#experiment

This week I had a conversation with one of my sons about new technology and `how it all works`. Now I don't know if I understood this properly, so I am experimenting with # (hashtag, for anyone, like me, not in the know). Apparently if I use # followed by a word then it will show up on subjects that are `trending`, and may lead to more readers. Worth a try, anyway. So you will see that particular symbol pop up for a while now on my posts, and I will take a look and see if it looks as if it is in fact making any difference.
It's all changed since back in the day when you had to send a letter or go to the phone box if you wanted to get a message out...... (and it's NOT all that long ago..)

I was inspired by some other blogs I read (by other aspiring authors on a similar journey to mine),. I was struck by the wonderfully positive messages given out. One wrote about several authors who had had their work rejected many times, but because they had persevered, had finally got there. This, as I am sure you know, includes the likes of    #JK Rowling  and it is quite reassuring, I think, to know that it may be just around the corner. One lady, apparently had work rejected 60 time, and was published at the 61st attempt. The author (Sandie Docker - you can find her link from my page) writes in a wonderfully reassuring manner and is most entertaining at the same time. Am I to expect rejection? Isn't it, in any case, good for the soul? And if work is rejected - well isn't that just somebody's opinion? It doesn't make them right.  So I would recommend you take a look at Sandie's page (I don't want to plagiarise, and I couldn't put it as well in any case!)  but I will reinforce what she says. If you are writing, if you are looking to be published, if you are getting rejections - keep on going. there may be times when you feel like chucking in the towel, but don't. Someone somewhere will be waiting. You just have to find them.

Now, lets see -
#positivity #publishing #trending

no idea what I am doing, but never was one to not have a go!

Meanwhile, have a great week!

Africa and South America

Just a quickie - looking at my audience I am reaching lots of people and would like to say Hello today to Africa, from North to South, and the whole of South America! hope to see some views pop up from there sometime!

Finally!!

I have spent a considerable amount of time editing, and today completed Sadie's House, the revised edition!! Now there may be those of you who think that I should have done this in the first place, and I had. It has now been edited, read, revised, re read and revised again about 5 times. and somewhere you have to stop. I might have more ideas in another 6 months, or 16 months, or 6 years, but I can't keep going over it!

 I had some really useful feedback from the first (revised and edited) edition, and this has led to me taking out parts of the story which, although I knew were well written, were not actually contributing anything to the story. It was painful, but I have removed over 13000 words of text!! Ouch! I had added other details along the way, which have moved the story and helped to develop characters more productively, and I am very happy with the result.

I had seen the note below along the way, which suggested to me that at over 110000 word, the story was in any case, a bit too long, so this is another reason why I have done the right thing. I have also found a publisher  who I am very excited about and am preparing to approach, (but I will save details of that next particular venture until a later date!!) I am very excited about the book.

https://www.facebook.com/writeabooknow
How long should your novel be?
According to agents in today’s market here’s the word count for your average commercial literary novel:
Below 70,000: Too short
100,000 or above: Too long
75,000 – 90,000: Sweet spot

Meanwhile, summer seems to have come and gone all too quickly. I have other interests, and have spent a busy summer travelling with family, catching up with friends, making rag dolls, baking and a week spent in summer school for the new year group. Now comes the imminent return to school and writing will have to be confined to working around my family. The nights are drawing in already, September is here and winter is waiting around the corner. I refuse to mention the festive ~C word just yet, but it's there, waiting - cards are in the shops already! Yikes - where does the time go!

So happy end of summer to everyone - I will be blogging more frequently now the Big Edit is done, although my good friend Albie is tapping me on the shoulder now so I will have to pay him a visit.
Have a great week!
xx





PS Sadie's House; The Key is now in the `sweet spot` at just over 97000 words!