Hi my friends!
Sorry, I totally missed IWSG for only the second time in its history and I feel bad, but what can I say, I'm just enjoying being on holidays up at the beach house--reading, writing, having coffee--and schedules don't exist. The teaching year in Australia doesn't begin until the end of January--long summer holidays! Too hot to be cooped up in a classroom!
But I'm a news junkie, and the news has been terrifying. Not everyone has been having happy times. Like you, I'm sure, my heart goes out to all those involved in terror attacks around this small world of ours.
Now I've been going round reading some of your IWSG posts this morning (finally!) and see that we were supposed to introduce ourselves. Seeing as I've lost a lot of my regular visitors :-( and gained new ones :-) since I foolishly changed my blog URL, I think I will do a little introduction. (Now would be a good time to copy my new URL and add me to your blogroll, wouldn't it? I'd love it if you did.)
WHO AM I?
I've been a writer since I could write, and have publishing credits in Australian fiction magazines, newspapers, travel magazines, online magazines and in some e-book anthologies. But I've been quietly writing novels in my 'spare' time (I have 5 not-completely-finished novels thanks to NaNo). These have helped me learn how to write even if they are never published.
I am seeking the traditional publication route (good luck with that, you say!) After I polished my first completed manuscript to death, paid an editor, did online writing courses, got a mentor from Romance Writers Australia, primped it up again, I have finally submitted it to a Harlequin line. No one ever said writing was easy, did they?
I am all fired up to write a 'chick-lit' this year. I am totally into the research and have hand written the first few chapters. I love it. Love the research. Set in Paris--food, landmarks, love...ooh la la!)
I must say the idea to write this novel came from Alex J Cavanaugh, our very own Ninja and brains behind IWSG! How's that? One of the biggest involvements I've had in the blogging world is to run monthly permanent flash fiction bloghops. These have been invaluable in getting feedback for my work and for exploring ideas for novel-length works based on feedback.
Alex has forgotten for sure that he commented on my flash fiction piece, Love Locked in Paris and said, well you've given us the middle of the book. Now write the beginning and end and you may well have a winner! Thanks Alex. I totally wouldn't have bothered taking the idea any further without your prompting.
So there you have it. Maybe 2015 will be my year to see at least one novel published, or on the way!
I was going to blog about all the books I've read so far this year--heaps!--but that will have to wait!
Sorry, I totally missed IWSG for only the second time in its history and I feel bad, but what can I say, I'm just enjoying being on holidays up at the beach house--reading, writing, having coffee--and schedules don't exist. The teaching year in Australia doesn't begin until the end of January--long summer holidays! Too hot to be cooped up in a classroom!But I'm a news junkie, and the news has been terrifying. Not everyone has been having happy times. Like you, I'm sure, my heart goes out to all those involved in terror attacks around this small world of ours.
Now I've been going round reading some of your IWSG posts this morning (finally!) and see that we were supposed to introduce ourselves. Seeing as I've lost a lot of my regular visitors :-( and gained new ones :-) since I foolishly changed my blog URL, I think I will do a little introduction. (Now would be a good time to copy my new URL and add me to your blogroll, wouldn't it? I'd love it if you did.)
WHO AM I?
I've been a writer since I could write, and have publishing credits in Australian fiction magazines, newspapers, travel magazines, online magazines and in some e-book anthologies. But I've been quietly writing novels in my 'spare' time (I have 5 not-completely-finished novels thanks to NaNo). These have helped me learn how to write even if they are never published.
I am seeking the traditional publication route (good luck with that, you say!) After I polished my first completed manuscript to death, paid an editor, did online writing courses, got a mentor from Romance Writers Australia, primped it up again, I have finally submitted it to a Harlequin line. No one ever said writing was easy, did they?
 |
| A scene from my new novel-Love Locked in Paris. |
I am all fired up to write a 'chick-lit' this year. I am totally into the research and have hand written the first few chapters. I love it. Love the research. Set in Paris--food, landmarks, love...ooh la la!)
I must say the idea to write this novel came from Alex J Cavanaugh, our very own Ninja and brains behind IWSG! How's that? One of the biggest involvements I've had in the blogging world is to run monthly permanent flash fiction bloghops. These have been invaluable in getting feedback for my work and for exploring ideas for novel-length works based on feedback.
 |
| Love locks on the Pont des Arts, where some action takes place! |
Alex has forgotten for sure that he commented on my flash fiction piece, Love Locked in Paris and said, well you've given us the middle of the book. Now write the beginning and end and you may well have a winner! Thanks Alex. I totally wouldn't have bothered taking the idea any further without your prompting.
So there you have it. Maybe 2015 will be my year to see at least one novel published, or on the way!
I was going to blog about all the books I've read so far this year--heaps!--but that will have to wait!
- How about you? What are you hoping for in 2015?
- Happy New Year!
34 comments:
No worries!
You are writing the rest of the story now? That's cool! Glad I could prod you.
Glad you are having such a wonderful holiday!
How awesome that Alex's comment helped to inspire you to use the flash fiction piece for a book! Yeah! It sounds like you are doing a lot of writing and revising.
I hope you hear back positive things from Harlequin! I know they also run a lot of contests and publish the winners too, so that could be an option (I remember reading about two of their authors that got contracts that way).
Enjoy the rest of your holiday. They always go too fast!
Happy New Year!
~Jess
Hi, Denise,
Happy New Year to you, too!!!!! SUMMER holiday... how wonderful when I am ankle deep in snow and just above 0 temps. Although the last few days have been in the double digits.
THANKFULLY I leave for Florida on Friday....YAY! Change of living plans, I am looking to buy a chic, little place in South Tampa... SO, when you visit the US I will be on your itinerary since you're visiting Florida, N'es Pas?
Glad to read you are writing your French story. I truly enjoyed your snippets during the hops!
Enjoy the rest of your vacation!!!!!!!
Sometimes encouragement comes when we least expect it (Alex's comment). Bloggers like consistency, I notice. Time off and blog changes can exacerbate losing friendship/following. Just go back and search for those friends and you'll find them and they'll come back.
Best wishes on getting an agent and going the traditional way. Persistence pays.
I'm just testing to see if blogger has added word verification as I see popping up on some blogs I've visited!
Thanks Jess. Yes, I've entered their contests twice, but a lot of it relies on popularity and asking everyone you know to read/comment.
It will happen when it happens.
Happy New Year to you too!
Denise :-)
So it is Florida after all! Can't wait to hang out with you Michael. Maybe we could organise Donna and Roland too. Wouldn't that be a blast!
Heading off to a resort this weekend. That will herald the end of the vacation!
Denise :-)
Yes, Peaches. I've learned that lesson. If it ain't broke, don't fix it, hahaha. I can be persistent! Thank you.
Denise :-)
As long as you all come to California . . .
I'll keep my fingers crossed for you that it gets released in May :)
Glad you are enjoying some nice summer holidays. Its not too cold here, but I'm dealing with hot flashes so I don't know if it is winter or summer at any given time. Just give me rain so I know what body temp I'm supposed to relate to!
Happy New Year, Denise!
Along with smiles and health in 2015, I'm hoping for enough money to pay my rent. :)
Ever since Google Reader shut down, I've been functioning without a blog aggregator. It's a wonder I find anyone's blog.
I adore Paris, in fact all of France. Here's a secret. The first time I went to Europe, I planned to visit six countries ending in France and flying out of Paris because that was the easiest way to get home. I had no interest in either France or Paris—it was convenience. So what happened? I fell in love with the country. Instant Francophile. My next trip to Europe was a month in France, half of it spent in Paris. There is no more beautiful city in the world. The perfect setting.
VR Barkowski
Hi VR. I stayed in France off and on for 6 months once. That certainly helped my language studies! Hard not to fall in love!
Oh poor Donna! I hope this is not going to be long haul! I believe it is winter in your part of the world!
Love the fact that it was Alex who inspired you tell more of that flash fiction story!
Hmm, not only did I forget IWSG, I forgot about introducing myself... I'll do it this week!
One item on my bucket list is to see that wall of locks. 2015 is going to be a great year. I see this as not only the year of opportunity, but the year of harvest. Time to reap after all those years of planting watering hoeing and waiting!
Alex is an inspiration. I love Chick-Lit and wish you all the best with it. I would love to go to Paris one day. :)
It was nice learning a little more about you, Denise.
I totally missed the reintroduction part. I will have to correct that next month. So good to meet you again, Denise! If you want to go traditional, go for it! :)
Best wishes for your new chicklit and for your submission. I still dream of traditional publication. *wistful sigh*
Happy New Year, Denise! Yes, this year your novel will be published!
I plan to seek traditional publication too when (or if) I'll finish my novel. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you and sending you my very best wishes.
Enjoy your vacation.
It's been minus 8 F today in Montreal... Can you even imagine that? :-)
I'll look forward to reading that Deniz.
It is truly amazing Stephen. Hurry, as they are considering what to do with the locks you see in the photo as the weight is destroying the bridge rails!
I hope you get there Chrys. Certainly a magical city for lovers!
I'll look forward to reading more about you too David!
This is my first foray Lyn. I'll let you know how it goes but if it happens it'll be far easier than e-pub I should think.
Hard to contemplate -8F for sure when it's 32+C here! It's lovely swimming and cooling off in any way you can. It's always so hot over the Christmas hols, that's why our schools close for nearly 2 months.
I wish you well when you try the trad pub route! :-)
Thanks for visiting my blog tonight and commenting. I've been feeling lonely (not many visitors!). And I hang my head -- I've meant to add your new address in my blog list and kept forgetting -- it took you asking to get me to do it. Maybe it is a guy thing! Enjoy what is left of your holidays! :-)
Hey Roland, many bloggers are enjoying holidays, thus less visits. Hang in there my friend. I'm glad you've added my new URL to your list. I've been feeling pretty lonely too! I will enjoy the last few days. Thanks! :-)
Hi Denise .. sounds like everyone's awaiting your return ... welcome back - as I disappear for a while. That's great that you took Alex' comment to heart and have settled down and written the beginning and the end of your Romance in gay Paris .. I loved your A-Z was it on Paris ... so can definitely see you succeeding with these .. hope the sequel is down for books 2,3 etc ...
Have a fun rest of the week - before returning to the land where the rest of us live! Happy year ahead - Hilary
Great re-intro, Denise! I could feel your energy here, a very good thing as much needs to be done this a.m. I'm excited for you about your book. Seems like all of the ingredients have come together for a winner. Enjoy your break--it took a lot of hard work to finalize your MS. It wasn't for lack of trying I couldn't comment sooner -- finally was able to open your blog this a.m. Think the problem is the merger of two service providers as they've fiddled with things before.
Thank you for your fab comment. Really made my day. If it weren't for the news programs one would think nothing was happening in the world as it's life-as-usual without comment, all of which is weird, I think. Can't make forward progress if one's head is buried in the sand. Again, enjoy your break!
Great that you are enjoying the holiday! Lucky you! here the holidays end beg January just when it's getting nice and cold and perfect for relaxing :~)
I have a good feeling about 2015 - hope it is the year when your fiction is accepted, Denise. All the very best.
Hey Denise! I just found this because my feed doesn't update when you post anymore and if you read Chrys Fey's blog you might find out why. Something about the cache for feedburner? Something I didn't even know existed. She tells you how to get there and check. Or, it could just be my blog site, who knows!
Oh and I want that coffee table book!
It sounds like you're well on your way to a novel! And if it's set in Paris (a city you clearly love) it's is definitely a winner :D It's always fun to write about a place you love. Best of luck with the new school year and finishing your NOVEL! Cheers!
~ Jen
Beach house!! That sounds lovely. I always wanted a small holding, is it too cheeky to add beach house to my wish list too. :) I hope all goes well with you, when it comes to publishers, that is a scary process. I went with the traditional publishing route too as I needed a bit of a confidence boost and I figured if a publisher finally accepted then that had to be proof that it was good enough. I was lucky in that it was accepted by a publisher and I bet yours is too. I love the whole leaving locks thing, I saw it somewhere before, but forget where. It's such a romantic idea.
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