Eve Devon's Blog, page 2
January 1, 2024
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year, my lovelies. I'm wishing you all good things for 2024 (with lots of bookish-and-reading-type things thrown in to help with the joyful part!).
I'm so looking forward to my new book: The Life-Changing Magic of Falling in Love coming out this year - huge hooray! And as well as that deliciousness I'm looking forward to finishing writing my current WIP. And, I'm also looking forward to some actual blogging again!
What are all of you looking forward to this year?
Eve xx
I'm so looking forward to my new book: The Life-Changing Magic of Falling in Love coming out this year - huge hooray! And as well as that deliciousness I'm looking forward to finishing writing my current WIP. And, I'm also looking forward to some actual blogging again!
What are all of you looking forward to this year?
Eve xx
December 23, 2023
Christmas Eve, Eve!
It's Christmas Eve, eve! Next year one of the things I really want to do is get back to blogging all things writing, crafting, and, well, life! In the meantime I'm signing off for the holidays but wanted to thank all my lovely readers for all the giggles, support and friendship. Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and all good things for 2024!
Eve xx
Eve xx
May 29, 2023
Some things I've learned...
1 of 5
In 10 years of being published I’ve learned:
To get published again and again and again you need the same tools you acquired on your journey to getting published: Hope, passion, professionalism, adaptability, resilience, stamina, luck!
You will be affected by all the things you encountered on the way to getting published – only they may hit you even harder, or take you longer to work through. Second Album Syndrome is a thing. Imposter Syndrome is even more a thing and Comparison is, very definitely, the thief of joy!
The good news is that those tools you’ve acquired are going to help you keep coming up with new ideas for more books, help you hit those deadlines, help you deal with disappointing sales or bad reviews and help instil you with grace when people voice their misconceptions about your work!
2 of 5
In ten years of being published I’ve learned:
That being published and staying published means continuous learning/continuous development of both craft and business. Before you’re published you learn about the business of getting published. Things like (but not limited to):
How to finish writing a book.
How to write a good blurb, synopsis, tagline, elevator pitch etc.
How to be self-published, trad published, indie published, digital first, hybrid.
How to get an agent.
How to act on feedback.
After you’re published you learn about the publishing industry. These are some of the things I’ve had to learn/master/get my head around:
Voice/Writing style: how to develop/grow/write in different genres
Tech: using different publishing formats/website creation/meta data/creating content for marketing (your books) and branding (YOU and your books)
Socials – which ones are right for you? How can you fit socialising with your amazingly lovely readers alongside your writing/second job/third job/family responsibilities/work-life balance etc.
How to read contracts/understand things like world rights/foreign rights/film writes etc.
GDPR.
Tax Returns
GRAMMAR (yes, for me #always)!
And, recently: HOW TO MAINTAIN CREATIVITY & PRODUCTIVITY DURING A GLOBAL PANDEMIC!
3 of 5
In ten years of being published I’ve learned:
That there are truly wonderful readers, authors, and publishers in this world! I’ve met so many supportive, gracious, inspiring, interesting, uplifting, and wise people 😊
I don’t often talk about this because I work very hard not to let it define me but while I was trying to get published, I was diagnosed as having a #ChiariMalformation with #Syringomyelia. I had papilloedemas pressing on my optic discs and needed neurosurgery to relieve intracranial pressure and protect my eyesight. Surgery for Chiari malformations helps alleviate some symptoms but not all of them and so…I don’t always feel super well!
Anyone living with a chronic condition learns about resilience and adaptability otherwise they don’t get to flourish in their ever-changing, sometimes-narrowing/limiting, and annoyingly-unpredictable new world! It was hard accepting that I couldn’t compete with writers being able to produce multiple books a year but while I may have limitations placed upon me physically, I’ve never (nor has anyone in the industry) ever placed limitations on my publishing dreams. Like I said, I’ve met some fabulous people who reinforced the importance of following your passions regardless of a condition. I’ve also been very lucky to have patient editors who’ve helped me laugh whenever my word-finding symptom has struck and I’ve inserted a completely wrong word (but sort of sounds like the right one and has the same number of syllables) in the middle of a sentence and haven’t even realised, no matter how many times I’ve proofread it beforehand!
In 10 years of being published I’ve learned:
To get published again and again and again you need the same tools you acquired on your journey to getting published: Hope, passion, professionalism, adaptability, resilience, stamina, luck!
You will be affected by all the things you encountered on the way to getting published – only they may hit you even harder, or take you longer to work through. Second Album Syndrome is a thing. Imposter Syndrome is even more a thing and Comparison is, very definitely, the thief of joy!
The good news is that those tools you’ve acquired are going to help you keep coming up with new ideas for more books, help you hit those deadlines, help you deal with disappointing sales or bad reviews and help instil you with grace when people voice their misconceptions about your work!
2 of 5In ten years of being published I’ve learned:
That being published and staying published means continuous learning/continuous development of both craft and business. Before you’re published you learn about the business of getting published. Things like (but not limited to):
How to finish writing a book.
How to write a good blurb, synopsis, tagline, elevator pitch etc.
How to be self-published, trad published, indie published, digital first, hybrid.
How to get an agent.
How to act on feedback.
After you’re published you learn about the publishing industry. These are some of the things I’ve had to learn/master/get my head around:
Voice/Writing style: how to develop/grow/write in different genres
Tech: using different publishing formats/website creation/meta data/creating content for marketing (your books) and branding (YOU and your books)
Socials – which ones are right for you? How can you fit socialising with your amazingly lovely readers alongside your writing/second job/third job/family responsibilities/work-life balance etc.
How to read contracts/understand things like world rights/foreign rights/film writes etc.
GDPR.
Tax Returns
GRAMMAR (yes, for me #always)!
And, recently: HOW TO MAINTAIN CREATIVITY & PRODUCTIVITY DURING A GLOBAL PANDEMIC!
3 of 5In ten years of being published I’ve learned:
That there are truly wonderful readers, authors, and publishers in this world! I’ve met so many supportive, gracious, inspiring, interesting, uplifting, and wise people 😊
I don’t often talk about this because I work very hard not to let it define me but while I was trying to get published, I was diagnosed as having a #ChiariMalformation with #Syringomyelia. I had papilloedemas pressing on my optic discs and needed neurosurgery to relieve intracranial pressure and protect my eyesight. Surgery for Chiari malformations helps alleviate some symptoms but not all of them and so…I don’t always feel super well!
Anyone living with a chronic condition learns about resilience and adaptability otherwise they don’t get to flourish in their ever-changing, sometimes-narrowing/limiting, and annoyingly-unpredictable new world! It was hard accepting that I couldn’t compete with writers being able to produce multiple books a year but while I may have limitations placed upon me physically, I’ve never (nor has anyone in the industry) ever placed limitations on my publishing dreams. Like I said, I’ve met some fabulous people who reinforced the importance of following your passions regardless of a condition. I’ve also been very lucky to have patient editors who’ve helped me laugh whenever my word-finding symptom has struck and I’ve inserted a completely wrong word (but sort of sounds like the right one and has the same number of syllables) in the middle of a sentence and haven’t even realised, no matter how many times I’ve proofread it beforehand!
May 27, 2023
Ten Years of being published...
Today is, on the one hand, a lovely anniversary for me to celebrate (being a published author for TEN YEARS) but also bittersweet as, sadly, it’s also the five-year anniversary of losing my mum).
She was always proud of my writing achievements and had this very simple, unwavering belief that if I worked hard enough, for long enough, (i.e. never gave up) that I would absolutely make my writing dreams come true. Most all writers know that the path to publication is littered with rejection and there were times on my journey where I would be convinced that I couldn’t keep picking myself up and putting myself out there and she would just nod in understanding and then quietly add, “Give yourself a bit of time and then give it another go!”
As I look back on the ten years of being published and the many years before that of trying to get published, I am so grateful that she shared her absolute love of reading with me. She read everything from Dostoevsky to Mills & Boon with equal passion and wonder. She taught me that reading and storytelling gave you infinite worlds to step into and infinite lessons to learn about life.
Over the next few days, I thought I’d post a bit about some of the things I’ve learned during these crazy-amazing ten years but first of all… a great big squishy Happy 10th Book Birthday to THE WAITING GAME xx
She was always proud of my writing achievements and had this very simple, unwavering belief that if I worked hard enough, for long enough, (i.e. never gave up) that I would absolutely make my writing dreams come true. Most all writers know that the path to publication is littered with rejection and there were times on my journey where I would be convinced that I couldn’t keep picking myself up and putting myself out there and she would just nod in understanding and then quietly add, “Give yourself a bit of time and then give it another go!”
As I look back on the ten years of being published and the many years before that of trying to get published, I am so grateful that she shared her absolute love of reading with me. She read everything from Dostoevsky to Mills & Boon with equal passion and wonder. She taught me that reading and storytelling gave you infinite worlds to step into and infinite lessons to learn about life.
Over the next few days, I thought I’d post a bit about some of the things I’ve learned during these crazy-amazing ten years but first of all… a great big squishy Happy 10th Book Birthday to THE WAITING GAME xx
July 14, 2019
What everyone's saying about The Wedding Planner...
It's been exciting times for The Wedding Planner! As well as reaching No.2 in the KOBO charts & top 100 in the Amazon charts it is now available in PAPERBACK.
It's also currently on tour so I thought I'd share what some of the reviewers have been saying in case you were still undecided about buying your copy!
From Kaisha at The Writing Garnet... 
From Laura at Novel Kicks... 
From the Books, Life and Everything blog... 
From the Coffee and Kindle Book Reviews blog... 
These are just a few of the amazing reviews coming in for The Wedding Planner. If you find yourself looking for something to read with your cuppa, please do pop on over to some of these gorgeous sites where as well as reading about The Wedding Planner, you just might find your next read too!
Here's where The Wedding Planner is going to be for the rest of the tour:
14th July:
Tizi’s Book Review
http://tizisbookreviewmusic.wordpress.com
Ginger Book Geek
https://gingerbookgeek.wordpress.com
Audio Killed The Bookmarks
https://audiokilledthebookmark.com/
15th July:
Donna's Book Blog
https://donnasbookblog.wordpress.com/
Bookish Jottings
bookishjottings.wordpress.com
Splashes Into Books
http://splashesintobooks.wordpress.com
16th July:
Behind The Sentence
https://behindthesentence.wordpress.com/
Love Books Actually
https://lovebooksactually.blogspot.com/
The Magic of Wor(l)ds
https://themagicofworlds.wordpress.com/
17th July:
Babydolls and Razorblades
www.babydollsandrazorblades.wordpress.com
Lemon Nail Fiend
https://lemonnailfiend.blogspot.com/?m=0
Books Of All Kinds
www.booksofallkinds.weebly.com And Now I'm Going to Ask for a Massive Favour...
If you have read and enjoyed The Wedding Planner, I would be so grateful if you could leave a review on Amazon. It only needs to be a couple of lines and your honest opinion. Reviews are so important in getting the book seen and letting other readers discover the Whispers Wood series.
http://smarturl.it/theweddingplannerED
Thank you, Eve xx
It's also currently on tour so I thought I'd share what some of the reviewers have been saying in case you were still undecided about buying your copy!
From Kaisha at The Writing Garnet... From Laura at Novel Kicks... From the Books, Life and Everything blog... From the Coffee and Kindle Book Reviews blog... These are just a few of the amazing reviews coming in for The Wedding Planner. If you find yourself looking for something to read with your cuppa, please do pop on over to some of these gorgeous sites where as well as reading about The Wedding Planner, you just might find your next read too!Here's where The Wedding Planner is going to be for the rest of the tour:
14th July:
Tizi’s Book Review
http://tizisbookreviewmusic.wordpress.com
Ginger Book Geek
https://gingerbookgeek.wordpress.com
Audio Killed The Bookmarks
https://audiokilledthebookmark.com/
15th July:
Donna's Book Blog
https://donnasbookblog.wordpress.com/
Bookish Jottings
bookishjottings.wordpress.com
Splashes Into Books
http://splashesintobooks.wordpress.com
16th July:
Behind The Sentence
https://behindthesentence.wordpress.com/
Love Books Actually
https://lovebooksactually.blogspot.com/
The Magic of Wor(l)ds
https://themagicofworlds.wordpress.com/
17th July:
Babydolls and Razorblades
www.babydollsandrazorblades.wordpress.com
Lemon Nail Fiend
https://lemonnailfiend.blogspot.com/?m=0
Books Of All Kinds
www.booksofallkinds.weebly.com And Now I'm Going to Ask for a Massive Favour...
If you have read and enjoyed The Wedding Planner, I would be so grateful if you could leave a review on Amazon. It only needs to be a couple of lines and your honest opinion. Reviews are so important in getting the book seen and letting other readers discover the Whispers Wood series.http://smarturl.it/theweddingplannerED
Thank you, Eve xx
May 3, 2019
"A Bouquet of Newly Sharpened Pencils..."
" I would send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils..."
I LOVE this quote from the film You've Got Mail!
Many writers (me! me! me!) are obsessed with stationery. My stories may turn into books via screen and keyboard but alongside a whole lot of BICHOK (bum in chair hands on keyboard) I would be lost without my trusty notebooks!
Each book has to have the perfect notebook and pen. It’s all become very ritualistic as I find one that either ties to the theme of the book I’m writing, or, is so completely beautiful I HAVE to use it right now!
I use my notebook every day and it goes with me everywhere. Over the years I’ve developed a favourite layout, divided into three sections: Characterisation & Research, Daily Writing Journal and Edits.
In the daily writing journal I usually list a few pointers of the scene I’m writing that day, my word count, any notes on new scenes that come to me while I’m writing…oh, and a whole lot of doodles, shopping lists, reminders and the odd ranty-swear when the words won’t come!
Here’s a couple of pics of filled notebooks that became published books, including THE WEDDING PLANNER, out today! As it is #NationalStationeryWeek let’s talk stationery obsessions! Do you have one? Are you hoarding post-its? Have a secret collection of kitsch pens you need to admit to??? Consider this a safe place to confess…
I LOVE this quote from the film You've Got Mail!
Many writers (me! me! me!) are obsessed with stationery. My stories may turn into books via screen and keyboard but alongside a whole lot of BICHOK (bum in chair hands on keyboard) I would be lost without my trusty notebooks!
Each book has to have the perfect notebook and pen. It’s all become very ritualistic as I find one that either ties to the theme of the book I’m writing, or, is so completely beautiful I HAVE to use it right now!
I use my notebook every day and it goes with me everywhere. Over the years I’ve developed a favourite layout, divided into three sections: Characterisation & Research, Daily Writing Journal and Edits.
In the daily writing journal I usually list a few pointers of the scene I’m writing that day, my word count, any notes on new scenes that come to me while I’m writing…oh, and a whole lot of doodles, shopping lists, reminders and the odd ranty-swear when the words won’t come!
Here’s a couple of pics of filled notebooks that became published books, including THE WEDDING PLANNER, out today! As it is #NationalStationeryWeek let’s talk stationery obsessions! Do you have one? Are you hoarding post-its? Have a secret collection of kitsch pens you need to admit to??? Consider this a safe place to confess…
April 9, 2019
Cover Reveal!
I'm so excited to share with you all the cover for my next HarperCollins
Whispers Wood/Little Clock House book.
Feast your eyes on
Whispers Wood, Book 3 ...
The Wedding Planner
What do you all think? Is it not totally all the things pretty! I can't wait to share Gloria and Seth's story with you all and there isn't long to wait:
THE WEDDING PLANNER is out May 3rd and you can pre-order today: hyperurl.co/weddingplaneb
Wedding bells are ringing and gossip is spiralling in Whispers Wood…
Single mum Gloria Pavey has a bad habit of saying exactly the wrong thing at the wrong time. Determined to make a positive change she can’t say no when her best friend, Emma, asks her to take on the role of her wedding planner. The only problem? Gloria’s co-planner – best man Seth Knightley.
Gloria is on a self-imposed man ban but pulling together the most beautiful wedding Whispers Wood has ever seen alongside gorgeous Seth is pushing her to her limits. As every interaction increases the tension between them Gloria finds herself wondering…could the happy ever after she never thought she’d have be in her future after all?
Eve xx
Whispers Wood/Little Clock House book.
Feast your eyes on
Whispers Wood, Book 3 ...
The Wedding Planner
What do you all think? Is it not totally all the things pretty! I can't wait to share Gloria and Seth's story with you all and there isn't long to wait:THE WEDDING PLANNER is out May 3rd and you can pre-order today: hyperurl.co/weddingplaneb
Wedding bells are ringing and gossip is spiralling in Whispers Wood…
Single mum Gloria Pavey has a bad habit of saying exactly the wrong thing at the wrong time. Determined to make a positive change she can’t say no when her best friend, Emma, asks her to take on the role of her wedding planner. The only problem? Gloria’s co-planner – best man Seth Knightley.
Gloria is on a self-imposed man ban but pulling together the most beautiful wedding Whispers Wood has ever seen alongside gorgeous Seth is pushing her to her limits. As every interaction increases the tension between them Gloria finds herself wondering…could the happy ever after she never thought she’d have be in her future after all?
Eve xx
February 8, 2019
Book News: Past, Present and Future...
I can’t believe it’s been so long since I’ve blogged :( but I do have some yummy news on books past, present and future …
Firstly, I can’t quite believe it but it’s been a whole year to the day that this little beauty of a box-set published!
One company that secures some of the world’s most treasured possessions...
Two time periods...
Three complete novels from three best-selling authors…
AND the best bit is that you can still grab a copy at any of these fab places for ONLY 1.99
AMAZON http://smarturl.it/SteeHawkSecurity
Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/2E5JrfW
Google: http://bit.ly/2DI677W
iBOOKS: https://apple.co/2GIU1Kq
KOBO: http://bit.ly/2DykCYD
Here’s what people are saying about it:
“Mystery, technology and steamy romance all interact in this fast-paced contemporary romantic suspense.”
"...Eve Devon's vivid descriptions of Steel Hawk make the company come to life in an incredible way.”
“…rich in intrigue, threat, chemistry (between the pairing-up couples) and action.”
Secondly, edits for book 3 in the Little Clock House/Whispers Wood series have left the building. This can mean only one thing …
Yep, not long to go now and I can’t wait to introduce you all to Gloria and Seth!
Thirdly, I’m writing two new delicious books:
The next book in the Whispers Wood series … hooray for getting to write about two new Whispers Wood characters: Tuppence McTravers and River Sutherland
And a new book that has all the elements you have come to love from the Whispers Wood books (a huge helping of humour, a touch of quirk, lashings of swoony romance) as well as a sprinkling of intrigue and mystery …
Eve xx
P.S. Did you know you can keep up to date with my book news via BookBub now? Well, you can! Just click to follow me and be among the first to see when new books release!https://www.bookbub.com/profile/eve-devon?=true
Firstly, I can’t quite believe it but it’s been a whole year to the day that this little beauty of a box-set published!
One company that secures some of the world’s most treasured possessions...Two time periods...
Three complete novels from three best-selling authors…
AND the best bit is that you can still grab a copy at any of these fab places for ONLY 1.99
AMAZON http://smarturl.it/SteeHawkSecurity
Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/2E5JrfW
Google: http://bit.ly/2DI677W
iBOOKS: https://apple.co/2GIU1Kq
KOBO: http://bit.ly/2DykCYD
Here’s what people are saying about it:
“Mystery, technology and steamy romance all interact in this fast-paced contemporary romantic suspense.”
"...Eve Devon's vivid descriptions of Steel Hawk make the company come to life in an incredible way.”
“…rich in intrigue, threat, chemistry (between the pairing-up couples) and action.”
Secondly, edits for book 3 in the Little Clock House/Whispers Wood series have left the building. This can mean only one thing …
Yep, not long to go now and I can’t wait to introduce you all to Gloria and Seth! Thirdly, I’m writing two new delicious books:The next book in the Whispers Wood series … hooray for getting to write about two new Whispers Wood characters: Tuppence McTravers and River Sutherland
And a new book that has all the elements you have come to love from the Whispers Wood books (a huge helping of humour, a touch of quirk, lashings of swoony romance) as well as a sprinkling of intrigue and mystery …
Eve xx
P.S. Did you know you can keep up to date with my book news via BookBub now? Well, you can! Just click to follow me and be among the first to see when new books release!https://www.bookbub.com/profile/eve-devon?=true
March 12, 2018
Marvellous Night For Romance...
It's been a week since the RoNAs (Romantic Novel Awards) and I still can't quite believe I was there!
I may not have won the RoNA for best Romantic Comedy Novel but I had the absolute BEST time. I was thoroughly spoilt by my editor, had to pinch myself while meeting Jilly Cooper, and got to spend hours chatting away with the most amazingly talented and inspirational authors in The Gladstone Library of the Royal Horseguards Hotel in London.
Photos are a must...so...here are just a few from the glam evening...
The road to publication doesn't end when you get that first book published...it begins. As with any career there are highs and lows as you navigate your way. It was an honour to be shortlisted for these prestigious awards and getting to celebrate that with such lovely people was a definite high :).
Huge squishy congratulations to all the #RoNA18 winners.
What a fabulous evening!
Eve xx
I may not have won the RoNA for best Romantic Comedy Novel but I had the absolute BEST time. I was thoroughly spoilt by my editor, had to pinch myself while meeting Jilly Cooper, and got to spend hours chatting away with the most amazingly talented and inspirational authors in The Gladstone Library of the Royal Horseguards Hotel in London.
Photos are a must...so...here are just a few from the glam evening...
The road to publication doesn't end when you get that first book published...it begins. As with any career there are highs and lows as you navigate your way. It was an honour to be shortlisted for these prestigious awards and getting to celebrate that with such lovely people was a definite high :).Huge squishy congratulations to all the #RoNA18 winners.
What a fabulous evening!
Eve xx
March 5, 2018
Show Me The Funny
Today is the RoNA Awards!!!
The fact that I’ll be attending as one of the shortlisted authors for best Romantic Comedy novel with The Little Clock House on the Green is…well, a pretty big deal!
When I first started writing romance I leaned towards the intense. Lots of drama, angst and suspense.
Not gonna lie… a lot of that drama, angst and suspense came out more like: *insert Captain Kirk voice*: Damn it Janet, don’t die on me now. ..We have to figure out how to save the world – wow, your hair properly reminds me of the low-setting sun.
Um…yeah. Starting out A LOT of my writing was unintentionally funny. It still is when you factor in my own unique approach to grammar!
Being unintentionally funny isn’t like the whole ‘there’s no such thing as bad publicity’ thing. Being unintentionally funny is bad and likely to get you on a publisher’s BuzzFeed list of howlers. Great if you want to be known for being funny. Not great if you want to create stories people will enjoy and remember for the right reasons.
Gradually I learned how to create drama, angst and suspense without making my characters sound unintentionally funny and completely TSTL (Too Stupid To Live).
But here’s the thing: I’d always have to go back through the dramatic, angst–filled, suspenseful manuscript afterwards and take out the ‘funny’ that had snuck in.
I’ve read wonderful dark, gritty romance with lashings of gallows humour that works on both levels, but for me, when I’m writing I’m either feeling light about a situation or I’m feeling serious about a situation – my voice comes out unbalanced if I try merging the two.
The biggest lesson I learned while writing The Little Clock House on the Green, was that setting out to write something funny is the single, biggest guarantee of instantly removing the comedy from Romantic Comedy. Comedians must find this all the time – the pressure to be ‘funny’. Also, comedy is like art anyway, right? Totally subjective. What one person finds dry, witty, or downright hilarious, another person finds bullish, weird or just plain inappropriate.
In the end I had to not think in terms of is this funny/what would be funnier.
It turned out to be way more simple than that. I know! Classic Arty Over-thinker, table for one.
Yep. It turned out all I had to do was just tell the story…
The story of Kate, Daniel, Juliet and Oscar and a clock house in a village called Whispers Wood.
That readers have taken the time to write to me and let me know how much they’ve enjoyed The Little Clock House on the Green and that they’ve laughed out loud (in public!) over a scene I’ve written, is just the best compliment I could receive.
I’ve had some truly wonderful experiences on this rollercoaster writing journey, and getting nominated for best Romantic Comedy novel by the Romantic Novelists’ Association is right up there with them.
A big squishy Good Luck to all the authors nominated for a RoNA tonight – I can’t wait to celebrate this fabulous industry.
Eve xx
The fact that I’ll be attending as one of the shortlisted authors for best Romantic Comedy novel with The Little Clock House on the Green is…well, a pretty big deal!
When I first started writing romance I leaned towards the intense. Lots of drama, angst and suspense.
Not gonna lie… a lot of that drama, angst and suspense came out more like: *insert Captain Kirk voice*: Damn it Janet, don’t die on me now. ..We have to figure out how to save the world – wow, your hair properly reminds me of the low-setting sun.
Um…yeah. Starting out A LOT of my writing was unintentionally funny. It still is when you factor in my own unique approach to grammar!
Being unintentionally funny isn’t like the whole ‘there’s no such thing as bad publicity’ thing. Being unintentionally funny is bad and likely to get you on a publisher’s BuzzFeed list of howlers. Great if you want to be known for being funny. Not great if you want to create stories people will enjoy and remember for the right reasons.
Gradually I learned how to create drama, angst and suspense without making my characters sound unintentionally funny and completely TSTL (Too Stupid To Live).
But here’s the thing: I’d always have to go back through the dramatic, angst–filled, suspenseful manuscript afterwards and take out the ‘funny’ that had snuck in.
I’ve read wonderful dark, gritty romance with lashings of gallows humour that works on both levels, but for me, when I’m writing I’m either feeling light about a situation or I’m feeling serious about a situation – my voice comes out unbalanced if I try merging the two.
The biggest lesson I learned while writing The Little Clock House on the Green, was that setting out to write something funny is the single, biggest guarantee of instantly removing the comedy from Romantic Comedy. Comedians must find this all the time – the pressure to be ‘funny’. Also, comedy is like art anyway, right? Totally subjective. What one person finds dry, witty, or downright hilarious, another person finds bullish, weird or just plain inappropriate.
In the end I had to not think in terms of is this funny/what would be funnier.
It turned out to be way more simple than that. I know! Classic Arty Over-thinker, table for one.
Yep. It turned out all I had to do was just tell the story…
The story of Kate, Daniel, Juliet and Oscar and a clock house in a village called Whispers Wood.
That readers have taken the time to write to me and let me know how much they’ve enjoyed The Little Clock House on the Green and that they’ve laughed out loud (in public!) over a scene I’ve written, is just the best compliment I could receive.
I’ve had some truly wonderful experiences on this rollercoaster writing journey, and getting nominated for best Romantic Comedy novel by the Romantic Novelists’ Association is right up there with them.
A big squishy Good Luck to all the authors nominated for a RoNA tonight – I can’t wait to celebrate this fabulous industry.
Eve xx
