Write your own novel challenge!

I was wasting time on FaceBook rather than writing my book (as usual!) when I came across a post from author Sally Quilford.  May - you write your novel challenge involves writing 80,000 words in 80 days from May 1st 2011 to July 19th.  This is a brilliant idea and just the thing to put a rocket beneath and prevaricating writer and get them all fired up.  The details are on Sally's blog and could be just what you need to get inspired. Published and unpublished writers can take part.

I'm certainly up for it because at the moment I'm finding it really hard to motivate myself. I'm really exhausted after school (I'm a teacher - I'm not literally at school!) and all I want to do in the evening is collapse in a heap. Hopefully knowing that the support of other writers is available (ie we are all suffering together!) will really help.  I've got to finish "Perfect Wedding" by the end of May " and "Issie Evans finds Rural Bliss" by the end of September. Gulp.

So, sign up and get writing! x

Writers' gathering!

I've been really busy this week sorting out contracts for a new novel under the pen name of Georgie Carter which will hit the book shops and supermarkets at Christmas.  Complete with glittery title and themed cover "Perfect Wedding" should be just the thing to snuggle down with on a cold wintery day.  I'm really excited! I wrote the book several years ago and I'm really pleased it's finally seeing the light of day.

This weekend I've been really busy working on my Year 11 coursework marking and at last I'm making inroads.  I allowed myself a day off though because my lovely writer friend, Victoria Connelly, and her husband Roy and down for a week in Polperro. It's been great catching up with them both and chatting about book stuff.  I feel less stressed about my deadlines when I talk to other writers and realise that they are just as flat out as I am! Vicki writes fab novels for Avon, and her next book is out on April 21st.  Check her out at http://victoriaconnelly.com Her Jane Austen books are wonderful.

To distract myself even further from writing book three I've ordered loads of new novels from Amazon, including the new Fiona Walker and Chrissie Manby.  I can hardly wait for the parcel and am stalking the Polperro postie! Chrissie is on the shortlist for the 2011 Melissa Nathan Award so fingers crossed for her. I didn't make it this time, sob, but there's always next year!  Hopefully people will like "Ellie Andrews has Second Thoughts" just as much as "Katy".

OK, I really must go and muck out my horse. Oh the glamour of my life! xx