JaneShuff

I believe Hemingway also gave that tip about stopping in the middle of a scene, Raine, so you’re in good company there.

Though as it happens I am at this moment taking a break (all right, procrastinating) from struggling to get back into the middle of a scene…

Good idea, Mad.
Umm. One I heard that I think made sense in terms of the editing process was ‘Write the first draft for yourself, edit for your readers.’

Also, Find the theme of your story. Themes tie characters, plots and subplots together.

Also (Although I am rubbish at doing this), when finishing for the day, stop in the middle of a scene,…[Read more]

This is brilliant, John. So much the opposite of where I expected it to go at the opening! I love her poise with the police – it adds such an element of shiver-factor.

I agree with others that a light dusting of other sensory details would help make the thing more potent, but I like the easy, matter of fact voice so don’t lose that.

One thing…[Read more]

THis is great Squidge, love the immediate dive into her PoV, her frustrations and doubts. My only two thoughts are …
– some of the descriptive paragraph (Tilda gritted her teeth…) might be worth trimming. It’s a chunk of … background I guess, that perhaps needs only a hint here, with more details as you go on?
– and, I think someone else…[Read more]

Thanks, Gipps – and you should see my scrap bag! I’m sure there’s at least another quilt in there trying to get out, plus a couple of sets of squares that I need to do something with…

Next quilting project is one for my son – I’m aiming to get it done by the time he goes to uni. Which gives me a year…eeek!!

Excellent. Will use these. If you have a twitter handle, I’ll credit ye – otherwise anonymity will have to suffice.

The easiest way to protect your writing from unwanted attention is to set up a private group. Explain what it’s about in the description and then people can ask to join or you can invite them.

That’s one reason why the writing challenge group A Room with a View will be changed to a private group as soon as writing begins.

If you are really…[Read more]

Choose ring bound notebooks to scribble ideas in; you’ll never lose your pen if you keep one clipped down the inside of the rings…

Jane – yes, this is the start of number 2…

Will have a think about the success bit… If two peeps think it, you might well have a point. 😉

Wow, that’s a heck of a story Elle. Absolutely stunning from first line to last

Yep, that was the thinking. The rest of it is quite close 3rd person, so it’s sort of cheating to know that she’s going to succeed this time. But, that presupposes something (on my part) about the rest of the book and the audience, I think.