Whose Story Is It?

I think this question will be very pertinent in the journey ahead given that If Crows Could Talk is based on a story that comes from Jim Crow; from a dark period in American history. Though I think the story is really about family and life; actions and consequences… and some things we might never understand… people have already asked: is it my story to tell?

What do you think?

For me, stories come from all kinds of places. Inspiration hits and it feels like magic. This story started life nearly twenty years ago when it was no more than a short story. I have probably been influenced by a great many works of fiction as well as real-life stories. Characters also have a habit of taking over and telling you this is the story they want you to share. That might sound crazy… but it is so very true.

We live in a diverse society and if I went by the philosophy I can only tell my own story there would be one not-so-interesting memoir, and that’s it. I write what I know from being human. I might not be George in the story; an African-American man but I understand grief. I understand the pain of loss. I know what it’s like to have the human experience. I might not know what it is to be him or to be from a culture where the hate runs deep. I can only use my best skills as a writer to research, to talk to people, to read. I will have sensitivity and authenticity reads. That notion of whose story is it to tell is nuts when you write fiction. It gives writing a level of censorship that takes away the very essence of what fiction writing is. Sure, many of my characters are white, as is April in If Crows Could Talk, and I have also written many British white characters as well as a Russian immigrant who survived Belsen, an Asian runner-bean grower, an American reporter, a feral child in Russia. What about historical fiction from a period we never lived through or witnessed first hand? What about science fiction? What about fantasy? All of these rely on us creating believable relatable characters. Even robots need a human touch for us to connect to the story and I have cried over robots in stories for that reason. We know only what it is to be human, the rest is down to us. If we represent real history we research it.

If we live in a diverse society, we ought to reflect that in our writing… so long as we research properly and do it justice then it shouldn’t matter.

I would love to know what you think?

Stuck in the Editing Loop

It’s like a centripetal force, and I have managed, with reluctance, to break out of it only a few moments ago.

I think as writers we are all familiar with the number of edits we need and how we can sometimes feel as if we could make changes ad infinitum! With short stories, I will keep reading until I am ready to read it on paper and then I will keep reading and printing new versions until I stop spotting things.

I do something similar with novels only it takes longer of course. The latter stages involve reading it on my Kindle until I stop seeing errors. We all know there will be some that get through, hence the need for multiple rounds of edits AND proofreads.

I have had the edits for If Crows Could Talk for two to three weeks now. Nothing major, and all great suggestions thanks to my editor Dr Gill James’s eagle eye. I have actually completed five further reads, making other small changes I felt it needed and also spotting things I’d missed, like the age of one of the children that was out by two years for example. Something I would not expect Gill to know!

I was so tempted to read it yet again but that would be another couple of days and there has to come a point when we say we’re happy with it as it is and send it back. We have to trust the process. We have to believe that anything we still missed will be spotted when the proofing team gets to it. Otherwise, I think I will be trapped in a perpetual loop of edits it probably does not need now!

I don’t think the non-writers out there would have any idea how much goes into getting it right.

So I can now breathe a sigh of relief and finally get back to the brand-new novel that has been waiting in the wings. Good at multi-tasking that I might be, I can only ever write one thing at a time! I am also awaiting editing suggestions from my lovely agent for the novel I wrote last year!

But let me tell you… I just love my writerly life! How blessed and grateful I am.

Can’t wait to talk with the designers about the cover and release date so I can plan my launch in September!

Did I tell you I love being a writer? Oh yeah. I think I did.

Thanks, Walela Books.

“Above all birds, the hummingbird gives me that feeling of the mystery and the wonder of life. Such a vibrant little body, such color, and wings that beat faster than thought. I felt as if I could watch the whole of life if I could hold a hummingbird in my hand once.”
― Gladys Taber, The Book of Stillmeadow

News! News! News!

Some of you may have seen the cryptic countdown on here and social media as we waited for 04/04!

I have had to keep this to close friends and family awaiting the official release of the BIG news.

I am delighted to announce that I have been signed for my next book, my novel If Crows Could Talk formerly known as ‘Colourblind’ (working title) with Bridge House’s new literary imprint Walela Books which launches today. It is not open to submissions yet. I think there are some quite specific criteria for selection. It was submitted to Walela through my lovely agent Camilla at the start of the year and I was delighted that Gill felt it was the right fit and a worthy book for the imprint’s first release.

Colourblind as it was first called started life as a short story back in 2003/4 and was part of a bigger project… my first stab at a novel that had short stories woven into it. But I felt the story was too big for that novel and never included it and that novel ended up being my practice novel that never did much. So I developed the short story into the novel Colourblind, or at least the first version of it back in 2006. While it had some good feedback I knew I needed to develop my writing skills further and that one day I would return to it and do it the justice I felt it deserved. I had a feeling about it. I went on to write other novels and in fact, While No One Was Watching (my debut) was in fact my fourth novel. However, what you might not know is I took a lot of what I learned from writing about George and Molly… African-American narrators in If Crows Could Talk to create Lydia in While No One Was Watching.

In 2020 while the world locked down and I was recovering from my breast cancer surgery I finally decided, several novels later and numerous short story successes, I was ready. I completely rewrote the novel making several changes from the original. While it is still the same story, I had let it grow and felt it was ready. The response when out on submission was great and now it has found its forever home 🙂

If Crows Could Talk is an American mystery novel with pertinent themes. African-American George Tucker and white teenager April Jefferson share the same birthday – born fifty years apart – but that’s not all they share. The novel explores the repercussions of Jim Crow’s actions and the impact they have had on George’s life. But what George doesn’t know is how a little white girl is the key to unlocking his biggest secret, so that justice can finally be served.

The novel is set for release in the Autumn and you can bet there will be a book launch locally and I am planning signing events at bookstores too. I am also hoping to do something in the US as I have plans to be in LA and New York later this year. Oh and for the fans of my first novel, I did bring Lydia back, though only in a cameo role!

I will be sharing steps along the way right here!

But today I will celebrate sharing the news with you all! A press release has gone out to various national bookselling and publishing news sites today. Thank you so much to Gill at Walela Books for making me their first acquisition! I wish you all the luck in the world with this exciting new imprint. The name means hummingbird, it’s the Cherokee word and anyone who knows me will understand the significance of that. The new website is live here with the news: WALELA BOOKS

And I am finally doing the happy dance!

“Did you hear about Debz’s new book?” “What’s it called?”

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{Inside the Writer’s Mind Series 2024} Week 2

So a week into writing the new novel, a short prologue and Chapter 1 complete.

I knew exactly how this one would start. The prologue sets up the inciting incident and establishes the mystery that is to act as the hook for the reader before we go back in time three years. So the story structurally is all set before the inciting incident and covers the events that lead up to it.

Chapter 1 introduces the protagonist, who so far I think will be the only narrator… although I am pondering if it will be more interesting to use another one. I know who. So this is the first question I have to ask myself as I start Week 2. If I do use him there lies a danger of losing some of the intrigue I need to create about him later.

What is interesting, and always happens when I write, is you can plan; you can actually have quite a detailed plan, but a character might have other ideas as soon as you breathe life into them. They let me know if I have the voice right, if I have the tense right, and if the intention of the character is right. No unexpected surprises so far. When I started to write last year’s American mystery novel, there were two narrators; alternating with chapter. The first one immediately hijacked my initial intention. She decided she wanted a second-person narrative; something I never, or hardly ever do. She also surprised me by wanting to tell her story in a non-linear way. For that story it worked (or I hope it did) because the other narrator has a timeline fixed firmly in a linear form, which I saw as an anchor to hold the reader in place, to avoid any confusion. I didn’t know when I started to write the second narrator that he had a dog and this really turned into the comedy element of the book as a whole. Those surprises at the start, I am so glad I went with as I do think they work. With this new novel, more domestic noir, the voice was as planned but a little more serious and a little austere. For the type of novel, this is okay but the danger is she may be harder to relate to. The hope is what she talks about, namely her mother’s death a year ago to the day, will soften her enough at the edges that she is someone the reader will want to go on a journey with.

In one of my novels, I Am Wolf, yet to find a home, it was always an issue for me that the main protagonist, deliberately flawed, was hard to connect with. I revised her many times and added what I thought were elements that made her vulnerable and hoped this was enough. By the end, I think the reader is in no doubt about how lost she is (both in a real and metaphysical sense). I think we feel sorry for her and sad for her, but it’s getting it right at the start so you want to read on. This remains something I need to be clear about. We all know characters must change as a function of plot. So if you take a character who is flawed, damaged, broken… you are expecting something to fix, mend, be resolved in them by the end. But if they’re too flawed at the start, you also risk your reader not caring enough to invest the time you need them to, to read on and see that change. This is the save the cat moment. In essence, it’s when you create something akin to showing the reader the character has compassion or vulnerability and hinting that a change is possible. If we see how the character treats an animal or literally saves the cat, you create something about them to like. In last year’s novel, the second narrator is likable but is conflicted and bitter over the death of his wife in a car accident that also put him in a wheelchair. So the dog was like the self-conscious saying, redeem him, show his softer side. I had no idea the basset would become so important in the story but I am so glad he walked into not just the first chapter, but the first line with what I think is one of my best opening lines for a character. I hope you agree when that book finds a home!

I don’t think the character in my new novel is as bristly as the one from I Am Wolf but it is something I had to bear in mind as I started to write her. I want the reader to like her despite her idiosyncrasies and the odd way she views the world but as I now move on to the next chapter, I will see what surprises she has in store for me.

Happy writing everyone!

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Every New Journey

I wanted to post this morning as I embark on another new novel that has been creating a world inside my head for the past six weeks or so. It is now ready to be written!

Writing, for me, remains my favourite thing to do. I love all parts of the ‘story’ process, from its conception, its planning and then to its initial creation and through to the sculpting of it through its various rounds of edits. This is book number 11 and some might wonder how you can keep writing something you pour your heart into every year, get spectacular near-misses, then sit those in park (for now at least) and move onto something else you need to find the same gusto for. It’s a strange life I know, but while I still love it (which I hope I always will) I will do it. I am honoured to be able to do it.

I am always willing to learn and I think every new book I have written I have learned from and would like to think become a better writer with each one. I have really played with voice and character, as these are my favourite, but I have learned how to plot, use the story arc, use techniques to best effect, and I believe have delved into and explored a range of interesting structures. I do believe my time will come. I hope that I am not writing into a void because every story needs to be read, especially when they have all been written with such passion and hopefully you will agree, skill.

The new one is a domestic thriller (literary) but that’s about all I will divulge at this stage. The last one which is with my agent now is more of an American mystery. This new one is set a lot closer to home.

I plan to post more as I feel the writing process itself is so great for learning new things. They come as you work and I plan to share some of those with you along the way this time. I might even ask for the odd comment if I have something in my head I want to know what you all think about it.

So here I go.

Life really is about the journey. Enjoy it!

Reflections and Plans

Well, here we are on another Monday morning as this year seems to be taking hold. Lots to look forward to in 2024 and news to share in April. Sometimes it seems I have lost momentum to those standing on the outside, but I am still writing away, currently planning the next one which seems to want to be more of a domestic thriller. The novel from last year is currently with my agent. It seems I can nicely write a book a year, so we are onto number 10. While the big publishing contract remains elusive (for now) I am still here and still loving it. You have to. I must write some new short stories soon, but for now, the new novel is percolating and I hope to start writing it soon.

I was looking back at this writer’s journey and it’s easy to forget how far we’ve come. Being a writer is wonderful, but it’s a tough journey and that’s why we must celebrate in the process.

This week I have two book events. I am giving a talk at a local WI (they liked the one I did last year so another group on Canvey Island has asked me to talk about my life as a writer). As it happens, I have another one with the Rayleigh WI in April. Next month I am giving a talk more on the Art of Fiction, and being a storyteller, for the U3A. I never chased any of these they came to me. Another possible talk is also in discussion. You have to get out there! I am also trying to enhance my social media presence, though time is always an issue. Sundays seems to be study day, the other half is training for his diploma in Menopause (odd for a man?)… well as a personal trainer and nutritionist, he sees a lot of women who might need this (including me!)… and I am doing some Digital Marketing and Social Media courses to help him and me with our work! You must never stop learning, right?

I am still the resident local author at Canvey Library every other Friday and am beginning to get more people stopping and taking an interest and a few have even signed up for Canvey Writers, my group.

Lots happening this year, a collaborative writing project with Canvey Writers for a charity that we might have a go at publishing ourselves as it will be a great learning curve. And a book with the husband… a family collaboration… think ‘fitness’… and the news I am holding onto for now.

The other book event this week is online and is for Georgina Wright’s fantastic novel Call of the Wild Valley. I worked with her on this for at least the past three years and this is book one. Like me, Georgina has a real passion for animals and wildlife. With the way the world is changing, this novel uses both human and animal narrators and looks at what we are doing to the planet. It’s a beautiful book and it was launched at the end of last year. As a former teacher, Georgina has written a book with crossover appeal: to adults and young adults, and I will hopefully have Georgina on my blog as I want to restart the author interviews once a month. But before then please do get your FREE ticket to the Zoom event that is happening this Thursday evening! LINK

Georgina, the publisher, and I will be there, Georgina will be interviewed and talk to us about the book and its importance. She will also read from it. Come along!

To a New Year…

Being a writer is more than a job, it’s a way of life. It defines me. Someone said to me once it is not a real job. Er… yeah it very much is, we all need a way to pay the bills… but it is a privilege. I have said it here before and it’s true… I feel as if I created for myself the ideal job. I used to dream away the hours working for a big ‘corporate’ wishing for the kind of job I now have and the kind of life I now have. Sometimes, and not just when the New Year brings its shiny clean pages, it is good to look back as well as forward and see just how far you’ve come.

2024 marks ten years (later this year) of packing up my old life in Wales and moving to be closer to family. And it marks beginning my fitness journey joining my first gym. Now that’s a commitment I have never failed on. New Year often inspires people to take stock, get fit, eat healthy. We struggle to get into our regular classes because of this sudden swell in numbers… only we know deep down that by February most of the newcomers are gone. Cynical? Yeah but true sadly, along with most New Year resolutions. I am happy to report I do not make such resolutions at New Year, I make them any time of year I need to make a change and I DO STICK TO THEM. You?

So this ideal job of mine? Yeah, I truly love editing and mentoring and seeing the success in those around me, I might even be quite good at it now 😉 but writing will always be my first true love and every year I put my heart and soul into another novel which I finish by the end of the year and it finds its way to my lovely agent. Then every year feels like a waiting game. One full of really terrific near misses for which I am now the queen. But that hope, that desire, dare I say it, that hunger, never goes away. If it did, I would stop.

I am ready to manifest the next part, where I will still help people, sure, but one where I get to be just the writer. What do you think?

While that waits to happen and I plan the next novel I am opening up my mentoring programme again to writers of novels and short stories who need some guidance. It will begin when I have six people. Group sessions will depend on who we have and what help people need. If you’re interested in some hands-on help to get your masterpiece into shape to submit or self-publish, email me writer@debzhobbs-wyatt.co.uk and let’s step into 2024!

Sharing this fabulous blog by Hannah!

Short Fiction Competitions to Enter in 2024