Work

Once I sent out my first novel for review I did a lot of work on my second - read some "How to" books, interviewed my characters, played around with a premise - it was all systems go.

But then I heard that my contract at work is more than likely going to end in six weeks. I had heard rumours for a while so the official news wasn't a big shock, but it did make me realise that I had to pull my socks up and apply for some jobs.

Fingers crossed I'll find something soon, but until then the job hunt has trumped writing. And I'm in no hurry to get my editorial review back either!

Writer's Workshop

I sent my manuscript to the Writer's Workshop, mainly because the report is followed up by a phone call with the editor. They also accept manuscripts by email and payment by credit card (handy if you're an overseas client like me). My little book is now with them and I'm feeling a little nervous for it. Good luck book!

I'm re-reading my "How to" books and just enjoying the anticipation.

Out With the Old and In With the New

For the last few days I've been able to lounge on the sofa and watch tv without a nagging guilt weighing down on me. It's a complete relief to have finished my edit!

Thank you for your editorial consultancy suggestions, my shortlist is the Writer's Workshop, Hilary Johnson's Advisory Service and the Literary Consultancy. I've sent out a few query emails so as soon as I hear back I'll submit my ms for an honest appraisal. I'm nervous for my little book that could...

I started work on my second novel yesterday, choosing the characters' names, putting together a rough outline and so on. It never feels like work or effort at this point, it's just pure creativity and it feels wonderful. I downloaded yWriter and I've already fallen in love with its fantastic tracking and chunking facilities - for example you can rate each scene for tension and then see the rise and fall of your novel in a handy graph, or make a note of your deadlines for each stage and keep track of the daily word count needed to meet those deadlines. Even better it's free!

I've given myself a month to work on the characters and outline the novel, which is a little daunting as I only have a few scenes in my mind at the moment but I'm sure as I keep plotting and researching it will all come together.