Yay, we're up to ten threads! Should we celebrate? Helen, got any purple cream pies left?

I don't have much to report on my writing of book three. I seem to have reached a point near to the end where I feel very constrained to stop and look at what I've done so far. I'm printing it out and have decided to spend a quiet weekend re-reading books one and two, then following on immediately into what I've written for book three. (this also serves the dual purpose of refreshing my mind and leading it back into book two for any publicity interviews I might be doing)

I know how I want the trilogy to end, but I have this very strong feeling that I need to make sure I haven't missed anything. It was so long ago that I started

I've done most of this on intuition, so it seems stupid to ignore it now.

Alyson, I know on one of these threads you told me about the Harelquin Dreamscapes line. I've checked it out. Thanks so much for that. It does look intriguing . Will get the guidelines, if there are any, and think about that. I have an urge to write something short next so that might just get it out of my system. A nice, strongly-focused romance with a great fantasy background. Anyway, will let you know how I go.

well reaching the point of number 10 PMusers, well done on all our behalf!
2 days and counting.... and will welcome the chance to write DH! I may even finish it before i return to uni! can only hope!
booked myself into the Popular Writers seminars... its a pity that they clash with two fantasy talks each morning, but the seminars are most important for me!

well, i was walking around work last night, as i do every night, and for some reason a i was thinking about the cafe muse story, and if we collected all stories for publication, what the title might.... for reason, "By My Muse" sprung to mind! I like this, but there is something i dont like about it, i think because the two words, By and My are together... what does everyone think? Any other ideas?

How about, "Buy my Muse", Timna! It may at some deep level, get people to pay for it!

deb

guess we should all write the stories yet! lol

wow.. i really have to say it!! i bought that computer on saturday and i don't believe i have writen that much in one sitting in the last 2 years!! i just kept writing and writing, editing and fixing lol... my boyfriend had trouble getting me off the thing! that typewriter has been sent back to where it came from and i'm no longer having to re-type pages for errors.. its just fantastic!! i don't know what i was thinking, when i began using that typewriter.. lol. and plus, knowing that i can go somewhere peaceful on the weekend now and still type - i love that idea!! laptops are so handy, you can do almost anything with them and take them wherever you want! i love it.. and i'm going to get this novel finished because its what i love!!

just had to say that!
Kerrie

That is great Kerrie. They are heaven sent little things. Those these days i also like to write out long handed ideas. The story is all typed though.
have fun......

ok well so far i havent worked on my book since my brainstorming incident at the train station about 2 months ago...but as soon as my exams are over... in 2 weeks time...it will replace the time i would normally have spent at uni or studying...at least until uni starts back up and i decide a routine to fit the both of them into my day.

heres what i have done so far though: ive written my prologue and most of the first chapter. i did this over a year ago and mostly it just sets out who the main character is and what she's been through. but ive since written up an entire plan on what i want the story to be about. ive already meantioned that it is a psychological thriller... which comes from my studies as a psychology student...but my main purpose is to create something that is strongly emotional and discriptive.

i allowed my boyfriend to read what i have written so far last weekend... in his opinion its definately coming along well so thats one more person who will help me stay on track!

Though I would love nothing more than to have family and friends read my novel and let me know what they think - I personally think it's a lot harder as they can't really come out and give constructive criticism too well - thinking they will hurt your feelings or such. Even though my partner and I love to help one another out, I had him read my manuscript almost a year ago now and he said he couldn't think of anything 'constructive' to say. Personally, I think it was a good thing that I had him read it, as it proved to me that if someone loves you, they don't want to hurt you or get your hopes up. I found it a valuable experience and therefore, won't show anything I write seriously, to those that i love or care for, because when the time comes, any criticism is avoided as much as possible, and it's the one thing good writers need.

i have actually had a few other people in the past read my book so far... some of which i knew would be brutally honest if i told them to...ex bfs, friends ect lol most people are too scared to hurt your feelings if you asked them what they think. you're very right there kerrie but you just gotta pick the right people. in the case of my boyfriend simon, he is a very honest person. sometimes too honest and he really liked it. i actually think he found that darker side to me fascinating as he spent the next few hours reading other things i had written. but in the past the only criticism i have recieved from this current project is that it is extremely discriptive..yet it was not criticism as such... just the thing that really stood out in this persons mind upon reading it...but to me that wasnt at all a bad thing because it was exactly what i was aiming for therefore it actually made me feel even more confident in my writing.

definitely purple cream pies all round with glow in the dark hundreds and thousand on top!!!!!!!
Three cheers for all those who dare to follow their dreams!!!
Biggest cream pie to a our fearless leader Lou!
and congrats to us all on 10 project must threads

even though i had decided not to get into my writing until my holidays started i couldnt resist so tonight i started up where i left off a year or two ago. i have so far written an extra 500 words which isnt very much but compared to the possible zero which i was expecting to have added at this stage i think its quite a good effort. i find it flows quite well despite the huge break between starting the story. but i came to a realisation. often i base my characters on someone i know... and use aspects of their personality to get a stronger sense of character in my stories. well one of the characters in my book has changed more than once but at this eary stage that has been easy but now that i have found my exact storyline, the person whom this character was based upon is no longer someone who i would feel as comfortable using as my insperation. he is still in my life, but i also have a most amazing boyfriend now who doesnt quite fit the hard exterior of this other person. hmm im not sure whether i should modify the storyline slightly or stick to the original inspiration. argh... what a dilema :-S haha obviously i am far too analytical to be thinking so hard about something so trivial! perhaps i should learn to make my characters completely seperate from my own life. that would make it easier but i dont feel i could write as strongly if i were to do that!

Glad we're all celebrating our ten threads, and also pleased to hear that your laptop is helping you enjoy your writing so much Kerrie.

Holly, you sound like you're having an interesting time of it. Characters based on real live people can be great for firing your imagination, but sometimes they drift away from the impression you began with and start to become 'real'. Don't worry too much if that's happening. You can always go back later and change the beginning if it doesn' feel right. But if you change it now, and then your character metamorphasises again, you'll be forever editing! Try to let the story carry you away and don't worry too much at this stage about character changes. Just enjoy it and let it happen. So pleased that you could just pick it up where you left if off so long ago. It must be strong in your mind.

Re critiquing, I guess I've been lucky in that I joined a writer's critique group very early in my career so my family and friends have only seen my published work. My critique group saw the drafts and that was great because they were honest with me and writing themselves so they knew what to look for. If you've got someone you can swap work with who will help you see your strengths and point our areas for improvement, it can be so beneficial. If not, you just have to trust your own judgement (and even after a critique you decide what you change anyway).

So looking forward to our project muse meeting. One sleep to go!

whats this Lou? is it another chat meeting or a special post?

kerrie.

I ended up writing about 1000 words last night. thats a pretty good effort with the amount of uni work i have right now. but in relation to my last post about the character and who it was based on, this person is still a strong part of my life, so its not such a big dilema. but that character doesnt appear in the book for quite some time yet so i dont have any immediate need for concern. i just find that by basing my characters upon someone who i actually know, i can develop a far more realistic storyline, but at the same time the people they are based on would probably never experience that in which my characters experience. its just a good feeling to be back on track after all this time. i have never really had a great deal of support in my writing, execpt for the slight encouragement my mother and brother have given at times, but i have found that right now i have more support than i could ever imagined, both by joining this group and by having a very supportive, encouraging boyfriend to help me along the way. but the extent of where that support takes me all comes down to me in the end and my own strong desires to finish what i have begun!

You said it, Holly. No matter what encouragement we give each other, it's still up to us to do the actual work. We can be supportive, but we can't write someone else's story. It's good to remember that, because sometimes support can make you feel invincible, but the truth of the matter is you still have to make yourself vulnerable by writing and submitting, even if it's only to a critique partner/group.

I'm so pleased that everyone is so enthusiastic. That positive energy is really great to ride along on. And I'm doing just that

I agree with being selective about who you let read your work. Close friends and family are not who I would choose. They often don't want to hurt your feelings and so dodge and hedge any problems they saw rather than coming out and say things like..."This bit just didn't make sense..." or "I couldn't follow this part..."

But then you have the other side of letting the lay person read your work...and that is jealosy. Sometimes people can get evious of your dream, your effort, your enthousiasm and work and they become bitter and say nasty things that were not warranted.
Been there on both accounts.

What we need is solid support and honest opinion. And remember that's what it often is...just their opinion. Not many people are professionals who can see a story in all its complexity...and this includes grammer, structure, etc.

Just my thoughts....

deb

Good thoughts Deb. I really does depend on what your personality is like as to how you should go about getting critique. If you're super-sensitive to criticism, you should probably pay an assessor, because you're more likely to trust their opinion (they can't have an ulterior motive because they don't know you) and you won't feel personally slighted. If you can take the hard knocks, then show it to whoever you like, but just try not to get confused. A lot of feedback can send you spinning, particularly if you don't have a
'feel' for whether the criticism is warranted or not. If a couple of people say, "This bit is a little boring" and you were worried about it being slow yourself, then it's an easy decision. But if you get a lot of conflicting feedback, or feedback from one person whose idea of the story is completely different to your own (they wish it was more romantic, more intrigue, whatever) it can push you in directions you hadn't meant to go in.

Having said all that, I think that critique is invaluable, particularly as a developing writer. I think it would have taken me much longer to become published if I hadn't been part of an honest, supportive crit group.

How did you become a part of your crit groups in the first place Louise? Maybe that's something for Sunday's chats. How far do you go with showing tham what you've done? How often do you meet? Interesting....

My first real critique was a first three chapters comp for a romance in which I had of course decided that the rules were not for me and my story was so fab I did not need the main characters to meet until halfway through the second chapter as the secondary characters were so wonderful... yadda yadda yadda

The critique was clear, and concise with two judges giving the same advice and after being most unimpressed I knew they were very much on the money. Now this is the same story (now heavily edited to within the 'guidleines') M&B are looking at now so without the critique I would have been rejected very quickly.

Yay!

See that just shows your are meant to be a writer, Alyson. You looked for imput on a story, they told you the truth, you sulked for a bit, then took the advice and rolled with it. Now look at how far that story has made it. Good for you!!!!!!

deb

You gotta sulk. I think that's par for the course. If you didn't pout when your precious baby was humiliated with criticism, you wouldn't be human.

Re the crit group, I answered an ad at the Gold Coast "Writers at the Fair" about eleven years ago for people who were interested in joining a support group for romance writers. I'd just short listed in a Mills&Boon short story comp so I figured I was near publication standard (so not) and I joined. Over the years the membership of the group has changed, but for the last few years we've had the same six members and we know each other inside out. It's great when someone knows you well enough to kick you up the bum when you're procrastinating and say "You do this at the start of every book" - can't argue with that. But we're also very sensitive to each others moods and needs for support and motivation. It's like a family, really. And our patron is the wonderful Helen Bianchin who is one of Harlequin's top authors world wide. I used to be so in awe of the fact that I got to see her every month. Now she's my good friend and such a wonderful role model.

So, having had a wonderful experience with critique/support groups, I'm all for them. However, I have heard of unpleasant stories so you need to pick your group carefully.

I was looking through some of my old disks last night and found alot of old story beginnings and ideas..along with the old scripts kerrie and I used to write. Had quite a laugh but at the same time i found a story that i had made quite a progress on back a few years. its 37 000+ words already and it definately has potentional to go places. I gave it a quick read through last night and did a bit of editing and in that short time I was able to see all the places i could take that story.

There's only one problem now... which story do I focus on first... my masterpiece that i have not done a great deal on at this stage or this old one that i could probably have written much quicker! im thinking that as complicated as it will be i might work on them both, depending on the mood at the time. They are both completely different genres and styles so it wont be too confusing I dont think! I'll see how I go and keep you all posted.

Holidays begin in a week and a half... 2 solid weeks of writing ahead of me!

Good luck trying to write two at once, Holly! If you get stuck, ask Alyson. She's our resident expert at multi-tasking stories. Isn't it nice that we all have our areas of expertise?

Re the critiquing Alyson, I think I only answered half your question. My crit group was instrumental in getting me to publication standard, but they didn't actually do a lot of critique on Destiny, because I was working with Kim at that stage. I still do look at their work, however, as it's romance and nothing like what I'm doing and perhaps there may still be pieces I write that I'll need them to crit for me. I'd feel comfortable with that, and I find that I learn so much by looking at their work, that it's definitely worth the time involved. And it does take time. The average romance 60-80,000 words can take 20 hours to do a proper crit on. By the time you read it for the overview and make comments, then go over it again and write on the manuscript - not line editing, just pointing out areas where the characterisation isn't working or the plot is thin etc - it's a long tiring process. And so much harder than editing your own work because you need to think about how the recipient will feel about your comments, so they need to be couched in a constructive and helpful manner. Not "I hate this guy, he's an idiot" (which I have seen written on a manuscript) but "the hero's motivation seems self-serving and that makes me lose sympathy with him as a character - maybe if you could explain why he's doing this or change his action to benefit the heroine" You get the idea.

If there was anything else you wanted to know, Alyson, do ask.

Holly, yes I am the queen of flitting between stories. I have mainstream, romance, fantasy and children's all going at once! Just be careful not to move onto one because it tickles you fancy if it means you are not completing the first one. It's too easy to get caught up in the new idea. And completing a story is our goal.

Louise, thanks so much for all that info about critique/writing groups. I've never really been a part of one so it's good to know what a successful one is like. I have been part of writing teams putting together TV skit show an the like and therefore know what unsuccessful groups can be like! Lucky I was able to take a step back and see the group wasn't working rather than getting bogged down for too long!

Thanks for that Alyson and yeah i know what you mean but i have a feeling im definately not going to get side tracked from my original goal since thats the best work ive done so far. the other one is just something i want to finish for myself, that i'd probably never attempt to publish. id just be happy with the knowledge of having finished something i started so long ago.

i cant wait until my holidays. having to study instead of write is driving me insane!

It is frustrating isn't it, Holly, when you have a story bubbling around inside your mind and you have other priorites that need doing first?
I have noticed that everyone here - even Lou - has to organise their writing around either family, work and or study.
You obviously have the drive to fit in as much writing as you can between your everyday life. Good luck on your holidays and I hope you get tonnes done everyday!

How is everyone else going with their "Book in a year" project? Even if you are not writing at the moment keep those imaginations flying because even that helps your novel come to life.

I am up to 58,500 words now. Slow but sure...that's me! Trying to fit writing around the school holidays at the moment.

Take care

deb

nearing the 60k mark there, Deb. Do let us know when you cross it. That will be cause for celebration!

I've re-read books one and two and will be starting to read my draft of book three next week. Like you, Deb, I'm finding the school holidays to be not the most conducive to working. My guys are usually great and just get on with things, but perhaps because they're older they need more pick-ups and drop offs, appointments etc. Never mind. Only another week and they're back at school. In the meantimes it's lovely to spend time with them having fun rather than my usual conversation, "Have you cleaned your room/done your homework/fed your animals/etc"

Deb, I'm so excited you are 'bubbling' again. Pick up that feeling and run with it! And yes please do let us know when you hit 60K.

Holly, I reckon you can get them both published! Why the heck not! If you love the story many other will too.

Maybe i will publish them both. possibly under different names though because they are very different genres. i dont want to confuse people too much! lol

but right now im an hour away from my first exam for the week. its worth 60%. is it just me or does that seem like a hell of a lot of weighting for a single assessment? ahh well... i'll do fine! its only IT

Yes, Holly go for broke - publish them both. Why not!!! It is no use having half hearted ambition. If you are going to dream then I reckon we should dream big! In Senstadium, like at the cinemas maybe!

Alyson...writing again... so she will catch my word count!!! YIKES! I better get a wriggle on then. Can't have that.

deb

Finally hit the 60,000 word mark this afternoon. I would have earlier this morning but I deleted the chapter I wrote yesterday. I just didn't sit right with me.
Probably won't get much done tomorrow as I have grand intentions of taking the kids to see that movie Spirit. You know the horse one. I'd much rather see Men in Black 2 on Wednesday but I am only the mother in this house.

deb

Yay, Deb!!!! You ROCK!!!!!!!!! I am soooooo proud of you. 60000 is a huge deal. That's a whole book in category romance! And it only took you 6 months with stops and starts and fix-ups. That is such an amzing effort. In 6 months time when you hit 120000 I think I will faint in excitement!

If only I knew how to do your little smiley face rock band they would be singing at the top of their lungs right now!

I have been sick with flu and hospital and doctor appointments for the past few weeks and haven't been at motivated as i would have liked over that period of time. I came home sick from work today and despite beign sick, I managed to type a further 300-400 words in just over an hour. I was pretty happy with myself, considering my head feels horribly stuffy and heavy at the moment. so now, my word count is 37,000+ So that's my "Something TO Celebrate!" Lol.

We all deserve a glass of champers!

Kerrie

Oh you poor thing, Kerrie.
But look at what you have managed to get done despite all the rotten things you have been through lately. You go girl!
37,000+ words is brilliant... So many people have a great idea for a plot, start out like a bullet train and then fizzle out before they reach that amount of words. You should be so proud to be so motivated.

deb

Deb, your words are so kind. Thankyou! I just phoned in sick and hopefully can rest up today. I wanted to let you all know that Michael got the internet set up for me on the laptop, so here I am writing a response on it at this very moment

Lou? Just want you to know that your site inspires me in so many ways that I have actually made it my homepage! Thanks for all your help and now I must get up and make Michael some pancakes, hmm, doesn't the thought of laying in bed and resting run away with you sometimes?!

Hopefully I can make it to the chat this Sunday evening as I have been unable to get on lately. Hope you are all keeping well and writing when the chance comes up,

Kerrie:)

You are sick, Kerrie but are making HIM pancakes!!!!! Terrible...tell him to make you some, 'cause 'you is a sick little thing' who needs some mothering.

Hit 61,500 words this afternoon!!!! YAY for me.
There you go, Alyson! They are rocking their socks off!

deb

Because Deb made 60K!!!!

Woohoo. You go girl. I'm SO excited for you. That's half a book. (or a whole category romance - Alyson's right). Very exciting stuff. I'm so pleased you're on a roll now. There's nothing better, it just gets those endorphins roaring around and you feel like "the king of the world". (okay, I watched Titanic - but it is a great movie, even if Leonardo does look half her age)

Holly, I hope your exams went well. I'm sure they will. You sounded so confident. And Kerrie, I have to agree - what are you doing making pancakes when you're sick? That's his job! And providing a cuppa and some sympathy too.

Alyson, haven't heard much from you on how you're going with your story/s. Are you feeling well again now? And getting any writing done? Or having a think about things (which is important too). Do let us know.

Well, my work is going slowly because of the school holidays (and my birthday yesterday which was so relaxing and just so much fun - although I did eat way too much cake) so I'm promising myself I'll just enjoy the kids while they're home and get back to cracking the whip when they go back next week. I'm getting about three hours worth of work done a day, so that's something! Looking forward to finishing these read-throughs and getting back to writing the ending. It's much clearer now and more focused, which is good. I just always feel a little anxious when I'm not actually typing (even after all these years it still feels like I'm not working), so that will fade when I get back to the actual writing again.

The ideas are non-stop for the next trilogy, though, so I'm happy about that. It shouldn't take me much time at all to get it into shape and start writing book one after Glimmer in the Maelstrom is posted away.

There's nothing quite like the lure of the next story, is there?

well i finally got some time on the net and was permitted into the messageboard.... so an update...
Ive been working on an old horse story called 'Wild Spirit' as well as planning to get 'Dream Hunters' and my two assignments for Writing School out of the way. Also have Cafe Muse to consider. But i am of course not without an imagination to lead me to slumber after a big day.
Am writing a little each day as to get into the habit, yet have no idea when anything will be finished!

Well done Deb. You are on a role! PARTY!

Exams are half way through now. got another in half an hour. On monday i flew through my IT exam. And yesterday I managed to produce quite a good literature exam so now its just history and politics to go. im only dreading politics! Thats one subject i would never have studied by choice :-S

But next year i will be where i want to be, back studying psychology. in fact i'll be doing that next semester also...but not an actual psych degree! so until then i just have to grin and bare it!

I hope everyone is well and keep up the good work

Holly xx

Thanks, Lou, Alyson and Timna for the lovely supporting words. Trying hard to get this book - at least this first draft completed.

Holly, hope the exams go well.

Timna, I don't know how you manage to juggle all you do and still manage to write each day! YaY for you!

Glad you're almost finished your "re-reads", Louise. Everything will be fresh in your mind so you can gather up all the threads through all three novels and make for a WOW finish.

How are you going, Alyson? Still unwell and unable to write? Hope you get hopping soon.

Helen and Fi...hope all is well and you're both happy.

Kerrie, still cooking pancakes??? Hope you're well too now.

deb

We are doing so well, coaxing one another along with our manuscripts this way! I'm beginning to get tingling sensation in my finger tips again! I just want all of you to know that I didn't end up making pancakes, but I sat a plate full of toast infront of him and told Michael to butter it himself! Aren't we feisty?! Lol

Alison You are remarkable I have to ask, how do you concentrate on so many pieces and yet, never mirror characters in each story? If it were me, I'd have a lot of trouble with it! I think I would make a character in one story and like them so much that I would end up using them in another story.. It must be wonderful to have the talent you do!!

Louise Please let us know how your re-reads are coming along. I never knew how much fun editing could be! Now that i'm editing second chapter at the moment, things are begining to spice up that little bit and I think I can definately get this story to where I want it in due time and hard work.

And a BIG congratulations to Deb! That is just fantastic reaching a word mark of 60,000+!! I'm glad it is coming along so well and making it over that little hill can only prepare you and help you look forward to the next hill! Good work Deb!!

Holly It's a bit unfortunate that uni takes up so much time, isn't it. But just think - you have weeks ahead of you that will allow you to write like crazy while you're on break. And I, personally can't wait to read some of your manuscript and ideas! I really think you have this in you - we all do! I think if time allowed us, we'd all sit infront of our computers all day, don't you agree? Can't wait to get together!

And Timna, You are a very busy woman! This can only tell me that you are a much loved person Please, tell us some more about your novel and how far you have come with it. I think time is our only enemy throughout all of this. There just isn't enough time in the day for us all to enjoy the one thing we all have in common. But, let it not put a stop to our enthusiasm - we have books to write and a deadline ahead of us

Take care of yourselves and stay far from flu Lol

Kerrie

You guys are so hyper, it makes me dizzy! I am feeling infinitely better thank-you all very much! Still woozy and sniffly but I am walking on air compared with last week's walking death!
Have a friend from Sydney stay 3 days the day I got back from Brissy. She left, 2 friends from Brissy tunred up and stayed for five days. They left tonight now a Melbourne friend is staying for a week while he changes address. It's not terribly conducive to writing when my laptop is between the kitchen and the living room. Hmmm...

But whilst sick was watching a doco on history channel about Henry VIII then remembered the second book of a fantasy trilogy idea I had a couple of months ago is set at that time. So I sat on my laptop and wrote research notes as the doco played. Then typed Chapter One in a file and wrote. Wrote what will now be the prologue and I love it. ~500 words but first thing since I've been sick. Not romance but very very moving and sensory and evocative - Deb would be proud. I can't wait to dedicate my time to this trilogy! But I will wait! Gosh I'm tough.

I love it when the right documentry comes up to help and inspire an idea for a story. Great that that one came up for you, Alyson.

I didn't get much time to write the last couple of days, but in the time I did squeeze in, I managed to get the word count to 62,500 or so words now! HEE!

deb

I'm so thrilled that everyone is so 'up' about their writing. That's great. And isn't it funny when coincidences like that doco come along, Alyson. It's like that saying "when the student is ready, the teacher will arrive". That's happened to me a lot in my life - I need a bit of info and boom, I meet someone who's got it. Or someone tells me about a movie or a lecture and I go to it and pick up just the idea I need to pull some threads together. I think it must be an instinct thing. Particularly with writing, because you never really know which bits and pieces will end up in your stories. But do you ever get that 'this is important' feeling when you're watching something and you have no idea why. But you watch it carefully and maybe take notes just in case, and then sure enough later on it's useful.

I wish all education was like that, allowing people to follow their interests and study the things that they feel drawn to. That's what I love about writing, having the freedom to follow up whims simply because they interest me, and knowing I can legitimately call it research because it's sure to turn up in my stories at some point.

Writing is just the best job in the world.

I so agree with that instinctive feeling of 'this is important'. I came up with the idea for this trilogy sitting in a movie theatre and wrote notes in the dark (they luckily made sense when I came out). I've done a very little beginning research for this idea and the information out there is amazing - some fabulous little snippets that will make the book very grand and intriguing! But ... must finish next romance first. No harm in taking notes until I'm ready though...hee!

"Must finish" is good guilt at work. And making notes and then leaving it alone gives it time to percolate in your mind before you start - very important in the creative process. Do you have a title yet, Alyson?

Yay i finally got back into my writing again last night. i got another 2500 words done so thats an ok first step. so far i've done about 10 000 words,which isnt much, but i have hardly written anything on this story since yr 11 so its a start!

anyways i hope everyone is well and writing away

Yes, writing away at this end Holly. And don't be bashful - 10,000 words is a milestone. The first 10K are always the hardest for me, the rest seems to be downhill! So don't think it's not much. And glad to hear you're still enjoying the story. That's so important.

Of course I havea title! 99% of the time the title comes to me and the story comes from there. The trilogy is: Castle Keep, BookOne: Castle Keep or Keepsake, BookTwo: Night Stairs, BookThree: The Keystone. Based in the one castle each book 400 years after the other. 1100s, 1500s, 1900s and following some secret magic thing throughout the years which is kept in the castle and protected by whomever lives there at the time.

Yay! I love it, Alyson. Not only are the titles catchy and snappy they make me want to run out and buy them.
And the plot, I love that too!

deb

Alyson, I smell romance even though you haven't mentioned a single character. The titles say it all. Very evocative. Great stuff.

Alison,
Those titles are just fantastic! I have never thought about writing a trilogy, though you make the namesake of them sound so flowingly - I will attempt one, one of these days! You see, the one thing that really draws me to a trilogy is the fact that you can create them in any time zone, in the 1400's, 1700's.. I find the idea so dreamy, when i think of travelling that far back in time and yes, along with the dramas people must face - think of the Romance! sigh who else here gets the same feeling?! I finished reading Marianna lastnight ( i think that's less than a week, though i can't be sure ) oh.. how i wish my 'soulmate' would have swept me off my feet like Richard did to Marianna (sorry guys! i think i'm very attached to this novel!!) when i first read Marianna, some two years ago, i found that i was unable to read another novel for months after - as i kept thinking about all the characters, they held so much appeal to me! and now, hmm, i think it may have happened again - even though i should have learned through past experience! I just fall inlove with characters so easy.. and its terribly heart-breaking when you have to close the book for a final time sob sob Gosh, have a listen to me!! Well, for a post originally about trilogy's, I haven't done bad Lol. Sorry for babbling, though i think i need a bit of a break before attempting my novel right now.. too much romance in my mind! (should say it all)

Keep well,
Kerrie.

well, its great to be back online. Ive been so busy these past few days, but all in good cause.
One : am writing each day. Dream Hunters is already surprising me with every turn. Its great. [ i posted alittle in another post for you guys to see. ]
two : my horses. have started working my horse, Kat. She's going nicely. I work her every Mon, Wed and Fri.
three : exams! I passed everything. And considering i almost withdrew from Chemistry after a night a bloody awful tears and fist full of papers, i made it! I owe it all to my spirit guide. Thank you Lupus!
and Four : work. It never stops does it?

Ok, i know i said i would have the summary from the PWF up by tuesday, but you'll have to wait alittle longer. sorry guys! Sunday, i promise!

i dont know how i do it either. ive always been busy. But by writing alittle each day, you build the picture with each step. this group is very helpful for keeping people on track.
thanks all.

Wow! You've all got me terribly excited by my Castle Keep trilogy!!! Everyday I see things and hear things that relate to those books so I'm adding snippets to my research file all the time.

Castle Keep: 1100s - the castle is owned by a favoured night of the King who gives him the land. It is about a guy called Chance who owns the castle, very wealthy, friends stay there and live there for great periods, very debonair. He is writing a book which sends him quietly mad and he becomes a recluse. Has no family but constantly has stream of visitors, sort of waystation - young, inherited money, mothers want to marry him off to their daughters. Girl is Isabeau.

Night Stairs: 1500s - the castle is now a monastery. It is about a monk called Aubrey who is a protector of books, they reprint the special ones by hand. One monk kills himself and it is left to Aubrey to protect this one particular book. Set at the time of the dissolution of the monestaries so very difficult.

The Keystone: 1900s - the castle is now an exclusive private school. It is a about a girl called Phoebe who is studying history and decides to do her thesis on the history of the castle keep of the college. And she stumbles upon more than she bargained for...

What do ya think?

Alison,
Fantastic!!! OH i wish i were able to think up an original piece, that could divide into three wonderful books, though i have trouble doing it.. just the though will keep me at it though It all sounds so overwhelming to me.. very very special moment!

i have just completed my first short story clap for ciarrai it is all too wonderful at the moment. set at the current date, it is simply about a man and wife on their 10th year anniversary. the wife has an awful day (many things happen to her) and comes home to find her husband had waited for her all evening, but instead took the children out, so the reservations at the restaurant would not be wasted. sigh well, i was quite suprised, seeming as the the story reaches not far over 1,600 words. Not bad And you know, theres that short story comp coming up, so i might paste this short story up on my website and try to write another to send off in the comp. well, i can hardly wait to get stuck into it all tonight

Good going, Ali!! keep it up!

Kerrie.

Kerrie, just remember if you posty a story on your website it has been 'published' and you will not be able to sell it elsewhere. Worth keeping hold of it just in case.

Thanks for reminding me Aly. I'm lucky I mention things on here as you all tell me what to look out for! I've still no luck in tracking down a nice writing group in the Brisbane area. I'm willing to travel as far as Toowong to Woolloongabba, as I shouldn't stray too far from home, especially without a car for transport. I think I will phone up some more of the groups tonight and decide on one, as I can't help but feel like I'm doing nothing constructive with the time I have allocated for writing lately. I need to re-assess the direction to 'Lost Hearts' to see where i want to go with the plot. At the moment I've so many ideas in mind and I need to sit down and sort them all out. So that's priority number two!

Aly, your trilogy is so great - I couldn't stop thinking about your storyline and ideas lastnight! Its just.. wow! lol. I could actually go to sleep and dream about castles after you told us about it. sigh

Well, I hope you are all well and writing to your hearts content,

Kerrie

I know we've got a new thread, but I just had to add here how wonderful your trilogy sounds, Alyson. If I was a publisher and I read that short synopsis I'd want to see the rest. No wonder you're having such success getting HM&B to request manuscripts. You have a talent for making the story sound interesting and intriguing.

Thanks guys. Your encouragement is so sweet. Sorry I gushed my idea onto the page so messily yet fully! But I am so full of ideas about it I'm practically ready to burst.