tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41335166167505274602024-03-05T11:52:44.407+00:00Three chapters and a synopsis...Nadia Damonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08196903495005068114noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133516616750527460.post-15664795683928175442012-02-04T15:47:00.001+00:002012-02-04T15:51:40.057+00:00Congratulations – to me!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">A big thanks to Amalie for my blogging award!!!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">See more at: </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><a href="http://amalieberlin.blogspot.com/2012/02/7-x-7-blog-award.html">http://amalieberlin.blogspot.com/2012/02/7-x-7-blog-award.html</a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">Always nice to wake up to a compliment. :o))</span><br />
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</span>Nadia Damonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08196903495005068114noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133516616750527460.post-14780433010930077902012-01-10T11:03:00.000+00:002012-01-10T11:03:54.125+00:00What’s in a name?<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing> <w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing> <w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
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<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Quite a lot, I reckon. During the course of writing my own manuscript, I changed the names of major – and many minor – characters several times. I found that as their personalities developed, they often outgrew the names I had initially thought were perfect for them. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">I’m not sure what this says about me, but I find names very important when I’m reading a novel. Those that </span>I don’t like will simply jar on me throughout. For example, I read a book last week, which had the main protagonist as a ‘Bernard’. I simply couldn’t get on with it – resorting by the finish, to giving my poor, beleaguered Bernard a French spin in an attempt to lend him the charisma that his character so called for.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Would I treasure Pride & Prejudice quite as much had Fitzwilliam Darcy been plain old George Smith? Austen’s brilliance would always lead me to say yes, but I’m grateful I don’t have to ponder it. For me, a great character name should be unique, age and period appropriate – and one that suits their personality to such an extent that they become almost like a living relative. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">I’m sorry, Bernard, but alas I fear we are destined to remain casual acquaintances. <o:p></o:p></span></div><!--EndFragment-->Nadia Damonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08196903495005068114noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133516616750527460.post-50784018925114016262011-11-17T17:23:00.000+00:002011-11-17T17:23:13.412+00:00Reading for yourself…<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">Sometimes I think it’s all too easy for us would-be authors to get lost in the business of writing – to forget the simple pleasure of reading without feeling the need to analyse every detail in case we've missed something that could make us better.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">But a couple of weeks ago I read a book that transported me so far away from everything that I forgot to think about techniques or plotlines and literally lost myself in a good book.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">At times, this story was so poignant, the characters’ pain so acute, that I felt as though I was looking over their shoulder as events unfolded. And the only way I could cope with what was happening was to physically stop and remind myself that it wasn’t real: that these characters were simply a figment of somebody’s rather brilliant imagination.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">That may sound a little over the top, but it’s absolutely true. I can lose myself in a book – for hours, eating into the long hours of the night because I can’t bear to go to sleep on an unfinished story. Because of that, it never usually takes me more than a day to finish something that I’m reading. It’s an extreme – and often expensive – habit, I know, but at least I’m easy to buy for!</span><br />
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</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">When people talk about having their novel published, I can safely say that my greatest thrill would be to encounter a reader who feels that way about my own story. I could definitely live with the idea of my writing keeping someone up at nights!</span><br />
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</span></div>Nadia Damonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08196903495005068114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133516616750527460.post-51506037854746796032011-07-25T12:52:00.000+01:002011-07-25T12:52:05.561+01:00Everything that goes before<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">I’m working on a detailed plan for book no.2 at the moment.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">What started out as a few tentative steps towards a whole new project has now gathered pace and I can feel the familiar excitement mounting as I consider new characters and settings. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">It struck me the other day, however, just how much of an achievement it was completing my first MS. Please don’t misunderstand me here: I’m not saying it’s perfect – and won’t be subject to some serious revisions if I’m lucky enough to get to that point in the process – but for all intents and purposes, as it stands, I now have a 100,000-word novel that I can call my own. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Now, at the planning stage for book no.2, I’m acutely aware of what a serious undertaking this book-writing lark is. And I’m not simply referring to the discipline involved. For me, it’s a leap into the unknown – with a set of characters that I can only hope to become as attached to as I did those within my previous MS.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">As my enthusiasm for a completely new project begins to increase in earnest, I find myself looking forward to the challenge. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Nadia <o:p></o:p></span></div><!--EndFragment-->Nadia Damonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08196903495005068114noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133516616750527460.post-2734123487659925482011-07-21T14:20:00.001+01:002012-02-04T15:55:52.210+00:00Not an e-book in sight...<div class="MsoNormal">If you’ve ever read the post I made on this blog about the love affair I’ve been having with my e-reader, then you’ll have some idea of what my friends and family have endured from me in recent months.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">At some points, having the device surgically removed has been mooted as the only chance I may have in order to lead a full life once again. At times, when I do look up from my strangely compelling black and white screen long enough to notice that while I may rather fond of my Kindle, those around me do not hold it in such high regard. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">To be honest, I don’t care what the critics say, as far as I’m concerned, having access to practically any book I want is worth the constant ribbing or threats to sabotage it. In saying that, even I have to admit that I would probably make an A-class saleswoman for the product – because I know more about its uses than anyone else I know. But that’s a whole new blog post!<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Something that has surprised me during these conversations with people is that no one else seems as excited as I am by the technology. Even other writers I’ve spoken to have insisted they will stay loyal to conventional books and show no signs of opting for any compromise arrangement.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">For my part, I appreciate the convenience of having my own mobile library in my handbag while still holding some of the same books on the bookshelf in my office. But, in saying that, it’s certainly the case now that I haven’t actually purchased a paper-bound book since acquiring an e-reader. But a lot of that simply comes down to the time I spend abroad and the trouble I have actually sourcing physical books. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">On a recent trip to England (which lasted over a month, by the way, so I feel it counts as valid research), I was really looking forward to judging the uptake of mobile readers like the Kindle and I expected to see some serious e-readers on the London tube and various suburban trains. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I can tell you I was shocked to discover none of my fellow passengers using a similar device. Now, obviously they could have using an e-reader on their mobile phones, but from the persistent tapping taking place, I’d say that was unlikely… Instead, I found myself staring at the book covers of traditional volumes – which was obviously an interesting exercise in itself.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">But still, no one using an e-reader? <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I’d love to hear your thoughts on the topic…<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Nadia <o:p></o:p></div>Nadia Damonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08196903495005068114noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133516616750527460.post-66018176177445612602011-04-27T12:50:00.000+01:002011-04-27T12:50:09.724+01:00A question of freedom<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">I read a book this week that had me grimacing at the male protagonist’s serious lack of hygiene. I won’t name the novel in question but can tell you it is the work of someone who’s a permanent fixture on the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">New York Times</i> bestseller list – having written dozens of books which have sold in their millions.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Don’t know about any of you, but I can never leave a book unread, so I duly waded through the grime and quite enjoyed the story after a few baths had been taken – and the rats removed from the rushes. But it certainly wasn’t the best thing I’ve read by this author.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">What made far more of an impression on me than the story, however, was the feeling that such a novel would surely have been unthinkable for a first-timer trying to get published. While I’m certainly not of the opinion that everyone should be religiously following trends, or simply rehashing the same character traits, what really struck me was the freedom I felt this author had been allowed to exercise in what is really quite a strict genre. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">That may be an unfair assumption on my part, of course. After all, the dirt-loving characters and setting were undoubtedly unique – and while I may not be a fan of a main character who has an aversion to soap, I suppose I should concede that there may be many people who remain unfazed by such details. ;o) However, a quite look at some of the book's reviews seemed to confirm my original feeling and I was left wondering whether such plotlines are only deemed to be acceptable when they come from authors with a established following.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">I’d love to know your thoughts about this… <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><!--EndFragment-->Nadia Damonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08196903495005068114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133516616750527460.post-63255006481863654162011-03-29T14:42:00.005+01:002011-03-29T15:48:23.484+01:00Heaven is an e-reader<div class="MsoNormal">It’s official: I am now a dedicated e-book reader! <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">After declaring on more than one occasion that I simply wouldn’t know what to do without the feel of a ‘real’ book in my hands – or the sensation of actually turning the pages – I’ve discovered the wonderful world of the e-reader. And I’m addicted. I’m not going to say which one I own as I’m doing my best not to sound like an advertisement. :o)<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">While I would obviously like to play the green card here, I have to admit my love of my e-reader is entirely selfish (not that I’m not happy to be doing my bit, of course). As someone who divides their time between England and Bulgaria, this form of reading is the perfect medium for me. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">And here’s why: at present, a trip to my nearest bookshop consitutes a six-hour round trip – and is no guarantee of success if I’m hunting down a particular volume; lugging a groaning bag of tightly packed volumes through airport security; or hoping against hope that the courier has finally worked out where I live and will soon be delivering my book order. (You may find the latter amusing, but I’m still waiting for a parcel sent in October… unfortunately, this emergency package also contained a box of Toffifee.)<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The other thing I love about my e-reader is the sheer portability of it – barring the worrying sheen of moisture that steam from a particularly long bath (my excuse for sneaking another few chapters) will cause, I’d say this thing works just about everywhere. It’s even taken to accompanying me on the daily dog walk.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">As far as I can tell, its only drawbacks include a real risk to personal relationships and 3G capability, which means that you can literally purchase books anywhere and at anytime – which bodes ill for the bank balance. The worrying part is that books feel free when you’re acquiring them via a couple of clicks rather than physically parting with your hard-earned cash. Well, they do to me anyway…<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I’ve also found being able to read my own work via this medium really helpful too – things look a lot better in this format and you can easily make proofing notes etc and skip between chapters, so you can get a real feel for how your MS flows. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Now that I have one, I can’t really see any argument against such a medium. Bar one: if everyone was using an e-reader, I think I would really miss being able to sneak a look at what everyone else on the train is reading on the morning commute…<o:p></o:p></div>Nadia Damonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08196903495005068114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133516616750527460.post-53005675226653136812011-03-26T15:22:00.000+00:002011-03-26T15:22:49.503+00:00The dreaded synopsis<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">Apologies for not updating this blog for some time now... My excuse? I’ve been busy preparing my synopsis and query letter for submission to an agent – I think that’s a pretty good one for an aspiring writer’s blog though so I'm sticking to it!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Anyway, the whole point of this blog was to share tips and really get a discussion going about writing, so I thought I ought to pull my finger out and start making my contribution… And, considering what I’ve been working on of late, I thought a post about the dreaded synopsis would be just the thing.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">I’m not exaggerating when I tell you that I’ve probably got around twenty versions of both the aforementioned items sitting on my computer. I know the general consensus amongst authors – and debut authors – is that putting together the synopsis is more difficult than writing the novel itself, but I’m starting to view it as a very useful tool for a writer.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">When I first started putting together my synopsis – which was sometime last year, I found myself really struggling. It didn’t take me long to realise that there was a very good reason for this: the indecision, which was apparent in my synopsis and query, was reflected in the manuscript itself. Every glaring hole in the plot or characterisation was there in black and white. It wasn’t a comfortable feeling, I can tell you – and it certainly wasn’t welcome. After wrestling with it for a little longer, I realised that drastic action was required. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">So, I ending up doing a major revision of the book – during which I tightened up the plot and really took the time to examine why I really wanted to tell this story so much, for me to arrive at a place where I think the synopsis is truly representative of the novel it is selling. And not simply in terms of summarising the story either: to my mind, it conveys the same tone – and is going to give an agent a pretty good idea of what kind of book I’ve put together.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">I began working on presenting it as both a detailed two-page synopsis and also a one-pager for those agents who insist on that length. Condensing all the things I wished to convey into a single page that did not simply resemble book blurb was tricky, but I found honing the two-pager to be the way to go. Once I was completely happy with that, I just took the red pen to any superfluous information that I could detect. Again, I found that being really confident about the story you’re telling and all its composite parts and themes made this a relatively easy process. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Once I was at the stage where I thought I had it, I sent it out to a couple of writer friends who came back with some really positive feedback. There were two main issues that were pointed out, however. It may well be obvious to anyone reading this, but it wasn’t to me – so I’m including them below in case you find them of use.</span></div><!--StartFragment--> <div class="MsoNormal"></div><ul><li>Stay active: Don’t say a character ‘may’ be able to help or is fairly sure about something. As far as the synopsis is concerned, if that’s what happens in the book – then they can and they are!</li>
</ul><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"></div><ul><li>Your main protagonist:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Keep your synopsis focused on them – and don’t introduce them through secondary characters… eg, "When secondary character meets main protagonist he realises that she"</li>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">I hope my experience (albeit coming from an unpublished author!) proves useful, but I’d love to hear any of your tips, as well…<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Nadia <o:p></o:p></span></div><!--EndFragment-->Nadia Damonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08196903495005068114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133516616750527460.post-59090574825098193782010-12-03T12:18:00.002+00:002010-12-03T12:29:39.685+00:00A little too predictableI’ve been home alone a lot recently – and consequently, I’ve been doing a lot more reading that I would normally get away with. Which has obviously been great, except for one thing: I seem to unravel the plot within a few chapters – which just leaves me with the text to read. This has also been happening with films and television programmes – something that I’m actually finding quite annoying.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Anyone else have this problem?<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I’m wondering if this is a common complaint that afflicts those who spend most of their days devising plotlines on scraps of paper or making notes via mobile phone while walking the dog? If anyone has any recommendations for a novel that is sure to confound me, I’d love to hear it because I’m really starting to miss that sense of anticipation!<o:p></o:p></div>Nadia Damonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08196903495005068114noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133516616750527460.post-7481271259313928382010-11-19T12:59:00.001+00:002010-11-19T13:09:18.031+00:00Copyright Day<div class="MsoNormal">Any regular visitor to Jane Smith’s website – <a href="http://howpublishingreallyworks.com/?p=3573">How Publishing Works</a> – will be familiar with the Cooks Source furore and the fact that Jane suggested November 19 be dedicated to the subject of copyright.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Throughout the week, I’ve been thinking up all sorts of things to write – not least a good rant in response to the recent statements by Cooks Source editor Judith Griggs, which I have to admit have riled me good and proper in recent weeks.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">However, after reading Nicola Morgan’s blog entry at <a href="http://helpineedapublisher.blogspot.com/2010/11/copyright-day.html">Help! I Need a Publisher</a> this morning, I realised making this a personal issue on my blog would be a waste of cyberspace. After all, we all know that this editor and her publication were in the wrong – that much is irrefutable. And as Nicola points out, education seems to be a better – and far more constructive – way to mark the occasion. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">As a journalist, I have been on the receiving end of this type of copyright infringement – and downright plagiarism, in fact – many times. I cannot describe the feeling you get when you’ve gone the extra mile to seek out those all-important (and exclusive) quotes that will really make a story and then see all your efforts appearing under somebody else’s byline. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Plagiarism and copyright infringement are different things, of course – but in the end it all boils down to having respect for an author’s hard work. I would urge anyone unsure of the rules to read Nicola’s very useful post so that instances like this can be avoided in future. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div>Nadia Damonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08196903495005068114noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133516616750527460.post-61612884850570634372010-11-09T13:09:00.002+00:002010-11-09T15:18:53.035+00:00Day – and night – jobs…<div class="MsoNormal">If there’s one thing that I hate about being a freelance journalist – it’s pitching ideas. You work on polishing a punchy letter… outline what you hope is a corker of a story… click ‘send’… and then, very often, never hear back from the publication in question.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Unless you’re lucky enough to have regular clients – and believe me, they are a rare commodity in this recession-hit age when magazines are closing left, right and centre – it seems you don’t even warrant the courtesy of a response. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Sound familiar? <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">It hit me today that I really must be a glutton for punishment. Not content with enduring such treatment in my day job – I’m planning to put myself through the same ringer with literary agents too!<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">But then I thought this: pitching – whether it be in the form of a feature proposal or your manuscript – is essentially much the same thing. You’re selling yourself and your idea in both. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">So I’m now telling myself that writing pitches in whatever form is invaluable experience – rather than a chore. No, I’m not convinced either…<o:p></o:p></div>Nadia Damonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08196903495005068114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133516616750527460.post-69619555230373763712010-11-01T18:40:00.001+00:002011-03-29T14:00:41.973+01:00Revisions, revisions...<div class="MsoNormal">Having given myself a stern talking to and knuckled back down to the day job, it’s been a struggle to get around to anything other than writing fiction in my spare time – so apologies for not making any posts of late. I consider that to be pretty bad form, so aim to make up for it this month!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I’m working on what I hope are the final revisions of my MS – although chances are I’m not even close. I read somewhere recently that an author will spend at least the same amount of time revising their book as they will writing it… something that actually made me feel a bit better about mine, because the constant polishing feels like it’s taking forever. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Strangely enough, while I’m really looking forward to turning my attention to a different story, I’m not sick of my characters. If anything, their motivations are becoming increasingly clearer to me – which I’m taking as a good sign. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Hopefully, my constant tweaking will make the finished product stronger, but I’d love to hear any tips from you all about how you tackle this stage of the process. For instance, is there such a thing as too much tinkering? </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">It occurred to me that much like self-diagnosis of a minor ailment, too much attention to the details could easily diminish what would otherwise be a good story. It suddenly feels as though I'm walking a very thin line... </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Best regards, <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Nadia<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div>Nadia Damonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08196903495005068114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133516616750527460.post-80495662478671610892010-10-12T10:46:00.001+01:002010-10-12T13:42:49.298+01:00Vanity – or common sense?A friend of mine emailed me a story over the weekend – which detailed a new Kindle ereader scheme that would offer authors an online platform for their work in exchange for a 30 percent share of the profits. All a writer had to do was send in a completed manuscript, set the price – and voila – they would be in business…<br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I immediately sent him a note back – a regretful one, I might add – stating that to my knowledge this type of self-publishing was classed as ‘vanity’ by the conventional publishing industry, and was therefore the kiss of death to any author hoping to make a name for themselves. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">But then I got to thinking…<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Could this actually be the perfect opportunity to establish a profile that would ultimately attract a publisher or agent? Okay, the odds of it would be fairly small, but consider this: US singer Mike Posner made his name by uploading his music to MySpace… something that didn’t stop a music company engaging his services when his popularity became apparent.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I thought this would be a great topic for discussion – so am looking forward to hearing your thoughts. I’d love to hear from anyone who has gone down, or is considering, this route. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p>Best regards, </o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p>Nadia</o:p></div>Nadia Damonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08196903495005068114noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133516616750527460.post-46296945636676999302010-10-04T06:32:00.016+01:002010-10-04T08:58:28.210+01:00Serendipity & Co…<div class="MsoNormal">Without wishing to direct you away from this blog (no, please come back!!!) there’s a great story by Anne Rooney on an Awfully Big Blog Adventure that I think you’ll enjoy – if you haven’t come across it already that is. Click <a href="http://awfullybigblogadventure.blogspot.com/2010/10/finding-long-lost-friend-anne-rooney.html">here</a> to read... I think you’ll agree that it was a great use of hot pink during a time of frustration!<br />
<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Anne’s story is a corker in itself but it got me thinking about those little details and coincidences that writers are always looking for. Since I seriously set about coming up with book ideas and storytelling, I’ve been amazed at how much inspiration there is in many of the everyday events I happen to witness and the people I meet. As a journalist I am required to concentrate on newsworthiness – and depending on the publication I am working for, it can be a challenge. When it comes to writing fiction, however, I am suddenly at liberty to draw on all those quirky characteristics and situations I come across and use them as I see fit! Writing aside, I think that’s why I love the creative side of this industry so much. I may not know what it feels like to be a published author, but there’s no doubt that I’m already looking at life through an entirely different lens. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Best regards, <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Nadia<o:p></o:p></div>Nadia Damonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08196903495005068114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133516616750527460.post-40590565390559030112010-09-30T11:23:00.000+01:002010-09-30T11:23:09.917+01:00Should you complete a manuscript before submitting?Faye asked a question yesterday that I thought was definitely worthy of its own thread...Nadia Damonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08196903495005068114noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133516616750527460.post-34046789305246742612010-09-29T21:30:00.003+01:002010-09-30T21:49:58.778+01:00NV feedback and discussionPlease make all new posts on this subject via the link in the top right-hand corner!!!Nadia Damonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08196903495005068114noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133516616750527460.post-79656093853157705892010-09-29T17:51:00.000+01:002010-09-29T17:51:51.404+01:00Write what you knowNext to the reminder to 'show' rather than 'tell', it's probably the phrase that I've read most often in how-to books and on websites. I don't think there can be any question that writing about the subjects and situations you are familiar with enables your pen to move far more smoothly across the page - I can say that is certainly the case in journalism as well - but I was wondering how you get to this stage of comfort when you're writing for the historical or supernatural genres, for example?<br />
<br />
Is it simply down to including a level of detail that leaves a reader in no doubt that you clearly know your subject matter inside out? Or is it all about your own level of confidence? After all, with situations that we're familiar with, we tend to know when less is more... Does the same apply here?<br />
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Looking forward to hearing your thoughts and opinions!<br />
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NadiaNadia Damonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08196903495005068114noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133516616750527460.post-23047264639578671872010-09-29T08:05:00.000+01:002010-09-29T08:05:07.290+01:00The first post...Hi there,<br />
It's taken me a few years to get my head around the concept of blogging - having always thought that it would require me to share the more mundane aspects of my life with a yawning readership. That was before I seriously began to pursue the idea of writing a novel and getting it published. As a journalist, writing has always been a major part of my day - it's my bread and butter, after all - but now, I'm having to learn the rules that apply in a whole new sphere.<br />
<br />
I very much feel as though I've gone back to basics in a field that's crammed with talent and that all-important lucky break. So now, in between those features which ground me the real world, I spend my time writing cover letters to perspective agents, polishing my first completed manuscript and trying my hand at any other forms of writing that will help me achieve my goal of becoming a full-time author.<br />
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Most days it feels as though I'm leaving uni and applying for that first job all over again - with all the angst that comes with wondering whether you're really going to achieve what you've set out to do. As someone who already earns their living via the written word I can't imagine how daunting it must be for an aspiring author from a completely different industry.<br />
<br />
A recent foray into the world of competition really brought it home to me that there are a lot of us out there! It also generated some great feedback for a chapter that I had submitted - which illustrated to me just how valuable these discussions with other writers (published or otherwise) can be.<br />
<br />
The aim of this blog is to discuss anything and everything about fiction-writing. So, regardless of whether you're keen to discuss PoV, the difference between show and tell or simply want some advice on a particular niggle, I hope you'll take the time to post it here. :o)<br />
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Good luck with your submissions!<br />
<br />
NadiaNadia Damonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08196903495005068114noreply@blogger.com0