Cheryl Burman's Blog: Blog posts for readers and writers, page 51

Story endings

Story endings have come up a lot recently. Or maybe, as I approached the final chapters of draft one of my current book, I suffered ‘red Mini’ syndrome. The topic of ‘endings’ appeared to be everywhere.

Short stories

The first mention referred specifically to short story endings. This was a video by Stroud Short Stories coordinator and writer, John Holland. His sage advice essentially said: your story likely ends at least one sentence, and possibly one (or more) paragraphs before you thin...

What are Beta readers and why do you need them?

For readers too – in case you’re asked to be a Beta reader

I was thrilled to be asked by Robert Baker of The Romance Bloke to write an article for his Expert Opinion page about Beta readers.

Nice to be considered an expert! I had my own views on these helpful people who read your novel before it’s published, to tell you whether readers will love or hate it. I had used them for Keepers and will use them for my current project when it’s at that stage. Some research helped fill out the c...

Boomers on Books – live on YouTube…

When I was asked by the energetic Vince Stevenson of Boomers on Books, if I would be interviewed, I said Yes – naturally! Then I discovered this would be a YouTube interview. Ooooh… Okay, and I’ve said Yes now anyway.

Then … (I usually advise against using ‘then’ only it’s totally appropriate in this instance) … Then I found out it would be live. Okaaay.. Several of my author friends on twitter had been there before me, and survived, so with their encouragement, I dived in.

Image by Comf...

Keepers is #trending!

Not yet, but a girl can dream!

Image by Stefan Keller from Pixabay

The reality however, is that I’m over the moon with how the story of Raine, Teddy and Alf is being received. Such lovely reviews on Amazon in the US, UK and Australia, and on Goodreads. Random emails too with those words which are music to an author’s ears: ‘I couldn’t put it down.’ And this also by email, from someone already halfway through, having started the book that day: ‘Huge congrats, friend. You are amazing.’

I w...

Book giveaway!

To celebrate the release of my new novel, Keepers, I’m doing a book giveaway.

All newsletter subscribers as at 9 April will go into a draw to win a copy of the book – paperback or kindle. Sign up here.

Readers so far think the book is worth reading – I’ve been delighted with the GoodReads reviews, which you can read here.

Purchase details – click on the image
Newsletter sign up here.

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‘Keepers’ release today

Finally, the day is here when Keepers is released into the big, wide world. I am nervous, terrified and proud all at the same time. The reviews to date have been very positive, which is a good start!

‘Keepers is one of the most exhilarating books I’ve read in ages. If historical fiction is your genre, you won’t be disappointed. Cheryl Burman is a gifted writer whose words flow easily while painting extraordinarily evocative scenes. The vitality in her writing is captivating.’

Read the rest ...

Stroud Short Stories

Stroud Short Stories celebrates 10 years this year – many congratulations!
This well-respected event is held in May and November each year, and features ten writers from Gloucestershire and South Gloucestershire reading their entries to the competition. This year, like last year, the event on 9 May will be online and will be open to all comers.
I’m thrilled that my entry has – so far – made it to the short list. Those shortlisted find out on 1 April (yes, indeed) if their story is one of the cho...

Happy launch day, Kimberly!

Congratulations to Twitter mate Kimberly Mullins on the release of her YA novel Notebook Mysteries
I was able to read this fun book ahead of launch, and here’s my Goodreads review

Check out Kimberly’s site to see where to purchase.

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Inspiring!

I always maintain that my best inspiration comes from walking in the Forest, where I live. Today I went with friends to the other side of the Forest, a mere 20 min drive, to walk along the Wye Valley and up its wild-garlic covered steep valley side to Symonds Yat, the site of an Iron Age fort. Beautiful weather, stunning views. And some curious sheep. So far it hasn’t inspired a story … there’s one simmering I’m sure!

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Six reasons why short story writing is good for you

Early in my writing journey I threw a lot of short stories into competitions, encouraged by other people saying how nice they were. They got nowhere. I thought about not bothering because – for me – a short story takes a lot of creative effort. I’m not one of these people with a thousand ideas for stories rattling around in my head (a thousand ideas for other things, yes!), so simply coming up with the story itself is the first hurdle. And I was busy with my novels, and it seemed I would be ...