@janette
Active 4 weeks, 1 day ago-
Janette started the topic Is a social media Christmas appeal worthwhile? in the forum Blogs 1 year, 7 months ago
Recently, @Philippa East posted a copy of her letter to the Society of Authors on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=2364405197250152&set=pcb.2364405367250135
It refers to the unfair bombardment of celebrity books and their many promotions, especially during a holiday season. Though I am not (yet) published, I wholeheartedly agree…[Read more]
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Janette posted an update 1 year, 7 months ago
Good to see so many taking part in the Winter comp. I’ve been wrestling with two ideas though one appears to have risen above the other. I was ready to post it … but late corrections reminded me to be a little less hasty and allow some thinking time, when I’ll probably change my mind again.
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I’ve been struggling to come up with anything, because my initial idea seems beyond my ability. I’m going to try something simpler.
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Janette posted a new activity comment 2 years ago
Well done, Kate. I’m so out of touch with my writing people, but I love your writing. I’m busy finishing off my own WIP, Marigold (almost there), but will take a look as soon as I come up for breath.
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Thanks so much, Janette, I really appreciate that. And good luck with finishing the WIP.
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Janette posted a new activity comment 2 years, 3 months ago
I’m also looking at how backstage works in theatres, particularly the wardrobe part, meanwhile I aim to generalise and hope it suffices.
Yes, the Mechanics Institute Library is amazing. I only wish I’d more time to explore it. Ours at least, had the education part of it taken over by the council, but it is interesting to see how many groups…[Read more]-
Mandy’s son Sam has done backstage work, but I think that was more technical – lighting etc.
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Janette posted a new activity comment 2 years, 3 months ago
Thank you, Libby, I’ll bear that in mind. It’s mostly theatre life I’m interested in, but I may want to pick your brain some time when I come to refining descriptives.
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Hi @janette, feel free 🙂
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Janette posted an update 2 years, 3 months ago
Apologies for the big absences. I have had a lot to get my head around and the battle is not yet over, but I am starting to ease myself back into addressing an unfinished WIP. I have found a brilliant library: The Bradford Mechanics Institute Library, who serve teas to your table while you write. I love that you have to be a member (for the small…[Read more]
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Hi @janette, I grew up close to Manchester in the 1970s. I don’t know a great deal though can remember the atmosphere and what it looked like. There was a sense of desolation despite the moneyed suburbs. I don’t know anything about the theatres – a memory of the Library Theatre but that’s all. But if you think I can help, send me a private message…[Read more]
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Thank you, Libby, I’ll bear that in mind. It’s mostly theatre life I’m interested in, but I may want to pick your brain some time when I come to refining descriptives.
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Hi @janette, feel free 🙂
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I know nothing about Manchester in the mid 70s. I did do a few trips by coach from Newbury to Wigan in the early 70s (to the Casino) fuelled by optimism and fabulous blues music, Not so many that I was a regular. Happy to discuss.
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Thanks, Ath
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I was born in Manchester, but no help, as I left in 1965, aged 10! The Mechanics Institute Library sounds amazing. Dad was a member of one in Hull when he was teenager before the war, and made a point of joining one in Cardiff when we moved there in 1965. All part of the workers’ education movement – he was a big supporter.
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I’m also looking at how backstage works in theatres, particularly the wardrobe part, meanwhile I aim to generalise and hope it suffices.
Yes, the Mechanics Institute Library is amazing. I only wish I’d more time to explore it. Ours at least, had the education part of it taken over by the council, but it is interesting to see how many groups…[Read more]-
Mandy’s son Sam has done backstage work, but I think that was more technical – lighting etc.
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Janette replied to the topic Monthly Competition – November 2023 in the forum Monthly Competition 2 years, 7 months ago
It’s hardly fair to say ‘by default’, because @Alex, your story merits more than that. I loved the uplifting ending, and the thread you chose in the challenge, which was a pleasure to read. It is with the same pleasure I pass the baton over to you.
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Janette posted an update 2 years, 7 months ago
Only ten more days to go for the November Monthly comp.
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Um, fingers crossed and a fair wind …
It might be more of a description than a story. My brain is full of other stories at the moment. But I’m interested in the task you’ve set @Janette
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Janette posted a new activity comment 2 years, 8 months ago
Thank you, Libby. Like Sea, I loved yours and Sandra’s too. It’s remarks like this that tell me not to give up on Grace, so thank you.
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Janette replied to the topic Monthly Competition – November 2023 in the forum Monthly Competition 2 years, 8 months ago
Just to make clear – this just relates to autumnal references. You can use sight in other parts of the story.
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Janette started the topic Monthly Competition – November 2023 in the forum Monthly Competition 2 years, 8 months ago
Autumn is upon us in all its savage glory, but it is so much more than a paint pallet. I’d like you to theme your story around Autumn, including every sense except sight. I’d like this to be within a 450 word limit, please.
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Janette posted a new activity comment 2 years, 8 months ago
Oh! I signed in for a glimpse of the next challenge, to find it’s down to me. I did not expect that – thank you. And thank you for the prompt which made me close examine this and another scene I saw improvement possibilities in.
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Janette replied to the topic Monthly competition – October 2023 in the forum Monthly Competition 2 years, 8 months ago
Hope this meets the challenge. It is approaching the end of my book Saving Grace, and has spoilers (in the event this thing gets published!). Pervious feedback said this scene felt too easy/convenient. Now, she panics and resists. I show her conflicts as she starts to make comparisons.
Untitled
While he drove, Michael told me about how he worked…[Read more]
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Janette posted a new activity comment 2 years, 9 months ago
Thank you for a good challenge, Squidge. Congratulations, Sea, well deserved, though I enjoyed all of the other stories too.
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Janette posted a new activity comment 2 years, 9 months ago
@johnt3 Good idea. Some of my favourites are children’s books.
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@johnt3 Good idea. Some of my favourites are children’s books.
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Janette posted a new activity comment 2 years, 9 months ago
Thanks, Ath. Yes, writing and reading both confounded. It feels like a midge infestation in my head when I try to take things in or concentrate further than one page. Hopefully, I’ll overpower IT sooner rather than later.
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My usual remedy for reading problems is to read children’s books. I read a lot – they’re my therapy.
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Janette posted a new activity comment 2 years, 9 months ago
Thanks, John. Big Yorkshire hugs right back atcha x
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🙂
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Janette posted a new activity comment 2 years, 9 months ago
Metaphorical – though just as pesky and stubborn.
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I know that black dog. It’s hard to shove it out of the way, sometimes. Big cwtches from Wales x
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Thanks, John. Big Yorkshire hugs right back atcha x
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🙂
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Sorry to hear it. It is remarkably adept at confounding all good intentions to write.
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Thanks, Ath. Yes, writing and reading both confounded. It feels like a midge infestation in my head when I try to take things in or concentrate further than one page. Hopefully, I’ll overpower IT sooner rather than later.
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My usual remedy for reading problems is to read children’s books. I read a lot – they’re my therapy.
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Hi @janette, thank you for sharing this. As I’m not on FB I can’t read the whole letter on screen. Are you able to copy and paste it here?
Hi Libby and @janette.
Here below is a copy of my original letter to the society of authors.
I think that a “Christmas appeal” letter, encouraging readers and book-buyers to support ordinary authors by avoiding celebrity titles would be great! I’ve been chatting loads about this issue in my various writing networks, so I think that if we were…[Read more]
I saw your letter, Philippa, and I’m really pleased you voiced what so many of us are feeling.
Thank you, @philippaeast for posting this. @Libby hope you agree with the sentiment.
I’m happy to join any communal effort. I’m an associate member of SoA, because I haven’t sold enough books to classify as a full member. Our Monmouth branch of SoA is very active, and as you can imagine, the subject of celebrity authors comes up a lot, particularly in relation to children’s books. A good friend, Claire Fayers, has just scored a…[Read more]
On listening to other opinions, both here and on Messenger (FB), I concede that I have perhaps not worded my intentions very well and may have come across as too confrontational. I also apologize to those who feel ‘bombarded’ and will happily remove names from the list of those I have shared into the conversation, or remove the message altogether.…[Read more]
I’m sorry you’ve had a bad experience trying to get the message out Janette. I share your and Philippa’s frustration with the celebrity Christmas book, especially now I’m truing to get my funny children’s book under people’s noses. An unfair situation, but one I doubt publishers will be interested in rectifying.