Update on Publishing

At last, my new novel, Rough Diamonds, is nearly nearly, nearly ready, and will be ready for purchase from the end of July! The text got somewhat waylaid by youwriteon.com which held me up for a while - but the silver lining was that it's now a much better edition than it was last October, so good news on that. I will be uploading the cover and the order details at the end of the month.

New book coming new book coming

I am very excited by new books out and about, Summer Times in the Algarve, edited by colleague/friend and talented writer and teacher Lisa Selvidge, is now available to buy -woohoo! This lovely anthology is a mix of stories, memoirs and vignettes written by a number of writers with knowledge of the Algarve, and paints a lovely picture of the region over the years, in fact and in fantasy - a delightful book.

And Rough Diamonds, my second novel, is out any time now - watch this space!

New Titles, New Workshops

That lovely time of year where the log is lit to take away the early morning chill - a very early morning, as my partner was on an early nursing shift - and the sun is shining through the window, just beginning to bring in warmth, as well as light.

Showing finger marks all over the glass patio doors - once more I think about cleaning them. I'll probably thing about that again tomorrow.

Well, am very excited now as my book Rough Diamonds is receiving some excellent reviews on line - in the process of publication, this will be out in time to order for Christmas, I'm led to believe.

Meanwhile, people are asking me about new workshops for the new year. Two ideas - one, I'd like to run a critique workshop, so especially for those who have some writing to review and move along with. Two, some life writing - many people find writing therapeutic, and therapeutic can be creative. Life writing can close this loop and harness the energy to move forwards. So I will look for venues and dates, to be announced soon.

Meanwhile, I'm writing a different kind of book, The Little Red Book of Coaching series, the first one targeted to be out in the New Year.

Life and art

September came and went, with me preparing much for a new Coaching course and also writing materials for books and handouts, so busy ness everywhere. Good news - I was accepted to have my new novel published in the Legend - youwriteon.com liaison, script in by the end of October. Cheekily asked if they would republish Keeping Abreast, and yes! The contract arrived.

October saw me going off to UK, bags packed for a three week stay, some teaching and then lots of time to write - shape up new novel Rough Diamonds, spellcheck Keeping Abreast, and complete short story, Vinegar and Brown Paper, set in a confessional with disclosures of wanting to disconnect someone from a life support machine.

Then major incident - my daughter becomes very ill and is in intensive care for three weeks, so my story in that setting seemed kind of odd - anyway, she came out last week, all my submissions are in, and I'm now stranded at Leeds Bradford on my way home at last - set off from manchester airport at 8 a.m. and had to turn around after an hour, technical hitch.

Seems like Patience is the name of the game for me at this time. Feeling very Zen, writing much.

I am now officially reviewing books for Susana at Magna Carta, so do go on to the site, Susan has a very good selection.

All for now, will update when back in the Algarve.

Workshop

The Plotting Workshop was well attended, 2 previous people, 6 new - how interesting to be a previous person, what does it all mean? We looked at plots, created plots, shared plots, and generally loosened the walls of the brain to think in a slightly wider way than usual.

Thoughts on the next workshop are to have a slightly smaller group and to offer shared critiques of work in progress.

All people who attended are happy to share inforation with each other, so will be able to buddy to keep the creative juices flowing.

The roast potatoes seemed to be a universal success.

Thanks everyone.

New Workshop: Losing the Plot!

Workshopping

Sunday 20th saw the first of a series of workshops on writing, served with lunch. We looked at point of view, whose story is it anyway, can we swap between, what implications does our choice of point of view have; we discussed some pros and cons of writing for an audience, writing as yourself - how different are these two, or can they be the same. Writing is a craft - not everyone likes words like 'devices' and 'techniques', but then I suppose they are the differences that we see in any art, the difference between a Klimt and a Rembrandt, both genuine and from the self yet crafted in very different ways.

Six people attended my invite, another would have liked to but where is the bus when you want it, and several expressed interest yet weren't here. It was a pleasure to share the little bits created on the spot, and to listen to Valerie and Chris's work already in creation.

I'm plotting the next workshop for September, with lunch again, and we will focus around...plot. Anyone interested to be on the mailing list can join through my e-mail address. I'm trying to make links to post contributions and website links, time has been a little full recently for me, will get them done as soon as.

Janice.