Positive Rejection

Autumn is here and I'm back at the laptop writing, yes, I'm reworking a children’s novel. This is the second in the series of the trilogy of ‘Time’ books. The first is out with an agent, and I'm awaiting comments. Realistic, but ever hopeful.

As promised, I will share with you my latest rejection. And as rejections go this one is not so bad, however, it could have been better. This rejection was for new plot lines and opening chapters of three different thrillers. So here it is: Thank your crime novels. In addition to writing vividly and fluently, you obviously have no shortage of ideas and not fear of pushing boundaries. So I wish we could be more enthusiastic about these three. And then went on to wish me luck, and offer to read more should I continue writing.

So what to do next? Whilst at the Festival of Writing in York, I got chatting with a few agents and book doctors and they have asked me to send them samples of my work. This is what I'm now intending to do. Nothing ventured nothing gained. I think I will approach a book doctor first, to get advice where I'm going wrong, or indeed if I'm just pushing the boundaries too much. I will be interested in the outcome of this and of course will let you know what happens.

There are is one prompt with four steps for this blog. Firstly, develop a male character who is strong, confident and self-assured. Secondly, place them in a situation where they are going to feel out of their depth and out of control. Thirdly, the story has to be set in or around the photo image below. Fourthly, write two versions of a short story, one where he fails the other where he succeeds in the task at hand.

Windmill Wonders

Many of you will know that I've been working on my submission for the last few weeks. There has been a lot to work through. I have now managed to fight my way out from the piles of scenes that have gone to make up my submission. There have been many first chapters and re working. It has been a bit of a jigsaw puzzle, but one I hope will show my work off at its best. This was a resubmission after some lovely feedback and offer to resubmit when I was ready. It has taken quite some time for me to get the plots to a place where I feel they show a greater overview of what I want to do with each novel. With those I have sent the opening chapters of each. Hopefully they will still like my writing style, and this time, the plots too. As always, I will let you know how things go.

I'm still waiting to hear back from the children’s submission – nothing yet, but I'm hoping to hear back soon.

Now onto the topic task for this week. The picture below was taken by John Corkett showing the beauty of a Suffolk windmill. Your task this week is to look closely at the image and write a short story that shows what happens in or around the windmill. Things to think about. Who lives in the windmill – is it a working windmill – has it been converted for another purpose? Who lives in the houses around?

by John Corkett

I hope the image inspires you to write some wonderful convoluted characters. Remember that conflict in a story helps to add a little spice to a scene.

So go on, get writing.