The initial draft of my first novel was titled Staging Life. It told the story of two friends, based on me and my husband, who end up in the Afterlife. A few theatre references were thrown in and, hey presto, I had my first draft. Then I had it professionally assessed. Besides changing the title, …
Authors and algorithms
A Twitter post popped up recently about how interactions have diminished. I responded saying that I've noticed this too. Recently I asked #WritingCommunity if they've noted Twitter is behaving like Facebook (i.e. the same small number of regulars reacting to what you've posted). One person responded. For an author, this is not good. I already …
Resurrecting an abandoned manuscript
Sequels never sell as well as the first in a series. It's something I've learnt through time. The final of the Actors and Angels trilogy has had lower sales than the first, even though it's won a Rainbow Award. More people have read Nate and the New Yorker than its follow up. So, quite some …
The Library, Reimagined
I've found a place to write. Those who follow my blog know that since my husband retired, my writing time has shrunk. Until now! The Marrickville Library has opened which is a short bus ride followed by an even shorter walk away from my home. And there are many cool aspects about this new building. …
Never read your reviews!
New book. Time to check for reviews. Because at time of writing this I was addicted to Google, searching said book title plus my name. All authors do it. We need the quotes for marketing while the novel is still fresh. No reviews on Amazon several weeks after release, but a few on Goodreads. But, …
I physically can’t write at the moment
I currently can't touch type. This blog is being dictated directly to my phone. I've had reconstructive surgery on my left arm so when I move it over the keyboard it hurts like hell. Why was I operated on? I snapped a tendon from lifting a heavy suitcase into a taxi during my extended travels. …
Getting a manuscript ready for submission
A father and daughter team were on the radio the other morning. Like me, dad obviously enjoyed the house party days of the nineties. He told his daughter (and us) about the Primal Scream track, 'Loaded'. Hearing people still affectionate about that decade is why one of my WiP's is set in that era. I'm …
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The first notes from my editor
Please note that I'm back home in Australia now, but this blog was written while overseas. I just got my first notes for my new ebook, Winter Masquerade. I'm working with a new editor so I wasn't sure what she might say. My usual problem is passive voice. So, the first thing I was asked …
Leaving my laptop behind
I'm about to leave on an extended break. As a writer I had already decided my laptop, Huey (yes, he has a name), was coming with me. My husband was also considering bringing his. We both have matching laptops, just in different colours. We weren't trying to be a sickly sweet couple when we bought …
My first draft is very first-drafty
My life has changed a lot in the past year. I don't have as much time to write as I used to, even though that issue will change by the end of the year. In one way, it's good. I'm concentrating on promotion more, instead of just writing. Where I feel this change most is …
