tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17643294347413420232024-03-06T06:55:04.967+00:00 Carol's CornerCarol Bevitt's blog on her writing and inspirations, along with occasional literature related news... Carolbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578076528292643928noreply@blogger.comBlogger711125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1764329434741342023.post-90225246498094450012021-01-01T15:50:00.003+00:002021-01-01T15:50:26.791+00:00The Future Beckons...This is my last post here, as you may recall two months ago I announced my new website was live. You can read that post here.My new website logo...I hope you'll continue to follow my writing at carol-bevitt.com with its new blog, and where you can sign up on the home page to receive notification of new posts by email.You won't be bombarded with emails. I'll be aiming for 1 or 2 new posts a month,Carolbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578076528292643928noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1764329434741342023.post-60532102972261111952020-12-31T19:24:00.004+00:002020-12-31T19:24:58.877+00:00Happy New Year... Think we'd all agree that 2020 has been a horrible year for everyone, and we all look forward to a better 2021.So, my final word count for 2021 is: 22,504.Wherever you are reading this penultimate post, I hope you are safe and well...All the best for 2020...Carolbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578076528292643928noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1764329434741342023.post-24394624561304622282020-12-24T23:16:00.000+00:002020-12-24T23:16:37.291+00:00A Christmas Message... This Christmas...Carolbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578076528292643928noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1764329434741342023.post-80723490998532999662020-12-24T22:05:00.007+00:002020-12-24T23:26:23.589+00:00Review of 2020 - What I Did Achieve... I'm totally behind schedule this Christmas, but I'm sure many are with all the changes that have been happening...My little tree...Usually I review my year, revisiting the fun things I've taken part in since January, plus my word count to date, and a final total at the end of the month.I have done lots of reading, gardening, and making cakes. I've also completed some writing, but my word Carolbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578076528292643928noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1764329434741342023.post-21651217037990032562020-12-13T17:42:00.007+00:002020-12-13T18:03:38.130+00:00Countdown to Christmas...Bad Sex in Fiction and the Oddest Book Title of the Year...For anyone wondering what has happened to the annual Bad Sex in Fiction award, sadly this did not run. You can read why on the Bookseller website here. Personally, it might have provided a much-needed giggle in these tough times...The Literary Review's comment does raise a smile... Organisers warned the cancellation “should not be taken as a licence to write bad sex”.As for the Diagram Prize for Carolbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578076528292643928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1764329434741342023.post-73670042240419906202020-11-01T15:50:00.000+00:002020-11-01T15:50:14.015+00:00My New Website... Last week I began to put together the new website. And yesterday, the last day of October, I pressed launch. I know minor adjustments need to be made, so that's on this week's to do list.The most difficult part was the About page. What was I comfortable with sharing? Which insights into my writing and my values would a reader want to discover? I'm not sure whether I achieved that,Carolbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578076528292643928noreply@blogger.com6United Kingdom55.378051 -3.43597327.067817163821154 -38.592223 83.688284836178838 31.720277tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1764329434741342023.post-28936658365875722382020-10-22T21:29:00.001+01:002020-10-22T21:32:04.169+01:00Past, Present and Future...Way back...In September 2010 I posted my first ever blog post, Hello.Where have those years gone?Looking back at the decade, I've learnt how to be a better writer- though I have plenty yet to learn. There's been attendances at workshops and conferences, research trips and exhibitions, along with numerous photos.Published pieces from trying different types of writing; while other selections have Carolbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578076528292643928noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1764329434741342023.post-89426845204668394522020-09-21T15:54:00.006+01:002020-09-21T16:08:15.850+01:00Good News...The good news arrived too late for Sunday's post, so I'm sharing it today...I have received the report from this year's RNA New Writers' Scheme submission.It was a partial of 12,000 words and a two-page synopsis (as it wasn't the full draft). After last year's experience I was a little apprehensive. Fortified by wine and chocolate, I downloaded and opened the report; and discovered Carolbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578076528292643928noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1764329434741342023.post-18241819755962034992020-09-20T16:04:00.002+01:002020-09-20T16:07:49.472+01:00The Next Quarter... September is passing swiftly, and I need to get on with one of the novels.I'm making a list...There's a handful of outstanding items on my should have been done by now list, so next week I'll dive in and get them done. I've also been spending extra time in the garden, enjoying the sunshine and warm air while it's here. That may be why my to-do list hasn't receded... :DOne of my (now) Carolbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578076528292643928noreply@blogger.com2United Kingdom55.378051 -3.43597327.067817163821154 -38.592223 83.688284836178838 31.720277tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1764329434741342023.post-31210323793950818592020-08-31T21:32:00.001+01:002020-08-31T21:53:04.611+01:00Deadlines are Hard Work...The last day of August is here. For me that's the deadline for submitting my entry to the RNA's New Writers' Scheme.Last year I put in my submission in at 4.30 am on the last day. Well I'm pleased to say this year it was only eight minutes into the last day when I clicked save and finalise.I've submitted a partial this year; five chapters and the synopsis. I decided not to edit and submit Carolbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578076528292643928noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1764329434741342023.post-23817370323831905642020-07-29T22:33:00.000+01:002020-07-29T22:33:04.731+01:00Here and Now...The Present
Yes, I'm back. Four months since I last posted and you may have forgotten I exist...
I'm into a routine and writing again; important as the the RNA New Writers' Scheme deadline draws ever nearer...
The last four months have been busy.
The Past
The Covid-19 virus hit my family as the country went into lockdown. Writing stopped and the priority was dealing with the resulting healthCarolbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578076528292643928noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1764329434741342023.post-74403319545370921032020-03-22T17:37:00.000+00:002020-03-22T17:37:14.647+00:00Staying Positive...We all know what's going on in the world at the moment, and it's turned all our lives upside down.
But writers are a resilient bunch, and they've been coming up with ideas to help us all get through the coming months.
Spring is on the way...
You might feel too distracted to write for the moment, but there's plenty you can do meanwhile.
If you're on social media platforms, look out forCarolbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578076528292643928noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1764329434741342023.post-34307199107817498932020-03-01T17:52:00.000+00:002020-03-01T17:54:44.987+00:00Prompts Can Help...
You can find out more
here.
March has arrived and spring beckons- thankfully. I may get rid of my lingering cold too...
Do you use prompts to get you writing?
They're a good way to get inspiration during those lean spells, but they can also jog the memory and recall those filed away ideas that you said you would do when you had Carolbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578076528292643928noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1764329434741342023.post-71038972035642064802020-02-25T22:21:00.000+00:002020-02-25T22:21:16.809+00:00Dropping By...A quick update.
Making progress on the novel draft for now, which explains the lack of posts currently.
Sadly I've had to remove the contact form as it's being used for spam. But I can still be contacted via Twitter or on my writer page on Facebook.
I'll be back here on Sunday...
This is now...
image:pixabay.com
Carolbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578076528292643928noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1764329434741342023.post-86753708618234892982020-02-09T23:37:00.003+00:002020-02-09T23:37:55.105+00:00Filler Words... What's Yours?Ask any group of writers what their filler words are and 'just' is certain to appear. They're those words we write without thinking and don't help the clarity.
Those pesky filler words...
I'm guilty of using filler words, but I'm picking them up better than last year. Now, even stopping mid-sentence and asking myself, do I need to use that word? The answer, no.
There will be others thatCarolbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578076528292643928noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1764329434741342023.post-5047330267356355562020-01-09T16:03:00.000+00:002020-01-09T16:04:54.113+00:00The Self-Doubt Gremlin...The decorations came down on Sunday and a normal regime began on Monday- my snoozing creativity woke up, but the rest of me was failing to keep up.
I've been dealing with the self-doubt gremlin for a few weeks now. It nearly derailed the mini workshop I was putting together for the writers' club meeting (last night), but I got through it and the gremlin has scarpered.
Weeks of disturbed sleep Carolbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578076528292643928noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1764329434741342023.post-46378251549507509002019-12-31T17:58:00.002+00:002019-12-31T18:02:03.214+00:00Happy New Year...A brief message to all readers of my blog posts, thank you.
Finally, my total word count for 2019 is 52,488.
Balloons image by Shahid Abdullah from Pixabay.com with additional text and decoration via Canva.comCarolbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578076528292643928noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1764329434741342023.post-31837127129071487412019-12-22T22:48:00.000+00:002019-12-22T22:48:35.140+00:00Merry Christmas...The next few days will be even busier than they have been so far- Muffins, and Fairy Cakes are done, but the fruit cake is still to do.
On the present side I'm trailing behind; at least I have the wrapping paper and labels ready...
Whatever you may have planned, I hope you enjoy the Christmas break. And for anyone suffering from the winter bugs that emerge at this time of the year, I hope you Carolbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578076528292643928noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1764329434741342023.post-20463372387921096162019-12-16T18:01:00.001+00:002019-12-17T12:44:16.768+00:00Review of 2019 - Did I Meet My Targets?...This is a slightly longer post...
2019 I was concentrating on my novel manuscript for the Romantic Novelists Association's New Writers' Scheme...
This year has been more about writing, learning, and developing my skills, but then writers never stop doing that.
This year...
I made a quick start on my 2019 plans, when at midday on the 2nd January, my email requesting a place the RNA's 2019 Carolbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578076528292643928noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1764329434741342023.post-71095418419520939202019-12-07T15:36:00.000+00:002019-12-07T15:36:06.978+00:00Bad Sex and the Oddest Book Title...A quick post to update on the results of the recent Diagram Prize for the Oddest Book Title of 2019, and the Bad Sex in Fiction award.
To the
Winners...
Now the Diagram Prize for the Oddest Book Title has been getting less press coverage than in past years, which is a pity as there's been many chuckle-inducing titles over the years.
My favourite for the title was the bible stories, Noah Carolbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578076528292643928noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1764329434741342023.post-16877947307461915592019-11-28T15:53:00.001+00:002019-11-28T15:53:56.472+00:00The 2019 Bad Sex in Fiction Shortlist is Out...It's that time of year when the Literary Review's annual Bad Sex in Fiction Award shortlist is revealed.
Of course the extracts in the news reports are only a part of the novels they appear in, so put in context they may work okay, but in isolation they don't.
This year's contenders- with some unexpected names appearing:
City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert (Bloomsbury)
The Office of Gardens Carolbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578076528292643928noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1764329434741342023.post-25204881344762532152019-11-25T22:43:00.000+00:002019-11-25T22:43:52.567+00:00Reading, Writing, Learning and Improving...
Only a month to Christmas Day and I've just started thinking about all that I need to do.
Usually that's because November is busy with family birthdays so I don't think about the festive season until they're over.
I'm determined to get the Christmas cards into the post sooner rather than the last few posting days- which usually happens.
Since I received my readers report back from the RNA's Carolbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578076528292643928noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1764329434741342023.post-86997440473867376822019-11-01T15:24:00.000+00:002019-11-01T15:24:39.910+00:00The Diagram Prize for the Oddest Book Title 2019...I was beginning to think that this may not be happening this year as the shortlist announcement is later than in 2018.
The mystery is solved and you can read the wry introduction to the 41st year of the prize over on the Bookseller website and the mention of last year's winner- kettles and water were involved...
This year's shortlist:
How to Drink Without Drinking by Fiona Beckett.
(AsCarolbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578076528292643928noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1764329434741342023.post-21313288919428462192019-10-21T16:13:00.000+01:002019-10-21T16:13:11.949+01:00A Book Launch in the Museum...Usually when I'm in Leicester, it's on a Friday for a Belmont Belles RNA Chapter meeting, so going to the city on a Saturday was unusual, especially when there was a big football match and memorial parade at the football stadium.
This time I was there for a book launch at the New Walk Museum, for Rosemary J Kind's new release, Unequal by Birth.
Cover design...
The museum was busy and popularCarolbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578076528292643928noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1764329434741342023.post-76089894374447122992019-10-20T22:49:00.001+01:002019-10-20T23:27:09.998+01:00A Week of Learning...It's been a busy week so you'll be getting two posts today and tomorrow, otherwise it would be a very long post to read.
I was scrolling through my Twitter feed earlier last week and saw a link for the Romance Writers Summit. There was a free sign up to see the sessions released each day for five days- though this was a time zone in America.
After signing up I watched a few of the sixCarolbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578076528292643928noreply@blogger.com2