Suzanne Bowditch's Blog, page 12
November 9, 2017
How to not lose your mind while editing
Editing a novel. How shall I describe it?
Editing is like polishing silver, except with a blindfold, and the blindfold is on fire, and you are banging your head against a wall trying to put the flames out while still polishing the silver.
pretty much how it is
But it’s all worth it. I promise. (I really, really, really promise the editing is worth it).
But how – how do you not lose your mind while editing?? I got a few tips…they may be helpful…
*grins and shrugs*
Write clear and concise notes.
This probably depends on your editing process…but if you’re like me, you take a lot of notes. A LOT.
As I have mentioned before on this blog, I am notorious for leaving undecipherable notes that make no sense to me or anyone else that Elrond himself would not be able to decipher. Or, I write notes…
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November 7, 2017
TTT- Female Characters Who Would Make Great Leaders
Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme that was created over at The Broke and the Bookish! This weeks topic is about characters who you think would make great leaders. I decided to focus on female characters who I believe have the ability to lead a group of people- whether it is as a president of a country, or in to war.
Emika from Warcross
Emika is very independent, but she grows and develops throughout the novel and learns to work as a team. She is one of those people who draw attention to her, she is brilliant, and she is determined, which has all the makings for a fantastic leader.
Scout from To Kill a Mockingbird
The lessons that Scout learns from her father, Atticus Finch, make her a perfect candidate for being a leader. She learns to not be afraid to be oneself as well as the important…
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November 5, 2017
Monday Fiction: Anna’s Story
This is an extract from a book I am currently writing. My story initially involved a witch in 17th century England and a young Preacher’s daughter 200 years later, who is sent to Australia with her family at a time when the colony was still being explored and (should I say?) conquered. I have put down Anna’s thoughts and fears as she embarks on this journey, as so many did, whether through choice, or as convicts.
I’m still debating whether to explore Anna’s character further, as she discovers the alien landscape she now lives in (which is the rugged tropical area of Queensland), and the peoples that live there. Her link to my witch, Hester, is a talisman given to her to ward off evil spirits, but Anna finds less happiness and comfort, and blames her heartache on the gift, soon regretting the day she accepted it. The talisman holds a curse, for good or for evil, that Hester conjured up before facing the hangman’s noose for witchcraft.
I’ve used a diary form of writing to explore Anna’s inner thoughts, which helps the narrative flow and allows me to understand the psyche of people who choose to explore new lands, whatever they find there; fortune or misfortune. In Anna’s case, she has her religious beliefs as her comfort, her salvation.
Anyway, here’s a piece I wrote to start her tale. Themes of my story will include – alienation, fear, magick, landscape, place, colony, native Australians, magical realism, and witchcraft.
Does anyone else have snippets of stories that they’d like to explore further, but are not sure where to take them?
Please share !
Have a great creative week 
November 1, 2017
Published story
Very
pleased to have my name in lights! The QLD writers centre has picked my 8 Word story to display on billboards across Brisbane and the Gold Coast. One of the billboards is just minutes from my house, so I drove there this afternoon to take a look.
Very thrilling!
The angst and stress of creativity, of sitting alone in front of my computer, of wondering if I should take up knitting instead (never!), feels so sweet when you have some recognition!
My message this evening is …. keep on writing!
Does anyone else feel the same about their writing achievements ?
Please share your thoughts!
#writerslife 
October 31, 2017
Strange Tales for #Halloween…
Spooky tales that will send shivers down your spine!
October 29, 2017
Is it possible to complete a novel in one month?
Nanowrimo is nearly upon us! Great tips here
If you’ve managed this amazing feat, I’m impressed.
But not me, I break out in a sweat just thinking about writing a novel from beginning to end in thirty days. 
Emails are pouring in for NaNoWriMo. Have you signed up?
Well, it’s that time of year, and the deadline is fast approaching. A
lmost time to start your engines, I mean computers.
If you decide to go for it, here are a few great tips from Bridget at Now Novel. The big takeaway from Bridget’s post is to plan, prepare and plan some more before you start writing.
Guess this is where I mess up. I’m a bit of a crossover between pantser and plotter, using a little of both to write a story, and planning is not one of my strengths. So for you super organized writer, good luck, and Godspeed.
Writing a novel in a month: 10…
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Birthday greetings
This is a picture of my son Liam, whose 21st birthday is today. This image is one we took in Seaworld, Florida, and he’s just two years old.
Today, he’s a musician, living it up in the eclectic and bohemian city of Melbourne. He loved the the dolphins and sealife on offer in Florida, but has replaced catching fish with chasing his musical dreams ( plus chasing women, but that’s another story! ).
He’s grown into an independent, larger than life but polite young man. I hope the world is ready for him and his music, because I certainly wasn’t!
Happy birthday Liam ! Xx ❤
#birthday #birthdayfun #party 
October 23, 2017
Creative Writing Competitions
Image: Almond Press
Almond Press has come up with a great list of writing competitions currently running. Here is a selection:
Writing Competitions: Upcoming Deadlines
Inkitt Writing Competition 2017
Top Prize: Inkitt will give the grand winner a minimum $6,000 in book marketing with a proven Amazon Top 100 strategy including a dedicated marketing team with professional editing and cover with 25% royalties.
Deadline: October 31st
Dinesh Allirajah Prize for Short Fiction
Top Prize: £500
Deadline: October 31st
Artificium ‘Dark Matters’ Flash Fiction Competitions
Top Prize: £250
Deadline: October 31st
Young Walter Scott Prize
Top Prize: £500
Deadline: October 31st
The Family Narrative Project Essay Contest
Top Prize: $500
Deadline: October 31st
Woven Tale Press Prose Competition
Top Prize: Writer’s retreat
Deadline: October 31st
The Caledonia Novel Award
Top Prize: £1,000
Deadline: November 1st
The Commonwealth Short Story Prize
Top Prize: $5,000
Deadline: November 1st
Stringybark Malicious Mysteries Short Story…
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October 22, 2017
What you should know about self-publishing
By Anna Parsons So you finished writing your book and want to publish it—great! Completing a manuscript is an accomplishment you should be proud of. The next step is deciding how to pursue publication. One mistake authors can make is to self-publish a book with the intention of “really” publishing it later on with a […]
via What You Should Know About Self-Publishing — Holloway Literary
Book Review: Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
Eleanor Oliphant leads a simple, orderly life. She works as an office clerk, from Mon to Fri, wears the same clothes, eats the same lunch everyday, then spends her weekends drinking copious amounts of vodka. She drinks alone, in her flat for one, and does not speak to another soul until Monday comes around again. Her work colleagues think she is quirky but slightly odd. But Eleanor Oliphant is content with her life. Nothing is missing from her orderly, uncluttered existence.
Until one random act of kindness changes all that.
She meets Raymond, an IT guy in her office, and gradually, she has to ingratiate herself with other people – has to learn the ‘social niceties’ that we all take for granted. Through her encounter with Raymond, her social circle expands in ways that she’d not thought possible. Suddenly, she is visiting a sick man in hospital, entertaining people in her lonely flat, and learning how to care for others.
We are taken into her world, and how wonderful it is to have access to that journey! To her quirkiness, her sense of humor and the innate way she looks at the world.
It had me laughing out loud, sympathizing, crying, and feeling totally in love with her character!
A very heartwarming, compassionate and moving story – 5/5 (and I would give it a lot MORE stars if I could!)
Highly recommend this book.
Have a lovely week, fellow bloggers!
#reading #eleanoroliphantiscompletelyfine #fiction #quirkycharacter #books #bookreview
