Writing is like a relay race – lots of sprints, which have to be joined up smoothly in order to win the (publishing) race.
And in order to join those sprints up smoothly, and without dropping the baton – in our case, the thread of the story – the sprints being the snatches of time you actually get to write, you must think about your story as often as you can, certainly daily, hourly if possible!
Stay with your characters, dream their dreams, feel their hurt, their disappointment, their pain. Live your novel.
Agatha Christie once said she plotted her novels while washing the dishes. We all have dishes to wash, children to mind, teens to feed, friends to listen to . . . but never drop that baton!

Yours in writing,

SarahX

The Loving Kind - Feb 2010

Where here it is – the back cover of my new adult book – to be published in Ireland in Feb 2010 – and UK, Ireland and rest of work in paperback, Sept 2010. I’ll reveal the front within the next few weeks . . .

Hope you like it! The stars will be glittery. Tres Exciting!

SarahX

Some days I just don’t feel like writing. I sit at my desk, play with Facebook, check my emails, tidy my pen holder, read my mail, look for chewing gum, curse the fact it’s all gone, clean my laptop screen with my sleeve, lean forwards and clean my window with bits of paper from my bin . . . anything other than write my current novel. I’ll happily write book reviews, my blog, notes for talks, that kind of thing – but when it comes to getting the novel finished, some days the mere thought of it just defeats me.

I’ve learned not to actually get up – that’s fatal. I may never sit back down again. But if I sit at my desk long enough I run out of things to logically do.

So I sit there and sit there and finally, finally! I start writing. Sometimes it takes a whole hour to get motivated but I’ve never once, however bad I feel physically or mentally, not written something on a working day. I’ve been writing full time seven years now, so that’s not a bad record.

People interested in writing often ask me ‘But how do you do it – how you do finish book after book?’ (in my case 23 and counting) and there really is no secret. It’s just hard grunt. Day after day, word by word, chapter by chapter. You have to be pretty determined to finish or it just won’t happen. And then the edits – phewey – don’t get me started! If you’re a regular reader of this blog, you’ll know exactly how much time and energy goes into the edits.

But here’s the thing – I still love it – even if some days I find it damn hard – I wouldn’t change it for the world. Yes, I miss daily contact with real people, people who don’t only exist in my head; yes, sometimes I knocked back a bit – an editor doesn’t quite click with one of my ideas, I lose a chunk of text, a book comes back from another editor with a long, long list of edits – but I just dust myself down and get on with it.

I’m a writer, that’s what I do these days. I write! And do I love saying ‘Writer’ when someone asks me my occupation – you bet I do!

So however much I bitch and moan, I know how much I have to be thankful for.

If you too would like to put ‘Writer’ in the occupation section on boring official forms and make yourself smile, stick at it. Keep writing. Day after day, word by word, chapter by chapter.

Good luck!

SarahX

Writing Does Change Your Life
August 2009

Here’s the thing – writing does change your life. Getting published makes you happy. It gives you a sense of accomplishment, makes you proud of your own hard work, and most importantly, it gives you an audience for your writing, however small that audience may be.

There’s something magical about connecting with a reader via your own, carefully chosen words. And when those readers contact you, telling you how much they love your book, well it doesn’t get much better than that.

Isn’t language amazing? I write oak tree on a piece of paper or on this screen, and a tree springs into your mind. One person’s tree may be old, with a gnarled trunk; another’s may be a young sapling – that’s the joy of it. Mere words can evoke images in the mind, now that’s a miracle.

Language is a partnership between the reader and the writer – forget that at your peril, writers. Love your readers, acknowledge and respect your readers and your writing will become electric. Writing isn’t finished unless it’s read. (Adapted from Hal Zina Bennett’s Write From the Heart)

I get daily emails and letters from teens, telling me how much they love Amy Green and it means so much to me. I write back to each and every one.

I also have this blog, to keep me in touch with readers and friends in writing, but also because I just love to write. Anything – my diary, lists, reviews, blogs (I also have an Amy Green one), Facebook, Bebo – boy do I love to write! It makes me happy.

And here’s another thing – writing begets writing. The more you write, the more you write, the more you write. Open the tap and let it flow.

Good luck!

SarahX

The Secret to Writing for Children: Insider’s Tip
August 2009

This is genuinely the most useful ‘tip’ I can give you on writing for children, based on my own experiences.

Is there a particular time in your life that you remember vividly? Were you bullied as an 8 year old, after moving to a new school maybe? Did your granny die when you were 11, cutting you to the bone? Did you travel to somewhere amazing as a teenager and have an unforgettable holiday romance? How did it feel to turn 13 – sad, exciting, scary?

Do you remember? You have a better chance of writing good books for children if you do!

Think back. Something might jump out at you. When you remember your childhood, what exactly do you remember?

In my case I have almost total recall of particular events that happened to me as a young teenager – from 13 to 15. School, parties, boys, smoking my first cigarette (sorry, Mum), using make-up for the first time, my first ‘proper’ kiss, friendship bust ups, being mean to other girls, other girls being mean to me . . .

I went to a school called St Andrew’s College, in Blackrock, Co Dublin and it was a pretty interesting place. I was lucky to have friends from all over the world – Sweden, Africa, Iran, America – which is pretty unusual for an Irish school girl. Lots of business people and diplomats sent their children there as it did, and still does the IB, an international exam.

When I’m writing my young teen books – the Amy Green, Teen Agony Queen series – I try to remember just how it feels to be left out by your so called ‘friends’; to have a boyfriend who is ‘different’, arty, not ‘cool’; to have a boyfriend who is ‘cool’ (and the arty ones are the ones you remember the most, take it from me!) – in fact it all plays out in front of my eyes in technicolour. I guess I go back to being 13 again.

And if I need extra ‘remember-aid’ I just grab one of my teen diaries and start to read – while cringing! Friends, boys, family, boys, school, boys – I was obsessed!

So, to get back to the point – start off by writing about that time you remember the most, the time that made the most impression on you. Reach back.

Don’t write for children, write for yourself as a 5 year old, an 8 year old, or like me, a 13 year old. Write about how it really feels to be 13. Emotions don’t change, even if things like technology do.

Good luck!

SarahX

Today I’ve been dipping into a big bundle of children’s books, deciding which ones to review for the Irish Independent in the next few weeks. Mainly August and September publications, but some July and Oct ones too. And to be frank, some of them aren’t great.

These are books from all kinds of publishers: big UK publishers, smaller UK publishers, Irish publishers (and I must say the O’Brien Press early readers for July/Aug are good). There are picture books, early readers, 9 to 11 novels, teen novels. A lot of them held my attention for a few pages, and then I got bored/fed up/annoyed with them and stopped reading.

The ones that are good :
1/ In general the team at Puffin seem to be selecting good teen novels to publish at the moment – meaty, interesting, clearly intended for particular markets and jacketed this way – ie the new Charlie Higson is a horror title for teens, and the cover is black with skulls on it. It’s called The Enemy.
Great opening line: Small Sam was playing in the car park behind Waitrose when the grown ups took him.
See!

The Bride’s Farewell by Meg Rosoff has a fab cover – atmospheric pic of a girl on a horse, with lots of swirls of gold. Fitting for this 19th century set, Hardy-esque novel.
Some thoughtful publishing from Puffin.

2/ Walker – OK, OK, I’m published by Walker so I’m slightly biased. But Life Swap by Abby McDonald does exactly what it says on the cover – 2 girls, 2 different lives, laughter and tears – funny, sweet, Meg Cabot stuff.

And their Kate DiCamillo cover for the Magician’s Elephant is perfect – glowing, subtle, magical. Nice typeface inside too – different. Great book (so far).
So, again, some thoughtful publishing here.

Now, do I name and shame the ones I didn’t enjoy and put down after a few pages?

No, I wouldn’t like to hurt or upset any fellow writers – so I won’t. But suffice to say some of the writing is just plain bad, some of the covers are terrible, terrible, terrible (shame on you, publishers), and even some of the ‘names’ don’t always produce the goods – and this includes the picture book writers too.
There’s not enough heart and soul writing out there – very few of the books are making me laugh out loud, cry, gasp, people! I haven’t had a gasper for quite some time.

So, to get to the point, if you hope to, or are writing for children, take heart. The children’s book world needs you; the publishers need you; us poor reviewers need you; and damn it, most of all, the readers need you!

Original ideas, genuinely funny writing, a truly wonderful, from the heart writing voice. Fresh blood! A strong premise or hook would be an added bonus. And gets-me-in-the-belly humour – unfortunately the hardest thing of all to write. And picture book writers, please, please, please – a story for goodness sake, not just some linked images, or yet another a to z book, even if the illustrations are quite sweet.

Right, got that off my chest! More on writing for children next time . . .
SarahX

Hi All,

I finished the – let me see, I think it’s the 8th or 9th, I’ve lost count – edit of The Loving Kind and set it packing to my editor in Pan Mac this morning! Yeah! Huge relief.

This afternoon I got stuck into Amy Green book 3 – which is currently called Bridesmaid Blitz but this may change. It was fantastic to get back to Amy, Clover, Seth and the gang, I’ve really missed them. I read over the 15k words I’ve done so far, made some tweaks and minor changes and giggled to myself at some of the funny bits which is always a good sign. Can’t wait to get back to writing it tomorrow – also a very good sign.

Found this cute website – daughter of a friend of Mum’s is one of the writers – www.babyccinoblog.com – full of fun bits about children, books, clever things for the house etc.

Did I post news on the festivals I’m doing in Sept? Maybe not – here goes: (excuse the use of the 3rd person!)

Books 2009 Festival – Dublin City Centre

Sarah will be hosting a Magic Writing Workshop for all those interested in writing in the Shaw Room at the National Gallery of Ireland, Dublin at 1.30 on Sat 19th Sept. She will also talk about how she came up with the idea for Amy Green and answer questions on writing. Numbers are limited so do book asap if you’d like to join her! Age 9+
Check out the details here: www.bookevents.ie
Here is the booking link: http://www.bookevents.ie/event-details.php?prod=SarahWebb

Mountains to Sea Festival
Sarah will also be appearing at the Mountains to Sea Festival in Dun Laoghaire on Sunday 13th September in Dun Laoghaire Park. The Books in the Park event starts at 1.00. Sarah will be on at around 3. Other authors include Marita Conlon-McKenna, Joe O’Brien and Oisin McGann. Check out www.mountainstosea.ie for details
Admission free! No booking needed.

SarahXXX

Amy Green Book 2

Ta da! Here is a sneak preview of the cover of Amy Green book 2 – Summer Secrets – which will be published in Feb 2010. The butterflies are silver and the green is metallic. I love it!
Do hope you like it too!

SarahX

PS any comments to sarah@sarahwebb.ie as posts still swamped with junk after hols

Hi All,

Sorry for the lack of posts in July – I was in West Cork. Writing (well editing and rewriting to be strictly accurate), talking at the West Cork Literary Festival and having a much needed holiday.

But I’m back now and raring to go. I had no broadband for a whole month – imagine!

I’ll try to post some writerly things this month – as I keep getting great feedback about the editing post I wrote weeks ago now. There are obviously a lot of you writing bods out there and do email me with any questions/suggestions for writerly topics I could cover that might help you. Email is sarah@sarahwebb.ie
Don’t post here at the moment – I have 234 unread messages (mostly spam!).

I’m editing again this week – yes, back having another go at The Loving Kind, the adult novel for early next year. I was very, very lucky to get 3 different editorial opinions – from my 2 editors at Pan Mac and also my lovely new agent, Peta.

I have 2 agents now – Philippa who deals with the children’s side of things, and Peta who deals with the books for big people. The agency is called LAW, Lucas Alexander Whitley, they are based in London, and so far they have been fab to deal with – very professional, friendly and helpful.

Here are some of the changes I made after the collective input:

1/ I made the main character Libby younger – 27 instead of 33. I also removed her children and husband and gave her a fiancé instead.
The book has quite a ‘young’ feel and I think making her 27 made it fresher. She is now less ‘down-trodden middle aged Mum’ (as one of editors put it) and I’ve made her more edgy and fun.

2/ I toned down the plastic surgery scenes – I think I was over using all the info I’d discovered doing research and it was starting to read like a medical textbook!

3/ I gave Celeste (Libby’s best friend) more backstory to make her a meatier character.

4/ I tweaked the hero, Leo. One editor found him ‘spineless and meek’ at times. Not good qualities for a leading man you’ll agree!

5/ I got rid of a character called Gina who wasn’t strictly necessary to the story. I added Libby’s parents to the mix instead, a overbearing mother and a sweet dad.

6/ I made Libby more attractive and increasingly confident as the book progresses. To link in with her personal journey from put upon fiancée, to stand alone woman of the world.

As you can see, editorial notes can be pretty direct. But this is book no 9 and I like strong, honest feedback. I’m sure editors tailor their notes to suit the particular author.

My editors at Walker do something wonderful – they mark passages or phrases they particularly like with a little tick. Which a/ makes me smile and b/ makes me realise which bits really work.

It’s all a learning process. One day I’ll get there. But one thing I have learned is the more time invested in editing and rewriting – on both the publishers and the writers’ sides, the better a book will be. Editors don’t waste time on books they don’t think much of. If you get a lot of editorial feedback, it means they really like the book and want to make it the best it can possibly be.

I am presently going through The Loving Kind manuscript for the third time after rewriting it with the help of my editorial notes. I hope to send it to my editors by Friday. Fingers crossed. Then it will come back to me with copy edit notes and then finally (all being well!), final proof pages – the very last stage in the editing process.

If you’re not lucky enough to have an editor yet – feedback from a reader with a good eye who reads a lot in your genre (don’t give popular fiction to any old reader – it deserves someone who ‘gets’ the genre) is also valuable.

Finally:

Found an interesting writing book on Amazon recently called Write From the Heart by Hal Bennett. Some good stuff inside. I particularly like this quote:

If you do not breathe through writing, if you do not cry out in writing, or sing in writing, then don’t write, because our culture has no use for it.
Anais Nin

Amen to that!

And if you enjoy a stonking good chick lit novel now and again – Love Letters by Katie Fforde is a cracker. Set in Ireland with the Alpha male hero to beat all – an Irish writer no less!

Until tomorrow my writing friends,

SarahX