EDITS AND JIGGLING THE SMY WAY & Following The Whispers by Karen Walker

My last few days have been ALRIGHT, (new here? see previous post).☺ I have been working with Nadine Laman on my manuscript. She has been a gem. Jan my writing mentor passed away as you know. She was an editor and it was her intention to work on Ripper, My Love. Sadly it was not meant to be and I have worked alone. Anyway an email or two bandied backwards and forwards between Nadine and myself and she asked if I would read a galley book for her. Obviously I agreed. Helping a friend and receiving a book, who wouldn't?

In the reply I mentioned a small issue with my manuscript and my rejections. She kindly offered to look at chapter one.
Her tips and advice have been valuable. I am now jiggling the manuscript around and it reads so much better. She has now got the first three chapters to play with.
Thank you Nadine.♥

I am still researching the USA Victorian era, so anyone with information, please send it my way. 1889 + 30 years.

While working on both books, plus Baby in a Basket planning for NaNoWriMo in November, what should happen? I got the urge to write a modern romance about a nurse.

Well where did that come from? The title Vanity Express came to mind. I HATE IT but cannot delete it, my fingers won't let me, so it is a working title. Until I find out why it is called Vanity Express it is temporary.

Has that happened to you? You have a title that you dislike and cannot relate it to your manuscript. Then as you are merrily writing away, the light of realisation/realization (impressed with how my American is coming along?), shines through the pages. Ah, that is why it is called...

I am reading Following The Whispers by Karen Walker and it is a very moving book. If you like memoirs I recommend you read her moving account of her life. Although I have not quite reached the end, I can tell you the roller coaster of emotions she has taken me on so far, is amazing. Her honesty and open account of her past is to be admired. An emotional read, but a fascinating one.

Aright?

Alright. Seven letters that can start a debate around the world within seconds. It is a taboo word in the written world, but not in mine. Although, if I want to be taken seriously by the powers that be, it will no longer appear in my manuscripts.

I use it all the time. Alright? OK? It will be alright. I never write, it will be all right.

All right and Alright are two different words. Disagree?

We are alright =We are OK.

We are all right = We are not wrong/We have all got the same answers. 

Alright is not accepted as standard English, it is (I feel anyway), modern English and has its place. Word recognises it, I have never had it spellcheck highlighted.

All Right Now...Alright Now are titles for songs but both mean OK Now. So few letters can cause such a headache for writers. To err on the side of caution, all right is more acceptable.

I still sit on the fence. I will leave you with a Smyle.

She felt alright = She felt well/ OK/good
They were all right = They had got all the answers right

They felt if she is OK and they were all right and right, it was alright.

Slush Pile Humour Made me Smyle

This made me laugh so much. The humour of slush pile submissions from this man really made my day. Another Smyle moment. Take a look at: Rejection Slip Blues

Writing Smyles

Why am I wearing a smile on my face?

A publisher has expressed interest in Ripper, My Love. They are a small press and this is outside of their usual publishing style. After reading through 8 pages as a favour to me, the owner emailed the words "would like to consider". I had most certainly not expected that reply. I cannot tell you what it has done to my confidence. I have told her I still want the challenge of chasing an agent and she is happy with that, she realises it is part of my plan. Time and patience-fortunately I have both. I will keep you updated.

I was sent an interesting link today. It is to an article 15 Famous Authors With Surprising College Majors. It got me thinking about my educational background and my writing career.
I have a nursing degree, I am a retired Weight Watchers leader, I owned 2 pharmacies, have certificates for allsorts there and was a leader for playgroup and pre-school toddler groups. I ran my own dance school and many more things over the years. During all of those events in my life I realise the writer in me was there; deep inside. I was the only one who loved to write up the minutes, to make fliers, to create articles with silly poems in them. Others would 'volunteer' me for anything connected with writing, should I not be at a meeting. They knew it wouldn't bother me at all.
My nursing notes were essays, and my essays gained me high marks.
However, I never considered myself a writer until I finished a small writing course, got paid for published articles in a nursing magazine and finished my novel. Yet the writer has always been there, she was hidden from me, but it appears not from others. DH bought me a new laptop (mwah), and while the chap was asking what specification I wanted and what was I going to use it for, DH said "She is a writer and needs writing software and reliabilty". I was astounded, it flowed from his mouth so naturally, he sounded so proud.
 A turning point for me. No degree, certificate or college education for creative writing got me here. Only a love of the art of words on paper (or screen). To be acknowledged as a writer, I do not have to be published, I just have to show the world I love writing.

Sweet Rejections

I have had five rejections now. I am still not crying in my coffee. All of the rejections have been personal to me. One as you know was a Ms Smy but very supportive. The rest have been Dear Glynis, keep trying.
This is my latest:

Dear Glynis,

Thank you for your query. Although it sounds like an interesting novel, I’m sorry to report it’s not quite right for my list. So I’ll have to pass. I certainly appreciate your thinking of me with your work, and I wish you the best in your search for suitable representation.

Now how lovely is that one? 

This letter made me look at my genre, and I am now thinking I have placed my novel into the wrong one. I had sub genred it into Historical Romance Thriller, but having looked at those who have rejected and said it is not right for their list, I think I have made a boo boo.

I now think my novel is more Historical Crime (With a Romantic twist for the women's fiction market).

Has this happened to you?  Have you ever had to change genre half way through the submission process?

I know why I have gone off on the wrong road, it was my POV's fault. She started off as the MC for a pleasant Historical Romance, but a few chapters in, she changed everything, and became part of a crime story.

See, it wasn't my error after all, it was Kitty Harper's!

Meet My Characters

Meet Fedelia Gertrude Emmett (Delia). OK, I know it is the actress Terry Pheto, but this is the image of a character in my second novel.
She will become a friend of Salli Joel my POV.

(note I added a second L in Salli. It came automatically as I typed, so is meant to be.

Jeptha Johnson (Jep) comes into Salli's life. He is an orphan. A determined young man.

 Salli gives birth and this is Will Joel in his teens.

He gives her a few problems (well he will when I have written him in). Can you see trouble in his eyes?

So there you have it, my characters are gradually coming to life in Ripped Genes.

Do you collect images to bring your characters to life. Does it help your writing process?

Stroke of Genius by Emily Bryan

It was hot around the pool yesterday and not just because the temperature was 42c/108f.
Stroke of Genius by Emily Bryan added to the heat.
I love the cover. Greek style images always capture my attention.















Grace Makepeace an heiress to a fortune leaves Boston with her parents. They go to London in order to find a suitable husband. As a statement to her ‘coming out’, her mother commissions Crispin Hawke, a mysterious and rakish sculptor who is classified in society as a genius. Hawke is to carve Grace’s hands from marble.

Hawke had a dream before he met Grace. She appeared naked in the dream; he captured her image in a portrait. A potential social downfall for Grace should it ever be released for public viewing.
Their story is sensual. A romance with secrets humour and intrigue.
I enjoyed the antics and personalities of both characters. A captivating easy read.

The Wild Marquis by Miranda Neville

Several months ago I posted that I had won this book. Now the summer months are here, I look for easy reading around the pool. The back of this male has been calling to me for sometime, it is a sexy cover. The cover would sell to me alone. I am not a big reader of sexy novels, but sexy looking covers look good on the bedside table.

Yesterday was the ideal day for me to take to the sunlounger and find out more about the owner of the back and his lifestyle.
I have a hunch that my male followers would pick it up for two differing yet prominent reasons to mine.



The first book in the Burgundy Club series featuring Regency rare book collectors

The story is about a young widow Julianna and The Marquis of Chase. She runs her husband's rare book shop. The Marquis has been thrown out of the family home and sleeps his way around the women of society. Both have a mystery in their lives. The couple are brought together because of her skills and knowledge at book auctions. Julianna's character is of an independant, clever woman, with a hint of sexy.
His character is strong throughout the book. He has a romantic side and gets what he wants.
 
This was a great easy read for a summer's afternoon by the pool.
To find out more about Miranda Neville visit her website.

Her new book is due out in September...another sexy back and front...
The Burgundy Club, Book Two
Meet Sebastian Iverley --a Regency nerd who's about to get an extreme makeover

Laptop Issues

I will be here on and off. I will try and get to your blogs, but sadly my laptop has monitor issues and I cannot see you all properly.
It will have to go to hospital soon and I will have to cope without it for a few days.
Be good while I am away.

New Writing Day and New Book Blogger

Thank you for your condolences. Today my writing life changes. The loss of Jan means several joint projects come to a close. One project I am going to continue in her memory is NEW BOOK BLOGGER. It is a blog we set up to help authors promote their new books.
I have played around with it today and changed a few things to make it easier for me to run. Feel free to contact me if you want to show off your book (new or old), the email address and instructions are in the sidebar on that blog not this one.

I will showcase two books a week or if there is only one sent through they will get the whole week to themselves, or share it with an archived one.

I will make a button for the blog at sometime for authors to pin to their blogs. This is a free promotion site, developed by two writing friends who want authors to be able to share their work around the blogging world.
All authors welcome.

My Friend Author Louie Jerome (Jan Harper) Dies

My dear friend and writing mentor Jan Harper (pen name Louie Jerome) has sadly passed away. She laid down her pen on Sunday 8th August 2010.
Her family have kept me informed and told me the sad news. They have given me permission to write and let the writing world know. She had cancer and a brain tumour, but wrote on regardless not knowing until recently that this disease was active. Her stubborn streak drove her forward, her love of writing never fading.

I met Jan on Triond writing site three years ago and a strong friendship formed. Both in our fifties and with adult children, we had several things in common. I was a shy poet, but she pushed me and encouraged me to write articles. She said she could see my future as a writer. (Jan was a psychic and had many true predictions). She told me I had the skill to write a book inside of me. She nagged me for months, until I sent her the first draft. That was it, she bullied me all the way. She loved to help aspiring authors and she supported so many behind the scenes.

We shared a quirky Brit style humour and became the twin-set  and pearls on the Internet. We fed each other snippets of information and contacted each other daily. We never met in the flesh, but it didn't matter, I have more of a bond with Jan than some of those who move around me every day.
I will never forget her, she is a huge part of my writing life. She will be missed.

Jan's writing style was fascinating. She could produce books, articles and ebooks upon any subject that caught her eye. She bounced off the walls of topics various. Her energy was endless. She taught English to foreign students and ran a couple of online magazines.

I have a lot to thank Jan for, but the most important thank you is for being my friend.
Happy Scribbling you crazy Brit. I love and miss you. X

This is her Grandson Adam's tribute Please leave him a condolence message if you knew his nan. He is so sad.

Focus and a Pressie from DH

My focus has been poor the last few days. I do not mean visual, I mean getting my butt into gear. I have been having laptop vs Vista issues and it came to a head the other evening. I slammed the lid of my beloved companion and walked away in tears. Went to bed and grouched my way to sleep.

 This is what happened in my house yesterday morning:

Are you feeling happier this morning dear? Coffee?

Thanks DH. Not really. Fed up.

Over the rejections?

No, they are the least of my problems.

Did you finish that question thingy you had to write for agents.

Uh?

You know, the letter.

Query letter, yeah got loads of them on file now. No it's getting organised, vista is playing me up.
I have yWriter on, but I get a glitch with that, vista and my word program.

I'll have a look for you if you want.

*snort* I taught you how to turn the main PC on, what do you know?

Well, fresh eyes, you know.
OK, I will go for a swim, you look BUT DO NOT TOUCH my files.
 ~~~
Enjoy your swim?
Lovely, you done my laptop yet?
Mm, sort of.
That sounds like the voice of confidence, what have you done.
Nothing, well sort of nothing.
O---Kayee sort of nothing, what sort of nothing haven't you done?
Switch it on and see.

Buzz, whirr.

What's MyNovel?

I bought it for you. It is like word and yWriter all in one and is vista friendly. I have been researching into stuff for a few days. If you don't want it, don't use it. It was cheap and I thought you might like it. There is club/forum thingy for you to join too. I thought with Jan...well you know. And that ningynano thing you are doing later...

Mwah! I love you DH.

~~~~

Now as you know I have sung the praises of yWriter for some time now. This is very much like it. MyNovel has a free trial, but I have the real thing. It is brilliant with ideas and inspiration button for when you get stuck. It composes synopisis and query letter ideas as you get further into the novel. My laptop is not jumping or losing work, so it is running well with vista. Anyway for the money, I am happy and focused again. This is not an advertisement just my opinion and I wouldn't have seen it if it hadn't been for DH. Bless him, red roses and champagne man he is not, but I can't write with them!

Frustrated and Hurting

It is so frustrating. I have a list of agents I want to approach, I researched them several months ago. As I browse around I am finding more and more fantastic agents out there in cyberworld. Some do not accept email queries, which is a shame, a) because of the trees and b) because of the cost for me to post from Cyprus.

Some want to be the only agent you submit to, which is frustrating to say the least, after you have submitted to four others.

Anyway, I came across an agent site and they have ticked my boxes. Remember my needs?

• Professional website, well maintained
• Smiley faced agents
• Good advice on how to submit

They mentioned what they wanted in the query letter. I looked at mine and thought - gosh Glynis you are boring. So I have jiggled it around and am happier with the result. Even when I thought I was done with the query, I have found it lacking. Never mind, it will get adapted along the way because each agent has different submission requests, so I have files with titles:

• Ten pages for submission
• Fifty pages "
• First three chapters
• Query with bio
• Query without bio
• Quirky Query
• Glynis Get it Right Query

I wonder how many different files I will have made over the next few months. Life would be so much easier if there was one process for agents, but it would not be so brain challenging for me.
 Do you use just one query letter or do you adapt?

~~~

I am feeling a little lost in the writing world at the moment. My mentor Louie Jerome's Grandson contacted me last night and told me she is not doing great and we are going to lose her any day. This is a huge shock to me. It was only three weeks ago she emailed me to say she was not feeling well and would not be writing for a week or two. Never did I consider she would never write again. She is the first writer I communicated with and we just clicked. Every day we *speak* and I miss that connection.
Louie's real name is Jan Harper and she is the reason I wrote my novel. Kitty Harper is my POV and as you can see I had permission to use her surname. The sad thing for me at the moment is that I know she would be chewing my ear off about submitting and having confidence in myself. I have got the confidence to carry on because of her. I have to reach my goal. Sadly, she doesn't know I have finished what she challenged me to write nearly two years ago.
If you are kicking an ms around and playing on Twitter, Facebook etc, and think time is on your side, think again. Get writing and fulfill your dream!

Rejection Two. Now That's Friendly!

Rejection two dropped in the box today. It was a lovely personal note.

Dear Glynis,  

Thank you for your recent letter and the material which we have now looked at.  As a small agency we take on very few of the many writers who approach us each year and, having considered your work, we do not feel we can effectively represent you.

We trust you will understand that the sheer volume of submissions to this office unfortunately prevents us from providing you with a more detailed and personal response.

May we take this opportunity to wish you success with another agent or publisher.

With all best wishes,

I felt the agent had taken time over me. 

Another 26 and I will have caught up with JK Rowling!

The interesting thing is that both rejections were from the UK.
Moving on:

Am I strange? No! Please DO NOT  answer that question.

What I mean is, am I unusual to not be bothered if my book is a hard back copy?


I have never envisaged my book in any other form than a paperback. Some of my friends ache to hold a hard covered copy of their work, but I love the feel of a soft, pliable novel.


What is your preference? How do/did you see your first novel on the shelf?

 

First Rejection and Ms, Miss, Mrs

Today I received my first rejection. I am not surprised nor am I crying in my frappe.
The feeling is quite good. Crazy? Me?

It feels good to think I have started the official role as a writer. An agent has read my small submission piece, I sat on a slush pile for a brief few moments and this is what they had to say:

Dear Ms Smy,

Thank you for sending us this material.

But I am sorry to say that your novel is not something we would feel 100% confident of being able to handle successfully.

However, there are as many opinions as there are agents and publishers, so we wish you all success in finding suitable representation elsewhere.

With best wishes,
Ms----

Now there is something about the rejection that niggled me a little. Not the no thank you we had a good laugh but, side of it. The Ms title address is my issue.

Dear Miss and Mrs just sit better with me. Anyway,  if you do not have your status on your website, I would use Dear Ms. as I did with this particular agent.

What bugs me to be given a reply with Dear Ms Smy when my query has this at the bottom;
Glynis Smy (Mrs).

Am I old fashioned? Probably. However, if it states my title I feel it should be used. Whinge over.