Writing:
I succeeded in increasing the word count on my new YA story – Bubble the Gruggle to 17,715. It is a fun story set on another planet. The message within the tale is to care for your environment no matter which planet you live on.
I’m impatiently waiting on the go-ahead from my publisher to begin my cover reveal and teasers for The Twesome Loop. The official launch is set for 30th September at Words in the Park. Although I have two tables for this event I’m having to plan how to set them up to showcase the new novel but also give my other books, fair representation as well. This newest novel is number five in my published works!
Rumble’s First Scare, The Rython Kingdom, Ockleberries to the Rescue, Clickety Click.
It is amazing that I have this number of books when I only began writing when I immigrated to Canada and joined my writing group in 2009. (8 years 14 weeks to be precise). I am making up for lost time.
I have been asked where I get my titles and character names. Well mostly it is a word that pops into my head or a combination of a title/word/name I have heard or seen. Some, like Rumble, just seemed right for the character and the mischief he performed and for my magical woodland sprites, Crispin and Tansy were reflections of their personalities. (Ockleberries to the Rescue). Clickety Click was easy as it is the sound Alice hears in the story. Rython was a made up word for the griffon within the tale Guillem relays to the King’s court. As for the ‘Twesome Loop’ I wanted something mystical/intriguing as the loop is the means by which a link is made.
I try not to have a ‘common’ novel title to avoid confusion for my readers when buying my books. The internet gives us an easy way to check we are not duplicating a title.
How long have you been writing?
When was your first book published?
How many books do you have published to date?
How do you choose your titles and character names?
Books: Beautifully engaging characters and a mystery that propels me to continue reading.
Next on my TBR pile are:
A Desperate Fortune by Susanne Kearsely and 11/22/63 by Stephen King
What are you reading at the moment?
How many books are on your TBR pile?
Writing Tips:
Don’t judge the first draft.
No matter what you’re writing, the first draft should be about getting the ideas on the page—never let your inner editor hold you down at this stage. That’s what revisions are for.
How do you approach your first draft?
Mandy Eve-Barnett's Blog for Readers & Writers 