The writing pages
Well, I'd better begin by telling you a bit about OVER THE HILL AND FAR AWAY. After all, I'm hoping that's one reason why you are here.
So here, for any of you who haven't read it, is the blurb:
There must be something between the retirement party and buying a zimmer frame. JO CARROLL decided this was the time to revive her teenage dreams and go round the world. So she packed her rucksack, a round-the-world ticket, and a notebook. Not prepared, then, for being marooned on a beach in Australia with the tide rising and nothing but cliffs behind her; nor negotiating with a gunman who wanted to marry her in Lucknow. Let’s not think about the snakes and leeches in the jungles of Malaysia.
But could anything have prepared her for the drama that brought her home? Nor the kindness of strangers who kept her safe at that moment when she was least able to do it for herself.
Tempted - yes, pop across and buy it now: here if you want an ebook and you are in the UK, here for a UK print book, and here if you are in America or anywhere that uses US dollars. You prefer Smashwords? You can find it here.
What - another book? Yes, a little ebook this time, as I was only away for a month. Plenty of time for adventures, but not long enough for a whole print book.
Want the blurb? Then you shall have it.
JO CARROLL decided it was time to pack her rucksack and get back to the mountains. Little things like a pension and bus pass were not enough to put her off. Besides, after her gap year, she knew all about travelling now.
But Nepal had other ideas. Storms raged in the mountains; strikes made transport impossible. And then there was the tiger …
Ok, I'll wait while you by it: here if you are in the UK and here from the US. And here on Smashwords.
And then come back here - there's more to see.
For if you follow a link or two you'll see some examples of my writing on the poetry, short story and travel writing pages. Just one piece on each page, and I'll change them from time to time. This will give you a flavour of my writing. If you want to know more about what I write, and where it's published, do contact me.
Sorry - there are some things you will not find here:
- Advice on how to write, how to construct stories, how to develop characters, how to perfect your setting, how to structure your plots. There are countless sites with that advice - over the next few weeks I'll add some links here. And your local library or bookshop are also great sources of help and inspiration.
- Advice on finding an agent, or getting published. Again, a quick web-hunt or trawl though my links will help with that.
Why? After all, I've have published a book? Surely I have advice?
Yes, I've published a book. (Even, many years ago, via the traditional method - this was a study of play therapy methods that Blackwell Scientific launched in 1998. Such a long time ago. We need different lessons now.)
But there are numerous other sites to help you if that is what you need, and I feel I'm wallowing in the learning-bog along with many of you. If it's writing advice you need, then there are others far more qualified than I to give it.