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!
Writerly Debz 