Tuesday 12 July 2016

So That's What You've Been Doing!


'How's the writing going?'

'Finished the novel yet?'

'When can I read it?'

'Still writing the short stories?'

'What? You didn't go to the RNA Conference!'

I notice you didn't write a blog post on Sunday - not giving up are you?

These are just some of the things that have been said to me in the last couple of weeks. Some by writers and some by non-writers. So I thought I'd make this blog post a bit of a catch up.

How's the writing going?

Actually it's going very well. As many of you know, every month I get together with writer friend, (and hard task master) Tracy Fells, for teacakes and goal setting. Last month's goal was to write a chapter by chapter summary of my novel, write and sub two short stories and (as a bonus) make a start on the new draft of my novel for my agent, Eve White. I'm happy to say I worked very hard, completing the first two goals and also finishing the novel edits ready for their final read through. 

Finished the novel yet?

Getting a novel fit for publication is a slow old progress. Agents don't want to send anything out until they're 100% happy with it. If it gives the novel a better chance, then I don't care how many drafts I have to do (within reason!). I'm keeping my fingers crossed that with this draft I shall be a little closer to my goal.

When can I read it?

It won't be for a long while yet!

Still writing the short stories?

Yes! I still write two stories a month (mainly for The People's Friend) and am still getting regular sales. I even sold two to Take a Break Fiction Feast that I'd forgotten I'd sent (one of which was my first ever sci-fi). For anyone who's interested in reading my stories, I have a story in the latest Fiction Feast, two stories in the new People's Friend Special (out Wednesday) and one in the latest People's Friend weekly (also out on Wednesday).

What? You didn't go to the RNA Conference!

Not this year, no. It was in Lancaster and, as I'm not a great traveller, I felt it was a bit far. Also, I wanted to devote every bit of time to my writing. It's at an important stage and I didn't want any distractions. I had a great time last year though. It's hard to believe that when I went I had only written a quarter of my novel and having an agent was still just a dream. As well as having great talks and workshops, the conference gave me faith in my work in progress - as my opening chapter was favourably received by two editors from publishing houses. It made me want to rush home and finish it. If you are a new writer, I would definitely recommend going - if only for the one-to-ones.

I notice you didn't write a blog post on Sunday - not giving up are you?

Nooo! But I might be cutting down just a teensy bit. At the moment, my novel has to take priority over everything else but I will still be blogging and have some great guest blogs lined up for you. In fact, next week, I am delighted to welcome back the fabulous Becca Puglisi from the website Writers Helping Writers. What writer hasn't heard of The Emotion Thesaurus? I'm very lucky as Becca is a very busy lady, but she's taken time out to answer questions about her, and her co-writer Angela Ackerman's, new 'Setting' thesauruses. Don't miss it!

So, for those who asked, my writing is going very well. I have new goals for this month and I've already made a good start so hopefully I'll have positive things to report to Tracy in August.







20 comments:

  1. Glad to see you're getting down to your novel redraft, Wendy - as you say, that's definitely a priority! Missed you at the conference this year.

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    1. Meeting you was one of the highlights, Rosemary.

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    2. It was one of my highlights as well. I'm hoping to repeat the experience next year.

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  2. So much has happened since the RNA conference last year for you. Finishing the novel and getting an agent. Think you might be excused from not going this year! Yes, I shall be waiting on a full progress update in August. Want to know when I can read latest version ...

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  3. Glad your edits are going well, Wendy. I got mine back from the editor last Friday - oh boy! I'm exhausted just from reading the editorial report :) But excited to get going on it. Wishing you a lovely week of writing and I'm glad to hear you are well and happy. Take care.

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    1. The fact that you are exhausted reading your report shows they've done a thorough job of it, Nicola. Good luck with it.

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  4. As writers we have to prioritise and sometimes something has to give. I've always enjoyed writing my blog but it's an activity that has become somewhat sporadic of late due to other commitments. I always enjoy reading yours so I shall continue to follow even if it appears less frequently.
    Missed you at Conference. Hope you can make it next time.

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    1. I'd be at them all if I didn't have to get to them, Natalie. I enjoyed your blog about your amazing husband this week.

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  5. It's lovely to know your edits are going well, Wendy. I agree that it doesn't matter how often you go back to them because each revisit makes a difference and they have to take priority over everything else. I love writing blog posts, but they take me ages and the edits always win if I have to decide between the two.
    Looking forward to more news of your novel and to your future posts - it doesn't matter at all if they become less frequent because they are always such a pleasure to read. xx

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    1. Thank you, Joanna. I'm hoping all the revisions are getting the novel closer :)

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  6. Wendy, I had to smile. Isn't it amazing, the things people say to us writers? It's as though, sometimes, all social no-nos go out of the window! A friend emailed me this week to say how much she'd enjoyed my serial in the People's Friend. She hadn't read the magazine since the days when she used to read it to her mum. She'd forgotten how much she liked it's 'olde worldy style'. hmm... thanks. I think!

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  7. sorry, of course I mean 'its olde worldy style' - no apostrophe! (I've had a glass of wine... and it's late.!)

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  8. I missed the conference this year as well. I was performing in two concerts that weekend and Lancaster is a very long way away.

    I'm glad you're not giving up and that the novel is going well.

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  9. Wendy, what a lovely post. I'm sure it has raised a smile in writers everywhere. Good luck with the editing/polishing - I hope you are enjoying the process. As for RNA - maybe next year..?

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  10. Oh Wendy, so much of this rang true for me too! (Apart from all the wonderful short story writing success you enjoy. : ) ) Unless you're crazy enough to embark on novel writing, I think it's hard to imagine the effort and dedication required - I was blissfully naive when I first told everyone I was writing a novel! Sending lots of positive vibes and good luck with your next draft. You're almost there!

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