Category Archives: Where I talk about stuff

3 inspiring links to keep you writing

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So, are you finished your book yet?

Friends used to ask this question when I started writing. Now? Not so much.

I guess they figure I should be done already. My book should be sitting on a shelf somewhere, and I should be signing copies in Waterstones, and doing ‘famous author stuff’.

I have to admit, I believed this fantasy once. I thought I’d write the book (which would be easy), and it would be snapped up (preferably with a bidding war) and I’d be going to the film premiere in Leicester Square in no time!

I’m not so embarrassed to admit this, since the fantasy was enough to get me started on this writing journey. We all have to start somewhere. And thanks to the many hours I’ve spent staring blankly at my current Word document, and all the writer’s blogs available online, I know a LOT better now.

But once you know how hard it is to get published, it can be a little gloomy, so here are my links to the most inspiring, honest and upbeat accounts of the road to publication.

1. Shannon Messenger, who began writing in 2009 and has her first MG novel out soon.

She does a great roundup of her writing year, which makes for an inspiring read.

Here they are in order      2009   2010   2011

2. Then, there’s Amanda Hocking’s story of how she self published all her books (and there are many –  she writes FAST!) – an epic tale of how it all happened

3. Laini Taylor’s post about how Daughter of Smoke and Bone (wonderful book!) came into being –wheeeee-real book!  You have to click through a few links to get the full story, but honestly, reading this blog is such a pleasure anyway, it’s worth it. Laini also has a great blog about her writing process, called Not for Robots, which is well worth checking out.

Of course, while you’re reading these posts, you’re not getting any work done…but procrastination is a topic for another time!

 

 

 

Flirting with Flash Fiction

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I’m a newbie when it comes to Flash Fiction, but the lure of a quick writing fix got the better of me last week.

Writer Unboxed announced its ‘7 Sizzling Sundays of Summer Flash Fiction’ contest, for stories up to 250 words, and the idea of finishing something, actually finishing something, and someone else reading it… was irresistible.

I rattled off a story in response to this prompt.

by Debbie Ridpath Ohi

That was it. My teeny tiny tale was out there. To be read by strangers. Yikes!

But a couple of hours later I checked the site, and I had 1 Like!  I was so chuffed, I wrote another one and put that up there too.

There are no plans to divorce my current manuscript, we’re in it for the long haul, but times have been hard of late, so I think I can forgive myself for this brief and satisfying dalliance.

And maybe… who knows…I might have another fling next week.

Update 

I got an Honourable mention in the 7 Sizzling Sundays of Summer Flash Fiction competition!

I really loved the story by Gail Mackenzie-Smith, which was one of the winners last week. Link to that story here.

 

 

If manuscripts were dogs….

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Learner bloggers are often advised not to write about their pets. No one’s interested in your cat or dog unless you’re Neil Gaiman or (insert famous author name),* though I guess if you have a pet crocodile or armadillo, that makes a good post.

Apologies then, as in my case, Bertie serves as a living canine reminder of how long I’ve been writing. He was there at the very beginning, making him roughly the same age as my manuscript.

black cocker spaniel puppy, bertie Back then, he was a messy little distraction, dashing about all over the place and constantly craving attention; meanwhile, on the computer, my children’s novel was much the same.

But unlike the manuscript, Bertie grew up quickly.

He now looks like this…..

Black cocker spaniel, Bertie

And if my manuscript was a canine….

….

….

it would look like this.

Serious editing required!

If your current manuscript was a dog, what would it look like?

* (worth clicking on the link, lovely black and white photos of famous authors and their dogs)