I decided to start this blog to journal my experience of having my first novel published. I hope to encourage other debut writers and receive advice from those who know the process. Reaching this point has been both exciting and hard work. I’ve discovered there is no blue print though I’ve masses of books and have attended many courses in an effort to find one.
In addition to developing the stamina to write, research and keep going, I’ve made friends with a variety of people I wouldn’t otherwise have met. That may well be the best bit.
What next?
Yesterday I finished the first draft of my novel, Kaleidoscope. Instead of being elated as I expected, I felt shattered. Years ago as a college student, I ran 440 yard race for our women's team. We were pitted against York university. St John's college had only...
Change of season/change of pace
We had a wet September, but last Saturday the sun came out. Along with many others I and a friend strolled through muddy paths we'd avoided during the rain. We didn't rush. Simply enjoyed what we'd been deprived of for several weeks. The rain had stopped and we could...
History and Holidays
Earlier this month, we spend six nights in Willerby, an East Riding village. Travelling by bus and train, an experience in itself, we visited two seaside resorts, Brid(lington) and Filey. There, and in Hull bus and rail hub, we came across stories of the past told in...
How Research Can Enhance your Writing – and lift your spirits
Marina 2024 1. Reasons for research. During one of the hottest weeks this summer, I visited Hull to research my current novel. It's set in Hull during one day in 1920. Because I was born in Hull, I'm familiar with the layout of the city. What I was looking for was...
Royal Academy Summer Exhibition 2024
Meddling Fiend - Nicola Turner One of the summer's highlights for me is the Royal Academy's Summer Exhibition. It hadn't registered with me till my niece, Rachel, had a piece accepted in 2015 and I went with my sister to admire Rachel's work. Until that point,...
Finding my way
I like gardening. I love being outside - not quite in all weathers, but most. I prefer a moist soil in which weeds are easily removed, plants dug in and seeds sown. That rarely happens, but it's a joy when it does. In suitable gear I can find something to do when it's...
Copyright
The material on this website is copyright to the credited writer/poet or me. Please ask my permission to use my poems or short stories. I am happy for you to quote from the blog posts but please credit me and provide a link to this site.
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