This last week I have been very busy writing the eleventh chapter of my next book, tentatively titled ‘Honour Thy Father and Thy Mother’ – a story of the Kindertransport , which saved ten thousand children, most, but not all of them Jewish, from the Holocaust. This is a re-write after having put it aside for the last two or so years. The outline of the original story is the same, but I’ve added characters, filled out those who were just incidental. In short I’ve added body to the skeleton that was my first draft.
My original draft was well received by my wonderful friends of my writing group. If not for these friends I would never have had the courage to publish my eclectic anthology of short stories ‘Just for Fun’.
Our group meets every fortnight on a Wednesday, giving us a chance to meet our deadline without too much pressure, although I must admit to following Parkinson’s Law, which in short states "work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion". Although I’m continually thinking about my book, even when I wake up at 3.00 a.m., I don’t start with the actual typing until the Friday before, leaving me only about 4 days to submit – to allow my fellow group members time to read and critique my writing – its raison d’etre. Needless to say I have a few worrying days, but until now have had complete success. I’m quite proud of meeting my deadline consistently for the last ten years.
In the last few minutes I’ve sent off my next chapter to the group. Now I have to get back to work, blogging, tweeting, pinning and all the other tasks an author must do to promote one’s book. Some of this stuff comes easier than others. Blogging and tweeting, I’m getting the hang of, more or less, but I still have to work out this pinning business. There are loads of videos on You Tube, but that is the problem, to sort the wheat from the chaff. I love this blogging – I can use as many clichés as I want, without retribution – very liberating.
Sometimes I wake up in the morning and think, so much to do to promote my book, so little time. Now that I’m retired, I’m working harder than ever, or so it seems, but also having more fun. My philosophy is this: my book will be on the internet for eternity, and although I’m mortal, if I do the work now, success will eventually come. So if I don’t benefit directly I’ll leave all the rights and proceeds to my progeny, as did A.A.Milne and Agatha Christie.
I would be happy to hear from other authors of the baby-boom generation how they cope with the work and of course the technology.
I designed the cover of my book using Canva - a great site. I don't benefit by this recommendation - at least not yet.
My original draft was well received by my wonderful friends of my writing group. If not for these friends I would never have had the courage to publish my eclectic anthology of short stories ‘Just for Fun’.
Our group meets every fortnight on a Wednesday, giving us a chance to meet our deadline without too much pressure, although I must admit to following Parkinson’s Law, which in short states "work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion". Although I’m continually thinking about my book, even when I wake up at 3.00 a.m., I don’t start with the actual typing until the Friday before, leaving me only about 4 days to submit – to allow my fellow group members time to read and critique my writing – its raison d’etre. Needless to say I have a few worrying days, but until now have had complete success. I’m quite proud of meeting my deadline consistently for the last ten years.
In the last few minutes I’ve sent off my next chapter to the group. Now I have to get back to work, blogging, tweeting, pinning and all the other tasks an author must do to promote one’s book. Some of this stuff comes easier than others. Blogging and tweeting, I’m getting the hang of, more or less, but I still have to work out this pinning business. There are loads of videos on You Tube, but that is the problem, to sort the wheat from the chaff. I love this blogging – I can use as many clichés as I want, without retribution – very liberating.
Sometimes I wake up in the morning and think, so much to do to promote my book, so little time. Now that I’m retired, I’m working harder than ever, or so it seems, but also having more fun. My philosophy is this: my book will be on the internet for eternity, and although I’m mortal, if I do the work now, success will eventually come. So if I don’t benefit directly I’ll leave all the rights and proceeds to my progeny, as did A.A.Milne and Agatha Christie.
I would be happy to hear from other authors of the baby-boom generation how they cope with the work and of course the technology.
I designed the cover of my book using Canva - a great site. I don't benefit by this recommendation - at least not yet.
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