A Christmas Message...

 This Christmas...

Review 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 count is way down on previous years.

March- at the start of the month there was book related news, Prompts Can Help. I had ten Christmas related story prompts included in the Chapeltown Books ebook of Prompts 2020.

My prompts were originally put together for an exercise for Nottingham Writers' Club members, that didn't happen. They sat on my computer (waiting for another Christmas) until I submitted them last year, and they were accepted for the book.

Then Corona virus took over the world and normal life changed...

Like many writers, I thought the time would be spent working on the novel, but my characters thought otherwise and they went into lockdown too. I tried but the novel wouldn't progress.

My family had the virus, and there was a daily cleaning routine, and ensuring the food was rationed so we had enough to get us through the isolation, until it was safe for someone to go shopping- we couldn't get an online delivery.

April- my trusty Kindle e-reader finally stopped working, and I decided to replace it with a Paperwhite, but like online delivery slots, kindles were out of stock too. I eventually got my new device about six weeks later, in May.

I spent most of my time out in the garden, reorganising, pruning, and nurturing seeds and plants- all good exercise. When I wasn't doing that I was baking.

The last time I made Scones, I was a teenager. They hadn't worked then, so I'd never attempted them again.

Fortunately, there were plenty of recipes online, so I did try again.

(Image on the right: A pot of Salad Leaves grown from seed)

(Image on the left: Home-made Raisin Scones)

I'm amazed I lost any weight with the amount of baking that was done this year!

And yes, Banana Bread did feature in this year's repertoire...

(Image on the right: First attempt at Banana Bread- it did improve)

I made progress with my research reading, and making notes.

And of course, I was submitting my lockdown updates for the NWC (digital) club magazine. Along with photos.

June into July- I had to make a decision on what I'd submit to the RNA New Writers' Scheme. Whichever one I submitted it would be a partial with a synopsis, but that was better than not submitting anything.

Although I had five chapters and half of the sixth by the end of July, I chose to work on editing the first five. Plus writing a new synopsis...

Not having allowed enough time for editing in 2019's entry, I'd set August aside for this year's. It wasn't perfect, but it was done in time, and I'm now aware of my editing weaknesses. 

At least this year, I submitted it four hours earlier than last year. 

I was happy with the report I received back later in September.

I've not had enough quiet at home to do more, but I know where I'm going with the story and I'm creating a schedule for resuming the novel in January.

My new website is working okay, and I'll be adding to it.

Meanwhile, I've been jotting down ideas, dialogue and character insights for two of the secondary characters in the current WIP. I knew earlier this year, they'd eventually have their own story- after the other novel...

Like many families, we're having a quiet Christmas, and I hope to use some of the time to increase my word count before the end of the year.

To date my 2020 word count is: 22,460.

That's better than I expected...

I'm keeping next year's aims flexible.

I've renewed my New Writers' Scheme membership for another year, and fingers crossed for the RNA Conference in July. 

My hope is that by next Christmas we'll all be celebrating it with our friends and family- in person...

Am I satisfied with what I've achieved in 2020?

Considering how this year has gone, yes I am... 

Countdown 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 The Oddest Book Title of the Year, that crept by with little notice. The winner was a Canadian author, and a publisher from the country too. 

Again, the Bookseller website has the result, and at the bottom of the article, the shortlist of contenders and their percentage vote.

(I'm not quoting the winning title here, but follow the above link to find out more.)

Hopefully, next year there will be an abundance of entries to choose from...

Here's to next
year's
contenders...

image courtesy of pixabay.com

My 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, but if not, it can be rewritten.

For now, I've gone with a simple design on WordPress, easy to navigate and read. Plus, it's good viewed on a tablet or phone.

The design of the theme has helped with my current eyesight difficulties. I had changes to my vision over the summer and needed new glasses. They're ordered, so I'm hoping the latest lockdown, announced yesterday, won't interfere in the production of the lenses, or lengthens the time it takes before I can collect them.

Once I've got my new glasses I'll be able to update my profile pictures. 

Meanwhile, it's back to the novel after my thinking time...

If you haven't seen my new website, do please pop over and take a look. I love the logo created from this initial letter image.

Image: mr1313-4924314 @pixabay.com

In this shaken up world we're living in, be kind to yourselves and stay safe...

Past, 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 been performed in front of an audience, or heard online via audio (sadly, no longer available).

Not that long ago...

One of my proudest moments (to date) was seeing my Womag rights article published in Writing Magazine, two years ago.

Working on...

Now, the focus of my writing time will be getting the novel finished and up to publishable standard. Then onto the next first draft that's been waiting some time.

I've also less time to put into regular blog posts, hence the future change...

Under Construction...

A basic website.

I've been considering this move for two years and decided now was the time to get on with it- while there are fewer outside of home commitments.

Plenty to do yet- reviewing potential templates is the main hurdle for this week.

I have a new domain for the website, waiting in the wings. 

Meanwhile...

.

Carol's Corner will continue for now with it's current domain, and there'll be blog posts up to the end of the year.

Clocks and computer screen images courtesy of pixabay.com.

Good 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 encouraging, supportive, and insightful feedback. 

As expected it identified the areas I knew would likely be picked up and need further working on, but other things I'd missed. 

There was nothing I disagreed with, and the suggestions on possible avenues to consider has been most helpful. 

My working title is okay for now, but I'll need to give some thought to a better one. 

I don't know who the reader was- and never will, but I'm grateful for their comprehensive report, and encouragement. I hope they won't mind me quoting a couple of lines from their conclusion:

You write well, and I think you have made an excellent start, capturing the feel and style of a light contemporary romance with a bit of suspense thrown into the mix very well. 

When I submitted the first 12,000 words of this second draft (or 1.5 as I think of it) I wasn't sure if I would go beyond that, but reading the report again, I'm determined to complete the draft. 

I'll be going through the report with the highlighters this week...

Image by Alexas_Fotos from pixabay.com