Hi!!

You know those days where you don't feel like blogging, but want to post a gratuitous picture of your feline best friend just to let everyone know you're still alive?

Well...

Blogger seems to be frazzled...

...rather like the weather! Feel disconnected without having access to all your lovely blog updates :(

Will be posting on credit crunch writer's retreats later tonight, so stay tuned!

Heat wave!

Wow it's hot today!

Exciting news - I will be collaborating with a fantastic new Chick Lit website to bring you all my chick lit reviews in the near future. I'll let you know all the details once my reviews have been posted on the site.

Chicklit Sanctuary is not going anywhere! Expect plenty of creative writing tips, tried and tested by moi, news and ponderings. Think of it as a writer's comfort blanket, or family sized bar of galaxy.

I'll leave you with a little tip: - sign up for twitter if you haven't already. Follow lovely authoresses such as Sheila Flanagan (who's just had a 6 hour lunch break), India Knight (she's always twittering, it's a miracle if she ever gets another book out), Jodi Picoult, Judy Astley, Kate Harrison, etc and get insights into what life as an author can be like!

Jennifer Weiner's tips

Jennifer Weiner (most famous for writing the book behind the film In Her Shoes, staring Cameron Diaz), knows a thing or two about chick lit writing. Read her tongue in cheek piece, So you want to be a novelist?

http://www.jenniferweiner.com/forwriters.htm

Enjoy!

Tried and tested top editing tip!

I've had success with an idea I came up with for editing, so I thought I'd pass it on.

Audio record yourself reading aloud your first draft and listen to it repeatedly in the car, on the way to work, or dashing around town (works better if it's just you in the car).

Seriously, this works! Hearing the story spoken aloud helps you assess plot consistency, whether the characters are likeable or realistic and also allows you to judge how your story may sound to a reader. I stumbled across this idea, through listening to the Radio 4 plays and book of the week items. Commuting is dead time to me, but it's also valuable alone time and a great opportunity to rehash ideas in my head.

Now for some techie options you might like to try: -

• If your computer has the function, voice record yourself and burn it onto a CD that can be listened to in the car. Or put it onto MP3
• Beg, steal or borrow (or buy from argos, circa £20-30) a dictation machine and turn it up loud!
• Use the voice record function on your mobile and press play before setting off on your journey, or transfer it to your PC via USB and burn it onto disk.

If, like me, you have a long daily commute to a full time job and can only write in your precious spare time, it's worth a go.

News from planet chick lit

Is it possible to OD on creative writing tips? I'd say so, today. Flexing my procrastination muscle, I've been knee deep in creative writing tips, course materials and inspirational advice and it's actually putting me off writing.

Yes crazy, I know, but I believe there is a fine line of how much prep you should do and how much time is 'enough' to spend away from your novel. Take for instance now. My confidence is down with writing, all the tips seem like threats - a gold standard that I'm nowhere near...arrgh. There are times when seeking advice is a great idea, but if you're lagging behind there's no other way than to get writing, see what you've got and then maybe seek some guidance.

If I've not written at least 500 words by my next blog post, severely tell me off!

Sterling Short Story Advice from an editor

I know there are plenty of short story writers out there - essential reading for you all can be found here http://theyellowroomeditor.blogspot.com/2009/06/what-am-i-looking-for-in-short-story.html

It's a masterclass in short story writing by one editor that's so good, I just had to pass it on!