Diary of a Writer – May Prompt

Many delegates of the upcoming RNA conference in August are currently selecting the agents/editors/publishers they would love to have a 1-2-1 with. Who, I was asked at a zoom meetng earlier this week was I targetting?

Mnm!

I did sell Courting the Countess at an RNA conference so I know how useful these 1-2-1s can be. However, I also know that I am much more stressed at conference when signed up for an interview than I want to be. Also, the writing I’ve been most engaged in in recent years has been for a specific market – DC Thomson’s People’s Friend magazine and their My Weekly pocket novels. Three of the novels, A Debt for Rosalie, Christmas at Maldington and A Maid and a Man, are now in library editions and so enjoying an afterlife.

How, you’re thinking, does this translate into a writing prompt which ought to be positive?

I do have three drafts active at present – 2 regency novels set in Scotland and the idea for a short story which popped into my head while I was on holiday in Bavaria recently. So, Courting the Countess is acting as a prompt because I know I can achieve completion of works in progress. The RNA conference is a huge prompt because, firstly, there’s an internal writing competition for one of their trophies and, secondly, hearing all about writing from your peers whets the creative appetite.

We all work at a different pace. Pop over to Capital Writers where you’ll find Cecilia Peartree drafting novel 27 in one of her series and discover that Jo Allen can draft a 27 chapter detective story in 2 hours. I think I might need a wee lie down.

So, will I/won’t I? Apply for a 1-2-1? Come by next month and find out. Meantime, remember stationary stationery reaches no editors. Keep Writing.

A wee PS At the time of writing A Maid and a Man is out on loan through the South Australia library service. Yay! And Courting the Countess is free for kindle – duration of the offer not known.

Anne