Writing:
My week and weekend were a mixed bag of chores, bed assembly, time with my daughter and working on the freelance project of ghost writing a business ebook but I have not really touched my newest YA story, apart from a couple of short paragraphs. It will come but a paying gig has to a priority – right? Although at over 24K words I am tantalizing close to completing the YA novella, so it might be a ‘sit down & write’ weekend.
Last night’s writing meeting was lively and we welcomed three new faces as well. It is always a delight to have new people find our group. Prior to the meeting I used two hours to create the beginnings of a chapter for the ebook – so time well spent.
What are you working on at the moment?
Books:
I’ve nearly finished this swashbuckling adventure and am thoroughly enjoying it. The chapter I read last night was intense!
I am unsure which book to read nest as 11/22/63 by Stephen King is a mammoth novel and I think it would be a great read over Christmas. So that leaves me with a choice of these two. I found the first edition, Mind of the Phoenix, fascinating and became seriously involved in the characters. As Jamie is a local author I want to support her obviously.
Pawn of the Phoenix (The Memory Collector #2)
Rise of the Phoenix (The Memory Collector #3)
I am also hoping to attend an event on Sunday at Audrey’s where another local author, Laurel Deedrick-Mayne has a book signing for A Wake for the Dreamland. So another possibility for my TBR pile.
What’s on your TBR pile at the moment?
Writing Tips:
“Introduce your main characters and themes in the first third of your novel. If you are writing a plot-driven genre novel make sure all your major themes/plot elements are introduced in the first third, which you can call the introduction. Develop your themes and characters in your second third, the development. Resolve your themes, mysteries and so on in the final third, the resolution.” — Michael Moorcock
Great sentences:
- read smoothly,
- aren’t bloated with excess words,
- are sharp about the words they do use, and
- are smart about the context in which they exist.
Care to share a favorite writing tip?
Mandy Eve-Barnett's Blog for Readers & Writers 