Tag: manuscripts

Highs and Lows · Thoughts on thursday

Time to get stuck in

paulaacton6 Comments

Where has the time gone?  I started this blog two months ago about 6 weeks ago I saw the link for the publishing contest I want to submit my novel to.  Now I realise that the deadline is only 8 weeks away and I haven’t even finished first draft yet let alone started editing.  Panic attack time! Deep breathing time, someone pass a paper bag please.

Now I am faced with decisions. I am stood at a crossroads struggling to turn the map the right way round.  Of course I want to get stuck in and still try to meet the deadline. But I admit it I am scared.  Scared if I push it and rush to finish it I will lose the flow that has been steadily building.  Do I set myself a deadline to finish the first draft? How long will editing take? How many drafts will editing take?

All these questions are whirling round my head.  Infact I am feeling quite dizzy now and that is not a good place to be when I intended to get some writing done tonight?

So my question to all you authors and writers out there….help any and all advise would be really appreciated.  I shall now go submerge myself in the bath in an attempt to clear my head get into my comfy clothes and attack the keyboard in the hope that the muse gives me the answer and the inspiration.

Highs and Lows · Thoughts on thursday

Back To Business

paulaacton2 Comments

After a week of blogs that seem to have revolved about reminiscing about the past today its back down to the serious business of writing the novel.  The story is rushing ahead at breakneck speed in my head and my poor fingers are aching from trying to keep up.  I know it is only a matter of a couple of weeks before the first draft is finished then editing begins.  Now as it is my first novel I am not totally dreading this yet I have spotted several bit that due to plot changes need an overhaul.  What todays blog is really about is what comes next?

I mentioned in a post yesterday on someones blog I had seen an award I was contemplating submitting it to.  The prize a contract with an independant publisher and a bursary.  The thing is I dont really know enough about my options right now.

There is the whole agent vs publisher approach.  Which agents/publishers should I try? How many should I try at once? What format should I send my manuscript in? Should it be good old fashioned paper or on a disc or memory stick or even all of the above.  If a miracle should happen and someone likes it how do I know if I am getting a good deal.

The whole process seems so daunting it is enough to make one deliberately procrastinate over actually finishing the thing.  I know some of you reading this are far further down the road than I am and any feedback, thoughts or tips you can give will be greatfully recieved.

I think in one way it is always reassuring to know if all else fails self publishing remains there in the background to fall back on.  But even that raises a whole plethora of questions mainly do I need an accountant to work out if I need to pay tax on what meager earnings I may get if I put my work on amazon for kindle downloads.

I was never so naive as to believe the next step would be easy. I never believed I could just write a novel send it to one person who would love it and want to give me thousands of pounds just for being wonderful.  Although of course i will not complain if that does happen  lol

Anyway enough procrastination for now I have a magic mirror needs attention before I leave for work. Please anyone who is those few fear laden steps ahead that can offer even the tiniest but of advice throw it out there I have a feeling I may need all the help I can get lol