Just seen the news that the HarperCollins Virtual Romance Festival is returning for a second year- save the weekend dates of the 7th and 8th February in your diary.
I've just registered for the event- it's free.
As last year, one day will be aimed at writers, and the other for readers.
Again events will take place on Facebook, Twitter, the Festival's Wordpress site, and Google Hangouts.
Last year the Wordpress site got temporarily shut down, so hopefully that won't happen this time, as it kept everyone up to the moment on who was where...
Most of the 2014 writers day I spent on Facebook; as there was a different person/subject every hour, and I found it very useful. Lots of writers asking questions and sharing their experiences and thoughts.
And experts generously sharing their expertise and answering the barrage of questions.
Twitter was a bit too fast paced for me to keep up with that as well, but I was able to access many of the other events I missed from the links in the emails sent, and the Wordpress site when it was back up and running.
This announcement on the Bookseller website will give you some general information, and includes the link to the Eventbrite page to register.
Bookseller article with Eventbrite link, here.
If you're on Facebook you can like their RomanceFestival page.
So often it can be difficult for writers to get to Festivals and Conferences in person, so this virtual event is a fantastic opportunity to take part without leaving home.
If you missed last year's festival in June, then here's my blog post from last year sharing my experience of the writers day.
If you go, enjoy every busy minute. :-)
Carol Bevitt's blog on her writing and inspirations, along with occasional literature related news...
Wednesday 21 January 2015
Friday 16 January 2015
When Characters Talk to You...
I've had a busy week so my Thursday post is being written today instead.
And just because other essential appointments get in the way, it doesn't mean I'm not thinking about writing, just that the writing pot is being stirred in the background.
On Monday I had to make a timeline (for the back story) before I could progress with the next scene. I knew roughly when past events occurred, but there were a couple that I needed confirmed.
Those details are for me, and the reader will not need to know the majority of that history...
But another aspect on both writing and non-writing time is when characters decide to talk to you; they give you an important snippet of information that makes sense of something else, or they start an exchange of dialogue- or complain about another character.
Now at home going round muttering wildly to yourself, even in front of family members, is viewed with a shake of the head and remarks of ,'there's no point saying anything to her'- at least not until whatever it is, is written somewhere!
Do the muttering out in public and people look at you a bit strangely.
A couple of writer friends revealed the times their characters start talking to them. Ironing is popular, as is cooking. It's a bit inconvenient too if you're in the shower or washing your hair when they start- my historical characters don't understand that the bathroom is not the place to start talking to me.
Today, two of my contemporary characters began holding a conversation- giving me the answer to one of my approaching plot niggles- when I was meant to be thinking food shopping.
I'm sure I had a crazed look on my face as I looked around the busy location for somewhere to stop and write. Seeing a vacant bench I almost sprinted toward it, hoping that no one would suddenly decide to go and sit there before I reached it- that usually happens to me.
Pen and notebook retrieved from my bag I started jotting, and as I was actually writing at an angle-because I was holding onto bags at the same time as the notebook- I hope I can still read it! :D
Satisfied I had the basics of the conversation my two characters quietened down and wandered off to their respective destinations, allowing me to buy food without further distractions.
That conversation will be written up onto the computer next week, when I get onto chapter 10.
I'm just glad that my other lurking characters are polite and wait until it's their story before talking to me...
Image courtesy of Stuart Miles / www.freedigitalphotos.net
And just because other essential appointments get in the way, it doesn't mean I'm not thinking about writing, just that the writing pot is being stirred in the background.
On Monday I had to make a timeline (for the back story) before I could progress with the next scene. I knew roughly when past events occurred, but there were a couple that I needed confirmed.
Those details are for me, and the reader will not need to know the majority of that history...
 |
| A character starts talking... |
Now at home going round muttering wildly to yourself, even in front of family members, is viewed with a shake of the head and remarks of ,'there's no point saying anything to her'- at least not until whatever it is, is written somewhere!
Do the muttering out in public and people look at you a bit strangely.
A couple of writer friends revealed the times their characters start talking to them. Ironing is popular, as is cooking. It's a bit inconvenient too if you're in the shower or washing your hair when they start- my historical characters don't understand that the bathroom is not the place to start talking to me.
Today, two of my contemporary characters began holding a conversation- giving me the answer to one of my approaching plot niggles- when I was meant to be thinking food shopping.
I'm sure I had a crazed look on my face as I looked around the busy location for somewhere to stop and write. Seeing a vacant bench I almost sprinted toward it, hoping that no one would suddenly decide to go and sit there before I reached it- that usually happens to me.
Pen and notebook retrieved from my bag I started jotting, and as I was actually writing at an angle-because I was holding onto bags at the same time as the notebook- I hope I can still read it! :D
Satisfied I had the basics of the conversation my two characters quietened down and wandered off to their respective destinations, allowing me to buy food without further distractions.
That conversation will be written up onto the computer next week, when I get onto chapter 10.
I'm just glad that my other lurking characters are polite and wait until it's their story before talking to me...
Image courtesy of Stuart Miles / www.freedigitalphotos.net
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