We manged to have another weekend off, an entire weekend to ourselves without any obligations to anyone else. And we got quite a lot of work done too, both around the house and on creative stuff. On Friday evening, the poet continued to edit the 'G' is for ... video for the alphabet adventurers. By … Continue reading Domestic weekend
A good writing day
Despite the recent difficulties I've been having regarding finding a new paperback publisher, yesterday turned out to be a good writing day. My working days are clearly split into two now, with "my work" for 3 hours in the morning and "client work" for 3 hours in the afternoon. The rest of the (working) day … Continue reading A good writing day
It’s all so complicated!
The news that Amazon's CreateSpace is being swallowed up by Amazon's Kindle Direct Publishing spurred me into action yesterday, a little. The first thing I did was contact KDP with a few questions. While I awaited their reply, I set about researching an alternative. CreateSpace was always the paperback arm of Amazon's self-publishing platform. KDP … Continue reading It’s all so complicated!
Temporary change of plan
Due to the changes at Amazon CreateSpace and Kindle Direct Publishing, my plans have changed slightly for the next few days. Well, they've changed completely. I don't think KDP is as good as CreateSpace. I don't think it's as easy to use. I don't think it looks as professional. And it looks as though it … Continue reading Temporary change of plan
Organised again
I've been a bit overwhelmed with trying to catch up with work again, but I think I finally reached a balance once more. The past week in particular has been busy - as usual. I've not had a single idle day, though, and I'm looking forward to the week ahead. On Monday I caught up … Continue reading Organised again
Book review: Killing It
This is a new feature on Words Worth Writing, in association with NetGalley. Killing It, Asia Mackay Thanks to NetGalley and to Bonnier Zaffre for an advance copy of Killing It, the debut novel by Asia Mackay. Meet Lex Tyler, licensed to kill and the new James Bond. But this special agent is different in … Continue reading Book review: Killing It
Diary of a novel: The Beast Within (Week 2) – planning work
We took last week off for the bank holiday. The last time we booked time off was a fortnight in June, when the heatwave was at its height. But we didn't get to enjoy a single moment of it as we were moving house. So we decided to take last week off. And this time … Continue reading Diary of a novel: The Beast Within (Week 2) – planning work
52 books in 52 weeks: Writing Without Rules
I set myself the goal of reading and reviewing 52 writing guides over the year. Here is book 42. Thanks to NetGalley and to F&W Media for an advance copy of Writing Without Rules by Jeff Somers. I wasn't approved to review the book at my first try, but when I asked again on a … Continue reading 52 books in 52 weeks: Writing Without Rules
Book review: Falling Short
This is a new feature on Words Worth Writing, in association with NetGalley. Falling Short, Lex Coulton Thanks to NetGalley and to John Murray Press for an advance copy of Falling Short, the debut novel by Lex Coulton. Unfortunately, I didn't like it. At all. And it certainly wasn't funny - in my opinion. Instead … Continue reading Book review: Falling Short
New reading badge
In May I joined NetGalley. This is where authors and publishers may list their books, for a fee, which are then requested by professional readers and reviewers who, if accepted, review the book(s). Fiction and non-fiction. I joined as a reader/reviewer. The readers/reviewers are selected by the publisher/author based on: the requester's biography, where they post … Continue reading New reading badge
52 books in 52 weeks: Writing & Selling your Mystery Novel
I set myself the goal of reading and reviewing 52 writing guides over the year. Here is book 41. I bought the paperback of Writing & Selling your Mystery Novel by Hallie Ephron very soon after it came out. I loved it so much that, when I saw an electronic version was now available, I bought … Continue reading 52 books in 52 weeks: Writing & Selling your Mystery Novel
Diary of a novel: The Beast Within (Week 1) – planning work
I didn't have a lot of time in week 1, which I already knew about. I had two appointments in the midlands that took out two complete days, and I had editing work to do on the three days I was in the office. Saying that, I did manage to do some planning work in … Continue reading Diary of a novel: The Beast Within (Week 1) – planning work
Diary of a novel: The Beast Within
Here's another new feature for Words Worth Writing, but one that has been well-received in the past, so it's really being resurrected for the latest project. I've decided that my next project will be The Beast Within: a Marcie Craig mystery. When I hauled out my folders for this project last weekend, I was mortified to … Continue reading Diary of a novel: The Beast Within
Logging time, and a thunderstorm
The time-logging app worked on Monday, very well - to an extent. So too did the "no housework" thing. I say to an extent, because on Monday afternoon we had a thunderstorm. Only a little one. There was one distant rumble ... and then the internet dropped out. It took several hours to re-set itself … Continue reading Logging time, and a thunderstorm
Writing and editing and planning, oh my!
I only have a three-day week this week. This isn't because of any actual holidays. It's because I have two appointments in Solihull, one on Tuesday and one on Thursday. And as it takes around 2 hours to get there and 2 hours to get back - on a good run - plus the time … Continue reading Writing and editing and planning, oh my!
Book review: Mardi Gras Murder
This is a new feature on Words Worth Writing, in association with NetGalley. Mardi Gras Murder, Ellen Byron Thanks to NetGalley and to Crooked Lane Books for an advance copy of Mardi Gras Murder by Ellen Byron. This is the fourth in the series from the Cajun Country mysteries, but the first I've read of … Continue reading Book review: Mardi Gras Murder
Reminder: Site redirection
From this week, my domain will point to this WordPress site. However, any links from the old WordPress address will be broken. Please change your bookmarks now to: http://www.dianewordsworth.com. Many thanks!
52 books in 52 weeks: Write a Novel in Ten Minutes a Day
I set myself the goal of reading and reviewing 52 writing guides over the year. Here is book 40. Write a Novel in Ten Minutes a Day is a book I once promised myself as soon as the next person paid me. When that first payment came in on a Monday, I bought it. And … Continue reading 52 books in 52 weeks: Write a Novel in Ten Minutes a Day
Book review: Crime and Punctuation
This is a new feature on Words Worth Writing, in association with NetGalley. Crime & Punctuation, Kaitlyn Dunnett Thanks to NetGalley and to Kensington Books for an advance copy of Crime & Punctuation by Kaitlyn Dunnett. This was the first in a new series, Deadly Edits. The story follows the main character Mikki after her … Continue reading Book review: Crime and Punctuation
Important: Site redirection
From this week, my domain will point to this WordPress site. However, any links from the old WordPress address will be broken. Please change your bookmarks now to: http://www.dianewordsworth.com. Many thanks!
Assumptions
When I tell people that I'm busy, I really do mean it. I'm not lying, or avvin a larf, or making it up. I really, really am busy. We were talking about this at the weekend - while we were out running errands. Yes, even on the weekend, our "time off", we were busy. We're … Continue reading Assumptions
Thanks for listening, Cosmos
Yes! The Cosmos listened. At last. After several rain dances, we finally had our storm yesterday evening, overnight and this morning. And there's more to come. The rainwater is sitting on the ground surface between showers, but it's going into the ground eventually. We had several storm-bangers, which the dog didn't appreciate very much, and … Continue reading Thanks for listening, Cosmos
Back in the Saddle
It's been a bit intense, but I'm starting to make some calm out of the muddle that was my backlog of work. I've caught up on a few things, dabbled in some new projects and continued fielding phone calls. The biggest job this week is the editing job for lovely already client. But I'm on … Continue reading Back in the Saddle
Technobabble
I'm not great technically. I get by. I can learn how to do many things, and I even learned computer programming once upon a time. But these technical giants, they don't exactly make things any easier, do they? The past few days I've been working on the blog. I'm transferring my domain name over to … Continue reading Technobabble
52 books in 52 weeks: The Business of Writing
I set myself the goal of reading and reviewing 52 writing guides over the year. Here is book 39, which is also courtesy of NetGalley and Pendragon Cove Press. Thanks to NetGalley and to Pendragon Cove Press for an advance copy of The Business of Writing: Practical Insights for Independent, Hybrid, and Traditionally Published Authors … Continue reading 52 books in 52 weeks: The Business of Writing
Good start, Cosmos
Yesterday, I had a quick word with the Cosmos. Yesterday evening, this ( ←) popped up on Amazon. Yes, it's my book on the history of Cadbury. The one I've been working on for the past year. No, it's not published yet, but it is on pre-order, due out on 30 November. That was a lovely … Continue reading Good start, Cosmos
Book review: The Killing Habit
This is a new feature on Words Worth Writing, in association with NetGalley. The Killing Habit, Mark Billingham Thanks to NetGalley and to Little, Brown for an advance copy of The Killing Habit by Mark Billingham. I love reading books by Mark Billingham and look forward to each new release. However, I have to admit … Continue reading Book review: The Killing Habit
Dear Cosmos – enough, thank you.
I'll be honest. We've not had a great few weeks. Hot on the heels of moving house, we lost a chicken, gave a cockerel away, the dog disappeared for three hours, we suffered a major family bereavement, and we had a bit of a health scare. We still have a funeral to attend and we … Continue reading Dear Cosmos – enough, thank you.
Slow day yesterday
When we moved house, we treated Rufus to 2 new baskets. One was for the living room, the other was for the bedroom/office. This is the one currently in the office. Do you think he likes it? I didn't get a lot done yesterday. I didn't feel like doing much anyway. Here's how it went: … Continue reading Slow day yesterday
Sad day
Just over 18 months ago, in December 2016, we rescued 6 ex-cage chickens otherwise intended for slaughter. We named them Aggie (the Agoraphobic), Baldy (she literally was 'oven ready'), Blondie, Lara (the Adventurous), Pauline (Poorly Poorline) and Pink. At Christmas, 2017, we lost queen of the coop Aggie. And today we lost the lovely Lara. Lara … Continue reading Sad day
It’s going well
This is my writing bag. Once upon a time, when I *worked for a living*, I worked for the National Grid in Coventry. We were quite close to Warwick University and, in fact, did most of our banking and shopping there. As it was a university, there was - naturally - a university bookshop. And … Continue reading It’s going well
Fair start to the week
This is my current writing work in progress pile. The A5 book with the touchy-feely cover of pink flowers on a foliage background is the ideas book. This is where I jot down words, titles, scenarios, plots, outlines of short material, topic lists for non-fiction, market information. This book is where the magic begins ... … Continue reading Fair start to the week
The best laid plans … again
It was just starting to go well, with everything dropping into place. I had a great list of things to do. We were going out Friday evening. And we were taking the weekend off ... ... and then the dog disappeared. For three hours. He'd escaped from the garden and I was certain a car … Continue reading The best laid plans … again
