Taking The NaNoWriMo Challenge

NaNoWriMo is short for 'National Novel Writing Month', an annual event that started in the USA and has become international.

Okay, so I'm mad. Nuts, perhaps, but a touch of insanity never did anyone any real harm. The challenge, for those who don't know it, is to write at least the first 50,000 words of a novel during the month of November. This requires an average daily word count of 1,667. It's generally considered good going to produce between 500 and 1,000 words per day; James Joyce once famously admitted to having written only 1 word on one day whilst writing, I think, Ulysses, and Hilare Belloc took 13 years to write one of his novels. On the other hand, Antony Trollope was pretty speedy, and he's not alone.

I've been known to write a complete short story of up to 4,000 words in a day and, whilst writing my fantasy trilogy (still a work in progress, by the way), I've managed between 2 and 3,000 words a day fairly frequently.

I start this challenge tomorrow. A Tuesday. Tuesday is my long day at work (I'm employed part time, doing 18.5 hours over 3 days), the rest of the time, my writing is my work. I've created my characters and have a basic framework upon which to hang events. I know roughly where I intend to go with the story and I have a theme and a style I wish to use. With this book, I want mostly to entertain and amuse; so I'm aiming primarily for comedy. Having previously written only short spells of funny stuff, I've no idea how I'll perform on a longer work. But, hell, that's the whole point of this: to set yourself a challenge.

It's a self challenge. You're not in competition with other writers in this forum. The idea is for each individual writer (and it's estimated there'll be over 250,000 of us!) to set out to do the very best they can in the time allocated.

So, I invite you all to join me as I make this journey. If you're a wannabee novelist who has never had the courage, determination, will or opportunity to begin that opus you've carried in your head, I suggest you use this as the stepping stone to completion of your dream. The link for the supporting site is http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/dashboard  and it's a five minute job to register. You have until midnight tonight to join in the fun.

If you're a reader with no pretentions toward writing, then I invite you to follow my progress and ask for your support in the form of comments as I feed you the daily progress.

I'm making a public declaration of this aim, and I stand to make a fool of myself if I don't manage at least the 50,000 words, but I'm taking the risk in the hope that something good and useful will come out of the effort.

Wish me luck. I'm going to need it!

Stuart's Daily Word Spot: Ambiguity or uncertainty?

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Ambiguity or uncertainty?

Ambiguity: noun - hesitation, doubt or uncertainty about your course; something that can be understood in more than one way; an uncertainty; double meaning; an expression having more than one meaning.

Uncertainty: noun - being uncertain; doubtfulness, hesitation or irresolution; a point of doubt; something of which the outcome is uncertain;

As you can see, these two words are interchangeable in many cases. However, I'm concerned here with their application to writing. An author can use ambiguity to express a dilemma experienced by a character. He can describe events, emotions and actions in terms that leave the reader feeling uncertain. And both of these techniques are valid. What a good writer will avoid, however, is the use of ambiguity to excuse his own uncertainty about elements of his story or characterisation. Such ambiguity is quickly seen for the uncertainty it is in reality and a reader thus alerted will then have difficulty in continuing to trust the honesty of the writer. Once you've lost a reader's trust, you've almost certainly lost a reader.

So, if you're portraying ambiguity, make sure your own lack of resolution is not the cause and that you display doubt in a way that makes it clear who or what is uncertain. Ambiguity is a subtle quality in writing and needs careful handling if it is to be understood for what it is.

'Martha's eyes grew soft and wide every time she saw Harry, but her hands clenched into tight fists as he approached.' 

Martha's feelings for Harry are ambiguous, but it is clear the writer intended this and there is no sign of uncertainty from the author.

'Brian was determined as he drew the gun from the holster; this was the chance he'd dreamed of for so long. He pointed it through the gap in the fence, but, suddenly, he wondered whether he should actually kill his rival.' 

This displays more uncertainty on the part of the writer than the potential killer. In particular, that give-away 'suddenly' suggests the author rather than the character is uncertain about what should happen. The first sentence makes it clear the character is set on doing the deed and it is only in the second sentence that the writer has had some doubts about whether he should allow his character to kill at this time.

'Brian drew the gun from its holster without hesitation and aimed it through the gap in the fence. As his intended victim wandered into view, and turned her face to him, he discovered his hand was shaking.'

Here it is the character who is uncertain and the writer has employed ambiguity to give more depth to the story.

Stuart's Daily Word Spot: Zealous

Zealous: adjective - full of zeal; actively promoting a person or cause; marked by zeal.

'Jason's zealous defence of his sect's dogma had always been a bone of contention with his girlfriend, who believed in tolerance in all matters spiritual.'

'Your devotion and zealous guardianship of my daughter has not escaped my attention, Boris, and you will be well rewarded when the time comes.'

Pic: A vintage car travels the road just outside Huggate, East Yorkshire.

Stuart's Daily Word Spot: Need or want?

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Need or want?

Need: noun - necessity for a person or thing; a condition or time of difficulty, distress, or trouble, lacking or requiring some necessary thing; exigency, emergency, crisis; destitution, lack of the means of subsistence or of necessaries, poverty; requiring or being motivated to do, a necessity to do; something requiring action; a particular point or respect in which some necessity or want is present or is felt; a piece of necessary business; something wanted, a requirement.

Want: noun - lacking something desirable or necessary; deficiency or shortage; lacking the necessities of life; penury; poverty, famine, starvation; hardship or suffering; a condition marked by the lack of some necessity; need; something needed or desired; a requirement, a request; a defect, fault or shortcoming.

When I decided to compare these two words, in common with many older folk, I assumed their dictionary definitions would support my preconceptions. However, the good old SOED has educated me once again. On the face of it, the two words can be interchanged more or less unconditionally.

BUT, when it comes to that oft heard phrase, 'I need…' usually uttered by an offspring, there is a distinction that should be made, I think.

Children of all ages, and I include those adults who refuse to mature, often state that they need something when they simply desire it. Usage suggests that, in most cases, they 'want' what they call a 'need'. I think I can best express this by explaining that in this particular case, 'want' indicates desire and 'need' indicates necessity.

So:

'I need a new dress, skirt, etc.' should properly be expressed as 'I want a new…' since the item in question is not a necessity but something desired.

'I need a text book, set of pens, breakfast, etc.' is fine, as these are necessities for either life or schooling.

The dividing line is fine and, probably, subjective, but I think all parents will know where it should be drawn.

Stuart's Daily Word Spot: Yap

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Yap: verb - bark sharply, fussily, shrilly; yelp; speak snappishly, complainingly; talk loudly, foolishly, loquaciously; chatter.

'That woman goes out all day to work and leaves her dog alone, so it yaps for hours, awaiting her return.'

'Yap, yap, yap; do you ever stop complaining?'

28 October 1986 John Braine, author, died. Remember ‘Room at the Top’?

Author Interview with Jeannie Walker

Jeannie Walker is an Award Winning Author, Award Winning Songwriter and freelance writer. She studied creative writing in New York and Connecticut and is a member of the International Association of Writers. She became a real-life Sherlock Holmes to help solve her ex-husband's murder. She is an avid reader of mystery novels, and the wife of a murdered Texas millionaire, for whom she wrote, "Fighting the Devil". Jeannie Walker's debut novel, the true crime story, "Fighting the Devil" is a 2010 BOOK OF THE YEAR SILVER AWARDS WINNER in True Crime & 2011 National Indie Excellence Awards

Hello Jeannie, please tell us about you, as a writer.

I write because I love it. I write because I believe in truth and justice. I write because I want to reach human beings and tell them to keep trying and to do all they can, because in the end it is worth it, and to let everyone know we are not alone in our struggle. I grew up in rural Oklahoma and later Texas. Most of the reading and writing I did was in school. Growing up on a farm didn't leave a lot of time for anything else except tending to farm animals, feeding and watering the chickens, gathering the eggs, milking the cows, and feeding the pigs. Then there was harvest time when the entire family had to pull cotton, combine wheat, and bale hay. Any spare time I got, I spent outside sitting under a big oak tree enjoying nature and reading a good book. My English teacher at Lone Wolf, Oklahoma was a big influence in my life. Mrs. Schreiner encouraged all her students to excel in reading and writing. I worked hard to achieve excellence and make straight A's because of the respect I had for Mrs. Schreiner and my other teachers in school.

  

Would you tell us something about your latest book?

My latest book is "Fighting the Devil" - A True Story of Consuming Passion, Deadly Poison, and Murder. It is a true crime story, about the murder of my ex-husband, a Texas millionaire, who was callously poisoned to death in an unthinkable and horrendous way. It is depicted the way it really happened with factual accounts, information, recollections and actual dialogue, as well as photos.

How did you come to write this particular book?

The sheriff asked me to help with the murder investigation because the small county could not afford and did not have the time or resources to do extensive research. I became a real-life sleuth to help solve the murder.  I wrote the book to speak for my ex-husband, who no longer has a voice and to tell the aftermath with the strange twists and unexpected results. 

Do you have a favourite character from the book?

My favourite character is the Sheriff, for whom I dedicated the book. He was a small town sheriff, who was very devoted to his job. He died before he saw anyone arrested or justice done in this murder case.

Where can people buy your book?

My book can be purchased on my website, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Smashwords.

What qualities does a writer need to be successful?

I believe in order for a writer to be successful, they must have confidence in their ability and the patience to persevere.

What’s your working method?

Taking the necessary time to research, organize, and outline before I ever sit down to write the manuscript.

What’s the single biggest mistake made by beginner writers?

Expecting overnight or immediate success.

To what extent are grammar and spelling important in writing?

Yes! It is absolutely essential and vital that there are no grammar and spelling mistakes in the finished product. Grammar errors and spelling mistakes is a turnoff to readers.

How much do you revise your MS before sending it off? 

I delete at least 10 percent from my first draft. According to a writing genius, Mr. Stephen King, the formula for success is 2nd draft equals 1st draft minus 10%.

As a writer of true crime, a non-fiction area, to what extent do you think genre is useful in the publishing world? 

When one thinks of genre, certain images and themes are conjured. Genre theory is important because it informs the reader as to the subject matter.

Many authors see marketing as a bind. What's your opinion on this, and how do you deal with it?

It is a given that authors must market their own product. Nobody knows the product better than the original author. The author has everything to gain from personal marketing, even though at times it can be rather time consuming.  I take marketing my book with a grain of salt and just grin and bear it. I believe that when we market our own products, then we have the right and the fortune to brag of our success and accomplishments.

What sort of displacement activities keep you from writing? 

Household chores, telephone calls, and marketing my book keep me from my writing.

What support, if any, do you receive from family and friends, writing group, or dedicated professionals?

I am blessed in that I receive support from my family, friends and also dedicated professionals, who kindly offer their services and expertise.

Is presentation of the MS as important as agents and publishers suggest?

It is imperative to have a professional presentation of the MS.

How long does it take you to write a book?

Honestly, it took me 20 years to write this true crime story. As it was a murder case, certain things had to happen before I was able to finish it. In real life it can take decades to bring a perpetrator to justice, no matter how seemingly obvious his or her guilt. I was hoping to have a good ending for my book.

Who or what inspires your writing? 

Other authors inspire me.

If there’s a single aspect of writing you find frustrating, what is it?

Finding the time to sit down and actually put my thoughts and research into a readable format.

Is there a particular feature of writing that you really enjoy?

Being able to pick up my own book and realizing I was the one who wrote the book, and was the person solely responsible for making it happen.

Do you believe creative writing is a natural gift or an acquired skill?

Some people do have a natural gift for creative writing. But, most people, like myself, have to study and learn the art of creative writing.

What are you writing now?

I am working on my next true story about my Cherokee Indian heritage.

Do you have a website or blog where readers can visit?

I have a website and also a blog. The links are:  http://jeanniewalkerbooks.com

  http://jeannie-walker.blogspot.com

Given unlimited resources, where would you do your writing?

Given unlimited resources, I would still do my writing on my IMAC computer in my home office.

Stuart's Daily Word Spot: Xeric

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Xeric: adjective – in ecology - characterized by dry conditions.

Sometimes a word appeals for reasons that have nothing to do with its meaning. Xeric was one of those words for me. I find the sound almost onomatopoeic, how about you?

'Deserts, as opposed to desserts, tend to be xeric in nature. A xeric dessert would probably be less than appetising, but a xeric desert is, well, it's actually a redundancy, a bit like referring to a wet lake.'

27 October 1811 The inventor, Isaac Singer, was born. He later founded the Singer Sewing Machine Company, much to the delight and despair of many women, some released from manual toil and others reduced to the sweatshops of clothing entrepreneurs

Stuart's Daily Word Spot: Wadi

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Wadi: noun - a rocky watercourse, dry except during the rainy season; the stream occasionally running through such a watercourse.

'Dazzling sun blinding him, Abdul staggered into the wadi and fell face down amongst the dust and stones, wishing with all his heart that it was the rainy season.'

Stuart's Daily Word Spot: Vacillate

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Vacillate: verb - sway or swing unsteadily; in unstable equilibrium, oscillate, stagger, vary, fluctuate; waver between different opinions, options, actions; indecisive.

'There is a perception, amongst those of a fixed political view, that the Liberal Democrats vacillate on most points of policy; this is false, of course, as they merely tend to take the middle path, rather than either of the offered extremes in most things.'

25 October 1961 Private Eye was published for the first time. I doubt Ian Hislop, the current editor, was even around at that time. It’s been responsible for deflating many a political and celebrity ego along the way. Long may it continue to do so.

Stuart's Daily Word Spot: Uglify

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Uglify: verb – to make repulsive or ugly in appearance; disfigure.

Sometimes, a word does just what it says on the tin. Uglify is an ugly word that serves its purpose in an exemplary fashion, don't you think?

'Jealous of Devika's apparent attention to her cousin, Girish decided to uglify her by throwing concentrated sulphuric acid into her face. He, of course, used the excuse that he was saving his honour by the action.'

24 October 1861 The Pony Express faced obsolescence due to the first transmission of a transcontinental telegraph in the USA.

Stuart's Daily Word Spot: The comma, and how to use it.

Cover via Amazon

The comma, and how to use it.

Perhaps I should start this piece by determining what a comma actually is: a comma is defined as a punctuation mark that indicates a pause between parts of a sentence, or which separates items in a list or groups of figures, etc. In speech, we pause when there's a natural break in what we're saying, or when we need to isolate the next words from those preceding them in order to make our message clear.

There's a movement toward open punctuation at present, promoting the omission of commas in cases in which they're considered optional. Whilst such an idea may have some merit, writers and editors need to retain commas, and sometimes even insert additional ones, in order to clarify meaning.

Let me give some examples of how important the humble comma can be.

There is, of course, the famous example shown by Lynne Truss in the title of her excellent book, 'Eats shoots and leaves.' and its alternative version, 'Eats, shoots and leaves.'  The two sentences have exactly the same words but the meanings are poles apart. In the first, we have a bald statement that the subject (unstated in this case) lives on a diet of shoots and leaves; a vegetarian, of course. In the second, we have an altogether more dangerous individual who has a meal, then produces and uses a firearm before moving away.

'She sees all the advantages and wonders about how they might make more of these qualities.'

 In this example, the pairing of 'advantages' with 'wonders', which can act as both verb and noun, makes the first part of the sentence sound as though the subject, she, observes all the advantages and wonders. In fact, of course, the writer does not intend the reader to make this connection and the sentence would be much clearer if written thus: 'She sees all the advantages, and wonders about how they might make more of these qualities.'  We now know, with certainty, that 'she' is both observing and speculating.

It is this ability of the comma to remove ambiguity that makes it an essential tool in the writer's armoury.

'You should be grateful for the money and rest.'

Does the writer want his subject to show gratitude for cash and repose? Or does he actually expect gratitude for the money alone and then suggest that his subject take a rest? The sentence can be read to mean either. A comma would clarify the latter: 'You should be grateful for the money, and rest.' This is now clear. As for the former case, a slight restructuring of the sentence will again make the meaning clear: 'You should be grateful for rest and the money.' Again, the meaning is now clear.

'The world contains far too many people using artificial means to produce children and far too many orphans.'

Here we have the slightly sinister suggestion that people are using artificial means to create orphans. Does this mean some people are actively killing parents so that some children will be orphaned? I think the writer means something entirely different: 'The world contains far too many people using artificial means to create children, and far too many orphans.'  Again, this sentence would make more sense and be unambiguous if structured in a better way: 'The world contains far too many orphans, and too many people who use artificial means to create children.' You may, or may not, agree with the sentiment, but I hope you agree with the clarity of the alternative structures.

'Marilyn opened the door in her nightdress and shrieked as the chill air blew it up her legs.'

It's unlikely Marilyn's nightdress had a door, of course. But the writer has described the garment as having one. Also, was the door or the nightdress blown up her legs? Not at all clear, is it? Perhaps a better understanding of what actually happened would be derived from: 'Marilyn, in her nightdress, opened the door and shrieked as the chill air blew it up her legs.' Even here, though it's now clear that the nightdress and the door are two separate items, it remains ambiguous whether the chill air blew the garment or the portal up her legs. It isn't always a lack of commas that renders a sentence unclear. Perhaps it might be better stated as: 'Marilyn opened the door and shrieked as the chill air blew her nightdress up her legs.' Here the comma has been ditched but the structure of the sentence makes everything clear.

'Another politician named Nick Clegg broke his word and allowed his partners to introduce tuition fees against all the pre-election promises he had made.'

How many politicians named 'Nick Clegg' are there? And, in what way can you introduce tuition fees for pre-election promises? The sentence is poor and lacks clarity. Let's try: 'Nick Clegg, another politician, broke his word and allowed his partners to introduce tuition fees, against all the pre-election promises he had made.' We now understand that the writer is lumping Nick Clegg with other politicians and pointing the finger of blame at him, regarding tuition fees, because he had previously promised not to permit such a thing to happen.

 I could go on with examples, and I could talk about the 'Oxford' comma, but I think you've probably got the general idea by now. I don't want to bore you.

23 October 2001 The first iPod was released by Apple. Can it really only be ten years ago?

Review of 'Excuse me, My Brains Have Stepped Out', by Pandora Poikilos

This book, described and promoted as 'Women's Fiction', reads like a memoir. This, together with information given me in a blog interview with the author (use the link if you wish to read it: http://stuartaken.blogspot.com/2011/08/author-interview-with-pandora-poikilos.html), leads me to believe it's a fictionalised account of real events. It's not uncommon, of course, for writers to present their life stories as fiction and, as often as not, it's done to protect those they grew up with. All that said, this novel reads like a life story.

It's presented largely as a series of letters to the narrator's father. These include hints at a past we never fully learn but which clearly contains distressing events. The letters also include passages of opinion on various aspects of humanity, relationships and life in general. It's an interesting device and, for the most part, works well in the context of the book. There were times, however, when I found the authorial voice a little intrusive and sometimes tiresome.

There are editing deficiencies in the text, which is unfortunately peppered with instances of tense change and other grammatical errors. This should have rendered the book unreadable for me, since I find such presentation very irritating, believing that writers should learn the rules before going on to break them. It's testament to the quality of the content that the faults didn't stop me reading to the end.

The emotional journey we take with the narrator is profound, disturbing, difficult and, uplifting. This isn't a story full of action; there's no apparent sequence of events and no plot. This is an exposition of the very significant barriers and obstructions to normal life faced by an individual suffering from Intracranial Hypertension; a rare brain condition. Had the author merely set out what had happened to Anya, the subject of the story, it would've probably resulted in a turgid text. But her presentation of events through intimate and touching letters to Anya's father, in spite of occasional passages where she tells him things he already knows, renders the tale into a moving and easily digested account.

Anya complains about those who say they 'understand' her situation, suggesting that such understanding can be achieved only through similar suffering. I 'understand' her view on that topic. But feel I have some, albeit small, understanding of aspects of her condition and her fight to achieve normality. Having suffered ME/CFS for eight years (now recovered), I know how limiting certain conditions can be and I commend her efforts, courage and sheer determination in completing what must have been a very demanding undertaking.

This is a book that some will find difficult, some won't finish, but which cannot fail to move those who take the trouble to accompany Anya on her journey, against seemingly impossible odds, toward a destination that will leave them in a better place than they started. Uplifting and inspiring.

Stuart's Daily Word Spot: Tableau

Tableau: noun - a picture; used figuratively - a presentation or description in picturesque form; a table, schedule or official list; group of people and things grouped to form a picturesque scene; used theatrically – a static representation of the action at a critical stage in a play; also, the stage direction for this; sudden striking of a dramatic situation; in cards - the arrangement of the cards when laid out for a game of patience.

'The players stopped their action and abruptly struck a tableau in which their individual postures and expressions interacted with their group positions to express the shock, horror and disbelief at the sudden, and apparently inexplicable, killing of the lead character.'

Pic: Valerie at the foot of the steps leading to the northern beach at Bridlington, East Yorkshire.

Stuart's Daily Word Spot: Wreak or wreck?

Wreak or wreck:

Wreak: verb – expel, drive away; express a feeling, especially anger; punish, injure or harm someone; avenge someone; vindicate a cause by an act of retribution; take or inflict vengeance on or upon someone; cause harm, damage, etc., frequently in 'wreak havoc'; deal a blow. (Wreak is often followed by 'on' or 'upon')

Wreck: verb - wash ashore; reduce a structure, vehicle, etc. to a ruined or shattered condition by force or violence; destroy; cause the wreck of a vessel; bring someone to disaster or ruin; cause the ruin or destruction of a system, etc.; severely upset or impair someone's health, nerves, etc.; frustrate, thwart; prevent the passing of a measure; suffer a shipwreck.

These words have no shared etymological origin but often appear to be confused. You can 'wreak havoc' by 'wrecking' something, but they are not the same thing.

'Influenced by the culture of his tribe, Mohammed swore to wreak vengeance on his brother for daring to speak softly to the woman he had decided to wed.'

'George, if you don't stop pounding your sister's doll with your hammer, you're going to wreck it.'

Pic: Venetian fortress on Crete.

Author Interview with Faith Mortimer

Hello Faith, please tell us about you, as a writer.

Hello Stuart, first may I take this opportunity to thank you for inviting me along as your guest author today.

Like many of my writer friends I entered the ‘writing’ business later in life. My children were grown up and off my hands, I’d recently completed a Science degree (for interest and fun!), and when my husband took early retirement I thought, aha! So shall I and this gave me the opportunity to complete that first book that I’d always wanted to write. I’d decided on a story, (The Crossing)after listening to a good friend of ours telling us a tale about his father; a wartime story of love, loss and heroics. One thing led to another and here I am a couple of years later with two completed novels ( The Crossing, The Assassins’ Village), a short story collection and my third novel, (Children of the Plantation) published in Amazon last month!

Your latest book is Children of the Plantation; perhaps you’d you give us some insight into it in a few sentences?

My latest book is another in the Diana Rivers Mystery series entitled; Children of The Plantation.

It starts in the present; when heroine and amateur sleuth Diana is asked to read through a collection of journals she is whisked back to the turbulent times during the fifties and sixties in Malaya (now known as Malaysia). Love, betrayal, murder and mystery all feature heavily in this story.

How did you come to write this particular book?

After writing my first very popular Diana Rivers mystery, The Assassins’ Village, I was caught up in her character and loved writing about mysterious happenings. It seemed logical to write a follow up, especially when my loyal core of followers particularly asked me to!

Do you have a favourite character from the book? If so, who and why this particular one?

It has to be Diana. She’s a feisty lady, who’s always getting in trouble with her inquisitive ways. I also enjoyed writing about Alex, whose story it is really about. He’s on a rite of passage and is such a mixed up kid. When he does a certain thing he really messes things up and causes a calamity with huge repercussions!

Where can people buy your books?

My books are available on;

Amazon US  http://amzn.to/oLQt8c

Amazon UK http://amzn.to/qe90Lf

Smashwords  http://bit.ly/iXHzBq

The book depository (paperbacks) http://bit.ly/oCON7U

What qualities does a writer need to be successful?

Many qualities spring to mind. Even when you’re enjoying writing it’s a hard slog writing sometimes. It can be a lonely day when you sit there tapping away at your keyboard or holding a pencil. I finally got down to serious writing when my children were gown up. I took a science degree and once I’d realised that dedication, stamina and determination were needed to compete my degree I decided it applied equally to writing. Also I’ve recently discovered that your readers are the MOST important factor once your book goes live. They have feelings and are NOT there as your personal cash cow.

 What’s your working method?

When I am writing, time means nothing to me. Although I aim for at least 1500 words a day sometimes I can happily write three times that - so long as there are no distractions. No radio or television when I am working! At the moment I write in the 'snug', a gorgeous cosy room in our 200 -year old stone house. I know I have found my niche in life. It's fantastic to see the product of my efforts on a bookshelf in a store or on Amazon.

 I hand write into a note pad, when I’ve finished for the day I simply close the book and don’t open it until the next day when I’ll go over the previous day’s work. I may edit then.

When I come to put the completed notes onto my pc – this is my first major edit – the first of many!

What’s the single biggest mistake made by beginner writers?

As I’ve already said it can be a hard slog. When you’re ready to publish make sure that the product you’re going to offer is as good as a paperback. Take time to edit and re-edit, over and over. Be patient – it will take time to make any real progress. Be friendly and polite to everyone within the same market – you never know when you might need them and good manners never hurt. You can also learn lots from others as well.

To what extent are grammar and spelling important in writing?

Very important. As above – editing is boring with a capital B, but it pays off. The most annoying thing is you can check a MS 12 times, read it out aloud and yet once it’s printed you’ll still finds mistakes. Groan. We all do it and the big boys are also culprits!

How much do you revise your MS before sending it off?

Lots and lots. I also read it out aloud and get friends to do the same.

Many authors see marketing as a bind. What's your opinion on this, and how do you deal with it?

Marketing is a huge part of writing – and not just marketing the end product – the book – you have to market yourself. Be nice to people, remember they might be your reader. I enjoy some of the marketing, it takes up an enormous amount of time but I’ve ‘met’ some fabulous people and made loads of friends in the meantime! This makes up for it.

What sort of displacement activities keep you from writing?

Family! Home, friends who don’t always understand you.

How long does it take you to write a novel?

My first novel (The Crossing) took me about eighteen months with all the research (six months). I then wasted ages looking for an agent and then publisher. I eventually found one – who doesn’t do a lot towards marketing – I believe it’s best to do it yourself.

My second novel, The Assassins’ Village took about a year and my latest, just about to be published; Children of The Plantation took me about four months. I’m getting quicker. Also, as I’m becoming more experienced my books are tighter and less wordy – so shorter and therefore less time to complete.

Who or what inspires your writing?

I can read a great novel and I then go around thinking about it for days – the author may have a style that I admire and it gives me the impetus to get down and begin to write a new book. No one writer or person inspires me though.

If there’s a single aspect of writing you find frustrating, what is it?

I hate the first chapter/s. It takes me a while to find my stride. I often rewrite these many times. There are not enough hours in the day, and I’ll die before I’ve finally finished all I have to write!

Is there a particular feature of writing that you really enjoy?

Once I’m well into it and on a roll. I sometimes feel as if I could go on for ever.

Do you believe creative writing is a natural gift or an acquired skill?

Mmm. Hard question this. I think creative writing is a natural gift. One can acquire a certain amount of skill and polish, but the true writer has to possess that certain ‘something’, the spark, the feel and the need to get something down on paper.

What are you writing now?

I’ve just finished, Children of The Plantation which was published in September. I have another idea for a third Diana Rivers mystery in the pipeline and I’ve just begun my research for this. I have not yet got a title, but it will involve Diana and a group of actors in England.

Do you have a website or blog where readers can visit?

Absolutely, the link is http://www.faithmortimerauthor.com

I’d love anyone to post me a comment on my blog there.

Given unlimited resources, where would you do your writing? Where do you actually write?

Here. I live in an old stone-house in the foothills of the Troodos Mountains on Cyprus. A beautiful Mediterranean island and known as Aphrodite’s own. I originally come from England. I write in ‘the snug’ in the house, or on a shady terrace outside. Perfect and quiet. 

Stuart's Daily Word Spot: Sympathy or Empathy?

Sympathy or Empathy?

Sympathy: noun - harmony of disposition or temperament, making people compatible; common feeling; sharing or being in agreement with the feelings or condition of another or others; feelings of pity and sorrow for the suffering of another; a feeling or expression of compassion or condolence.

Empathy: noun - the ability to mentally identify with and fully comprehend a person or object of contemplation.

Sympathy is relatively common, especially for someone in distress of some sort. But it involves no more than sharing feelings with the victim.

Empathy, on the other hand, requires a deep and comprehensive understanding of the full implications of the emotions felt by a victim; it is, in a sense, 'becoming' that person in the way that a fine actor will 'be' the character rather than simply portray the person.

By all means portray a character sympathetically, if that suits the story. But, as a writer, you need to be empathetic and get into the skin of the character you're depicting.

Stuart's Daily Word Spot: Stanza

Stanza: noun - a group of lines of verse used as a basic metrical unit of a song or poem consisting of a series of such groups; a verse; in some Greek and Latin metres - a group of four lines; in Italy - an apartment, chamber or room, especially one in the Vatican; a half or other session of a game or sporting contest.

Here's an example, but beware: I don't consider myself a poet.

Suburban

Suburban every Sunday man

polishing his white work’s van

when the stranger gives a smile

he would rather run a mile

than take the risk to say hello

to a man he does not know

Suburban weekday workday man

starting up his white work’s van

slams the door on wife forlorn

cranks the engine parps the horn

doesn’t give a damn he’s said

for the neighbours still in bed

Saturday suburban man

in the street his white work’s van

puts his feet up for the telly

fills his glass and fills his belly

lets the wife go shop up town

if she’ll shed her weeknight gown

Suburban every someday man

now he’s lost his white work’s van

lost the wheels and lost the job

lost his pride become a slob

all the days from now the same

bear the stigma feel the shame.

Pic: Approaching Goodmanham in East Yorkshire.

Stuart's Daily Word Spot: Whether or if?

Image via Wikipedia

Whether or if?

These two conjunctions are more or less interchangeable. However, 'whether' is generally used in more formal writing. And 'if' gives a better idea that possibility or probability is involved with the alternatives on offer.

So:

'Whether you vote Labour or Conservative will make no difference to your life: both parties will screw you unless you're part of the club.'

'If you vote Labour, you can feel that you've tried to be socially responsible, but if you vote Conservative, you'll have to accept you've displayed no social conscience. Of course, the reality is that neither vote will improve matters for you, unless you belong to the small group making the decisions.'

 

Stuart's Daily Word Spot: Rabelaisian

Image via Wikipedia

Rabelaisian: adjective - characteristic of or resembling the writing of French satirist François Rabelais (c 1494–1553); demonstrating exuberant imagination and language, coarse humour, and satire.

'I'd count it an honour if I could write a book of such Rabelaisian power that it would be banned by the Vatican, in the same way as the works of François Rabelais were banned.'