Practical Advice from Lorna Peel

Meet Lorna Peel, author of Only You! 

Lorna Peel lives in County Sligo, Ireland, and when she’s not writing, she researches her family history. She’s had some pretty varied jobs, including Tour Guide, Professional Genealogist, Bookseller, and Census Enumerator, but she thinks she’s going to enjoy being an author best of all.

A bit of advice from Lorna Peel to the young, aspiring authors! 

Practical Advice for Beginning Writers

Write about what you know. It sounds obvious but there’s nothing worse than reading a novel full of mistakes and/or sloppy research.

Don’t allow yourself to get discouraged. I know that is easy to say, but if you get a rejection from an agent or publisher, send out another query right away. 

Have a notebook, Dictaphone, or gadget to hand. You never know when inspiration will strike!

Try to write regularly but also take regular breaks and try not to drink too much coffee! I tend to write more in the evenings and late at night. I’m not a morning person and I find that I am more alert at that time of night.

Try and finish a writing session on a cliff hanger. This will make it easier for you to pick up from there again.

Try to put a finished work away for a time so when you return to it you are reading it with fresh and more critical eyes.

Be prepared for the fact that not everyone will love your book, and don’t get involved in a slanging match online with someone who has posted a bad review. Some of these slanging matches have gone viral on the internet and you don’t want to get a reputation as a primadonna! Read and digest the bad review, but don’t respond.

Take a look at Lorna Peel's novel Only You

Jane Hollinger is single, divorced, and the wrong side of thirty – as she puts it. Her friends are pressuring her to dive back into London’s dating pool, but she’s content with her quiet life as a genealogy teacher.

Robert Armstrong is every woman’s fantasy: handsome, charming, rich and famous. When he asks her to meet him, she convinces herself it’s because he needs her help with a mystery in his family tree. Soon she realizes he’s interested in more than her genealogical expertise. Now the paparazzi want a piece of Jane too.

Can Jane handle living – and loving – in the spotlight?

You can also check out her book's trailer at : 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpKwxPVayPg&feature=plcp&noredirect=1

Book Drive

Ah! The long weekend has come at last. Easter happens to be this weekend as well. D'you want to know some interesting information? Well Easter changes its date every year! Fascinating, isn't it? 

Well to get to the point of this post, I have decided that Delirious Musings of a Writer will be conducting a book drive. Everyone or anyone are welcome to participate in this event in order to amass some books that will be used in giveaways and other fun things. If we have any extra books we'll be sure to put them to good use. For those of you who will be participating, it is encouraged to email me in order to receive my address so that we can receive those lovely books! Also, if you're really gutsy you can write a short message to all of DMoaW! Or you could write your own post on why you recommend the book itself! 

Also, I figure if we can get this started that the person who donates the most books will win a prize. However, what this prize is, is undetermined as of yet. So I suppose you'll have to win to see, eh? Emails are welcome to suggest possible prizes, too! 

So rummage through your closets, raid the bookshelves, dump out those packed chests and search under your bed! Let's see just how many books we'll be able to gather if we work together! No shame in not participating, but it is encouraged. If you love reading and writing as much as we of DMoaW do then why not spread the love around? 

Thank you for reading and hopefully we'll see that you've participated as well! 

- Write on. 

It is infinitely more sad to see a grown man cry when he has lost everything than to see a woman cry having lost nothing.

Alternate media

Sometimes it's better to get out there and look rather than sit inside waiting for inspiration to strike. I know I've discussed this topic before but I decided that I should add a little bit to what I said the last time. The last time, if you have read it, was where I explained that you could use any kind of source to find inspiration!

 

Sit outside.

 

Listen to music.

 

Dance in the rain.

 

Fall in love.

 

Look in an old album.

 

Even watch some television!

 

There are an abundance of places to look for inspiration and there are really no excuses that you can make up to say that you haven't found any. Albeit, it takes a keen eye to find it.

 

This post is just a reminder, mainly because I have been suffering the lack of inspiring events to make my own novel move forward. Now, I won't get started talking about my own novel - not just yet - so I'll take a moment to tell you a good means of finding inspiration.

 

You've all read novels, yes? Though, sometimes it's hard to discern the plot from the fluff (more on fluff later). I understand, I underwent the trials of attempting to find plots myself, and now I've found an even better means (if you find it difficult) to find inspiration and a good plot.

 

Manga.

 

The answer, albeit a little unprecendented, may shock you! I understand, I felt much the same way you're probably feeling at this very moment. Manga? You may ask. Why would manga be a helpful thing to read? Isn't it just a bunch of comics, with very little plot.

 

WRONG!

 

Surprisingly (because a friend of mine had me try it), manga actually has quite a lot of interesting points in it. If you try one (some of the action or historical mangas), they have quite the interesting plot and developments. So give it a try, it's not like it'll hurt anything if you check it out once or twice. You'll be surprised at the amount of inspiration you can glean from something visual and focused on dialogue. It's very surprising.

 

Write on and goodluck! :)

If true love existed the world would be in even greater chaos.

Let's talk first kisses

This was a discussion amongst some of my friends and I've some ideas of my own on this subject.

A first kiss is always awkward, there is no denying this little tid bit. So when I read a story where two characters just fall perfectly into a kiss and don't think about whether their breath stinks or if they are a bad kisser, I don't think that this is very real. When I had my first kiss (that I can remember) I was freaking out, like a lot. I was unsure exactly what to do and worrying about whether he'd like it or not. My brain did not go blank like some first kisses seem to these days.

Besides your brain thinking up all of the horrible things that could go wrong, a first kiss needs to be slow. These kisses that are fast paced are not always proper. The guy just grabs the girls head and pulls her in for a smooch just isn't how it (usually) works in the real world, not with teenagers. Go slow, go awkward and don't be afraid to go funny.

Have then bump heads, burp or just fall off of their chair or something. Adding humor before a kiss always lightens the mood and makes it easier and a little less awkward.

Kailyn

*These are my personal opinions and not everyone will agree with them.

Relatable characters

It's easy to want to great a character that is perfect in every way and can do no wrong. Their life is perfect, they have the perfect friends and their hair always looks great. As much as we wish this was really possible, we must come to terms with that fact that it's not.

When reading a book, I always like to be able to put myself in the characters position and this is really hard if she/he has perfect teeth and a rocking bod. The sad truth is that I don't have perfect teeth and a rocking bod, but normal crooked teeth and a body that is anything bud rocking. So what do I do when I'm reading a book and I come across a character like this? Unless the book is so well written that I can look over it, which is usually isn't, then I hate the book.

The reader likes to be able to relate to the MC of a book, to be able to look at that character and see something of their self within that person. Weather it be hair that is constantly out of place or maybe they have a bad case of acne, you have to have a relatable character.

But it's not all about looks, it's about how the character acts and feels. What if you had a character that was always optimistic about everything and never had a doubt in their mind that something wasn't going to work out and this lasted all through the story? I know there may be some people out there that are like this, but they always have a moment of doubt and so should your character. Maybe they have doubts about a relationship working out. Or maybe they have fears that they are going to fail their big math test.

Or maybe it's the opposite. Having a character that never sees the light at the end of the tunnel is never fun and makes for a rather gloomy story. Brighten them up a bit and give them something to look forward to and be optimistic.

These are just examples, but something to keep in mind. When writing, look at real people and notice how they act or think or feel. Make your characters real and relatable, because who wants to read a story about someone that they can't compare themselves to? Certainly not me.

Kailyn

If there is some sadness within your heart, then bear it and draw it to the page in sorrowful crimson.

Writing Prompts

Never fear the aid of writing prompts, because one day they will become your salvation. Just as they were mine after almost a month of writer's block. Yes, writer's block. The bane of all authors and poets alike. So, I suppose the question is : where do you find these writing prompts? 

Good question. Honestly, there are a few places you could look. You could look online, or you could buy a book of novel (not the book, but the adjective) suggestions and prompts. That, is what I did. Well, I should clarify the fact that my father bought me the book for christmas. It was a great present and there are so many ideas that have helped me and inspired me. 

So, all in all, I greatly support the use of writing prompts. Don't be ashamed of having to borrow someone else's prompt to create a new and invigorating novel! Be grateful that someone is allowing it. 

That's all I've got, 

write on.

Do not fear inspiration. Fear the lack of it.

Take it slow, you don't have to tell the whole story in the first page.

Recently, a friend of mine had to remind me that you don't have to tell the whole backstory in the first page or first chapter. You may feel like the reader will be confused if you don't or that they'll get bored if they don't know why every little thing is happening, but this is not true. In fact, the reader likes a little mystery, it's what keeps them reading.

When you begin a story, it needs to be attention grabbing, a hook that pulls the reader in and makes them want to continue reading. Something like, "My name is Casey and I'm fifteen," yada yada just wont cut it in the publishing world. Your very first paragraph, nay sentence, should have that special something that sets it apart from every other book out there.

Be sure that you don't tell the reader everything right away. Slowly reveal the plot, the characters personality and anything else. Keep the reader from getting bored and wanting to toss the book across the room. I am a very judgmental reader and if the story doesn't capture my attention or piles too much information on me right away, I hardly ever finish that book. It gets put in the 'started but never finished' pile and usually doesn't get pulled out.

There really nothing more I can say then read the beginning of your favorite book and determine why you kept reading it.

Happy Writing!

Kailyn

On Camp NaNo :

So, Camp NaNo is here! Personally, I won’t be doing Camp NaNo. I got my fill of stressful writing during NaNoWriMo! But don’t let me discourage you! In fact, I hope you do it! If you’re one of the brave souls venturing on the journey into the writing wilderness, I’ve got a few tips to give you before you go!

       

1.   Always pack lots of food! When you’re writing, give yourself a goal, and rewarded yourself with a treat when you’ve reached that goal! When I did NaNoWriMo, I had a bag of chips and a movie waiting for me every ten thousand words. It felt good to celebrate after sitting at the computer for hours! So, I seriously encourage you to find some treat and award yourself once you reach your goal! (Just remember: you don’t have to make it every 10k! Every 5k or even 1k is awesome if it helps you write!)

2.       Pack a No-Sleep. If you’re like me and you decide to get 20k behind on NaNo, be sure you have a Monster, or coffee, or Redbull, or some form of liquid No-sleep. It will come in handy when you have to pull all-nighters. This leads us to the next helpful tip….

3.      DON’T GET LOST! I mean, come on; don’t fall behind! Like I said earlier, I got 20k behind on my NaNo before I finally decided that I really wanted to finish. Don’t let this happen to you! It will lead to you writing nonsensical stuff at four in the morning! I’d suggest trying to reach 2k each day to make sure you’re able to finish. 

4.      Say goodbye to your family and friends. Oh, you’re brothers birthday is during Camp NaNo? I DON’T CARE! Wish him an early, “Happy birthday, bro!” and be on your way! (Okay, maybe go out for some cake and ice cream…) But seriously, you have to let your family and friends know that you’re going to be crazy busy during Camp NaNo, and make sure they know not to disturbed you.

 5.      Make extra copies of your work. This is another mistake I made during NaNoWriMo: I lost my first 10K. Yes, indeed I did. It was a horrible, horrible feeling. I wouldn’t want anyone else to have to lose their hard work! So make copies of your work! Send it to a trust-worthy friend, save it in your email, your facebook, and in multiple different docs. I don’t care how you do it; just make sure it’s done!

Now, I feel like those are enough tips to send you on your way! Good luck with Camp NaNo, and happy writing!

Believe in the impossible is to make it possible.