m complaining!) but it might be where the ‘deadpan’ humour tone came from.
I’d also recently finished re-reading the first few books in Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events where humour is understated, dry and a little bit dark.
And then, of course, there’s my actual dad, who’s jokes are as dry as cat kibble.
What sort of humour do you like?
How have external factors influenced your writing?
If you’re interested in the book, you can purchase it from one of the links below:
April 7, 2015
It’s sort of for Grown Ups
For the April A-Z blogging challenge, I’ll be blogging about my latest release, The Caretaker of Imagination.
Throughout the process of writing this book, I found it really hard to settle on a genre. I couldn’t even decide on an age group for it! I sent the first few chapters for a sample critique from an agent a while ago, who told me that since it’s got an adult protagonist I should be writing for adults. That threw me for a while, and I lost direction (she did say ‘comedy’ though, so I was glad things came through as funny!)
With advice from my beta readers, I eventually settled back on the book being for children – but sort of for grown ups as well. I noticed that What Stars Are Made Of was a bit like that, too.
I think the reason is that I don’t hold back when writing for children. Obviously, I keep it all PG-rated, but the depth of emotion and experience are not shallowed out for children. I believe that as grown ups we have a terrible tendency to think children are somehow less intelligent or mature than we are. Which is codswallop, clearly.
Whether you’re a child, or a grown up, or somewhere in-between – you can purchase The Caretaker of Imagination from one of the links below:
April 6, 2015
What if I fly?
One of my guiding quotes is the following, from a young Australian poet:
What if I fall?
Oh but my darling, what if you fly?
I have this written up on my 2015 inspiration board (which I know is SUPER cheesy, but it works for me!) because sometimes I don’t like the idea of taking a risk; of giving something a go.
It was this thinking that stopped me from giving writing a go when I was younger. Fortunately, I was encouraged by some of my friends, and I eventually gave it a go (and I’m SO glad I did – I’m so much happier now that I’m truly following my passions).
Even though I made writing happen, there are still things that I want to do but am scared of failing at. I don’t think it ever ends – there are always bigger mountains to climb – but I thought I’d share a few of them with you. I think we all need reminders sometimes that each of us are on our own personal journeys, and that success and happiness looks different for everyone.
Hold my own art exhibition. What if no one buys my work? What if no one likes my work? What if I’m just not good enough?
Write a book for adults. What if I’m not old / wise / mature enough to write for people older than me? Will I have to include romantic stuff?
Sell book merchandise online. What if no one cares about my work enough to buy merch? Am I trying to punch above my weight?
In theory, I know that these are silly things to worry about, but identifying the reasons that are holding me back from something helps face them, and plough ahead anyway.
What are some things that you are scared about giving a go?
If you’re interested in the book, you can purchase it from one of the links below:
April 5, 2015
Errors
For the April A-Z blogging challenge, I’ll be blogging about my latest release, The Caretaker of Imagination.
We’d all like to think we’re perfect, but errors are sneaky little things! Two major ones spotted in The Caretaker of Imagination are:
P. 29 Currently reads:
“It stood as still as a boy caught stealing cookies until he a rustle …”
And should be:
“It stood as still as a boy caught stealing cookies until he a rustle …”
At the back of the book, I’ve included the first two chapters of Lucy’s Story: The End of the World. It says it will be out in April 2015, but that’s the time I need it ready by! The to-be-published-hopefully date is July 2015.
If you’ve read my work and spotted any errors – please let me know. I won’t take it the wrong way, promise 
If you’re interested in the book, you can purchase it from one of the links below:
April 4, 2015
“A great read that never leaves you bored” – Mark, Goodreads
Coming from someone who hasn’t read a book for leisure in a few years the best way to describe this book in a word is: adventure.
Truly funny, witty, sad and happy The Caretaker of Imagination proves to be a great read that never leaves you bored and always wondering what happens next while enjoying what is happening at the time.
If you’re interested in The Caretaker of Imagination, you can purchase it from one of the links below:
April 3, 2015
Detail and Description
For the April A-Z blogging challenge, I’ll be blogging (almost) daily about my latest release, The Caretaker of Imagination.
All writers have strengths and weaknesses. One of my weaknesses is not putting enough detail and description into my writing.
I tend to write quite short pieces of writing, which is true for my blog as well, rather than waffle on about stuff. This is good in some ways – I certainly think there are benefits to short books, especially for children – but sometimes readers want to hold on to a scene for a little while longer.
So how do I improve? I rely heavily on my editor and my beta readers, who point out the bits that they want to be longer. If a lot of them point out a particular scene, then I’ll work on putting a bit more depth into.
When I do this, I think about emotional responses of the characters, sensory language (what could be seen / heard / felt…) , and I try to put myself in the mind of the reader: ‘If I was reading this book, what would I want to more about?’
If you’re interested in the book, you can purchase it from one of the links below:
April 2, 2015
“Beautifully described with ZR’s gentle humour and eye for detail” – Cora-2, Wattpad
“When John, who, ‘like most grown-ups had about as much sense as a spider monkey,’ finally gets the gumption to run away from home at the age of 42, he falls into a fabulous adventure, supervised by his astute cat, Theo, and a pirate from the coffee shop.
The adventures that befall him are beautifully described with ZR’s gentle humour and eye for detail, as they travel over the sea and across the forest floor, to where ‘the orchestra of birds and the trickle of water flood his mind.’
As the Great Mouse Edgar recounts the tragedy of the forest’s lost tails, John resolves to find the Caretaker of the Imagination, to bring the forest to life again.
How? Read this story out loud, and you will find out!” By Cora-2
Chocolate Cake (dangerous – try this at home)
For the April A-Z blogging challenge, I’ll be blogging (almost) daily about my latest release, The Caretaker of Imagination.
Another shout-out to my lovely illustrator here, who for my birthday a few years ago, gave me a recipe box with her Dangerous Chocolate Cake recipe.
Why’s it so dangerous? Because it’s easy. And if it’s easy… well, there’s more chance of me getting off my bum and making some.
Here it is:
If you’re interested in the book, you can purchase it from one of the links below:
