Lee Welch's Blog, page 4
March 20, 2018
Something better than having a publisher
[image error]So, Publication Peak is still in the distance, but the vista is so stunning that I hardly care…
So, my novel no longer has a publisher. But, all the same, this is an optimistic post, because in the wake of the awfulness, something marvellous has happened.
But first, to tell you the story: I never thought I’d be asking a publisher for my rights back, but that’s just what I did last week.
If you’re not part of Romancelandia and you missed the furore, here’s why I, along with lots of other a...
January 13, 2018
Making tiny carnival masks
[image error]Yes, but why?
Every so often I get overwhelmed by the prospect of writing a book.
I’m at one of those stages right now. I have about twenty half-baked ideas for stories jostling around in my head and I can’t pick one.
Which one has legs? Which one is worth several months of research and deep thought, followed by months of late nights and wrestling with plot holes and cursing and elation and guilt and joy?
I don’t know.
I wouldn’t call this writer’s block. I’d call it writer’s custard. It...
December 9, 2017
On the Road to Wainuiomata
I won a local writing competition! Well, I won the ‘all ages’ category. There was also a ‘youth’ category, and the winner of that was the overall winner. So, what I’m really telling you, is that I was beaten by a twelve-year-old.
To make it even better, when asked if he was surprised to win, the overall winner (allegedly) said ‘oh no.’ Ah, such confidence!
The competition was called ‘Write Wainuiomata’. For my overseas readers, Wainuiomata is an area i...
November 17, 2017
Mended with Gold is out!
My first novella is out now!
Mended with Gold is an m/m romance, short and sweet, with a happy ending.
Published by MLR Press. Cover design by Melody Pond.
[image error]
Buy the ebook now from:
Mended with Gold is written from Alex’s point of view, but I’m currently hard at work on an extra bonus chapter written from Joe’s point of view and set a couple of months after the book ends.
So if you enjoy Mended with Gold, and would like to read the bonus chapter, p...
November 8, 2017
Blogging for the Reluctant
[image error]Ain’t gonna? Please read on…
Are you a keen fiction writer, but a reluctant blogger? Or perhaps you’re still refusing? Here are my top three reasons why blogging is good for fiction writers:
Agents/publishers can check you out
Say you’ve finished your novel. I know, I know. But just say. You’ve sent it off to an agent/publisher along with your query letter and synopsis. And they like your stuff and want to know more about you, so they check out your website.
Your blog shows you upda...
October 21, 2017
On ignoring writing advice
[image error]Ignore it all. Find your own weird process.
Write every day. Write when you can. Just write. Plan first. It’s so contradictory. Who should you listen to?
Years ago, I took the ‘just write’ advice to heart. I was stuck, full of self-doubt, so ‘just write’ struck a chord in me.
Here’s what happened:
Woohoo, yeah! I’m writing! Never mind those things, I’ll fix ‘em later But wait, if he’s a magician, why doesn’t he just kill the guy from afar with his magic chainsaw? Also, if she’s so clever...October 5, 2017
Word-counts. Meh
I get that for some people, word-counts are a Jedi mind trick. They’re a way of disciplining yourself to write 3,000 words a week (or whatever) whether you want to or not. They’re a way to get the damn book written.
Or they’re a way to feel a sense of progress. To revel in that feeling that your book is 1,652 words closer to being finished.
If you’re one of those people who uses word-counts as a motivational trick – STOP READING NOW.
Here’s a picture of a couple of griffins ripping a horse to...
September 21, 2017
Like an arrow: On maintaining writing momentum (Part Two)
[image error]If you can finish reading this blog post (which turned out to have eleven points) you can finish writing a novel.
Part One was all about prep. Here’s how I laugh in the face of procrastination when I’m doing the actual writing/editing.
By the way, in case you think I’m one of those people who never had any trouble in this area, I can assure you I have dozens of half-finished novels and stories languishing on my hard-drive. So, I feel your need to watch trashy TV and drink wine, but there...
September 13, 2017
Like an arrow: On maintaining writing momentum (Part One)
A couple of people have asked me recently how I maintain momentum when writing a novel.
How to keep going? Especially if it’s not going so well.
Disclaimer: All that follows is what I do. I’m sure there are lots of other good ways. But, you never know, I might give you the tip that helps you finish!
Part One of this post focuses on the things I do before I start writing. These help me with momentum later:
Pick a publisher
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