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Philippa East posted an update 7 years, 9 months ago
Have fixed that stupid chapter. Didn’t have to delete the whole thing after just had to write a new opening and make the rest a resolution rather than an inciting incident. Yeah, don’t worry, it’s making sense in my head. I hope.
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Philippa East replied to the topic Violence in the forum The Writers' Lifeboat 7 years, 9 months ago
I do love a good pow.
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Philippa East replied to the topic Example Cover Letter in the forum Blogs 7 years, 9 months ago
Hi @Alanr
Sounds like a plan. My understanding of the “read our books before you submit” guideline is to help prospective authors determine whether their own MS would be a good fit. I’m sure you’ll quickly work this out by consuming a few of their titles to see if your own seems similar in style and flavour. Good luck! -
Athelstone replied to the topic Monthly comp – October 2018 in the forum Monthly Competition 7 years, 9 months ago
Never Judge a Book
No, sir, we don’t hold property any more. Not since 1 October. Yes, you did just miss out. Yes, if it was a gold bar we probably would look after it and if you ever find one of those on a park bench then don’t hesitate to come straight here. But this is a book. Well, look after it but leave us the details and we’ll conta…[Read more]
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John S Alty posted an update 7 years, 9 months ago
Back from a few days in Mallorca, wonderful, now ready to get down to this month’s competition. Something about a bloke in a greatcoat playing a banjo, lamenting the loss of his spell book, if I remember right.
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GippsGirl replied to the topic Monthly comp – October 2018 in the forum Monthly Competition 7 years, 9 months ago
That’s a cracking idea, Sea!
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Philippa East replied to the topic Violence in the forum The Writers' Lifeboat 7 years, 9 months ago
Pow, @kazg, you got it!
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Philippa East replied to the topic Example Cover Letter in the forum Blogs 7 years, 9 months ago
Not yet… although I think I started Francis Plug: How to Be a Public Author.
I like the sound of them as a publisher, if you’re going for the literary / experimental end of the spectrum.
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Daedalus replied to the topic Violence in the forum The Writers' Lifeboat 7 years, 9 months ago
Aargh, spoiler!
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Amanda Berriman (Skylark) posted an update 7 years, 9 months ago
Bit quiet because I’m 55 days into a writing chain. Wouldn’t exactly say it’s going well, but it’s going, a few hundred words at a time. Some of them not too shabby.
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Amanda Berriman (Skylark) replied to the topic Festival Dreams in the forum Blogs 7 years, 9 months ago
It was so lovely to catch up with you @giselle 😊😊 Thank you for cheering me on. Hope the edits are going well xx
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Philippa East posted an update 7 years, 9 months ago
Spent most of Wednesday rewriting a chapter. Realised today that basically I need to delete the whole thing. If you’re looking for me, I’ll be in the corner, donking my head on the wall.
Blimmin’ editing. -
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Philippa East replied to the topic Violence in the forum The Writers' Lifeboat 7 years, 9 months ago
Well, clarifying the problem is always a good start! Yes, I can see better now what’s making it tricky. I guess the same principles still apply: focus on your onlooker’s reactions to what they are witnessing, rather that (just) the action itself. Maybe think about the onlooker experiencing the violence as a series of sounds, movements, colours,…[Read more]
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Sandra replied to the topic Help with setting in the forum The Writers' Lifeboat 7 years, 9 months ago
Two bits of advice ‘freed’ me up wrt location, because I usually start with somewhere I know then make adjustments as necessary. Reading a disclaimer along the lines of “geographical liberties have been taken” I much appreciated.
Also, Eimear McBride said when she wrote of Camden, she did it from a 5 year old memory of the place and never…[Read more] -
Philippa East replied to the topic Example Cover Letter in the forum Blogs 7 years, 9 months ago
BTW I think your book DOES sound very original! Setting, the manananggal etc…. My point was that it is best to ‘show’ this through your blurb and chapters, rather state this claim directly.
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Philippa East replied to the topic Example Cover Letter in the forum Blogs 7 years, 9 months ago
Hi Alan,
I really enjoyed “Ice” although it is a very strange book. Worth reading to the end though, if you can.
Yes, my understanding is that Anna Kavan struggled with various problems, including depression and addictions.
It’s probably a bit of an old and obscure novel to use as a comp title, but hope it will lead to other relevant books
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Philippa East started the topic Sophie Draper's "Cuckoo" book launch in the forum Podium 7 years, 9 months ago
Hi guys,
I’m just wondering if any of you are planning to go to Sophie Draper’s book launch in November. I really liked the sound of the book when I heard an extract at York, and I’ve been following Sophie’s progress since then. If any of you are thinking of going, let me know as it will be lovely to meet up around the…[Read more]
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Philippa East replied to the topic Violence in the forum The Writers' Lifeboat 7 years, 9 months ago
It sounds like a really difficult issue, Janeshuff. However well done on you for listening to your reader feedback.
I think as others have suggested, a close psychic distance is your answer. The character’s subjective thoughts, feelings, and reactions can never be gratuitous. These will also advance your plot, by contributing to your character’s…[Read more]
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That”s great. Like the wonderful moment when you realise there’s nothing wrong with Chapter Eight. Except that it should be Chapter Twenty-One.