good luck. get it proof read really well and off you go!

Ev that's wonderful, I hope you keep going and get it published! I'll buy a copy, I love to read! I did a creative writing course a few years ago which I really enjoyed, but haven't written anything lately. I'm currently reading a wilber smith- a sparrow falls, love his writing. As well as a cesar millan book where he journals raising 4 different breeds of dogs, from puppyhood & up I'm really quite excited for you, this is fab!

Hi Ev.  Just wanted to add my 'good luck' wishes.

 

I have a pdf file (that I will try to attach) that I found gave sound advice on getting your m/s published.

 

I love to write, too, mostly black comedy but also have a novel on the go and a short play for radio.  I write for my own enjoyment but have had some stuff published.

 

Anyone know up to attach a pdf file? 

Can't do it - file seems corrupted.

 

However, these are very good websites for writers:

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/

 

http://swanwickwritersschool.co.uk/resources.asp

 

 

and this chap has some sound advice

 

http://www.johnjarrold.co.uk/editing/

 

anyone wanting to get started, but finds doing a whole book a bit daunting, or, wants to start off doing an extension of an existing book/story...   Then writing fan fiction is a good way to go.  Also, reading other peoples fan fictions.

 

My daughter writes Harry Potter Fan Fictions..    at www.fanfiction.net    and reads them.

 

Its not just Harry Potter..   you can read & write short stories for True Blood, or Twilight or whatever floats your boat really.

 

They also have beta readers..   who are a group of people who will read & critique your work for you.  They will also proof read for grammar & spelling. 

Sounds great, Ev. 

 

I find it hard enough to write posts on here, so I don't think I'll be attempting a novel! 

Thank you for that Aqua xx

 

Sounds like you have the right kind of imagination to me 

Cheers MQ xx 

 

 

The more you read, or if you really enjoy reading, the more likely you are to want to give the writing a go.

 

Even if it is just for your own pleasure.

 

Thanks Sweet xx

 

 

Brilliant Avalon! i was hoping to find out if anyone else did write, good for you.

Thanks for that, it will be really helpful. Will get back later on 

Thanks, Ev.  I've been to a good few talks given by published authors and the thing that they all seem to emphasize is to keep writing, even if it is only a little bit each day and to carry a notebook around with you to jot down any ideas that you have.  I used to wake at night with a good idea for a plot-line or a character and then, by the morning, I had forgotten it.  I found it useful, rather than turning the light on and fumbling around for pen and paper, to keep one of those little voice recorder things handy and use that instead.

Good for you, Ev. I know from personal experience just how nerve-wracking it can feel to put yourself out there, so well done you! Hope you have a runaway success

Really hoping that you get a publisher at the first attempt, Ev.  But, if you do get turned down, don't get down-hearted and stick your m/s away in a cupboard somewhere.  Send it off to another publisher and then another if that one doesn't take it on.  Be persistent.  Most of the best-known writers have been knocked back at some stage in their career.  Never give up! 

 

Well done Ev, I'll look forward to a signed copy. 

 

I'd love to be able to write a novel, but I have no imagination and it would probably end with the line 'and it was all a dream' 

Ev - I wish you every success with the book and hope you get somewhere! 

 

I was wine tasting last night 

 

Thanks Blizz  and Ditts  

 

That's the beauty of getting someone else to do the proof reading and editing. Some of us could do with editing on here.   

 

 

 

 Me for example. 

 

. 

 

Your both really kind, thank you. 

  

Hope you can hold on a bit for it. Don't know how long it may take. But will get there. 

I love to write - I have lots of (unfinished) stuff around. I'm really far to undisciplined to be a writer but ............I love writing. Good luck Ev ..........i ho[pe it goes well for you.

I love going to wine tasting, (as well as in the house lol)  but they always seem to have sold all the tickets before i can book a place 

 

Thanks Velvet. 

 

 

Aww Keep up the writing for your own pleasure Soozy, and thank you. 

 

I think Avalon mentioned about writing things down once they pop into your head. They normally do when your waiting in a Q or on the loo.

id love to be able to write a book

loads of ideas

but i wouldnt know where to start

or how to start

ev

best of luck-i hope to be reading something of yours soon mate

Thank you for that post Pirate

 

 

I think there are a few good links pengy and ditty and Avalon have posted, really good for starters xx

Good luck, Ev!   

 

You too Mrs B!

 

 

Hope you're both successful x

 Kaffy

 

I hope the links can help others as well, if they are that way inclined.

 

I'm sure these links can encourage others. 

 

Awww, thanks Dame! I love her to bits! I always end up dreaming about the MMs....when we did the first one a few years ago, I even ended up dreaming in threads and posts!! Was very bizarre and probably meant I was a tad obsessed!!!!

 

Ooooh..I shall keep my eyes peeled for that!! I will try and get some of my stuff into some kind of order soon as well! I may put a linky to a short story I wrote featuring Vi...it is not what you would expect!

 

I shall wander on over there for a wee rummage around! 

 

*wonders how Vi would get on with the vamps and wolfies*

 

Thanks Kaffy xxxx

Good Luck Ev I wish you every success

Go for it Ev  Happy writing! 

Thank you lovely 

 

 

Aww Thanks Triggs  xx

 

Been doing quite a bit towards it today. Well feeling a bit more positive today about most of it now. 

Way to go Ev Keep at it

 

 

or that you just enjoy really creating her character 

 

 

good luck to both of you 

My heads done in, done far too much this morning... i may explode 

Ev I finally remembered what the name of that book was re the creative writing   I dug through all my tubs of books to get it 

 

This one is a bit on the old side (she talks about typewriters)   but she gives some really good advice in here how to set things out and what to expect.   It still has very relevant bits and it's only a penny plus post and packaging on Amazon 

 

ISBN-10: 0340658339

 

Also you could give this book a go (he was a visiting professor when I did my English degree and taught me part of my creative writing module)

 

 

ISBN-13: 978-0099554240

 

and this one is good 

ISBN-13: 978-0333782255  You can get used copies from as little as £3.92 

 

If you're thinking of short stories then this is the best book 

 

ISBN-13: 978-1906373337

 

 

I'm assuming that some/all of these can be borrowed from the library????  

 

Talking of libraries, my library - Central Library in Birmingham has many competitions during the year for short stories and poems which are a good way to get recognition and feed back on your work and money if they use them 

 

I don't know if any of you subscribe to these magazines or buy them (WHSmiths sell them)  They are really good and give good tips and ideas and have competitions.

 

The best is   ~  Writer's Forum £3.60 per month  (subscription for a year = £36)  available online at www.writers-forum.com

 

 

the other good one is ~   Writing Magazine £3.75 per month from WH Smiths  or £9.99 per quarter which gives you access to competitions not available in the magazine and a members only online community for you to discuss problems, get hints and ideas etc.  www.writers-online.co.uk

 

I shall be joining both just as soon as I can afford it 

 

Apologies for the post being so long 

Any news?

Pengy that is brilliant. I've put some stories into the short story competitions, and always look for them, there is one at the moment, and I am still to put mine forward, as it still has a few weeks to get them all in.

 

My novel is coming along great. I have had to re do a few parts and chapters, take one out, turn a few things around, but i'm loving getting the hang of that. Had some good responses about a couple of chapters i sent in, but am keeping most of the info about the book to myself until im more happier with where i am with it. 

 

Ive also seen that whs one, and they look ideal. 

 

I must check out those books you put up there.  

 

Thank you for that post, appreciated muchly 

 

Good stuff