When I browse in a bookshop or library, first the book cover grabs my attention, then I read the back cover blurb and finally the first paragraph. If this interests me I read the first page and I might buy the novel.
After much thought, naming my main characters and completing a character profile I'm ready to write the first page of my novel. By the time I finish the novel I can't count how many times I've read, re-read and revised that crucial page. I want the reader who is browsing to be intrigued, so I introduce conflict to draw the reader into the novel. I also make sure I have answered the questions:
What? What happens?
Where? Set the scene in a few sentences.
When? In which era is does the novel take place?
Why? Whatever happens, why does it happen?
How? How does the catalyst, conflict, and or crisis happen? (Fans have told me that the opening words of my novel Far Beyond Rubies, "Bastards, Juliana! You and your sister are bastards," intrigued them.
Who? Establish the characters' personalities. Show how the character reacts to the crisis.
Aim for a balance of description and dialogue.
Of course, there are many novelists who are more talented than I am but I think the above might be of interest to new writers and readers.
Friday, 13 June 2014
Wednesday, 11 June 2014
E is for Emotion
My mum used to say: The film was wonderful, I cried my eyes out.
I have enjoyed many novels which brought tears to my eyes, and I've suffered some of the following which touch cinema goers and readers' hearts.
1. A sense of always being on the fringe while observing everything around.
2. The death of a loved person or animal.
3. Being forced to part from a loved one, an animal or a place.
4. Loneliness.
5. The misery of being misunderstood.
6. Rejection.
It's some time since I re-visited my notes on writing, so, as I made this list my imagination took wings. I could write and probably will write more than one scene based on each of the above list.
I have enjoyed many novels which brought tears to my eyes, and I've suffered some of the following which touch cinema goers and readers' hearts.
1. A sense of always being on the fringe while observing everything around.
2. The death of a loved person or animal.
3. Being forced to part from a loved one, an animal or a place.
4. Loneliness.
5. The misery of being misunderstood.
6. Rejection.
It's some time since I re-visited my notes on writing, so, as I made this list my imagination took wings. I could write and probably will write more than one scene based on each of the above list.
D is for Dialogue
Wednesday, 11 June 2014
D is for Dialogue
Over the years I have made many notes on creative writing. Amongst them are the following, but, unfortunately I did not make a note of the source so I can't attribute them.
Every line of dialogue in fiction should:
1. Convey essential information.
2. Move the tale forward.
3. Reveal the character and mood of the speaker.
5. Establish the relationship between characters.
6. It should be consistent with the character's historical period, geographical origins and social class.
I write historical fiction so I use dialogue to indicate class distinctions. The upper class use very few contractions -mostly don't to avoid the cumbersome do you not, the middle class use some contractions and the others always use contractions and, sometimes, dialect. However, dialect shouldn't be overdone. I've critiqued several unpublished novels for members of groups I belong to and the worst fictional dialect is a pseudo Scots one. The authors are addicted to ye, dinna, etc, and they don't distinguish between Highland and Lowland Scots and everything else in between.
These basic principles are so simple but sometimes my characters waffle on and need to be controlled.
Every line of dialogue in fiction should:
1. Convey essential information.
2. Move the tale forward.
3. Reveal the character and mood of the speaker.
5. Establish the relationship between characters.
6. It should be consistent with the character's historical period, geographical origins and social class.
I write historical fiction so I use dialogue to indicate class distinctions. The upper class use very few contractions -mostly don't to avoid the cumbersome do you not, the middle class use some contractions and the others always use contractions and, sometimes, dialect. However, dialect shouldn't be overdone. I've critiqued several unpublished novels for members of groups I belong to and the worst fictional dialect is a pseudo Scots one. The authors are addicted to ye, dinna, etc, and they don't distinguish between Highland and Lowland Scots and everything else in between.
These basic principles are so simple but sometimes my characters waffle on and need to be controlled.
Monday, 9 June 2014
Discipline - Historical Novelist
Every day I write and engage in 'writerly' activities for a set number of hours in the morning, early afternoon and evening. To complete a novel I need to be self-disciplined, and this includes time spent working on the laptop and computer. I force myself to take a five minute break every half an hour in order to exercise my body in various ways. I roll my shoulders ten times, press my shoulders down then release them slowly ten times, and I stretch up and hold onto the top of the door then allow my body to sag. This stretches my muscles and helps my joints not to stiffen. During some other breaks I choose one activity sorting the laundry and putting it in the washing machine, rinsing dishes and utensils and loading the dishwasher, popping out to water some plants, tidying up a few things, etc.,. The important thing is not to sit in one position for hours on end.
Discipline when Writing
Every day I write and engage in 'writerly' activities for a set number of hours in the morning, early afternoon and evening. To complete a novel I need to be self-disciplined, and this includes time spent working on the laptop and computer. I force myself to take a five minute break every half an hour in order to exercise my body in various ways. I roll my shoulders ten times, press my shoulders down then release them slowly ten times, and I stretch up and hold onto the top of the door then allow my body to sag. This stretches my muscles and helps my joints not to stiffen. During some other breaks I choose one activity sorting the laundry and putting it in the washing machine, rinsing dishes and utensils and loading the dishwasher, popping out to water some plants, tidying up a few things, etc.,. The important thing is not to sit in one position for hours on end.
Sunday, 8 June 2014
Cold Tea Bags and Cucumber Slices
When we work on the computer or laptop for a long time very often we don't blink. This results in dry, itchy eyes. To maintain eye health exercising them helps. I'm trying to do them three times a day. It only takes a minute or two and result in moistening my eyes,
1. Hold a pencil ten inches from the nose. Look at it and then look into the distance ten times.
2.Roll the eyes to the right ten times.
3. Roll the eyes to the left ten times.
4. Look up to the right corner of the eyes and then to the left corner ten times.
5. Look to the left corner of the eyes and then the right corner ten times.
6. Finally look up and down ten times.
P.S. Don't forget to close your eyes and apply cold tea bags or slices of cumber to your eyelids whenever your eyes are tired.
Simple measures but we owe it to ourselves to take good care of our eyes.
1. Hold a pencil ten inches from the nose. Look at it and then look into the distance ten times.
2.Roll the eyes to the right ten times.
3. Roll the eyes to the left ten times.
4. Look up to the right corner of the eyes and then to the left corner ten times.
5. Look to the left corner of the eyes and then the right corner ten times.
6. Finally look up and down ten times.
P.S. Don't forget to close your eyes and apply cold tea bags or slices of cumber to your eyelids whenever your eyes are tired.
Simple measures but we owe it to ourselves to take good care of our eyes.
Cold Tea Bags and Cucumber Slices
When we work on the computer or laptop for a long time very often we don't blink. This results in dry, itchy eyes. To maintain eye health exercising them helps. I'm trying to do them three times a day. It only takes a minute or two and result in moistening my eyes,
1. Hold a pencil ten inches from the nose. Look at it and then look into the distance ten times.
2.Roll the eyes to the right ten times.
3. Roll the eyes to the left ten times.
4. Look up to the right corner of the eyes and then to the left corner ten times.
5. Look to the left corner of the eyes and then the right corner ten times.
6. Finally look up and down ten times.
P.S. Don't forget to close your eyes and apply cold tea bags or slices of cumber to your eyelids whenever your eyes are tired.
Simple measures but we owe it to ourselves to take good care of our eyes.
1. Hold a pencil ten inches from the nose. Look at it and then look into the distance ten times.
2.Roll the eyes to the right ten times.
3. Roll the eyes to the left ten times.
4. Look up to the right corner of the eyes and then to the left corner ten times.
5. Look to the left corner of the eyes and then the right corner ten times.
6. Finally look up and down ten times.
P.S. Don't forget to close your eyes and apply cold tea bags or slices of cumber to your eyelids whenever your eyes are tired.
Simple measures but we owe it to ourselves to take good care of our eyes.
Friday, 6 June 2014
Taking Care of the Brain
As a novelist I spend hours either at my computer locked in my imaginary worlds. All too often my brain is overworked and needs to be nurtured with fresh air, by opening a window and taking deep breaths to increase my supply of oxygen which stimulates my brain.
My brain also needs nourishing food at regular intervals,so I need to resist the temptation to have junk food. A handful of nuts and seeds are better than biscuits and freshly cooked meals are superior to frozen ones.
For my brain and body to function efficiently it's necessary to have regular breaks from writing, resist the temptation to stay up till midnight writing away and have eight hours sleep.
Since adopting these measures I have a greater sense of well being and suggest anyone who spends hours working at the computer or laptop tries them.
Thursday, 5 June 2014
Pre-Schooler's Quarrel
4 year old+ best friends at pre-school fell out. He called my granddaughter 'smelly nappy' and she returned the insult. From now on they have decided not to play together and are not on speaking terms.
Wednesday, 4 June 2014
Kick Up The Arts
Yesterday evening I enjoyed an event held by Kick Up The Art at Café Cha Cha Cha, Cassiobury Park, Watford.
I met musicians who play unusual instruments, a gentleman who works at The Academy of Music opposite the Victoria and Albert Museum, who recycles materials to make 'one off' musical' instruments. He played some of them. The music was different to anything I have heard before.
A talented singer treated us to three songs - each with a very different theme.
There were three craftspeople, a potter, a craftsman who makes amazing items of simulated chain mail, and a lady who makes ornamental books and jewellery studded with metal, jade, semi-precious stones and a few glass beads. The books contain paper made from recycled rags. I succumbed to a necklace, the only one of its kind, with a pendant that is a tiny book. A piece of self-indulgence but there was no way I could resist it.
I took the opportunity to network, discuss my novels amongst other things and distribute postcards which showcase my historical fiction.
A very enjoyable evening. Next time I hope to read an extract from one of my novels.
I met musicians who play unusual instruments, a gentleman who works at The Academy of Music opposite the Victoria and Albert Museum, who recycles materials to make 'one off' musical' instruments. He played some of them. The music was different to anything I have heard before.
A talented singer treated us to three songs - each with a very different theme.
There were three craftspeople, a potter, a craftsman who makes amazing items of simulated chain mail, and a lady who makes ornamental books and jewellery studded with metal, jade, semi-precious stones and a few glass beads. The books contain paper made from recycled rags. I succumbed to a necklace, the only one of its kind, with a pendant that is a tiny book. A piece of self-indulgence but there was no way I could resist it.
I took the opportunity to network, discuss my novels amongst other things and distribute postcards which showcase my historical fiction.
A very enjoyable evening. Next time I hope to read an extract from one of my novels.
Kick Up The Arts
Yesterday evening I enjoyed an event held by Kick Up The Art at Café Cha Cha Cha, Cassiobury Park, Watford.
I met musicians who play unusual instruments, a gentleman who works at The Academy of Music opposite the Victoria and Albert Museum, who recycles materials to make 'one off' musical' instruments. He played some of them. The music was different to anything I have heard before.
A talented singer treated us to three songs - each with a very different theme.
There were three craftspeople, a potter, a craftsman who makes amazing items of simulated chain mail, and a lady who makes ornamental books and jewellery studded with metal, jade, semi-precious stones and a few glass beads. The books contain paper made from recycled rags. I succumbed to a necklace, the only one of its kind, with a pendant that is a tiny book. A piece of self-indulgence but there was no way I could resist it.
I took the opportunity to network, discuss my novels amongst other things and distribute postcards which showcase my historical fiction.
A very enjoyable evening. Next time I hope to read an extract from one of my novels.
I met musicians who play unusual instruments, a gentleman who works at The Academy of Music opposite the Victoria and Albert Museum, who recycles materials to make 'one off' musical' instruments. He played some of them. The music was different to anything I have heard before.
A talented singer treated us to three songs - each with a very different theme.
There were three craftspeople, a potter, a craftsman who makes amazing items of simulated chain mail, and a lady who makes ornamental books and jewellery studded with metal, jade, semi-precious stones and a few glass beads. The books contain paper made from recycled rags. I succumbed to a necklace, the only one of its kind, with a pendant that is a tiny book. A piece of self-indulgence but there was no way I could resist it.
I took the opportunity to network, discuss my novels amongst other things and distribute postcards which showcase my historical fiction.
A very enjoyable evening. Next time I hope to read an extract from one of my novels.
Monday, 2 June 2014
Revision
Recently, I mentioned that when I work on the final revision of a novel I get replace as many adverbs as possible with a strong verb.
Something else I check is how many times I write 'and'. It is amazing how often I use the word and how much stronger the prose is when I eliminate the word as often as possible.
And now, to get on in my garden having worked on my new novel, Monday's Child, the sequel to Sunday's Child a traditional Regency novel published as an e-book by MuseItUp Publishing.
Something else I check is how many times I write 'and'. It is amazing how often I use the word and how much stronger the prose is when I eliminate the word as often as possible.
And now, to get on in my garden having worked on my new novel, Monday's Child, the sequel to Sunday's Child a traditional Regency novel published as an e-book by MuseItUp Publishing.
Sunday, 1 June 2014
My new novel was progressing too slowly so I stopped posting for a little while in order to catch up with my schedule. I also took time off to take my daughter's children out during half-term. On Thursday we went to the local museum, which the three of them enjoyed; and I was fascinated by flotsam woven into brightly coloured threads. The artist collects small items from beaches - lobster pot tags, tiny toys, bottle tops and many other items. Afterwards we had lunch at Café Cha Cha Cha in Cassiobury Park. Next the boys played football and their sister played on the slide etc., in the playground. Tired but happy we went home to have dinner.
On Friday, we visited Butterfly World near St Albans. There are three glasshouses one for butterflies, one for insects and a another for leaf-cutter ants. In the third, one display cabinet was empty. It is thought ants chewed through the electric cable and the queen, the size of a small mouse, died. The colony was thrown into chaos and most of them died. However there was a second display case and my four and a half year-old granddaughter was fascinated. After a picnic lunch they played in a large children's area before we visited a series of small gardens with different themes. All in all a very enjoyable day out.
Yesterday we celebrated another grandson's forthcoming thirteenth birthday. A very happy get together in my younger son and his wife's house with a large garden where the children could run around.
Time Off & Half Term
My new novel was progressing too slowly so I stopped posting for a little while in order to catch up with my schedule. I also took time off to take my daughter's children out during half-term. On Thursday we went to the local museum, which the three of them enjoyed; and I was fascinated by flotsam woven into brightly coloured threads. The artist collects small items from beaches - lobster pot tags, tiny toys, bottle tops and many other items. Afterwards we had lunch at Café Cha Cha Cha in Cassiobury Park. Next the boys played football and their sister played on the slide etc., in the playground. Tired but happy we went home to have dinner.
On Friday, we visited Butterfly World near St Albans. There are three glasshouses one for butterflies, one for insects and a another for leaf-cutter ants. In the third, one display cabinet was empty. It is thought ants chewed through the electric cable and the queen, the size of a small mouse, died. The colony was thrown into chaos and most of them died. However there was a second display case and my four and a half year-old granddaughter was fascinated. After a picnic lunch they played in a large children's area before we visited a series of small gardens with different themes. All in all a very enjoyable day out.
Yesterday we celebrated another grandson's forthcoming thirteenth birthday. A very happy get together in my younger son and his wife's house with a large garden where the children could run around.
On Friday, we visited Butterfly World near St Albans. There are three glasshouses one for butterflies, one for insects and a another for leaf-cutter ants. In the third, one display cabinet was empty. It is thought ants chewed through the electric cable and the queen, the size of a small mouse, died. The colony was thrown into chaos and most of them died. However there was a second display case and my four and a half year-old granddaughter was fascinated. After a picnic lunch they played in a large children's area before we visited a series of small gardens with different themes. All in all a very enjoyable day out.
Yesterday we celebrated another grandson's forthcoming thirteenth birthday. A very happy get together in my younger son and his wife's house with a large garden where the children could run around.
Wednesday, 21 May 2014
Adverbs
I am searching for ways in which to improve the sequel to Sunday's Child, Monday's Child, which I am writing.
One of the things I check when I read through each chapter is my use of adverbs. A strong verb is more effective than a weak verb plus and adverb. For example I wrote: the colonel walked quickly and replaced it with the colonel marched.
When I write the first draft of a chapter I'm in a hurry to get on with the story. Afterwards I fine tune it several times. Another example is: he held her hand tightly which I replaced with he gripped her hand.
One of the things I check when I read through each chapter is my use of adverbs. A strong verb is more effective than a weak verb plus and adverb. For example I wrote: the colonel walked quickly and replaced it with the colonel marched.
When I write the first draft of a chapter I'm in a hurry to get on with the story. Afterwards I fine tune it several times. Another example is: he held her hand tightly which I replaced with he gripped her hand.
Sunday, 18 May 2014
Historical Novel Society's review of Far Beyond Rubies
FAR BEYOND RUBIES published by MuseItUp Publishing has been reviewed in the Historical Novel Society's magazine "Historical Novels Review."
"Inside Riverside House in England in 1706 the seventh baron, William Kemp is heard shouting at his 18-year old attractive half-sister: "Bastards, Juliana! You and your sister are bastards." He plans to banish them from Riverside. William has not only inherited the title but is claiming the estate as well. Juliana knows that under her grandpere's will she was the rightful heir. Juliana has to prove her legitimacy and her claim.
Juliana and her sister flee Riverside to seek legal counsel in Loncon. With William in pursuit, Juliana meets a suave gentleman named Gervaise. He has recently returned from India, having amassed a fortune and a dark complexion to boot. He offers to help Juliana in her quest as he is immediately besotted by her, for she reminds him of his late Indian wife. His proposal leads to more than a helping hand.
Rosemary Morris has penned a magnificent historical romance with superb, intimate descriptions and politico-religious conflicts of the era which immerse us into an elite society. The inclusion of snippets about Indian customs, religion and cuisine give the story a unique flavour. While the ending is predictable, the plot twists in Juliana's and Gervaise's quest and the evocative narration of the sexual tension between them keeps us turning the pages. Highly recommended.
Waheed Rabbani
(Far Beyond Rubies is available as a paper book and an e-book from the publisher, Amazon and elsewhere.)
"Inside Riverside House in England in 1706 the seventh baron, William Kemp is heard shouting at his 18-year old attractive half-sister: "Bastards, Juliana! You and your sister are bastards." He plans to banish them from Riverside. William has not only inherited the title but is claiming the estate as well. Juliana knows that under her grandpere's will she was the rightful heir. Juliana has to prove her legitimacy and her claim.
Juliana and her sister flee Riverside to seek legal counsel in Loncon. With William in pursuit, Juliana meets a suave gentleman named Gervaise. He has recently returned from India, having amassed a fortune and a dark complexion to boot. He offers to help Juliana in her quest as he is immediately besotted by her, for she reminds him of his late Indian wife. His proposal leads to more than a helping hand.
Rosemary Morris has penned a magnificent historical romance with superb, intimate descriptions and politico-religious conflicts of the era which immerse us into an elite society. The inclusion of snippets about Indian customs, religion and cuisine give the story a unique flavour. While the ending is predictable, the plot twists in Juliana's and Gervaise's quest and the evocative narration of the sexual tension between them keeps us turning the pages. Highly recommended.
Waheed Rabbani
(Far Beyond Rubies is available as a paper book and an e-book from the publisher, Amazon and elsewhere.)
Thursday, 15 May 2014
Runner Beans and A Massage
My runner bean plants survived a night out of the greenhouse. So, on this sunny day I transplanted them and also potted up my sweet potato plants.
This afternoon I went for a full body massage. It was very intense, and I swear there's not a bit of my body that does not hurt a lot when touched. The masseur thinks I need fiver treatments before the massages will become more enjoyable. I shall persevere. So far, this week's reaction is not as bad as last week's.
I had dinner with my daughter and grandchildren. Afterward, when I reached home and went out into the garden to examine my runner beans I noticed some of them look very unhappy. After all the trouble I've gone to, not to mention forking out for an expensive packet of self fertile seeds, I hope they will perk up.
This afternoon I went for a full body massage. It was very intense, and I swear there's not a bit of my body that does not hurt a lot when touched. The masseur thinks I need fiver treatments before the massages will become more enjoyable. I shall persevere. So far, this week's reaction is not as bad as last week's.
I had dinner with my daughter and grandchildren. Afterward, when I reached home and went out into the garden to examine my runner beans I noticed some of them look very unhappy. After all the trouble I've gone to, not to mention forking out for an expensive packet of self fertile seeds, I hope they will perk up.
Wednesday, 14 May 2014
Reading and Gardening
Yesterday, - unusually - I didn't have time to post anything. In the evening I stayed up until after midnight reading Stolen, Escape from Syria - A mother's terrifying journey to rescue her kidnapped child - by Louise Monaghan, who fell in love with a Syrian with terrible consequences. After he kidnapped their daughter, May, I was hoping against hope that Louise and May would escape.
I woke late and gave up on writing my novel for today. Instead, I put up the bean poles for my runner beans.
The garden has been productive throughout the winter, and now there are plenty of herbs and the first spring vegetables, some of which I use to make a salad for lunch - the first broad beans dressed with homemade egg free mayonnaise and a little finely chopped sage, tender baby salad leaves with homemade salad dressing, and crisp radishes, delicious.
This evening I must go to bed early and get up earlier than usual to catch up with my writing.
I woke late and gave up on writing my novel for today. Instead, I put up the bean poles for my runner beans.
The garden has been productive throughout the winter, and now there are plenty of herbs and the first spring vegetables, some of which I use to make a salad for lunch - the first broad beans dressed with homemade egg free mayonnaise and a little finely chopped sage, tender baby salad leaves with homemade salad dressing, and crisp radishes, delicious.
This evening I must go to bed early and get up earlier than usual to catch up with my writing.
Monday, 12 May 2014
Flash Fiction
No time to blog yesterday, after a busy weekend, and, yesterday, lunch at an Indonesian restaurant to celebrate my daughter's birthday, followed by this that and the other in the house and garden in the afternoon before going to Watford Writers in the evening.
Watford Writers had chosen the theme Shadows for a 300 word flash fiction competition. I wrote one that began: Only one thing in this material world is certain, we come into it and we leave it. To be honest, I don't have the time to devote to this difficult form of writing, but writing outside my usual box is challenging so I participated.
The authors of the winning stories deserved their prizes but I should imagine the marks awarded to the 16 stories were close.
I am very impressed by the varied plots, themes and originality in each short piece of flash fiction.
Watford Writers had chosen the theme Shadows for a 300 word flash fiction competition. I wrote one that began: Only one thing in this material world is certain, we come into it and we leave it. To be honest, I don't have the time to devote to this difficult form of writing, but writing outside my usual box is challenging so I participated.
The authors of the winning stories deserved their prizes but I should imagine the marks awarded to the 16 stories were close.
I am very impressed by the varied plots, themes and originality in each short piece of flash fiction.
Sunday, 11 May 2014
E-mails, Writing, Plans for the Day
I checked my e-mails this morning. One of them brought
back a memory of a truck with a trailer full of sheep. The truck had broken
down on one of the hottest days of the year. Without water the animals, were in
obvious distress to I phoned the RSPCA. Even worse are cases of animals left in
cars with no ventilation on very hot days.
It's 10 a.m. I've started to tidy up a file which
contains notes on marketing from my publisherr and I've written another 800
pages of my novel, Monday's Child, the sequel to my published Regency Novel,
Sunday's Child.
I enjoyed my breakfast - porridge with a handful of
blueberries, some black grapes and a few strawberries.
I’m now planning
to spend an hour in the garden putting up poles for my runner beans, which are
trying to reach the ceiling of the greenhouse and need to be planted out as
soon as they have been acclimatised to the weather. They need warmth so,
hopefully, the weather will improve,
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