In my current WiP, two characters are underdeveloped. I've gone back and highlighted where I can add scenes so the reader can discover more about them. But I did this without really knowing who they are. I've written dialogue which makes them sound similar to other characters and stumbled through creating their history as I …
Anatomy of a First Draft.
I finished a first draft. It's titled Virtual Insanity and is the sequel to Social Media Central. It took some time to complete as just after starting it, Covid-19 hit. My husband began a short work contract and had to work from home. I had no quiet space to write so the manuscript lay dormant …
Writing Tips – Madeleine D’Este
It's been a while since I've had a Writing Tips Guest Post, and on a recent call out, Melbourne based author, Madeleine D'Este, nominated herself to fill that void. This is her advice which she's titled... THREE TRUTHS ABOUT THE WRITING PROCESS I ALWAYS FORGET I’m currently in the final stages of completing my eighth …
I got a rejection email within a day.
I submitted a manuscript to a publisher on Sunday. I got my rejection on Monday. It was polite and said it's not what their looking for at the moment. Fair enough. Their other novels are similar but mine didn't make the cut. For those who've never done this, it usually takes months before you hear …
Pantstering that epic chapter.
I always drop chapters toward the end. While I have my outline in front of me I sense certain plot points should come in sooner. The reader will appreciate it and the story won't drag. With my current work in progress, bringing these story elements sooner has affected my word count. Often I find the …
Writing vs. Life
A close friend just left after spending six days with us. He needed a boost and as many of us have rediscovered recently, keeping in touch means keeping sane. We always enjoy his company and the last several days consisted of good food, movies and indepth conversation over vodka or wine. In the past I'd …
‘Boy Swallows Universe’ – Book Review
The first thing you experience when reading Dalton's debut is its prose. The first few chapters seem surreal. A brother writes sentences in thin air. Your end is a dead blue wren. Other images are painted that while poetic, don't make sense. Soon, it finds reality, and a stark one at that. Eli is a …
I’m finally writing again!
My local library is open again. As I live in an apartment with my husband, the library is where I can escape to write. So while we were in isolation, my sequel to Social Media Central was left untouched. After several months I can proudly announce, my work in progress is back on track. With …
New York, 2005
In 2005, we were on a world trip. We took advantage of what used to be 'ten stops on three continents' airline tickets. These days it's only five stops for three continents. https://youtu.be/xWbXopyh7j8 Our seventh stop was New York. When we arrived, our global roaming didn't kick in as the US was still using an …
In isolation but not online much
My husband closed down his Facebook account. He did so early this year and doesn't regret it. It's something I can't do because as an author, I need to have a presence in cyberspace. But since isolation, I drift into my socials, take a quick look, then exit. I've been enjoying a different life since …
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