Moving on up!

I usually have a good spring clean every new year when I plan all my writing activity but the recent weather conditions, including today has meant that I couldn't get to work for the third time this month.

I wanted to use the time in a positive way so took the drastic action of clearing out the attic to make a new writing den. I previously used a cramped corner of my bedroom and over time I have stuffed writing tasks into places and forgotten them, only to find them months later resulting in missing deadlines for article submissions or competitions.

The attic was converted some time ago, it's a lovely space but over the years like most people, I have used it to store rubbish, spare clothes and Christmas decorations. It felt great to clear out so much stuff and move the things I use all the time in. All my writing help books are now close to me instead of being hidden in various parts of the house. I had forgotten how many useful reference books I had collected over the years and now I have them at arms reach, I can re-visit all the helpful advice immediately.

With a clear tidy desk, organised shelves and printer ready to fire up, I feel that my 'New Year' positive attitude has come early - a bit like an early Christmas present that I found while rummaging around in my attic!

There is something quite magical about climbing the staircase into my new writing den and I am determined to keep all the positive writing vibes stored up there along with all my books!

I am looking forward to 2011 but I am still going to make the last few days of 2010 count!

A Write Christmas!

The above two pictures may look like the typical antics of any Christmas party but this was NOT any party - it was the Wrekin Writers Christmas party!

Angeline and Sue are certainly getting into the mood while they attempt their gurning impression!





I had great pleasure in attending The Buckatree Hall hotel last weekend for our Writers Christmas dinner.

As well as the lovely company, it's a wonderful time to reflect over dinner what we have achieved and what we want to do next year. I felt so positive by talking with everyone about what our writing goals were for 2011

In the photo above (I'm the one with the antlers) I am with Julie Phillips who is a very talented writer and will be our new vice chair next year.

Below is Sue Horder-Mason - Chairperson giving an end of year speech. Sue has decided to step down next year and we all want to thank her for her wonderful contribution as Chairperson, she has done a brilliant job in her role. She has motivated us, inspired us, made us laugh and kept us all in order during our monthly meetings which can get a bit chaotic at times.




The group - after we had scoffed a three course lunch.




Simon Whaley was discussing the length of his novel here with Mike White - Well I guess that was what they were talking about!


I left feeling so happy after spending time with like-minded people. I love being part of this group and feel positive and determined to keep on writing through 2011.

Getting into the Medieval Spirit

I went to the Ludlow Medieval Fayre last weekend and really got into the medieval spirit in more ways than one.



I had an article published last year about the fayre and was surprised to see someone else had done similar this year which is great really as I guess magazine editors usually want to cover annual events like this so it's worth trying again, even if you have seen it done before.






The beautiful birds of prey are always there and you can have a hold for a few pounds




And the whole place takes on a really medieval Christmas atmosphere






Finally, I felt a little scared when I first saw this picture. No idea what that could be on my shoulder. The castle is said to have several ghostly visitors as well as the usual tourists. Perhaps this spirit was awakened by all the authentic sights and sounds of a Medieval castle.

Whatever it is I hope it stayed there. A parrot on the shoulder is one thing but I don't fancy carrying around a spirit!

Commercial Fiction

We had a guest speaker at our Writers Group this week. Alan Mahar - Publishing Director of Tindal Street Press gave a fascinating talk from a publishers point of view, covering how they got started as a company and hints and tips on what they are looking for.

I found his question and answer section very useful. He even covered one of my burning questions - What is commercial fiction?

My novel is constantly getting rejected for not being commercial enough. From all of my rejections I have received great feedback about it being well written, my writing style and that they have enjoyed what they have read but I have obviously chosen a subject that won't sell - or will it?

Tindal Street Press concentrate on writers from the West Midlands, with strong themes set around that particular area. They have enjoyed great success to date with many writers winning major awards or being short listed for them such as the Booker, Costa First Book Award and Orange Prize.

Alan made a great point about how an editor and the rest of the team all have to be passionate with the whole thing, not just like a story, but believe that everyone else will too. He also said that it is difficult if you are trying to break into the top London publishers, especially if your novel is set in a regional area as mine is.

At first I felt a little dis-heartened as I can't change my story or the genre to make it any more 'Commercial'. I truly believe that my characters are fixed and so is the setting, I don't think it would work if it was set anywhere else, even though as he said it, I started to day dream about my novel being set in London or Glasgow but talked myself out of exploring that idea any further.

However, what I can do is to keep on sending it out until I find a publisher who does believe in it. Every one of those editors out there have different feelings and views, I guess I just have to keep searching for one that feels the same as I do.

The Crogen Coach House Writing Project (aka Wrekin Writers Retreat)

Our yearly Wrekin Writers retreat was at the Crogen estate near Llangollen this year.

I was the last to arrive and have to apologise for surging into the house like the mad river Dee above, but I was so excited, I could hardly control myself.

I found other members of the group writing amongst the most wonderful surroundings of this lovely house.



Above Beverley Cherry



Above Julie Phillips



Above Crogen Coach House - our weekend retreat

I had to try and calm down and leave everyone in peace, so left the house for a walk. I was amazed at the beautiful surroundings that would inspire any writer.

It was a magical time, we had so much fun and got so much out of the house which had a grand piano and games room.



Simon Whaley doing a bit of Jazz!



Play it again Bryan, Sue begged him!



Me in my favourite spot!



I discovered this cottage in the daytime, but got some willing members of the group to go and visit at night for our own little 'Blair Witch Project' I found it quite scary to start with as I entered the derelict building and climbed the old ladder in darkeness.



Our gathering - a beautiful lasagna cooked by Darren



The final thing most people want to do is leave a note in the visitors book. After our terrifying walk to the haunted cottage - Bryan came up with this message

Twelve were expected (one member had to drop out at the last moment)

Eleven arrived

None of us would leave.

Although we were trying to be spooky, this little message meant so much more than a creepy scribbling!

We all got so much done on our writing projects that weekend. I arrived with a few notes written by hand and now have the main base for my next non-fiction book.

The whole house was crammed full of creative minds and inspiration for an entire weekend. I think our positive and creative spirits will stay in that house for ever.

Grasp some good luck

This time of year, in particular Samhain or Halloween can be such a magical time of year.

Whether it's children having fun with carving pumpkins, bobbing for apples or telling ghost stories around a fire, it's all part of celebrating the new cycle.

The end of summer for some people may feel horrible, but there are so many wonderful things that we can still enjoy if we embrace this new cycle of long dark nights and short days if we do not let the weather spoil our plans.

We can't do anything about the weather, so I try to think of positive ways to fight back if it becomes extreme, as it did last year in my case with the amount of snow we had where I live.

I shall spend more time writing because if it's dark and cold outside I feel more inclined to stay inside and be creative. I love sitting at my desk with a howling storm outside. I feel that I spend most of the year building up to this point of the year when I can be at my most productive.

In spring I started to sow some seeds, little ideas of what I wanted to write about. During the summer months I sat in the sun with my note pad, cultivating my ideas and helping them to grow.

In September I started to harvest those ideas. I moved them from a notepad onto my computer, keeping them safe for the long dark months ahead.

Now I will start to use my crop. A crop which will last me the whole winter. I hope to be sending a lot of submissions to various publishers in 2011, but I need this time to prepare for it it.

It was thought in ancient times that bobbing for apples would help a person to grasp good fortune - a bit of luck with one bite!

Here goes, my apples are waiting for me!

W H Smiths Author's Events

I got my first book sale in Wellington W H Smiths last week.

Catherine Cooper, Shropshire author of the Golden Acorn and Brit Writers award winner had arranged for many of the Shropshire writers to attend book selling events at the store throughout October. I have attended a few similar events like this in the past but this was the first time I got some sales. Perhaps it was the excellent position that we had been given which was near to the entrance of the store or maybe because we were right next to the chocolate stand, whatever the reason, it worked.

I was very pleased to be sitting next to my Mother who was selling her books and also in the company of Simon Whaley who has had nine of his books published.

As you see Simon pictured below did not really have a big enough table to display all of his publications, he is already working towards his tenth book, so will probably need an entire isle in the future!



It's always a wonderful and fun experience to attend these events, even though I never expect to sell many of my books, it's a great atmosphere and to actually see the people face to face who are interested in your work is such a lovely feeling.

Selling books on-line or any other way is not as special as talking to someone who is actually interested and prepared to hand over money for your work so hope to attend many further events like this.