Shhhhhh - A secret ......

I am into the middle of my NaNoWriMo 2013 experience in Week 3.

I've also been blogging my experience along with five others - see http://www.writersandartists.co.uk/2013/11/NaNoWriMo-week-two-round-up

but Shhhhhh-a-Secret!

(  photo credit http://www.123rf.com. Ref. #570114 )

Tonight at the time of writing this blog I have reached over 40,000 words of my new in progress novel for National Novel Writing Month - genre: Romance / Mystery!

#NaNoWrMo

Along with five other participants, I have this November, been asked to blog about my experience whilst writing 50,000 words in 30 days in the National Novel Writing Month:

Here is the link to this amazing site:

   htttp://www.writersandartists.co.uk/blog

Hope you find time to visit.

Love Writing #Amwriting

Why is it, when one says I love writing (and have written without making millions) and you don't actually have a major deal with a publisher, nor is your story mentioned by the New York Times or even by the local newspaper for that matter.  Are you automatically "off the radar" actually.

I have often watched major golf tournaments, am a huge fan of Ernie Els, world greats like Garry Player, in fact am looking forward to the next Sun City Nedbank Million Dollar Challenge to view the expertise not to mention the ambiance of the surroundings, together with talent personified in the game of golf.

But for how many does it happen that such expertise exists?

Should one expect or even anticipate such awesome talent in order to enjoy playing the game of golf?  How many people each weekend derive huge enjoyment and camaraderie playing golf?

It is the same for someone who aspires to be a writer.  There won't be a major film coming out, nor a mention in the New York Times forthcoming but it is what we want to do and it is what we love and makes us happy.

Yet there is this expectation when you say you write and the perception you are a failure if you don't make it Big.

I say, be proud of what you can do.  It requires an enormous amount of stamina and you are competing in your own marathons.  Enjoy the process in the wonderful sharing community of writers.

How to Incorporate the Mystery genre into my already perceived Romance - it was there all the time but I couldn't see!

The romance side came easily to me, and I could already picture my Protagonist as the story commences:

(Www.123rf.com/ photo 1499656 ) 

It was a story I had started to conceptualize, and parts of which included in my Stanford writing course only, before my experience with #Nanowrimo, but I, after my since already published book, have been finding it hard to incorporate with the genre of Mystery I so badly want to include in my writing.

Then my lightbulb moment arrived - so now I can now start the journey I love most of all - actual writing and word count!

That, and continuing my reading of course.

Watch this space ..... 

Diversion in Interests - two New Genres

Amazing how one interests can diversify when family interests change.  Well I am now considering diversifying a tad, perhaps in a minimal way, and perhaps as a sideline to my "In Progress" Mystery - Romance!

(Photo www.123rf.com/10449419)

To keep you in the picture my attention span and writing focus has been diverted to close family additions in just over a year ago, and also very recently by the adorable ones:

(Photo www.rf.com/15452355)

I am most certainly not complaining, but am now considering perhaps a Children's Picture Book may be added to my repertoire in the future?!!? .... 

Writer - Keep Your Eye on the Ball

At the moment it is Tennis Fever as Wimbledon is on!  A few of my best favorites have this year been knocked out of the competition, but I shall hopefully have time to watch at least, the Men's Final.

Which brings me, as a self-published author, who in the art of creating a story, all of a sudden has to also become interested in marketing that story.  This process is a deviation, however, from what they actually do best, want to do, and that is write.

Also it really is important to keep learning, and to keep reading.  So often, however, with one's daily tasks our "Eyes are taken off the Ball!"  Our focus becomes unclear and we neglect the actual writing process, which is ludicrous!

(Photo www.123rf.com no. 7790822) 

I really think NanoWriMo is the most amazing way of re-directing one's attention back into focus.  It is certainly the most efficient way to motivate oneself to get a first book off the ground!  Having the companionship of others, as well as the competitive aspect, is an experience I shall never forget.  So many people have wonderful ideas which remain conjecture, and they never reach the stage of even starting their actual book.

Yes, marketing is important, but I think a stage should be reached where one decides "this particular method works for me" then, as all the truly experienced and successful authors advise, get writing and publish more books.

Truth IS Stranger Than Fiction

Seriously, this is perhaps a cliche, but Jeeeeeepers! - is it the Water Out There?!!! Or what.  As a Fiction Writer, I've got to say, if it weren't for Dragons, Wizards, Other World Battles, SpaceShip Adventures ... 

(Photo credit www.123rf.com # 12501397) 

Truth would definitely be Stranger Than Fiction!

I mean take the "Reality" programmes.  Not the awesome programmes like MasterChef, where I'm totally gobsmacked at the skill of others!  Nor the Quiz Programmes, which unfortunately we have aired about 12 years later than produced from the BBC because of the ratio : £ Sterling to South African Rand!  Nor the fantastic Business Acumen programmes.  I'm referring to the dating or so-called "family reality" which is huge in its popularity around the world!  What kind of precedent and even "reality" does it depict to a viewer?  We are supposed to become more intelligent as time goes on and the very young are surely indications in their smartness of this.  But the slightly older ... 

Maybe it is time to emphasize Fiction is just that, and it will always have its place and is amazing - also a way of "switching-off".  But REALITY must not take on this new role.  Let reality mean REAL - what an intelligent person embraces and rises up to!

Is Learning a continuous Journey for a Writer - Or is it Just Me?

I had already just started #NaNoWriMo in 2011, when via social media I came across Larry Brooks (@storyfix on Twitter).  Despite the time constraint of completing 50,000 words in 30 days, I decided to write in conjunction with reading his book"Story Engineering" and it really gave me focus.  Although I had already been eagerly reading all the "How To's" from the many successful talented authors I followed on social media, this book somehow really made me confidently finish the Competition successfully, and what a help in the later editing process!  This all resulted in my published book A Question of Love.

(Photo www.123rf.com 12071568) 

Although I am in the throes of working on the very first story idea I envisaged, when I decided to become a writer (and incidentally this draft has been going through many re-incarnations) meanwhile, Larry has brought out a brand new book entitled "Story Physics".  This is proving to be also not only fascinating, but incredibly useful.  So I am once again pausing, soaking up the additional incredibly useful information on the process of writing.

(Photo www.123rf.com 17932105) 

I don't think I will ever stop wanting to learn.  Creativity is continually changing, generations are searching for the new.  We must never stagnate and be open to as much learned information and advice as possible.

I know when I go back to my book, during or after reading "Story Physics" I will be well equipped to let the story flow.

The Childhood Friends - A glimpse of back-story

When my protagonist, Victoria, in my published novel, A Question of Love, was a child :

(Photo credit www.rtf.com/photo 7956799)

she had a close friend, who lived next door.

(Photo credit www.rtf.com/photo 18988246)

What is important about Grant, who my readers only get to meet as an adult, is that he was not the captain of the school rugby team, the head boy at school, the guy all the girls wanted to be with.  Nor was he the most popular amongst the other guys.  Because of the home circumstances in his childhood and early teens, he had to bear responsibility with the accompanying restrictions, for the well-being of his wheelchair bound mother, who had MS.  He becomes what other young people could regard a nerd, of necessity spending more hours than considered normal at a computer.

Only later in life, when computers become so widely used by everyone, as a result of his vast, mostly self-taught early skills, which provide an entry to a computer world of experts, he becomes a hugely successful businessman, and it is only then my reader meets Grant.

A Love of Ballet

Ballet and its accompanying music, is the absolute essence of femininity.  I have huge regrets giving up my ballet classes as a young girl.

I chose my protagonist in my #amwriting next book, to be at Ballet School, with every sign of a bright and successful future in that field.

However will a chance meeting of necessity, thwart her plans for ever?

(Photo www.123rf.com/photo_10925499 The Prague State Opera Ballet. Giselle April 6, 2011) 

What Ingredients Can An Author Learn from MasterChef Australia

I am incredibly crazy about the latest South African viewing of MasterChef Australia!  I actually

think we, in South Africa, are a tad behind the Australian viewing.  Yay, more to see!

I work our evening meal around it, and we enjoy four nights a week of this amazing show!

The Emotion

One becomes so involved with the participants, viewed in one's living room and gasp at the trials and tribulations! Those participants have been in one's living room (one's private space) each night, and almost feel like family.

Learning Curve

On my part I love to learn something new all the time - that is why I follow so many hugely interesting people, from all walks of life, on Twitter.  Similarly when one reads a book, it is awesome to learn something new - if not every moment, then certainly, every hour!

The Experts

On MasterChef Australia, experts from around the world, share their prowess and expertise.  The participants are constantly "stretched" and learning from the Maestros.  We, too, as viewers, have such privilege!  How awesome!

Conflict, stress and tension

This is aplenty in the programme!  The time deadlines more than anything can undermine skill!  There is indeed gazillions of stress!   This can result in a "Favourite" undergoing a pressure test - oops more tension!

The Immunity Pin

When the participants have an opportunity to compete with a "maestro chef" it really takes them to the next level!  As authors we are competing with maestros in the writing world!  We are lucky in that there are so many of such writers who are only too happy to share with less experienced writers, their vast experience.  What a privilege!

Scenery and Travel

In the episodes I have particularly enjoyed the travel journeys undertaken by the participants.  As a "sometimes" travel blogger, and a former air stewardess who travelled the world, I cannot experience enough photographs and blogs on travel!  This surely added another dimension to the programme.  In the stories we authors create, we can also travel to any destination we wish - even create a brand new world if desired!  How awesome is that, and how amazing for our readers!

Those Who Enjoy

As a viewer of MasterChef Australia, I confess I have left a part of my heart with the participants.  Likewise our readers have invested their money and time into what we create!  I've still to "get there".  I'm still very much a "newbie" in the Writing Sphere, having only published one book, but what a journey of privilege!

( Image Credit http//www.123rf.com/photo 13994751 ) 

The Inclusion of Mystery with my Am Writing New Novel

I have added a whole new dimension to the Outline I am preparing for my "in progress" new novel writing.

I have always been a fan of a good mystery, even as a child before the world of romance became my reading interest.  I have a very good idea of how my romantic story is going to evolve, but the mystery aspect has now created many new paths and outcomes together with lots of challenges.  In fact this could change everything for my characters!

However, to me, the journey is what I love most about writing, so I have a new "spring to my step"!

( Image credit: http://www.123rf.com/photo #19019740 )

Social Media - Important to Create a Balance

I was already involved with Twitter before I decided to start writing 

( Image credit: www.123rf.com/photo-9639250 )

and I therefore follow, and am followed, by a wonderful array of totally contrasting and interesting people.  In my Bio I show my interests as writing, reading, travel, news, media, photography, law and science.  It really makes for wonderfully interesting interaction.  Such that I started my Flipboard magazine a few weeks ago "Janet's Daily Flipbooks" which in the few weeks of existence has already had over 3,000 readers.

However, social media has to have a balance and I think one could easily become overwhelmed or intimidated by the different options available.  If you are true to yourself and enjoy sharing and learning what can be invaluable advice, it really is an amazing experience.

Oh I forgot ... To introduce you to my book .... A Question of Love (Romance/Law)

When and before writing my book, I decided on http://www.Bookbaby.com as my choice, and I will most certainly utilize Bookbaby for my current book. Do you know they have eleven outlets?

Apple iBookstore for iPad
Amazon (for Kindle)
Barnes & Noble (for Nook)
Reader Store (for Sony Reader)
Kobo
Copia
Garners
Baker & Taylor
EBookPie
eSentral
Scribd

I Love To Shop

When I worked in the "real world" I loved to shop! Whereas "our guys" become absorbed in a Hardware/Do It Yourself Store, there is something about that feeling for a gal, when she enters a Department Store in a glamorous part of town.

Shortly after I arrived in South Africa, I was allocated an interview at a fantastic firm, but it's geographical situation proved onerous, and for the first time ever I did not arrive for a pre-arranged interview. It started to rain rather heavily, and somehow I faced the most beautiful department store, which incidentally became my first job in South Africa.

I am a great believer in "write what you know plus add dollops of imagination" which brings me to my next book, presently in progress. I actually work best with a deadline, which bodied well for my first novel "A Question of Love" :

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009DKTWRU

but I hope this time, to have completed my present work in progress, and to publish before NaNoWriMo takes place this year.

So now it is time to focus on my new story.

(image credit: http//www.123rf.com photo 1248445)