13 August 2013

This Website

Update in progress. Guest writer details added on home page, trains, flying craft and boats web links added, link to Alexander’s Amazon reviews being worked on. New short story Uncle Robert added. Other minor points and updates around publication of Ywnwab!

Writing

Past 880,000 draft words now.

Considering change of strategy. Rather than completing 1,000,000 words by Christmas 2013 we are considering a concentrated drive to complete final draft of Cross Family Saga of over 500,000 words in nine long books – Sevhend?, Gemini in five books, Look!, Kutopia and Anatomy. Over 450,000 words already written on these.

Short stories

First and second printers proofs of Ywnwab! received - another stage reached. Nice feeling of progress but even on 20,000 words all very time consuming. Second cover design prepared on a template for all books. Adding an extract for Florence and a commentary on font size.

Ideas for second story book being firmed up.

Costa Coffee story off and another for Twist in the tail competition going on 15 August.

Aim to enter one competition a month to test the water and our writing attraction.

A couple of new stories written on ‘Revenge’ for local writer’s group.

Long stories

Sevhend? - Nearly all old material found and reordered by person.

Other writers' draft book reading

Thriller and romance being read. Interesting reading in other writer's work.

August Reading

Robert Goddard - Long Time Coming - was just that - too long - although best of his plots to date.

Ian McEwan’s Sweet - proving hard going.

Jon Mcgregor’s book TITSOTTHTSLY not compulsive reading.

Distracted to Howard Jacobson’s Zoo Time – Like the first person and views of Cheshire especially the Zoo. Death of a Publisher chapter is a brilliant commentary on current issues in publishing. Text font too small.

Declan Henry Why Bipolar? - an interesting and thought provoking factual read.

Jungle Book – dipping into this again after many years.

Suzanne Joinson A Lady Cyclist's Guide to Kashgar – a promising start.

Websites

Mary Tod’s publishing date 19 9 13 on her book – Unravelled

http://awriterofhistory.com/aboutme/

Sport

Well done to England for retaining the Ashes and also winning series on the 12 August when all seemed lost at tea. Given the urgency and enthusiasm of David Warner in the third and fourth test perhaps his punch to the jaw and omission for the first two tests lost Australia the Ashes? TMS good as usual especially Geoffrey Boycott and lunchtime interviews with John Altman and Sir Robin Knox Johnson last week.

Other fronts

Little change – little being the operative word on home action! After the hot weather now back walking ... in Peak District and Gloucestershire last weekend.