R is for...Respect

When I started writing first, I came across a couple of writers groups that were a little exclusionary and hostile. I'm glad to say that other than that, everyone else has been so nice and supportive.

I got some great feedback from the query blog hop, so thanks to Alicia Gregoire for that. The advice was spot on, I have a heart of my novel and I need to emphasise that in my query. Also, while my novel is about ordinary people and their lives, what makes it special is its voice, so I need to write the query in that register. My comments were nice yet constructive. Seriously, it never fails to overwhelm me that people take time out of their busy lives to help each other out. If I ever manage to sell a book, it'll be partly because of the support of the online writing community. You're all fantastic.

Broadband man is coming tomorrow, so I can return to my blog to its usual level of verbosity. Which will save my husband's ears  :)

P is for…Pain, Q is for…Query Blog Hop!

That’s right, folks. Lack of internet connection has lead to a brilliant development…a reduction in procrastination! I have managed to write thousands of words while waiting for my broadband man to come a visiting (he’s coming on Thursday, by the way). Without my connection I’m unable to spend hours of my life reading other people’s blogs, catching up on celebrity gossip and researching what jeans to buy when I get back to a UK size 10. And while I am feeling the loss of all those things keenly, it has its upside in the fact that I am writing like a woman possessed. It’s fantastic! My story is progressing, I have new scenes, new characters, new facets, new subplots…Oh yeah, and really painful wrists.

See? Looks sore, huh?

Apparently procrastination was my friend, helping me from hurting myself. Who knew? My increased output coupled with the fact that I have double the amount of journalism work to do means that my wrists and finger pads ache and my hands are cramping and curling in on themselves. I look like Lady Gaga doing her 'Little Monster' claws. You'll be glad to know I don't dress like her, though. Pretty soon I’m going to have to type by holding a spoon in my mouth and using the end to press the keys. Maybe it’s the fibromyalgia that’s making my pain so bad. Or maybe it’s the fact that I can’t pace myself and think I’m Wonder Woman. You'll be glad to know I don't dress like her, though. So people, you’ve been warned. Embrace procrastination, or prepare for pain. 

Anyway, QUERY TIME!

Even if you’re not in the query blog hop please give me any critique you can. It’s like a CV (or resume, if you’re in the States). It has to be good or my little manuscript won’t be leaving my desk drawer. This is my first attempt, I hate these things so much.I would much prefer brutal honesty than niceness, though obviously if you could try to couch your brutal honesty in a little niceness, I’d be much obliged ;)

As if it wasn’t hard enough living with her sister and her Dr. Phil obsessed partner, Alex Geraghty’s job was starting to drive her mad. Her job as a journalist at one of Dublin’s most notorious tabloid papers mainly involved rewriting press releases for self-important pop acts, and correcting her colleagues grammar is about as exciting as her life gets. What she really wants is to work for a glossy magazine, one of those publications that realises that it’s possible for women to care about Desperate Housewives and the situation in Israel/Palestine. When she meets gorgeous music journalist Carl Colgan, Alex has never been happier. But when life throws a spanner in the works and she has to choose, which will come first? Her boyfriend or her job?

Rose is living her dream.  She’s working in a job she loves as a teacher in a disadvantaged area, and she’s living with a gorgeous man who she adores. But as her school goes under more cuts, she starts to spend more time at work picking up the shortfall. Cracks start to form in her relationship as her boyfriend Daniel begins to feel that she is taking him for granted. Is she taking on too many responsibilities? Or is the problem that he’s refusing to face up to his?

Shannon is dispirited. In her early thirties, her acting work is starting to dry up and her work at the local call centre is only bringing in a small amount of money. Her partner Ian is supportive of her, and encourages her to go for what she wants. But when Ian is put on a three day week they start to suffer financially, relying on Shannon’s sister Alex living with them in order to pay their bills. Ian urges her to continue, but Shannon starts to have doubts. Is she being selfish? Does there come a time when you have to put your dreams aside for the one you love?

Storms in Teacups is the light-hearted story of three modern women trying to come to balance their careers and their relationships.

N is for...Novel Status

Thanks for all the good wishes. The keys have been located, and all is well. At least until we lose something else.

I write in two genres. Young adult urban fantasy and women's contemporary fiction.I usually have two projects on the go at any one time. I just find it easier that way.

Young Adult:


Ravensborough: Fantasy novel set on an island plagued with divisions and the supernatural. Currently on hold until April 26 when I find out whether it has made it through to the semifinals of the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award. If it hasn't, I'll start submitting it to prospective publishers in May.

Guildhall: A work in progress. I'm working on the first draft, but have a long way to go before it's complete. I have about 11,000/70,000 words written.

Women's Contemporary Fiction:


Storms in Teacups: This is pretty much finished. I'm doing a last polish to bring it up to standard. I hope to start submitting it to agents in May.

If Life Gives You Lemons: Also a work in progress. Currently at 23,000/120,000.

I recently found out that I have to write a query letter in order to submit to a couple of agents. In Ireland and the UK the process is usually cover letter + sample chapters + synopsis. Does anyone know what the differences are between a submission cover letter and a query?

L is for...Life Getting in The Way

So today I finally got back to work with a vengeance. I spent the weekend editing large chunks of Storms in Teacups, but not writing any new material. I was stuck on a scene in one of my WIP's and I just couldn't resolve it. So I sat down today with my twin buddies, chocolate and caffeine, determinedto resolve it. And it worked! Now I've managed to resolve that scene it should all be plain sailing. Well...for a couple of days at least.

First drafts can be tricky for me. At this point  I'm still getting to know my characters and discovering what's happening as I go. I know some people find that outlines help, but I find the whole process too sterile. I have a rough idea when I start a novel where I'm going to go with it, but for the most part I play it by ear.

Before I finished Ravensborough and Storms in Teacups I found it a lot harder to get motivated to write. I had a pile of college work, a pile of housework and I was struggling to come to terms with illness. I enjoyed writing, but it was hard for me to prioritise it. I mean, who knew if I'd even finish my books after all? It seemed like a big waste of time.

I find it easier now that I know I can actually finish it. But if you're struggling with first drafts then there are some free applications that can help. First I used Write or Die. This ominously titled website lets you set a time limit and a word count goal. If you stop typing for a certain amount of time then it makes an annoying noise, which doesn't stop until you start typing again. I found this great, though I've recently graduated to Focus Booster, which puts a little bar at the top of your page. You set a timer, I set it for twenty five minutes, and it starts off green, then moves to orange, and finally red. It makes you much more aware that time is passing, and therefore focuses you on your writing. I like the fact that you can write in Word with this app, whereas with Write or Die you have to type in the box on the site, unless you pay for their desktop version. Both of these are handy if you have a busy life and can only commit to twenty minutes or so of writing a day. They help focus you so you get the most from your time.

For edits, I like EditMinion. It's still in beta, but is handy for identifying things like repetition of words, passive voice, that kind of thing.

What about all of you? Do you have any tricks to keep you motivated through the writing process?

Oh, and I'm going to take part in this query critique blog hop. Anyone thinking about submitting soon should think about taking part. On April 19 everyone involved posts their query and critiques at least five other queries. Like Query Shark but with less sarcasm :)