Apppreciating the good things

Its the Spring Bank half term now, and this time last year I was beavering away at my first book, wondering if I would be able to finish it and where the journey would lead. My two younger kids are in the final throes of college work at the moment, and I have abandoned my own writing, as any parent would do, to be on hand with revision support, supper and sympathy, and to nurture, blackmail, bribe and cajole them through the final stages. That is my priority right now.

I'm not particularly in a hurry, but after the brief excitement of possible publication, I have some work yet to do on the first book. By the end of the year I would like this done and resubmitted for publication, and for the second to be coming to a close. By the end of next year I hope to have all three books completed. We will see, won't we.

Bearing in mind the atrocity that happened in Woolwich last week, it seems that we are often hell bent in pursuit of our dreams at the expense of the many good things that already exist in our lives. My deepest sympathies go to the family of that young soldier - it makes you stop and think about what's important. Take a moment to feel grateful that you haven't had to suffer such devastating and outrageous tragedy, and to appreciate what you do have. As good as any writer likes to think that they are with words, there are none that can bring that family any solace. Hold your family tight and give thanks that you have them. Enough said.

Meanwhile, I have a busy week, a birthday (not another one!!!), some revision with my Y11s and a house to clean. Hope to get back to Sadie very soon!
Meanwhile, as always, have a great week!
xx

this is brilliant - please share

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=4vQDGLBOsIc


Ok so it's my son, so I am a bit biased. but please take a look at the music video he and his friends made for a college project. That's him dancing, and he's pretty good, but the whole film is great!

The Next Step

So, what to do now?
This week my life was rather overtaken by school inspection and so no writing. People, particularly students, are often very vocal about "how everything changes" the minute the inspectors are coming. I have vehemently disagreed with this. It may be true for one or two, but I like to think that I prepare inspection ready lessons every time and they found it hard to disagree with this.

Teachers can't be completely perfect every minute of every single day (and we may  try!!!!) but  we try to show our best selves, even more so when on display.We work long hard hours in a difficult and stressful job, only to be continueally harrassed by people who think we do 6 hours a day for 40 weeks a year. Recent government suggestions were that there should be a longer school day and shorter holidays. Come and do the job first for a few weeks, then decide,because after a week of 10 hour days and work eating into most of the holidays, you will change your mind. We can all bash each other's professions, can't we!

Anyway, rant over, we now await the results. My lessons weren't observed, which is a  shame really.

So now I have to decide on my next step. After the excitement of possible publication, and after declining the offer of paying to publish, I have contacted the publisher and thanked them for their consideration. I am going to re - edit Sadie and spend the next 3 months submitting to other publishers. I have been lifted by feedback such as "very unique story" and "we like your style of writing", but I'm not naive. Meanwhile I have been torn, becuase in the writing of Albie, it has become clear to me that this might be better as the third book, and that the book I had planned as the second, "The Healer" would work better as the second. So I have got some work to do. For now, though, the gym is calling, as that is where I get many of my ideas.

Meanwhile, as always, have a great week. It's nearly summer!!!!!

Quick update

After further investigation, I have decided to decline, and so will not be in print just yet. Its a bit disappointing but the point of all this was to share my journey as much as possible. I am not remotely discouraged, it is another story that I will tell when I finally get there (ever the optimist!!). Back to the drawing board, further submissions and further investigation into the world of self publishing, at least for the first book. We will see where the journey takes me.

And big thanks to all my Google friends who had very helpful comments and advice. Further proof, if I needed it, that writing a blog was a really good idea!

Wish me luck!!!
xx

A bit of exciting news?

Well I hadn't realised that it was 3 weeks since my last post, the longest I have gone without blogging! ooops! I have been busy with one thing or another, but we can all make that excuse, can't we. I was waiting for news, amongst other things, and I didn't want to keep teasing you with "things going on behind the scenes" for ever. Would you have got a bit impatient?

So here is the news. A while ago, a publisher, who for now shall remain nameless, expressed an interest in my book, and asked for the full script. You can only imaging how hard that has been to keep to myself, but I didn't want to jinx it (superstitious I know). Then came the news that I had been hoping for - they liked it!
But.
Well, you just knew there would be a BUT, didn't you!
It had to go to marketing and publicity for their view, and I waited and waited, finally hearing the other day that it had been met with a positive response, but as I am unknown and untried, I am of course, a risk. and therein lies the rub. I have been asked to pay a contribution towards the cost of publication.

So I need to do my research now - is this normal practice? It's a large company and I am thrilled at the prospect of being published with them, but I am unsure about how to proceed. Would I be better off self publishing?  Does that carry the same kudos? Or am I better off with the support of a large organisation? Should I just risk it anyway? Should I be voicing my concerns to the publisher first before airing them?

I am hoping that my very kind Google friends might be able to share their thoughts and opinions on the matter so that I may try to  reach a more balanced decision. I will keep you up to date in between my other (more regular!!!) posts, and meanwhile, fingers crossed that I make the right decision!

As always, have a great week! xx


ps picture looks a bit like me with my cat when I up thinking all night!!!.