Kathryn Freeman's Blog, page 16

What I learnt this week: 3rd March 2016

Wow – March already. Spring has sprung … though actually there wasn’t a lot of springing, more of a soggy limp. The primroses didn’t mind the rain, though they objected strongly to the hail the following day.

But I’m not here to talk about the weather. While I’m still in full on edit mode for The Next Book (sorry I am going to be talking about that quite a lot over the next month or so) I thought I’d leave you with the link for the Choc Lit round robin Mother’s Day story, here.

Five authors took part, each writing around 700 words. We took it in turns to write a section, with me bringing up the rear with part 5, which will appear on the website on Sunday. It was a little nerve wracking because there is no agreed structure. The first writer sets it off and sends it to the next, each taking the story where they think it should go.  As the final author, I was left wondering how on earth I was going to knit it all together.

I shouldn’t have worried, the authors before me had left enough clever hooks that my job was easy in the end. Writing is a solitary job so I really enjoyed this chance to work with colleagues for a change – and write a storyline I would never have thought of. As you can see from part one, our first author (Berni Stevens, who also designs our amazing book covers!) immediately pushed us into an area most of us knew nothing about. Hasty research was done on cats, pregnancy, births and microchips!

I hope you enjoy it. To all mother’s out there, including my own (and Mum 2) I hope you have a fabulous day on Sunday. Sadly my poor mum will have to endure my cooking. I’m waiting for the day I will have to endure my own children’s cooking – though looking at my teenage boys I think I’m in for a long wait.

 

 

What I learnt this week: 25th February 2016

Marketing positioning for The Next Book

This week I’ve been asked to fill in a market positioning questionnaire for my next book which is a tool to help my publisher determine the right title, cover and blurb.

Much of the information I can easily fill in.

–      name, genre (yes, told you I could manage some of it).

–      locations used as settings. Hey, I’ve pushed the boat out on this one and travel the globe. We’re in Shanghai, Monaco, Barcelona, Silverstone…

–      heroine characteristics. Melanie Hunt is a tough cookie. Working in a male dominated environment she knows how to stick up for herself without being abrasive. Sharp, funny and painfully honest she has girl-next-door charm in a sport rife with sexy, glamorous models.

–      hero characteristics. Aiden Foster is laid back, charming and confident – in front of the cameras, anyway. Behind them he’s struggling to live up to being the son of a legend in motorsport. He’s also drop dead handsome.

Next comes The Elevator Pitch – how I’d sell the book in 15 seconds if stuck in an elevator with someone who might want to buy it. In truth I’d probably stammer something about motorsport and romance and shove a business card in their hand, but I’ve given this a go:

It’s boy meets girl in the glamorous world of motor sport, though if you’re not a fan of the sport don’t be put off. It’s a tale of family legacy, bonds between a man and boy, and love. Mainly, it’s about love.

Oops, was that more than 15 seconds? I’d have to talk fast.

What I really can’t manage is the section that reads, it’s most like…….which book(s).

I can say what I would love it to be like. Anything Nora Roberts has ever written. The humour of Jilly Cooper, the warmth of Katie Fforde, the engaging characters of Erica James, the sizzling dialogue of Suzanne Brockmann and the sexy edge of Samantha Young.

I could go on. It would do to motorsport what Jilly Cooper did to show jumping in Riders.

But that’s in my dreams.

The reality is my husband, who is also one of my beta readers, said he thought it was my worst yet. Ouch, no, let’s put it a better way. He said it was his least favourite. Nope, still painful.

For my part, it’s been my favourite to write, but my least favourite to edit. Trying to cut chunks out or move them around when you’re tied to a racing calendar…not easy.

It doesn’t really matter what either of us think though – it’s what you think that counts. Sometime near the end of March, beginning of April you’ll be able to find out.

I only hope if you’re kind enough to read it and tell me what you think, that you’ll be more gentle with my sensitive artistic soul than my dear husband.

What I learnt this week: February 11th 2016

The next book!

I currently feel like a ‘proper’ author because I am now officially editing the next book, the one starring my sexy racing driver.

Example of a sexy racing driver (aka Jenson Button) 

Jenson Button driver’s parade, Spa

My editor (see, proper authors have editors) has sent through her eight pages of suggested changes for this, the first of three editing stages.

Eight pages, yes. And that’s on a book that when I submitted it, I thought was my best ever…

The thing is, I’ve worked with my lovely editor on two of my previous books (Too Opposites Attract and Search for the Truth) so I don’t feel daunted by her recommendations. I know if I follow them, the book will be better than it was before and that’s all the incentive I need to get stuck in.

So what sort of things does she pick out? The main one I always fall down on is description. If you’ve read my posts before, or read my books even, you’ll know I’m not a great one for settings. As a reader I always skip those parts – I’m far more interested in what the characters are saying or doing to each other than where they are. As a writer … yes, I’m far more interested in writing about what my characters are saying or doing, too. But of course I’m not only writing for me, I’m writing for others kind enough to buy my books so my editor is right, I need to help  those who want to immerse themselves in the where, as well as the what and the why.

As I go through I’m trying to add in some Barcelona sparkle, a touch of Shanghai, a sprinkle of Silverstone, a dash of Spa in Belgium.

Beach at Barcelona

Lewis Hamilton takes the chequered flag at Silverstone

Spa Grand prix, towards Eau Rouge corner

I’d like to give the reader a flavour of a Grand prix meeting, though of course the book is a romance, not a guide to motorsport (and yes, I did buy this book!)

Sadly I fear that though I’ve been lucky enough to attend two Grand Prix’s, nothing I can write will ever capture the thrill of seeing these incredible pieces of metal fly past you – and each other.

So, if you’re brave enough to read Over the Line (provisional title – I’m hoping we’ll come up with something better, any suggestions gratefully received!), remember this post when you read my two lines of description. They may not seem like much but unlike the rest of the book, which flew off the pages, these nuggets of descriptive detail have caused me considerable angst!

 

 

What I learnt this week: 4th February 2016

Book news and … umm, Harrods?

Okay, okay sadly the two don’t really go together because you won’t find Kathryn Freeman in Harrods, not unless she’s ogling the chocolate displays. Still, it will be a test of my writing skills to see if I can weave these two topics together in today’s post.

Chocolate hall at Harrods

Chocolate at Harrods – umm, one of each?

So, on the book front I’m delighted to announce Search for the Truth will be coming out in paperback in July. I love my Kindle, but I love seeing a real book with my name on it even more.

At the moment Search for the Truth is only 99p on Kindle. Apologies to all those kind people who’ve already bought it but if it helps at all you are the people who’ve ensured it will make it into paperback, so THANK YOU.

 

Also on the writing front, this week the Portobello Book Blog was kind enough to interview me about Search for the Truth (and other writerly stuff) – here’s the link if you’re wondering how else you’re going to fill the next three minutes.

And speaking of three minutes, that was about the length of time my sons endured their trip to Harrods at the weekend before declaring they were bored. Our visit to London was part of belated birthday treat for me, though in hindsight dragging them round Harrods at the end of the day wasn’t the brightest of moves on my part. They see it not as an iconic store full of luxury items with eye-watering price tags, but a larger version of Debenhams.

Where did I go wrong?

What I learnt this week: the art of patience

I’m a reasonably patient person. I don’t huff at the person in front of me in the supermarket queue rummaging in their pocket for the three coupons they’ve forgotten to tell the cashier they want to use. All to save 68p (Mum?!). I might let out a slight moan when I’ve been at the airport for two hours (my husband is obsessed about planning for eventualities) and they announce our flight is delayed an hour. But I don’t storm the desk, demanding a refund.

When it comes to my writing though, I’m like a Jack Russell desperate to run, only to find himself shoved on a lead and forced to walk at his owner’s shuffling pace.

Everything about the process seems to happen so slowly, except for the ideas in my head. Writing a book takes months, and months, and months. And that’s only draft one. Then there’s the revisions, getting some poor souls to read it and tell you where it falters, incorporating their comments. Only then, nearly a year later, is it in a fit state to actually submit to the publisher. That’s not the end though. They then put it out to their readers (Tasting Panel) to gain feedback, which can take another six months. If it’s successful, there’ll be a contract but that doesn’t mean you get to start editing the book (which, by the way, takes a further few months). No, the book has to be slotted into the publishing schedule because, funnily enough, I’m not the only author my publisher has.

Of course during the down times I’m starting the next book, or doing the revisions on the previous book, but that all adds to my angst. Once I’ve written The End I want the book on the shelf. The reality is it can be over two years from the time I wrote Chapter One before it comes out – and then only as a digital book. The paperback comes even later, and only if digital sales go well.

So every now and again I have to take a deep breath. Remind myself where I was three years ago (when this was all a dream) and tell myself not to focus on the destination, but to enjoy the journey. I spend most of my days doing something I love. Very few people are lucky enough to be able to say that.

Too Charming in great company at Victoria Station

Earlier in the week I was sent this photograph, which helped with that reminder. Robert Galbraith, also known as JK Rowling, went through an incredibly tough time before she saw well-deserved success. I haven’t been through hardship and am nowhere near her genius.

I can afford to be very, very patient.

Especially as I have the hope that at least one person reached to pick up her book and accidentally bought mine instead.

What I learnt this week: 7th January 2016

The magic of London

We stayed at home over the Christmas holidays this year, with friends and family popping in at regular intervals so stop us getting bored. Sometimes it takes a few weeks at home to really appreciate what you have on your doorstep. If you’ve read my blogs before you’ll know how much I love both my home town of Windsor, but also what I like to think of as my home city – London.

So because I won’t let the kids sit and watch TV/play on their computers all day (mean mother) I dragged us all off to London twice over the holidays. It never disappoints. It’s not so much the magic of the attractions we went to see (The London Dungeons and London zoo, both I can highly recommend) but the beauty in the city itself. Each time I go I see something new, or in a different light.

Take the London Eye. Our train arrives at Waterloo so it’s always the first ‘sight’ we see when we come out of the station. This time I caught it against a stunning blue sky. Then again at dusk, with the pretty lights all around.

Big Ben and Westminster – common sights, but how majestic they looked in the early evening light.

Of course being over the Christmas holidays I saw many trees to add that extra sparkle – here Somerset House and Covent garden (which also had the reindeer!).

It’s the time of year when many of us book our summer holidays, fed up with the rain and the dark skies. I’m no exception, but it’s important now and again to remember the simple delights on our doorstep.

 

What I learnt this year: 31st December 2015

In September I passed a milestone I never thought I’d see – two years as a published writer. And I still feel like I’m only playing at it. That I’ve only dipped my toe into this vast ocean called publishing.

A few of the many things I learnt in 2015:

-       my writing can get a lot tighter. Those words I thought were essential a year ago, actually aren’t.

-       I need to be more patient. When I finish a book I want to see it published, but there are so many steps and mine one of many, many books already with my publisher. I should spend more time enjoying writing and less time fretting about what’s happening to the output.

-       Bad reviews knock my confidence but they don’t stop me writing (just slow me down a bit).

-       A rest isn’t just good for the soul, it’s good for a manuscript. When I write The End on the first draft I think it’s the best book yet. When I go back to it a few months later I hang my head in despair over it. But then I (hopefully) set about improving it.

My 2015 writing highlights:

Too Charming made it into paperback and then onto the shelves of some WHSmiths travel shops. Were the family impressed? Apparently that will only happen if I hit the chart section. Thanks.

Too Charming at WHS Smiths Heathrow, Terminal 3

My fourth book was published in August; a romance set in the pharmaceutical industry.

I signed a contract for my fifth book, featuring Arun Foster, a hunky racing car driver (inspired by my cardboard cut out of Jenson Button). It’s planned for release next March/April time.

Which brings me neatly onto 2016.

Thank you so much for being part of my writing journey and I wish you all a very happy New Year. I saw 2015 in on Westminster Bridge watching the best live firework display I’ve ever seen. I’ll be seeing 2016 in at home, watching the fireworks on the telly!

 

What I learnt this week: 17 December 2015

Christmas arrives chez Freemans

So this was the week when Christmas finally touched the Freeman family. I usually try and put the decorations up the first week in December – if I’m going to the effort of lugging the flipping things out of the attic, and dragging a tree home, then I want maximum time to enjoy the fruits of my labour before I have to put them all back again. This year we were late, but worry not, we are now into the swing.

The tree is up. Baubles are unwrapped and, with a few nods and smiles to the memories they create, plonked on the tree. Fairy lights litter the house and the naff mixes with the elegant … okay, the naff mixes with the slightly less naff.

I even took festive photos of my paperbacks because I’m a writer and a) I’m proud of them and b) I’m trying to get other people to buy them.

Did I have any help? No. Were my family appreciative of my efforts? Umm, no again, really. They appreciated not having to do it, but weren’t exactly bowled over with excitement when they came home from school/work and saw my efforts.

What they really wanted me to do was write the Christmas cards instead. That’s a job they hate doing, but because my parents always made my brother and me sign their cards (see what you did, Mum) I make mine do the same. Christmas is all about tradition, after all.  Of course when people are made to do a job they don’t enjoy, the output is often less than optimum. To those friends who received cards without my sons’ signatures, and perhaps addressed to someone else, I heartily apologise.

To top the productive week off we went Christmas shopping in Windsor – it looked so pretty you couldn’t fail but leave fully immersed in the Christmas spirit.

As I will spending next Thursday trying to buy a turkey, can I take this opportunity to thank you all for visiting my blog this year and to wish you a very happy, healthy (in terms of you feeling well – not in terms of you eating healthily, obviously) Christmas.

What I learnt this week: 3rd December 2015

Trying to get into the Christmas spirit

This week November turned into December. No longer could I say it’s too early to think about Christmas. And though I’m trying not to be a bah humbug about the whole thing, I’m finding it very hard…

I decided I was going to be proactive and book my on-line Christmas delivery, only to find the closest date I could get to have my groceries delivered was the 17th December.
I went into my local town to buy a throw for a bed and I was bombarded with cosy Christmas throws. I don’t want it for a present, I want it for a room with a nautical theme. Why is it so hard to buy non-Christmas related items in December?
I hate the hype around Black Friday which seems to be pressurising me into buying things too early. On the other hand, I’ve gone into my magic trunk, where I put items I buy during the year (usually in the sales) ready for Christmas, and it’s woefully lacking in exciting (or even practical) gifts.
Magazines are now full of recipes for how to make incredible festive feasts, all of which make me feel totally inadequate as they’d take me the whole month to create and end up looking nothing like the picture.

But even after writing these things down I’m starting to see the other side.

I’ll drag the kids out to do the final Christmas shop. It’s about time they did something useful.
I can manage without the damn throw for a few months. By February the town will be swarming with Spring/Summer items and nautical is bound to feature.
I have these Christmas presents already lined up (come on, I had to get a plug in this post somehow!).

My family are coming round for Christmas and they know exactly what to expect from me, and it isn’t Nigella or Delia (unless they’ve put their name to something I can buy ready made from the supermarket).

Next week I’m going to write my Christmas cards, thus killing off any Christmas spirit I’ll have managed to cultivate. After that though, I’m putting up the tree – and Christmas can start in earnest.

What I learnt this week: Thursday 19th November

It’s important to get out and party

I find it hard going out on a winter’s evening. It’s dark, usually raining, and the thought of making a cup of tea and getting on with a bit more writing seems infinitely more appealing than trudging into London to this stick in the mud. But last night I donned my sparkly scarf and bright pink Romantic Novelists’ Association (RNA) lanyard (yes, I had clothes on as well) and set off to the RNA Winter Party at the Royal Over-Seas League in London.

It’s a fabulous venue, and of course I should have taken more photos but I was too busy talking and drinking. Sorry.

An assortment of Choc Lit authors: Evonne Wareham, Jane Eastgate (editor), Sarah Waights, Kate Johnson, Berni Stevens, Clare Chase

It can be daunting, walking into a room of around 200 people, the vast majority of whom you don’t know, but RNA members are a special group. They’re happy to talk to anybody and of course we all have one very important thing in common; a love of romantic fiction.

It’s only at events like this, mixing with other writers, that I actually feel like a writer myself. And what a great opportunity to meet the people you interact with on social media, to gain advice from authors you admire and simply to chat about something your friends are bored to death with you going on about – your writing. These people understand your passion, your gripes, your insecurities. They want to listen (umm, sorry to those I spoke to who might not have wanted to listen quite that much…).

So was it worth the trudge into London? Well, I spent the evening talking romantic fiction to interested parties whilst being served canapes and downing a glass of bubbly, so YES!