Have been rather absent lately, but what with all the recent excitements, things have been a bit hectic.
One of those excitements is I have a pseudonym. So it's byebye Lucy Roberts, hello Lucy King. From now on (and should anyone really want to) you can find me at www.lucy-king.blogspot.com.
21 January 2009
15 January 2009
Sale!
Well, the news is out! I sold my book!! My editor, Kim, rang last week to say that she loved my story and wanted to buy it. It took me totally by surprise as I never expected to hear anything so soon after Christmas, let alone that!
I have to do some tweaking in the next couple of weeks (minor revisions, apparently, although they seem huge to me - I mean, what if I do them wrong? Yikes...) but am obviously over the moon. Whooppee!!
I have to do some tweaking in the next couple of weeks (minor revisions, apparently, although they seem huge to me - I mean, what if I do them wrong? Yikes...) but am obviously over the moon. Whooppee!!
Anyone can write a novel
Sure... Saw this on hereisthecity.com and it made me laugh.
Dear Ms Robinson,
Having lost my job as a derivatives trader, I have been looking at my options and am thinking of becoming a writer since I can afford to take some time off. My friends tell me that my anecdotes are brilliant and I should write them down. They say everyone has a novel in them, so why not me? I notice you have written a number of books and am wondering if you can tell me where to start.- CB
Dear CB
Do you see Ms Robinson suddenly announcing she wants to try her hand at mathematical modeling? No, you do not. Does Ms R think she can be a plumber because she can turn on a tap?
One of the things that full-time writers hate is people who think they can write; they assume there is little skill needed and just the fact that you can read and spell equips you to write. (It's the same way for people who get Photoshop and think they are graphic designers.)
As for writing classes, the less said the better. You either can or you can’t. You might well have a book inside you, but do keep in mind we have many things inside us: kidneys and a liver, for example, and these are best kept where they are. You see my point CB?
Writing is not about sitting in a cottage overlooking the sea and penning a paragraph or two while looking forward to tea at 4pm. It’s about serious plotting, planning and dedication. The best writers cannot afford to take time off: they are at it day and night. Should you manage to pen a novel, chances are you will be thrown on the slush pile. Even if an agent takes you on, there is still a lot of work to do.
That is why writing is not something you try your hand at, it is a passion. If you had it, you would have written by now.
Dear Ms Robinson,
Having lost my job as a derivatives trader, I have been looking at my options and am thinking of becoming a writer since I can afford to take some time off. My friends tell me that my anecdotes are brilliant and I should write them down. They say everyone has a novel in them, so why not me? I notice you have written a number of books and am wondering if you can tell me where to start.- CB
Dear CB
Do you see Ms Robinson suddenly announcing she wants to try her hand at mathematical modeling? No, you do not. Does Ms R think she can be a plumber because she can turn on a tap?
One of the things that full-time writers hate is people who think they can write; they assume there is little skill needed and just the fact that you can read and spell equips you to write. (It's the same way for people who get Photoshop and think they are graphic designers.)
As for writing classes, the less said the better. You either can or you can’t. You might well have a book inside you, but do keep in mind we have many things inside us: kidneys and a liver, for example, and these are best kept where they are. You see my point CB?
Writing is not about sitting in a cottage overlooking the sea and penning a paragraph or two while looking forward to tea at 4pm. It’s about serious plotting, planning and dedication. The best writers cannot afford to take time off: they are at it day and night. Should you manage to pen a novel, chances are you will be thrown on the slush pile. Even if an agent takes you on, there is still a lot of work to do.
That is why writing is not something you try your hand at, it is a passion. If you had it, you would have written by now.
14 January 2009
Ay, que frio
'Ay, que frio!' is the lament here in Jerez at the moment. Annual average temperature of 17ºC, summer highs of 40ºC, but right now with yet another icy front heading our way it's apparently 7ºC outside.
No central heating + no insulation = internal temperature of considerably less than outside.
Even with my little electric heater I'm currently sporting furry boots, tights, thermal leggings, pyjama bottoms, yummie tummie, t-shirt, wool poloneck, polar fleece, cashmere shawl. A most attractive combination. What I really need is a pair of fingerless gloves to prevent frostbite and complete the overall baglady look.
I envy you guys in the southern hemisphere...
No central heating + no insulation = internal temperature of considerably less than outside.
Even with my little electric heater I'm currently sporting furry boots, tights, thermal leggings, pyjama bottoms, yummie tummie, t-shirt, wool poloneck, polar fleece, cashmere shawl. A most attractive combination. What I really need is a pair of fingerless gloves to prevent frostbite and complete the overall baglady look.
I envy you guys in the southern hemisphere...
12 January 2009
Typos
I've just reread the ms I submitted before Christmas for the first time since it was sent in. And not without some trepidation. Ideally I'd have liked a couple of weeks between typing The End and hitting the 'Send' button. But my editor said 'Just send it in and we'll take a look', so I did.
It varies a bit from the original synopsis, especially the last third, which I reckon is no bad thing. While I actually quite like it, the end (as suspected) does feel horribly rushed and quite a few other bits need tweaking too. But what really appals me is the number of typos. How did they happen? I went over and over it with what I thought was a fine toothcomb, so how did missing/extra spaces, doubled words, random apostrophes and occasional bizarre word order get there? Grrrrr.
In the meantime I've started on another story, sort of based on my Nano novel. Am quite looking forward to seeing where this one goes...
It varies a bit from the original synopsis, especially the last third, which I reckon is no bad thing. While I actually quite like it, the end (as suspected) does feel horribly rushed and quite a few other bits need tweaking too. But what really appals me is the number of typos. How did they happen? I went over and over it with what I thought was a fine toothcomb, so how did missing/extra spaces, doubled words, random apostrophes and occasional bizarre word order get there? Grrrrr.
In the meantime I've started on another story, sort of based on my Nano novel. Am quite looking forward to seeing where this one goes...
06 January 2009
Locks, props and three smoking fly-halfs
All these thoughts of rugby lead me to a Question of Global Importance. As The Observer asked way back in 2003 in the midst of world cup fever, who is rugby's hottest hunk?
Here's a selection... (No locks or props as pictures of them seem to involve bad hair and blood, and only three fly-halfs because I put 'fit rugby player' into Google Images and now have to go and have a lie down.)
Dan Carter(according to E! Entertainment the 11th sexiest man in the world)
Danny Cipriani
(only 21...)
And, of course, Jonny Wilkinson
(now, unfortunately, retired)
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