Farewell to Nova Scotia

The time has finally come to say goodbye to Nova Scotia and wing my way back to London! This time tomorrow, I'll be back in my adopted homeland with memories of an amazing vacation behind me. It's been absolutely fantastic being home again. My stomach's still bulging from all the seafood, my heart's full of time spent with friends, family and assorted moose, and my liver, well... let's just say it needs some recovery time!

So... farewell to Nova Scotia!

Island Capers

It's been years since I've been to Cape Breton Island, just off the coast of mainland Nova Scotia. Voted most scenic island in the world by Conde Nast magazine, I was certainly reminded why!

Stunning vistas, delicious lobsters and mussels, super friendly locals and moose, and some fantastic fiddle music made the whole trip unforgettable.

PS: Thank you for all the comments on my posts while I've been gone! I miss you all!

Published with Blogger-droid v1.5.9

What a Character!

I'm still gallivanting around the wilds of Nova Scotia, but I wanted to take part in Elana Johnson's Great Blogging Experiment on Compelling Characters. It'll take me awhile to get around to everyone but I will, I promise!

So. How to create compelling characters? First of all, I can only hope, pray and bribe you with wine to make you think the characters I create are compelling. I've tried loads of different methods: interviewing them, writing their backstories, tracking down photos... but only one thing works for me. I have to write the damn story.

It's only when I start writing that they reveal themselves to me -- some characters even pop up from nowhere! Once I'm finished the first draft, then I can ask myself what these characters want, why they can't get it, and why they're acting the way they do. Armed with that information, I go back and nudge the story so it falls around them.

Happy blog hopping, everyone!

PS - If you're new here, welcome! Feel free to check out my September contest and my Blogsplash! Thanks for stopping by.

Anne Land

Growing up with relatives in Prince Edward Island, I was lucky enough to make frequent visits to the land of my childhood hero, Anne of Green Gables. It's a special place and this visit really brought that home to me.

I'm now in Cape Breton and off to a ceilidh tonight!

Published with Blogger-droid v1.5.9

Bluenoser's Paradise

Bluenose: A person from Nova Scotia.

I'm writing this from my phone, plus I'm stuffed full of fish and wine, so I'll just leave you with a few photos of the idyllic last few days here.

Off tomorrow to Prince Edward Island!

Published with Blogger-droid v1.5.9

Off to Halifax!

Tomorrow, after more than two years away, I'll jet across the ocean and back to where I grew up: just outside of Halifax, Nova Scotia. A lot has happened in those two years: I've got engaged, got married, got British and got two books published with more on the way!

It's the first time my husband will have been to my homeland without freezing his butt off in the winter deep-freeze, and we're planning to hit Price Edward Island and make a sojourn to Nova Scotia's Cape Breton Island. I did my Master's thesis -- a radio doc -- on the evolution of Celtic music there and I can't wait to go back!

I'll try to drop in from time to time, but the truth is that I really just want to relax with friends and family for the next two weeks -- and gear up for all the exciting stuff that's ahead! I'll miss everyone, I know!

I'll be back to blogging regularly on October 1. Until then, I've got my September contest running and my Blogsplash -- thanks to TJ Carson and Sally Clements, who've just signed up!

I'll have some dark rum, sing some songs and breathe some fresh sea air. I'm already practising my favourite sea-song: Barrett's Privateers. I'll be at the Lower Deck this Saturday night if anyone wants to join me!


Cheers!

Thank You for the Books!

It's Tuesday and two more days until I take off to the homeland! So -- because my brain has already gone on holiday -- I've decided to skip today's Ten for Tuesday. I'm such a renegade, I know.

Last weekend, the wonderful reviewer Rhiana Reads featured me on her blog, talking about how my sleeplessness made me the reader and writer I am today.

So I ask you: who or what influenced you to read or write the books you do?

Big thanks to everyone who has written about my upcoming Blogsplash and to the most recent Blogsplashers: Jamie Burch, Gemma Noon and Alexandra Redisch!

Where the Wild Things Are

The Tube makes me nervous.

It's not the hurtling-through-rat-infested tracks that causes my anxiety, though: it's sitting straight across from another row of people and trying desperately hard not to look at them. Because on the London Underground, locking eyes is a definite no-no.

Forget people watching. On the Tube, you're lucky if you can engage in a spot of sneaker watching! The best thing to do is to gaze into the darkness outside the window, keeping your face carefully neutral despite whatever carnage might be going on around you.

In my years on the Tube, I've dodged nail clippings, vomit, split ends (a woman beside me was pulling them out of her hair and flinging them into the air around her) and, last Saturday, a man who felt the urgent need to relieve himself on the platform in full view of the hundred or so other people around. Just what I need to see on a Saturday afternoon!

As writers, we're told to keep our eyes and ears open for material. I'd like to introduce a caveat, for the sanity of writers near and far: except on the London Underground!

Big thanks to the most recent Blogsplashers: Christina Lee, Pauline Barclay, Cajun Delights, Elizabeth McKenzie and Kathryn Magendie (sorry, Blogger's not letting me add links for some reason!). Up to 155 now!

And you'll be happy to hear that the author speed-dating event was great fun -- thank you for all the questions! No, I did not ask about knickers. Yes, I managed to control myself!

Speed Dating for Authors

Can you think of anything worse? Although I've never had to do speed-dating of any sort, one of my friends ended up having a very awkward ten minutes with an ex-boyfriend when she came face to face with him during one session. Oh, the torture.

This weekend I'll find out if the author version is just as painful. Thanks to a free ticket from a friend (yay EDN!), I'll be attending the Indie Alliance Weekend at the legendary Foyles in Charing Cross. On Sunday morning, I'll be speed dating Max Schaefer (Children of the Sun), Alex Preston (This Bleeding City), Jean Baggott (Girl on the Wall), and Aifric Campbell (The Semantics of Murder).

Small problem. I don't know anything about any of them! So. I'll do a bit of research this afternoon, but maybe you can help me out. (Please? There's a cupcake in it for you!)

What would you ask an indie author, if you had the chance? Anything in particular you'd like to know? What colour wine they drink? If they wear knickers whilst writing?

Happy Friday!

Thank you to: The Misadventures in Candyland; Lindy Lou Mac; The Goddess of Blah; Jolene and Jackee who have just signed up for my Blogsplash! And big thanks to L Diane, Mel and Cassandra who've given me a shout-out on their blogs today! See the full list of Blogsplashers and sign up here.

Help! My Alter Ego's Taking Over!

Most of you know that Talli Roland isn't my real name. I write travel guides under my real name, Marsha Moore. But even though Talli's not what I grew up with, it's rapidly becoming more familiar than my birth-name. The other day, I even found myself signing a cheque with 'Talli'. Yikes!

Many writers have pen-names -- some even more than one. In this age of author branding, I'd love to hear how they manage to devote time to leveraging all their personalities. Because whenever I try to spend time on Marsha, Talli rears her pretty little head (or so she says...) and demands to be heard on Twitter, too. What one wants, the other wants more of. So I find that Talli -- the more insistent of my dual personas -- usually wins out.

This became quite clear to me when I attended a writing conference last July. Although I had both 'Marsha' and 'Talli' on my name-tag, many of my Twitter friends stuck with Talli. Marsha sulked in the corner, scoffing the food and snaffling down wine, as Talli chatted away.

I'd love to hear how other authors juggle their different pen-names. And if you had to have a pen-name, what would it be?

Thank you to Tamara Hart Heiner; Renae Mercado; Talk Muse Banter; Roxy Haynie; Elena Solodow; Cerebral Lunchbox; Crystal Cook; Rashelle Workman; Melissa Wideen; Christine Fonseca; and Dayana Stockdale for signing up to my Blogsplash!

I. Am. Annoyed.

I'll start with the happy stuff: lots of good things happening around the Blogosphere today! Elana and Jen have great contests to win awesome books; the talented Crystal Cook is doing an art giveaway and Melissa is holding Harry Potter Giveaway!

So. Why am I annoyed, when there's so much coolness going on? Let me begin by professing that I hold The Guardian in high esteem. Even before I moved to London, it seemed the very pinnacle of leftist idealism -- all shiny happy socialism and such.

But it has angered me now in its very attempt to be alternative.

You might have heard of a little thing in the literary world called The Man Booker Prize. The Guardian Books Blog launched its own prize cleverly entitled The Not The Man Booker Prizer, encourging readers to vote for its long-list. I was thrilled to see a few books on the long-list that I'd read and enjoyed and promptly scooted over to vote. Only to be told the next day... sorry! My vote didn't count, because authors on the long-list had used social media to encourage people to vote and it wasn't 'fair'. But hey, don't worry, the editors here have chosen their own short-list as well!

Gah?

Hello Guardian Books BLOG! Did you think authors wouldn't use social media to get votes? We're encouraged time and again to use our social connections to leverage our books. Why should we then be penalised for doing just that? Democracy, in this day and age, is just as much about motivating people to go out and vote as it is about the vote itself -- look at how Obama got voters out in the last election. Why shouldn't authors employ those same tactics?

OK! Rant over.

What do you think? Are prizes like these ones just becoming popularity contests? Should authors use social media to get votes?

(Thanks to the most recent sign-ups to my Blogsplash: Sarah Wedgbrow; Caroline Smailes; Trashionista; Samantha Verant; Gardner West; and Mina Joshi.)

Ten for Tuesday: My Favourite Places

I'm leaving for my pilgrimage back home to Canada in just under ten days, and it's got me thinking about my favourite places.

1. Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada (pictured). It's where I grew up, with all the emotion that has attached to it. But more than that, it's a friendly, warm place with beautiful scenery and plenty of ocean. And some great dark rum.

2. Kensington Church Walk, London. A small walkway off of High Street Kensington where time seems to have stopped.

3. Rynek, Wroclaw, Poland. Beautifully fronted buildings, a City Hall right out of a fairy tale and lots and lots of cafes to people watch.

4. Rue Saint-Denis, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Great independent shops, buzzing restaurants and terraces.

5. Lopud, Croatia. A small island where cars aren't allowed and you have to walk over a hill on a small path through pines to get to the island's beach.

6. Rue Montorgueil, Paris, France. Wandering down this street, you won't know where to stop and eat first! Make sure you go on an empty stomach.

7. Old Town, Valencia, Spain. I couldn't find a link that does this one justice. Wandering around the maze of narrow streets and coming across old churches, fountains and courtyards... magical.

8. Prenzlauer Berg, Berlin, Germany. Formerly East Berlin, it's now uber-trendy and full of galleries... and yes, cafés (do you see a trend here?).

9. Eger, Hungary. A small, perfectly formed town about an hour from Budapest, Eger's known for its famous wine and has an area of small wine cellars where you can test the wines for hours on end. What's not to like?

10. Mala Fatra Mountains, Slovakia. A 10-hour hike through waterfalls and gorges convinced me that this mountain range is one of the most beautiful I have ever seen. It's serious nature eye-candy.

What are your favourite places?

**Almost up to 130 bloggers now for the my Take On Amazon Blog Splash! THANK YOU!**

Me and My Blankie

First off, massive thanks to everyone who signed up to my Take On Amazon Blogsplash. Over 110 bloggers signed up this weekend alone -- see the list here! I think I've managed to email everyone now. And thank you for not laughing when I told you my dream of making it on to the Kindle Bestseller list. Or my goal of 1000 bloggers! Why not think big, right? :) If enough people hear about what I'm trying to do, it might just happen.

In the past two years of my writing life, a constant companion has been by my side. I wish I could say it was a sprightly pup or a crazy kitten... but no, my constant companion is my blanket. In the summer it acts a pillow to cushion my ever-spreading bottom. In the winter, I wrap it around my legs to ward off drafts from our ancient sash windows.

A Primark special puchased for a fiver (or quite possibly less), it's faded, worn and definitely past its sell-by date. But I can't bear to get rid of it or even contemplate a fluffier version. It's been there through thick and thin and even when it's worn down to a scrap, I shan't forsake it.

What's your security blanket? And Happy Labour Day to my Canadian and American friends!

On December 1, Help Me Take on Amazon!

Happy Friday all and welcome to anyone dropping by from Karen's!

So...I need your help, blogging buddies (and apologies to any new bloggers dropping by here from Karen's party! Feel free to check out my September contest!).

On December 1, The Hating Game will be released as an e-book, ahead of its UK hard-copy launch in early 2011. I can't wait! I'm excited because anyone, anywhere in the world can buy a copy of the e-book version on Amazon. You don't even need to have a Kindle to read it -- you can download the Kindle software to your computer and read it that way. Plus, it will be very reasonably priced (likely well under a fiver in the US and the UK).

Here's where you come in. It's amazing how few copies it takes to rocket your sales rank on Amazon. Wouldn't it be incredible if people bought copies of The Hating Game ebook -- all on Dec 1 --- and brought it up the charts? If for one brief moment in time (or maybe more), The Hating Game was an Amazon Kindle bestseller?

So on December 1, I'm hoping you can all join me in a Blogsplash to help spread the word. If you sign up, all I ask is that on Dec 1 you post a short paragraph about what I'm trying to accomplish and The Hating Game blurb. I'll send you all the content so you just have to cut and paste! I am aiming to have one thousand bloggers take part (I know, I know -- but it might happen! I'm thinking big!) so anything you can do to spread the word would be FANTASTIC. Please leave a comment with your email or just email me at: talliroland@gmail.com to take part.

UPDATE: AS OF 13/09, I'M NOW UP TO 155 BLOGGERS! See the full list here.

And... of course if you could purchase a copy of the book on December 1, that would be fab as well. The closer together in time the sales are, the higher the book climbs in the ranking. I understand not everyone may be able to so no worries if not! There will be prizes for those who take part in the Blogsplash, there will be more prizes for those who buy, and there will be even more prizes for anyone who writes a review! I should clarify this is just for the ebook launch; the hard-copy launch will be coming in the New Year (you'll be sick of me, I'm sure).

Thank you all for reading this and for all the wonderful help and support you've given me so far! You rock!

If I Stay

First of all, what the heck is with the difference in covers between the US and the UK? I really don't get it (I've blogged about this before, but I'm too lazy to track down the link).

Anyway. This is the second book on my Transworld Summer Reading Challenge. Having finished this more than a month ago, I must admit I'm much better at reading than reviewing.

Amazon blurb:

'Just listen,' Adam says with a voice that sounds like shrapnel. I open my eyes wide now. I sit up as much as I can. And I listen. 'Stay,' he says. Everybody has to make choices. Some might break you. For seventeen-year-old Mia, surrounded by a wonderful family, friends and a gorgeous boyfriend decisions might seem tough, but they're all about a future full of music and love, a future that's brimming with hope. But life can change in an instant. A cold February morning ...a snowy road ...and suddenly all of Mia's choices are gone. Except one. As alone as she'll ever be, Mia must make the most difficult choice of all. Gripping, heartrending and ultimately life-affirming, "If I Stay" will make you appreciate all that you have, all that you've lost - and all that might be.

I admit to bawling like an idiot when I finished this book. I tore through it one Saturday morning, unable to stop reading. It's a beautifully written book about heartbreak and the pull towards survival, no matter the circumstances. I don't read much YA but I think this is a good read for anyone, really. And I'm finding writing this review very difficult without giving too much away!

Come back tomorrow when I'll be announcing my exciting (for me, anyway) plans for the ebook launch of The Hating Game! Whoop! And thanks to everyone who's 'liked' me on Facebook. Happy Thursday!

September Scariness

Can you believe it's September? Can you believe I say that every September? I'm so original, I know. It's just that September reminds me of everything I haven't done; of all those looming deadlines.

There's exciting -- if scary -- stuff around the corner. The Hating Game launch next year is getting ever-closer and we're also planning to release an e-book version in time for Christmas! I have some ideas up my sleeve for that one, but I'll stay mum for now.

And I've surpassed 400 followers! Thank you so much to everyone who reads, comments and supports me. You're all brilliant. To celebrate, I'll be holding a draw at the end of September.

Five people will win their choice of one of the following:

1. A query critique. I'm no professional but I've written loads of blurbs and I can usually create pretty good hooks. Plus, I used to work as an editor at a magazine publisher so I'm pretty good at picking up any errors.

2. An line edit of 30 pages of your manuscript. Pick any 30 pages!

3. A copy of 24 Hours Paris, my Paris tour guide.

4. A copy of 24 Hours London, my London tour guide.

5. Lucky dip! Take your chances with this one!

So there you have it! If your name is drawn, just pick which one you'd like to go with. All you have to do to be in the draw is to be a follower on 30th September. That's it! I'm all for making life easy. Plus, I just want to say thanks!

And in other news, I've now created a Facebook page. Yay!

The Macaron Mandible Mishap

If you've lived in France, you're probably familiar with a little place called Ladurée and their legendary macaron. Sweet and chewy, with a gooey filling (oh, my mouth is filling with saliva), macarons cannot be resisted.

Ladurée has since come to London and its macarons have spread wide and far to many French bakeries across the city. So when my husband's co-worker bought him a dozen flavoured macarons from Paul for his birthday, I did what had to be done. I ate them.

To clarify, I only ate ten. Being the nice wife that I am, I left him two. That's generous, right?

To make matters worse, I was supposedly on a 'detox' -- I'd earlier sworn off bread and other carbs on Twitter, hoping my public statement would fuel my willpower. It didn't. The macarons sang their siren song all the way from kitchen and after the heady taste of just one, I had to go back for more. And more. And more... until only two remained. My logic: the faster they're eaten, the faster I can forget about them and their tempting surgery ways.

How does this relate to writing? It doesn't. But I'm hoping a public confession will ease my guilt and pain at consuming whatever percentage 10/12 represents of my husband's present (yes, my Maths is just that bad). I could buy some more. But since I'd probably eat them too, it's not really worthwhile.

So I appeal to you, my blogging friends near and far: what should I do to make up for this mandible mishap?

Right Old Ding-Dong

It's Friday! And lo and behold, it's still raining. It's a long weekend here, the Notting Hill Carnival invades my 'hood this weekend with the obligatory pissing and vomiting, and, well, I'm feeling quite brain-dead these days. So I offer you up a few funny words and phrases for your own entertainment!

Your level of hilarity will probably depend on if you're British or not, since most of the expressions I find amusing are British. If you are British (or Irish! -- for Niamh, Brigid, Barbara, Ann, Ellen and any other lovely Irish people I've forgot), please feel free to chime in with your own!

Argy-bargy: A lively discussion.

Ding-dong:Similar to the above, but more aggressive. As in: David Cameron had a right old ding-dong with Her Majesty (not really, but it's kind of funny to picture).

Got the hump: If you get the hump with someone, you're annoyed with them.

Luvvly-jubbly: Means 'lovely'. I detest this one! If you've ever watched Jamie Oliver, you know this expression. It was made popular by the TV show Only Fools and Horses, which always seems to be on telly at any given moment in time.

Off your trolley: Bonkers! Incidentally, 'trolley' also means 'shopping cart'.

There you are! Some funny word combos to get you through to the weekend.

Any entertaining regional expressions in your part of the world?

Book Distribution for Beginners

When my first travel guide was published in the UK last year, friends and family back home in Canada asked why they couldn't get it in the big book stores over there. I had a hard time explaining why -- given I knew next to nothing about how book distribution worked! I still don't know a great deal, but I do know that getting your book published doesn't necessarily mean it will wind up on the shelves.

Why? It all comes down to distribution.

There are four main players:

1. The Author. Writes the content, sells it to publisher.

2. The Publisher. Buys the content and produces books. Publishers are not book sellers (usually, although this is changing with eBooks). Publishers partner with a distributor to sell the book into bookstores.

3. The Distributor. Takes a cut of the publisher's book profits in return for selling it into bookstores. Distributors usually work with many publishers, big and small. As a small publisher, having a well-known distributor can help give you credibility. But since smaller publishers are usually less significant profit-wise than the bigger clients, it's hard to make sure the sales reps push their titles.

Distributors only cover certain geographical areas (i.e., UK , Ireland and Europe), so if the publisher wants their books distributed in a different area, they have to find another distributor. That's why my UK-published book wasn't available in Canadian stores -- we didn't have a Canadian distributor.

4. The Bookstore. Meets with distribution sales reps and decides which titles to buy. Bookstores can also return books back to the distributor if they don't sell, but they obviously want to order books they know will fly off the shelves.

The advent of eBooks can really make a difference to smaller publishers. They can sell their books anywhere in the world, without needing a distributor -- and hang on to more of the profits. Bookstore shelves won't be reserved for a limited number of titles any longer and readers won't be forced to choose from pre-selected titles.

And there you have it! Book distribution for beginners! Any questions? Have I missed out anything critical?

Skip a Starbucks - Save a Life (and Your Gut)

Thanks to everyone yesterday for supporting my dreams (even the completely unrealistic ones -- 'cause let's face it, eating cake every day without gaining weight just ain't gonna happen). I loved reading your dreams, too!

Yesterday as I was browsing blogs, I came across something that took hold of me and wouldn't let go. No, it wasn't an alcohol-induced hallucination: it was CJ Redwine's Skip a Starbucks - Save a Life post, which I got to via Shannon Whitney Messenger's wonderful blog.

CJ and her family are trying to raise enough money to bring home their adopted Chinese daughter and they're asking for donations in exchange for some amazing prizes. A few years ago, my cousin adopted a little girl from China. I haven't 'met' her but I've seen countless photos and in every single one she's smiling and looking so happy.

It's easy as pie (yum!) to donate: all you need to do is go to CJ's site, put in a few details on PayPal and voila. If you can, please help bring CJ's new daughter home. And let's be honest -- Starbucks kinda sucks anyway! It hurts my tummy every time.

I'm out and about in rainy London Town tonight celebrating my husband's birthday with theatre and dinner (yay!) so I may not have time to visit blogs. But I'll get there tomorrow, promise! Happy Wednesday!

Ten for Tuesday: Dream Big

When I was an athlete, my coach encouraged me to write down my top three goals each year. He'd look at them, then tell me to reach even higher. If you don't aim high, you'll never know if you can get there, he'd say.

At the risk of turning this post into lyrics from a 1980s boy band, I'm going to take those lessons learned and apply them to my writing and my life. Today's Ten for Tuesday will be all about my dreams, because I do believe there's nothing wrong with wanting to reach the top -- as long as you don't rely solely on luck to get you there.

1. I want one of my books to be on The Times (or The New York Times) bestsellers list.

2. I'd love one of my books to be in the Top 10 on Amazon for at least a month.

3. I'd like to be able to make a living from my writing so I don't have to rely on my husband's income.

4. I'd like women to write to me and tell me how much they enjoy reading my books!

5. At some point in my novel-writing career, I want to have a swanky, Martini-fuelled book launch in a fab location with all of my friends and family.

6. I want to have a country house (one of those small cottages with a thatched roof) in Castle Combe -- or somewhere with a small tinkling stream in the back garden. Sigh!

7. I want to be able to eat vanilla sponge cake with cream-cheese frosting every day and not gain weight.

8. I'd love my husband's film to be purchased by a major distributor and for him to have a massive debut in the West End and walk the red carpet.

9. I want to have great ideas for new novels every week.

10. I want to be happy, healthy, sane and mobile until... well, until my time is up.

Wow, that didn't take long!

What are your dreams, in life or in writing?

(And on the topic of dreams, here's one that's coming true: the blurb for my debut novel The Hating Game is now up on Amazon!)

Not Now - I've Got a Headache

Let me preface this post by saying that I am the world's best excuse-maker. Seriously. I can make a valid (sounding) excuse for anything. Need that plate washed? It's more time effective to wait until I actually use a glass, too -- then I can wash them together. Dirty laundry? There's no point until that towel is at least dirty enough to throw in.

Right now I have a massive headache pounding away at my temples, and it's been in residence all day. But. I've done some writing and managed to spend three hours editing my next travel guide. Sure, I'm all for self-congratulation, but for me it's more about taking my writing seriously. Back in the day, I wouldn't have stayed home from work because of a headache (or even a stomach bug -- but there's really no need to go into gory details of nausea mixed with Tube). I got the job done.

Writing is hard work. It's not about writing when 'the Muse' hits -- if it was, it'd feel great, all the time. That's why the phrase 'writer's block' bothers me so. There are times when writing is a slog. But if you sit your butt on the chair, most times you'll write something, even if it is rubbish. Have you ever heard the phrase 'worker's block'? Have you ever considered ringing up your boss and telling them you can't work today because you're blocked?

I'm my own boss now (yay!). I have only myself to answer to. And I won't disrespect my writing or myself by taking it easy, even on those days when a million hammers are pounding on my skull. No excuses!

How do you force yourself into the chair when you don't feel like it? Or do you?

Why I Blog

If you're looking for the Guess That Character blogfest reveal, click here!

This Sunday, author Nicola Morgan will be dropping by my blog as part of her talk on social networking at the Edinburgh International Book Festival. I thought it only fitting to post why I love blogging!

I've been asked by many writers if I think blogging is worthwhile. And my answer is always, without doubt, a giant yes. Why? Not only does it let you write without worrying about plots and structure, but it provides you with a great medium to interact with other writers and, depending on your platform, future readers.

Writers are invaluable to provide support and lend a hand when it comes to promotion by blurbing your book, running giveaways, doing interviews and posting reviews. I have never met a friendlier nor more generous community than online writers. Writing is solitary and it's so good to know there are people out there with the same doubts, fears and challenges.

And you never know who else might be reading your blog. I've had blog buddies who've been contacted by agents and asked to submit, solely on the strength of their blog posts.

Above all these things, it's fun! The more you interact and the more time you put in, the more you'll get out of it. I feel like I have friends all over the world. It doesn't matter that I haven't actually met them!

Why do you blog? What do you hope to get out of it? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Guess That Character - The Reveal

Thanks to everyone who dropped by and guessed what my main character Jem looks like, based on the snippet below! Quite a few were correct, actually: Jem's a brunette, very well-groomed and put together. She's quite a control-freak (you'd need to be after five years of keeping your impulses in line!).

Big thank you to Jen for organising the blogfest! It was a ton of fun and I'm really enjoying getting to meet new bloggers and reading everyone's work!

Here's my snippet from yesterday:

Today I'm participating in my first blogfest, organised by the lovely Jen of Unedited. I know blogfest posts can be lengthy and time-consuming to comment on, so if you're not participating please don't feel obliged!

The Guess that Character blogfest is this: I post a snippet of my writing, and you try to guess what the main character looks like.

Here's a bit from the opening of a short story I've written called The Five-Year Itch.

***

Jem Ryan turned her smile on the eager crowd in front of her.

‘And that, ladies and gentleman,’ – she sighed as she spotted the man at the back of the room; there always had to be one who turned up, thinking the women were easy pickings – ‘is how I’ve gone five years without sex.’

The women clapped and looked up at her as if she’d just given them the recipe to calorie-free chocolate.

Jem held up her hands. ‘It’s my five-year anniversary today, actually!’

The applause swelled and Jem nodded graciously, smoothing down her pencil skirt and straightening the cuffs on her fitted shirt. She always made an effort to show that even though she didn’t desire, she could still be desirable. The funny thing was, ever since she’d vowed not to have sex, she’d practically had to beat off fanciable men with a stick.

‘There are CDs and T-shirts at the back, and I’ll be signing books in the foyer for the next hour,’ Jem said when the clapping finally stopped. ‘Pre-dinner drinks start at seven in the hotel bar. And remember: sex-free is sexy!’

She came down off the podium and into the swarming crowd, smiling and shaking the hands of women who gushed how she had helped them find a new direction, a new confidence... ugh. She wrinkled her nose. Some of them needed to find a new deodorant.

Jem settled behind the table in the foyer and picked up her pen.

‘Oh!’ The man she’d seen at the back of the room was smiling down at her. Close up he was even better looking, with thick blonde hair that waved over his forehead and just the right amount of stubble poking through his chin. What the hell was he doing here? If he thought any of her women would succumb to his looks, he had another think coming.

‘Can you sign my book?’ He put a copy of Living Sex Free and Loving It onto the table. Jem stared at his hands, with their long, solid fingers. Just the right amount of knuckle hair, no wedding ring... an image of his hands on her skin flashed through her mind, and the hair on the back of her neck stood up. In horror, of course.

‘Are you alright?’ the man was asking.

Jem cleared her throat and looked up again. ‘Who should I make it out it to?’

'Trevor.’

Jem relaxed her grip on the pen and let out her breath. Trevor. Any man called Trevor was sure to be the type who stopped in the middle of sex to have a dump, or something equally hideous. She scrawled her name across the book, omitting the kisses she usually put.

***

So... what does Jem look like?

(And apologies to any man called Trevor; I just needed a name and that was it!)

My Rejection Love Affair

Ah, rejection. You gotta love it -- if only because it gives you a valid reason to mope about and bemoan your life, then have yet another glass of wine. No matter what stage you're at as a writer, rejection is a part of life.

My first rejection came in 1989. Sadly I was too young to drown my sorrows but I'm sure that didn't stop my adolescent snark when publishers turned down my masterpiece. Inspired by Gordon Korman, a Canadian teen who published best-sellers, when I was eleven I started my novel about a girl who wanted to become a champion diver. She would defeat all the odds -- overcome her half an arm (don't ask) -- and win the gold.

Typing away on the trusty Commodore 64 during the hot summer months, the novel began to take shape. My interest dwindled when school started, though, and the project languished until a year or so later when I got a second wind and decided to finally finish it. Sixty pages later, Glint off the Gold was born.

I have to laugh reading it -- it's quite a morbid tale. Anne ends up dying of cancer and her best friend also gets run over by a car (ironically, a drunk driver, too. I thought that was a nice touch).

Full of enthusiasm to have finished my 'fictional only' story, I was sure it would get published, no problem. Who wouldn't want to read such an uplifting tale (har har!)? I looked in my favourite books and decided to send it away to Tyndale House Publishers (a Christian publisher -- I thought they might be nicer). I printed out the whole thing, shoved it in an envelope and sent it off.

A year or so passed and I'd pretty much forgotten about the whole thing until I got a letter in the post turning down my offering.

It's only now that I actually appreciate the response from the Vice-President and Editor-in-Chief (his assistant, or whoever took pity on me). I had no self-addressed envelope and no covering letter, yet they responded anyway.

And thus, my love of affair with rejections had begun. Now, where's my wine?

Ten for Tuesday: Bring Back the Eighties!

I'm a child of the Eighties and man oh man, did that decade rock the fashion world! Talking to my step-daughter yesterday about the fashions of yesteryear stirred up some long-lost memories of that golden time --- perfect for today's post!

1. Jelly shoes. I loved my baby-blue jelly shoes! The only problem was that the heel wasn't closed off so if you walked on gravel you'd get loads of little pebbles stuck inside. If you've ever worn a pair, you'll know what I mean.

2. Florescent socks. Florescent anything! I had a pair of bright yellow florescent socks. You could see me coming for miles.

3. Shoulder pads. In jumpers, blazers, T-shirts... basically, everything had shoulder pads. They're making a return here in London!

4. Pinstripe jeans. The darker the jeans the better, with a thin pinstripe running through. The height of cool.

5. Stirrup pants! Oh yeah! These make me laugh every time I think about them. I had a baby-blue (yes, I liked baby-blue) pair with a big seam running down the front.

6. Guess Jeans. If you had a pair of these along with a Benetton rugby shirt, I wanted to kill you. I longed for both.

7. Friendship pins. We used to wear these on the laces of our trainers.

8. Banana clip and bangs hairsprayed to within an inch of their life. I think the most important fashion accessory of the 80s was hairspray --the stronger the better. You'd banana clip your hair back, then curl half your bangs (fringe) up and then other half down. Fab!

9. Legwarmers. You can't talk about the 80s without mentioning leg-warmers. I had a pair in -- you guessed it -- baby blue!

10. Crimped hair. Being hair-obsessed, of course I had a crimping iron to make my hair wonderfully crimped. I shudder now just thinking about it!

What hideous fashions have you indulged in?

DJ Kirkby: 'Without Alice'

I'm excited to have author DJ Kirkby here as part of her blog tour for her debut novel, Without Alice. It says a lot about this book that despite it being over 30 degrees on the Central Line, I couldn't stop turning the pages even as sweat dripped from my brow. The narrative sweeps you along through the lives of the characters, keeping you guessing and wondering how it all will resolve -- or indeed if it will -- in the end. With realistic, complex characters and an intriguing storyline, it's a great read.

In true celebratory style, we have a selection of wines and champagne to choose from: Pinot Grigio, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cava -- take a glass! Or if you prefer, have a fizzy drink or some lovely sparkling water. I've also baked some special cupcakes: Red Velvet; Double Chocolate or Lemon Delight, and DJ's brought some of her yummy blackberry jam. Now that our mouths are full, I'll hand it over to DJ!

You’re a mother and you work full-time. How do you find the time to write? Do you have a writing routine?

I mostly squeeze writing time into some of the time in which I should be sleeping. I think being autistic helps too as I don;t socialise that much which leaves more time for writing too! That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it...

You’ve done a fantastic job promoting Without Alice. Any tips?

I've got loads of shameless self promotion tips. A whole blog post in fact - follow this link to read them all.

What’s the first thing you did when you got your publishing deal?

I smiled serenely at my publisher, said yes please and thank you in a calm tone of voice while doing a quiet mental "squeeee!". As soon as I got on the train home I phoned my husband and told him the good news. I arrived home to find a bottle of champagne chilling in the fridge. My husband is magnificent. Fact.

What are you working on now?

I am currently writing two novels. The Plump WAG’s Club – A year in the life of four fat forty-something friends and A Dappled Life – A young man struggling to leave his past where it belongs.

What points or piece of advice would you give aspiring writers?

1. Write a novel.
2. Pay to have it professionally edited, no matter what your day job is.
3. Believe in yourself as an author!

Thanks, DJ, and congrats. Have some champagne and a cupcake!

And in other news, author Nicola Morgan is interviewing me today on blogging over at Help! I Need a Publisher. If you get a chance, swing by! :)

About DJ Kirkby:

Denyse developed a passion for reading aged just four years old, progressed to writing quirky stories at an early age and then produced volumes of dire poetry full of teenage angst at just about the age you would expect such behaviour. She now has a husband, son and 2 stepsons whom she loves with every beat of her heart. Her home is often filled with the sound of laughter as well as two crazy cats, a grumpy tortoise and loyal friends who stop by from time to time to make sure she isn’t writing anything about them.

You can find out more about Denyse at her blog and on Twitter. A video preview of Without Alice is available here. Without Alice's Facebook page is here.

Lucky 13

Happy Friday the Thirteenth!

Things are a bit topsy-turvy here at the moment with house-guests encamped in my office and a fresh batch arriving next week, so I'll keep this short and sweet! Just a heads-up on some happenings here and elsewhere:

On Monday, I'll be hosting author DJ Kirkby who's currently making the rounds on her Without Alice blog tour. We'll have wine and cake (of course) and talk about her debut novel!

Jen Daiker's Guess that Character blogfest is next Thursday and Friday. If you want to join along, click here for more details.

Want to win fifteen books (including a travel book by moi)? If you're a UK resident, head over to author Keris' blog and leave a comment to win.

Author Nicola Morgan is experimenting with Facebook ahead of her social media talk at the Edinburgh Book Fest. To 'like' her page, click here. And... I'm proud and excited to say she'll be showcasing this blog during her presentation on August 22 -- thanks to all the wonderful comments you leave here on a daily basis. I can't always respond on my blog as many of the comments come in at night (my time), but I read them all and I can't tell you how much I appreciate it! A big thank you! I'll be putting up a special post on blogging that day and I hope everyone will drop by to leave their two cents' worth on why blogging is such a powerful and useful tool for authors.

Author Gemma Burgess has now reached 13,000 hits on her Dating Detox book trailer! It's a great example of a book trailer that really works, so if you haven't seen it head on over!

And finally, it hasn't escaped my notice that I'm almost at 400 followers! Woohoo! Come September 1, I'll be doing... something I haven't yet thought of to celebrate. Watch this space.

Got any news or contests to share? Feel free to put it in the comments! Have a great weekend!

Everything I Learned about Writing, I Learned from 'Friends'

Okay, obviously not everything. But my incessant watching of Friends (I don't care how many times I've seen each episode, it's still funny) has actually taught me a lot about characterisation, pace and plot.

Every character in Friends is different and distinct with their own foibles and quirks. Monica likes to clean; Chandler fears he's gay; Ross gets divorced; Rachel into fashion and shopping; and Phoebe's kinda ditsy. And poor Joey's not the brightest bulb. Everything they say and do supports their characterisation perfectly.

An episode of Friends usually starts off in the coffee shop. Then, something happens to upset the norm and the characters must fight against it, accept it or adjust to it. By the end of the episode they're back at the coffee shop, equilibrium restored. We're never subjected to the boring bits (sleeping, eating, getting up, etc.); everything we see relates in some way to the plot and is there for a reason. In short, it's everything I need to keep in mind for my own writing. I knew there was a reason I liked it so much!

And now that I've justified my telly watching...

My Fairweather Ways

I've lived in four countries (Canada, US, Poland, UK) but when it comes to weather-obsession, the UK beats them all hands-down. The weather is a constant topic of conversation, with one day as humid as the Gulf of Mexico and the next freakin' frigid. Over here, there's no such thing as a 'summer wardrobe' -- you need to keep your wool jumpers on hand all year round.

Over the past few years, I've noticed the weather has a direct impact on my writing patterns.

Sun. I wake up early (like, 5:30 am in the summer), raring to go. I love watching the early morning sun as the streets come to life. Mornings are productive with lots of words on the page but by lunch I'm chafing to get outside. Living in London you quickly learn to take advantage of the sun while it lasts. Not to mention the afternoon sun pouring into my office makes it downright sauna-like.

Cloud. The most common, especially in winter. I've never known a grey like a London sky in winter -- my husband describes it as 'rat grey' (apparently they have a word for this in Arabic). I work slowly and steadily and while I may not achieve as much as my sunny streaks I usually reflect more on my plot and characters.

Rain. I spend the morning feeling smug and cozy in my flat, watching others struggle on the street outside (nice, I know). I work in spurts between downpours, then get the irresistible urge to curl up on my comfy bed with a book --- usually ending in a nap.

Snow. Rare, very rare, in London. Chances are if it's snowing, I'm not working. I'm too busy checking Twitter to see what part of London has imploded under 2 cm of snow or listening to how the end of the world is nigh since we don't have enough grit.

How does the weather affect your work?