Back cover blurb

We have the opportunity to promote our books at upcoming conferences at which we are speaking. So I had to stop everything and write the promotional copy for the novel I am editing under duress to finish quickly.  

This is critical. Crafting the back cover copy is almost more important than writing the book itself. It's what's going to make someone pick up the book and decide to read it. Isn't that the point of writing a book?  Then back cover copy must be the most compelling part. Fortunately, my background in copywriting is coming into good use. 

What do you think?  Would it make you want to read the book?

Technology and Art as Inspiration

Sasha Sykes
Caliology II
Bird’s Nest in Resin
18cm H x 24.5cm L x 24.5cm D, 2015

Tomorrow I drive to Dublin to help a dear friend who broke her leg and must attend a meeting but cannot drive or handle the stress of public transport. So as part of the deal, I am planning a day of inspiration.  As I have just finished my first novel, I am already planning my great American novel. What will be my subject?  It will be about the sea.  It will be about the human condition.

On finishing the first draft

Just a few moments ago, I finished the first draft of my first novel. How does it feel?  Wooo-hoooo! Celebration time!

I grabbed my husband Alex and said, "I finished it," with finality.

He said, "Finished what?

I bashed him and said, "You know, only the thing I've been working on forever."

He laughed and said, "So now, the real work begins."

He could have given me one moment of glory. One moment of respect. One moment of success. One moment of cheer.

Naw, I guess you never deserve to expect anything.

Right. On to the next phase. Reading what I wrote.

Psssst. I read the first chapter already. Found a few small typos. But I LIKE it.

I am celebrating on my own.

Techniques for setting tone

Departing for the unknown

Setting the tone for a novel and staying true to that tone throughout can have a profound impact on everything that happens around it. The characters you develop, the words you use, and pictures you paint all have to fit into that chosen tonality.

Opening lines

What's the point of an opening line? Is it to intrigue someone so much that they must continue on? Is it to set the tone for the rest of the book?  Is to make someone stop and think or pay attention right from the start? Or is to paint a picture in which the story will unfold?

Perhaps it's a little of each of those things.I've been practicing writing opening lines for images posted on Twitter by iAuthor.  

Here's an opening line I think will work in a future novel I am planning to write.

"My past held a very bright future. Then, life cast its shadows on my prospects." 

My story is going to take place on land but told from the perspective of being at sea.  It's going to reach into the deepest darkest places of someone's soul, but it will come out into the light in the end. At least that's the plan.

Stoking the imagination

As I near completion of my first novel, I am searching for the topic for my next one. For the next one, I have decided, is going to take every ounce of my effort to craft the fine literary novel.  The book that Joseph Conrad or Hemingway would have written.  I want it to be short, poignant and beautifully written. But what should I write about?

Fishing for success

Today I entered my first writing competition. I entered a flash fiction piece, the first I have ever written.  I submitted it to Fish, the anthology publishers for first time writers. I didn't even know such a genre existed a few months ago, yet somehow it captured my imagination. To get across in 300 words a complete story with an emotional edge to it was an interesting challenge. I loved writing it.

It sprang up on me. I didn't know that story was inside me until I started writing it. Now I wonder if they'll think it was worth reading. I'm hoping they will, but I'm dreading they won't. So long to wait. At least I'll have four months of hope to cling to.

Competitions are different from just straight publishing. It's not just about your work. It's about being judged against all others who have submitted. That's different. Tougher in a way. But if you succeed, you'll be a winner.

Somehow, I feel like I've already crossed the line, though. I submitted it.