Susan Buchanan's Blog, page 33
May 15, 2012
Chick Library Cat's Blog - review
Another 4 star review for Sign of the Times from Chick Library Cat's Blog - yay! http://bit.ly/JQ2da5
May 10, 2012
Limited Promo for Sign of the Times
Dear all, just a quick note to say that Sign of the Times will be available at a promotional price for the next few days - at 77p in UK and 99 cents (if Amazon site works properly!) in the USA. Other countries' prices also reduced, but I don't know what the conversion rate is for each individual one. Suffice to say, it's a bargain!
Feel free to drop by my Facebook author page - www.facebook.com/susan.buchanan.author to automatically receive future updates. thx Sooz
Feel free to drop by my Facebook author page - www.facebook.com/susan.buchanan.author to automatically receive future updates. thx Sooz
May 8, 2012
Beating Procrastination
Hi everyone - well, on advice from a few people, I have decided to cut the blog posts back to once a week and an occasional surprise one, when I have time. I am aware that I am under pressure (self-imposed) to finish The Dating Game and have it edited and ready by the end of the year, so the more time spent writing the novel the better.
And that brings me to today's subject - Procrastination. I actually owe this title to one of my tweeps - Susan Louineau - she captured perfectly what has happened to me this past week. I am not known for procrastinating generally, far from, I am usually a whirlwind. However, whilst I am an author, I also have other commitments (as do other authors, who will relate to this on various levels) and when you neglect those commitments, to allow you to write; family, friends, housework, sometimes you need a reboot to get back on track. I made my last post last Tue, a full 7 days ago. That was also the last day I wrote until today. Now I am refreshed and back in gear. Writing can be all-consuming and it's great when you are in the zone, engaging with your characters and you have the time to do so. But when you're not in the mood, it can feel like a chore and mainly you just get through that, a bit like forcing yourself to go out running in the rain when you are training for a 10K or half-marathon and would much rather be sat on the sofa eating Galaxy and watching quiz shows. There are times though when it makes sense to give yourself a break, grab a book to read and well, eat Galaxy (you can substitute Galaxy with any other brand - it works the same).
The point is, there will always be something which prevents you from writing, something else that needs done. Find when is the best time for you to write, even if you have to keep a diary of when you feel freshest and happiest to write and get writing! Have a goal - whether it's 1000 words or 200 words.
How do you get over procrastination? Remember how you feel, the satisfaction, the joy when you have completed a passage, a chapter, a character schematic, a plot development. Hold onto that thought. Take it with you, switch off Emmerdale, stop channel hopping or rid yourself of whatever distraction is in your way (NB turfing your children out of the house for peace and quiet is only ok if they are over 16!)
I can't guarantee you will write, but the likelihood is definitely a lot higher.
Until next time, Sooz
PS you might see some mini-posts, such as I did last week for reviews, interviews and promotions before next Tue.
PPS you can also follow me on Twitter - see my new button
Since I haven't added the FB button - feel free to visit my FB page and like it (if you do like it!) - www.facebook.com/susan.buchanan.author
And that brings me to today's subject - Procrastination. I actually owe this title to one of my tweeps - Susan Louineau - she captured perfectly what has happened to me this past week. I am not known for procrastinating generally, far from, I am usually a whirlwind. However, whilst I am an author, I also have other commitments (as do other authors, who will relate to this on various levels) and when you neglect those commitments, to allow you to write; family, friends, housework, sometimes you need a reboot to get back on track. I made my last post last Tue, a full 7 days ago. That was also the last day I wrote until today. Now I am refreshed and back in gear. Writing can be all-consuming and it's great when you are in the zone, engaging with your characters and you have the time to do so. But when you're not in the mood, it can feel like a chore and mainly you just get through that, a bit like forcing yourself to go out running in the rain when you are training for a 10K or half-marathon and would much rather be sat on the sofa eating Galaxy and watching quiz shows. There are times though when it makes sense to give yourself a break, grab a book to read and well, eat Galaxy (you can substitute Galaxy with any other brand - it works the same).
The point is, there will always be something which prevents you from writing, something else that needs done. Find when is the best time for you to write, even if you have to keep a diary of when you feel freshest and happiest to write and get writing! Have a goal - whether it's 1000 words or 200 words.
How do you get over procrastination? Remember how you feel, the satisfaction, the joy when you have completed a passage, a chapter, a character schematic, a plot development. Hold onto that thought. Take it with you, switch off Emmerdale, stop channel hopping or rid yourself of whatever distraction is in your way (NB turfing your children out of the house for peace and quiet is only ok if they are over 16!)
I can't guarantee you will write, but the likelihood is definitely a lot higher.
Until next time, Sooz
PS you might see some mini-posts, such as I did last week for reviews, interviews and promotions before next Tue.
PPS you can also follow me on Twitter - see my new button
Since I haven't added the FB button - feel free to visit my FB page and like it (if you do like it!) - www.facebook.com/susan.buchanan.author
May 5, 2012
Fabulous Reading
Review from Fabulous Reading blog for Sign of the Times - http://bit.ly/ILKsL3
My usual blogpost will resume Tue 8th. Sooz
My usual blogpost will resume Tue 8th. Sooz
May 2, 2012
Interview with Dizzy C's Little Book Blog
Not posting today, just thought I would share the interview Dizzy C hosted on her blog for my new novel (WIP) The Dating Game - http://t.co/sFg4LljZ Sooz
May 1, 2012
Social Networking and Marketing
Hello all. How are you? I've decided that a daily blog post is too frequent, or rather that I simply don't have time to do one every single day. I will, however, try to post every two days. The reasons for this are quite simple and form the backbone of today's post.
First of all. have managed to spit out 1000 words today - nothing yesterday - I was like the Tasmanian devil yesterday and at one point I thought my head was going to spin clean off from the amount of things I was trying to do. I am hoping to do another 1000 words this evening, after dinner, but we'll see. That would keep me on track for 1000 words per day, every day.
Why am I so busy? Two words - Social and Networking. Back in the olden days when we wrote our novels on paper and counted on abacuses, there was no Facebook/Twitter/blog to distract us or to buy into. Now if you want the world to know about your book(s) you would be crazy not to use the platforms at your disposal. That's the good side. The bad side is it is exceedingly time-consuming. I had what we colloquially call here in Glasgow a 'flaky' yesterday at the amount of effort and time I expended trying to get my Facebook Author page set up - www.facebook.com/susan.buchanan.author
Please Like it, if only for my sanity and the blood, sweat and tears that I gave yesterday trying to get it to play ball.
But having a Facebook Author page means it's another place I need to update. I realise that there is probably a way to link all of these things together, adding buttons etc, but I will need to look into that more, before I have it all sussed. By the time I finish all this, I should be able to give masterclasses in it!
Twitter - I was very anti-Twitter I have to confess, but now I am Mrs Twitter, Tweetie-Pie in fact. Soon my friends will be tweeting me in order to be able to communicate. I will become to Twitter what my editor Fi is to Facebook (I have to Facebook her to get her attention- email and texts don't always work!)
But you have to maintain your followers and your followed. Plus no-one told me there was a limit to the people you follow. When I get into something, I tend to get carried away. I was following authors and readers and review sites and then Twitter burst my bubble by telling me to stop. It wasn't letting me be pals with anybody else right now. You could probably have spotted my pet lip from Mars! Apparently there is an undisclosed secret ratio of followers to followed that you must have.
Then you have your Lists to maintain, which you can set up and define by whichever categories you want.
And you of course want to thank people who follow you - and find out a bit more about them, it's only polite!
Plus my Discover # isn't working and hasn't been for a few days. This is very frustrating.
I am, however, loving the whole Twitter spirit of community. Readers and writers and reviewers and people tweeting interesting articles and quotes etc. But it is addictive. I have a default position now, where my laptop (actually my boyfriend's laptop) is surgically attached to me as I sit on my sofa, from 06.30 to 00.30, excepting loo and coffee breaks!
I could go on and on about Twitter, but it will have to wait for another day.
Then there's the blog post, review sites to contact and guest spots and author interviews to do (and I love it all - I do, all of it), but it is labour-intensive.
I suppose what I am trying to say is if you thought that to be a writer you just had to write, think again! Writing is the easy part!
have a good afternoon, Sooz
First of all. have managed to spit out 1000 words today - nothing yesterday - I was like the Tasmanian devil yesterday and at one point I thought my head was going to spin clean off from the amount of things I was trying to do. I am hoping to do another 1000 words this evening, after dinner, but we'll see. That would keep me on track for 1000 words per day, every day.
Why am I so busy? Two words - Social and Networking. Back in the olden days when we wrote our novels on paper and counted on abacuses, there was no Facebook/Twitter/blog to distract us or to buy into. Now if you want the world to know about your book(s) you would be crazy not to use the platforms at your disposal. That's the good side. The bad side is it is exceedingly time-consuming. I had what we colloquially call here in Glasgow a 'flaky' yesterday at the amount of effort and time I expended trying to get my Facebook Author page set up - www.facebook.com/susan.buchanan.author
Please Like it, if only for my sanity and the blood, sweat and tears that I gave yesterday trying to get it to play ball.
But having a Facebook Author page means it's another place I need to update. I realise that there is probably a way to link all of these things together, adding buttons etc, but I will need to look into that more, before I have it all sussed. By the time I finish all this, I should be able to give masterclasses in it!
Twitter - I was very anti-Twitter I have to confess, but now I am Mrs Twitter, Tweetie-Pie in fact. Soon my friends will be tweeting me in order to be able to communicate. I will become to Twitter what my editor Fi is to Facebook (I have to Facebook her to get her attention- email and texts don't always work!)
But you have to maintain your followers and your followed. Plus no-one told me there was a limit to the people you follow. When I get into something, I tend to get carried away. I was following authors and readers and review sites and then Twitter burst my bubble by telling me to stop. It wasn't letting me be pals with anybody else right now. You could probably have spotted my pet lip from Mars! Apparently there is an undisclosed secret ratio of followers to followed that you must have.
Then you have your Lists to maintain, which you can set up and define by whichever categories you want.
And you of course want to thank people who follow you - and find out a bit more about them, it's only polite!
Plus my Discover # isn't working and hasn't been for a few days. This is very frustrating.
I am, however, loving the whole Twitter spirit of community. Readers and writers and reviewers and people tweeting interesting articles and quotes etc. But it is addictive. I have a default position now, where my laptop (actually my boyfriend's laptop) is surgically attached to me as I sit on my sofa, from 06.30 to 00.30, excepting loo and coffee breaks!
I could go on and on about Twitter, but it will have to wait for another day.
Then there's the blog post, review sites to contact and guest spots and author interviews to do (and I love it all - I do, all of it), but it is labour-intensive.
I suppose what I am trying to say is if you thought that to be a writer you just had to write, think again! Writing is the easy part!
have a good afternoon, Sooz
April 29, 2012
Consistency and Continuity Errors
Hi everyone - now let's face it there are fewer of you at the weekend dropping by , particularly when weather is nice (not that it is here), so shorter post and only one on a weekend day. Since I didn't rattle one off yesterday, here I am today!
Productive morning - 2100 words - really happy - very virtuous and end of scene.
As well as writing on Friday, I also did the second draft of the first two chapters of The Dating Game and sent them to my editor. We will be having a little editorial meeting tomorrow, since I haven't actually told her much about what the book is about, so need to rectify that.
Consistency and Continuity Errors
As I edited on Friday, I realised that in the three early chapters I wrote of The Dating Game, almost three years ago, even thought I have clearly read them again recently, I have forgotten some elements. For example, I had called one of Gill's dates Charlie, but earlier had alluded to a previous boyfriend being called Charlie. Had to change that. I also noticed that whereas I had put her as living in Shawlands in the south side of Glasgow at the beginning, this had morphed into Queens Park a few chapters later! This is why I try as much as possible to make character Word Docs with all of their attributes, but I'd obviously missed a few. All corrected now.
I like to write about real places, even if sometimes I change the names, as I did with some of the smaller towns and villages in Sign of the Times, as they were improved versions of places where I have lived.
But, when you mention real places, you have to get the detail spot on. There will be someone who knows that it takes you a good twenty minutes at a brisk pace to walk from the west end part of Sauchiehall St in Glasgow to the city centre end.
Likewise, I like to include food and restaurants in my writing. I love food and am a bit of a foodie, although not quite so good at cooking it, but I do try. I take the food almost directly from the current day menus and work it into my novel. I also need to visit the restaurant (usually not a problem, as I like to eat out!) and work on the description for the decor, the way the staff are dressed etc. Be sure to know what is round about the area you are describing, as locals will know.
Remembering characters likes and dislikes is also key to avoiding continuity errors. You can't have someone with a shellfish allergy tucking in to garlic & chilli mussels a few chapters on.
Right, that's my words of wisdom for today - off out for lunch, Sooz
and if you've polished off your Sunday lunch and can't get up out of your chair - feel free to download Sign of the Times - £1.53 - http://amzn.to/GKqZGd to relax with.
Productive morning - 2100 words - really happy - very virtuous and end of scene.
As well as writing on Friday, I also did the second draft of the first two chapters of The Dating Game and sent them to my editor. We will be having a little editorial meeting tomorrow, since I haven't actually told her much about what the book is about, so need to rectify that.
Consistency and Continuity Errors
As I edited on Friday, I realised that in the three early chapters I wrote of The Dating Game, almost three years ago, even thought I have clearly read them again recently, I have forgotten some elements. For example, I had called one of Gill's dates Charlie, but earlier had alluded to a previous boyfriend being called Charlie. Had to change that. I also noticed that whereas I had put her as living in Shawlands in the south side of Glasgow at the beginning, this had morphed into Queens Park a few chapters later! This is why I try as much as possible to make character Word Docs with all of their attributes, but I'd obviously missed a few. All corrected now.
I like to write about real places, even if sometimes I change the names, as I did with some of the smaller towns and villages in Sign of the Times, as they were improved versions of places where I have lived.
But, when you mention real places, you have to get the detail spot on. There will be someone who knows that it takes you a good twenty minutes at a brisk pace to walk from the west end part of Sauchiehall St in Glasgow to the city centre end.
Likewise, I like to include food and restaurants in my writing. I love food and am a bit of a foodie, although not quite so good at cooking it, but I do try. I take the food almost directly from the current day menus and work it into my novel. I also need to visit the restaurant (usually not a problem, as I like to eat out!) and work on the description for the decor, the way the staff are dressed etc. Be sure to know what is round about the area you are describing, as locals will know.
Remembering characters likes and dislikes is also key to avoiding continuity errors. You can't have someone with a shellfish allergy tucking in to garlic & chilli mussels a few chapters on.
Right, that's my words of wisdom for today - off out for lunch, Sooz
and if you've polished off your Sunday lunch and can't get up out of your chair - feel free to download Sign of the Times - £1.53 - http://amzn.to/GKqZGd to relax with.
April 27, 2012
Editing & Progress
Hi all
Most humble apologies. I should have posted yesterday, but I was shattered. After having family round for lunch, including my 21 month old nephew whose current interest in wrestling meant he spent the afternoon trying to put my teddy bears in a headlock and jump on top of them, my nerves were shot! And no quips about my bears! They were the only toys to hand! I also forgot to buy the goat's cheese for the lunch dish I was making, so I wasn't popular, particularly as that was the key ingredient...
Anyway, I wrote nada yesterday. I did do some marketing for my books - articles, Twitter related tasks etc, but no actual scribbling. Today, however, I have been on a roll and have bashed out a little over 2000 words and ended right at the end of a scene. Yay! I also wrote the character plans for two new characters, which is always fun. As the new novel is about a dating agency, you can imagine I need to write potential dates for Gill (the protagonist), so having a blank canvas is excellent. I have been off on jobsites, looking up potential careers for them. No research on names this time. Both names, first and surnames jumped into my head and the characters have built themselves a little from there. Obviously they will need some rounding out, but the basics are done. I've had to look up 'hurling' today, as I couldn't quite remember what it was - it's a type of Irish hockey. Also had to check train times and routes across Scotland, to ensure accuracy and consistency. Plus hobbies for men - what do they actually do? The potential dates each have to be a little different.
Editing
Mmmm...can't decide if I like editing or not. It might be easier this time, as I will be editing for content not necessarily length. Although with Drill Sergeant Fi Broon in charge (I know she can take it!), who knows.
I decided last week that I would start editing The Dating Game, whilst I am still writing it. I am about 30% of the way through the first draft. Due to time constraints, I don't want to wait until I have finished writing the novel, before editing it and to be honest, even with Sign of the Times, we started editing it before I had finished it, although I had written considerably more than I have of this novel.
I wonder if we can do it in less than ten drafts this time. I really hope so. So much of that was word count though, which is why I am paying attention as I go along with the word count this time, but I don't want to be held prisoner by it either.
Apart from the usual stuff, like grammar and punctuation, which should be minimal errors, given I am so pernickety (typos more than anything), when I do a second draft, I am deleting or choosing the correct option from various phrases I have put down for the same sentence, where I wasn't sure which one I preferred. Sometimes in the original draft, I put words in brackets, if I am not sure if they are superfluous. I was once told, 'Read each sentence as a stand-alone. If it doesn't add anything to the story, drop it'. I think that's why Sign of the Times is such a tight novel.
If I am not sure if I like the turn of phrase that I have put, when I am writing the first draft, I highlight it in red, if inspiration doesn't come to me within say twenty seconds and move on. I am quite impatient about things like that, as it affects the flow of my writing and my thought process. That's what the second draft is for!
Whilst editing Sign of the Times, rather than use usual editing tools like Markup and Show Markup etc, for any changes/deletions, we decided we both preferred simply different coloured text for any comments or changes. By the end of it the manuscript was like a rainbow!! But it worked. It showed us at a glance what the other had been happy with or not and the previous trail of communcation. And we had a right laugh too, which is half the fun.
I suppose to sum up, I would say, I was very apprehensive about letting someone else put their paws on my manuscript last time around, but this time, I know that I have the right person editing it, who only wants me to have the best book I can. Back tomorrow - have a good weekend, Sooz
PS and remember, if you're lying about on the sofa with nowt to do this weekend- Sign of the Times is already available from Amazon - http://amzn.to/GKqZGd £1.53 & http://amzn.to/IYN0Fc (price varies on Amazon.com site, depending on country. $2.99 USD
PPS - after last week's IT meltdown due to a virus infiltrating my computer, today's lament is my printer is busted. Tells me to insert a print cartridge. There is one in it.....have checked forums and looks like I might need to buy a new one...boo!
Most humble apologies. I should have posted yesterday, but I was shattered. After having family round for lunch, including my 21 month old nephew whose current interest in wrestling meant he spent the afternoon trying to put my teddy bears in a headlock and jump on top of them, my nerves were shot! And no quips about my bears! They were the only toys to hand! I also forgot to buy the goat's cheese for the lunch dish I was making, so I wasn't popular, particularly as that was the key ingredient...
Anyway, I wrote nada yesterday. I did do some marketing for my books - articles, Twitter related tasks etc, but no actual scribbling. Today, however, I have been on a roll and have bashed out a little over 2000 words and ended right at the end of a scene. Yay! I also wrote the character plans for two new characters, which is always fun. As the new novel is about a dating agency, you can imagine I need to write potential dates for Gill (the protagonist), so having a blank canvas is excellent. I have been off on jobsites, looking up potential careers for them. No research on names this time. Both names, first and surnames jumped into my head and the characters have built themselves a little from there. Obviously they will need some rounding out, but the basics are done. I've had to look up 'hurling' today, as I couldn't quite remember what it was - it's a type of Irish hockey. Also had to check train times and routes across Scotland, to ensure accuracy and consistency. Plus hobbies for men - what do they actually do? The potential dates each have to be a little different.
Editing
Mmmm...can't decide if I like editing or not. It might be easier this time, as I will be editing for content not necessarily length. Although with Drill Sergeant Fi Broon in charge (I know she can take it!), who knows.
I decided last week that I would start editing The Dating Game, whilst I am still writing it. I am about 30% of the way through the first draft. Due to time constraints, I don't want to wait until I have finished writing the novel, before editing it and to be honest, even with Sign of the Times, we started editing it before I had finished it, although I had written considerably more than I have of this novel.
I wonder if we can do it in less than ten drafts this time. I really hope so. So much of that was word count though, which is why I am paying attention as I go along with the word count this time, but I don't want to be held prisoner by it either.
Apart from the usual stuff, like grammar and punctuation, which should be minimal errors, given I am so pernickety (typos more than anything), when I do a second draft, I am deleting or choosing the correct option from various phrases I have put down for the same sentence, where I wasn't sure which one I preferred. Sometimes in the original draft, I put words in brackets, if I am not sure if they are superfluous. I was once told, 'Read each sentence as a stand-alone. If it doesn't add anything to the story, drop it'. I think that's why Sign of the Times is such a tight novel.
If I am not sure if I like the turn of phrase that I have put, when I am writing the first draft, I highlight it in red, if inspiration doesn't come to me within say twenty seconds and move on. I am quite impatient about things like that, as it affects the flow of my writing and my thought process. That's what the second draft is for!
Whilst editing Sign of the Times, rather than use usual editing tools like Markup and Show Markup etc, for any changes/deletions, we decided we both preferred simply different coloured text for any comments or changes. By the end of it the manuscript was like a rainbow!! But it worked. It showed us at a glance what the other had been happy with or not and the previous trail of communcation. And we had a right laugh too, which is half the fun.
I suppose to sum up, I would say, I was very apprehensive about letting someone else put their paws on my manuscript last time around, but this time, I know that I have the right person editing it, who only wants me to have the best book I can. Back tomorrow - have a good weekend, Sooz
PS and remember, if you're lying about on the sofa with nowt to do this weekend- Sign of the Times is already available from Amazon - http://amzn.to/GKqZGd £1.53 & http://amzn.to/IYN0Fc (price varies on Amazon.com site, depending on country. $2.99 USD
PPS - after last week's IT meltdown due to a virus infiltrating my computer, today's lament is my printer is busted. Tells me to insert a print cartridge. There is one in it.....have checked forums and looks like I might need to buy a new one...boo!
April 25, 2012
Changing the Rules
Hi
I have been so good today - I must admit to breaking yesterday's promise of writing my chapter, after writing my blog, but I am glad I didn't. I wasn't really in the mood and generally, I push myself on, when I am not in the mood to write, but the scene I am writing between Gill and Anton is so key to the novel, that I wanted to get it just right - the nuances, the mood, everything. By waiting until this morning, I have managed to rattle off 2000 words (thus making up for yesterday's lack of word count) and I have the scene the way I want it.
By Changing the Rules, what I meant was what happened to me today. Or perhaps I should have called it Additional Viewpoints. I mentioned previously that I missed having 12 main characters as in Sign of the Times (essential due to the fact that each character represented a starsign). In The Dating Game, there is the narrator, who tells the action seen through Gill's eyes only. Well, not any more. Today, Anton told me he wanted a speaking part! And not just in the dialogue either. I love this about writing. Sometimes strong characters come along and convince you that their viewpoint needs represented. Less frequently they demand it, but Anton seems to have crept into my consciousness without my knowing it and told me to deviate from the original plan. Fair enough! I also like the possibility to show events from a male and female's perspective. I am a great fan of authors who do this, as it can be very hard to carry off, but excellent to read when it works. I also decided last night on which ending I am going to go with (I think). I really enjoy having this blog, as apart from focusing me, it will be a record of how I arrived where I did, once the novel is finished. I'm now even considering if any other characters should also have their say, but more on that once I've decided.
I said yesterday that I would mention a few quotes from people who have read Sign of the Times, but haven't done reviews. I get these comments by email, via Twitter or occasionally by text. My personal favourite is first.
1) "I could be Dario, no danger.Ok I’m not tanned nor 6 foot plus nor do I have a body like Adonis nor do I own a beautiful villa but I make a cracking spaghetti bolognese. Susan, is Shirley the hill walker, based on anyone you know? If so get her mobile # for me. Seriously it’s a cracking wee read and for £1.53 it’s a bloody bargain. Well done you" 2) ' Who's Dario based on? I wouldn't kick him out of bed!' 3) 'I for one would love to read a spin-off. I liked everyone, but probably liked Holly, Jennifer & Maria the best. Oh and Dario sounds delicious!' 4) 'Is Tom your boyfriend?' 5) 'I'm really amazed at how you describe the different personalities - you are really good! There is no-one that I feel is fake.And you give everyone something likeable. Although I think Lucy goes a little (!!) too far, I like her anyway. 6) 'I bet you ladies all like that Dario chap' 7) 'you like your Italian heroes, don't you?' 8) Just finished your book. Really liked it. That Holly's one strong woman. Ahem-ahem King's River? Kilburn? Hello-oooo-oooo. I thought for a moment I was Antonia, but I realised I wasn't that organised.' For the record, the reference to King's River, is because I modelled those two places on places that actually exist, but changed the names. Back tomorrow - have a good day, Sooz
I have been so good today - I must admit to breaking yesterday's promise of writing my chapter, after writing my blog, but I am glad I didn't. I wasn't really in the mood and generally, I push myself on, when I am not in the mood to write, but the scene I am writing between Gill and Anton is so key to the novel, that I wanted to get it just right - the nuances, the mood, everything. By waiting until this morning, I have managed to rattle off 2000 words (thus making up for yesterday's lack of word count) and I have the scene the way I want it.
By Changing the Rules, what I meant was what happened to me today. Or perhaps I should have called it Additional Viewpoints. I mentioned previously that I missed having 12 main characters as in Sign of the Times (essential due to the fact that each character represented a starsign). In The Dating Game, there is the narrator, who tells the action seen through Gill's eyes only. Well, not any more. Today, Anton told me he wanted a speaking part! And not just in the dialogue either. I love this about writing. Sometimes strong characters come along and convince you that their viewpoint needs represented. Less frequently they demand it, but Anton seems to have crept into my consciousness without my knowing it and told me to deviate from the original plan. Fair enough! I also like the possibility to show events from a male and female's perspective. I am a great fan of authors who do this, as it can be very hard to carry off, but excellent to read when it works. I also decided last night on which ending I am going to go with (I think). I really enjoy having this blog, as apart from focusing me, it will be a record of how I arrived where I did, once the novel is finished. I'm now even considering if any other characters should also have their say, but more on that once I've decided.
I said yesterday that I would mention a few quotes from people who have read Sign of the Times, but haven't done reviews. I get these comments by email, via Twitter or occasionally by text. My personal favourite is first.
1) "I could be Dario, no danger.Ok I’m not tanned nor 6 foot plus nor do I have a body like Adonis nor do I own a beautiful villa but I make a cracking spaghetti bolognese. Susan, is Shirley the hill walker, based on anyone you know? If so get her mobile # for me. Seriously it’s a cracking wee read and for £1.53 it’s a bloody bargain. Well done you" 2) ' Who's Dario based on? I wouldn't kick him out of bed!' 3) 'I for one would love to read a spin-off. I liked everyone, but probably liked Holly, Jennifer & Maria the best. Oh and Dario sounds delicious!' 4) 'Is Tom your boyfriend?' 5) 'I'm really amazed at how you describe the different personalities - you are really good! There is no-one that I feel is fake.And you give everyone something likeable. Although I think Lucy goes a little (!!) too far, I like her anyway. 6) 'I bet you ladies all like that Dario chap' 7) 'you like your Italian heroes, don't you?' 8) Just finished your book. Really liked it. That Holly's one strong woman. Ahem-ahem King's River? Kilburn? Hello-oooo-oooo. I thought for a moment I was Antonia, but I realised I wasn't that organised.' For the record, the reference to King's River, is because I modelled those two places on places that actually exist, but changed the names. Back tomorrow - have a good day, Sooz
April 24, 2012
Sources of Inspiration
Hello - am earlier today - hope you are all well. Since I have been asked to talk about my travels and favourite places, I thought I would tie this in with Sources of Inspiration. In Sign of the Times, we visit Switzerland and Italy, a well as Scotland. I have already said that Barcelona will feature in The Dating Game. I have just counted, from my huge world map that I have on the wall here and I have visited altogether 46 countries (I am including Scotland, England, Northern Ireland and Wales as separate countries of course!) The saying goes that travel broadens the mind and I completely subscribe to that. I've been to an Azeri/Russian wedding in Azerbaijan, supped wine in Napa Valley and Niagara-on-the-Lake and climbed Sigiriya, the UNESCO world heritage site in Sri Lanka - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sigiriya - what I want to know is how did the King get up there, back in the 5th century?
I will undoubtedly include some episodes/anecdotes from these travels in future writing, but as to favourite places, Italy and Spain have to be the European ones (Tuscany and Andalucia in particular, although Barcelona and Seville are my favourite European cities). In the US, San Francisco followed by New York and possibly, unexpectedly Atlanta, Georgia, if not only for its amazing aquarium, where I first viewed the beluga whale - they are gorgeous.
I had always wanted to visit Japan and am pretty adventurous with regards to food, but after three days of eating food which I couldn't always identify, as of course everything was in Japanese and not all restaurants had pictures, I finally found a great Italian restaurant - who would have though that in the heart of Ikebukuro nestled a gem of an Italian restaurant, or perhaps it was the fact that I had been living off hotel breakfast and Starbucks' muffins since my arrival. I must add that on my first visit to Tokyo there was an earthquake, the second time there was a monsoon. My timing was always excellent.
I have visited Brazil several times, mainly to Sao Paulo, which apart from the traffic, I absolutely love. My particular favourite is Ibirapuera Park, which is so beautiful and huge that it rivals Central Park in New York. I have also been to Natal, in the North East, which is where all the rich Brazilians go. We were lucky. At that time Thomson had a direct flight. They stopped it - boo! We would have gone back in a heartbeat.
So, when I am on holiday or travelling for work, I consciously and subconsciously absorb the sights, the smells, the scenery, the people, the culture. All of these things inspire me, give me ideas of what to write about. I have too many ideas and not enough time to write! But even if you can't jet off somewhere, even nipping into a coffee shop in the west end of Glasgow, to write and watch the world go by, can often provide fodder for writing. Simply looking at the clothes people are wearing, they way they interact with each other, the food and drink they choose, the layout of the coffee shop, the passers-by in the street, the noises from the city; all of these combine to provide valuable context and the occasional idea which gets used in a piece of writing.
Watching my nephews or parents interacting with their children, children playing, two friends squabbling, a couple kissing in the street, an angry businessman shouting into his mobile phone - again sources of inspiration.
The largest inspiration of all though and I'm sorry (well, not really) if this sounds twee, is knowing people are reading my work/book and enjoying it. I have been receiving comments, not always as reviews about the characters and Sign of theTimes as a whole, which make me laugh or make me reflect. I'll include a few of these comments in the blog next time.
Now, if you haven't already read Sign of the Times, download the 10% free from Amazon and see if it's your cup of tea and if you like it, buy it - your cup of tea will cost more!
http://amzn.to/GKqZGd & http://amzn.to/IYN0Fc
Have a good day, Sooz
PS if you haven't already guessed, I haven't written any of The Dating Game today - but I will by tonight - promise!
I will undoubtedly include some episodes/anecdotes from these travels in future writing, but as to favourite places, Italy and Spain have to be the European ones (Tuscany and Andalucia in particular, although Barcelona and Seville are my favourite European cities). In the US, San Francisco followed by New York and possibly, unexpectedly Atlanta, Georgia, if not only for its amazing aquarium, where I first viewed the beluga whale - they are gorgeous.
I had always wanted to visit Japan and am pretty adventurous with regards to food, but after three days of eating food which I couldn't always identify, as of course everything was in Japanese and not all restaurants had pictures, I finally found a great Italian restaurant - who would have though that in the heart of Ikebukuro nestled a gem of an Italian restaurant, or perhaps it was the fact that I had been living off hotel breakfast and Starbucks' muffins since my arrival. I must add that on my first visit to Tokyo there was an earthquake, the second time there was a monsoon. My timing was always excellent.
I have visited Brazil several times, mainly to Sao Paulo, which apart from the traffic, I absolutely love. My particular favourite is Ibirapuera Park, which is so beautiful and huge that it rivals Central Park in New York. I have also been to Natal, in the North East, which is where all the rich Brazilians go. We were lucky. At that time Thomson had a direct flight. They stopped it - boo! We would have gone back in a heartbeat.
So, when I am on holiday or travelling for work, I consciously and subconsciously absorb the sights, the smells, the scenery, the people, the culture. All of these things inspire me, give me ideas of what to write about. I have too many ideas and not enough time to write! But even if you can't jet off somewhere, even nipping into a coffee shop in the west end of Glasgow, to write and watch the world go by, can often provide fodder for writing. Simply looking at the clothes people are wearing, they way they interact with each other, the food and drink they choose, the layout of the coffee shop, the passers-by in the street, the noises from the city; all of these combine to provide valuable context and the occasional idea which gets used in a piece of writing.
Watching my nephews or parents interacting with their children, children playing, two friends squabbling, a couple kissing in the street, an angry businessman shouting into his mobile phone - again sources of inspiration.
The largest inspiration of all though and I'm sorry (well, not really) if this sounds twee, is knowing people are reading my work/book and enjoying it. I have been receiving comments, not always as reviews about the characters and Sign of theTimes as a whole, which make me laugh or make me reflect. I'll include a few of these comments in the blog next time.
Now, if you haven't already read Sign of the Times, download the 10% free from Amazon and see if it's your cup of tea and if you like it, buy it - your cup of tea will cost more!
http://amzn.to/GKqZGd & http://amzn.to/IYN0Fc
Have a good day, Sooz
PS if you haven't already guessed, I haven't written any of The Dating Game today - but I will by tonight - promise!
