WRITING GIGS

Queries that Bounce
As you know, I regularly submit at least three non-fiction queries per week and have been doing so for some time now. They cover a variety of topics related to my hobbies and passions including; writing, history, gardening, health and pets. Now there is one area which I practiced at as a professional (and a fairly well paid professional) for some time before my escape to the good life. Thats the area of Human Resources and Training and Development. These queries are the least successful, indeed I've been published in all of the other categories bar this one? I wonder why that is? Maybe I don't put enough effort into the query or come across as a 'know it all'? I don't know. But the articles in this category which I publish on Suite 101 are probably the most popular? Weird isn't it? Maybe its the medium. So now I'm plotting out an Ebook with all these articles in it. Lets see what happens. The thing is I'd much rather be writing about the stuff you can make up...

Three Cheers for! (or is it Boo Hiss?)







So despite my frustration with non-fiction queries what has gone well (and not so well) in my life as a jobbing writer?

• Fourth (maybe fifth) rejection recieved for All Will Be Well as previously noted :
  Acceptance of non-fiction piece on female aviators On a Wing and A Prayer - Best of British Magazine :)
• Two Suite 101 articles published. The first was Grandparenting From A Distance based on a more comprehensive piece published in Overseas Living. The second was Writing Academic Papers based on my experience as Editor for Emerald Publishing
• Short Story completed called Love Online submitted to Writing Magazine for their Love Story Competition
• Critique completed for Writers Abroad and ongoing critique of novel for critique partner Queries, blogs and admin completed
• Outline of first chapter for HQN competition
• Research almost completed (well is it ever?) for WIP The Promise

FRESH START

Current Work: Planning for July
Listening to: Nothing, the silence is pleasing
Reading: Echo Burning by Lee Child

A New Month Approaches
I've spent the morning reviewing this month (less said the better) and planning the next month (it will get better). The trouble is with this writing business is that it can be so up and down, but when I stop to think about it - its no different to any other job. Though I'm not sure I could call this a job, the hours are as flexible as contortionists limbs, the pay is infrequent and the conditions, well that's down to me and the best part of the job. Anyway, I've brushed myself down and given myself a good talking too and am now back on track. I've writing three A4 pages of actions and have renewed energy for the next writing saga. So the novel will be submitted to a second agent. The second novel The Promise will start to take shape and the third novel The Good Life will hopefully be well on its way to a completed first draft. I have also started to research a novella, based in Saxon times for the Historical Undone Series and have planned to submit two short stories. Phew!! That's without all the non-fiction stuff with Suite 101 and twelve queries a week. So there is plenty for me to wield my inky pen with. We have relatives staying but that's OK, sometimes having these kind of distractions helps me to focus a little quicker and a little smarter. So onwards and upwards - things can only get better as the song tells us!

Book Worm

Sorry, haven't finished the book yet, though had a good slug of reading time on Sunday. Will have finished by next week, promise



Confucius Says... Quotes on Writing

"For a long time now I have tried simply to write the best I can. Sometimes I have good luck and write better than I can."

~ Ernest Hemingway

SILENCE IS GOLDEN

Current Work: Editing, outlining, amending - mega catch up!
Listening to: A Ticking Clock
Reading: The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak

Time Out
Yes, I've had a bit of time out, so haven't posted here for a whole week. Feeling a bit ashamed of myself as I had thought I might at least get one entry in but it just didn't happen. But sometimes it's good to be away from the routine for a bit. Free's up the mind and hey, even writers are allowed some time off. But the trouble is I hate the catching up. It stresses me out and I set myself these mountainous targets as some kind of penance. My Man Friday says that I must have Catholic gremlins on my shoulder! I hope that doesn't offend anyone, it's not meant to.
Anyway, in preparation, I did submit two Suite 101 articles the week previous, one on Hans Christian Anderson which I posted last time and another on the Royal Signal Corps. So I'm saved!

Novel Update
Well, I've completed proofing the first draft, so now onto the second and hopefully off to an agent or publisher in the next four weeks. Thats the plan anyhow, but you know what happens to my plans. The main problem I have is managing the thing on the PC. I'm using the outline function at the moment which seems OK but a little... wieldy. I've heen looking at some software as but have not had the nerve to financially commit myself (especially as finances are as tight as they can be right now with the euro yo-yoing around) but am seriously considering spending few of my PayPal quids (earnt from Suite 101 money) on something. I've just got to take a chance.

Freelance Writing
I think most people who, when I tell them I'm a writer, have a particular image in their head of what it must be like. Sitting at home, surrounded by cups of tea, paper, books and looking aimlessly around for inspiration... and they'd be right! But seriously it is hard work - and often operates on the 80:20 rule - eighty percent of effort results in a 20 percent return, with the odds probably lower for such an amateur writer like myself. I have a sister, who has more than dabbled in an acting career and it's a bit like that - going for audition after audition until someone likes the look of you then wham!

Anyway, I must get back to my list of 'things to do' or my red pen will not be happily making lots of ticks later on. Such a satisfying action, ticking things off on a list. I know, I know...I need to get a life, but this one ain't so bad.