Tuesday, 7 February 2017
Moving Home
I have decided to move my blog over to Wordpress. I've really enjoyed having my blog here but it just feels like time to move house as it were. Its still a work in progress but I would love it if you would follow my new blog. You'll find it at Colette McCormick on books and life in general and I hope to see you there,
Friday, 13 January 2017
New Year New Start
New year new start and all that isn't that what they say. Not quite sure who 'they' are but they seem to know what they/re talking about.
As far as I can see (though I've had nothing from the publishers yet) 'Things I Should Have Said and Done' is not yet setting the literary world on fire. So, with the dawn of the new year I decided to grasp the nettle and publicise it more. Someone who read it said that I should so I'm taking their advice. Thank you very much 'GB of Brandon.'
I was interviewed by the editor of the local paper that comes out in the Dales last week and there will be an article plus a review in the edition out on 25th of this month. It's not The Times Literary Supplement but its a start. Actually, Anita the editor was lovely and when she offered to do the piece I nearly snatched her hand off. I've also applied to go and speak to the WI. A writer of note (and dozens of books suggested that I do that and I have to say the process is a bit daunting. You fill the form in, telling them what you're going to talk about, then there's how long you'll speak for and your fee etc. etc. I've done all that and now I'm just waiting for it to go before the committee.
I've never liked being the centre of attention so I'm finding it a bit hard to get my head around.
On a different note, my current WIP has had a third (or is it fourth) and FINAL incarnation but I finally feel happy with it.
On that note I have half an hour before I need to go and make lunch (I do that on my day's off from the day job) and I'm eager to go and see what Danny is up to.
As far as I can see (though I've had nothing from the publishers yet) 'Things I Should Have Said and Done' is not yet setting the literary world on fire. So, with the dawn of the new year I decided to grasp the nettle and publicise it more. Someone who read it said that I should so I'm taking their advice. Thank you very much 'GB of Brandon.'
I was interviewed by the editor of the local paper that comes out in the Dales last week and there will be an article plus a review in the edition out on 25th of this month. It's not The Times Literary Supplement but its a start. Actually, Anita the editor was lovely and when she offered to do the piece I nearly snatched her hand off. I've also applied to go and speak to the WI. A writer of note (and dozens of books suggested that I do that and I have to say the process is a bit daunting. You fill the form in, telling them what you're going to talk about, then there's how long you'll speak for and your fee etc. etc. I've done all that and now I'm just waiting for it to go before the committee.
I've never liked being the centre of attention so I'm finding it a bit hard to get my head around.
On a different note, my current WIP has had a third (or is it fourth) and FINAL incarnation but I finally feel happy with it.
On that note I have half an hour before I need to go and make lunch (I do that on my day's off from the day job) and I'm eager to go and see what Danny is up to.
Monday, 2 January 2017
First of the Year
Belated Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all. Sorry I've not been around much in the last six weeks or so.
Its just that the book was published and I've been trying to do promotional stuff for that and I've been trying to get to grips with book 3 at the same time. On top of that there's been work, Christmas blah blah blah. Sorry don't mean to make excuses. Hope you all had a good one. Personally I had a fab Christmas and am feeling positive about 2017 though we are only two days in. So far so good.
The thing is, it has been suggested to me that a book blog would be a good idea. A place where I can tell you about this book and the subsequent ones and people can ask questions etc etc. However at the minute I don't think a lot of people have read the book (judging by the number of reviews) so it might be that I'd be talking to myself which, I am assured, is the first sign of madness.
Even though I'm not here as often as I would like I'm reluctant to give up this blog, its like an old friend, so my question is do I set up a new blog and keep them both or is there a way of incorporating the two. Or, just to throw this out there, do you think a blog specifically for the books is unnecessary, like I said I could be talking to myself.
Its just that the book was published and I've been trying to do promotional stuff for that and I've been trying to get to grips with book 3 at the same time. On top of that there's been work, Christmas blah blah blah. Sorry don't mean to make excuses. Hope you all had a good one. Personally I had a fab Christmas and am feeling positive about 2017 though we are only two days in. So far so good.
The thing is, it has been suggested to me that a book blog would be a good idea. A place where I can tell you about this book and the subsequent ones and people can ask questions etc etc. However at the minute I don't think a lot of people have read the book (judging by the number of reviews) so it might be that I'd be talking to myself which, I am assured, is the first sign of madness.
Even though I'm not here as often as I would like I'm reluctant to give up this blog, its like an old friend, so my question is do I set up a new blog and keep them both or is there a way of incorporating the two. Or, just to throw this out there, do you think a blog specifically for the books is unnecessary, like I said I could be talking to myself.
Sunday, 20 November 2016
What a week.
Its been a week to remember make no mistake.
On Tuesday my book (previously known as BTL) Things I Should Have Said and Done, was published by the lovely people at Accent Press
On Tuesday my book (previously known as BTL) Things I Should Have Said and Done, was published by the lovely people at Accent Press
which made me very happy. I've also been out and about in Blogland and have visited (in no particular order) weheartwriting, My Reading Corner, Swirl and Thread and the first people to invite me over The Guest Room at Wannabeawriter. There was also flowers and lunch out with Mr Mc on Friday and I understand there'll be a champagne breakfast this morning.
It wasn't all good news though. On Wednesday I had a cracked tooth and a warning light on the car on Thursday. Happily both rectified now - so bring on the champagne.
Sunday, 30 October 2016
First review
Read my first Goodreads review here. Also I see that the publishers are going a giveaway. Cause for a tipple I think.
Dreams
Can't believe its just over two weeks until the renamed BTL sees the light of day as a real live book. Who says dreams don't some true? I spent a bot of time thinking about this when I woke up at 3am because my internal clock is still running on BST. I wonder how it will feel to see the first copy - a bit like getting my first plastic fiver I expect - a bit unreal. It also occurred to me that this time next year my third book will be (if it has been delivered on time) in the hands of the publishers and I will be out of contract. That made me a bit sad - well a lot sad really if I'm honest because I'm enjoying the ride - so far. I still don't think of myself as a writer though. Inside I think I'm still that 'Gonna Be..' that I was when I started this blog.
Sunday, 23 October 2016
This and that
Several things have happened since I was last here.
We went to The Lakes for a few days, the weather was kind to us and it was lovely. I planned on putting a picture here but just remembered that they are saved on my laptop and I'm on Mr Mc's. Never mind imagine blue lake, blie sky with mountains in the background - it was very pretty.
After that I went back to work and hurt my shoulder. Its a common occurrence but seems to be taking longer to heal this time. It happens when you play netball with 7kg bags of rags.
I'm working on the first draft of DB and so far so good nut its very early days and I had a call from Accent on Friday saying that TISHSaD is ready to go to print. Yay!
Think that's the last few weeks up in a nutshell so now it's time to catch up on what everyone else has been up to.
We went to The Lakes for a few days, the weather was kind to us and it was lovely. I planned on putting a picture here but just remembered that they are saved on my laptop and I'm on Mr Mc's. Never mind imagine blue lake, blie sky with mountains in the background - it was very pretty.
After that I went back to work and hurt my shoulder. Its a common occurrence but seems to be taking longer to heal this time. It happens when you play netball with 7kg bags of rags.
I'm working on the first draft of DB and so far so good nut its very early days and I had a call from Accent on Friday saying that TISHSaD is ready to go to print. Yay!
Think that's the last few weeks up in a nutshell so now it's time to catch up on what everyone else has been up to.
Saturday, 8 October 2016
I was recently asked to write a guest post on the weheartwriting.com blog which was exciting. I started to feel like a bit of a writer though the feeling soon passed. If anybody asks I work for Barnardo's - I am not a writer.Anyway, I digress, the subject of my post was 'Planner or Pantser?' Personally I am a pantser. Almost no planning went into TISHSaD and not a lot more for NRIMH. DB will take a lot more planning so hopefully I will discover that I am a planner at heart.
So my question id the same as my post Planner or Pantser? And, if any of the planners out there could give me a bit of advice I would be very greatful.
Mr Mc and I are heading off today for a few days away. We are celebrating our 34th wedding anniversary tomorrow. See you when I get back.
So my question id the same as my post Planner or Pantser? And, if any of the planners out there could give me a bit of advice I would be very greatful.
Mr Mc and I are heading off today for a few days away. We are celebrating our 34th wedding anniversary tomorrow. See you when I get back.
Thursday, 8 September 2016
Pretty
I received this yesterday which is the artwork that will be used to promote my book on social media. There were several versions including "pre order now" and "new release" but this is he blank version. I don't get where the tree comes in but it sure is pretty.
Monday, 5 September 2016
Back to the good old pink pen
I've tried to be a proper writer and sit at my keyboard, fingers flying over the keys to form the words on the screen but to be honest it's not working for me. I wrote the second part of my second book like this and it was such a chore because I found I was doing a lot more editing, correcting etc. So I have just started book three and I did it the way that book one was wrote i.e. on paper using the pink pen and I feel so much more at home.
Guess I'm just an old fashioned kind of girl.
Guess I'm just an old fashioned kind of girl.
Tuesday, 30 August 2016
Happy child.
Its been a funny day and not funny haha.
My dad died a year ago today. He was an old man and had had a good life. His last day had been a good one. He had spent the day doing the things that he enjoyed doing and then he died. I think about him pretty much every day but more so today.
I've also thought a lot about how my life has changed in the last year. This time last year it would be another three weeks before I was offered my book deal. That came on the day that he was buried which was also the day that my mum died. I am so grateful to them for the childhood they gave me.
My dad died a year ago today. He was an old man and had had a good life. His last day had been a good one. He had spent the day doing the things that he enjoyed doing and then he died. I think about him pretty much every day but more so today.
I've also thought a lot about how my life has changed in the last year. This time last year it would be another three weeks before I was offered my book deal. That came on the day that he was buried which was also the day that my mum died. I am so grateful to them for the childhood they gave me.
Sunday, 28 August 2016
Book number 1
I'm back from my self imposed technology exile that was in place while I finished book number two. Said book is now finished and in the hands of my editor so please everyone, keep everything crossed that she likes it.
Those of you that have been with me since the early days may remember that back at the beginning this blog was called "Gonna be a Writer," and I didn't even put my name to it, I was just GonnaB. Well a lot has changed since then and now you know that I am Colette McCormick.
If someone asked me today what my profession was I still wouldn't say writer I do have a book contract and I am happy to share with you the cover of book number one which is due out soon.
Now you all can see what TISHSaD means and in case you're interested it's working title of BTL stood for "Beyond the Light."
I'm not blogging about this to brag or to say look at me but rather to say that if it can happen to me it can happen to anyone and that includes all of you that are still trying hard to get that book deal that you have dreamed of. Anyway, you are my friends and I wanted to share the good news with you all.
Those of you that have been with me since the early days may remember that back at the beginning this blog was called "Gonna be a Writer," and I didn't even put my name to it, I was just GonnaB. Well a lot has changed since then and now you know that I am Colette McCormick.
If someone asked me today what my profession was I still wouldn't say writer I do have a book contract and I am happy to share with you the cover of book number one which is due out soon.
Now you all can see what TISHSaD means and in case you're interested it's working title of BTL stood for "Beyond the Light."
I'm not blogging about this to brag or to say look at me but rather to say that if it can happen to me it can happen to anyone and that includes all of you that are still trying hard to get that book deal that you have dreamed of. Anyway, you are my friends and I wanted to share the good news with you all.
Sunday, 5 June 2016
Does anyone....
know how to delete a blog? I'm not thinking of deleting this one, just an old one that I no longer maintain. Its sitting on my dashboard minding its own business but I would rather it wasn't there. It's a bit like my obsession for having an empty inbox. Irrational I know, but hey that's me.
Guilty Pleasure
I'm curious to know about other people's guilty pleasures, we all have them. I'll let you into my secret.
On my day off during the week (usually a Friday but other days are available) I love to iron. I can hear the groans form here but hey what can I say I enjoy ironing. I detest putting the stuff away though but that's just me be irrational but the actual process of ironing I find really relaxing. However that's just a pleasure. The guilty one is that while I'm ironing I love to watch a really bad film. Disaster movies are my favourite, you know the type, killer bees, snowstorms, Armageddon on a global scale that sort of thing. And they can't be well made films, no they have to be the ones with dodgy acting and even dodgier special effects. I love them.
Come on. I've shared mine, what's yours?
On my day off during the week (usually a Friday but other days are available) I love to iron. I can hear the groans form here but hey what can I say I enjoy ironing. I detest putting the stuff away though but that's just me be irrational but the actual process of ironing I find really relaxing. However that's just a pleasure. The guilty one is that while I'm ironing I love to watch a really bad film. Disaster movies are my favourite, you know the type, killer bees, snowstorms, Armageddon on a global scale that sort of thing. And they can't be well made films, no they have to be the ones with dodgy acting and even dodgier special effects. I love them.
Come on. I've shared mine, what's yours?
Sunday, 29 May 2016
Dim question
This isn't the first dim question that I've asked here and I'm sure it won't be the last.
As you know I am currently writing book 2 (NRIMH) and I wondered what state that should be in when I submit it to my publisher. Its not really a question I suppose because I know what state it will be in when I submit it but I've been reading a lot lately (well a bit at least) how some authors submit their books (and I'm not talking first books here) to their agents, publishers or whoever and they come back for a sometimes total over-hall. I suppose my question is do I treat it as I did the first one or at least what do you guys do?
As you know I am currently writing book 2 (NRIMH) and I wondered what state that should be in when I submit it to my publisher. Its not really a question I suppose because I know what state it will be in when I submit it but I've been reading a lot lately (well a bit at least) how some authors submit their books (and I'm not talking first books here) to their agents, publishers or whoever and they come back for a sometimes total over-hall. I suppose my question is do I treat it as I did the first one or at least what do you guys do?
Friday, 27 May 2016
Catching up
Anyone who follows me on FB will know that book number 2 has been finished for a while - well the first draft anyway and the revisions are well under way. I am happy (ish) with the way that the revisions are coming along but I am occasionally riddled with self doubt. Is it any good and all that sort of thing. I'm sure you all know what I'm talking about.
In other news, Book number 1 has been renamed. It was BTL and is now TISHSaD. I am okay with that because BTL was only ever a working title. I got an email from my editor the other day with the proposed cover, It is really pretty but I'm not sure its what I was expecting. That's not to say that I don't like it because I do - I just didn't get it at first. After a couple of days I now understand what the designers were aiming for.
For years you guys here and my dear friend Jan were the only people that knew that I wrote and now I am having to tell people in the outside world. I am no longer writing just for me. Anyway yesterday I told my boss not because I think I'll be giving up the day job any time soon but because when it comes to promoting the book the fact that I work for a charity might be mentioned so I thought I should warn her. I now have to tell someone further up the pecking order as well so I'll drop them an email next week. I showed her the cover picture that is on my phone and my hand was shaking - it's ridiculous.
Today in my number 2 son's birthday so happy birthday AT.
What else? well I had a couple of days in Blackpool last week when I went for a conference and it was freezing - especially when you were dressed up as a flapper. God knows what the tram conductor thought when we got on the tram, Having said that, I dare say he's used to it in Blackpool.
So that's about it really, life is plodding along quite nicely - work - revisions - work - revisions - nothing much to tell you which is one of the reasons that I haven't been around for a while.
One last thing - next Tuesday is the 3rd anniversary of my kidneys packing in and having my first dialysis session. Well actually the dialysis is probably Wednesday because it happened in the middle of the night. Lot of water under the bridge since then.
So if you can bear the mundane I'll be back soon.
In other news, Book number 1 has been renamed. It was BTL and is now TISHSaD. I am okay with that because BTL was only ever a working title. I got an email from my editor the other day with the proposed cover, It is really pretty but I'm not sure its what I was expecting. That's not to say that I don't like it because I do - I just didn't get it at first. After a couple of days I now understand what the designers were aiming for.
For years you guys here and my dear friend Jan were the only people that knew that I wrote and now I am having to tell people in the outside world. I am no longer writing just for me. Anyway yesterday I told my boss not because I think I'll be giving up the day job any time soon but because when it comes to promoting the book the fact that I work for a charity might be mentioned so I thought I should warn her. I now have to tell someone further up the pecking order as well so I'll drop them an email next week. I showed her the cover picture that is on my phone and my hand was shaking - it's ridiculous.
Today in my number 2 son's birthday so happy birthday AT.
What else? well I had a couple of days in Blackpool last week when I went for a conference and it was freezing - especially when you were dressed up as a flapper. God knows what the tram conductor thought when we got on the tram, Having said that, I dare say he's used to it in Blackpool.
So that's about it really, life is plodding along quite nicely - work - revisions - work - revisions - nothing much to tell you which is one of the reasons that I haven't been around for a while.
One last thing - next Tuesday is the 3rd anniversary of my kidneys packing in and having my first dialysis session. Well actually the dialysis is probably Wednesday because it happened in the middle of the night. Lot of water under the bridge since then.
So if you can bear the mundane I'll be back soon.
Monday, 28 March 2016
Maybe next time.
I am such a bad blogger. Sorry blog, I have neglected you.
So what's happened since the last time we spoke? Well the day job continues apace and the night job (well evening rather than night) is keeping me busy too. All in all very busy.
Book number 2 (NRIMH) is almost at the end of the first draft. This excites me because I want to get on to the revisions. As I've been writing I've been thinking that this needs changing or that needs rewriting so I want to get on with that. I gave myself the deadline of the first draft being finished by April 30th so we're looking on course for that.
What else? Well the new sofa I mentioned in my past post has settled in quite nicely. The dog doesn't have as much room to spread out as he did with the last one but he manages - usually by laying on someone.
This is day 2 of 4 off work and I've impressed myself by writing 2.5k words this morning though I don't know how some of you write all day. I'm shattered.
I know I'm getting a bit ahead of myself but I've registered for PLR. I need to look into the Society of Authors too as lovely fellow author who has helped me right from the beginning suggested I do and I trust her judgement.
That's it I think. I really can't think of anything else that has happened in the last month - not that might remotely interest you anyway.
I will try to be more interesting next time.
So what's happened since the last time we spoke? Well the day job continues apace and the night job (well evening rather than night) is keeping me busy too. All in all very busy.
Book number 2 (NRIMH) is almost at the end of the first draft. This excites me because I want to get on to the revisions. As I've been writing I've been thinking that this needs changing or that needs rewriting so I want to get on with that. I gave myself the deadline of the first draft being finished by April 30th so we're looking on course for that.
What else? Well the new sofa I mentioned in my past post has settled in quite nicely. The dog doesn't have as much room to spread out as he did with the last one but he manages - usually by laying on someone.
This is day 2 of 4 off work and I've impressed myself by writing 2.5k words this morning though I don't know how some of you write all day. I'm shattered.
I know I'm getting a bit ahead of myself but I've registered for PLR. I need to look into the Society of Authors too as lovely fellow author who has helped me right from the beginning suggested I do and I trust her judgement.
That's it I think. I really can't think of anything else that has happened in the last month - not that might remotely interest you anyway.
I will try to be more interesting next time.
Thursday, 25 February 2016
Hack at Heart
I'm well into the first draft of NRIMH but I was a bit lost about where it was going. Thanks to a proverbial lightning strike though I now know where I'm going with it which excites me because I want to get on with it and frustrates me because I'm really busy with the day job so I can't get to write as much as I would like.
I sent a short story off the other day - its a long tome since I had any success in that department. I thought just after I got the contract that maybe I should give up on the short stories and concentrate on the book but the truth is that I always saw myself writing different things and no just fiction. I really enjoy researching non fiction too. Hell I've even been known to write the odd poem. I think I'm just a hack at heart.
On a different note we had a new sofa delievered today which is well overdue. So what if the old one was a but shabby? It was so darned comfy.
I sent a short story off the other day - its a long tome since I had any success in that department. I thought just after I got the contract that maybe I should give up on the short stories and concentrate on the book but the truth is that I always saw myself writing different things and no just fiction. I really enjoy researching non fiction too. Hell I've even been known to write the odd poem. I think I'm just a hack at heart.
On a different note we had a new sofa delievered today which is well overdue. So what if the old one was a but shabby? It was so darned comfy.
Sunday, 14 February 2016
What to do
I'm reading a book at the minute that's set in "Dickensian" England and when I was a few pages in I declared (out loud) that it was written by an American. Nothing wrong with that. The give away was that a character got his "check book" out. Turns out I was right (just call me Sherlock) and the book is written by a group of journalists from the New York Times that "love" that period. So I'm still reading this book because I am interested in what happens but I am constantly on the look out for more "Americanisms". Today's was when a character put something in the pocket of his pants. Oh I should have said that the story is told in the first person by an English gentleman. He would not say pants. However, the biggest faux pas (so far - still a hundred pages to go) was when they said that the nursery rhyme line "and pretty maids all in a row" has something to do with the killing of Lady Jane Grey. Well it may well be because I've got no idea but I do know that it wasn't Mary Queen of Scots that was responsible for it. Wrong person methinks. Part of me wants to email them and point out these things like the "English rose" who describes some bloke as a prick but another part of me tells me to behave and just enjoy the story.
Friday, 12 February 2016
Quick chat
Oh my its nippy.
Just thought I'd pop over and say hello.
I'm on holiday next week and just have to work tomorrow but that'll be an ok sort of day so given that I'm not doing a lot today its like being in holiday already. I did grocery shopping this morning, then a bit of ironing, I've caught up with some admin and got about 500 "new" words down on NRMIH so I'm feeling very chilled. Going to have a cup of tea and watch last night's "Elementary" before meeting up with Himself for a late lunch though you could probably call it tea because I don't think I'll want to eat again later. Hey this body can afford to miss a meal. especially after the other day when I had to sent a photo of myself of to the publisher. I mean I'm not HUGE but I could do with dropping a pound or two. The steroids make that progress slow but I'll give it a go.
Not much else to report this week. Life is jogging along quite nicely. The day job is tickety boo and the night job will hopefully come along better this week. There were other things that needed to be done last week, connected to the book but not actual writing so I know the 500 words I mentioned earlier don't sound like a lot but I'm easing my way in gently.
Anyway must go. Johnny Lee Miller is calling my name as is the tea pot.
Just thought I'd pop over and say hello.
I'm on holiday next week and just have to work tomorrow but that'll be an ok sort of day so given that I'm not doing a lot today its like being in holiday already. I did grocery shopping this morning, then a bit of ironing, I've caught up with some admin and got about 500 "new" words down on NRMIH so I'm feeling very chilled. Going to have a cup of tea and watch last night's "Elementary" before meeting up with Himself for a late lunch though you could probably call it tea because I don't think I'll want to eat again later. Hey this body can afford to miss a meal. especially after the other day when I had to sent a photo of myself of to the publisher. I mean I'm not HUGE but I could do with dropping a pound or two. The steroids make that progress slow but I'll give it a go.
Not much else to report this week. Life is jogging along quite nicely. The day job is tickety boo and the night job will hopefully come along better this week. There were other things that needed to be done last week, connected to the book but not actual writing so I know the 500 words I mentioned earlier don't sound like a lot but I'm easing my way in gently.
Anyway must go. Johnny Lee Miller is calling my name as is the tea pot.
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