writer reviews and chewy shoes

Many writers rely on reviews to promote their work and increase book sales. Word of mouth online can be important for taking books to a new audience. Writers also like to hear what their readers think of their work. It reassures them that someone is reading their work and enjoying it (or not!).

I heard the other day that one of my stories had been reviewed by a reader, so I was excited to see what they thought about it. Last week one of my children's stories was published online. Later that afternoon one of my nieces (aged 8) read it to the family. Later on that day she decided to review the story for her 'book review' homework and wrote this:

"This book is written by my aunt. The goat's name is Gloria. Gloria is always hungry. First she eats grass, then leaves. She eats all silly stuff. I would recommend this to a friend."

Her teacher marked the homework with a red smiley face sticker and wrote:

"Wow. Amazing. It sounds great. Would you eat a chewy shoe?"

And while writers are told not to listen to the opinions of their family and friends about their work, to me this review will always be a very special one and it proves that book reviews really do increase your readership!

Storytime Sunday

I'm absolutely delighted to see one of my children's stories published online today. 

 'Who's A Silly Goat?' was published by SmartyPants online magazine 

 

Back to the winter routine

Yesterday I spent a very enjoyable morning with some of my writing pals. It was a gloomy, wet and windy morning, more like a November day than one in early October but the salty sea air greeted us, blowing the cobwebs away with the fresh breeze. We were back in Coney Island for the first time since our summer writing retreat and it's good to get back into the winter routine. Along with sharing our writing news which included within the group, spoken word performances and publication we took time to listen to and review pieces a few of us have been working on, as well as flexing our writing muscles by doing some exercises.

And of course, there was time for coffee and chocanana muffins!

Yesterday

Yesterday I enjoyed

The last of this summer's sunshine

A final chance to wear flipflops,

Showing off sparkly turquoise toenails

Wearing cropped jeans and linen.

 

Yesterday I enjoyed

The beginning of autumn

Crinkly lime seeds scattered

On the railway platform

Belfast on Culture day

 

 

Yesterday I enjoyed

Eating warm toasted teabrack

Drinking a comforting latte

Browsing shelves of books

In a busy bookshop

 

Yesterday I enjoyed

Meeting up with fellow SCBWIs

Hearing their news

Encouraging each other

Talking about writing

 

 

It's turning out to be a good writing week...

It may only be Tuesday, but so far, this week has been a good writing week. Today I heard I've won a writing critique for one of my picture books from Soaring '20s - High Flying Picture Book Debuts  https://www.soaring20spb.com/ Looking forward to receiving feedback in due course to help my writing develop further

Being interviewed

Interviews can often be daunting. I was delighted to be asked recently to be the featured member by SCBWI Ireland. 

 Thanks to Colleen for organising this. It was a very enjoyable and insightful experience for me.

If adventures will not befall a young lady in her own village, she must seek them abroad...

"If adventures will not befall a young lady in her own village, she must seek them abroad"  Jane Austen.

 

With this thought in mind and with almost as many items of luggage as depicted in my Jane Austen mindfulness colouring in page, we set off to Coney Island for our annual writing retreat.

 

Stunning sea views, good food, good company and good weather provided the backdrop for a few days away from everything and space to write. Every year it seems to get even better. During the day it was invigorating to take a walk on the beach and enjoy the beauty on the doorstep.

I had the fortune this year to stay in the perfect writer's spot

There's always something new to discover at Coney - whether it be a shell on the beach, seasnail patterns in the sand or stalking giants...

 

There's always something new to learn on our writing journeys. We had the pleasure of welcoming local award winning crime writer, Anthony J Quinn https://www.anthonyjquinnwriter.com/

 to share some of his writing tips with us.

Not surprisingly Anthony was enthralled by the landscape and seascape Coney offers, ever changing but ever constant.

 

We were left in no doubt that writing is not an easy journey and tough decisions have to be made. If it's not tough and we're not frustrated with our writing there's something not right.

 

 

So, to ease the difficult journey ahead, cake was needed - and Fionnuala's carrot cake did not disappoint - it was delicious.

 

One of the tough decisions to be made is about making time to write when we have busy schedules. It's easy to come up with excuses as to why we can't find time. Anthony suggested getting up a bit earlier each day and writing before we do anything else. On the final day at Coney I woke, naturally, around 6am. The thought of getting up and starting writing came into my head, but instead I turned over and fell asleep. I woke up again 45 minutes later. And I knew I couldn't fight it this time. I tried to come up with excuses not to get up and write - I'd left my notebook in the writing room (locked away) the previous night and I wouldn't be able to get it until later. But I carry a large handbag around, which usually will have at least one piece of paper and a pen in it. The early morning sun was streaming in below the curtains, urging me to get up. There was no excuse, a second time. Writing was calling and I couldn't ignore it. So I got up and dressed, rummaged in my bag and found paper and a pen, went outside and began to write....