-
Sandra posted an update in the group
CoronaMo 6 years, 7 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] -
-
Sandra replied to the topic Good news this time – finally! in the forum Podium 6 years, 7 months ago
Excellent news!
-
Barny posted an update 6 years, 7 months ago
I’ve just donated to help keep the Den alive – go to the Donations group to help keep this place running
-
Barny replied to the topic Short story in Barren magazine in the forum Podium 6 years, 7 months ago
Really good, Daeds – and IMO we could all go out and respond publicly to your and Kaz’s FB posts with words to recognise how good this story is. Fantastic.
-
Sandra replied to the topic Short story in Barren magazine in the forum Podium 6 years, 7 months ago
Well done Daeds, a powerful example of your writing and story-telling.
-
Sandra started the topic Especially recommended books in the forum Blogs 6 years, 7 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]
-
Sandra replied to the topic Monthly competition – February 2020 in the forum Monthly Competition 6 years, 7 months ago
Well done John, and thank you Libby for a competition which led to so many brilliant stories – what richness!
-
Sandra replied to the topic Recent agent experience in the forum Blogs 6 years, 7 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]
-
Sandra posted an update 6 years, 8 months ago
Useful definition of ‘commercial fiction’ from Bookouture : https://www.spreadtheword.org.uk/unpicking-commercial-fiction-with-bookoutures-editors/?fbclid=IwAR2FfqSMY8Ms3zZe4lrExLhphK9X5Xab6lLU330ZQG5-dDxpRkbxYeodKVM
-
Thanks, Sandra. As you say, this is useful.
-
Very clear!
-
Yes, this was interesting, especially, to me, the mention of book club fiction. I can feel a blog coming on…
-
-
-
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.
-
-
Sandra posted an update 6 years, 8 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. -
Sandra replied to the topic Monthly competition – February 2020 in the forum Monthly Competition 6 years, 8 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]
-
Sandra replied to the topic Monthly competition – January 2020 in the forum Monthly Competition 6 years, 8 months ago
Very well done, Libby – such a strong and individual tale (as were they all) and thank you Jane for the prompting and the comments.
-
Sandra posted an update 6 years, 9 months ago
“Why I write” – excellent piece by Emma Darwin to be found here: https://slowculture.eu/2020/01/23/why-i-write-vol-15-emma-darwin-holland-house-books/?fbclid=IwAR14kjZ9Q4U1G3vwQK39IJ83x21FIyG-Nyu1H6PCQ2DXQ2p2Y10EMtXPIVY
-
Thanks, Sandra. I must buy one of Emma’s books. I keep meaning to.
-
Her ‘Not a book about -‘ is excellent on the difficulties of writing, and ‘The Mathematics of love’ one I aim to re-read annually. Time I re-read the other one …
-
Shame on me, I haven’t read either of the novels, but yes, ‘Not a Book About…’ is excellent. And in this blog Emma, as usual, hits the nail on the head. That last bit, ‘To Be Heard’… yes, absolutely. After I resigned myself to ‘A faint hope of being read, maybe just a silly dream, but still…’ becoming ‘No hope’ my motivation drained away.
-
-
-
-
Sandra replied to the topic Monthly competition – January 2020 in the forum Monthly Competition 6 years, 9 months ago
What a wholly satisfying tale Libby. Thank you.
-
Sandra replied to the topic Dipping my toe back in in the forum Blogs 6 years, 9 months ago
Still here also (and elsewhere!) and glad to say one 2019 resolution was fulfilled by my self-pubbing the first three of my ‘Love triangles with murder’ series, so now I’ve got book 4 to a near-beta read stage and begun book 6.
-
Sandra replied to the topic Monthly competition – January 2020 in the forum Monthly Competition 6 years, 9 months ago
Wow, Sea, this is hard-hitting and not a word wasted. Superb.
-
Sandra replied to the topic Monthly competition – January 2020 in the forum Monthly Competition 6 years, 9 months ago
A not-so-idle threat
Even though she knew looking left and right as she opened the discreet dark green door was a dead giveaway for anyone watching, she couldn’t stop herself. Crowds and dazzling Christmas lights made it harder to spot a spy, but surely, after five days at Ivo’s cottage they’d’ve given up by now. Wouldn’t they? The low-level…[Read more]
-
Sandra replied to the topic Monthly Comp – December 2019 in the forum Monthly Competition 6 years, 9 months ago
Well done Jane – very well deserved – and thanks to Janette for the opportunity to try out a scene.
-
Sandra replied to the topic Monthly Comp – December 2019 in the forum Monthly Competition 6 years, 10 months ago
Has the ring of truth, Jane, and lovely with it.
- Load More
