Almost a week ago now I dabbed on a bit of make-up, tarted up my hair and donned my cool clothes that let people know I can relate to teenagers. Why? Time to meet some of those elusive agents and pitch my WIP!
The SCBWI agents party took place at the Frontline club in Paddington, in an upstairs room complete with bar and canapes. Before the night I read several emails telling me to 'remember that agents are people too and talk to them about something other than writing'. On the day we all waited patiently tilla fter the panel discussion and then queued up like a scene from parents day, waiting for our chance. No time for chit chat, pitch the book, smile, wait to hear if there are good comments, bad comments or just a request to submit through the usual channels and move on.
Does it sound dull? I hope not, it was one of the most thrilling experiences of my life! I have been desperate to pitch my book in the flesh for some time now, an opportunity to show my flashy, energetic and marketable side. I pitched to five of the eight agents and left on an adrenaline high. After a week of sending out submissions I can now reflect on the panel discussion.
SHOCK no. 1: All eight panel agents claim to hardly ever read synopses and contrary to every advice website I've ever read they say they don't want spoilers! After pitching to one panel agent I was asked to send in my manuscript and when I revealed that I have not yet written a synopsis she said to just type out my pitch. Really? That takes you to the end of chapter five? Hey, you guys are the agents and I am only too happy to reduce my synopsis writing to two hundred words.
SHOCK no. 2: When asked about submitting to multiple agencies all the panel agents said they would prefer an exclusive submission although they wouldn't expect it. I thought that was something agents said in the middle ages and some of the non-panel agents seemed to agree with me on this. Hmm, maybe I did talk about things other than my book.
CONCLUSION:
Great evening. Agents are real people and super friendly but they don't have as much time for chit chat as you might thing. Book your ticket early next year, the party sold out super quick.
Wednesday 9 October 2013
Monday 30 September 2013
WIPmarathon - the illegal check-in
I'm feeling guilty for not blogging for a few weeks. please forgive me, especially since I could have posted this two weeks ago!
First draft of my Albinia novel completed: word count 52,500 words.
Enough to count as a novel in the mslexia novel writing competition, yippee and in October it will be winging its way to the Times/Chicken House children's fiction competition.
Newsflash:
Second draft also completed. Amazing, huh? I think I was just in the zone after the marathon in August (if you don't know what I'm talking about check out Ifeoma Dennis' blog or #wipmarathon on twitter. I believe there is another one happening in December.)
Newsflash number two:
It is now my Ophelia novel as my very lovely SCBWI critique group think Albinia is too like the name Albania. Sad to say goodbye to Albinia but think Ophelia could be an even stronger name. Let's hope so.
The book is now entitled:
The Hunt for Ophelia, In line for the throne, on the run for her life.
(Gives me goose bumps every time I say it.)
Elevator pitch is almost good enough for the SCBWI agent's party that I'm attending on Thursday. I'm really hoping that I don't make an idiot of myself in front of too many agents. Especially as Madeleine Milburn will be there!
What's next for Ophelia?
She needs a synopsis - please shoot me now!
and I need to finish my third draft now that my critique notes are in from my three chosen victims. God bless anyone who agrees to critique an entire book for a buddy, it's a big job.
What's next for the blog?
I shall try and update more regularly. I'll definitely be putting up a report on the SCBWI agent's party event, I have a few book reviews I'd like to add, a list of my top ten modern picture books and who knows what else....
First draft of my Albinia novel completed: word count 52,500 words.
Enough to count as a novel in the mslexia novel writing competition, yippee and in October it will be winging its way to the Times/Chicken House children's fiction competition.
Newsflash:
Second draft also completed. Amazing, huh? I think I was just in the zone after the marathon in August (if you don't know what I'm talking about check out Ifeoma Dennis' blog or #wipmarathon on twitter. I believe there is another one happening in December.)
Newsflash number two:
It is now my Ophelia novel as my very lovely SCBWI critique group think Albinia is too like the name Albania. Sad to say goodbye to Albinia but think Ophelia could be an even stronger name. Let's hope so.
The book is now entitled:
The Hunt for Ophelia, In line for the throne, on the run for her life.
(Gives me goose bumps every time I say it.)
Elevator pitch is almost good enough for the SCBWI agent's party that I'm attending on Thursday. I'm really hoping that I don't make an idiot of myself in front of too many agents. Especially as Madeleine Milburn will be there!
What's next for Ophelia?
She needs a synopsis - please shoot me now!
and I need to finish my third draft now that my critique notes are in from my three chosen victims. God bless anyone who agrees to critique an entire book for a buddy, it's a big job.
What's next for the blog?
I shall try and update more regularly. I'll definitely be putting up a report on the SCBWI agent's party event, I have a few book reviews I'd like to add, a list of my top ten modern picture books and who knows what else....
Monday 2 September 2013
WIPmarathon check-in #4
Better Late Than Never
It's been a hectic week and I couldn't bare to put up my last post with a diddy word count so I have accidentally on-purpose waited 'till Monday morning.
Started Marathon with : 18,000 words
Last Saturdays Word count : 39,992 words
Today's word count : 48,151 words
Estimated Count needed to finish the book : 4,000 words.
So near and yet so far I'd say another weeks worth of writing.
How did everyone else do? Have a look.
What I learnt in writing this week?
You can;t finish your book on a chosen day or at a specific word count. I organised my marathon around the idea that I would finish at 47,000 words and although I hit that goal the characters hadn't finished wrestling with their life and death situations.
What Distracted me this week.
I've realised that nothing distracts me from writing, The truth is that other things just get in the way. The baby was poorly, got two new teeth and stopped sleeping. The need for sleep then got in the way of my writing, but it never distracted me, I was fully focused on what was happening.
And now for my last 200 words. It's not the end of the book, so I guess it's OK to share:
It's been a hectic week and I couldn't bare to put up my last post with a diddy word count so I have accidentally on-purpose waited 'till Monday morning.
Started Marathon with : 18,000 words
Last Saturdays Word count : 39,992 words
Today's word count : 48,151 words
Estimated Count needed to finish the book : 4,000 words.
So near and yet so far I'd say another weeks worth of writing.
How did everyone else do? Have a look.
What I learnt in writing this week?
You can;t finish your book on a chosen day or at a specific word count. I organised my marathon around the idea that I would finish at 47,000 words and although I hit that goal the characters hadn't finished wrestling with their life and death situations.
What Distracted me this week.
I've realised that nothing distracts me from writing, The truth is that other things just get in the way. The baby was poorly, got two new teeth and stopped sleeping. The need for sleep then got in the way of my writing, but it never distracted me, I was fully focused on what was happening.
And now for my last 200 words. It's not the end of the book, so I guess it's OK to share:
The woman turned rudely
away and Albinia smiled, she would rather the woman wasn’t watching her anyway.
A large group arrived at the door and the woman took a step forwards to halt
their progress whilst asking to see their tickets. Albinia simply slipped
through the entrance behind her and disappeared into the crowd. There must have
been a thousand people inside. The gallery was huge, a thin wire kept guests
from getting too close to the magnificent paintings which adorned the walls,
but few people were actually looking. The beautiful people of
Sydney’s arty-farty world were too busy hobnobbing with one another, swilling
champagne and snatching tasty morsels off passing platters. Somewhere in amongst
this mess of dickie-bows and high-heels was Albinia’s mother and potentially
some rather hostile individuals as well. Albinia began moving through the sea
of people, trying to keep to the natural flow and avoid drawing attention to
herself.
Saturday 24 August 2013
WIPmarathon Check in #3
This is my first lunchtime posting. Up till now it's been a last thing at night job as I spend the day imagining I can get a few more words on the page before I log my final count. Not so today. I am already so proud of my word count for the week that I am unashamedly blogging at lunchtime and looking forward to an early night.
Last Saturdays word count 29,457
This Saturdays word count 39,922
Over 10,000 words in a week is definitely a record for me and on Monday I wrote over 4,000 words in just one day.
If you want to see how the other WIPmarathoners are doing visit their websites via this linktool.
WIP issues this week = none! Did you read the stuff above, I'm in the zone, head down, charging for the finish. Without bashing the marathon metaphor too much I think I hit the wall last week and am now home and dry in fat burning territory.
What I learnt in writing this week.
That I can write the way I want to. It sounds like a ridiculous thing to say but I read Elmore Leonard's top ten tips for writers this week and it has reallymade me feel good about the way I write. I'll have a go at explaining. Last week I said I had been suffering from disillusionment. This crops up every now and then because I like reading rip-roaring page turners and unsurprisingly that's what I attempt to write. It's fast-paced and fun but it's probably never going to win a prestigious award. Awards go to stories of young boys coming to terms with autism in post war Germany, or a family struggling to deal with a teenage pregnancy whilst emigrating to Indonesia. I like: unsuspecting scientist stumbles on plot to infect the World with chicken pox and only he can save the day with the help of feisty female defence minister who dares to believe his story. Anyway, read the top ten tips. If you're aiming to write the worthiest book in history ignore eight out of ten tips. If you want to be the next Dan Brown take all of them to heart.
What distracted me this week?
Twitter, of course.
And now for my last 200 words..slightly less gruesome than last week.
Last Saturdays word count 29,457
This Saturdays word count 39,922
Over 10,000 words in a week is definitely a record for me and on Monday I wrote over 4,000 words in just one day.
If you want to see how the other WIPmarathoners are doing visit their websites via this linktool.
WIP issues this week = none! Did you read the stuff above, I'm in the zone, head down, charging for the finish. Without bashing the marathon metaphor too much I think I hit the wall last week and am now home and dry in fat burning territory.
What I learnt in writing this week.
That I can write the way I want to. It sounds like a ridiculous thing to say but I read Elmore Leonard's top ten tips for writers this week and it has reallymade me feel good about the way I write. I'll have a go at explaining. Last week I said I had been suffering from disillusionment. This crops up every now and then because I like reading rip-roaring page turners and unsurprisingly that's what I attempt to write. It's fast-paced and fun but it's probably never going to win a prestigious award. Awards go to stories of young boys coming to terms with autism in post war Germany, or a family struggling to deal with a teenage pregnancy whilst emigrating to Indonesia. I like: unsuspecting scientist stumbles on plot to infect the World with chicken pox and only he can save the day with the help of feisty female defence minister who dares to believe his story. Anyway, read the top ten tips. If you're aiming to write the worthiest book in history ignore eight out of ten tips. If you want to be the next Dan Brown take all of them to heart.
What distracted me this week?
Twitter, of course.
And now for my last 200 words..slightly less gruesome than last week.
Mr Nyondo reached into
his drawer and pulled out his gun. It was cocked with the safety off
before Bobby could even think about screaming.
‘Now we have a
problem.’ said Mr Nyondo. Bobby
could see he was a man who enjoyed holding a weapon, the gun gave him control and the control gave him arrogance. ‘Don’t say another word. I’m
tired of listening to your clever little questions and empty threats. If you
want to threaten a police officer in Africa you need a gun and the guts to use
it. You, my friend, have neither.’
‘Are you asking me to
leave?’ said Bobby, praying the answer would be yes.
‘No. I think it’s a bit
late for that. I’m asking you to sit tight whilst I think of the best way to
deal with this situation. If you were a man I’d shoot you, plant a knife in
your hand and say it was self defense. But you’re a woman so that won’t sound so good.
On the other hand, you are a very attractive woman so I might be able to find a
more pleasurable way of dealing with you.’
Nyondo smiled
hungrily and Bobby felt hatred burn in her chest. Saturday 17 August 2013
WIPmarathon Check in #2
If you didn't know it already I am halfway through another marathon. Only this time I'm not in the Sahara desert, on the promenade in Nice or pounding out the pavements of London. This is my 'Work In Progress' marathon and I (along side some super #WIPbuddies) have challenged myself to finish my Albinia novel (as I am currently calling it) by the end of August.
If you want to see how my WIPbuddies are getting on click here
Word Count from last Saturday's check in : 24,431
Word Count this Saturday is : 29,457
WIP issues this week?
Disillusionment! How did this happen? I'm not sure, I'm usually the most positive person in the room. Perhaps I just spent too much time on my own this week.
I nearly didn't enter the SCBWI Undiscovered Voices competition that I have spent ages preparing for. Luckily handsome hubby gave me a talking to and I am back on track. Although, I am now estimating my WIP will top out at about 47,000 words and I am averaging 5000 a week. This next week needs to be awesome or I shall be burning the midnight oil in the last few days.
What I learnt in writing this week?
A critique group is a fabulous thing! I met my SCBWI critique group for the first time this week and the first 2000 words of my WIP were discussed. The feedback I got was so incredibly useful I am kicking myself for not doing this ages ago. No offence to Mum and Hubby but these guys are tuned in to voice, continuity and point of view like friends and family simply are not. I recommend it to you all but have a sneaking suspicion I am the last person to jump on the band wagon.
What Distracted me this week?
Writing. Odd answer but I did get my competition entry in and I had to critique my fellow groupies work as well.
And now, for the first time ever, I have decided to be brave, bite the bullet and present my last 200 words of writing. Here we go:
If you want to see how my WIPbuddies are getting on click here
Word Count from last Saturday's check in : 24,431
Word Count this Saturday is : 29,457
WIP issues this week?
Disillusionment! How did this happen? I'm not sure, I'm usually the most positive person in the room. Perhaps I just spent too much time on my own this week.
I nearly didn't enter the SCBWI Undiscovered Voices competition that I have spent ages preparing for. Luckily handsome hubby gave me a talking to and I am back on track. Although, I am now estimating my WIP will top out at about 47,000 words and I am averaging 5000 a week. This next week needs to be awesome or I shall be burning the midnight oil in the last few days.
What I learnt in writing this week?
A critique group is a fabulous thing! I met my SCBWI critique group for the first time this week and the first 2000 words of my WIP were discussed. The feedback I got was so incredibly useful I am kicking myself for not doing this ages ago. No offence to Mum and Hubby but these guys are tuned in to voice, continuity and point of view like friends and family simply are not. I recommend it to you all but have a sneaking suspicion I am the last person to jump on the band wagon.
What Distracted me this week?
Writing. Odd answer but I did get my competition entry in and I had to critique my fellow groupies work as well.
And now, for the first time ever, I have decided to be brave, bite the bullet and present my last 200 words of writing. Here we go:
Without thinking
too much he released his grip on the handle of the forceps and gently eased his
index finger under her skin. He was aware of Albinia chomping hard on her
pillowcase and her chest was heaving but somehow she managed to keep her arm
where it was.
Jack’s finger
was pulling the wound open but he could feel the tip of something metal and so
he kept going. The skin was ripping around his knuckle and fresh rivulets of
blood dribbled down Albinia’s skin but hecouldn't stop now, he had the bullet trapped between his
finger and the forceps. He curled his thumb around the shaft of the forceps to
form a grip and gently eased backwards. Amazingly the bullet started
moving and seconds later he held it aloft like a precious jewel.
Albinia dropped
the pillowcase from her mouth and panted for air. ‘Nice.’ she managed between
breaths. ‘I’m going to wash it again under the tap and then you can bandage me
up. She hobbled off to the bathroom, pale and clammy whilst Jack studied the bullet.
He was looking more than pleased with himself.
Saturday 10 August 2013
WIP Marathon check in #1 (for the second time)
OK, so I think everyone else is doing their first check in today having skipped the first Saturday of the month which was just a few days after we started but I, being either over zealous or incompetent, did one last week. So this is my second attempt at a first check-in!!
Word count at the start of the month was 18,020
Current word count is : 24,431 I'm up to chapter 12 and feeling smug!
WIP issues this week?
I love writing and I have discovered that I love writing most in the middle of the day. This causes problems as it's the Summer holidays and my four year old no longer needs a midday nap, boo hoo! Luckily there have been a few occasions where he has been off for a play date just as the baby goes down for a sleep. Those are the times when I have hit the 2000 word mark. In the evenings, despite a free schedule (husband working till late a lot at the moment) I am only getting 500 words or so on the screen. I have been tempted to bang out some rubbish in the evenings just for the sake of word count but let's be honest that would make revisions of my first draft mighty painful!
What I learnt in Writing This Week?
I have been contemplating what I shall do when this marathon finishes and I have a completed first draft of my work in progress (Oh the optimism!). So imagine how pleased I was when the following blog post arrived via twitter. buff.ly/1cN8cKn It's an editor in America giving advice on the six drafts every writer should go through before they submit a manuscript.
Apart from the bit about paying for a good editor (probably a good idea but I don't have a fat enough wallet) I shall be following this advice. In fact I plan after my second draft to offer three lucky friends/relations a paper manuscript and four coloured pens. Green for bits they like. Red for bits that jar or feel wrong. Blue for continuity issues. Purple for spelling and grammar. If all goes to plan I should be able to synthesise said documents to look for things that are consistently good and bad across the three. Where they disagree I shall generously allow myself the final say. Now I just need to find three willing guinea pigs for my colourful plan!
What Distracted me this week whilst writing?
Jam making. I have a fridge full of gooseberry and cherry jam and have now vowed to stop foraging for summer fruits.
Bring on the next marathon week, I'm ready and writing.
This WIPmarathon was invented by Ifeoma Dennis. Check out her blog for rules and updates (http://ifeomadennis.wordpress.com/2013/07/31/wipmarathon-intro/) or follow us all on twitter via #wipmarathon
You can also meet all WIPmarathoners and read their check-ins via this linky tool http://www.inlinkz.com/wpview.php?id=304795
Word count at the start of the month was 18,020
Current word count is : 24,431 I'm up to chapter 12 and feeling smug!
WIP issues this week?
I love writing and I have discovered that I love writing most in the middle of the day. This causes problems as it's the Summer holidays and my four year old no longer needs a midday nap, boo hoo! Luckily there have been a few occasions where he has been off for a play date just as the baby goes down for a sleep. Those are the times when I have hit the 2000 word mark. In the evenings, despite a free schedule (husband working till late a lot at the moment) I am only getting 500 words or so on the screen. I have been tempted to bang out some rubbish in the evenings just for the sake of word count but let's be honest that would make revisions of my first draft mighty painful!
What I learnt in Writing This Week?
I have been contemplating what I shall do when this marathon finishes and I have a completed first draft of my work in progress (Oh the optimism!). So imagine how pleased I was when the following blog post arrived via twitter. buff.ly/1cN8cKn It's an editor in America giving advice on the six drafts every writer should go through before they submit a manuscript.
Apart from the bit about paying for a good editor (probably a good idea but I don't have a fat enough wallet) I shall be following this advice. In fact I plan after my second draft to offer three lucky friends/relations a paper manuscript and four coloured pens. Green for bits they like. Red for bits that jar or feel wrong. Blue for continuity issues. Purple for spelling and grammar. If all goes to plan I should be able to synthesise said documents to look for things that are consistently good and bad across the three. Where they disagree I shall generously allow myself the final say. Now I just need to find three willing guinea pigs for my colourful plan!
What Distracted me this week whilst writing?
Jam making. I have a fridge full of gooseberry and cherry jam and have now vowed to stop foraging for summer fruits.
Bring on the next marathon week, I'm ready and writing.
This WIPmarathon was invented by Ifeoma Dennis. Check out her blog for rules and updates (http://ifeomadennis.wordpress.com/2013/07/31/wipmarathon-intro/) or follow us all on twitter via #wipmarathon
You can also meet all WIPmarathoners and read their check-ins via this linky tool http://www.inlinkz.com/wpview.php?id=304795
Saturday 3 August 2013
WIPmarathon check in #1.
OK, I started this marathon having written 18,020 words. (half way through chapter 9)
As of today I have ( drum roll please ) .....19,077 words. (now ready to start chapter 10)
WIP issues this week?
Getting started. I hadn't written for two weeks and though I was doing a great job of blaming the Summer holidays and kids under my feet I knew the true reason was different. I had hit a plot hurdle. I had introduced a new and important character. He had agreed to help. My two protagonists were ready to receive his important information that would ultimately (but not yet) lead to the unravelling of the great mystery and yet I didn't know what the information was.
What I learnt this week in writing?
Sometimes it's OK to be vague. This marathon forced me to put some words on the page and so I did. My new character eluded to what he could offer and then handed over a stack of papers. It may sound weak but getting going again has given me a new lease of inspiration and I know that one day soon my heroes will be able to read what's in those papers or maybe I'll be able to go back and deliver a more complete offering from the new guy. Any break in my writing is a cancer to my creativity and leads to unfinished works that I struggle to return to. I expect everyone's different (they usually are) b ut if you're like me and feel the need to just keep going then I have two piece's of advice. First join a marathon writing challenge and then feel free to be vague for the sake of momentum!
What distracted me this week from writing?
Everything, but next week will be different!
OK, I started this marathon having written 18,020 words. (half way through chapter 9)
As of today I have ( drum roll please ) .....19,077 words. (now ready to start chapter 10)
WIP issues this week?
Getting started. I hadn't written for two weeks and though I was doing a great job of blaming the Summer holidays and kids under my feet I knew the true reason was different. I had hit a plot hurdle. I had introduced a new and important character. He had agreed to help. My two protagonists were ready to receive his important information that would ultimately (but not yet) lead to the unravelling of the great mystery and yet I didn't know what the information was.
What I learnt this week in writing?
Sometimes it's OK to be vague. This marathon forced me to put some words on the page and so I did. My new character eluded to what he could offer and then handed over a stack of papers. It may sound weak but getting going again has given me a new lease of inspiration and I know that one day soon my heroes will be able to read what's in those papers or maybe I'll be able to go back and deliver a more complete offering from the new guy. Any break in my writing is a cancer to my creativity and leads to unfinished works that I struggle to return to. I expect everyone's different (they usually are) b ut if you're like me and feel the need to just keep going then I have two piece's of advice. First join a marathon writing challenge and then feel free to be vague for the sake of momentum!
What distracted me this week from writing?
Everything, but next week will be different!
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