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Baking bread and other arts

Well, well, it feels like yonks since I was here, at my little blog, rambling about writing, living, creating and other nonsense.

And indeed it has been a goodly time. They’ve been odd months: busy, unsettled, flitting from one project to the next without feeling like I’m getting my teeth into any one in particular, with the exception of BloodMining.

So…February I made a tentative start on novel #3, interrupted periodically by minor fiddling with the third draft of novel #2 and considering submitting it. Praise be, I decided against.

March I spent redrafting BloodMining for my editor, Gill, and deluded though I may be it feels like a better book. I’ve yet to hear back from her, so let’s wait and see, eh? During March I was also busy submitting some shorts to exciting places like Ether books, and I even had a go at a piece of flash. To my surprise and delight ABCtales editor Tony selected it as a story of the day. God love ‘im.

April began with a strong desire to get back to novel #3 and I’ve managed to squeeze out another chapter. However, novel #2 – once again unnamed having decided that my second title was as rubbish as my first – has pulled me back big time. A character from novel #3 – one whose company I’m enjoying tremendously but don’t yet know intimately – likes to bake, especially bread. She enjoys kneading and pulling and stretching a stodgy, indigestible lump of dough and turning it into something delicious and satisfying. I feel that this is what novel #2 needs. The raw ingredients are there; I need to bash it around some more and bake it in a pre-heated oven for just the right amount of time. So novel #3 is on the back burner again (ouch). Also, it’s holiday time and almost all of my time is absorbed with the kids. When I begin something, like this, I’m interrupted constantly and frustrating though this can be I’m very aware that I ignore the little blighters more than I should, so I’m considering not even trying to write any fiction this week and giving myself over to the Gingers. Perhaps they deserve it.

Snappy Synopses

Bloody difficult, aren’t they? I’ve spent another two hours on the synopsis for my work-in-progress this morning and I’m still not sure if I’ve got it right. At least it’s an improvement on my earlier attempt. Well, I say that now; ask me again in a couple of days and there’s every chance I’ll contradict myself.

Met the delightful Julia Crouch again at a mutual friend’s birthday party yesterday and had a look at the cover of her forthcoming debut, Cuckoo. Having seen earlier drafts of the first two chapters I can’t wait to read it. The hardback is out in March I believe. Of course Julia, of the three book deal with Headline, has no need to rustle up dreaded synopses any longer. Well done her; good to see talent and success coming together. Anyway, there are some reasonable synopses how-to guides out there but none better than that offered by writing coach Jacqui Lofthouse. If you’re not on Jacqui’s mailing list already I suggest you sign up now. She offers a plethora of solid and inspiring advice on all manner of writing dilemmas for both would-be and experienced authors.
I’ve heard from Bridge House again and it looks like we’ll be meeting to discuss editing next month. I’m looking forward to talking things through with editor Gill James; I’ve lots of ideas for BloodMining and I’m sure she will have too. I can’t wait to get going and still can’t believe that it’s going to be published next year. Exciting and terrifying.
Until then, back to novel two, and staring out to sea.