At this time, in early January, I’m looking forward to what the new year might bring. However, it’s always good to look back at the year just gone and see what nuggets of wisdom it left behind. So here goes:
- It is possible to have a writing blip. It’s not that I’ve fallen out with writing it’s just that other things have been going on and the thing that’s suffered most is my blog.
- How much stuff two people can stash in one kitchen.
- Those tins at the back of the cupboard are likely to many years out of sell-by. Our record was 2005
- You never stop learning as a writer. I’ve been back over my first book. Tempted to do the same for the rest.
- I can enjoy relaxing on the beach (as long as the sea’s warm, there’s a sun lounger and a taverna which brings you coffee).
- Get those stories out! They’re no good sitting on my/your hard drive. For me I’ve got two follow-ups to the first book I published which have been sitting there for a years. A 2019 resolution?
- I still don’t like playing golf in the rain and mud. When you see it on TV they’re always playing in warm sunshine.
- Sometimes you can’t have too much of a good thing. In the UK we had a glorious summer, fingers crossed for 2019.
- Most of the time you can take out the word “that” in your writing – try it.
- Beware the passive voice.
First to regular readers of my blog, apologies. I know I haven’t written a post for some months now. Nothing dreadful has happened, it’s just for various reasons it’s been, and still is, a busy time (OK not all of it). I haven’t stopped writing, sometimes I think it’s the only sane place to escape to. In fact I have two more Kirby books waiting for proof reading completion (bit of a snag there as well) and a fourth one started, more of that later. I’m also trying to edit two follow-ups to the first book I wrote that have been sitting on my hard drive for a few years (I know, I know….). So you see lot’s going on.
The other reason I haven’t posted for sometime is that, to be honest, I haven’t come up with anything I thought worthy of posting. I’ve had a bit of a drought, post wise. Then, the other day I read an article extolling the virtues of planning your novel, to the extent that it implied to write a good book it was essential. I’ve written before on the pitfalls of some writing advice and I’ve always maintained take it on board, be self-critical, but in the end do what works for you.
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I’ve read science fiction from an early age and always been enthralled by its possibilities. Even if man can't visit the stars in person just yet (someday I’m sure we will) we can go there in our imaginations. Eventually science will follow and get us there. However, at university I also read, as did most students of my age, the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings which led me on to more fantasy including one of my all time favourites, The Magician by Raymond Feist. And then of course every other book in that long series. For me one of the main appeals of those books has to be the use of magic.
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I’ve been writing now for about nine years. I must enjoy it because, if I considered it work making the minimum wage is still an aspiration. But it’s not about the money is it? Not that I’m saying making a bit wouldn’t be nice and there’s always hope. When I began writing I paid for some editorial advice. For the first book it was great, pointing out some of the traps I guess many new writers fall into. It also educated me in the basics around construction, writing dialogue and more. For the second book it was less helpful, however what it did teach was to value my own opinion.
Over the years I’ve taken a couple of on-line courses, read books and blogs on writing, all the time trying to improve my craft and make myself a better writer. However, what does that mean? Recently, I’ve been revising several new books, going back over my work numerous times. It has even had me looking back at my published books with an effort to improve the writing.
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I’ve been doing a lot of revision recently. On top of finalising the second and third books for Inspector Kirby I am also revisiting my first book, for which I’ve had books two and three sitting on my hard drive for a few years now. I’m not saying I’m an expert, however, I have got into a sort of rhythm with it. I write the story quickly. I rarely go back and tinker until the whole thing is finished (unless I have a eureka moment). The first few revisions are easy and I find it fun. I’m assessing the plot, adding interest, finding better way to describe, correcting clunky prose etc. At some (undefined) point I draw the line on this and go into to polishing mode. I’ve done that for Kirby and that’s what I’m doing now to that other series, including the one I’ve published (after all it was my first book). I don’t know if doing so much revision has sensitised me however I find myself, in that last run through, obsessively looking for certain things.
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I write this now because I’m struggling. I’ve finished revising books two and three of my Inspector Kirby series and I’m searching for ideas for book four. I’ve got two other books to revise, however, I feel I need the inspiration of attacking something new.
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Like most indie-authors I’m looking for the “secret of sales". How do I get the word out, how do I attract those followers I need. And yes I know it’s not all about selling, at least not for me. I enjoy the writing and I get a real kick out of people who tell me they’ve read my books and enjoyed them. In many ways I just want more people to enjoy them and if I can make a little on the positive side of expenses:sales balance sheet that would be great.
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At this time, in early January, I’m looking forward to what the new year might bring. However, it’s always good to look back at the year just gone and see what nuggets of wisdom it left behind. So here goes:
