I'm Back...

I'm back, after the best holiday I've ever had, and am almost ready to start querying again. I wrote most days whilst on the ship and found it a great space to be in to drift, quite literally, away into my own world. (For those that are interested I'll post pics of  South Pacific in coming weeks.)

I have my MS with two beta readers at the moment. And, after printing it off for the first time in a three months, I plan to sit down and read it again from cover to cover. I've been told reading it in as few a sittings as possible is the best way to get a feel for whether or not the book flows, is cohesive, and the narrative arc bears out as it should.

I spent a lot of time reworking the opening chapters. Now the novel begins where I'd originally envisioned it starting. As I mentioned in another post, I had front loaded it with too much exposition, and realized (eventually) that I needed it starting at a point where there was forward momentum.

More to follow soon.

Keep writing!

Away From My Desk...

Currently on holiday in Manly, Sydney, taking in the sea air, the food and the coffee.

Have also enjoyed people watching and sitting in cafes writing.

Will be leaving on the Sea Princess on Monday for south pacific cruise. Life's tough sometimes...

(Will share some pic's in future posts.)

When I get back I intend to start posting more regularly and querying again--am much happier now with beginning of novel and am keen to see if the changes I have made translate into increased agent interest.

All the best.

Keep writing!

Some Days Writing is A bit Like this...

"He sat at the typewriter, tears streaming down his face and falling onto the paper; feverishly trying to expel the emotions and somehow bring them out onto the page, so that he might examine them objectively, just as one might have a diseased organ removed and inspect it afterwards wondering how such a thing could have come from them."--J.C.

Another Writing Update

Have made some exciting advancements recently on my MS.

I had a series of breakthroughs in areas I had been stuck on for months.

I think a change of scenery and circumstance has had a lot to do with it. This has helped me to bring about a change of energy--much more positive of late.

In practical terms I have removed a lot of the back story or exposition from the beginning of the MS and inserted it much later in the narrative. Some of the back story will need to be broken up or condensed further, but on the whole I have been very pleased with the difference this relatively simple change has made.

The narrative now begins with action, and where I had originally intended before I had gone and loaded the opening of the novel with exposition.

For those of you who already understand the significance of starting in action and delaying the delivery of back story until absolutely necessary (something I also knew, but for the life of me couldn't seem to put to into practise in this MS), you may want to go and do something else instead of reading this.

Like Keep Writing!

My Philosophy For Living

I was having a conversation last night with a friend and we were talking about what it is each of us considers to be important in life, which led onto to what we think the purpose of this existence is (other than buying as many brand name products on as much credit as we can access).

And I managed to distill what I believe the meaning or purpose of life is, down into a sentence. (Be it a rather long one).

Here goes:

At this point in my journey I believe the meaning or purpose of life is to identify my fears (some of which include: flying, public speaking, disapproval, being emotionally vulnerable, being a poor partner and/or father, handling confrontation poorly), work towards and through confronting and overcoming those fears, and therein discover my passion/s (some of which include writing, travel, meeting new people, experiencing new cultures) and then pursue and use those passions to inspire and encourage other people to confront their fears and pursue their passions; the byproduct of all this is growth.

Keep writing!

I'm Back...

Crossing the Nullarbor was still an amazing experience -- even third time around. (See photo's below.)

Arrived at our destination on December 23rd, after six days of travelling. We poured out of the car like zombies released from a tomb.

It's good to be near family again, after so long on the other side of the country.

We're recuperating and enjoying the summer weather; it's invigorating swimming laps in a fifty metre outdoor pool under a sunlit blue sky.

My writing plan is to start proofreading and rewriting my MS. To be honest it's rather a daunting task after not having touched it for a couple of months.

But as someone said (maybe me), 'Discipline is more important than talent.'

Keep writing.

Rolling, Rolling, Rolling...

I'm in the middle of preparing to move from the western to the eastern side of the country.

So not much writing happening at the moment.

My plan is to spend the summer editing and rewriting my MS, and then begin resubmitting to agents in the UK and Australia early next year.

Keep writing.