Keeping the fire burning
I have just finished a second short story, the equivalent of a chapter. A tale during the Great War of two men returning on leave, running from their fears. It's integral to a book idea of the saga involving the son of my current character.
This is a problem, I have a few ideas knocking about, the actual tale of the family could stretch to 10 novels given the timelines and within them are some events that I have already dreamed and get in the way of my current project. To ensure they are committed to paper and to give me a break from Cardiganshire lead mines, I am writing them periodically to have a break. Besides, they increase the portfolio.
I still wait with bated breath for the response from my latest missive to a publisher. It's been 3 months and whilst the world may be on hold for the result of the Da Vinci trial I harbour more darker thoughts of the reasons. I need to prepare for my next assault on the publishing world over Easter. And people tell me cheerfully that JK Rowling was rejected 35 times...
One last thought, I recommend you check
http://2012olympiccompetitor.co.uk/ A man who wishes to compete for anyone in anything for any country in the London Olympics and raise a shedload of money for charity. Why not?
Research takes you down lanes you never knew existed
Funny, you have a frame for a book and some scenes build in your mind. Some of which are burning, they feel so real, you can feel the emotion. you feel as if you are there. Then for historical accuracy, you need to research to set your story in the right place and the right context with events of the time.
I remember watching a doc. on the freak tidal wave that swept up the Bristol Channel in the 17th C. Long before the name tsunami had been added to the English language. It would be a bit remiss to base a story then and not mention it!
research takes you to strange locations and obscure books that no longer exist or are going for a song on ebay, failing that and the lack of access to National libraries, sometimes you have to bite the bullet and buy the books. i do where possible anyway, otherwise it would be hypocritical. It does lead to funny requests and people look at you as if you have lost it.
So what do I want for my birthday? A book on the Rotherwas Munitions Factory please!
A writing success...
Well, not a publishing one. Don't panic just yet. Sit down, let me tell you a tale...
It is that time of the scholastic career for Evelin when she has to move up to Secondary education. In our part of the world, we have to apply for the school. Our choice due to our geographical location is dominated by a school with a bad reputation and below average results. We could apply for the School for Girls, which had the opposite on both plus strong education application is based on parents having to submit a 3 point essay based on the moral, religious and philosophical reasons to attend the single-sex school.
I applied and was honest, I think Evelin needs to be taught away from the peer pressure of this sexist world and given a chance to catch up, as her first year of school was year 2 and that was spent learning English. Still thinks she thinks in phonetic Estonian alphabet, which is why her spelling is not kwite their...
Anyway, I went away and forgot about it and as is the way sometimes, it suddenly transpired she had been granted a place. She is over the moon, as she feels it reflects her work and ability to learn. I am over the moon as it is the first time I have won anything with my writing. I think we are both right, as the school seems to check both the child's behaviour potential and history and the essay appears to test the parents attitude to gaining a place.
Onwards and upwards. Well done, Evelin!
