Will Worthington And The Black Rainbow: My ‘Will’ To Get There, Further, And Beyond

Intro

I haven’t written a blog entry since last year, but I didn’t really have much to say at the time. Now, I do. As a writer, I have found that you experience ups, downs, and really worrying points when the little negative ‘doubting’ demon whispers in your ear. I have also found that you can beat him.

As you all know, I have been writing ‘Will Worthington and The Black Rainbow’ for nearly fourteen years. It’s been an experience that I wouldn’t change for the world, and (however naive it might sound) I honestly feel that I will see my book traditionally published on the shelves one day.

I know how hard it is out there – but that’s why I push and push and push (sometimes a little too much) because I want this so much that it hurts. I was up this morning a little before nine o clock. It’s my holiday. It doesn’t matter. I know that the more time I spend on my manuscript the better it’s going to be and the higher my chances of making it.

Through this entry today, I’m going to be talking about a few updates on my progress regarding the book, the magic of Twitter, and also reviewing ‘Flight’ a debut novel by my editor at The Golden Egg Academy – Golden Egg is something I will talk about soon, as it’s been my absolute saviour for my book.

The Writing Process

I go through a lot of self-deprecating issues with my book – but the irony is because I absolutely love writing it and I am my own worst enemy. Honestly though? During this year, I have learned how best to manage it. If there are days where nothing comes out, it’s essential not to be angry at myself. It isn’t a defeat, and it certainly doesn’t mean I’ve ‘wasted’ time. As my editor says, the ‘latent processing’ is as much a crucial part of writing as the writing itself. Your brain needs time to relax.

When I’m on an absolute roll (which I can be for hours, up to eight hours plus) I am completely lost inside my book. I don’t want to eat, I don’t want to talk to anyone, I am a machine. Up until last week I thought writing was easiest when I was at the coffee shops. I like the hustle and bustle of a coffee shop (and I frequent all of them in the village!) However, I realised something the other day. I stayed at home for a change, and I was able to write and edit tons more. It’s also useful because it means I save money.

My target for when I return from my holiday is to write at home with cups of tea and ham sandwiches when I have days off. If however I need a notebook day, that’s when I’ll head down to the coffee shops and see what I can get out.

 The Golden Egg Academy

Many years back, I tweeted an author who at the time had her first book out called ‘Beetle Boy.’ Now I don’t believe in fate really, (though I’m starting to kind of believe the universe ‘listens’ to something if you want it that much) but I was working at Waterstones and ‘Beetle Boy’ was book of the month. I enjoyed it, so I messaged M.G. Leonard (Maya to most) and told her I was a writer. She told me about Golden Egg. The rest is history.

I still remember that time when I received my first email from Vanessa Harbour. She had accepted me into the academy and said my book had potential. It was my last night in Spain, and the email had made me cry for an hour. I was ecstatically happy.

That was April 2016.

When I think about how long I’ve been in the academy, I am filled with pride and as always a sense of undying frustration that comes with the longing to be published. For obvious reasons, I can’t say much about Golden Egg, but I will say that throughout my three years I have learned an extensive amount; more than I ever did at uni. I’ve attended workshops, had editorials, a full report on my book and the support from my friends who are also in the academy, looking at you Gina, Debbie, Steph, and the list goes on.

Top Ten Best Golden Egg Memories So Far (in no order)

• The moment Barry Cunningham (the Harry Potter publisher) said “Oooh, good line” after I delivered a line from my book
• Acting out my book in a workshop to my Golden Egg group
• The support and love from my editor (thanks Vanessa!)
• Making friends with a lit agent who I often talk to on Twitter
• Pitching to a lit agent (quite accidentally!) at the recent social, and her enthused reactions 😊
• Speaking with a lit agent assistant who said my book “sounded amazing”
• Speaking with a publisher at Vanessa’s book launch
• Meeting Ben Illis at Vanessa’s book launch
• Wearing a pineapple hat on a boat in Bath (also the first time I spoke to Barry)
• Going around the story museum in Oxford and the walking tour where we saw where J.R.R Tolkien and CS Lewis was inspired

I like to think I’m getting there now, but you can’t put a time limit or an estimation on the creative process. It’s a personal thing. It’s a wonderful, rollercoaster mess; a labour of love that is like homework; but a homework that you actually enjoy. Now? I’m editing and rewriting for the millionth time, though this is what I call the ‘tortoise edit’ which does what it says.

I go through every sentence with precision and understanding. I ask myself questions such as “Does this paragraph fit?’ ‘Are there too many alliterations here?’ ‘Is the rhythm right?’ and most importantly, ‘Does it make you want to read on?’

My aim for next year is to have the manuscript at a level where I move to the next stage; mentoring and then from there begin submitting. Am I scared? Yes, terrified but I also know that I have poured everything into this book and in life, you have to try. If you don’t, you’ve already failed.

The Power Of Twitter

I joined Twitter in the year 2015.

What was I expecting? Not much to be honest, because I didn’t know much about it. I began following around 50 people a day, put up little sections of my book, started to join threads like #Authorconfession which is where you answer the question of the day. I did #1linewed and put up one line from my book that was themed, eg, ‘happiness.’ I then realised that the more time I invested on my account, the more people from all over the world were listening and actually genuinely wanted to hear about my book.

It was an incredible feeling, and I wanted to keep it; so, I started my own thread called #IwriteUwrite, where I put up random observations about writing in general and asked questions inspired by the author confession account. I started using GIFS because they stood out and told people about the girl behind the keyboard. I’d share that I spent an hour acting Harry Potter and nobody would judge me. They still don’t.

One day, I decided to tweet my idol Anthony Horowitz and to my joy he not only liked what I said, he tweeted back. I think it was this “Do you mind if I use your surname in my book?” and he said “No, as long as it’s a nice character.” It was for a castle, but the sentiment still stood. I was over the moon (excuse the horrific cliché!) I then tweeted Darren Shan, Simon Mayo, Lemony Snicket and they all encouraged me with my writing. It made my weeks because these people had been the pillars of my childhood, excluding Mayo who I only discovered recently.

I am still there now, and have 16,204 followers.

Like everything, it pays to put the time and effort in and it’s so worth it. I set aside little marketing hours when I can because sometimes when I’m writing, Twitter does become a distraction. I’ve made lots of friends on there and I received a message today from one of them saying she wanted to interview me on her blog. A friend of mine from Golden Egg said to me that during the submission period it would be a good idea to put all the encouraging and supportive notes from those on Twitter into the folder you send to lit agents. I’d really like to do that!

Vanessa’s ‘Flight’

Recently, I had the privilege of attending my editor’s book launch in Winchester. As she teaches Creative Writing there, it was a fitting choice for her launch and what a cool place to have a signing. The bookshop is wonderful! I am so proud of her for making it, and I have now had the honour of reading ‘Flight’ which I’m going to review now in a non spoiler way. Don’t worry!

Vanessa’s talent for writing? Effortless.

I could talk about how wonderful the story is (and so many people have already on social media) but for me what I find the best about Flight is all the research behind it.

I have often said that I will never write a historical novel because of the research it takes and the fact that you need to make sure everything makes sense in terms of the year you’re writing.

It’s clear that Vanessa has put so much time and adoration into this novel. I take my hat off to her (I have many) This also links with the fact that she knew the main character’s journey and not just emotional one either. The path Jakub takes must have taken some thorough research too – I’ve seen the maps!

Some of the sentences she uses are glorious. I won’t say here but this is one that made me go ‘Oh wow’ when I was listening to it being read aloud at the launch. She uses the perfect balance of description and narrative so you are drawn to carry on. I was on the train to Dad’s and I couldn’t stop reading. The conflict was perfect too, and the way that the characters all meet, genius.

I would like to read the next one please.

The Next Books I Write Will Be –

I know it’s a long way into the future, but if you want to get taken on by a literary agent and publisher, you need to know what’s next on your writing path. For me? I see at least two other books in the Will Worthington series (I have planned the next two) and hope to do more.

I have begun writing another upper middle grade series called ‘Damien Skittle and The Hologram Hunters’ about two friends who discover a magical credit card. Add in bad guys, and a smattering of luck that is about to run out.

I want to get into writing thrillers too, but that’s for in the future when I’m an established traditionally published author, so I am allowed to branch out into other markets.

It’s very important to me that I don’t ‘do a JK Rowling’ and put an epilogue in any of these books because I want to be able to come back to them if I have more ideas.

As for other forms of writing, I want to try and get a poetry collection together. I like poetry, and it’s something that I want to carry on with at the same time.

The Beginning Of The End

There, I think I’ve rambled enough. Look out for updates, excerpts and more on my social media platforms.

I will get there.

I will.

“The Neverland Lady” by R.E. Brooker

I wrote this at eight oclock this morning, felt so good to be this motivated to write another poem…… ! Hope you enjoy xxxx

The Neverland Lady is a fantastical explorer,

Heart wanders, beautifully lost,

feet in the clouds.

Suspended in a distant land, where reality’s disappointments are memories of long-forgotten tales,

The clock of her life tick-tocks in a different sense,

Slowly.

There’s a piece of her disoreintated puzzle that has never been found,

It only breathes for other worlds,

The Neverland Lady sees past mundanity, and overlooks the norm,

seeking the dance of dreams.

Clawing,

reaching,

yearning.

Her eyes ignite with stormy diamonds,

in the clouds of her youth.

She often travels on ghost ships and the crew understand her,

painting a route across silver waves

Different.

She will always be different.

The lives of her friends from Once Upon A Time Ago are rich with colours, swirling and twirling to beats,

to musical steps she cannot hear and never will.

Her song is otherworldly, as though Venus and Jupiter are playing tug of war in the stars.

The Neverland Lady is never ready to grow up.

Even though the forms she fills shout another story,

a darker story,

the story that the clouds of dreams, and musical steps, are

just

fantasies

meant for years past

but for The Neverland Lady,

these years always last.

The Submission Process: Remember this, guys: Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better.

Heya guys!

As you know, I have recently sent chapters 1-3 of ‘The Black Rainbow Slayer’ out into the big, wide world again and am waiting to hear back from the respective party. As most of you guys who see this post will be on Twitter, you’ll also know by now that there is nothing in the world that is going to stop me from getting my dreams. I’m the type of person that doesn’t allow opportunities to slip past me. Whether this is a good or a bad thing, I’m not entirely sure, but what I can say is that it makes life damn exciting.

Through talking with me via tweets, you’ll know that I’m filled with adrenalin whenever I send my novel out….. but what I don’t show as much is that I am also terrified. My head has conjured up all manner of realities, including that cheeky little demon. At the moment, he’s saying things like: ‘You’re not good enough.’ ‘You missed this sentence out.’ ‘Why didn’t you describe their appearance?’ ‘You could have checked it over more for errors’  ‘Why do you think you even have a chance?’

This is only my second query, but I think I can speak for everyone when I say this waiting and wondering process doesn’t get any better no matter how many letters you send to lit agents and publishers. I suppose, being so imaginative, (and I always view imagination as a double edged sword) we can allow our worries to consume us because we see these situations a lot more vividly than people who aren’t writers. What I mean by this is…. I’m believing that whoever is reading my manuscript is wrinkling their nose or shaking their head. I’m envisioning that they’re scrunching up the paper.

In my last posts, I have talked about banishing the demon that sits on your shoulder, the one who is creating all these negative images, but sometimes, it’s just unbeatable. The creature does overpower you. For two nights, I’ve been tossing and turning in bed, going over what I should have added into the submission from the other day, dreading that I didn’t send the best to the agent…. During the daytime, I’m happier. Everyone always says that night is the worst for anxious points in your life, as the worries swarm you.

As a crux for these feelings, I have made a short list of activities we can do while waiting to hear back from queries. These have been collected from past experience or thought of just now but I’m hoping that within these bullet points, you’ll find something useful.

Top 20 Distraction Methods:

1. Get your teeth into a really good book
2. If you have pets, spoil them rotten
3. Meet up with friends for lunch and or dinner (What I’m doing tomorrow)
4. Plan your blog for the next week
5. Focus on planning your book/series
6. Watch a film you would never usually see
7. Sing and dance in your room
8. Pin up some positive life changing quotes
9. Treat yourself to a shopping trip
10. For writing, go somewhere you would never usually go.
11. Act out a scene from your favourite book
12. Sort out your room and give it a DIY makeover
13. Take a break from writing and do some baking
14. Pick up a pencil, do some sketching
15. If you must worry, get it all down on paper, read it, scrunch it up and throw it away.
16. Give yourself a clothes makeover
17. Eat your favourite snack
18. Revisit that old story you didn’t think would be touched and edit it
19. Write fanfic or make a banner for an old fanfic on Photoshop
20. Get relatively early nights as you’re more likely to sleep, but always talk on Twitter to other writers. Support is wonderful.

Hopefully these points will give you some things you can do while waiting to hear back from that scary little query and – remember, whatever the outcome recite this quote: ‘Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better.’

Middle Grade or Young Adult?…. How do you know what your novel is?

I was just reading about how people in the writing industry distinguish between a piece of work that is for Middle Grade (‘Percy Jackson’, ‘Harry Potters 1-3’) or one that is for Young Adult. (‘The Maze Runner’, ‘The Hunger Games’) Personally, I’m going to have an open mind about this subject because of course it all depends on what your story is about/who the characters are.P

Personal Analysis

My novel, ‘The Black Rainbow Slayer’ has a protagonist called Will. He’s 15 years old and it soon becomes clear that he must be the boy to save the world or everyone is going to die. Now, in my eyes I had always thought my book lay under the Young Adult bracket. It’s very dark in places and I wouldn’t have put it in the same group as, say, ‘How to train Your Dragon….’ but after exploring this more and reading other’s work, it was brought to my attention that my novel could actually be in the 9-12 age range. Interested and determined to conclude this puzzle, I have made a comparison debate

Evidence that my novel is for Middle Grade readers:

There is no sex, drugs, or any hints of those. Although I juggle with ideas that romance could feature in the arc of the plot, it is mild compared to YA books. The most I’ll reach (if anything) are tentative pecks on the cheek, awkward speech etc.

The comedy in my book is childlike, and I even have pirates that definitely make children laugh because I have experimented with the character at a birthday party, pretending to be the main pirate, Grimsby (while running about and playing Hide and Seek) My performance had a brilliant reception!

The description is not long winded. Although I do describe many things in the book, it is not down to every detail that some YA books and Adult books do. For me, the pace of the story is far more relevant and important when writing for MG.

The plot gets off quickly. Sometimes in YA books, there’s a lot of character introducing before you’re launched into the core of the plot, but with MG their attention span is shorter. That’s not to say we should at all be patronising, but they like to be taken on a ride right from the first word.

Evidence that my novel is for Young Adult readers:

There are many dark moments in my ‘Worthington Chronicles’ and this includes a fight scene, which although not graphic is hard hitting for the reader who is vouching for a certain character…… How much can I get away with in a scene like this? I’m not entirely sure, but really I need look no further than Anthony Horowitz or Darren Shan books.

The concern I have is that my work is sitting on a fence and then I remember how dark ‘Percy Jackson’ was and that’s for MG….

Also, my villain is 18 years old. I wanted to make him older, so it makes Will in an even more vulnerable position, but if I’m writing for MG, is this something that’s possible?

Conclusion:

My conclusion after looking at everything is that my series possibly starts off as MG and then ascends into YA. I am very, very confused by this whole genre defining world.

What do you think mine is from what I’ve said and what are yours?!

I would love to hear in the comments….

R.E. Brooker: My Writing Diary. ‘The secret of becoming a writer is to write, write, and keep on writing.’

Heya guys, today I wanted to talk about my writing diary on the meandering roads towards completing ‘The Black Rainbow Slayer.’ At the moment I’m out of work and although this is rubbish, it does give me a lot of time to focus on my novel.

R.E. Brooker’s Writing Chart

12.00: Begin writing and editing from wherever I left off the night before. This is usually when I order brunch, and do my ‘Tortoise Edit’ (a phrase which I created, meaning that I’m editing as slowly as possible. Editing at this pace is the best. Why? You can pick out anything that doesn’t fit and because you’re all refreshed, you’re geared up to write new scenes as well if you need to. For example: Today, I spent about an hour on three paragraphs but after I’d finished, I was really, really proud of them. Here’s a section from it. ” . . . a silhouetted archway peeked from behind a golden wallpaper of stars. The Black Rainbow was approaching, moving with a serpent’s grace and then at such a pace he would not have been surprised if the stars began to rattle, booted from their galaxy by this monstrous invader . . .”

14.00: Break for reading time. This is when I’m engrossed in whatever book I’m reading at the time. At the moment, it’s ‘Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell’ which I’m really enjoying. It’s not my usual type of book as I’m someone who adores young adult books more than anything else, but it was my target this year to widen my reading palette. It’s a wonderful mix of Jane Austen drama, magicians, and amazing descriptions, with characters who you hate and love. The words that Susanna Clarke uses are enchanting too.

14.00 – 18.00: Get back to writing and editing. About three or four, I usually speed up a little because I’m getting tired. Although writing isn’t running around fetching papers or typing incessantly in Excel, it requires one hundred percent concentration and after a successful day of writing my brain feels as though it’s going to combust or fall into a million pieces. I scan paragraphs about this time, checking to see whether they have continuity. I had to change a few passages today because they didn’t flow and weren’t realistic enough.

18.00 – 18.30:  Write new entry for blog. This is something I love doing. I don’t know how I’ve mentally survived without the power of my R.E. Brooker blog! I love how I can type anything I like to do with the writing and reading process. I thoroughly enjoy imparting advice and giving tips on working on a novel as I’ve been writing stories for over sixteen years….. My Harry Potter fanfiction is still online if you’re interested hahaha. Just look up ‘Snitchsista’ on http://www.harrypotterfanfiction.com…. I must put together some more ideas for this blog as I seem to be lucky at the moment and can flood out whatever I need to. A plan would be very good though!

(Break for dinner and bath etc)

21.00 – 22.30 Writing and editing/acting/reading depending on how tired I am/reply to blog comments. This is when it gets the hardest to write and edit, but I like to give it the best go I can and usually listen to soundtrack music at this time as well. Depending on what I’m writing, it’s the greats such as John Williams, Thomas Newman, James Newton Howard and Alexandre Desplat, especially his ‘Deathly Hallows’ compositions. This is usually the time when I’m slightly distracted by the luring of social media because it’s late and it’s cool to talk with people, but I should probably be more strict with myself sometimes. Sometimes, I’ll do a bit of acting too as it all helps. I’m someone who adores voice overs, so pretending to be thousands of characters is so inspiring to me.

22.30 – Midnight: Watching a film/reading (sometimes will read until one) What do I watch? To give you an idea, I’m going to rewatch an episode of ‘Gormenghast’ that I saw when I was younger. I saw ‘Percy Jackson’ the other night and the sequel as well. Watching anything fantasy really makes me want to write again, but this can be quite annoying when I’m so exhausted and really should be falling into bed!

So, there you have it.

What does your writing diary look like? Please comment below.

Rejections: The Staircases to a Better World….. Occasionally you just MISS A STEP :) !!!!

Heya guys 🙂 As you may or may not have seen, my novel ‘The Black Rainbow Slayer’ had its first rejection from a literary agency today – and – it made me think about the term ‘rejection’ and what exactly it means to people.

When I received the email, I wasn’t really expecting the message to be positive. After all, this was my first query to an agent and I knew that the greats have encountered tons of rejections. Actually, I read today that F Scott Fitzgerald was turned away 122 times by agents and publishers. However, the agent who said he couldn’t help me from here was very supportive, telling me and I quote, ‘You have a great imagination’ and he went on to say that he enjoyed Amanda’s character. (The secondary character, Will’s new friend)

Was I disappointed that he turned me down? Well, I wouldn’t be human if I hadn’t been….. but thinking about everything in a positive light, his words were very kind and have actually spurred me on even more to succeed. Not to mention he gave me some personal advice at the end of his email too. The lit agent in question had read my work last year and asked me to restructure. I spent a year re-tweaking things and then recently sent it back. Now? I am now even more determined to get out there with my book.(s) Mine is a trilogy.

I want to mention my writer friend Brett Michael Orr who also has a blog (cough, check it out.) He is someone in the Twitterverse that I very much look up to as he has had rejections for a while, but he never gives up. Speaking with him, he is so positive and smiley and this really motivates me whenever I feel down. (Sorry if I embarrassed you Brett :P)

How do others treat rejections? Well, the very small minority do the unthinkable…. They step away from writing and never turn back, thinking themselves not good enough, believing their work inferior to all that is out there. To these people, I say this: Turn around and walk back the other way. YOU ARE GOOD ENOUGH, (well unless your writing is REALLY bad and you don’t know it in which case this path might not be for you) but if you’re writing every day, constantly perfecting your work, the likelihood of this is going to be slim!

Note: I feel a little as though I’m ‘calling the kettle black’ tonight because earlier, I admit, I did go through a mini process of doubting myself but I suppose it is understandable after a first rejection. What I must remember though is that all my favourite authors went through exactly the same thing and Rick Riordan actually said that he was rejected countless times, but got there in the end. It’s always inspiring for me to read passages like this. J.K. Rowling was rejected from 14 publishers until Bloomsbury took her under their wing. You just never know when it will happen. There’s no power to control a rejection, but there is something you can do in the meantime: Keep Going. I have always said that if someone wants something badly enough, they will get there because they will have done anything to get it.

My metaphor for rejections is that they are a staircase to a better world, we just occasionally miss a step along the way to the bookstores! I think creating a metaphor like this will really help you when it comes to the rejection process. It’s always good to think positively. I always keep going on about one thing, but it’s because it’s an amazing saying and as of yet, I have not heard better: BELIEVE AND ACT AS THOUGH IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO FAIL. Yes, I will keep reiterating this over this blog because I honestly feel that it’s one of the best things I’ve ever heard. It doesn’t give you a single moment to doubt yourself – and when we enter the scary world of literary agents, this is exactly what we need:

Belief in ourselves, and belief in our work.

I HATE KINDLES (with a passion. Sorry.)

Heya guys, it’s a shorter one today (well, it would have to be after that gigantic blurt-out last time)

My topic in this entry is a word that makes my flesh not only crawl, but contaminate everything that I love. They hold no emotions in their metallic cases, no adventures in their dull, grey screens. What are they? KINDLES. I apologise in advance if some of my readers own them, but I for one, cannot stand them.

In so many ways, technology has developed in such positive ways, excluding these horrible contraptions. We have the magic of social media, allowing us to market ourselves in the literature universe and connect us with other writers, making friends and sharing our joy of the written word…. but Kindles in my opinion don’t belong to this same world.

They are ugly, boring, and only seem to be there in order for people to show off that they have one, simply because they can be ‘cool.’ However, through my eyes there’s nothing less cool.

Why would you want to read your favourite books off a screen that (if it could speak would probably have a monotone voice and wouldn’t care one iota about any of the words it was possessed by?)

I might lose followers with this post, but I think we should all be allowed to express our views and I have made mine very clear lol. I remember when Dad wanted to buy me a kindle for my Birthday and I went around the shops and absolutely hated them. It’s not a big issue to most I suppose, but personally I enjoy inhaling the smell of a book. I delight in flicking through the pages, even getting a papercut! (At least it’s natural)

The only exception I make for Kindles is when people have to travel all over the globe and need lots of books in order to go places. I can understand why they’re created in this sense but still I would prefer to carry a slightly heavier suitcase than know I have to press buttons and scroll down my favourite book on a flat screen devoid of a soul.

Unfortunately, the publishing world has turned to E-books for the future and some bookshops have been closing down because of technology. The idea that my novel would be turned into an E-book would thrill me a lot less than if it was brought out in paperback. I know a few authors have brought out books ONLY on E-books and I – well – I couldn’t do that (only if the publisher told me it was an E-book or nothing!)

To conclude:

Paperbacks have heart.

Kindles have stone.

And no, I’m probably never going to change my mind 😛

R.E. Brooker’s TOP 32 Writing/Author Tips

Heya guys, apologies for being a day behind with this entry. I had been staying up later than usual the past few nights and it caught up with me, had a really early night yesterday, so am very refreshed now 🙂

Tonight, I wanted to share with you my ‘Top 32 Writing/Author Tips’ as a way of cutting down what I’m going to talk about in this blog (and also, cause it’s a good way to put the most important points in a list)

So, without further ado….. My top 32 writing tips (in no order of importance) are:

1. Carry a notebook wherever you go as you never know when ideas will come. (I take mine on the train, even to dinner with a friend. When they pop to the loo, scribble!)

2. If you need a break, take one. Don’t force yourself to write if you’re tired. (I have a lot of experience with this!) There’s nothing worse than feeling as though you’re being made to do something when you’re not in the mood.

3. Set yourself a daily routine so that you treat your writing as a fun job, but a job nonetheless so you can get into the ‘writing’ routine. (Example: I go to Costa daily at the moment, from around midday to half past six.)

4. Read lots of books in many genres. This one is a big deal for me because I’ve recently expanded my reading material. For years, I was young adult obsessed (still am) but it’s time to spread my literary wings. (I tackled ‘On the Road’ and although didn’t enjoy it, it has made me a stronger writer already.

5. Enjoy recording speech on your phone and or acting out scenes. A long time ago, I did this with Will and Amanda. Much like the notebook method, you’re shaking things up and allowing yourself to be creative another way.

6. Don’t be afraid to use ‘said’ a lot. There’s been many disagreements on this topic, but I genuinely believe that writing ‘said’ for a character isn’t a cop out, it’s more natural than if you were to put an adjective instead. It always sounds too forced like that. Said is your friend 🙂

7. If you haven’t already done so, order a business card! Alright, so not exactly to do with writing, but still really good as a business point of view. I’ve handed out my cards to ‘Waterstones’ for their notice board and many other shops just to get my name out there. It also shows that you’re serious about your work.

8. Buy a few writing books. I am a bad example here, because as I mentioned in my earlier entry, I own forty one writing books. You do not need that many. 😛 However, there are a couple of books I would like to recommend for your writing journey. If you do not have a copy of The Writer’s And Artist’s Yearbook 2015, please get one. I also really enjoy Ready, Set, Novel! as it has everything like a scrapbook, from first ideas to final product.

9. Set up a writing desk. A few weeks ago, I set up a writing desk in my room. Personalise it. My desk has ‘Harry Potter’ bookends, a few writing books, my business cards and a green lamp. Again, you’ll feel more like a professional writer.

10. Keep ‘cliches’ at bay, but they can be used sometimes. By this I mean, when a character is talking, it’s much more beneficial to use a cliché because it’s far more natural. “He’s dead as a doornail,” said John is a thousand times better than ‘John was dead as a doornail.’

11. Motivate yourself with other people’s quotes (and make your own.) The one thing that gets me through my writing sometimes (when the little demon is gnashing its teeth) is being positive and that means finding quotes about writing by writers who have ‘made it.’ I’ll also make my own quotes up, like I did at Uni. “Writing is a breath of fresh air. You need it for living. You love it for life.’ Corny, but spurs me on.

12. Everything around you is material for your work. It could be a story told by a friend, maybe an old lady sneezing in church, perhaps even a cat looking at you funny. Look out for anything that could be used in your book. The most interesting sections will be where you least expect them.

13. When you’re in the middle of a writing flow, plug in headphones, listen to soundtracks. This is something I always do at night especially. If you’ve been working for a good half an hour, play some soundtrack music. Subconsciously, the melody will get you involved further with what you’re doing. It’s also a wise idea to tailor your music not to the mood of the piece necessarily, but to the genre you’re writing in. (I always listen to ‘Percy Jackson’ and my genre is young adult fantasy.)

14. If you’re ever feeling alone and thinking ‘I’ll never get there’, look at what your favourite authors were doing before they brought out their works of art. For example: I’ve often looked at what Anthony Horowitz and Darren Shan did before they were authors. It helps me remember that everyone started out somewhere and that I’ve still got a chance!

15. Good at Photoshop? Make a character banner. Unfortunately, I don’t have Photoshop anymore but when I did, I would often be making my own ‘Black Rainbow’ banners.

16. Don’t think the old rule ‘write what you know’ is mandatory. Personally, I haven’t climbed a tree that branched onto a tropical landscape, fought with pirates or explored a submarine. Did this stop me from writing my book? No way. When it comes to a historical research setting, like Susanna Clarke’s novel, ‘Jonathan Strange and Dr. Norrell’ then absolutely you have to make sure all the facts are right, but otherwise, write what you don’t know and enjoy it.

17. Share your work with friends and strangers (Long as you trust them!) Alright, so if they’re wonderful people, your friends might be a little biased but chances are they will tell you things that jar in your work. I had a friend who said my novel was really good but that I needed to make things a little clearer for the reader in the first three chapters. Strangers wise, I sent my chapters to the barista in Costa. He said it was ‘quite good!’ You never know.

18. Don’t forget smells! Sometimes, when you’re so invested in a scene you’ll get carried away with speech and character, but it’s equally as important to balance this out with smells. You want your reader to think it’s real, don’t you? It’s much better to have a bedroom that reeks of unwashed socks than ‘The bedroom smelt really bad.’ Put yourself in the character’s position.

19. Share little excerpts on Facebook with your friends. You want to whet your friend’s appetites. What better way to lure them towards your book with well chosen sections of your one-day masterpiece?

20. If you have contact with an English/writing teacher, send your work to them. I’m really lucky as I have my English teacher from secondary school on Facebook, so every now and then I will send her some of my work and she recommends books for me.

21. If you’ve done enough writing for the day, break it up with research! I don’t know about you, but when I’m written out, I still have energy to do something productive. This is the time when I research literary agents and publishers, read a writing book or watch a programme about writing.

22. Watch book to film adaptations. Even if they’re not your favourite, it’s still a great exercise to do as it will sharpen up your writing skills when you least expect it.

23. You see something in the shops that could be from your book? Don’t just leave it, buy it. I went into ‘House of Fraser’ the other day and saw a bottle and golden key. The next second I’m jumping about in ecstasy because I realise it reminds me of chapter eight from my novel.

24. KEEP anything you write, even if you don’t think you’ll use it. This is also a big one for me. I was sure (still am) that there are a few scenes I will never use in the series I’m doing but I can’t assume. I’ll never know. Maybe in book two, I’ll need it for – and –

26. BACK UP, BACK UP, BACK UP. In this modern age, I don’t think there’s ever been anything more important. Every time I add more to my book, I do four things: 1. Send the latest copy to Mum 2. Save the latest copy to my USB 3. Send the latest copy to my email. 4. Save my latest copy to my folder in Word.

27. Create a positive writer’s folder on Facebook. I made a photo album of all my notes, added some pictures and millions of quotes.

28. Don’t feel guilty about how many cups of coffee or hot chocolates you buy! The way I see it, getting these is an investment for your happy book-writing future.

29. Yes, write for your audience but most importantly, write for you. I hear this all the time ‘Write for your audience’ and I get why they say that, but I honestly believe that if it’s your work, you have to write for yourself first. Besides, if you don’t enjoy writing it, who’s going to enjoy reading it?

30. Take a leaf from Sherlock’s book. Observe. The other day I saw a fifteen year old boy in the street, well around that age, and I thought, ‘Will’s about his age. How is the boy walking? How tall does he stand? What does he look at when he walks? Does he seem confident, troubled, quiet, loud?’

31. Become a pen collector and notebook lover. I don’t know how many pens I’ve bought over the years, but it has to be in the hundreds 😛 The thing is, because us writers use them so much, they dry up quickly. I see nothing wrong with collecting pens so you know exactly how many are there and notebooks, well, they’re just fantastic.

32. Set up a Twitter account. In order to market yourself properly, you have to be on Twitter – but as well as the website being a promotional outlet – it’s also a great way to make other writing friends.

I have a confession to make, guys. This was going to be a Top 50 Writing Tips, but my brain ran out of steam tonight. However, I will be adding more tips in my blog soon.

Next time: My Hatred of Kindles……. 😛

Motivation Is The Key To Everything: Persistence, Passion, Punctuality

Heya guys 🙂

‘Motivation’ is the word tonight.

There are so many times when you’re writing a novel, when you just want to stop. Your head is fried. You have no more ideas. You can’t be bothered. I’ve been there – and – it is a horrible event. The little demon adopts a snide voice peering over your shoulder, judging you on every word you’re typing. ‘That doesn’t sound right’, ‘You’re a terrible writer’ and my favourite of all, ‘Why are you even trying?’

It’s during periods like these that we have to be a friend to ourselves. Sometimes, there are days when you can’t write – and that is absolutely fine – but this is not what I want to talk about now. I want to talk about BEATING this demon, taming it, allowing yourself to get on with the art that you love without fears of a grinning monster sitting and jeering. I felt rubbish today. I’d been writing and editing chapters eight to ten for a good five hours, but for once I was not feeling encouraged or motivated and a stream of excuses filled my thoughts. ‘I’m tired’, ‘Do I want to eat something?’ ‘Oh, there’s an email’ – but what I wanted to impress upon you is that I didn’t give up. There were moments, I’m not gonna lie, but I knew that if I just finished the targets I’d set myself I would be able to go home and relax. As it turned out, I completed the tasks and went home, feeling knackered but proud that I had done what I’d aimed.

There are a few writers in the world that I never am able to understand and these are the people that claim to be authors and yet have never written a word, because they, wait for it, ‘are too lazy to sit down and actually write.’ Stephen King has an amazing saying, ‘Some people sit and wait for inspiration to strike . . . the rest of us just get up and go to work.’ He even says that you shouldn’t go to the toilet unless you absolutely need it! (Another tip that I’ve remembered when editing my novel) Anyway, I’m getting off track here.

My point is, if you want to be an author (and I mean, really want to) you will find time to write. In fact, you will want to write so badly most of the time that nothing will stop you from doing it. J.K. Rowling has said that it is a compulsion for her, and this is what it should be if you want this to be a career. This is why I find it difficult to sympathise with people who say “I’d love to be an author, but it takes so much work.’ Well, of course it does – but – that’s the beauty of it. It’s not your average work, it’s world-building, character-making, drama on a page.

I always compare acting with writing and believe there’s really not much difference, although I find writing a lot less stressful than entertainment on stage. (I was once dressed as a squirrel at a theme park. Don’t even.)

I really think that if writing is something you want to do, you’ll know it is. The words will live inside you and the idea that they might never be freed is distressing. You’ll buy writing books (I have 41. Again, don’t even ask.) and whenever you find a spare minute you will be scribbling inside a notebook. I’ve shortened these points to three key words: Persistence, Passion, and Punctuality. If you keep going, if you love the work, and if you keep to a schedule, then you’re a writer.

It’s an easy as that.

My Top 5 Children’s/Young Adult Writers. Inspiration is the word tonight.

Heya guys 🙂 I’m back for blog number five (oh God, is it six actually, I lose count!) and today I’ll be talking about my favourite children’s/young adult writers. Why? Easy….. because without them, I wouldn’t have penned ‘The Black Rainbow Slayer.’

Now, I’m not saying they were round my house, having cups of tea and breaking biscuits while they cheered me on with my novel, (although, spending an afternoon like that would be amazing) I’m saying that I have enjoyed the work of these authors so much that all of them have become role models. It’s not enough to be a talented author in this business. They have taught me that having dreams is not naïve.

They have shown me that with passion, determination and a damn good novel you can reach for the stars and get there. Every day, I think about all these people in a sense because even though they’re really not hanging out drinking tea in my room and spurring me on with their voices, they encourage me – just – for being them.

1. Anthony Horowitz: The ‘Stormbreaker’ series inspired me to write when I was at school. I was reading these books constantly, usually when I was on the bus, waiting for the teacher to come into the classroom or sometimes even walking in the street lol and writing villains, well, he’s got one of the prizes for that. What dialogue. Does anyone remember, ‘Come in, Alex. Sit down. Have a biscuit and let me tell you how I’m going to kill you.’

2. Darren Shan: His vampire series inspired me to write when I was at school and I remember being so engrossed in the library that I never wanted break to end. Me and some friends actually pretended to be Darren, Steve and some Vampaneeze for a drama project! I was obsessed with Darren v Steven, still am, and I’m sure we even made a pretend stake at the time as well.

3. J.K. Rowling: Her ‘Harry Potter’ series has been such an inspiration for me during the writing of ‘The Black Rainbow Slayer.’ Anyone who knows me is aware I am obsessed with Harry Potter and it all began with one woman’s captivating idea of a boy with a lightning shaped scar. I was lucky enough to meet her two years ago on my last day working as a Tour Interactor at ‘The Harry Potter studios, London.’

4. Malcolm Rose: His ‘Traces’ series was always an inspiration, especially book one when the main character Luke was framed! Since reading them, I have been in contact with the author over email and he has been so kind about my book.

5. Lemony Snicket: His ‘Series of Unfortunate Events’ has been a real inspiration for me because I was reading this series in secondary school and beyond. The characters were so dark and yet there were comedic moments as well. I like to capture this in my own work.

Through reading their series, through immersing myself inside their words, I have collected something from them all: Motivation. Of course it’s essential for me to like the books in general, but for me, you have to be so much more than an amazing author to get in a top 5, you have to be an inspiring person. Every one of those people ticks these boxes, and you can tell this from their works as they spend an extensive time researching.

Anthony Horowitz goes on various trips and does all the things Alex gets up to in the books so he gets an authentic voice. (I half climbed a little tree for mine, hardly life changing lol) Malcolm Rose and Darren Shan visit schools and do talks, boosting children’s love for books. Lemony Snicket (well, he’s a mysterious one but his series was fantastic, so we’ll let him off) J.K. Rowling went to Scotland and found a little café called ‘The Elephant Cafe’ , also finding certain graves with now-familiar names, ‘Riddle’ and even on a trip to Kew Gardens saw a plant called ‘Hogwarts.’

I’m drying up here, so I’ll say goodbye in a minute but really? I just want to say thanks, guys. If any of you ever read this, thanks for making me inspired enough to be here seven years later with a novel that still has another two books to go after editing the first! xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx