Monday 14 October 2013

HOW DO YOU FIND THE TIME TO WRITE? GUEST AUTHOR, JENNY BRIGALOW - THE CHILDREN OF THE MIST. WITH A GIVEAWAY!

Hello friends!

Thanks for stopping by. After a period of not reading any paranormal books, I've recently read a couple that I really liked. I shared one with you--Kelly Steel's One Bite Leads to Another, and Kelly recommended Jenny Brigalow's new book to me. I've really enjoyed reading it, so if you like a good paranormal YA novel, you will be swept away with Morven and Zest.

As a writer with work commitments, family commitments, blogging commitments, travel commitments...ad infinitum, I struggle to find the time to attack my WIPs and polish them to submission standard, so I asked Jenny to talk us through what works for her.


Tuned Out To The Titanic

It’s a regular occurrence to come upon articles about wonder women that work full time, have three kids under the age of four, study a degree and still find time to write. I feel it only fair to warn you right now, that I am not one of these women.  Indeed, I cannot even imagine being one of those women.

I almost feel guilty (but not quite) that I have ample time to sit down at my cluttered desk and tap merrily away at my latest work in progress. To a large degree this happy state of affairs is circumstantial. I’m forty nine years old, my daughters are aged seventeen and eighteen and both hold a driving licence and I work part time.  And, I am delighted to tell you, I only have six more weeks left of the dreaded school run. Freedom beckons.

Of course, this has not always been the case. When I started writing, the kids had just started high school and I had a busier schedule, but I always found time to write. Ironically, the secret to my success was a personality quirk, which had been the source of constant criticism when I was a child. I was always in disgrace for not paying attention to important matters when I had my nose in a book (and often when I didn’t). You know how it is; the Real World Vs. The Famous Five. Need I say more?
This curious trait has been a blessing in my writing years. When the school holidays kick in or on weekends when our house vibrates with activity, I can sit down in the dining room and tune out, utterly oblivious to the bickering, baiting and the blare of the TV. If I were reading or writing when the Titanic went down I wouldn’t notice until my toes got wet!

Now here's a little taster from my book--



An original paranormal YA about an unconventional girl, an unconventional boy, their extraordinary transformations, and the secrets of the Scottish Highlands.

When skater girl Morven Smith turns sixteen, she develops boobs, acute appendicitis...and a pair of pointy teeth. While she is stunned by her metamorphosis into vampire, her best mate, the enigmatic Zest, is not. For the young werewolf, Morven’s transformation is an answer to his lonely prayers.

But they are unable to celebrate their mutual paranormalcy for long — there are too many dangers, too much suspicion, and too many questions. It’s only in Scotland that Morven can learn the truth about her past. But she discovers more than she bargained for when she meets her birth family — an ancient feud between vampires and werewolves. They may both be Children of the Mist, but only one species can survive.

Denise butting in again. Interested? You must agree the plot sounds riveting--and it is! A trip to the Scottish Highlands is an added bonus!

Read Reviews

Buy Links


Escape         Amazon

Amazon UK

B&N

Jenny around the web:

  • What have you been reading lately? Any good paranormals? I just got my hands of Roland Yeoman's latest, a Halloween book, Her Bones are in the Badlands. 
  • Speaking of Halloween, Jenny has signed up for Write...Edit...Publish's Halloween Haunted theme. Have you? Love to see your name on the list.






47 comments:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Focusing and tuning out the world - I admit, that's something men tend to do well. Just need to do it while writing...

Roland D. Yeomans said...

I need to find a watch that stops time! I hope you enjoy HER BONES ARE IN THE BADLANDS. Would it be all right if I did my post for your bloghop on the 29th -- like King Solomon said about his many wives: I seem to find myself over-committed! :-)

Trisha said...

I like the idea of people becoming vampires without having to become dead first. :P This sounds like a good read! Gonna have to add it to my list :)

Denise Covey said...

Roland, of course. Many of us are participating in several Halloween blogfests. However you can fit it in. I know you have one of your own happening too.

Denise Covey said...

Hey Trish. Yes, Jenny has a few fresh ideas. I like the way she has slowly revealed more and more interesting facets to vampyre.

The Armchair Squid said...

Congrats and best of luck to Jenny!

Karen Jones Gowen said...

I always enjoy hearing how other writers manage to get the writing done. Interesting post! Thanks, Jenny and Denise.

dolorah said...

Just finished Yolanda Rene's Murder/Madness.

This was a good post. I'm able to tune out the world too.

.......dhole

Denise Covey said...

Me too Karen. I know social media takes up far too much of my time.

Michael Di Gesu said...

HI, Denise, Hi, Jenny...

It is quite the interesting premise.

My reading list is growing, but I haven't had a chance to start with anything. I will be reading COURAGE by Carrie Butler some time this week. I have review to write for her blog tour.... on the 25th. So I need to get cracking...

Congrats Jenny... All the best!

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

lol, I can so relate. My hubby claims he could drive a truck through the house and I wouldn't notice when I'm 'in the zone'.

Natalie Aguirre said...

Great tips on how to squeeze in writing time. I really need to do that. Please don't enter me in the giveaway. I have too many books to read right now.

Remembering Grace said...

I'm the same way, reading and writing takes my concentration and I really don't hear when someone says something. :)

Shell Flower said...

I write in the living room with everything going on around me, too. My boyfriend does get annoyed when he talks to me and I'm like, "uh huh" when I wasn't even listening because I was too wrapped up in writing.

I love the

Shell Flower said...

...damn new blogger comment box. Anyway, I love the premise of Children of the Mist. Sounds awesome.

Vallypee said...

Jenny, I can do that too. Isn't it great that the thing you got criticised for at school is such an advantage now? I was always being told 'could do better if she paid attention'! Great that the school run days are nearly over!

Pat Hatt said...

I just unplug and away i go at my show, plus being ahead of the 8 ball helps

Jenny Brigalow said...

LOL Alex! Great to hear from you.

Jenny Brigalow said...

Hi Denise and Trisha. Isn't that just the great thing about Paranormal, you can make the rules up as you go along!

Jenny Brigalow said...

Hi Karen, lovely to meet you. Glad you enjoyed the post.

Jenny Brigalow said...

Hi Donna, might meet you down dhole sometime!

Jenny Brigalow said...

HI Michael, sounds like you are very busy! Thanks for taking the time to drop by.

Jenny Brigalow said...

Sounds familiar. My kids have learned that the words "in a minute" are usually not true. Mmmm.

Jenny Brigalow said...

Thanks for that, its always reassuring to hear other people share your own quirks!

Jenny Brigalow said...

Had to giggle, sounds only too familiar. Happy writing in the zone!

Jenny Brigalow said...

Val, that is so true! Makes me want to go back to all those critical people and say yaboo!

Jenny Brigalow said...

Good for you Pat. Sounds like you've got a handle on the whole issue. Enjoy your writing time!

Jenny Brigalow said...

Thanks!

Jenny Brigalow said...

Hi Natalie, lovely to meet you. Blogs are a great space for sharing ideas. Enjoy that long book list! (I could have sworn I'd already written this post so if it comes up twice don't be surprized). Have a great day!

Jenny Brigalow said...

Denise, just checked out Roland Yeoman's next release. Looks great!

Yolanda Renée said...

I've always been able to do that too - a wonderful trait! Good luck with Children of the Mist!

Just downloaded Roland's story! and yeah, Haunted is ready!

Denise Covey said...

You'll enjoy it Jenny. He certainly takes paranormal to another level.

Denise Covey said...

We're on the same page, Yolanda. Just this very minute uploaded mine for prettying up. Looking forward to reading all these stories...

Jenny Brigalow said...

LOL! I guess we're just lucky Yolanda. See you at Haunted!

klahanie said...

Hi Denise and Jenny,

Relax, my friends, your wait is finally over. I'm here with one of my um highly collectable comments...

It seems you don't get a sinking feeling when you are totally focused on your writing. That's very good and if your toes get wet whilst typing...well, that could be a few things happening and potential electric shock, amongst the rest.

Wishing you well with your book, "Children of the Mist." I'm going off to find an ice-skating vampire.

Thanks for featuring Jenny, Denise. Being such a great guy, I shall take the liberty of sharing your posting. Yep, even on 'Farcebook'!

Gary..

Denise Covey said...

Aww Gary, your awesomeness knows no bounds. Farcebook. Love it.

Jenny Brigalow said...

Great to have you on board the Titanic, Gary! Hope your toes stay dry.

The Words Crafter said...

Hello Ladies! This sounds very interesting! I have a friend who's really into paranormal books, so I'm going to recommend this to her! In high school, I could tune out. Now, I need a degree of quiet. But I'm great at ignoring...the dishes, the laundry, my husband's hungry tummy.... :))

Arlee Bird said...

I need to come up with some workable formula to make me write more. I wish you well with your book, Jenny.

Lee
Tossing It Out

Denise Covey said...

Hmm...me too Arlee.

Denise Covey said...

Must admit I like quiet to write. No music even!

Jenny Brigalow said...

Hi, thanks for dropping by. I guess everyone has a particular bug bear. Music, Denise? For me its the wind whining around the house in winter. Can't block that out for some reason.

Jenny Brigalow said...

Hi Arlee, good to meet you. I think we all need a formula to make us write more! If you find it, I'll buy it off you!

Nas said...

Hi Denise, Hi Jenny,

That's a very inspiring post, Jenny. I'm a mother with four schoolgoing kids, a mother-in-law and of course, there's himself. I take on freelance work projects when they become available. I'm also thinking of doing NONOWRIMO. Thanks for the inspiration.

Maria

Jenny Brigalow said...

Hi Maria, lovely to have you on board. Sounds like you are doing quite a juggling act there! Glad you enjoyed the post. Good luck with NONOWRIMO.

Theresa Milstein said...

Nice to meet you, Jenny. I do juggle and I've become excellent at tuning out the noise, so I can write. Good luck with your book!

Kelly Steel said...

Hi Denise,

Thanks for the mention. I also loved Jenny's Paranormal.

Congratulations on the release Jenny!