Annette V Hart's Blog: The ramblings of Annette Hart, page 9

What's in a name?

Sigh... Did I choose the wrong name for my book? When I decided on the title for my first book, "Blood and Allegiance", it was before the surge in vampire stories. Now I can see a problem with it: people may think it is a book about vampires and either be put off or disappointed! The 'blood' in the title means 'family'.

I wonder if other authors, like Sophie Mckenzie and Blood Ties, have this problem?

Exciting opportunity...

I am really excited to be publishing a fourth book alongside the third of my current series. Although I will only be publishing it as an e-book to start with, I am really excited as I wrote the story several years ago and I was pleased with how it worked out. It is written for children slightly younger than my current series but stays in the same genre of fantasy. It'll need a little bit of re-jigging but I will certainly enjoy doing it!

Almost finished...

Having finished my illustrations and chosen the final selection, I just have one or two to rework before I post them off to my publishers. But the real world has intervened and my drawing is on hold while I do some 'proper' paid work, (desperately needed before Xmas).

Faced my demon...

I got on a role with my illustrations and decided to face my demon and try and draw a horse. I was pleased with the result (admittedly just part of a horse) and it boosted my morale. My job has grown as I've done 2 pictures for some chapters - final choice for publication at a later date! I am now just over half way through and 2 pens down. Hooray!

On a roll...

I knew once I started I'd be able to continue the pace: today I got 4 more illustrations done. I know 1 or 2 might need to be reworked but its keeping the conveyor belt going that counts!

Taking the plunge...

I've finally tackled and finished my first illustration for my next book. I've been prevaricating for days - even going so far as to clean out a cupboard (and finding a couple of long-lost objects). But I now have a deadline (of sorts) looming and had to get on with it. It's a bit like my approach to getting in a swimming pool - edging in slowly but finally, when you can put it off no more, taking the plunge. Things should go swimmingly now that I have the first one under my belt.

Thankfully my daughter was willing to help out with a little bit of modelling for me.

Book 3, action at last...

It's lovely to really get started on the publishing process with those weirdly early requests for ideas on back cover blurb and press releases. It seems odd trying to sell the book already! For some reason I found coming up with ideas for the cover much trickier this time round but I think I've come up with something. At least I sketched what was in my head but how close what comes back will be to that image I will just have to wait - possibly months - to find out...

An amazing day...

I could not believe I was sitting, reading over my current draft of my third book whilst sipping chilled white wine and waiting for the last BBQ of the year to be ready... in October! I even had to put sun cream on: glorious!

Too exhausted to write...

Friday night I couldn't lift myself let alone pen to paper! I went for a beautiful walk with my mother and sister but I should have read the small print... that bit about the 'short cut' involving a narrow and tortuous path! My muscles paid for all the twists and turns and ups and downs later.

A useful present...

Having scribbled down a few ideas for illustrations, I've started some sketching and one birthday present I had back in June is finally getting some use. My mother had given me a wooden, articulated hand to help with my drawings and to save on using reluctant children as models instead. One good sketch finished - and several ropey ones binned!