@sandradavies
Active 2 days, 6 hours ago-
Sandra replied to the topic Monthly comp – April 2020 in the forum Monthly Competition 6 years, 3 months ago
Bringing a little light
I suspected, on reading the rules, if I did submit anything it would be something of a cheat, because there’s not a lot that’s actually old in itself in this room. Not much in the way of ‘things’ really, anywhere in the house (although I do have, in the loft, my great-grandfather’s two writing boxes such as Jill describes…[Read more]
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Sandra posted a new activity comment 6 years, 3 months ago
So long as it’s not bared teeth and false promises!
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Sandra posted a new activity comment 6 years, 3 months ago
“sea glass” – such wonderful connotations.
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No swallows as yet but in the evening the beach (forbidden to humans) is full of birds congregating along the water line. It is getting light enough after supper to slip past the ‘interdit’ signs and watch them dart in and out of the little frothy waves or stand still on the sand and watch the sun set behind the islands.
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What a delightful picture you paint, Raine. No, I have not seen any swallows yet, but many other birds visit our garden, as we have countryside all around our home. We are a long way from the sea and beaches, but we do have terracotta bowls of such items as you describe in our home – many dating as far back as when we lived in Cyprus! Have a…[Read more]
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Looking out for swallows here. We only moved in in January, so not sure what the avian fauna are like, except there a rooks/ravens plucking twigs from trees and then flying off to build nests, and seagulls doing their squawking thing, and since we started putting food out the sparrows, tits and similar have been very enthusiastic, also the rats…[Read more]
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Yes @raine, What is a sea brick?
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😂 It’s a brick that’s been washed up by the sea so it’s all eroded and smooth. We get a fair few normal ones but a white one was special! Sea tiles are my fav – bits of broken and smoothed ceramic from all sorts of things. Old decorated plates are the best.
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Sandra posted a new activity comment 6 years, 3 months ago
Thanks for the catch-up Kaz – and brilliant (and not undeserved) news about the residency. Fingers crossed all will come to pass … whenever.
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Fingers crossed from me too @kazg. A lovely boost though.
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Retreat sounds amazing Kaz – and I am totally not surprised they were won over by the Needlies!! Love them so much. On the + side, by the time this is all calmed down a bit, you will be in SERIOUS need of a bit of time away, so it’s nice to know there is that waiting for you. How is Book2 going atm?
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Thanks @janeshuff, @sandradavies and @raine! Sorry I didn’t see this Raine, I’ve been a bit erratic on all fronts lately. Book 2 is crawling along, it needs much more attention than I seem able to give it, unfortunately! I had so much great beta feedback and I know what needs to change to make the book stronger – but getting my head in a fit state…[Read more]
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I don’t think you’re alone in suffering from scattybrainitis @kazg. Sending reinforcing hugs.
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Thank you, gratefully received @janeshuff (I MISS HUGS) x
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Congratulations!!!!
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Sandra posted a new activity comment 6 years, 4 months ago
@Raine – sounds liberating. Long may it continue.
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Sandra posted an update in the group
CoronaMo 6 years, 4 months ago“What’s new, Sandra?”
Regrettably, nothing. 42K+ words into my current wip, taking some pains to streamline the process, not make the same mistakes, I realise I am still incapable of identifying, plotting the story until the characters tell me who they are and what is happening.
After a couple of weeks of floundering (necessary, it appears) I…[Read more] -
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Sandra replied to the topic Good news this time – finally! in the forum Podium 6 years, 4 months ago
Excellent news!
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Sandra replied to the topic Short story in Barren magazine in the forum Podium 6 years, 4 months ago
Well done Daeds, a powerful example of your writing and story-telling.
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Sandra started the topic Especially recommended books in the forum Blogs 6 years, 4 months ago
Yes, there’s a load of ‘How-to’books out there, and how useful they are depends very much upon the user, but I thought there might be a place to list not every book we use, but the most useful.
To start, and more specifically for crime writers, I can thoroughly recommend ‘The real CSI’ by Kate Bendelow. Kate did a workshop at the ‘Crime &…[Read more]
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Sandra replied to the topic Monthly competition – February 2020 in the forum Monthly Competition 6 years, 4 months ago
Well done John, and thank you Libby for a competition which led to so many brilliant stories – what richness!
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Sandra replied to the topic Recent agent experience in the forum Blogs 6 years, 5 months ago
Hilary, as an aside, the Bookoture girl did say she had a 96 year-old on her list for whom she had so far published some 23 ‘cosy crime’ novels. ‘One every couple of weeks’ she said.
Feedback today from those who did pitch to her said she refused most straight off. Made suggestions to make more acceptable to one and I now of another who pitched…[Read more]
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Sandra posted a new activity comment 6 years, 5 months ago
But also worth noting, Karen Sullivan of Orenda Books specifically states she likes books that cross genres; said so two years ago and repeated it Tuesday night.
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Sandra posted an update 6 years, 5 months ago
Useful definition of ‘commercial fiction’ from Bookouture : https://www.spreadtheword.org.uk/unpicking-commercial-fiction-with-bookoutures-editors/?fbclid=IwAR2FfqSMY8Ms3zZe4lrExLhphK9X5Xab6lLU330ZQG5-dDxpRkbxYeodKVM
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Thanks, Sandra. As you say, this is useful.
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Very clear!
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Yes, this was interesting, especially, to me, the mention of book club fiction. I can feel a blog coming on…
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But also worth noting, Karen Sullivan of Orenda Books specifically states she likes books that cross genres; said so two years ago and repeated it Tuesday night.
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Sandra posted an update 6 years, 5 months ago
Fiona Erskine aka Bric has a launch of her second book coming up and as I can’t go, asked me to pass on the invitation:
#The Chemical Reaction is launching at Blackwell’s bookshop in Holborn, London on the evening of Thursday 16th April 2020.-
Aw shuks, I doubt I’d be able to make it either. Please pass on my apologies as well as my best wishes.
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Sandra replied to the topic Monthly competition – February 2020 in the forum Monthly Competition 6 years, 5 months ago
Bit of a confession from me – this lifted from current wip, otherwise I might not get one done. 400 words plus title.
Returning from honeymoon (First day of the rest of their married life)
They were on the A9, having just left the Kinross services, before Luke asked. ‘Your wedding present? When do I get to see it?’
‘Soon as we get home,…[Read more]
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Sandra posted a new activity comment 6 years, 5 months ago
And your post of 11.22 isn’t here either.
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All good fun, isn’t it?
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Allegedly …
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Sandra posted a new activity comment 6 years, 5 months ago
But I’m now replying via the Topic. (Remember when they used to be chocolate bars, with nuts and caramel?)
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And your post of 11.22 isn’t here either.
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All good fun, isn’t it?
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Allegedly …
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