Saturday Secret

image source: etsy

Today's Secret:  Your local library has more to offer than you think.

Unimpressed by your local library's stock of creative writing books?  Then get yourself to the library desk and ask (nicely ☺) if they can order the book you want. It may be in one of the other branches in the county.  The library assistant will try track it down for you.  Also all the public libraries in Ireland partake in the Borrow Books system, so that members can borrow books from libraries in other counties.  If the specific book you want can't be located, you can ask if any similar ones are available.

It may take up to two weeks for your book to arrive and if ordered from outside the county a €2 fee is charged.  If it is a new book, you can suggest that the library order it (a suggestion list is usually kept behind the desk). 

It's a good idea to become friendly with one of the library assistants.  They often keep regular readers in mind when ordering in new stock.

As a former library assistant I know that members have access to far more books than those out on the shelves.  Library branches now have their own websites complete with searchable library catalogues and membership log in facilities, so that you can search for books and renew your books online.  

Public libraries really do provide an excellent service for the price they charge.  (adult membership is approx €6)  

Give your local library another shot ☺

Opportunities

There are some funding opportunities for emerging Irish writers (and other artists) offered by the Arts Council Ireland such as the Bursary Award or Banff Residency.  Deadlines for several of the opportunites are in March and April, whilst others accept on-going submissions.  Full information can be found on their website.

Something Inspirational

image source: momentary relapse 

Back it Up

You've got your idea for your novel, you've got your main character all sussed out, you've created the perfect location, but before you type a word, you need to sort out your BACK UP.  Sorry for the dramatic capitalization, but this really is one of the single most important things for a writer. 

After a few disappearing file incidents I now:

●Back up all Word files on my external harddrive (using Time Machine)

●Save them onto a memory stick

●Email them to myself

A tad neurotic I know, but better to be extra safe than sorry.

What is this Time Machine I speak of?  It is a great feature of Mac OS X.  It provides automatic back-up for all your files. If needed, you can go back in time and retrieve any lost material.  You just buy an external hard drive and set it up once as your 'time machine'.   Apart from making sure the hard drive is connected and turned on when you're working, you don't have to worry about it again.  This application really is the stuff of writers dreams.  For more information on this visit the Apple website.

Time Machine backs stuff up every hour.  Therefore you should still retain the habit of saving word files regularly - let's say every fifteen minutes.  Just in case of a power cut or something.  (It does happen!) 

Tip:  When spellchecking large chunks of text, save the changes every few minutes.  The last thing you want is to spend a half hour spellchecking a document, only for Word to freeze before you can save it.   

check this out

image source: www.ryancorazza.com

I don't totally agree with number six though...writers don't read all the time, we write all the time!

Thoughts for a Thursday

Book of the Month

He's just not that into you 

by Greg Behrendt and Liz Tuccillo

The recent movie adaptation has brought this little gem back into the spotlight.  After seeing the movie, I immediately went out to buy it.  It is a no-nonsense, cruel but kind explanation of men's behaviour, straight from the horse's mouth.  Greg Behrendt tells it like it is.  He lets us know that men are not complicated, even though they would like us to think that.  If he's not calling you - he's simply just not that into you.

He's not that into you if he's -

●Not asking you out

●Too busy to pick up the phone

●Doesn't like the words 'relationship' or 'boyfriend'

Men would rather do anything than tell us straight out that they are not that into us.  What we mistake for complicated behaviour is actually just a lack of interest.  If you get into a relationship with a man who is just not that into you- you are looking for trouble sister.  This book basically tells us how to spot a time-waster, ditch him, and go get ourselves a great guy.  A truly revolutionary book.  

I have to admit that I remember seeing this book some years ago.  I had heard it was brilliantly funny and wonderfully informative, but I didn't consider even opening it in the bookshop.  I had a boyfriend, so I didn't need a dating book.  WRONG.  If I had opened it that day I might have realised that my boyfriend at the time was just not that into me.  I would have saved myself a hell of a lot of hardship.

Every woman should read this book.  I'd even go so far as to say if you only read one book in your entire life, this should be it.  Think I'm exaggerating?! Go read it.  

Even if you are in a great relationship, there are things you can learn from this.  Also it is is worth buying just for the excellent format and superb writing.

My favourite line?  'You already have one asshole.  You don't need another.'

Randomness

image source: ffffound!

Don't you just love Seth Rogen?  I could watch his films over and over.  Check out Superbad, Knocked Up, Pineapple Express and Zack and Miri make a Porno for some Seth Rogen action and quality comedy writing.  

Vogue Talent Contest 2009

If like me you are a writer who loves her fashion, why not give this competition a go?  It is one of the UK's most prestigious awards for fashion writers and runs annually.  Information is available from the Vogue website.  Closing date for this years contest is April 14th 2009.

Ariel

image source: ffffound!

Ever wondered what font to use when submitting opening chapters to agents/publishers or on competition entries?  Unless it is otherwise stated in the guidelines, Ariel (font size 12 double-spaced) is a good choice.  I used to opt for Times, but ariel is actually far easier on the eye.  It's also a good idea to use it in any query emails.  A chunk of ariel text just seems to be far less daunting.

Beware - other fonts may get extremely jealous of Ariel's popularity...

Be Positive

Part 3 of the 3 essential things a writer must do.  See previous posts for other tips.  

3. Be Positive

As a writer you really do have to be the toughest type of cookie.  Rejection after rejection of your manuscript can make you feel like you're crumbling.  If you're a writer who has recently received one, then your confidence has most likely deflated.  Don't let it.  Almost every writer in the world has experienced rejections, including J.K. Rowling for peat's sake!  

So stand up straight and repeat after me 'I am a fabulous writer!' Positivity costs zilch but is one of the most important things that I writer should have.  

Writing Plan

Here's the second of the three things you should do when starting out with a writing project.  Look at my previous post 'Get Ready to Write' for number one.  

2. Have a Writing Plan

You must set writing goals with a definite timeline.  Even if you never reach the deadline you set yourself, it is still essential to have one, so that you're writing project doesn't drag on for months or years without making sufficient progress.  No deadline = 0 progress.

Above is an example of a writing plan.  As you can see it is very simple and can be created in less than 2 minutes.  First you set your goal and the date by which it is to be achieved.  Then you jot down the times you are going to spend writing.  That doesn't mean writing and watching Friends, that doesn't mean writing whilst babysitting, it just means writing.  For example if you've picked Saturday mornings 8am-10am to write, you should be sitting down in front of your computer or your notepad for those full two hours (with a few minutes break) even if you can only think of two sentences to write.  If you stick with it you'll soon get hundreds of words written in those two hours.  But if you get up and decide to come make later, this will really slow down your writing progress.

Don't be too generous with your deadline.  If you don't meet the deadline on your plan, just make up another plan.  By then you'll have a better idea of how much time you need.  When it comes to writing progress, an unmet deadline is 100 times better than no deadline at all. 

So if you would like to get started on a novel or short story or even a non-fiction project, do up your writing plan now!

Things I ♥

image source: ffffound!

♥  Paperchase stationary.  I literally gasped when I saw that it had arrived in Dublin (a little section in Arnotts...but still!)  After years of stocking up whenever I happened to be in London, it has now come to my homeland.  If I'm having a bad writing day, at least I can arrange and rearrange my fabulous stationary.  And it's affordable enough for an emerging writer to indulge in.

♥ Hodges Figgis Bookstore in Dublin.  I love their superb selection, top class ordering facilities and loyalty cards.  They're are few things that make me happier than a full Hodges Figgis loyalty card.  Sad but true.    

♥ Writing Magazine.  It's full of inspiring articles.  In the February edition there are some great solutions for over-coming writer's block.  

and some extra love for....                         

♡Post Secret - the idea is you write a secret on a postcard and mail it (anonymously) to the people at Post Secret. These little snippets of other's lives provide a nifty creativity boost.  

Get Ready to Write

Ever thought of writing a novel or maybe a short story?  One of the hardest parts is getting started.  I've come to the conclusion that there are 3 things you absolutely must do:

1. Find a Writing Space

2. Have a Writing Plan

3. Be Positive

Today I'll be explaining number 1.  Check back in the next few days for 2 and 3.  

1. Find a Writing Space

It can be anywhere. A table in a coffee shop or a corner of your bedroom or that spare room in your house that nobody uses.  Some writers find they can write no matter where they are, but I think it's a good idea to have one particular place devoted to your writing, especially when you are starting out.  It helps you to get into the habit of writing regularly.

I wrote the first draft of my first novel in my bedroom, then decided to make use of our spare room when my floor became completely covered in paper.  I'll post pictures of my own writing space soon.  It's far too messy at the moment!

The only essential items you need in your writing space are a desktop or laptop (or paper and pen if you write longhand), a table and a chair.  Or you could sit on your bed, whatever you like. Other that that you can fill it with books, notebooks, post-its, mini post-its etc etc.  

So if you're itching to get started with writing, or want to get back into it after a lull in your creativity, go sort out your writing space.  Then check back tomorrow for tips on making a writing plan.

Laura x 

You've got to start somewhere.

That's me up there.  And this is my first ever post.  I'm twenty-two years old and I write fiction with a supernatural edge.  I write mainly for the 16-twentysomething age group.  

I'm working on a series of books at the moment about a girl called Jacki who can find missing women.  I completed my first book last year. I'm writing the second one at the moment.  I haven't got a publisher....yet! 

My blog will include:

* bits about my writing life

* useful info I've learned

* details of competitions and opportunities for writers

* other completely random stuff.

Laura x