tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45352679333416042912024-03-05T02:25:34.814-08:00Antonia LindsayCatching words Antonia Lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05692532964407062911noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4535267933341604291.post-81998255276033948982014-07-14T05:41:00.000-07:002014-07-14T05:41:35.942-07:00YALC at LFCC Sunday 13th July more super condensed 5 point highlightsLet's do this! Once again, sorry I could not quote all individual speakers as I couldn't keep up and this is only my own subjective highlights.<br />
Sunday at YALC was the best for me. Cooler, calmer and the panels even more entertaining.<br />
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Only caught last 5 minutes of this one, but had to mention Ben Horslen's words of wisdom about writing terrible first, second and third drafts with creative abandon.<br />
I'm currently first drafting - so needed to hear this, thanks Ben!<br />
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<i>Side-note: This panel were laugh out loud funny.</i><br />
1. Authors now have freedom to write the sex scenes that their 14 year old selves wanted to read.<br />
2. Sex is still taboo for teens but when compared to other taboos e.g. Violence, drug use - it is the only thing you will still be doing as an adult. Sex is a healthy, positive thing - violence is not.<br />
3. Gatekeepers (editors, teachers, librarians, parents) can still censor - but is far better for teens to find out about sex in a YA book than through the internet or porn.<br />
4. There are still taboos. Torture and "alternative holes" were mentioned!<br />
5. LGBT sex scenes are becoming more common which we hope is not a trend as being LGBT is not a trend (Non Pratt).<br />
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1. Advice: write what you want to write and let others sell and market it.<br />
2. YA/ Crossover deals with big ideas with a freshness of perspective as everything in the teen years is changing so fast.<br />
3. Idea of many of the classics e.g. Jane Eyre, Oliver Twist, being YA - and Hamlet as the ultimate dithering teenager.<br />
4. Some heated debate sparked by Anthony McGowan (playing the role of bad cop) on whether it was a pathetic fallacy that a novel needed to be long and complex to be worthy. Nick Lake disagreed with criticism of <i>Twilight </i>saying despite flaws, it was a gripping first person narrative.<br />
5. Idea that as a teen you are the most intense version of yourself (Matt Haig) which makes YA enjoyable to write.<br />
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1. Teen heroines can challenge the idea a girl needs to be strong and physically tough to be brave. Kick ass girls can be two dimensional (Holly Smale)<br />
2. Teen heroines shouldn't have to be virtuous in order to be likeable. And they don't necessarily even need to be likeable. All shades of femininity represented.<br />
3. We are all only a couple of steps away from making a terrible decision - teen fiction explores the consequences.<br />
4. Better to have a bad review than one that is ambivalent. Sparking debate is positive.<br />
5. Disagreement on whether female authors are taken less seriously. Female authors can be given different more gender specific covers which is a negative thing.<br />
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Thanks for reading.<br />
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<br />Antonia Lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05692532964407062911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4535267933341604291.post-259642335518337382014-07-14T04:03:00.002-07:002014-07-14T04:05:03.284-07:00YALC at LFCC Saturday 12th July 2014 - my super condensed 5 point highlights<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzWLKBNF6f0G4gSV7ss7kidT-ATJw7NoMMZ0a_gppHrNnQPFAmbI_s7QRgNIruytlD-fCJhJa8jbPEbDw-4fs9hfNSYm1fw50IYbE83lzL7df93nzLOblfyqOT_7dgylEQq5TkVOnX_fw/s1600/20140714_101653.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a>I loved YALC. I have notes from YALC. <br />
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I attended two panels and a workshop on Saturday and another three panels on Sunday.<br />
23 pages of notes.<br />
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I will now condense my weekend down to a snapshot of <i>my</i> 5 favourite points for each panel/workshop - it's tough with such a lot of great content.<br />
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This is subjective - I've picked out the parts that chimed with me.<br />
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Apologies I haven't quoted individual speakers - I couldn't keep up!<br />
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<h3>
<u>SATURDAY</u></h3>
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1. Excellent recommendations for classic Dystopia: 1984, Animal Farm, Fahrenheit 451.<br />
2. Typical Dystopias have: A divided society, unexplained and arbitrary rules, duplicitous friends, as sense of the apocalypse.<br />
3. Dystopia reflects genuine fear in society of how we will cope if the worst happens and explores the power of the individual to effect change.<br />
4. On the point of darkness in YA - teens self sensor, they write much darker fiction themselves than they read.<br />
5. No book set in the future is actually about the future, it is about our experiences and wider issues in the here and now.<br />
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<i>It was difficult to hear Catherine due to background noise, but the workshop was great all the same.</i><br />
1. Write what you know, with one eye on the market.<br />
2. Research widely, but only drip feed research in where the story requires.<br />
3. Clothes very important. How they feel to wear.<br />
4. In dialogue avoid archaic constructions. Know your characters and they will speak to you. Use occasional slang for flavour - recommends Jonathon Green <i>Slang through the Ages</i><br />
5.<i> </i>Maps, places, objects, music, Old Bailey records, museums - all excellent for getting the feel of an era.<br />
(We also took part in some free writing using historical objects as inspiration - I wrote a piece based on a gold tooth I'm calling "Glint" which I may use in my ghost story)<br />
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1. YA as a frame of mind - a willingness to unpick your world without knowing if you can put it back together again.<br />
2. YA handles sex and violence more thoughtfully and lends it more weight than adult novels which use it for 'thrills'.<br />
3. The heroes in YA fantasy are light, quick, perceptive with the biggest challenge often the darkness within themselves.<br />
4. Moral questions are explored without preaching. Young readers have a questioning energy and want to be made to think, not given the answers.<br />
5. Villains often have a fixed ideology they are expressing on others. Don't be your own villain by manipulating your reader.<br />
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<br />Antonia Lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05692532964407062911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4535267933341604291.post-48671793586210036882014-07-14T02:44:00.000-07:002014-07-14T02:44:16.261-07:00YALC at LFCC 12th - 13th July 2014 Part 1 The YA Bookish CrowdThe first YALC surpassed my expectations in so many ways, but it was the people I met who took it to another level.<br />
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I was nervous. I hadn't written anything for nearly week and I now know it was anxiety that caused this slump.<br />
I'm not a book blogger.<br />
I'm not yet a published author.<br />
I haven't got a deal to talk about.<br />
I had never met any of my twitter friends in person.<br />
I was afraid of this reaction.<br />
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I need not have worried because the YA bookish crowd are <i>my</i> people. Open, friendly, unpretentious, and just enthused to talk about books.<br />
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Everyone I'd chatted to on twitter is even better in real life. And I had so many lovely chats with published authors, I now feel like my anxieties about how I'm doing with my writing have dropped to zero. I can go back to enjoying the moment - polishing my novel until is it glossy enough to meet some editors.<br />
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My network of support has moved off the screen and into reality due to this fabulous opportunity for a very special crowd of like-minded people to meet.<br />
Can't wait for next year. Might even cosplay...Antonia Lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05692532964407062911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4535267933341604291.post-58868734989310872452014-04-07T00:52:00.000-07:002014-07-25T08:03:30.733-07:00Story. It's all there is. My Writing Process Blog Tour.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yay! More writing process.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I<span style="color: black;"> am snatching the <strong>Writing Process Blog Tour</strong> baton from the fabulous Anthony Burt (and my hair does actually look like that). I met Anthony on twitter through the Golden Egg Academy, who welcomed me under their writerly wing when I was a little writing island, all alone. You can find his post here </span></span><a href="http://anthonyburt.com/2014/03/31/trigger-treat-your-way-to-the-creative-zone-the-writing-process-blog-tour/"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">http://anthonyburt.com/2014/03/31/trigger-treat-your-way-to-the-creative-zone-the-writing-process-blog-tour/</span></a></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So - on to the <strong>Four Questions</strong>.</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u></u></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u>What am I working on?</u></span><br />
<u></u><br />
I am awaiting edits from my *new agents* for my debut novel BREATHING SEA, first in a YA speculative adventure series. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em><span style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></em></span></span>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>
<span style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This is not a mermaid story, but
to survive the journey—you will be BREATHING SEA.<o:p></o:p></span></em>
</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And that's all I have to say about that. </span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
In the meantime, yesterday, I started first-drafting the sequel. I am currently in a first-drafting whirl so please excuse me if I am a little manic. I've been planning this sequel since I started writing and am so excited, I have constant butterflies.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I have also written another unrelated YA ghostly mystery, now shelved as an early draft whilst I concentrate on the trilogy. Yes. I know - I write <em>quick</em>. But it takes a lot of work for it to be <em>good</em>.</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>How does my work differ from others in its genre?</u></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><u></u></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">BREATHING SEA isn't really tied to a particular genre so I pitched it with that rather vague 'speculative' tag. Half of the novel is set underwater but there are no mermaids. It is not fantasy, more soft sci-fi. Also, despite it being post-apocalypse it is not dystopian. I'm good at saying what it isn't, aren't I? My story is one of a new start, in a world wrought with perils but ultimately hopeful. There's themes of racism and bigotry, truth and deceit and the testing of how far you will go, for the ones who mean the most. </span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And there are killer crabs and other critters. And sad things happen. And there's first-love at it's rawest. </span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">My style is fast paced with lashings of tension but never at the expense of character (I hope). I don't want my readers to notice the writing too much, I strive for full immersion. I am not into fancy tricks with point of view or punctuation. Probably because I wouldn't know how do them anyway. One (very nice) agent rejection described my style as filmic and compulsive. When I heard that, I felt like I was getting to where I want to be.</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Why do I write what I do?</u></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMDMr8bV57UnQOlkRoq5wYiQfYxBPtJwXYmgQIMVJp-VqrUyF5us4aPlGvYZ5A0iRaMBTuig_vrEOxpUzBHt7X5b2aB_ZHE96SNWNWkoEU75pvt2ztwE1YpYokIND3YWj2HWQndabU6Wg/s1600/Kayo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMDMr8bV57UnQOlkRoq5wYiQfYxBPtJwXYmgQIMVJp-VqrUyF5us4aPlGvYZ5A0iRaMBTuig_vrEOxpUzBHt7X5b2aB_ZHE96SNWNWkoEU75pvt2ztwE1YpYokIND3YWj2HWQndabU6Wg/s1600/Kayo.jpg" height="320" width="238" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The boy beneath the water</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx5fH03EPdM9FTaBgnGH0w9Z7WVFm8tDymdhNWkne8o8jhYi0OVsWBWSfJzIJdOB5LeP7mbfZUPKtpiRbVBKCzKdyCOFGysSEsib26Itt03kls85RxCGufuiP1PDq1akZKW1xA24yekXI/s1600/20140406_192840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx5fH03EPdM9FTaBgnGH0w9Z7WVFm8tDymdhNWkne8o8jhYi0OVsWBWSfJzIJdOB5LeP7mbfZUPKtpiRbVBKCzKdyCOFGysSEsib26Itt03kls85RxCGufuiP1PDq1akZKW1xA24yekXI/s1600/20140406_192840.jpg" height="320" width="179" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Some books that helped me write him</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><strong>This + This</strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I wasn't a writer before this book. It all started when I was driving to work and had the idea. I started discussing feasibility with my science-teacher husband who liked the idea. In November 2012 I thought I'd give novel-writing a go. I wasn't very confident but I had nothing to lose. My only qualifications were a English Lit degree from 16 years ago and a love of reading</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">. During early drafts I read a pile of novel writing books recommended by favourite authors. Ordered here with my favourite ones at the top. I handed my work out to people at early stages and listened to everything they had to say. More on that later.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The setting for BREATHING SEA comes straight from my experiences scuba-diving in Thailand and Egypt. Especially night dives, cave and wreck dives. It's been a while since I dived but I have a great memory. I love the sea and live within sight of it now (although it's never so cold and grey in my story).</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2gTmXNu4qBC5-S9Yt2jXYWTpxuJWbUhai9qdqF_QGC2Rdk2czJHIJqPzhVS-5iYGSn1572OZ5kaJzSVQRQrehhXNcrjhIMBEYHQEQhDzANY4bitGiybqKDxlu-YlanqmzK-d71_7T1ck/s1600/18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2gTmXNu4qBC5-S9Yt2jXYWTpxuJWbUhai9qdqF_QGC2Rdk2czJHIJqPzhVS-5iYGSn1572OZ5kaJzSVQRQrehhXNcrjhIMBEYHQEQhDzANY4bitGiybqKDxlu-YlanqmzK-d71_7T1ck/s1600/18.jpg" height="200" width="177" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Age 18 - with my now husband Billy</span> </td></tr>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I'm writing YA because I think I'm still half a teenager. I certainly hate getting up in the morning and tidying my room. I certainly like drinking too much and staying up too late.</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I remember the angst so clearly, especially in those first relationships where a glance from *him* can send you into a swoon for weeks. I don't want insta-love in my novels, I want to express what it really feels like to be a young person on the cusp of everything.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><span style="color: black;">I actually married my boyfriend Billy, who I met in sixth form, but we had four years apart first, including living with different (very unsuitable) people.</span> </span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>How does my writing process work?</u></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I have fun. Writing isn't arduous for me (maybe because I'm new?) and when I'm tired of it I play guitar badly and sing loudly. I watch TV as a treat - not every night - too busy writing. I feel privileged every day to have found something I adore doing. </span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I write quickly and I write a lot. And then I change it a lot. I write anywhere, anytime, usually on the end of the dining room table surrounded by lego and colouring pens without lids (first one to tell me where the lids go get's a prize). I have a three day a week teaching job and two sons, 6 and 4 years old so am often interrupted with 'I can't find the end to the sticky tape' or more worryingly 'Oscar's climbing in the fridge'. I don't need anything special to write. Certainly not peace and quiet. I don't really need to get in a zone either (maybe I'm permanently in the zone!) if I do need inspiration I browse through my novel inspiration Pinterest boards or listen to a playlist I've compiled for a particular character. </span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So when I start a novel, this is how it goes:</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1. I think about my characters continuously but I don't write much in the way of character sheets - they find their personality and unique voice through their actions and dialogue in early drafting stages. I get a lot of my ideas driving. Which is inconvenient.</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">2. I plot. I outline over and over. I use the 3 act structure, heroes journey, screen-writing beat sheets to test my plot out. I need the security of knowing where I am going, that the story is structurally sound. </span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">3. I block it out scene by scene in Scrivener - which is the perfect tool for the way I work. By blocking - I mean I write the action and snatches of dialogue. It ends up at about 5000 words. Then I build on this a little. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Z2-TM44AJEA60vUOdGnIkXCEFD8RQkN62PohCbudJw6vE_4czYFCqJL7eaSxXe8B-qDKa_2wlS2HVwNPRBHyQMlwP2GtOQ3ZY_Q4LFIH05fsORTS1kaA27FNdanXsB9sbzAzUCvOURo/s1600/gullum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Z2-TM44AJEA60vUOdGnIkXCEFD8RQkN62PohCbudJw6vE_4czYFCqJL7eaSxXe8B-qDKa_2wlS2HVwNPRBHyQMlwP2GtOQ3ZY_Q4LFIH05fsORTS1kaA27FNdanXsB9sbzAzUCvOURo/s1600/gullum.jpg" height="96" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">First draft is my preciousssss</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">4. First draft. With BREATHING SEA it was a wild unleashing of creative energy. It took 5 weeks. I could not stop typing, sometimes clocking more than 5000 words on my days off, terrified that the amazing inspiration would disappear if I took a break. I would I like to think I've calmed down a little now. 2 or 3K words a day hits a sweet spot without brain-fry or eye-bleeds. I hunker down with my precious until first draft is finish. It's exhilarating.</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">5. I revise and edit roughly, just enough for my first readers. I like to send to readers in batches of 3 or 4, then I ply them with wine and delve into what they really thought, demanding brutal honesty. I compare and compile their comments and revise.</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">6. I revise and repeat with more readers. Gradually the revisions turn into edits turn into tweaks turn into polishing.</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">7. I work at it and try not to cling to my darlings. It isn't always easy. The draft that landed me an agent was draft 14 and had just been subject to a massive darling-killing rewrite. I started from scratch on huge sections and it was daunting, but the story needed it and it's all about the story. And I knew the characters so well it was easy to write them. It took me 4 weeks. </span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">If it isn't right, no-one will read it and I want to be read. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxPyFf8727Ptzu5LuI58ygGNwIjitq48gNlqti61DQEKXs-75Fe5u8o72HOZaqKwcUu2ogjKg8bwAo0-LQ54TuhqTUjO5vIr-rpNsUrPx1MZ4fd33cK-p80ypCiOD8N9z7SvWvFj42acA/s1600/20140406_210145.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxPyFf8727Ptzu5LuI58ygGNwIjitq48gNlqti61DQEKXs-75Fe5u8o72HOZaqKwcUu2ogjKg8bwAo0-LQ54TuhqTUjO5vIr-rpNsUrPx1MZ4fd33cK-p80ypCiOD8N9z7SvWvFj42acA/s1600/20140406_210145.jpg" height="112" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Yes *strained smile* it IS real</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Story. It's all there is. You can even have it tattooed on your wrist to remind you. If you're a bit weird like that.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">End of my writing process! If you want to follow my first draft craziness I'm @antonialindsay0 under the hashtag #firstdrafters.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I'm now handing over to two authors I met through twitter and the wonderful #ukyachat.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWrcUyzLe1gLNfgY4SVbgdfrk5GWit7YZS_hnQL-qJTPl8WW7UsQQuP6Qc0Al4Pz8m6HkG7zDmuO5XnuiJu8zY2iYZr-_sTVO7nSV_NG6lRKzVyEqCwlNUz2rboMZTcEuMmwDPJtJe8pk/s1600/sf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWrcUyzLe1gLNfgY4SVbgdfrk5GWit7YZS_hnQL-qJTPl8WW7UsQQuP6Qc0Al4Pz8m6HkG7zDmuO5XnuiJu8zY2iYZr-_sTVO7nSV_NG6lRKzVyEqCwlNUz2rboMZTcEuMmwDPJtJe8pk/s1600/sf.jpg" height="155" width="200" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">SF Said's first book, Varjak Paw, won the Nestlé Smarties Book Prize for Children's Literature. The sequel, The Outlaw Varjak Paw, won the BBC's Blue Peter Book Of The Year. His new book, Phoenix, was nominated for both the Carnegie Medal and the Kate Greenaway Medal. Like the Varjak Paw books, it is illustrated by Dave McKean and published by David Fickling Books. SF Said is based in London, and currently working on his fourth book, TYGER.<u></u><u></u></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Please find SF's writing process post here on the 14th April 2014: </span><a href="http://www.sfsaid.com/"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">http://www.sfsaid.com/</span></a><br />
<span id="freeTextContainerauthor6936619"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Joshua J. Johnson currently lives in England with a serious case of wanderlust and a wardrobe full of books. He started writing as soon as he discovered that book didn't randomly appear, and that they were actually written by people. After growing up writing short stories by hand for his brother and his family-- including a weekly family newspaper-- he created a blog where his writing has been captivated, treasured, and enjoyed by thousands of people in nearly eighty countries around the world. He is now the proud author of 6 published books, including BONES OF THE SURFACE, SOULLESS, THE SWEET LIFE, THEIR TIME TO GO, THE DIAMOND HOTEL, and TO BE AN UNKNOWN, as well as several other upcoming novels. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Please find Joshua's writing progress post here on the 14th April: </span><a href="http://joshuajstories.wordpress.com/"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">http://joshuajstories.wordpress.com/</span></a><br />
<br />Antonia Lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05692532964407062911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4535267933341604291.post-84509224094668718652014-04-04T12:20:00.001-07:002014-04-04T12:22:18.529-07:00How I signed with my agent. Mad March Part 2.<br />
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<u><span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">The Meetings - following straight on from Part 1<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">Step back for a moment please – this part really makes me
*bounce*. It is like a dream come true except I never ever allow myself to fantasise anything as good as this.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjULwz6xq8-xwHZYGnriElv0GXtnyY2FkNrvountaiZJrapVCPDyKqkGQ8sRVZ2x2q4JYe_AyVlm4PajliqgiwzKNknyrG45EbdFAjQBRoXgIr8QzJ1DdnjdGOL6MdhgSypsoII4KzynNg/s1600/zebedee.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjULwz6xq8-xwHZYGnriElv0GXtnyY2FkNrvountaiZJrapVCPDyKqkGQ8sRVZ2x2q4JYe_AyVlm4PajliqgiwzKNknyrG45EbdFAjQBRoXgIr8QzJ1DdnjdGOL6MdhgSypsoII4KzynNg/s1600/zebedee.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">I have a pounding head and heart, dry mouth and cannnot
sleep. I am utterly delighted to be meeting with 4 agents but know I need to calm myself, keep a straight face, ask the right
questions and secure the best agent for my career. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">I message some lovely agented writers on twitter who come
back with questions for me to ask. They are kind and supportive and give
me a confidence boost. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">I pack my satchel and the notebook my best friend gave me
for Christmas. Questions already copied out a page per question.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">She has written a note in it. It seems apt. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">I am nervous. I</span><span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;"> play some rousing music. There may be a song with the word ROAR
featuring heavily. Can’t say.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJuuVLqoj_gSP-i4nIR4Sj-fDPuXzV624edCKCoe4zgpqC-AsJQCfk8feHzxu34C2CFE1Da199qIbl1RhetKXEeKKW7TSxVSIXp0JWEhe_ZK1utvyOAv9UH5M5U1tq9vLePBgELU4AohM/s1600/roar.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJuuVLqoj_gSP-i4nIR4Sj-fDPuXzV624edCKCoe4zgpqC-AsJQCfk8feHzxu34C2CFE1Da199qIbl1RhetKXEeKKW7TSxVSIXp0JWEhe_ZK1utvyOAv9UH5M5U1tq9vLePBgELU4AohM/s1600/roar.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">I travel to London by train from the South Coast. I miss my
train connection whilst emailing another agent my full (yes that did actually
happen). I call Billy - long suffering husband - and he tells me which route to
take and calms me down. I end up standing in the middle of Picadilly circus like
the provincial nobody I am, texting the first lovely agent to say I have not a
clue where I am going. He rescues me. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">I meet 3 agents in one afternoon, each one kindly delivering
me to the next as I don’t know London (and have scary manic owl eyes). 5 hours of
back to back meetings. It is a complete head-spin to hear my novel admired by these respected industry professionals. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">I manage to maintain dignity when all I want to do is hug each agent and scream</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">“Are you sure?
Thank you - thank you so much! Are you really sure it’s me you want? That it’s
<em>my</em> writing you love? Yes of course I’ll bloody well sign with you. Quick before you change your mind!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbYtIJ8UYVnzMR050P3p3yNOSBoKNe2pXLGDVst33S3_3HWBBOhhrr-fhw0wqXkyg8huJvUsg5eNxeuU-IK5WhxhSPY0fa___shXMV9S9sLZ3hXnb3t1nsHyTUYKrQNcYRTshQ3Rh2qe4/s1600/than+you.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbYtIJ8UYVnzMR050P3p3yNOSBoKNe2pXLGDVst33S3_3HWBBOhhrr-fhw0wqXkyg8huJvUsg5eNxeuU-IK5WhxhSPY0fa___shXMV9S9sLZ3hXnb3t1nsHyTUYKrQNcYRTshQ3Rh2qe4/s1600/than+you.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">Even though I would happily sign with any one of
these brilliant people, I have to make a sensible career decision. I ask for a week to think. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">I go home, hug my kids and Billy. I chill, drink wine, smile
and let the realisation of what is happening sink in. I relax a little. I remember Amanda Preston, one of the first agents I
ever researched a year ago. She rejected my previous draft before Christmas but
I’ve not yet resubmitted this fresh draft to her. I email her
my new query and sample on Friday evening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She replies a few hours later saying she’d like to see the rest. By now it’s
late and I’ve been celebrating with friends and *bubbles* have been involved. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">I email Amanda the full but forget the attachment. Rookie
alert!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">She emails straight back saying please attach it, she wants
to read on. I blearily own up to the *bubbles* and she seems to laugh over
e-mail. I feel we would get along and I’m crazy flattered she’s reading my
manuscript on a Friday night.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">I meet another agent on Saturday – he is awesome too. The
choice is becoming impossible. All agents have different ideas for edits and
different strategies and as a total newbie, I can see merits in all of them. Everyone
tells me to go with my gut. My gut enters cryogenic stasis (you’ll see more of
that in my novel).<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">On Monday Amanda e-mails to say she, and her colleague
Louise Lamont both love the manuscript and she invites me to the LBA offices (in beautiful Bloomsbury). I
have a great feeling about this meeting.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwT2EB8YqeEsTzWszEdqrASsJS-h5kl9pl0mhKJnjDtGdYdwHrUf0Bz2fImVVmQw1uwALJI3ikYrp3LNPagptW3Emxni1-AsdaOHQOr3vuDzWuAAcPi2WuQ8l15wjPSQGSB3LdU4niDqY/s1600/lba.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwT2EB8YqeEsTzWszEdqrASsJS-h5kl9pl0mhKJnjDtGdYdwHrUf0Bz2fImVVmQw1uwALJI3ikYrp3LNPagptW3Emxni1-AsdaOHQOr3vuDzWuAAcPi2WuQ8l15wjPSQGSB3LdU4niDqY/s1600/lba.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">Amanda and Louise are lovely, but it is their edits win me
over. We chat for 2 hours and their ideas chime with me the most. They will
probably give me the most work (I have not yet received these edits) but they
have ways to solve niggling main character problems I knew existed but couldn’t figure out for
myself. I like that they are a small but well-established agency with a great
reputation. They are clearly the manuscript wizards I need, have utter faith in
my writing ability, but also swoon over my characters and get the essence of
what I am trying to achieve. I decide to go with them during the meeting but make myself sleep
on it for a night.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">I email the 3 agents still reading the full to tell them to
stop reading. I can’t handle any more meetings or choice. They seem flatteringly disappointed, but grateful I haven't wasted their time. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">I’ve decided. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">Thursday 27<sup>th</sup> March I email Amanda and Louise my
acceptance of their offer of representation. They seem thrilled. I am THRILLED.
And very relieved it is over.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">The rejection e-mails to the 4 agents who also want to sign
me are tough to write. After months desperately seeking an agent, it feels
wrong to turn someone down that I admire and respect. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I admit I feel sick and tearful, especially
over one of them who I had really clicked with and thought I would go with
before I met LBA. I now understand that rejecting can sometimes be almost as
hard as being rejected (almost).<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbRx-xwYSITfmQ6rexjJp4-UoJQVigDbVN_ohFWSIAUMjWaDpcwbW8WJjR4_Q2b132F2ciIXcG5zRJz9xIGA5YXa_pgMmzIkAZ4y_d_8RZ4tGG2W10KTO327Y6iD83pFa9nmNXCAc-C2E/s1600/bubble.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbRx-xwYSITfmQ6rexjJp4-UoJQVigDbVN_ohFWSIAUMjWaDpcwbW8WJjR4_Q2b132F2ciIXcG5zRJz9xIGA5YXa_pgMmzIkAZ4y_d_8RZ4tGG2W10KTO327Y6iD83pFa9nmNXCAc-C2E/s1600/bubble.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">I have an agent. Just over seven months after I started querying. I keep expecting the bubble to burst.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">I feel great. Truly. I cannot believe it. I sign the
agreement and send it off the same day, and am still resisting the temptation to
e-mail my new agent every day to say “Hello! Just checking you haven’t changed
your mind.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">I live in hope that when I am a published author I’ll be a
bit more cool and breezy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">Don’t count on it.<o:p></o:p></span>Antonia Lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05692532964407062911noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4535267933341604291.post-28411129967061976162014-04-03T14:33:00.000-07:002014-04-03T14:33:45.014-07:00How I signed with my agent. Mad March Part 1.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;"><u>The Method</u> </span></div>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">Please stand back a little *bounces around room in joy*</span></div>
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" 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<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<div style="border-image: none;">
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">So let’s rewind. In November 2012 I start writing a novel. I
have no writing experience, at all, just the one big idea and I fall</span><span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;"> in love with writing the moment I begin. I discover Scrivener,
I write a lot of drafts, I read a lot of novel-writing books, I read a lot of YA
books in my genre and I benefit from the critiques of a lot of readers. I take
a month away, polish my new novel when I get back and *think* it is ready for
submission. First batch of queries out 22<sup>nd</sup> August 2013. Whilst
querying I write the first draft of another unrelated novel (now shelved whilst
I concentrate on my trilogy).</span></div>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">Submission Campaign 1 is a modest success. Very modest. 2
full requests result in helpful rejections, 19 form rejections (yes – 19!) and 2
personalised rejections. </span></div>
</div>
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<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<div style="border-image: none;">
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">Doesn’t sound like good stats, but I’m a realist. I know
this book might not make it and the whole process can take years, so I am satisfied
with these few votes of confidence. I recognise this manuscript still needs
work. So with the help of agent comments and four new critiques, I power
through a huge January rewrite. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;"><img class="rg_i" data-sz="f" height="215" name="Pg7NuxoULmrGyM:" 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" style="height: 165px; margin-left: -10px; margin-right: -10px; margin-top: 0px; width: 306px;" width="400" /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<div style="border-image: none;">
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">It goes well.</span></div>
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<div style="border-image: none;">
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">Darlings are massacred. </span></div>
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<div style="border-image: none;">
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">I read Blake Snyder's <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Save
the Cat</i> and make a beat sheet. More darling blood spilt. </span></div>
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<div style="border-image: none;">
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">First 6 chapters rewritten. Middle 7 chapters rewritten. New
ending. Entire novel revised. One character combined with another. Major main
character personality tweak. New title comes to me. </span></div>
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<div style="border-image: none;">
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">I finally feel I KNOW my novel and I am even able to sum it up in
a twitter pitch (more on that later).</span></div>
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<div style="border-image: none;">
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">I send the new draft out on Submission Campaign 2 with a
fresh new pitch. I have a method – same as last time. I send out 3 sets of 8
submissions. I research and write notes on every agent and tweak my letter and
submission accordingly. One set of 8 every 3 weeks - I like to plan. Some are
new agents, some resubmissions to agents from last round. Some small agencies,
some large, some new agents, some very well established.</span></div>
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<div style="border-image: none;">
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">All falls quiet *tumbleweeds roll by*.</span></div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;"><a href="http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CAQQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffxrant.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F07%2Ftumbleweeds.html&ei=F9E9U6WqHvK10QWChoD4DA&usg=AFQjCNEyofJXaLLBXFh8LyN5YVeztATrdA&sig2=7LEeHVg8AZuBRsHkymnh3Q&bvm=bv.64125504,d.d2k"><img id="irc_ilrp_i" src="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRpNBYu-TRfcrqUjzJSpCpt01eC6WZ7vMEX6MQ800pGOG7F9Pl9Fg" style="height: 393px; margin-top: 20px; width: 492px;" /></a></span></div>
</div>
<div style="border-image: none; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">After 3 weeks, a form rejection. Ho Hum. First rejection
after submission is a tiny death of the spirit. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I sigh and send out the second batch of 8
submissions. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /></div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">At the beginning of March it starts getting interesting. I
receive one full request, then another in the same week. Then a rejection on my
full, then another request the same day. At this point I allow myself to get
excited. I join in a twitter chat with the wonderful Golden Egg Academy – where
I made my first writer friends on twitter. An agent favourites my twitter
pitch, I contact him, he likes my sample and also quickly requests full.
*Levitation ensues*</span></div>
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<div style="border-image: none;">
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">3 fulls out. Another couple of rejections dribble in, but the
agents reading my full like it. They email me saying they are busy but enjoying
reading and to ‘keep them posted’. My heart races every time I open my inbox
(which is far too often) and I continuously feel like there had been some mistake.</span></div>
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<div style="border-image: none;">
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">Then another agent requests – saying he loves my sample and
not to do anything until he’s read the full. Later on that day he OFFERS
REPRESENTATION!</span></div>
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<div style="border-image: none;">
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">I cannot believe it. I am in a free lesson at work and can’t
help whooping (wooo hopping) all over the place.</span></div>
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<div style="border-image: none;">
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">I email the other 3 agents reading my full manuscript to
tell them I have an offer. They ALL want to meet me. I line up 3 meetings in
London for the next day and one for the following Saturday.</span></div>
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<div style="border-image: none;">
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">I email all other agents who still have my query/ initial
submission and haven’t rejected, and most say they’ll they fast-track reading.
I have ANOTHER 5 full requests. I think. I am rapidly losing track. My world is
a blur. I’m having hot and cold sweats. Some reject pretty quickly – all with
lots of heart-warming compliments and excellent reasons – it wasn’t for them or
they didn’t have time to compete (it was Bologna Children’s Book Fair week). No
more form rejections – Yay!</span></div>
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<div style="border-image: none;">
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">Stay tuned for part 2 tomorrow up tomorrow. How I chose my agent. </span></div>
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<div style="border-image: none;">
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">Who - me? I’m just a girl with too many notebooks and an
unhealthy obsession with her crumby old laptop. Literally crumby. Twiglet crumbs.</span></div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;"><span id="goog_1814385246"></span><span id="goog_1814385247"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
Antonia Lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05692532964407062911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4535267933341604291.post-8312139136323470062014-02-26T04:08:00.003-08:002014-02-26T04:08:58.760-08:00Full requests - just the first step but feels like a big one.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhITDwx4JvsF35EgY86YoFUdE2xMMqzJ0ItJv80TUsxchsTqzk9ZesUMcdbQ6OsP5ZoO_MzwUCBCdvWnsTHBp3MbiC7C5HrquoN4d5Ei41ETOsk59pkKBCPRs1PlOMf1-_AyK6Bdf1D3qE/s1600/stairs.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhITDwx4JvsF35EgY86YoFUdE2xMMqzJ0ItJv80TUsxchsTqzk9ZesUMcdbQ6OsP5ZoO_MzwUCBCdvWnsTHBp3MbiC7C5HrquoN4d5Ei41ETOsk59pkKBCPRs1PlOMf1-_AyK6Bdf1D3qE/s1600/stairs.png" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
So now I have had a modest handful of full requests. I know this doesn't mean representation but I know it does mean my new rewrite is getting more positive attention than the previous draft. Phew.<br />
<br />
The steps to publication are many, but I feel I've climbed a couple. <br />
<br />
When Amazon delivered a parcel this morning - <br />
<br />
Son (6) "Mummy is that your new book?"<br />
<br />
Bless him.<br />
Antonia Lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05692532964407062911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4535267933341604291.post-5537845081286962082014-02-02T04:56:00.001-08:002014-02-02T09:49:09.302-08:00How long will it take literary agents to get back to me? Will they even respond? Is there anyone out there?Yes there is. And they will respond.<br />
<br />
I have treated BREATHING SEA to a rewrite and am submitting, again. This time I know what the waiting is like and I'm more confident because I've had some interest. But it is STILL excruciating.<br />
I thought I would post this to help others who are in the same position as I was last August - at the beginning of my first ever submission campaign with no idea what to expect. Well here is what happened with mine.<br />
I wish it looked better - but I now know my manuscript needed work, so here's hoping...<br />
I sent submissions in batches - to well known UK agents who represent my genre - YA speculative. I researched them carefully over the six months prior to submitting.<br />
Sorry - can't name any names. Don't want to upset anyone.<br />
First batch went in August to 9 agents (was a little over-excited), second sent in September to 7 agents, third in October to 6 agents.<br />
<br />
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: currentColor; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody>
<tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 77.95pt;" valign="top" width="104"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">When sent DDMM</span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: windowtext windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: solid solid solid none; border-width: 1pt 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 134.65pt;" valign="top" width="180"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">Time </span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: windowtext windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: solid solid solid none; border-width: 1pt 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 118.7pt;" valign="top" width="158"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">Response</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 77.95pt;" valign="top" width="104"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">2110</span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 134.65pt;" valign="top" width="180"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">1 day</span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 118.7pt;" valign="top" width="158"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">Form Rej</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 8.7pt; mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; height: 8.7pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 77.95pt;" valign="top" width="104"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">2110</span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; height: 8.7pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 134.65pt;" valign="top" width="180"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">1 day</span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; height: 8.7pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 118.7pt;" valign="top" width="158"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">Form Rej</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 3;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 77.95pt;" valign="top" width="104"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">2208</span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 134.65pt;" valign="top" width="180"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">7 days</span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 118.7pt;" valign="top" width="158"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">Form Rej</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 4;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 77.95pt;" valign="top" width="104"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">2208</span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 134.65pt;" valign="top" width="180"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">11 days</span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 118.7pt;" valign="top" width="158"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">Form Rej</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 5;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 77.95pt;" valign="top" width="104"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">2309</span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 134.65pt;" valign="top" width="180"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">12 days</span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 118.7pt;" valign="top" width="158"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">Form Rej</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 6;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 77.95pt;" valign="top" width="104"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">2309</span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 134.65pt;" valign="top" width="180"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">17 days</span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 118.7pt;" valign="top" width="158"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">Form Rej</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 7;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 77.95pt;" valign="top" width="104"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">2010</span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 134.65pt;" valign="top" width="180"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">18 days</span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 118.7pt;" valign="top" width="158"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">Form Rej</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 8;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 77.95pt;" valign="top" width="104"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">2309</span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 134.65pt;" valign="top" width="180"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">1 month</span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 118.7pt;" valign="top" width="158"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">Form Rej</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 9;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 77.95pt;" valign="top" width="104"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">2309</span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 134.65pt;" valign="top" width="180"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">5 weeks</span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 118.7pt;" valign="top" width="158"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">Form Rej</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 10;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 77.95pt;" valign="top" width="104"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">2309</span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 134.65pt;" valign="top" width="180"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">6 weeks</span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 118.7pt;" valign="top" width="158"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">Form Rej</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 11;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 77.95pt;" valign="top" width="104"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">2208</span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 134.65pt;" valign="top" width="180"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">8 weeks</span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 118.7pt;" valign="top" width="158"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">Form Rej</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 12;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 77.95pt;" valign="top" width="104"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">2010</span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 134.65pt;" valign="top" width="180"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">8 weeks</span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 118.7pt;" valign="top" width="158"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">Form Rej</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 13;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 77.95pt;" valign="top" width="104"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">2208</span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 134.65pt;" valign="top" width="180"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">8 weeks </span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 118.7pt;" valign="top" width="158"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: Gill Sans MT;">Revise and Resub</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 14;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 77.95pt;" valign="top" width="104"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">2110</span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 134.65pt;" valign="top" width="180"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">8 weeks</span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 118.7pt;" valign="top" width="158"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">Form Rej</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 15;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 77.95pt;" valign="top" width="104"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">2010</span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 134.65pt;" valign="top" width="180"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">8 weeks</span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 118.7pt;" valign="top" width="158"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: Gill Sans MT;">Full Request</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 16;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 77.95pt;" valign="top" width="104"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">2308</span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 134.65pt;" valign="top" width="180"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">9 weeks</span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 118.7pt;" valign="top" width="158"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">Form Rej</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 17;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 77.95pt;" valign="top" width="104"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">2208</span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 134.65pt;" valign="top" width="180"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">12 weeks</span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 118.7pt;" valign="top" width="158"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: Gill Sans MT;">Full Request</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 18;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 77.95pt;" valign="top" width="104"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">2208</span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 134.65pt;" valign="top" width="180"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">13 weeks</span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 118.7pt;" valign="top" width="158"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">Form Rej</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 19;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 77.95pt;" valign="top" width="104"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">2208</span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 134.65pt;" valign="top" width="180"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">NO REPLY</span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 118.7pt;" valign="top" width="158"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 11.15pt; mso-yfti-irow: 20;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; height: 11.15pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 77.95pt;" valign="top" width="104"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">2309</span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; height: 11.15pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 134.65pt;" valign="top" width="180"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">NO REPLY</span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; height: 11.15pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 118.7pt;" valign="top" width="158"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 21;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 77.95pt;" valign="top" width="104"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">2208</span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 134.65pt;" valign="top" width="180"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">NO REPLY</span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 118.7pt;" valign="top" width="158"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 22; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 77.95pt;" valign="top" width="104"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">2309</span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 134.65pt;" valign="top" width="180"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">NO REPLY</span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 118.7pt;" valign="top" width="158"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<u>Conclusions?</u><br />
8 weeks is a common response time.<br />
Sometimes you have to wait a long time for a full request!<br />
1 day rejections do not feel good....but non repliers feel just downright rude, even when they warn you they may not reply.<br />
Doesn't matter when I sent them.<br />
<br />
Now. Better just check my inbox again. Good luck intrepid dream-chasers. Keep chasing.<br />
<br />
Hope that helps some others in the same position as me. Please comment if it does....Antonia Lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05692532964407062911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4535267933341604291.post-49808767422925393442013-12-31T05:05:00.000-08:002013-12-31T05:05:22.115-08:00How to survive waiting for submission responses with sanity intact<u>6 Rules of survival whilst waiting</u><br />
<br />
1. Do not think about project. Remove all traces of project from work vicinity. Write something else. (<i>50% success - wrote another novel. But then it was finished and started thinking again)</i><br />
2. See people who still seem to like you since you turned into half-reclusive half-boring writer <i>(100% success - Easy. I've missed them)</i><br />
3. Read some engrossing novels that aren't for research purposes<i> (70% success. Reading makes me think about writing makes me think about submissions)</i><br />
4. Exercise. Bottom has grown to size of small bungalow in this year of writing <i>(1% success. Went for first jog in 6 months today. Well it has been raining a lot)</i><br />
5. Watch TV - when drafting I go weeks without it. 3 seasons of Sons of Anarchy since November. Great distraction <i>(80% success. Jax reminds me a little of my lead character Smith)</i><br />
6. Most importantly:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Antonia Lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05692532964407062911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4535267933341604291.post-47358982609000245622013-12-21T07:48:00.000-08:002013-12-21T07:48:00.655-08:00A few of my favorite things in YA fiction.A few of my favourite things they crop up in different forms (hopefully)<br />
<br />
1. Girl heroes - feisty, with heart and who spend more time rescuing than being rescued.<br />
2. Boy heroes - flawed but never misogynistic. I'll stop myself from making them all blond.<br />
3. Prisons or being held captive.<br />
4. Sacrifice.<br />
5. Physical injury. I like it visceral.<br />
6. All enduring friendship. Tested but comes out stronger.<br />
7. Love. The slow burn that takes its time and lingers and hurts. <br />
8. Love that ends. Most teenagers don't marry their first love.<br />
9.Pledges and promises even if just to oneself.<br />
10.Death. No-one believes the danger unless they've seen its consequences.<br />
<br />
Things I pledge to avoid in my writing:<br />
<br />
1. Insta-love. No. Not love at first sight. Attracted to at first sight. Love comes later.<br />
2. Love triangles where it is obvious who the girl will end up with. Just let the other guy go already.<br />
3.Wimpy girls waiting for boys to rescue them. <br />
4. Excessive sarcasm or whining.<br />
5. Boredom of any description.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Antonia Lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05692532964407062911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4535267933341604291.post-65604968157949570652013-12-18T07:14:00.000-08:002013-12-18T07:14:00.829-08:00Multiple writer's projects - a very good thingSo this is the way I do it.<br />
<br />
1. <u>Think it.</u> In the car, in bed, whilst cooking (ie burning organic matter), whilst watching TV, driving.<br />
2. <u>Note it.</u> Open sparkly new notebook but scribble on post-it's, receipts and lots of e-mails to self.<br />
3. <u>Research it</u>. Internet. Books. Library. Read fiction in the genre. Make pinterest boards. More notes.<br />
4. <u>Plan it </u>Test ideas against 3 act structure, Heroes journey. Construct character arcs. Chapter plan events.<br />
5. <u>First draft it</u>. Head down, fingers blur, ideally five hours per day for a month.<br />
6.<u> Rest it.</u> Go back and do some of the other steps for another unrelated project.<br />
7. <u>Write it readable</u>. Structural quick edit. Smarten it up for first readers.<br />
8. <u>Listen and note.</u> Detailed notes from readers. Compile them.<br />
9. <u>Rest it</u>. Time to digest readers notes. No rushing. Work on something else.<br />
10. <u>Revision/ Rewrite Cycle begins with further readers and rests in between </u><br />
<u>i)</u>Big stuff - cut (plot/ story/ structure/ pace) <br />
ii)Medium stuff - add (Character voice perfection/ relationships/ setting/ atmosphere) <br />
iii) Small stuff (Line edits - polish it up and make it pretty)<br />
11. <u>Submit</u><br />
<u></u><br />
What has made me so much more relaxed this year is that I have three projects on the go, all at different stages, so I can take a break when I reach a sticky patch or get fatigued - and work on something else.<br />
<br />
<u>But - some rules apply</u><br />
a) Once first draft begins, no working on anything else until it is finished. And no cheating.<br />
b) Read widely - always. Usually an hour a day. Inside and outside of genre.<br />
c) Don't be <u>too </u>soft on myself. Sometimes those sticky bits can only be solved by writing them over and over. <br />
d) Don't be too hard on self. Sometimes sticky bits can be solved by forgetting all about them and watching 3 episodes of Sons of Anarchy back to back with half a bottle of wine.<br />
<br />
Antonia Lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05692532964407062911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4535267933341604291.post-35814535713689375632013-12-14T06:58:00.002-08:002013-12-14T07:04:56.050-08:00Which one next? Becoming an author might be all about the strategy.I've a feeling I need to become a strategist, because I don't know what to write next.<br />
Just finished second draft of my second novel, YA ghost story, <u>The Journal of Apolline Durand.</u> Out with my wonderful first readers, Kathryn, Sally, Helen and Lyann. So she's out of the loop for a few weeks.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://kolps.tumblr.com/post/47057169053/a-windy-summer-peter-lindbergh-for-vogue-italia" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="
A windy summer
Peter Lindbergh for Vogue Italia May 1999
" class="photo" src="http://31.media.tumblr.com/2a7419ac1b7fa79ec09822bde113038c/tumblr_mk5sesGcz61s0bsiso1_r1_500.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apolline! Play nice with the first readers like a good girl.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
My firstborn manuscript<u> Clamour</u> is out with agents, full manuscript waiting on a response. Have lots of new revision idea for this, but makes no sense to do anything until I hear back from *the* agent.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Aster" class="pinImage" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/3e/ff/45/3eff45d68b4c8154c8a7437913869193.jpg" style="height: 640px; margin: 0px auto; padding: 40px 0px; width: 427px;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Go Aster, wow those agents, get under their skin like you got under mine - I know you can do it</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So I have two choices:<br />
1. Start on new project <u>The Red Edge.</u> This is spanky new and exciting. Lead character is a boy, Hector. Already feel like I know him (and of course, love him). Story plotted vaguely, but I have a strong sense of premise, themes and place and a cracking good opening chapter. Scenes pop into my mind continuously for this one.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="The view of the red dwarf sun Rutilus from Rutilus 2" class="pinImage" height="133" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/e4/1c/bb/e41cbb771b742c59cac07650c84ff28b.jpg" style="height: 490px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; width: 736px;" width="200" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Red Edge - Space adventure that mainly takes place on the planet Rutilus 2 in the Scorpios Constellation.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
2. Start on <u>Scatter, </u>second book in <u>Clamour</u> trilogy. This is SO ripe for the picking. These characters have voices already and they nag, nag, nag. Been thinking this for over a year. Could be good to write this before revising Clamour? Like my optimism. Could be a waste of precious time if Clamour never gets picked up? No, can't think that way. *The* agent could suggest revisions to Clamour that impact on the story. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Bản Giốc fall, Cao Bằng" class="pinImage" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/ff/81/ba/ff81ba3dafc2cf6382ea5e629eccb147.jpg" style="height: 479px; margin: 0px auto; padding: 8px 0px; width: 720px;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Khone Falls in Laos. Setting of the tribal summit in Scatter - sequel to Clamour<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So which should it be? Completely new manuscript meaning I have 3 separate projects on the go? And may get a mental overload? <strong>Vote Red.</strong><br />
Or second book in trilogy. Focus on the one I already love - and that would be easy as pie to write? Could probably knock out a first draft for this in a month or so. <strong>Vote Green.</strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
Best thing of all? Love both these ideas and can't wait to get started....<br />
Antonia Lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05692532964407062911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4535267933341604291.post-74699885942163535862013-12-02T03:04:00.002-08:002013-12-02T03:04:30.790-08:00pinterest for writers - an insight into my chaotic mindSo now I have a new distraction from my day job. <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/antonialindsay3/boards/">http://www.pinterest.com/antonialindsay3/boards/</a><br />
Something to fill all that time I have on my hands.....<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Y8MCUr-UL4OA0MHo69FTQUBbyeYSB8g0ARhn8MnmSG1vClcHi0D8ZsVBmNVojy3Vvc2shahLEbJqYlk8oWpyKx_5GYKNNqqDD0iDVrcjIPvnZ8df6fDA_gfu3lJgzvvVnFaIsZrt42E/s1600/Screenshot+2013-12-02+10.56.27.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Y8MCUr-UL4OA0MHo69FTQUBbyeYSB8g0ARhn8MnmSG1vClcHi0D8ZsVBmNVojy3Vvc2shahLEbJqYlk8oWpyKx_5GYKNNqqDD0iDVrcjIPvnZ8df6fDA_gfu3lJgzvvVnFaIsZrt42E/s640/Screenshot+2013-12-02+10.56.27.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Ever since I started my first novel I have always kept a folder of images that capture moments, mood, characters and setting. And now they are on pinterest.<br />
I was a little afraid at first to pin, I want my readers to form their own images, but can't see too much harm in sharing mine.<br />
And there's some tantalising tasters of future projects that if (when) I'm published, readers might find interesting.<br />
<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/antonialindsay3/boards/">http://www.pinterest.com/antonialindsay3/boards/</a><br />
Antonia Lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05692532964407062911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4535267933341604291.post-78652223065125758342013-11-23T04:48:00.001-08:002013-11-23T04:48:30.656-08:00Full Manuscript Request Joy - What does it mean? What doesn't it mean?Wednesday last week - a favourite agent (the second one I ever submitted to back in August) say they would love to read my full manuscript exclusively. Note the word love. Love!<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7bBVjiTJ7IRcsj7pFKNhUAj8okGfasZzHgQ7LPnmqptFFhidMRUZlypwJDgab2a30wE52lXr9_y0JfLf__JKuY_F7Bfm5D7_Fo_6nhOA17FZZm-49cGt0ik4BlkC8DijF-Vb2B6XF2ZI/s1600/heart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7bBVjiTJ7IRcsj7pFKNhUAj8okGfasZzHgQ7LPnmqptFFhidMRUZlypwJDgab2a30wE52lXr9_y0JfLf__JKuY_F7Bfm5D7_Fo_6nhOA17FZZm-49cGt0ik4BlkC8DijF-Vb2B6XF2ZI/s320/heart.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So here's my heart on a plate - wash it down with a fine Chianti</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Cue - squeaking noise, hot sweat and a lot of silly dancing. I grant them 30 days exclusivity (and any body organs of their choice) because I'm a consummate professional.<br />
<br />
So this is exciting. This is something. On to the bottom rung of a pretty tall ladder but at least out of the gutter.<br />
<br />
I've done some research to try to prevent insanity whilst waiting.<br />
<br />
<strong></strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
<strong>So what does this actually mean?</strong><br />
1. This agency receive 1400 submissions per month. They see enough potential in mine to ask for a full.<br />
2. They are going to use precious time that could be used on other massively famous clients - to read my story.<br />
3. This agency state they usually give editorial notes if they read a full, so I might get professional feedback.<br />
<br />
<strong>That's it - that's all it means.</strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
<strong>So what doesn't this mean?</strong><br />
1. That they will take me on.<br />
2. Anything else whatsoever.<br />
<br />
So this is good news. It's great news. I feel vindicated and that I can safely assume I am not insane to ever believe I can be an author. <br />
<br />
But still - probably best to shelve those red-carpet fantasies for the time being.<br />
<strong></strong>Antonia Lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05692532964407062911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4535267933341604291.post-65489442395255647972013-10-29T02:28:00.002-07:002013-10-29T02:28:36.838-07:00Author in training. I just don’t know when I’ll qualify.
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">It’s all about perception. Those first few rejections stung
and I had to find a way to stop them stinging because this is it, this is what
I want to do and rejection is part of it. I have to except that my precious
debut novel that I still love and believe in might not get published. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">So I’m thinking of my time spent now as study. It’s a great privilege
to have people buying your novel, reading your work, identifying with your characters,
wrapped up in your story. It’s arrogant of me to expect to be able to have my
work published and competing for shelf space with the greats,when I only
started writing seriously less than a year ago. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">Writing is a skilled profession. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">It took me four years to train to be a teacher.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">It takes ten years to train to be a GP.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">Four years to be an electrician.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">Eight years to be a vet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">Four years to be an architect.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">It’s the same for creative careers. Most musicians, artists
and actors have spent many years working for free, waiting tables etc to pay
the bills. The successful ones have talent and luck, but they also keep going.
They never give up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">So I’m bringing out the humble, I’m just a first year
student, I need to open my mind and learn. The psychology of that really helps.
I’m now at peace if my first novel doesn’t get picked up during the current submission
campaign. It might need some massive revisions that I’m just not qualified to
undertake – yet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">The best think about training to be an author is you get to
choose your course materials and for me, every day is a buzz. And the training really is on the job. So bring on the
learning….</span></div>
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<a class="irc_rimask irc_tdi irc_rist" data-item-id="Xz0mAwFJfnMHBM:" data-target-tbnid="Xz0mAwFJfnMHBM:" data-ved="0CAIQxiAwAA" href="https://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.edudemic.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2012%2F03%2Fback-to-school1.jpg&imgrefurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.edudemic.com%2Ftag%2Fback-to-school%2F&docid=vYx40rPBsATHmM&tbnid=Xz0mAwFJfnMHBM%3A&w=965&h=724&ei=iX9vUrfrBIqi0QWYxIGgCQ&ved=0CAIQxiAwAA&iact=c" style="clear: left; float: left; height: 80px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; visibility: visible; width: 80px;"><img src="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcShic0GIfiOS7cN-TwACzLxDFYqN-_el8PsHGXFclGEQZ1lAlNm_g" style="height: 80px; margin-left: -13px; width: 107px;" /></a><span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Antonia Lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05692532964407062911noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4535267933341604291.post-41840216119224697382013-08-29T12:48:00.001-07:002013-08-29T12:48:20.612-07:00It's all part of the process. My first rejection. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/qQWZrDH5X8o?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Excuse the bizarre video, but this is the song in my head today.</span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So for the last week I have been feeling downright weird. Wired. Unsettled. Because I arrived back from my 3 week holiday, passed through my novel twice, the last read being an intense proof read, and submitted to the first six agents on my list. When I was at the stage where I was changing a word and then changing back again, I didn't linger over it. I'd already done my agent research so it was all ready to go.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">As I pressed the send button I thought I'd be relieved or a bit empty, or maybe proud of myself and elated. Instead I felt as if the last 10 months have never happened and that I'd never written a book. I was in no-mans land. I drank too much three nights in a row and was pretty grouchy on the days in between. I worked on my next novel half-heartedly and researched pointless (but therapeutic) things like other peoples rejection letters and average times it takes agents to respond. I tried to limit my inbox checking and failed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">And now I have my first response. Stock rejection. From a huge agent. Used my name rather than Dear Author, but that's the only hint at personalisation. Sent from the submissions team rather than the named agent to which I addressed my (meticulously researched and checked) submission letter.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I wont be disingenuous here, rejection does feel a little brutal. The thousand or more hours you put in were not appreciated by whoever read it. I feel it's unlikely my precious even got past the agents readers. The film might not be in cinemas next year...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">But it doesn't feel as brutal as I thought it might. I feel real. A real writer, who wrote a real novel must receive at least one, and probably a lot more than one, real rejections. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">So I'm not sorry for myself really. I'm a real rejected writer. Before this I was in a bubble of daydreams, now I'm part of a real professional process.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I'm absolutely fine about being a reject. Just a co-incidence that when I picked up my guitar this evening I didn't turn on the lights and started playing Everybody Hurts by REM. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">And onwards.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span>Antonia Lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05692532964407062911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4535267933341604291.post-74557845233532212952013-08-16T09:39:00.000-07:002013-08-16T09:39:00.756-07:00How I wrote a novel Phase 4 of 10 A step back <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><u>Phase 4 of 10. Taking a step back. 80 hours March 2013</u></span><br />
<u><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span></u><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">By now I had a first draft and I'd rewritten the first seven chapters. I was elated. I followed advice to take a break of a few weeks. I wish I hadn't. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I found this advice so difficult to follow as I was mid-flow, ideas materialising all the time and my characters finding their voices and their personalities as I wrote. In future I wont take a break at this point if I don't feel like it. I'll follow my instinct. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I was scared to leave my novel when it was going so well. So I fixed it in my mind. <br />
I made record cards of my scenes. I enjoyed this. I colour coded them so I could see the different settings. I used coloured stickers for each character so I could track my subplots. It was really helpful.<br />
</span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHfWMErOSQYcpjUuTDKGFbrdi3pXmedy7Ws9rX3df2CSrMuxx8FViBL3MhHdriALHwPpZ6cdAIvwsNanjJ7hh-YKvPxBJiBGeTiosgHCngtY9Q9mDWppJOM0zm-F-IXEOzo_7Q4TsBOVU/s1600/2013-07-17+13.25.14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHfWMErOSQYcpjUuTDKGFbrdi3pXmedy7Ws9rX3df2CSrMuxx8FViBL3MhHdriALHwPpZ6cdAIvwsNanjJ7hh-YKvPxBJiBGeTiosgHCngtY9Q9mDWppJOM0zm-F-IXEOzo_7Q4TsBOVU/s200/2013-07-17+13.25.14.jpg" width="150" /></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2BSfid_N53UnoKk-1DWinJ3n11WpAhgyjfNjoLemJ4knjLg4iT1cIQV-ktExVimbwE0d1f7Z67EemJ0FdrgpAQfklwPPubo_tAZxDxDk-T3HSbVvnH-pz_JPbGMOEAovJ2idmFOxPiM4/s1600/2013-07-17+13.18.32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2BSfid_N53UnoKk-1DWinJ3n11WpAhgyjfNjoLemJ4knjLg4iT1cIQV-ktExVimbwE0d1f7Z67EemJ0FdrgpAQfklwPPubo_tAZxDxDk-T3HSbVvnH-pz_JPbGMOEAovJ2idmFOxPiM4/s200/2013-07-17+13.18.32.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I could see how much space I'd given to each of my POV characters. I laid the cards out on the floor in chapters. I transferred the data to two A4 sheets.</span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I didn't really take a break at all. I read 7 books on how to write fiction (I'll review these at a later date). I ordered my copy of Writers and Artists yearbook. I read and analysed 5 young adult novels in my genre. I researched various aspects of my novel.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">So I got to know my novel. I had it fixed. Now I had to completely rewrite it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Catch Phase 5 of 10 Diamond-hard Rewrite 150 hours.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />Antonia Lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05692532964407062911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4535267933341604291.post-15936414484003635362013-08-14T10:01:00.000-07:002013-08-14T10:01:00.967-07:00Mid-week Squeak. The Civil Wars.<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Whilst working on the early drafts of my novel I listened to a lot of music. Probably the album I listened to most was Barton Hollow by The Civil Wars. <a href="http://thecivilwars.com/">http://thecivilwars.com/</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I also love to run to this track. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Music is really important when I'm writing. It creates mood and The Civil Wars are the masters of mood. Every track is undiluted emotion and conflict. And their new stuff is even better than the first album. I'm not going to chat on today. Listen to their new song below. Great lyrics. Can't stop singing this. And apparently the conflict is real. They have a lot of music differences and keep splitting up, cancelling tours, and stating irreconcilable differences. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Please keep warring Civil Wars.</span>Antonia Lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05692532964407062911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4535267933341604291.post-91611254215262337542013-08-02T16:06:00.000-07:002013-08-02T16:06:00.795-07:00How I wrote a novel Phase 3 Gollum arrives. 300 hours (conservative estimate)<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><u>How I wrote a novel Phase 3 Gollum arrives. 300 hours (conservative estimate)</u></span><br />
<u><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span></u><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">It all went crazy. I found my precious and hunched over it in a dripping cave whilst my hair fell out and my skin turned grey. Not quite but almost. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><img class="rg_i" data-src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQsfQJ315U2K1HhVebdABrk5MVSqMI4-mnedNULogemJn74CbYx" data-sz="f" name="_-nwhMgvxiEAYM:" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQsfQJ315U2K1HhVebdABrk5MVSqMI4-mnedNULogemJn74CbYx" style="height: 145px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: -14px; margin-top: 0px; width: 347px;" /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I began an obsessive affair with my keyboard. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I had my idea. I had my synopsis. I had a 3 act structure and a scene summary.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">wrote. And I wrote. Line by line, scene by scene. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I wrote without looking back. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Following the theory that I needed words on the page, and it didn't matter much what the words were as long as they took me to the end. And they did. I used Scriv <a href="http://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener.php">http://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener.php</a> to help me keep some semblance of order. Around 300 hours later I had 82,000 words, no speech marks, little punctuation, no description. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXzD3pJBXPdYy9rMbV1egIIYX-nk59azSQN8kMeTEL-TwcLwtSWmyUtrQoc2TGej_d8RqBS_UXPJfS9RGpKZUqOAxUeRmF5AbhNf-R7P7Hm-d8m3bjo2_1y5yMxS-gv0FU41rI7ix_qvg/s1600/2013-07-17+13.13.10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXzD3pJBXPdYy9rMbV1egIIYX-nk59azSQN8kMeTEL-TwcLwtSWmyUtrQoc2TGej_d8RqBS_UXPJfS9RGpKZUqOAxUeRmF5AbhNf-R7P7Hm-d8m3bjo2_1y5yMxS-gv0FU41rI7ix_qvg/s320/2013-07-17+13.13.10.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">In this 8 weeks I wasn't pleasant to live with. I was Gollum. I couldn't stop thinking about my people (characters). They spoke to me night and day. I emailed myself at work with conversations, I wrote in the middle of the night in the notebook beside my bed. I scribbled notes before saying good morning to my real life beloveds. I wasn't present in any conversations. I hardly went out. I came in from work and wrote. I sacrificed a lot of sleep. This is first draft fever. Everything stops for the story.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">But when I held the first draft of my novel I danced till dawn.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Then I rewrote the first seven chapters because I could see now that they were total excrement and couldn't bear to let them be in my beloved first draft.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">This was the point I knew I would be a writer. I knew it. My novel wasn't flying yet, but I was.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Catch How I wrote a novel Phase 4 Getting to know you, next Friday.</span>Antonia Lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05692532964407062911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4535267933341604291.post-58705446004397227532013-07-27T15:41:00.000-07:002013-07-27T15:41:00.746-07:00How I wrote a novel Phase 2 Building a skeleton<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><u>Phase 2 of 10 Building a skeleton. November to December 50 hours.</u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">So by Phase 2 I had a collection of notes and a story premise, a central conflict and a setting. It's a young adult novel. Boy meets girl. Two worlds collide. So much more.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I had K of course, and now A had arrived more hesitantly, developing into my feisty protagonist and main POV character. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I had no idea what to do next. My English Literature and Language degree was quite frankly of little help, although it did enable me to develop my excellent skim/speed reading abilities (it's my super power). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">So to the internet of course.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Snowflake method. It was at the top of the google search on how to write a novel. That's all the thought I put into it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><a href="http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/articles/snowflake-method/">http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/articles/snowflake-method/</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">It had pretty pictures, stuck to some classical theory and was well written.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I simply followed the first 6 steps on his website because they made sense. Thank you Randy, you helped me a lot in those early weeks. I only ever looked at the first page of Randy's website because by then I was flying.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEqZiQUEQmStUY5ZZsoU06nw3x611ADCTwrPZaAE85A-vdT6X1qzcilkdi2JYQh1M0S7IHJ3wZopyvq0JiK7RIpWVhh2I1fMgqSWWgZczVRC5UPkyvW3Hcxm2X7CFAEXny5uLwDTTleHk/s1600/2013-07-17+13.11.13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEqZiQUEQmStUY5ZZsoU06nw3x611ADCTwrPZaAE85A-vdT6X1qzcilkdi2JYQh1M0S7IHJ3wZopyvq0JiK7RIpWVhh2I1fMgqSWWgZczVRC5UPkyvW3Hcxm2X7CFAEXny5uLwDTTleHk/s320/2013-07-17+13.11.13.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My 15,319 word scene synopsis. It changed a lot.</td></tr>
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I wrote a synopsis, I expanded upon it, I planned a three act structure, I split each act into scenes. <br />
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I blocked out each scene (blocking for me = characters + setting + what they actually do and why - working on it at the moment for book 2 - it's so exciting!).<br />
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I didn't spend a lot of time on character at this stage. Aside from K, I discovered my characters by writing them.<br />
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By the beginning of December I had 15,319 words. I was happy. Thrilled. A discovery draft. I had actually written more words than my dissertation and ENJOYED it.<br />
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Christmas had been and gone. Ideas kept coming. I needed better software. I craved organisation because ideas were coming thick and fast and in no particular order. I wasn't writing in a linear fashion. I followed my instinct.<br />
<br />
I discovered Scrivener. <a href="http://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener.php">http://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener.php</a><br />
<br />
So far (including phase 1) it's 70 hours. Not much. It's about to multiply.<br /><br />
Catch How I wrote a novel Phase 3 Gollum arrives next Friday to find out how My Precious worked its way up to 82,000 words in 8 weeks.<br />
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</span><br />Antonia Lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05692532964407062911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4535267933341604291.post-80609971643440320302013-07-24T15:09:00.001-07:002013-07-24T15:09:42.820-07:00How I wrote a novel. Phase 1 of 10 The Sting.<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><u>Phase 1 March 2012 20 hours </u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I never planned to write my novel. I'm a teacher who really likes teaching. I have two small children. I have no time. It all began when an idea stung me. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I was driving home from work one day and he appeared. Named. My character, lets call him K. He arrived, fully formed, with his own way of speaking, his own look, his own character. It was as if K already existed and I'd just found out about him. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV0qngoXuPMIc_DQv_rmggDFA-ghJGneiqq60nGbNRS3xaMFCPtBcEGiGT0OldHuCpGCwYUytE3In9gkN3c3SIaLItaFgMiLMCvQO1VX0w9Ym4pDI3e6wDNhy-aL5GPfi8LJBWq2Ba7DY/s1600/2013-07-17+13.10.00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV0qngoXuPMIc_DQv_rmggDFA-ghJGneiqq60nGbNRS3xaMFCPtBcEGiGT0OldHuCpGCwYUytE3In9gkN3c3SIaLItaFgMiLMCvQO1VX0w9Ym4pDI3e6wDNhy-aL5GPfi8LJBWq2Ba7DY/s200/2013-07-17+13.10.00.jpg" width="150" /></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I turned off the radio and started thinking about him. I couldn't stop thinking about him. He spoke to me. He isn't even the main protagonist in my novel but everything revolves around him. None of my other characters arrived like that, but then K is special, different, because he's a main character but also the whole premise.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I pulled up outside my son's school, found a scrap of paper and wrote some notes. <br />
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Most of the ideas in these notes never got used but the central premise was there. K had burst into life.<br />
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I told my bemused husband about my idea and he made supportive (slightly bemused) noises.<br />
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I left the idea for 7 months. I didn't even think about it much - hence 20 paltry hours. I had no idea how to write a book. I didn't even want to attempt it. I didn't think I could. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglOVd0ZJGS4zydXpGElILImI3OQY8be0Ut5RjabmbGAxHy_zZblSBdQ4AfYVi1XvpMY0n4Eu-xCtz-I5EVdN6HQZraMQiYJbTDU1jp4_3oOaC6X3_Ce_e9N9RYXFZCrQsSCNAq8d2kd04/s1600/2013-07-17+13.12.38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglOVd0ZJGS4zydXpGElILImI3OQY8be0Ut5RjabmbGAxHy_zZblSBdQ4AfYVi1XvpMY0n4Eu-xCtz-I5EVdN6HQZraMQiYJbTDU1jp4_3oOaC6X3_Ce_e9N9RYXFZCrQsSCNAq8d2kd04/s200/2013-07-17+13.12.38.jpg" width="150" /></a>Then I went on a long car journey with my brother, Rob, a writer himself, a talented musician, an inspirational person. And he told me if I wanted to write a novel I should just start and see where it took me. So I did. I drew some pictures of my setting when I got home that evening.<br />
<br />
I drilled my husband about the post-apocalyptic premise (he's even geekier than me). It's not hard sci-fi, but I'm a stickler for detail and the science must be right.<br />
<br />
From that day at the end of October there hasn't been a day when I haven't thought about it. <br />
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I started building a world for K to live in. About time, he'd been homeless for 7 months. And so it began.<br />
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Please catch <u>How I wrote a novel. Phase 2 of 10 Building a skeleton</u> next Friday.<br />
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</span>Antonia Lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05692532964407062911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4535267933341604291.post-64066975816277900892013-07-18T02:34:00.002-07:002013-07-18T02:34:37.276-07:00Mid-week Squeak - Pucket - finger flicking fun<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So, no music today. I'm squeaking about a game instead.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">The glorious Pucket. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">No, I'm not having a bad day or trouble with my teeth. Go on, say the word nice and loud:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Pucket, Pucket, Pucket. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Trust me, once you start playing you'll want to say a few different words, because it's crazy fun and makes even the most chilled people into competitive screeching freaks. That's one of the reasons why I love it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">And this also has something to do with my writing.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Because playing Pucket is actually just like the stage I'm working on now. Word-level editing my novel. And this is how:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">1. It's hard work. The game is basically about getting the discs through the hole, but the little blighters just keep bouncing straight back at you. The editing game is basically about finding the right word to fit. And sometimes it takes me a while, yes, just to find one word or phrase. And sometimes there's sweating involved.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">2. It's random. Sometimes everything goes your way first time. Resist the urge to overthink, if the games going well, ride the wave. If the words come out best first time, leave them be, they're happy there.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">3. Practice does pay off. But you'll still have bad games. I've improved so much in my writing. But sometimes I still write drivel and make myself giggle-cringe the next time I read it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">4. It's finger flicking fun, even when it's really frustrating. I love writing. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">So visit <a href="http://www.pucket.co.uk/">http://www.pucket.co.uk/</a> and snag yourself a game of Pucket. Dinner parties will never be the same again.</span>Antonia Lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05692532964407062911noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4535267933341604291.post-75619949968455166682013-07-11T10:58:00.000-07:002013-07-11T10:58:05.398-07:00Mid-week squeak (running late) Johnny Flynn Brown Trout Blues <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Midweek Squeak is even more shrill than usual this week because it's Johnny Flynn - who helps me to channel my teenage self....(girly squeal).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Johnny Flynn. Brown Trout Blues. Oh my.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">It's Folk like my mumma used to sing. Ingrained in me from the womb and beyond, and Johnny brought it back to me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">My lovely friend Anna introduced to this clip of the sublime Mr Flynn at work one day and I think my comment was "Brown Trout Blues? I'd show him a bit of the Old Trout Blues..." Inappropriate I know but hey, it's his music that I'm interested in. And I'm not <em>that</em> much older than him....</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Sometimes it seems too many blessings are heaped on just one person, leaving the majority of us lesser beings sadly lacking. That voice, songwriter, actor, multiple instrument musician, easy on the eye - it's just unfair.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Inspiring lyrics galore from Johnny: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"> I could be someone else </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"> I should be someone else but</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"> You wouldn't know me if I was</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"> You'd say I was a stranger just because</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"> You'd say I wasn't weak enough for you</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"> You'd want me just to feel as you do too.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I love this. Questions of identity. So Young Adult. My characters need to listen to this. Except they live in a post-apocalyptic world, so I'll listen for them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So buy his albums A Larum and Been Listening and there's a new one out this summer. Support Johnny, I'm sure he'll be real famous too soon (he's filming a movie with Anne Hathaway later this year).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I need to put this second clip up, although I haven't see the film, I love Johnny's cover of this song.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">And I get to see him live at Larmer Tree festival this year. I'll be the one right at the front singing all the words. Thank you Super H for taking me, your understanding goes beyond normal bounds of husbandness. You'll even catch me when I swoon. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span>Antonia Lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05692532964407062911noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4535267933341604291.post-71578148709270409612013-07-09T03:21:00.007-07:002013-07-09T03:21:53.559-07:00Writing around your job vs Writing as your job<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqkFNLJ24AnmLzjJyDGgwBmAl1Mgk29qiGqtvL33InvUgRhoJ3lfzVLORr2oMWM1T7lZT7BgMD9YKGuIwF9yTUdM0xLFtpp6kApfqpG1CWSUl-evQYI8teMzf5C9UG7tR93GuVeO3mHjs/s1600/20130709_100456.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqkFNLJ24AnmLzjJyDGgwBmAl1Mgk29qiGqtvL33InvUgRhoJ3lfzVLORr2oMWM1T7lZT7BgMD9YKGuIwF9yTUdM0xLFtpp6kApfqpG1CWSUl-evQYI8teMzf5C9UG7tR93GuVeO3mHjs/s320/20130709_100456.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This is how I began my day today. No hands (not really).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I am on holiday from work and am in a state of bliss. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Because I have TIME. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Sweet, elusive TIME.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I love teaching but I want to write as my career. I want it bad.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">This is why.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><u>Day in my life normally</u></span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Get up - run downstairs write notes on novel ideas I dreamt last night.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Provide breakfast (or sit daydreaming and trying to wake-up while Super Husband (SH) provides it, as it's still hellishly early and I was up hellishly late writing)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Get ready, get two small ones ready.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Survive school run gauntlet.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Drive to work - here all good ideas come. Characters actually speak to me, plot holes are mended, new ideas only arrive when I'm doing something else - ideally moving.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">E-mail myself in the car park with ideas from the drive.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Teach for the day. Full on. I love it but it is FULL ON.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Drive home. More ideas in notebook. Write them up whilst cooking (see blog post on Burnt Peas).</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Eat with family. Sometimes fully there - sometimes in a fictional world.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Communicate with loved ones then bath and Bed for small people. When I was first drafting, Super did this nearly every night so I could tap tappity tap My Precious.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Teaching work/House chores. As quickly as possible. Desperate to start tapping now.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">WRITE. 4/5 hours usually. No TV, ignore phone and friends in quest for my dream. Sometimes exercise on indoor bike so I can catch up with latest YA fiction and not become hugely fat.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Bed. Reading time. Then 6 hoursish sleep.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">REPEAT for 8 months. In school holidays write in mornings for 3 hours as well.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><u>Day in my life if I become professional (ie today as I am on holiday now)</u></span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Get up to school run the same except not as tired.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">An hour out on my bike (see photo). Exercise and ideas time all in one. Thought up this blog post today. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">WRITE 4/5 whole hours of uninterrupted writing time. By myself in the house. Take some breaks to play guitar, put washing on line. Get loads done as my mind is sparkling fresh.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">School run, take offspring to the beach and play with them thereby becoming Proper Mummy rather than strange hunched Gollum creature.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Cook edible un-burnt food.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Cuddle and speak to Super H and help with bath and bed. Mummy and Wife roles fully operational.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">WRITE. 2/3 hours is enough. Or see long-suffering friends. Or - shock horror - watch TV for an hour with a glass of wine.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">So.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">That is why I want to do this professionally. I love it. I'm obsessed. But I want to be a mum and wife and friend too. Not a Gollum hunkering over my precious - well OK, but only when I'm first drafting.</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl-IIgDGO3uTa5LlEl7P673Xg6NNEJFmr_vbLI0h0torcTqfcQpokddySVuuIYjRHKrDwS27VKKFt3Tk9gaYzVd1H_qvk95kk1uqxNCmpq05Tr8fFes-9bkMIhFH1-rubXcRTagDjHfvw/s1600/2013-07-08+15.51.40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl-IIgDGO3uTa5LlEl7P673Xg6NNEJFmr_vbLI0h0torcTqfcQpokddySVuuIYjRHKrDwS27VKKFt3Tk9gaYzVd1H_qvk95kk1uqxNCmpq05Tr8fFes-9bkMIhFH1-rubXcRTagDjHfvw/s320/2013-07-08+15.51.40.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Me at 3.20 today</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span>Antonia Lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05692532964407062911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4535267933341604291.post-60950783371713891372013-07-03T13:04:00.001-07:002013-07-03T13:04:34.786-07:00Mid-week Squeak I will wait, I will wait - For you<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I'm introducing a regular feature. My Mid-week Squeak. I'm going to blog on Wednesdays about something that inspires me in my writing. It's a squeak because it's a little bit uncool and fan-like. Be warned - you may find me slightly shrill. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This week it is The Marvellous Mumford and Sons and their song I Will Wait. So many songs move me but this raised goosebumps everywhere when I heard the live front-lounge Glastonbury version on Sunday. I know writers are probably supposed to be aloof and individual and like things other people don't, and sometimes I do, but I also like this. A lot. Along with most of the planet.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">How it inspires and influences my writing?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> </span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Let's make a list:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1. Simplicity.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> Most of the song is made up of the words 'I will wait, I will wait for you.' And everybody sings along in utter bliss. Including, or rather especially me - with eyes shut-tight and hands in the air. Unless I'm driving. Three one syllable simple little words, so powerful. Using that. Beauty in simplicity.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">2. Alliteration, Assonance.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> That line again - The W's the o's. It's got wings.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">3. Pace. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Marcus' rhythm guitar is frantic, I can't keep up when I play along. But then he stops completely on that magic 'I will wait' chorus. The slow times only seem slow if they come after the fast. I have taken note.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">4. Yearning. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I love yearning. I like my characters to experience love with a good dose of misery. Nothing better than star-crossed lovers and love unrequited. I like it when they have to wait. The main character in my novel will wait and wait and wait - for her. Sigh.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">5. Playability/ Singability.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I like to be able to perform it in my front room. Loudly. And with no regard for the neighbours or for the music police. The chords are simple and its easy to sing. It's a perfect way to take a break from my writing, and gets me n the right mood for some majorly passionate yearning (see point 4) from my characters.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">That's enough squeaking for today. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Just going to play it one more time before I get back to Chapter 43 on the 6th Edit.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Come on - share some songs that inspire you. You know you want to.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Antonia Lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05692532964407062911noreply@blogger.com4