Friday 20 February 2015

What's been happening and Celebrations!

A mixed bag of a week really. It's half term week in the UK and as I work in school that means a week out of the daily routines for me too! And I had loads planned writing wise.
  • Complete the final polish on my ms (tick)
  • Write a compelling synopsis and wining covering letter (tick, I hope!)
  • Submit to carefully selected agents (tick). All good so far ....   
Then, I started work on a shiny new project to help me keep my fingers and brain employed while I wait to hear back from some of those submissions. It is something a bit different for me, definitely outside my comfort zone. But then my yoga teacher told me only this week it is good to step outside your comfort zone, so I am really only taking her advice!

Just to give you a little info on the new project. It will be aimed at the 5-8 age group and, although it could stand on it's own as a story, I feel it has good series potential, so I am planning three stories initially, using the main two characters in different situations. I have read an awful lot on agent/publisher websites, blogs and Twitter recently that talk about wanting 'character driven' stories. So I am going to work on developing the characters into something unique and memorable. The other thing I have been reading about recently is humour in children's stories. And I guess this is really where I am stepping out my comfort zone, in that I am trying my hand at writing humour. That silly kind of childish humour has always appealed to me, some might say I never actually grew up, but maybe that's not such a bad thing for a children's writer!

Anyway, 4,000 words in and I'm loving it! It's fun and it's silly and just a little bit random in places, but I think it is working. There's a long way to go with it, but early indications are positive, and I'm happy to just see how things go for now. At least it has stopped me checking my email every 5 mins, just in case there's been an early response to my submission!

In non writerly news I took a trip to the optician. I need some new glasses, but I always find it difficult to make a decision. They will be quite expensive as I have varifocals so I don't want to make a costly mistake.The lovely lady in the optician took some pictures of me wearing the three pairs we whittled it down to. She emailed them to me to look at further, and so that I could show to husband and daughter at home.

Daughter said, "They all look the same to me," and husband said, "I bet you go for the purple ones whatever!" Frankly, not a great deal of help! 

Yes, I am drawn to the purple ones, but is it just the colour? I'm worried I am incapable of making a rational decision on things any more because of my colour obsession. The purple would be the cheapest option actually because they are from the kid's range. I always have a problem finding glasses that fit because of the shape of my head. Now, before you all start laughing and scanning my photo for clues, I simply mean I am quite narrow across that part of my face, and I often feel that styles stick out too much.

The second  pair are brown with a little bit of turquoise green on the inner frames. They fit well and I like the shape, I think they make me look grown-up and professional. (Note earlier point about never growing up). If only they were purple (sorry, see my problem!). 

The third pair, the lady described as 'quirky.' Aha, I thought the perfect compromise. They are a pinky brown colour with a little green stripe on the arms. Green is obviously the 'in' colour in spectacle fashion this season. But I'm just not sure ....

I think I need to go back and try them all on again. I will take husband for back-up. Place your bets, which do you think I will go for? Results to be revealed in the near future.

I also took a trip to the dentist. Need to go back there for a filling. 

I got a stomach bug yesterday. Nuff said on that one! Thankfully feeling bit better today although rather drained. Hopefully will have the energy to do a little writing later.

So, that was my week. Quite a lot to celebrate and a few things that made me feel blah or want to tear my hair out! A quiet weekend is in order I think, so I feel ready to go back to the real world on Monday morning.

But just before I go, I thought I'd share this link with you on writing a synopsis.If any of you are about to tackle this tricky task you might want to check it out.



 
Thanks to the lovely Lexa and her fabulous co-hosts L.G. Keltner @ Writing Off The Edge Katie @ TheCyborgMom

28 comments:

  1. Ah, yes, I completely get checking your email every couple of minutes. It's a good idea to have something else to work on - although I also have to turn my laptop off and only work on paper, in another room, otherwise I'd still be tempted. Submissions are fun!!

    Of course you're going to go for the purple glasses! Why not? You'll probably feel most comfortable in them because you know they'll suit you :-)

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    1. Hi Annalisa, thanks for the purple vote! Might go into shop tomorrow and try them all on again! I wish you a speedy recovery from your flu.

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  2. Holy cow, what a huge amount of progress and accomplishments! It's so exciting that you're at the querying stage, and so smart of you to dive into a new project. I think having a silly sense of humor is absolutely a plus when it comes to writing children's books. Good luck with the querying and the new project! I'm betting on the green glasses, and I hope you get over your stomach bug quickly. :)

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    1. Thanks, Lexa. I have been busy, but then I didn't really leave the house for 3 days! One for the green glasses. I like this, it might truly help me make a decision!

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  3. Glad you're off and running with a new story idea. Smart to plan a trilogy.
    Just go for the purple glasses.

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  4. Congrats on getting to the dreaded query stage! Hope you hear good news soon. Your new story sounds wonderful.

    I despise picking out new glasses. It's the first impression when people see you. Good Luck!!

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    1. Thanks for stopping by Cathrina. I think glasses become such a big part of you if you wear them a lot. Important to get it right.

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  5. Wow, you've accomplished a lot! Kudos to you. And I think you are smart to leap into something new and just keep writing until you start hearing back from agents. Good luck with what you've sent out and what you've begun.

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    1. Hi Elizabeth and welcome. Thank you for your encouraging words. I am certainly enjoying trying something new. Whether it works or not remains to be seen, but I believe stretching ourselves is important.

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  6. Purple is probably a safe bet haha

    Always fun to just have a grand time with a silly story, plus stretching ones skill is never a bad thing

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  7. I vote purple too! They'll match so many of the clothes and accessories you've already got - then you'll always look like you've made an effort (even when you've just rolled out of bed!) And husbands are always right, of course - it's scary how well they know us! Huge congratulations on the polished ms and the sparkly new project - I'd love to start something new (I'm stuck in the bottomless well of edits - still). I'm going to be opening each of your posts with the hope that you've heard from an agent now xx

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    1. Sounds like you all know me too well! It is good to start something new, however much you love the stuff you've just finished of course. Hope you reach the bottom of those edits soon, just think how lovely and sparkly your book will be when it's finished and your are holding it in print and seeing it in the bookstore. Happy days xx

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  8. You've had a busy and productive week! Wow! Way to go with your polish and synopsis, and your new project! I'm caught between voting for the green striped glasses and the purples ones - both sound fun. :)
    Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

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    1. It has been busy, but I've been planning this week for a while so as to fit in as much writing time as possible! Back to the day job on Monday so production will slow down!
      Happy weekend :)

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  9. Thanks for stopping by my blog and following.

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  10. Well done on the goals! Writing for children is so much fun.
    I hate picking out glass frames. I'm so hard to fit because my nose is so small. Good luck with that (smile).

    I hope you feel better soon; recoup over the weekend.

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  11. It sounds like you've been accomplishing a lot. Good job! Writing for kids is tons of fun. Hope you enjoy it, too.

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  12. I think you're very brave to write for children. Good luck with it. As for the glasses, I share your pain. Specs seem to accentuate my ample nose, which is why I only wear them when I absolutely have to. Give me contact lenses any day.

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  13. Wow, congratulations! You have been busy! I love working in a school, but I must admit, sometimes it is a little hard trying to pack everything into the holidays! Your new project sounds good - I've found that if I have fun with my writing, I'm much more likely to finish it, so I say, keep having fun and keep going :)!

    Also, definitely go for the purple glasses! Colourful glasses are definitely the best - I have bright blue and red ones and I love them :)!

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  14. Busy half term! Good luck with your new project, sounds interesting, it's always good to be doing new things - that you enjoy :) x

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  15. Whoa....super busy, and moving forward. It's good to step out of that comfort zone, huh. Great progress on book, and new one too! Humor is challenging for me, but I've always wanted to try.
    'Stay the course' _/)

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  16. Go with the purple! You sounded happiest in your writings about those. Does that make sense? I'm glad your stomach bug passed quickly. Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

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  17. Standalones with series potential is the way to go. It's a WIN-WIN situation! :)

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  18. Best wishes w/the project you're querying! I need new glasses too, mine only have one earpiece. =/ Which means I can only wear them at home!

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  19. I'm glad that your writing is going so well!

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  20. I stress out when picking glasses because, frankly, when I'm staring at myself in the mirror, they all look the same. If my wife can't tell me which to choose, I might as well flip a coin.

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