Of interest to writers resident in Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset & Wiltshire, the Hall and Woodhouse DLF Writing Prize. Closing date is the 30th March. The DLF Local Writing Prize Submission Form
Paul Whybrow
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I tend not to think about my age and am always surprised when I realise how ancient I am—66 on the 25th. What really brings it home, though, is when I see how old my artistic heroes are. Peter Gabriel is 70 today!Stumbling around Twitter yesterday, I spotted a familiar name, that of literary agent, Bryony Woods, who I'd queried in January...along with 999 others!I made 24 queries on Friday & Saturday, finishing at 11 pm last night. This morning, at noon, I received my first form letter of rejection...to add to the 650 I've had over the last seven years. Annoyingly, it was from my favourite agent on the list. At least it proves that agents work on a Sunday. And, it reminds me of why I self-published the first four books in my crime series last Christmas.I've praised mobile broadband provider Giff Gaff several times on the Colony. They've just announced they're doubling the allowance of their £20 plan to 80GB of data from 26th February. Well worth a look if you use a dongle.It's so windy in Cornwall today (66 mph) the water in the toilet bowl has waves! I found out why: Why Does Toilet Water Move When It's Windy Outside?Thought of the Day
From today, I’ll be posting a thought of the day, various aphorisms, anecdotes, quotes, poems and extracts from interviews. All will be relevant to writing and publishing, though not all were said by writers.
I’ve been collecting wise words for twenty-five years and they’ve been a source of comfort and inspiration to me. I hope that you get something out of them.Just think: if you started writing a novel on New Year’s Day 2020, penning a page a day for 365 days—that’s about 219 words daily—you’ll have written an 80,000-word novel by 2021.
It’s that easy...and, that hard!Having just published my first four crime novels on KDP, I've found the perfect look for 2020...sure to raise my profile!
I finally signed to Amazon KDP Select, after avoiding its exclusive regulations for six years, by uploading the first four titles of my Cornish Detective series. This felt like throwing snowballs into a snowbank, so now it's time to raise my profile on social media. Amazon product ASINAfter editing my five crime novels (yet again) in preparation for self-publishing, I saw this quip in answer to a question, that I can only agree with:
‘If you could edit your past, what would you change?’
‘I’d get rid of all the commas’ – Peter Carey
I’m sure that you feel the same @Robinne Weiss.A certain amount of opposition is a great help to a man. Kites rise against, not with, the wind! John Neal (author & critic) 1793-1876 John Neal (writer) - WikipediaI'd like to meet the numbskull who decided that the best way of opening a CD/DVD drive was by pushing it in! Bent paperclips rule!Encouraging words for any writer from Ralph Waldo Emerson: "What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us."Visiting my local library today, I browsed the crime novels for new stock coming across a writer unknown to me (who shall remain nameless) whose work was described in the blurb as “Flynn-esque” referring to Gillian Flynn...ouch! Then I had the happy thought that should I ever find success with my Cornish Detective series, would a debut author’s book be described as Whybrow-esque?Superstition says it's good luck if a bird poops on you, but how about rubbing it into your face? A poo facial mask – smaller pores, yes, but do you really want faeces on your face?I've long been troubled by a phlegmy cough. Researching natural cures, I saw pineapple juice mixed with grated ginger recommended. It works! Throat feels totally different.Glory be! The BBC & HBO have done a great job of adapting Phillip Pullman's His Dark Materials:22,000 words into my latest novel, I wondered why everything takes longer than you think it's going to...except spending money and making love!My subconscious is winning! What I thought I’d written where detectives are attacked by fugitive killers: “He came to and called-in again, just as the ambulance arrived. No sign of the attackers, but I’ve thrown a one-mile cordon around the area.” What I actually typed: “He came to and called-in again, just as the ambulance arrived. No sign of the attackers, but I’ve thrown a one-mile condom around the area.” D’oh!What I thought I’d written: 'Three bikers entered the bank armed with handguns, bandanas concealing their faces.' What I’d actually typed: 'Three bikers entered the bank armed with handguns, bananas concealing their faces.' D’oh!Sheesh, this is sinister! Headless, cat-like robot pillow wags its tail when it's strokedLots to do yet as a writer, but time flies, as Ezra Pound shows in And the Days Are Not Full Enough: And the days are not full enough/And the nights are not full enough/And life slips by like a field mouse/Not shaking the grass.Happy Friday 13th to any triskaidekaphobic members of The Colony!
I am blessed with a new laptop, which arrived only 44 hours after I ordered it, courtesy of the Royal Mail. It looks so innocent sitting there charging. Little does it know how many novels will be written on it. Hang on! My last laptop lasted 10 years, and I'm 65....meaning the new laptop may well outlive me!If 'Life's a beach" why do I keep stepping in the tar?Taking a break from writing my short story about witchcraft and voodoo, I went to make lunch. Walking past the coin electricity meter, I glanced up at the balance, seeing 6.66...eek!"If there's a book that you want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it."
Toni Morrison (1931-2019) -
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