Friday 30 October 2015

Celebrate first drafts

You may recall I set myself a target of finishing a first draft by the end of October. Well, I am happy to report that I have just achieved this target. Woohoo! Lots of work still to be done in editing stages but I am always relieved when the bones of the story are there in a first draft. I am looking forward to what comes next.

I have spent a good part of this week working on the first draft but I have managed to slip in a couple of other things as well for my week off!

Hubby and I went to Dartmoor last weekend. I love the scenery there, so dramatic and inspiring (when you can see it through the rain and fog!). Sunday was a beautiful day and we managed a walk. Also got to see daughter number two for a couple of hours which was the icing on the cake! She is at university only about 30 mins away so the opportunity was too good to miss.

I recently read Crow Moon by Anna McKerrow a lot of which was set around this area (and Tintagel in Cornwall which is another favourite place of mine). This is a great Halloween YA read. When you read stories set in places you know, I think it brings a special connection.




Looking over Chagford/Gidleigh


Fernworthy Resevoir


Back home I found time to slip off to a book signing and met the lovely Lara Williamson. Author of A Boy Called Hope and The Boy Who Sailed The Ocean In An Armchair. I read her first book earlier this year and loved the voice and I have just started the new one which is equally great. I can recommend if you are looking for an MG read.


Lara even did one of her special doodles inside for me. 


And, because I was in a book shop and it would have been rude not to, I bought a couple more books as well. My reading list is ever growing but I can live with that!




Thanks to Lexa and her lovely co-hosts
 L.G. Keltner @ Writing Off The Edge 
Tonja Drecker @ Kidbits Blog

Happy weekend



25 comments:

  1. Those pictures are beautiful! Congrats on finishing your first draft :)

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  2. Yay to getting that first draft done! And the pictures are lovely. I'm also scribbling down that book title. It looks really good.

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  3. Awesome you finished!!
    Cool you got to meet Lara. You have a very personalized book now.

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  4. Congrats Suzanne on finishing the first draft :) You must be feeling thrilled.

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  5. Stories and movies set in places you know does bring some extra fun

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  6. Congratulations!!!!! Finishing your first draft is amazing!!!

    Have a nice weekend.

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  7. The pictures are beautiful Suzanne. Congratulations on meeting your goal! Happy weekend.

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  8. What beautiful pictures! And congrats on finishing the draft. Yay!!!

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  9. Pat - They do!

    Cathrina - Thank you :)

    Deanie - Thanks Deanie :)

    Julie - Thanks, Julie :)

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  10. Woohoo - well done on finishing the draft! Such a great feeling. And lots of lovely new books to celebrate xx

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  11. Congrats on the first draft. And what beautiful photos. You got good weather for your trip up here. Not looking so fine this week.

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  12. Great! That is awesome news! Nothing more satisfying that finishing that first draft ....and .... final edit. LOL.

    Beautiful pics! Looks like a gorgeous place.

    I need to read some new books.... it's been ages since I read anything. Crazy, busy with a rehab on a nineteenth century loft. I only have two more weeks before I move and there is SOOOOO much left to do. I mean I don't have a bathroom yet.... Tomorrow it gets the duroc and tiling ... hopefully. It should be done by mid next week. After the bathroom is done, I will breathe again. That is, after all, the most important room in the house.

    HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

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    1. Oh yeah I need a bathroom! Good luck with it all Michael.

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  13. Fabulous pics! It's great to hear you enjoyed the trip and got to see your daughter. Huge congrats on finishing your first draft!!! And it would definitely have been rude to leave the bookstore until you purchased at least a few books. We should never be rude, especially when it comes to books! Have a Happy Halloween!

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  14. Woohooo for finishing your draft!!!! I knew you could do it!!! :D

    Love the pictures, too!

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  15. Congrats on finishing your first draft :)! You deserve some time off! Your photos look beautiful. Crow Moon sounds like a good read, I might have to pick up a copy the next time I'm in town :). Have a lovely week!

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  16. Woohoo on your first draft-fantastic news! Oh, I love the description of the place you visited and your photos are beautiful~ I loved that you shared the icing-I feel that way seeing my kids, too! I love all of the books you mentioned-I am making a list~ Thank you, Suzanne for sharing!

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  17. Great job on getting the first draft done on time! I bet that feels good!

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