Everyday Things

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2008-03-14T18:34:16+01:00

Do drop in and see me here when you're passing :-

http://www.authorsden.com/gwenmadoc

Cheers!!!

New Book

2007-07-14T17:51:09+02:00

My latest book Mothers and Daughters came out in June last. I am halfway though my current book. I won't reveal the title of it yet but intend to keep it a secret for the time being.

I have six months to finish the book. That may seem a long time but times flies. There is a great deal of work and writing to be done still.

Back to the keyboard!

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A new beginning

2007-03-13T18:24:41+01:00

Well, at last the revisions on my current book are complete. It has a brand new title now. MOTHERS AND DAUGHTERS, out later this year.
How about that!

I am starting to plan the next book. I will be making videos of my progress and my methods, explaining the way I create a novel. These I will be posting to YouTube and Livevideo. Isn't technology wonderful? And its fun too.

My head is full of my new characters and their lives, past and present.

I believe I will enjoy myself writing this one. Let's hope so.

Bye for now!

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What a relief!

2006-12-20T10:25:44+01:00

I've not seen a chiropodist since April last. I always have a home visit but she has been ill all these months.

My toe nails are falling off! I'm forced to look elsewhere. Thankfully this morning my feet were seen to by a new chiropodist.

Oh the relief!

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On the dotted line......

2006-12-10T11:55:27+01:00

I'm happy to say that the new two book contract has been signed - and away to go!

My first deadline is the end of February - hurry! hurry!

The second deadline is probably the start of 2008. Plenty of work to keep me busy.

Here's the thing - I don't have an idea for the second book. Help!

Don't panic! Something will occur to me. Anyway I've got to finished the book I'm on.

I must not get distracted - by TV or whatever.

I love this writing game.

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Time to get serious.

2006-09-21T18:08:24+02:00

The first ten chapters of my new novel are complete - in draft form, of course. Haven't had much time for blogging unfortunately.

The time has come now to send these ten chapters off to my agent. The purpose of this is to show her that I am getting on with the job in hand; get her advice on how it looks so far, and if possible give her some ammunition to try to secure a new book contract for me.

Even though I have already had ten books published with the uncertain state of publishing today nothing is certain. You are only as good as your current book - never before has that phrase been truer. The competition in my genre is fierce.

But I can only give it my best shot.

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It's getting interesting.

2006-08-26T15:58:45+02:00

I'm on chapter 8 now and the writing is going well. There are a few distractions other than family - bought a camcorder, joined YouTube and have gone movie crazy - it'll pass.

I'm a Gemini - and so these varied crazes come and go. I'm used to it. Writing is my one steady craze. It's for life I hope, well, at least while I can drag myself to the keyboard..

Even so I am managing between 8 hundred and 1k words each day. Getting up early is the key and priming my subconscious the night before.

My latest book is out this week. Here it is -

Hardback.

I love being a writer.

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Word after word!

2006-08-16T23:40:31+02:00

On chapter 6 now. Did well last Sunday - over 1500 words. Monday and Tuesday were family days, so no writing. Today, even though I was pretty tired in the afternoon I managed almost 1k.

The plot is becoming a little clearer in my mind. It's amazing how particles of the plot which are chaotic in my head fit together like a jigsaw puzzle when I sit down to write. I owe it all to my subconscious.

I received my hardback copies of my latest book TAKE MY CHILD by Gwen Madoc (Severn House Publishers Ltd) which comes out at the end of this month in the UK and November in the USA. It's a wonderful feeling to hold a published copy of your own book. This is my tenth but it is still thrilling. It makes me want to work even harder. I wish I could manage to write two books a year.

Don't be daft!
Or don't be twp as my Welsh speaking friends might say.

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Slowly but surely

2006-08-06T10:53:36+02:00

Summer is still slowing me down with the writing. But this week I hope I can catch up.

On chapter 5 now. My head is full of ideas for the plot; making notes by the bucket loads but sitting down to write is hard work for some reason.

The lovely weather has unsettled me. I need to push myself.

Get up and go, Do!

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Where does the time go?

2006-07-23T13:26:38+02:00

I'm way behind with my writing schedule. The sunshine has generated more 'family days'. The temptation to get out and about is too great. I don't think I am as 'driven' with my writing as I once was. But I must knuckle-down from here on in.

However, I am half way through chapter four with over 13K words written. I'll have to stop slacking. Aiming for a total wordage of 80k means I have another 67k to find.

This lovely weather can't last, can it?

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Making headway

2006-07-12T11:11:00+02:00

Still coughing fit to burst but the words are flowing again. Thank heavens. And what is more important perhaps the plot is unfolding more easily in my mind. Good sign. The willingness to pour out words is uselsss unless there are ideas first.

Hoping to work for at least four hours today. Will I make it?

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Full Stop!

2006-06-29T14:08:02+02:00

Words have stopped completely since Sunday - blasted throat infection again. It's brought me low. Where do they come from?

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One word at a time

2006-06-22T09:21:16+02:00

Just over 2000 words in three days - a drop in the ocean - not a very good performance so far. Life will get in the way - and so will age

I've worked it out - 2000 words every three days - I should finish in October - I wish!

Never mind - take one day at a time and one word at a time. Words mount up - but it's not just words. They must be the right words.

When I'm facing the writing of a pivotal scene when I have to portray deep emotions I get really jumpy wondering if I can do it justice. What I forget is that this first draft is not written in stone - changes can be made, layering can be done later. Revision and rewriting will flesh out characters and scenes.

Dodo! Stop blathering and get on with it!

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New beginning

2006-06-19T13:04:48+02:00

I've started chapter one of my next book, the eleventh, and I'm very keen. It is set in Swansea in the summer of 1910. It's the beginning of a long haul, but it'll be worth it.

I'm determined to rise early every morning to get on with the writing. I just stopped for lunch and to blog but now I must get back to the keyboard.

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Out in August

2006-06-13T18:09:10+02:00

I'm pleased with the jacket of my book Take My Child which will be published in August by Severn House Publishers.

The story is of one girl's struggle to survive a loveless marriage and the destruction of her good name.

All the hard work is worthwhile after all

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Take My Child

2006-06-13T13:27:08+02:00

The proofs have been checked and the corrections sent off to the publishers by email this morning. Apparently, the production of the book TAKE MY CHILD will start at 1.30pm today. A close run thing.

I'm always full of doubt on finishing a book but having read the novel through in proof form I find it is better than I had anticipated. I was afraid that the tension that I had built up in the first two thirds of the story might have slackened off towards the end (always a big worry for an author) but no, I've kept the tension going mainly through tight writing. Every book I've written is a new experience for me I find.

My garden is almost complete and I am very pleased with it - six weeks it has taken, a far bigger job that the gardener thought. This afternoon should see the final touches - I hope.

Then I shall be free to start writing my next book. The plot has been rattling around in my head for weeks if not months. I now know enough about the characters and what happens to start the actual writing. The hard slog begins all over again. I must be crazy!

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Here I go again!

2006-06-02T21:24:13+02:00

The remodelling of my garden is only half complete, and I'm still uptight at having workmen around all day but this morning I began to work in earnest on the outline of my next novel.

I can picture the beginning, some of the middle and the end - especailly the end. It will be a week yet before the garden is finished and I know, from experience, that the presence of workmen does tend to slow the creative juices somewhat. This will give me time to know my outline back to front and upside down. I'm convinced, after the uncertainty experienced when writing my last book that as far as I am concerned careful planning of the plot segments is absolutely essential. I must know where I am going. Hopefully a well established outline will give a steady flow of writing. I don't have a new contract yet, but I am writing in faith that I will.

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Hurray! All is well.

2006-05-27T16:49:42+02:00

At last the typescript of my book has been returned from the copy editor and all is well. No structural problems, just commonplace matters like over use of certain words: small insertions to make to get emotions across or make clear situations. And to think I worried myself sick, thinking it might be a dud. What a relief. I'm thrilled everything has turned out all right.

The only problem is they want the revised typescript back by 30th May - hardly any time to study it. But I expect I'll manage.

Now I can get on with the outline of my next book. I'm getting excited about it - good sign!

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What's happening?

2006-05-05T20:34:52+02:00

Still no word from my editor yet. Has she binned it!!!!

Nevertheless, I'm working on my next book - piecing the plot together bit by bit. I have my cast of characters; given them names so that I can look on them as real people, which they are in my head, and I'm finding out lots of interesting things about them.
But I won't start the actual writing yet - I want to plan carefully this time, know every twist and turn of the plot before I sit down at the keyboard. It's the only way (for me that is) to keep me from getting in a tangle. All writers are different though. I envy the ones who can just sail through to the end without a map of the route.
Old writers never die, they simply fade away.

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Worried!

2006-04-28T11:30:15+02:00

Still no word from my editor on the manuscript. I can't believe no news is good news in this instance. Can't help worrying that there are many flaws to find.

On the other hand, worrying won't help one bit. I will be glad to get her comments though. Then I can get on with putting things right. Hopefully.

My tenth book (nine already published) and I feel like a novice all of a sudden. I'm pouring out my heart here.

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Finally we have lift-off

2006-04-13T13:47:29+02:00

There as been a long ominous silence on my blogs. Revision and rewriting can do that to you.

There was a great deal to do. The last chapter was rewritten three times each with a different ending. I finally got it right at least I hope so for now the typescript has been sent to my publishers. The die is cast. I wait with bated breath dreading a cry of outrage from that direction.

I am already thinking about my next book and have a basic idea, small, but hopefully worthwhile. I am determined next time to plan meticulously, plot every inch of the way. And it will be meaty - I am determined about that too.

But before I begin writing again - there will be reading, lovely reading. Dorothy L Sayers first. Then some regional sagas in between, followed by more crime and perhaps some sci-fi - I do love sci-fi - not fantasy I hasten to say, but good old alien worlds, starships voyaging through the galaxy that sort of thing.

Of course, the manuscript which has just left my hands will be back and back again for me to sort out issues dug up by diligent editors - such as pregnancies lasting longer then the requisit nine months; blue eyes suddening turning brown, and losing account of the passage of time in the book - it all happens when one is in the throes of red hot creation.

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Still revising

2006-03-29T23:57:53+02:00

I have little time to write much here at present - still revising - major surgery!

Last chapter completely discarded and new one written.
Penultimate chapter - drastic changes and rewritten.

Next comes re-reading of this second draft.

Here's hoping!

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Breaking the 'Rules'

2006-03-18T16:28:24+01:00

As soon as I woke this morning I knew exactly where I had gone wrong in the second half of my novel.

There are no rules in writing, but there are conventions. I had broken a major one. The main conflict, the one on which the whole story hangs, was resolved far too soon. No wonder the story ran out of steam! This conflict should never be resolved until the last few pages. What a chump I am!

This mistake led on to a further problem. My main character, the heroine, had not suffered half enough.
Resolving the main conflict too soon meant she was let off the hook.

Well, the conflict is back on and she's back on the hook. I'll face her with a dilemma. She must choose between her love for her child, and his chance for a future of great wealth and power. She must sacrifice her own happiness to give him this opportunity. This time she'll wriggle on the hook until the last page.

A lot of extra work here, but, my word, I do feel better!

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Final analysis

2006-03-16T17:45:59+01:00

When I am writing a novel I plough straight through, rarely stopping to analyse what I've written. After several months of course I've no idea what I have written until I reach the end. At that time I read though. I've just read through the first draft of the novel I've just finished.

Oh, dear me!

The first half of the novel moves along at a good pace with plenty of raw emotion and some good action, but the second half slows down dangerously. Analyse why. Planning of the plot not careful enough? Thin plot? Am I loosing my grip? No! I'm at the top of my game.

Major revision and re-write called for. New scenes to be slotted in and other stuff to take out. I'm getting headache!

But, I'm a professional writer. I should be able to do all this with one hand tied behind my back. It's that deadline that bothering me. I must put it out of my mind and concentrated on what really matters - making this novel work.

It's the love angle. I've always said love going right has no punch. Out with love! I'll have to find a spanner to throw in the works for He and She.

Back to the keyboard.

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Master Class

2006-03-06T23:46:15+01:00

Watching a DVD recently of one of G K Chesterton's novels, a Father Brown mystery, I found this quote from the master himself in the features section, and thought it very enlightening.

"A good novel tells us the truth about its hero, but a bad novel tells us the truth about its author."
G K Chesterton - 1874 - 1936

This is so true. New writers have a tendancy to 'butt-in' during the narrative; that is, make themselves visible to the reader. No voice other than the characters' voices should be heard. When the author's voice is heard the narrative descends into 'telling'.
When the only voices heard are those of the characters' then the narrative ascends to 'showing'; thus bringing the story and the characters to life on the page.

I have taken quite a few words to explain this. Chesterton's quote says it all in a nutshell.

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The End!

2006-03-02T16:51:26+01:00

I've finished my book! Ypatee-doo-dah, ypitty-ayh!

There's a lot of work still in front of me, revision, rewrites, but I like this kind of work.

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White morning

2006-03-01T23:31:22+01:00

Even though I was expecting it, it was still a surprise this morning when drawing the curtains to find the garden under a deep blanket of snow. My dog has seen snow before but he was still baffled. "What is this fluffy stuff"

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Last scene but one

2006-02-23T23:42:10+01:00

It is almost complete. I have reached the end of the novel, already over my target of 80,000 words. There is one big scene left to write - it must be a good one! Then comes revision and rewriting.

It's been a long haul. 2005 was a horrible year for me; three times scared for Hubby's life. Yet somehow I managed to go on writing through it all. Well, of course, writing is a bolt-hole I can escape into from reality.

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Getting worried

2006-02-18T19:04:10+01:00

It dawned on me last night that I have only about four weeks to complete my novel. I must leave time for revision and rewrites which will probably take another two weeks. That means it will be a close run thing for the end of March.

I managed over 1100 words today. Almost finished the big scene I mentioned yesterday. Some connecting narrative comes next, then one small scene and then the final scene which should be lengthy and I hope meaty.

Can't afford to waste any more time. This is getting serious!

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Writing

2006-02-17T17:23:18+01:00

I did do some writing yesterday after all. Big scene ahead of me between the main protagonists, so it needs careful thought. Hope to do more tomorrow.

No writing today as I visited my husband. Hubby is not well, I'm afraid. He's very pale, almost sallow.

It did break my heart to see him so.

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