Reading

Books I'm now reading - 'Anne of Green Gables' by LM Montgomery and 'The Pilot's Wife' by Anita Shreve.
Does'nt Green Gables just look wonderful? What a great book - some memorable bits:-
'Don't you just love poetry that gives you a crinkly feeling up and down your back?'
'I guess ice cream is one of those things that are beyond imagination'
'Do you think that amethysts can be the souls of good violets?'
'One can't stay sad very long in such an interesting world'
'Reading stories is bad enough, but writing them is worse'
'It is so much easier to be good if your clothes are fashionable'
Wonderful!


As usual Anita Shreve is 'unputdownable' - gripping tale with a twist.

How to post off a submission...

How could we fail to be inspired to write with these wonderful stamps featuring Quentin Blake's illustraions of Roald Dahl's best loved stories? I think my favourite is from 'The Twits'

Yet another rejection letter...

I'm beginning to assemble an anthology of rejection letters from various publishing companies. It is positive that they are at least taking the time to reply, they are replying quickly and they are indicating they would like me to consider them for other submissions. Re- read, re-edit and resubmit!

Next Writing project awaits

The Gruffalo comes to town

Spent a wonderful afternoon yesterday in Londonderry hearing UK Children's Laureate, Julia Donaldson and Irish Children's Laureate Siobhan Parkinson in conversation. So exciting to hear them speak about their literary influences, their 'typical' writing day, how they relate to their characters and what makes a good story. Such inspiring ladies! Well done Dog Ears for organising a great event.
Off now to 'follow the voice' to see how my newest character develops

Reading

Books I'm currently reading - Wideacre by Phillipa Gregory and The Last Letter from your Lover by Jojo Moyes

Back at Coney Island

Great to see everyone again this morning at Coney Island. Inspired to take up my pen once more. Great to hear Mairi's Iona inspired poetry Yvonne's revised 'disappearing' story.

Looking forward to the fothcoming Julia Donaldson/ Siobhan Parkinson event and the pizza afterwards!

Happy New Writing Year

Here's to success in 2012!
Thanks to Santa and friends I now have a lovely new writing journal and pen, a subscription to Writers News, a big box file to keep manuscripts and rejection letters tidy and a pencil sharpener from a cracker. All the tools of the trade - no excuse for not writing!