Like all writers out there I quite regularly seek feed back from anyone who reads my work but nothing is as valuable as a good honest review with constructive critique. I've found a great community of readers and writers on a website run by harper Collins called authonomy. You up load as much or as little of your work as you like and people can review your work and you theirs. I've had some great pointers about characters point of view and tips on how to improve the flow of my work just by adjusting and looking carefully at the punctuation. I can't recommend this site highly enough. There are some amazing and talented writers on there. Another thing I like is though the feed back is honest it's not slating so you don't need such a tough skin but always remember now every person is going to enjoy your work as much as others. I have to keep this in mind as it is easy to forget when you get a 1 star or poor review.
The second thing I wanted to talk about is writing the second novel. I'm currently working on Wings of Fire the follow up to Blades of Shadow and I must confess I'm finding this one harder to writer than the first. Difficult to pin down why exactly but I think it's down to the cross referencing and looking back I do to avoid continuity errors and to see how my characters have developed and how they may react to their new situations. I find a flow chart helps with this. It also helps me trace my ideas forward but I don't plan to hard as with all art no single idea is set in stone and parts can be rewritten etc.
Happy writing all
Lauren
Thursday 29 November 2012
Wednesday 21 November 2012
Writing with medical problems
It's been a while since my last blog entry. I apologise for that its been a roller coaster of a few weeks. But I'm back on the preverbal horse as it were and ready to ride.
Like all of us I find writing a great joy and often a great escape from the world. Now so more than ever as I have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia as well as ME. I thought I'd share my tips for when writing isn't so easy be it illness or problems etc and concentration can be shot.
1) Pace yourself easy to say difficult to understand. Write a page or so take a break for ten mins then have another go.
2) If you can't write don't be hard on yourself scribble your ideas down.
3) Take you're emotions, pain and note the descriptions of them down it can add the extra dimensions to your writing
4) Get someone to read your work just to point out those little proof reading errors that are easy to miss when you can't concentrate.
5) My final tip is don't be hard on yourself some days it will flow and other days it won't. Go with the flow and be gentle with yourself.
Love and creativity
Lauren
Like all of us I find writing a great joy and often a great escape from the world. Now so more than ever as I have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia as well as ME. I thought I'd share my tips for when writing isn't so easy be it illness or problems etc and concentration can be shot.
1) Pace yourself easy to say difficult to understand. Write a page or so take a break for ten mins then have another go.
2) If you can't write don't be hard on yourself scribble your ideas down.
3) Take you're emotions, pain and note the descriptions of them down it can add the extra dimensions to your writing
4) Get someone to read your work just to point out those little proof reading errors that are easy to miss when you can't concentrate.
5) My final tip is don't be hard on yourself some days it will flow and other days it won't. Go with the flow and be gentle with yourself.
Love and creativity
Lauren
Friday 2 November 2012
Hints on submissions
I've seen a lot of questions and seen a lot of confusion about submissions and the guidelines for publishers so I thought I'd share some tips and lessons I've learned along the way.
I often get asked why it is so important to double line space, margins a certain distance etc and I explain it like this. When you go for a job interview you want to look your best the same applies to your manuscript. If you take the time it shows you are serious about what you are doing and make a good first impression.
1) Always always always read the guide lines they can vary from publisher to publisher.
2) Get used to typing in double line space it's what most publishers as agencies want.
3) Before you send any work proof read properly sounds simple but you will be amazed how many writers don't.
4) A good covering letter short sweet and to the point. This is another chance to make a good impression.
5) A synopsis needs to be short and concise no more than around 600 words. Include major plot points and the ending tell the story without telling the story.
I'm still learning the craft but these are tips I wanted to share.
Good luck with your writing and finding a publisher.
Lauren
I often get asked why it is so important to double line space, margins a certain distance etc and I explain it like this. When you go for a job interview you want to look your best the same applies to your manuscript. If you take the time it shows you are serious about what you are doing and make a good first impression.
1) Always always always read the guide lines they can vary from publisher to publisher.
2) Get used to typing in double line space it's what most publishers as agencies want.
3) Before you send any work proof read properly sounds simple but you will be amazed how many writers don't.
4) A good covering letter short sweet and to the point. This is another chance to make a good impression.
5) A synopsis needs to be short and concise no more than around 600 words. Include major plot points and the ending tell the story without telling the story.
I'm still learning the craft but these are tips I wanted to share.
Good luck with your writing and finding a publisher.
Lauren
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