Paula R.C. Readman's Blog, page 89

Pause for Thought

When you finally reach the point where you’re about to get your work published, the publisher will want to know more about you.

This for me is the difficult part. Having to talk about yourself and make it interesting for others. As someone who isn’t comfortable being in the limelight, I’m finding it hard to come up with an interesting angle.

Having left school with no qualifications, and spent all my work life in factories, I don’t see that as being relevant to my writing or of interest.

I suppose that’s where being a celebrity makes it so much easier for publishers to market your writing. Being a celebrity has given you a selling point.

But what if you’re just a nobody. What selling point do I have?

When I set myself a challenge back in 1998 I didn’t even think about how I was going to market myself, all I was focusing on was the writing.

I have to master the skills needed to write well enough to be published, to build my confidence.

I guess all I can do is write down everything that comes to mind and see if I can edit into something vaguely interesting.

Oh,

Pause for Thought

When you finally reach the point where you’re about to get your work published, the publisher will want to know more about you.

This for me is the difficult part. Having to talk about yourself and make it interesting for others. As someone who isn’t comfortable being in the limelight, I’m finding it hard to come up with an interesting angle.

Having left school with no qualifications, and spent all my work life in factories, I don’t see that as being relevant to my writing or of interest.

I suppose that’s where being a celebrity makes it so much easier for publishers to market your writing. Being a celebrity has given you a selling point.

But what if you’re just a nobody. What selling point do I have?

When I set myself a challenge back in 1998 I didn’t even think about how I was going to market myself, all I was focusing on was the writing.

I have to master the skills needed to write well enough to be published, to build my confidence.

I guess all I can do is write down everything that comes to mind and see if I can edit into something vaguely interesting.

Oh,

Pause for Thought

When you finally reach the point where you’re about to get your work published, the publisher will want to know more about you.

This for me is the difficult part. Having to talk about yourself and make it interesting for others. As someone who isn’t comfortable being in the limelight, I’m finding it hard to come up with an interesting angle.

Having left school with no qualifications, and spent all my work life in factories, I don’t see that as being relevant to my writing or of interest.

I suppose that’s where being a celebrity makes it so much easier for publishers to market your writing. Being a celebrity has given you a selling point.

But what if you’re just a nobody. What selling point do I have?

When I set myself a challenge back in 1998 I didn’t even think about how I was going to market myself, all I was focusing on was the writing.

I have to master the skills needed to write well enough to be published, to build my confidence.

I guess all I can do is write down everything that comes to mind and see if I can edit into something vaguely interesting.

Oh,

Oh going on, be a show off.

Be ready to reading to an audience.

This is the one thing I pushed myself in to doing. To overcome my greatest fear, and take centre stage.

Oh, look at her. What a show off!

[image error]

Those words can hurt and cut your confidence. As a child my grandmother’s words haunted me. I missed out on taking part in school plays. It also robbed me of confidence in other situations too, which had nothing to do with being able to act, or standing in the limelight.

Speaking up for yourself. Putting forward your points of view. Become a manager, and leader. Anyone who needs to address a crowd like giving a speech at a friends wedding or at a loved one’s funeral.

How I envied others for being so brave.

Once I took up writing I knew I would have to face my fear. I watched others, with envy. They made it seem so easy when they stood up to read. My stomach would bubbled at just the thought. I felt hot and cold and my hands would sweat. What if I made a fool of myself?

So sure my voice would break, too.

I told myself if people were willing to listen to others, why not to me too. It was such small gap between where I sat to standing in front.

Wasn’t my writing just as good as others.

I was give an opportunity to read to a crowd, but I lost my nerves fearing I would stumble on a word, get tongue-tied. My friend and international writer, Maggie Ford (Ivy) said she would read for me.
As the distance between standing on the sidelines and watching to standing in the limelight was the same distance between the earth and the moon. Too scary for me to cross.

As I stood listening to Ivy read aloud the words I knew by heart she stumbled on the same word I feared. The audience didn’t react. The ceiling didn’t fall. People came up to me and asked questions about my work. It was amazing. But I had missed out on an experience.

I promise myself next time I was asked I would do it. Lucky for me my husband was willing to drive from Essex across England to Swansea in Wales so I could experience reading aloud for the first time.

While we drove I practised in the car, as my husband timing me. The publishers allowed me to go first. I took a deep breath let it out slowly and read. At the end when the clapping started I felt the buzz all performers speak about, and I could finally silence my grandmother’s voice.

Being such a shy person I missed out on such much by not being a confident person. I felt I no longer wanted to miss out on hears others immediate reaction to my writing.

It’s one of the reasons I write in first person so when I’m asked to read I can take on the character. As I make sure there’s a strong hook in the opening paragraph so readers will want to read on, too.

Thanks to Gill and Bridge House Publishing I enjoy reading in front of an audience now.

I can’t sing, nor act so I will never know what it would be like to stand centre at a rock concert, or appear on X-factor, but that’s not important to me. I’m now a much more confident person who enjoys talking to others.

Have a great weekend,

[image error]Taken in Swansea Wales at my first reading.

Chat again soon.

Another Dark Moment

This morning I received a small payment for a Dark Moment. These drabble (a brief tale told in a 100 words) are a way I’m earning something for my writing. Okay, so its not a taxable amount and I’m not about to buy a Manor House in the rolling English countryside with the money I’m making.

I couldn’t even pay for a box of green tea with the sum I’m earning, so why am I so excited?

It’s quite simple. Someone is willing to pay me for my words. In a world where most people are not aware that writing takes time and energy to produce something of real value a small payment is better and more rewarding than nothing.

At times, I’m shocked by others attitude to what I do. It is as though they believe that writing magically produces itself onto my computer. That each word comes fully formed from my head into a story on the screen. In reality, even a 100 words can take time to write as it goes through many rewrite to create the impact in the final draft. You’ll be surprised by how many rewrites, edits and read through a short story or novel goes through.

It all takes time. I’m in the process of writing my second horror story. So far I’ve started the story with three different beginning as I search for the best hook to get the reader interested enough to stay with my main character. I’ve cut it about and change the main character twice. At the moment I’m not even sure it reach the point I want for it to fit in with what the publisher is wanting from me.

Yes, I may work from home. My darling husband does support me, but when I finished full-time work in the factory to take up writing full-time it was with the understanding that I did write. Life can be such a bitch full of many distractions. Of course my husband does need feeding and his clothes washed, and live in a clean house. Also he does like me to spent time with him to, and not just be a voice that calls to him from another room.

I take my writing seriously, it is my passion. Since June 2019 it has really taken off. Black Hare Press has given me the opportunity to shine at my chosen career. The small payments make me feel appreciated that my writing, ideas and stories have some real value to them.

There are many paying publishers out there, but far more expect to have your work for free. No other form of employment would expect you to put in the hours for nothing.

The most heartbreaking thing I hear from others, (and I’m sure if I was to point it out to them, they would say they didn’t realise,) is when they expect to read your work for free.

Buying a book is the only way writers earn their living. You can order books online, or through a bookshop on a high street. All you need to know is the title, author’s name and the ASIN number which you can find on Amazon by putting in the book title and author’s name in to their search engine.

Just because a writer is a friend of yours you shouldn’t just expect them to give you their book for free, unless they are giving you it as a gift.

Most writer don’t receive free copies of their books. Normally they have to buy them themselves. If you want to reward your writing friends for all the long hours they put in to creating their works of art, then leave them an honest review on Amazon, Goodreads or any other reviewing sites. Better still, contact the author of the book and ask them where you can leave them an honest review.

Reviews help us to know what we got wrong or right. Did the story stay with you, long after you had finished reading it? Did the characters stand out from the crowd? Was it easy to follow? Did the flow of the story carry you along, or jar you out of the flow? Were you disappointed, shocked or amazing by the twist at the ending?

This week has started with two of my stories being published. First you can read The Power of Love’ here.

Also you can buy ‘ Under Her Black Wings’ here

Right time to get my head down and sort out the problem I’m having with my 5k word story ‘Too Cold For Hell’

Have a great week, and happy writing

Paula R. C.

[image error]My story is called ‘Cold Calling’

Another Dark Moment

This morning I received a small payment for a Dark Moment. These drabble (a brief tale told in a 100 words) are a way I’m earning something for my writing. Okay, so its not a taxable amount and I’m not about to buy a Manor House in the rolling English countryside with the money I’m making.

I couldn’t even pay for a box of green tea with the sum I’m earning, so why am I so excited?

It’s quite simple. Someone is willing to pay me for my words. In a world where most people are not aware that writing takes time and energy to produce something of real value a small payment is better and more rewarding than nothing.

At times, I’m shocked by others attitude to what I do. It is as though they believe that writing magically produces itself onto my computer. That each word comes fully formed from my head into a story on the screen. In reality, even a 100 words can take time to write as it goes through many rewrite to create the impact in the final draft. You’ll be surprised by how many rewrites, edits and read through a short story or novel goes through.

It all takes time. I’m in the process of writing my second horror story. So far I’ve started the story with three different beginning as I search for the best hook to get the reader interested enough to stay with my main character. I’ve cut it about and change the main character twice. At the moment I’m not even sure it reach the point I want for it to fit in with what the publisher is wanting from me.

Yes, I may work from home. My darling husband does support me, but when I finished full-time work in the factory to take up writing full-time it was with the understanding that I did write. Life can be such a bitch full of many distractions. Of course my husband does need feeding and his clothes washed, and live in a clean house. Also he does like me to spent time with him to, and not just be a voice that calls to him from another room.

I take my writing seriously, it is my passion. Since June 2019 it has really taken off. Black Hare Press has given me the opportunity to shine at my chosen career. The small payments make me feel appreciated that my writing, ideas and stories have some real value to them.

There are many paying publishers out there, but far more expect to have your work for free. No other form of employment would expect you to put in the hours for nothing.

The most heartbreaking thing I hear from others, (and I’m sure if I was to point it out to them, they would say they didn’t realise,) is when they expect to read your work for free.

Buying a book is the only way writers earn their living. You can order books online, or through a bookshop on a high street. All you need to know is the title, author’s name and the ASIN number which you can find on Amazon by putting in the book title and author’s name in to their search engine.

Just because a writer is a friend of yours you shouldn’t just expect them to give you their book for free, unless they are giving you it as a gift.

Most writer don’t receive free copies of their books. Normally they have to buy them themselves. If you want to reward your writing friends for all the long hours they put in to creating their works of art, then leave them an honest review on Amazon, Goodreads or any other reviewing sites. Better still, contact the author of the book and ask them where you can leave them an honest review.

Reviews help us to know what we got wrong or right. Did the story stay with you, long after you had finished reading it? Did the characters stand out from the crowd? Was it easy to follow? Did the flow of the story carry you along, or jar you out of the flow? Were you disappointed, shocked or amazing by the twist at the ending?

This week has started with two of my stories being published. First you can read The Power of Love’ here.

Also you can buy ‘ Under Her Black Wings’ here

Right time to get my head down and sort out the problem I’m having with my 5k word story ‘Too Cold For Hell’

Have a great week, and happy writing

Paula R. C.

[image error]My story is called ‘Cold Calling’

Another Dark Moment

This morning I received a small payment for a Dark Moment. These drabble (a brief tale told in a 100 words) are a way I’m earning something for my writing. Okay, so its not a taxable amount and I’m not about to buy a Manor House in the rolling English countryside with the money I’m making.

I couldn’t even pay for a box of green tea with the sum I’m earning, so why am I so excited?

It’s quite simple. Someone is willing to pay me for my words. In a world where most people are not aware that writing takes time and energy to produce something of real value a small payment is better and more rewarding than nothing.

At times, I’m shocked by others attitude to what I do. It is as though they believe that writing magically produces itself onto my computer. That each word comes fully formed from my head into a story on the screen. In reality, even a 100 words can take time to write as it goes through many rewrite to create the impact in the final draft. You’ll be surprised by how many rewrites, edits and read through a short story or novel goes through.

It all takes time. I’m in the process of writing my second horror story. So far I’ve started the story with three different beginning as I search for the best hook to get the reader interested enough to stay with my main character. I’ve cut it about and change the main character twice. At the moment I’m not even sure it reach the point I want for it to fit in with what the publisher is wanting from me.

Yes, I may work from home. My darling husband does support me, but when I finished full-time work in the factory to take up writing full-time it was with the understanding that I did write. Life can be such a bitch full of many distractions. Of course my husband does need feeding and his clothes washed, and live in a clean house. Also he does like me to spent time with him to, and not just be a voice that calls to him from another room.

I take my writing seriously, it is my passion. Since June 2019 it has really taken off. Black Hare Press has given me the opportunity to shine at my chosen career. The small payments make me feel appreciated that my writing, ideas and stories have some real value to them.

There are many paying publishers out there, but far more expect to have your work for free. No other form of employment would expect you to put in the hours for nothing.

The most heartbreaking thing I hear from others, (and I’m sure if I was to point it out to them, they would say they didn’t realise,) is when they expect to read your work for free.

Buying a book is the only way writers earn their living. You can order books online, or through a bookshop on a high street. All you need to know is the title, author’s name and the ASIN number which you can find on Amazon by putting in the book title and author’s name in to their search engine.

Just because a writer is a friend of yours you shouldn’t just expect them to give you their book for free, unless they are giving you it as a gift.

Most writer don’t receive free copies of their books. Normally they have to buy them themselves. If you want to reward your writing friends for all the long hours they put in to creating their works of art, then leave them an honest review on Amazon, Goodreads or any other reviewing sites. Better still, contact the author of the book and ask them where you can leave them an honest review.

Reviews help us to know what we got wrong or right. Did the story stay with you, long after you had finished reading it? Did the characters stand out from the crowd? Was it easy to follow? Did the flow of the story carry you along, or jar you out of the flow? Were you disappointed, shocked or amazing by the twist at the ending?

This week has started with two of my stories being published. First you can read The Power of Love’ here.

Also you can buy ‘ Under Her Black Wings’ here

Right time to get my head down and sort out the problem I’m having with my 5k word story ‘Too Cold For Hell’

Have a great week, and happy writing

Paula R. C.

[image error]My story is called ‘Cold Calling’

Another Dark Moment

This morning I received a small payment for a Dark Moment. These drabble (a brief tale told in a 100 words) are a way I’m earning something for my writing. Okay, so its not a taxable amount and I’m not about to buy a Manor House in the rolling English countryside with the money I’m making.

I couldn’t even pay for a box of green tea with the sum I’m earning, so why am I so excited?

It’s quite simple. Someone is willing to pay me for my words. In a world where most people are not aware that writing takes time and energy to produce something of real value a small payment is better and more rewarding than nothing.

At times, I’m shocked by others attitude to what I do. It is as though they believe that writing magically produces itself onto my computer. That each word comes fully formed from my head into a story on the screen. In reality, even a 100 words can take time to write as it goes through many rewrite to create the impact in the final draft. You’ll be surprised by how many rewrites, edits and read through a short story or novel goes through.

It all takes time. I’m in the process of writing my second horror story. So far I’ve started the story with three different beginning as I search for the best hook to get the reader interested enough to stay with my main character. I’ve cut it about and change the main character twice. At the moment I’m not even sure it reach the point I want for it to fit in with what the publisher is wanting from me.

Yes, I may work from home. My darling husband does support me, but when I finished full-time work in the factory to take up writing full-time it was with the understanding that I did write. Life can be such a bitch full of many distractions. Of course my husband does need feeding and his clothes washed, and live in a clean house. Also he does like me to spent time with him to, and not just be a voice that calls to him from another room.

I take my writing seriously, it is my passion. Since June 2019 it has really taken off. Black Hare Press has given me the opportunity to shine at my chosen career. The small payments make me feel appreciated that my writing, ideas and stories have some real value to them.

There are many paying publishers out there, but far more expect to have your work for free. No other form of employment would expect you to put in the hours for nothing.

The most heartbreaking thing I hear from others, (and I’m sure if I was to point it out to them, they would say they didn’t realise,) is when they expect to read your work for free.

Buying a book is the only way writers earn their living. You can order books online, or through a bookshop on a high street. All you need to know is the title, author’s name and the ASIN number which you can find on Amazon by putting in the book title and author’s name in to their search engine.

Just because a writer is a friend of yours you shouldn’t just expect them to give you their book for free, unless they are giving you it as a gift.

Most writer don’t receive free copies of their books. Normally they have to buy them themselves. If you want to reward your writing friends for all the long hours they put in to creating their works of art, then leave them an honest review on Amazon, Goodreads or any other reviewing sites. Better still, contact the author of the book and ask them where you can leave them an honest review.

Reviews help us to know what we got wrong or right. Did the story stay with you, long after you had finished reading it? Did the characters stand out from the crowd? Was it easy to follow? Did the flow of the story carry you along, or jar you out of the flow? Were you disappointed, shocked or amazing by the twist at the ending?

This week has started with two of my stories being published. First you can read The Power of Love’ here.

Also you can buy ‘ Under Her Black Wings’ here

Right time to get my head down and sort out the problem I’m having with my 5k word story ‘Too Cold For Hell’

Have a great week, and happy writing

Paula R. C.

[image error]My story is called ‘Cold Calling’

Another Dark Moment

This morning I received a small payment for a Dark Moment. These drabble (a brief tale told in a 100 words) are a way I’m earning something for my writing. Okay, so its not a taxable amount and I’m not about to buy a Manor House in the rolling English countryside with the money I’m making.

I couldn’t even pay for a box of green tea with the sum I’m earning, so why am I so excited?

It’s quite simple. Someone is willing to pay me for my words. In a world where most people are not aware that writing takes time and energy to produce something of real value a small payment is better and more rewarding than nothing.

At times, I’m shocked by others attitude to what I do. It is as though they believe that writing magically produces itself onto my computer. That each word comes fully formed from my head into a story on the screen. In reality, even a 100 words can take time to write as it goes through many rewrite to create the impact in the final draft. You’ll be surprised by how many rewrites, edits and read through a short story or novel goes through.

It all takes time. I’m in the process of writing my second horror story. So far I’ve started the story with three different beginning as I search for the best hook to get the reader interested enough to stay with my main character. I’ve cut it about and change the main character twice. At the moment I’m not even sure it reach the point I want for it to fit in with what the publisher is wanting from me.

Yes, I may work from home. My darling husband does support me, but when I finished full-time work in the factory to take up writing full-time it was with the understanding that I did write. Life can be such a bitch full of many distractions. Of course my husband does need feeding and his clothes washed, and live in a clean house. Also he does like me to spent time with him to, and not just be a voice that calls to him from another room.

I take my writing seriously, it is my passion. Since June 2019 it has really taken off. Black Hare Press has given me the opportunity to shine at my chosen career. The small payments make me feel appreciated that my writing, ideas and stories have some real value to them.

There are many paying publishers out there, but far more expect to have your work for free. No other form of employment would expect you to put in the hours for nothing.

The most heartbreaking thing I hear from others, (and I’m sure if I was to point it out to them, they would say they didn’t realise,) is when they expect to read your work for free.

Buying a book is the only way writers earn their living. You can order books online, or through a bookshop on a high street. All you need to know is the title, author’s name and the ASIN number which you can find on Amazon by putting in the book title and author’s name in to their search engine.

Just because a writer is a friend of yours you shouldn’t just expect them to give you their book for free, unless they are giving you it as a gift.

Most writer don’t receive free copies of their books. Normally they have to buy them themselves. If you want to reward your writing friends for all the long hours they put in to creating their works of art, then leave them an honest review on Amazon, Goodreads or any other reviewing sites. Better still, contact the author of the book and ask them where you can leave them an honest review.

Reviews help us to know what we got wrong or right. Did the story stay with you, long after you had finished reading it? Did the characters stand out from the crowd? Was it easy to follow? Did the flow of the story carry you along, or jar you out of the flow? Were you disappointed, shocked or amazing by the twist at the ending?

This week has started with two of my stories being published. First you can read The Power of Love’ here.

Also you can buy ‘ Under Her Black Wings’ here

Right time to get my head down and sort out the problem I’m having with my 5k word story ‘Too Cold For Hell’

Have a great week, and happy writing

Paula R. C.

[image error]My story is called ‘Cold Calling’

Another Dark Moment

This morning I received a small payment for a Dark Moment. These drabble (a brief tale told in a 100 words) are a way I’m earning something for my writing. Okay, so its not a taxable amount and I’m not about to buy a Manor House in the rolling English countryside with the money I’m making.

I couldn’t even pay for a box of green tea with the sum I’m earning, so why am I so excited?

It’s quite simple. Someone is willing to pay me for my words. In a world where most people are not aware that writing takes time and energy to produce something of real value a small payment is better and more rewarding than nothing.

At times, I’m shocked by others attitude to what I do. It is as though they believe that writing magically produces itself onto my computer. That each word comes fully formed from my head into a story on the screen. In reality, even a 100 words can take time to write as it goes through many rewrite to create the impact in the final draft. You’ll be surprised by how many rewrites, edits and read through a short story or novel goes through.

It all takes time. I’m in the process of writing my second horror story. So far I’ve started the story with three different beginning as I search for the best hook to get the reader interested enough to stay with my main character. I’ve cut it about and change the main character twice. At the moment I’m not even sure it reach the point I want for it to fit in with what the publisher is wanting from me.

Yes, I may work from home. My darling husband does support me, but when I finished full-time work in the factory to take up writing full-time it was with the understanding that I did write. Life can be such a bitch full of many distractions. Of course my husband does need feeding and his clothes washed, and live in a clean house. Also he does like me to spent time with him to, and not just be a voice that calls to him from another room.

I take my writing seriously, it is my passion. Since June 2019 it has really taken off. Black Hare Press has given me the opportunity to shine at my chosen career. The small payments make me feel appreciated that my writing, ideas and stories have some real value to them.

There are many paying publishers out there, but far more expect to have your work for free. No other form of employment would expect you to put in the hours for nothing.

The most heartbreaking thing I hear from others, (and I’m sure if I was to point it out to them, they would say they didn’t realise,) is when they expect to read your work for free.

Buying a book is the only way writers earn their living. You can order books online, or through a bookshop on a high street. All you need to know is the title, author’s name and the ASIN number which you can find on Amazon by putting in the book title and author’s name in to their search engine.

Just because a writer is a friend of yours you shouldn’t just expect them to give you their book for free, unless they are giving you it as a gift.

Most writer don’t receive free copies of their books. Normally they have to buy them themselves. If you want to reward your writing friends for all the long hours they put in to creating their works of art, then leave them an honest review on Amazon, Goodreads or any other reviewing sites. Better still, contact the author of the book and ask them where you can leave them an honest review.

Reviews help us to know what we got wrong or right. Did the story stay with you, long after you had finished reading it? Did the characters stand out from the crowd? Was it easy to follow? Did the flow of the story carry you along, or jar you out of the flow? Were you disappointed, shocked or amazing by the twist at the ending?

This week has started with two of my stories being published. First you can read The Power of Love’ here.

Also you can buy ‘ Under Her Black Wings’ here

Right time to get my head down and sort out the problem I’m having with my 5k word story ‘Too Cold For Hell’

Have a great week, and happy writing

Paula R. C.

[image error]My story is called ‘Cold Calling’