A Fun Festive Poem

C is for Cupid to whom I pray.

H is for my heart, so full of love to share.

R is for Richard, who I know is here to stay.

I is for In Love, I’m so in ecstasy!

S is for the secret that lies within Richards’s soul.

T is for Thomas who never seems far away,

M is for his muscles, for which Richard swoons and sways.

A is for the alter, where they vow to love forever.

S is for my silent tears, I’m back to where I started,

                      I’m on my knees to pray.                    

Quote #2

'Have a heart that never hardens,
            a temper that never tires, 
                   a touch that never hurts.'     Charles Dickens, Novelist

Inspirational Quote

'Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless'
Mother Teresa, Nun and Humanitarian

My Ebook Now Available as Paperback on Amazon

I'm delighted to tell you fellow readers that my Ebook,  A Baker's Dozen, a collection of thirteen short stories is now available on Amazon. Please use the link below to access the site.
http://www.amazon.com/Bakers-Dozen-Thirteen-Stories-Everyday/dp/1466403152/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1322222206&sr=8-1

A Brief Hello

Hi all fellow writers. Sorry I haven't been online but I am having trouble with the Internet on my laptop. I hope all the NaNoWrMo participants are still writing well. There are only 9 days left in this difficult challenge, the finish line is only around the corner. Meanwhile I shall try and get this Internet problem sorted. Happy writing !

NaNoWriMo Time Everyone!

Its NaNoWriMo time again. I want to wish all you brave people taking the challenge the best of luck with your writing. 50000 words in a month is a mighty task but remember it is achievable.

• Try breaking your writing time into equal slots and take regular snacks.
• Keep the water bottle on your desk.
• 1667 words a day is required to reach the target.
• Maybe aim for 500words in a sitting and then stop. Try another 500words and again a break etc.
• By getting into a regular routine, your writing time will become a natural part of your day.
• Keep away from the TV, its a guaranteed time waster!!
• Find writing support with other fellow nanowrimo members and motivate each other.

So that's my tuppence worth fellow-writers and I really wish you all the very best. Do let me know how you all get on.

Help with naming your characters.

This is worth checking out, hope you find it helps.

 

How To Pick The Right Names For Your Characters

www.writersrelief.com

This article includes a checklist for writers to consider before naming their fictional characters.

Time is running out !!

You have until the 26th October to avail of a FREE download of my Ebook, A Baker's Dozen. It is a mixed bag of short stories for you to read on your coffee break or when waiting in a queue. Dip in and pick a story while you wait for your special someone or as you travel to and from work by train, bus or chauffeur !! 
The coupon code you require is WD64U and the link is,
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/90709
Reviews and comments are welcome so please do so when you have time, thanks!

Check out this fab new author

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/85666

This author is well worth checking out. His stories tease all the senses with great pace and tension and good storylines thrown in. The Ebook is a collection of stories worth putting in your E-library and for those of you who like the feel of the physical book in your hand, well the paperback version is due out shortly.

Holiday Diary haiku 2

good food, kind friends
cooling summer breeze
warms memories



Holiday Haiku

Atlantic teases
Shells pink and golden
Splintered underfoot

My New Ebook, A Baker's Dozen

My new Ebook is available from http://www.smashwords.com/ . Go check it out, it is a collection of thirteen short stories. They deal with everyday issues and how we cope with what life can throw at us. It is a mix of all emotions really. I hope you enjoy it, do let me know please. If you would like to download a free copy until Oct 20th 2011, the code to use is WD64U
The links are * To view my book  https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/90709
                     *To view my profile https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/marybrad

SUBMITTING GUIDELINES A HELP-SHEET

SUBMITTING GUIDELINES

Firstly, make sure your story is polished and proofread.

The following are general standard guidelines when submitting a short story

• Paper size: A4 white
• Font: Times New Roman, although this is a serif font, each letter is proportional to the space it takes up. Courier New is also a serif font where each letter takes up the same space as each other: the i takes up the same space as the m (used mainly in US market and for novels).
• Font size: 12 (both in Times New Roman and Courier New)
• Spacing: Double spacing
• Justification: Title is centred. Story is left justification, this means Right side staggered.
• Get familiar with the magazines you wish to submit too. Buy at least two copies of the magazine and study them. Go to the website of the magazine and check their guidelines, if it’s not on the website then e-mail for a copy of guidelines.
• Think in advance: Magazines work roughly 12 weeks ahead of an occasion and sometimes more, e.g. Christmas, Valentines, centenaries etc. Submit in time.
• Competitions: Read The Rules

The word count varies for each magazine, roughly one A4 page magazine is up to 800 words. The following are a rough guide for fiction in magazines,

Flash- 1000 words              Short story- 1000-3500                   Serial- 4000-8000. 

Cover Sheet (used for novels and competitions): this page has the Title, Author’s Name, Postal Address, e-mail Address, Contact number and Word count.

GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR SUBMITTING AND LET ME KNOW HOW YOU GET ON!

TITLES HELP-SHEET

TITLES

v     What is the first thing a reader sees when they pick your work to read?

      The title or name of your story. So it is worthwhile putting some thought into it when your work is complete.

 

v     It is helpful that the title you chose is a catchy one that maybe gives a hint of what the story is about.

v     Sometimes the title for a short story is a phrase that has been used in the body of the work. It could be the opening words of the first line or indeed the last words of the story.

v     Try not to use a twist on old clichés or names of films or songs.

v     Try to be original with your choice.

v     Take a blank page and write out the ideas that come to mind. List the names and when finished, pick the one that represents your story best.

v     If you have a favourite author, look at the titles they use for their stories, in what way do the titles and their stories connect?

v     It is not an easy task but worth taking the time to get it right.    

Dialogue Help-Sheet

DIALOGUE:

Dialogue is a conversation between two or more people.

It brings characters to life and adds interest.

Functions of Dialogue:

• Provide information
• Describe place/person
• Create a sense of time
• Create conflict/suspense
• Move the story forward
• Reveal a character’s thoughts

Quotation marks  “ ”

·        Start new line for different speaker.

·        Thoughts are not put in quotation marks.

·        Single quotation marks for quotes from someone/book.

            Quotation marks are outside all that is said

Take Note:

• Be aware of local slang terms, accents, etc.
• It must suit the story and the era the story is set in, (1) A teenager speaks differently from an older person, (2) A northerner speaks differently from a person living in the south.
• Consistency: if you use Isn’t - Can’t, then continue to use it and do not change it to Is not- Can not
• Must listen to how people talk
• Don’t give too much information to your reader, let the story unfold.
• Use profanity and slang sparingly.

Welcome

Welcome to my new blog, where I hope to share my thoughts and experiences in the the writing world.