The Journey To A Published Novel

First rejection received!  I'm getting somewhere.....  One of several submissions later and it arrived in my inbox, the response teasing my merriment, its possibilities danced through my head.  Should I prepare a hot drink or perhaps something stronger? I should at least stand out of respect I click for the message to open. If I was cool, I might use my phone. I think in all reality I did swipe to the salutation.  The agency name glimmers in the subject line, my title nearby. If I just close my eyes for a second then the news will be good. The work you put it, it wasn't for nothing. My vision now blurred, pupils readjusting. I muster up the courage and open that dream up. Damn! No genie, no wishes for me. As the title would suggest and without the pretentious attempt at intrigue. My book, wasn't on this occasion worthy of representation. Alone again with your thoughts. It's disappointing; sure but inevitable.  That's one out of a few - I think timeline wise. I s...

I  think I, like many people; I almost even used 'writers' there, parenthetically speaking. It may well be one of those realms of reality conversations, as to  whether  I use  'writer'  or merely hide behind the collective noun of 'people'. It doesn't seem to bother those that make use of furrowed fake smiles, the ones you'll never meet, tanned, toned and performing yoga on a white sandy beach. They themselves claiming to have produced a story never penned, living off a  ten-year-old  advance whilst holding down a part time job.   If you have been up all night, writing into the early hours of tomorrow’s world, is the only outcome for it to be read, enjoyed and/or ignored; can’t it just exist? The dilemma is delivered, socially distanced of course when you consider the amount of time spent writing. Time is money, life is short and other such idioms. The only interest you hold is in creating and now you’re having to spend all your time pushing your ...

It seems if you listen or even read any self help book or embrace a snippet of wisdom in the form of a Youtube video. Most, if not all of the guidance or call it advice, you could even consider them tips - the secrets of the gods, or put simply and to include a pun; The secret. Ways of living, practices published in bullet point, encapsulated in a magenta slogan, a two-line symbolic journery into metaphorical imagery. Could all these soapy words and phrases be a mere pseudo-science? Call me Ned Flanders because I don't believe in insurance.  If you choose to watch the 2020 film 'The Secret: Dare to Dream' with Katie Holmes, penned and based on the book by Rhonda Byrne. Well, firstly I wouldn't actually bother. It's almost as tripe as my wildest writing dreams. Watch it, make up your own judgement, ot quickly tear it back down. It's a far cry from anything you might expect and it will not change your life or offer any insight into your own challenges. Use your ti...

Just when you think it's over, they bring you two more seasons of Cobra Kai.  So, although the book may be finished. The work continues.... I call it work, it's not work. We've been over all that before. Passion, necessity...whatever you want to brand it. The typing has arguably stopped on the now finished novel, the work of trying to distribute it to suitable literary agents is troublesome and long. It's a whole heap of rules to follow, it almost takes the romanticism out of it. I say that now; if it's published, I'll be happy and grateful. Until then, I'm struggling and depressed! You see, the arrogant expression of genres in a covering letter, character traits peppered throughout a loose synopsis, the habit of bravely hitting submit of 10,000 words or three chapters, which ever wins. I question: 'How much is enough to reveal, in order to entice without giving the game away?' Is it not possible to let the words speak for themselves? It probably is,...

Unlike The Doors , this book remains open and it is far from the end . I'm not sure about my methods.  All I know is that I've written what I've written. I could be over critical . I could compare my words to that of others. I won't.  I began this process back in September 2018. The screen was blank. Microsoft Word, Times New Roman, font size 12  - - Double spaced. I settled on a title. I had it clear in my brain. I already know the story. I've lived it in some way. It's based on fact and actual experience, with the character names I've played. They could be based upon real people or objects of my imagination. Some scenes and maybe others, are exaggerated for dramatic gain. Through the opening lines, that would later become a different chapter. A beginning I found confusing and maybe far too much information. I spread it over several.  Life happened. New positions in the world of living. Distractions brought on by impatience and bravery. Mother nature played...

I don't feel the need to comment on society; the flaws of our daily offerings. I can only ever comment on myself. I'm not frustrated that we can't go out. It's all a mindset, if I was ever in doubt. When you question if you know me, I'm not convinced I know myself. Life it seems is a mere journey through choices. Often times, things said and done - are filled with questions unto ourselves. Why did I get in that taxi and behave as I did? Why did I say that our love was not even real? How did I let you leave? I ruined it without sharing my truth. Saying goodbye, as much as it felt right at the time. It could have been more about lust, an image of a life lived out in luxury. That could be one thing I'll regret to the end - It wasn't the truth. It was said to set you free.  I can't feel guilty for gifting you with happiness, despite the illusion of pain albeit initially. My words were knee-jerk. 'Cold Nose English' was the label that stuck. Not an ut...

Day 1 - working from the homestead. No need for inane commentary on social situations. We all know. We all breath the same air. It might be hard to avoid negative news. Negative views and scary interactions. We have technology on our side, playing its part in living our lives. As I've said far too often. Nothing I can say will ever be original. As with most of our spoken words, much if not - all is merely regurgitated. I think we must just do our best to live life as safely as we can. Remain creative and inspired throughout. Hold on to hope. For it is our friend. Stand up, stretch and massage your mind. Writing is for the long haul and it's worth pursuing. Third draft. It'll take as many drafts as it will take. Just know, that when you know you're finished. Well that's the time to waste some ink. Get it printed. Red pen, underline, hyphenate and add. Remove with a hand flick and a scribble of a biro. That section is unnecessary. Dylan sounds like a fool...