Six Sentence Sunday 21st October

Posted on October 21, 2012 by Vikki Thompson

This weeks 6 sentences are from a piece I wrote as an exercise in the Faber class 🙂 We were asked to write 100 words on our name. I went blank, but after a bit of brainstorming came up with the idea of fictionalising the origin…..

We had agonised for days over what to call her.

“I want something classy Mike, you know, not Sharon or Tracey.”

Mike was very excited when he arrived at the hospital the following day and told me he’d found the perfect name for her, on a bus.

“I don’t think Waterloo is really suitable for a girl darling.”

But i was relieved to discover that he was referring to the number 36 going to Victoria Station.

Is it any wonder that she grew up loving the colour red!

This version has been edited down for the 6 sentences and yes, I really did get my name from a number 36 London bus 😉

If you want to see a actual number 36 bus the same as my dad would have seen you’ll have to click here.

Is there a story in how you got your name?

Six Sentence Sunday (October 2012) (rhyllbiest.com)

What I Learnt From My First (and Second) Nanowrimo

Posted on October 20, 2012 by Vikki Thompson

No post here today guys, sorry, but I’m over at Bridget Whelan’s talking about Nano 🙂

Pop on over, where you’ll find me rambling, and, as an extra treat…. A video of Natalie Goldberg 🙂

Bridget says….
I am very grateful that Vikki has come across from her own blog at The View Outside to give newcomers like me a taste of what Nanowrimo – the international writing event – means. It’s clear she was made for this kind of challenge. By my calculations she was writing over 4,500 words a day (yes, A DAY) when she began, but slowed down for the second year because she was worried about the quality/quantity issue.

I’m open mouthed at her work rate, her ability to just get down and do it and her generosity in sharing….Over to Vikki…

CLICK TO CONTINUE READING

Bridget teaches Creative Writing and has one novel under her belt (so far eh Bridget?) 😉

At the beginning of December Bridget will be stopping by here to give all you Wrimo’s some tips on editing. If you’re anything like me you’ll be asking yourself on the 1st of December…. where do I start?

And thanks Bridget, for letting me take over your blog 🙂

My 10 Not So Secret Secrets to Winning NaNoWriMo (the-view-outside.com)
NANOWRIMO – an insight for first timers (bridgetwhelan.com)
Nanowrimo Spotlight #2: Vikki from The View Outside (the-view-outside.com)

My 10 Not So Secret Secrets to Winning NaNoWriMo

Posted on October 19, 2012 by Vikki Thompson

Everyone’s talking about Nano. Well, I guess they would be, the count down to the 1st November started on the 1st October 😉

Most of you know that this is my 3rd year of Nano and that the previous 2 years I was, in fact, a winner. Nano 2010 changed my life. If it wasn’t for Chris Baty then I probably wouldn’t be writing now, but anyway, I digress. People keep asking me, “how do you do it?” Win at Nano that is. So I thought I’d give you my top tips. I hope they help 🙂

1. Come up with your novel idea in advance. Yeah yeah, all the pansters are booing at me, but seriously….I’m not saying you have to outline. I’m not saying you have to have this great plan of all the scenes, but, trust me, having a rough idea, a beginning, middle and end in your head, will really help. My Nano 2010 still remains unfinished because I didn’t have a clue where it was going, whereas Nano 2011 may only be 52,000 words, but is at least complete. Soooo much more satisfying 🙂

2. Aim for daily word count goals. To win at Nano you have to do 50,000 words right? Ok, so that equates to approx 1666 words a day. But what if aunt Alice comes to visit? Or little Billy gets sent home from school with head lice? Or, heavens forbid….hubby gets man flu!!!! You can quite easily lose a day. So, do a bit extra each day. Aim for 2,000 words or even 2,500. You might just need to be ahead at some stage 🙂

3. Forget about the quality. It’s quantity we want here. Not every single word has to be Booker Award Quality. No one ever has to see this novel. Chris Baty refers to this Nano written draft as “draft zero” ie, the pre first draft….remember that!

4. Have a comfortable environment. Here in the UK, I won’t care where I write as long as its warm lol. My preferred place is my desk, but, I’ll also be attending write ins and going on a retreat. So as long as I’m warm and comfy I’ll be fine 🙂 If you like to write to music, make sure you have your favourite tracks on hand, and if you like silence (like I do) plan your writing sessions around times you know you’ll be on your own.

5. DON’T edit. Now this one is really important!!!!!! Seriously, if you try to edit while you’re writing you will work yourself up into a state of panic, crash, and burn 😦 I know it’s hard, you just want to go back and correct passages, spelling mistakes etc. But don’t as you’ll lose momentum, and you’ll be doubling the amount of time it takes you to write one chapter. Forget about it….until the 1st of December 😉

6. Try to eat healthily. Yeah, ummmmm, this is my advice, but I don’t normally take it lol. I tend to snack a lot during Nano. The family live on take out, and I hate to imagine how much chocolate and Pepsi I consume during November. Sooooo, my advice is, have whatever you need/want to keep you going, but, do yourself a favour, have at least 1 piece of fruit a day yeah?

7. Get support. The Nano forums are brilliant!!! You can get advice if you’re struggling with your plot, receive sympathy if you’re flagging, and feel like you’re part of a lovely big family. Join your local region and attend at least one Write In for your area. Your lovely ML’s who organise them are on hand to give you any advice and support over a latte 🙂

8. Tell the family! Or room mate. Basically, whoever you live with. In my house they know that 1. They probably won’t get words of more than 1syllable out of me during November, 2. They will run out of clean underwear unless someone is assigned to the laundry and 3. That there won’t be much cooking going on (not that there normally is anyway I hear my daughter cry!). So best to warn your nearest and dearest I think.

9. Don’t give up if its not working. Ok, so you’ve written 15,000 words of a novel you suddenly realise you hate. It’s utter rubbish and deserves to be thrown in the bin. I’ve known people to give up completely at that stage…. NOOOO! DON’T DO IT! just carry on with another novel, another idea at word 15,001 or write some short stories, or your memoirs, anything, and just add it on! 🙂 Whoever said it had to be a complete novel? It can be short stories, your memoirs, or even a journal, observations of your day. *whispers* there are even some rebels out there who use it to rewrite novels and to finish existing ones 🙂

10. Have fun and don’t panic! Ok, look, we know its about getting to the finish line, the 50,000 words that let’s you claim your winners certificate, but, lets not have a melt down. Officially, this entry shouldn’t be on the list because I’m supposed to be telling how to win, but, its my list so i can add what i want 😉 Winning, is in the eye of the beholder. So you only did 7,000 words? The car broke down, the schools pipes froze and all the kids were sent home for a week. These things happen (usually to me on a regular basis lol). But, if that 7,000 words is more than you’d usually write in November, well, you’re a winner in my book 🙂

My Netbook, where all the Nano action takes place 🙂

I don’t claim to be an expert, this is only my 3rd year, but the above list is based on my own experience of what works for me 🙂

Good luck everyone who’s taking part, and if you have any other tips, please share 🙂

Should You Do NaNoWriMo? (siripaulson.wordpress.com)
Countdown to NaNoWriMo (laniseb.wordpress.com)
How NaNoWriMo Saved My Life (cherylfassett.wordpress.com)
Are You Going to Participate in NaNoWriMo 2012? (wired.com)
NaNoWriMo for the Uninitiated (zenscribbles.wordpress.com)

Nano Planno by Steven Chapman
Nanowrimo The Pitfalls @ Writer Unboxed
My Nanowrimo Legacy
Pantster, Planner or Percolater?
Ready or Not Here It Comes: Nanowrimo

Water, Water Everywhere

Posted on October 18, 2012 by Vikki Thompson

Yesterday was launch day for Patsy Collins. Her collection of 7 short stories, Not A Drop To Drink, has been published under the Smiling Dog imprint at Alfie Dog

Here’s the blurb.

Scientists say the human body is around 70% water. We know that’s not true.
Oh, we could drink ‘straight’ H20, but usually we don’t. More likely it’s vitamin rich juice or teeth rotting cola. We like a nice cup of tea to calm us down or cheer us up. Perhaps a nice glass of wine to celebrate or drown our sorrows. Two glasses. Too many glasses.
Our bodies do contain liquid of course. Never just water. What’s in yours; acid and bile or the milk of human kindness? Blood, sweat and tears of joy or sorrow?
It’s these waters you’ll find running through these stories.

I’m a huge fan of Patsy’s (*whispers* Not only is she a great writer but she’s a lovely lady too!), so I was thrilled to get the opportunity to ask her a few questions 🙂

1. What made you decide to release a book of short stories after having 2 successful novels?
It seemed like a good idea at the time! Actually ‘Not a Drop to Drink ‘ really did start as just a vague idea. I mentioned it to Rosemary at Alfie Dog Fiction and she offered to edit and publish the book under the Smiling Dog imprint to help promote my writing and the Alfie Dog website – where you can download around 600 truly excellent short stories by authors who write in a wide range of genres. My husband agreed to produce a cover so I didn’t have to do anything really, except email Rosemary a selection to pick from and agree with her excellent suggestions on layout etc.
2. What inspires you?
I often get idea when I’m carrying camera gear along the beach, climbing hills or working on my allotment, so probably it’s getting puffed out in the fresh air. Just in case I’m wrong and cake is my real inspiration, I eat loads of that.
3. How much time do you spend on research?
It depends. I tend to base stories in areas I know and give characters jobs I’ve done which helps quite a lot. I’ve worked in shops and offices, on a ship, as a waitress, on a farm and as a telephone operator, so I’ve already done a fair bit of research. When I do need to research anything new, I do it as thoroughly as possible. I’ve attended inquests, got lost on the underground and sang carols in order to write about these things.
4. Describe your average day?
If I’m working – drink tea, go to work, write in my lunch break, come home and check emails etc, submit to a magazine, cook dinner, drink wine, read, sleep. If away in the van – drink tea, climb a hill, photograph ships, visit a castle (or all three), write, cook dinner, drink wine, read, sleep.
5. What book are YOU currently reading?
I’ve almost finished Burning Bright by Tracy Chevalier and am really enjoying it.
6. Any advice for aspiring authors?
Write! Having a go is the best way to learn. Reading books of advice, attending classes and learning the rules are all a good idea, but you need to actually do the writing, not just know the theory.
7. How do people get hold of your book?
‘Not a Drop to Drink’ is available from the Alfie Dog website.

Thank you so much Patsy for stopping by today. Good luck with the new release, you know I’ll be downloading a copy don’t you! 🙂

Do check out Patsy’s other work. Escape to The Country and Paint Me a Picture both available on Kindle. I promise, you won’t be disappointed 🙂

Patsy is one of many Indie authors, who have decided to go down the Kindle route, and I wish her every success. My own thoughts on this are that if you’re a “good” writer, your work will shine, no matter how, or where its published. So please support our indie authors. It’s authors like Patsy who are paving the way for writers like me 🙂

And don’t forget to check out the Alfie Dog website (link above). Is it something YOU would consider?

The Next Big Thing!

Posted on October 17, 2012 by Vikki Thompson

I’ve been tagged by Madalyn Morgan to take part in this Blog Fest, but when i read the questions i realised that I’ve already done it under another heading. The WIP Challenge but bare with me here.

Regular readers will know I’ve just started a writing course, a novel writing course. Now, I could stick with the Mills and Boon, but, as I’ve got the opportunity to write a novel over 6 months, and have access to agents, I don’t think a Mills & Boon romance is what they’re after lol. So I’ve come up with another idea. It’s not fully formed, it’s just a germ. So perhaps answering these questions will help bring it into focus a bit more…..

what is the working title of your next book?
The View Outside 😉

where did the idea come from for the book?
Two things. Firstly the title of my blog. I spend a lot of time staring out through windows. Even as a child I spent hours at my bedroom window when it was raining. The second part of the idea came in September. The anniversary of 9/11. A sensitive subject I know, but I just couldn’t get the image out of my mind of all those windows. From that, I then started thinking about agoraphobia.

what genre does your book fall under?
Hmmmmm, that’s hard. I’m tending to think in terms of women’s contemporary fiction, but, who knows, it could possibly go down the thriller route 😉

what actors would you choose to play the part of your characters In a movie rendition? Very hard, I haven’t even got the characters formed in my own mind. There will be 2 main characters, a man and woman….I don’t know any more than that at this stage, sorry 😦

what is the one sentence synopsis of your book?
Blooming hell! I dunno lol. Ok *thinks* a woman’s struggle with agoraphobia and her journey towards recovery…..or not? You know me *evil snigger*

will your book be self published or represented by an agency?
I want to explore the traditional publishing route first, but I’m not opposed to self publishing.

how long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
I haven’t even started the first draft, it’s in the ideas/notes form at the moment. I’m hoping the first draft will be complete by April, as I’ll be starting it this week!

what other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
That’s hard. I’ve never read about a woman suffering from agoraphobia before. So if you know of any, please shout 🙂

who or what inspired you to write the book?
I know you’re all gunna think I’m nuts, but an article I read about 9/11 being fictionalised, and how, as yet, there hasn’t been a really good book written that centres it’s story around those events. Is it because people don’t want to read about it? Is it too sensitive a subject? I’d be interested to hear your views.

what else about your book might pique the readers interest?
There will be romance, but I can’t promise a happy ending lol.

Would love to hear your thoughts? How do you feel about reading a book that is somehow connected to 9/11?

Have you seen the film Remember Me? I thought it was excellent, and what-a-shocker!!!! it’s connection to 9/11 is subtle, but very powerful.

So now I have to tag 5 fellow writers……hmmmmm….let me see……

Jennifer M Eaton
Josh Mosey
J Keller Ford
Paula Acton
Patsy Collins

Please let me know if you don’t want to participate so that I can tag someone else 🙂 Your post should go live next week 🙂

Please take a few minutes to visit these writers blogs….I have a feeling that what they’re working on just may be The Next Big Thing 🙂

Next Big Thing – Or so they tag me… (philippajanekeyworth.wordpress.com)
The Next Big Thing (flossiebentonrogers.wordpress.com)
The Next Big Thing (lucasmangum.wordpress.com)
The Next Big Thing-A Tag (cathysvoicenow.wordpress.com)
The Next Big Thing… (keystrokesandwordcounts.wordpress.com)

Posted on October 16, 2012 by Vikki Thompson

Bonus post today…..

I’m guesting for Chris at The Kelworth Files, where he asked me a few Nano related questions 🙂

The Kelworth Files

I’m pleased to shine the spotlight on Vikki tonight!

What’s the most unusual part of your writing process?
It’s probably not unusual as such, but…..I have a practice session every day. Before I write anything else I do a writing prompt, by hand in my notebook. It’s usually first thing in the morning, that seems the best time. It gets my brain in gear, helps me to focus, and puts me in writing mode.

Where are your backup files?
I use memory sticks. I seem to collect unusual ones. I have a memory stick pen (pen one end, USB the other) and a necklace. The necklace looks like a black heart, but actually comes apart to reveal a USB.

What advice would you give to all your fellow WriMos?
Don’t give up! I’ve seen it happen too many times 😦 You get to 15,000 words (or less) and decide that…

View original post 251 more words

Faber – Introduction Session 1

Posted on October 16, 2012 by Vikki Thompson

Those of you who are on FaceBook will know what an awful time I’ve been having (and I’m still having) with my phone network since last Friday 😦 So the idea of travelling up to London with no phone and no map was not really a prospect I was looking forward to 😦 I jokingly say to people that if its going to happen, it’ll happen to me, and it usually does! Proven by the fact that hubby’s phone which is on the same network, same phone, same number apart from 1 different digit, is working fine!

I guess I shouldn’t have been shocked then when the moment i left the house it started to rain and when I got to the station i discovered that my train had been cancelled and that there wasn’t another one for an hour (I ended up taking a different route which cost me more money).

So I finally arrived in Bloomsbury, hungry, tired (I fell asleep on the train) and with frizzy hair! Lol

After a quick stop in Costa I made my way over to The British Museum, managing a trip to the loo and a peek at their wonderful jewellery collection in their shop, before being turfed out at closing time.

I then made my way over to the London Review Bookshop where I have a 10% discount card for being a Faber student. Yes, ok, I did buy a book alright 😉

Then it was time to ring that buzzer *queue dramatic intro music* The Faber building is stunning! From the outside a row of elegant Georgian town houses, but inside, modern, slick, and very very white. Our class is in the attic, on the 4th floor. I’m sure the view from the windows is stunning, but I was too engrossed in everything else to check. The class filled up quickly and there was lots of chair shuffling when Tim, our tutor arrived (we hadn’t left a seat for him lol).

I won’t bore you too much with the lesson, needless to say we had to go round introducing ourselves and saying what we wanted from the course. I said about my 2 novels and that I needed to be more focused. When he asked if I would be working on ‘But Not Forgotten’ I was a little bit chuffed, and couldn’t help wonder what he actually thought of it. I told him I wanted to start something new and he seemed to approve 😉 He went on to say, to all of us, that we were there for a reason. That he had read every single submission, and that we had been chosen because he saw something promising in every one of our pieces. That was good to know 😉

The rest of the lesson was taken up with writing exercises (I’ll share them at some stage), reading recommendations (books about writing) and a pep talk about sacrifice and commitment to being a writer. I think we all secretly squealed inside when he told us that a 3rd of the class from last year now had agents!

Homework for next weeks session is to read up about “planning” (a print out Tim gave us) and to read the other notes we were given. There will be a “peer critique” every week, where one students work is analysed *gulp* so I guess I better start working on my first piece. It has to be under 5,000 words so I’ll probably get cracking on the new novel…..exciting….and more about that tomorrow!

Right, I spose I better get some sleep, but I’m buzzing! A great night! Can’t wait till next week now 🙂

ps….I went for the red top 😉

The To Do List 15th to 21st October

Posted on October 15, 2012 by Vikki Thompson

At the time you’re reading this I shall probably be either on my way to Central London, or there already. I will probably leave mega early, because the thought of being late terrifies me! Lol

And if you’re reading this early on Monday morning, and I don’t respond it’s probably because I’m crouched in the corner of my bedroom whimpering 😉

So how did I do last week?

1. Check Nano forums 3 times a day on my days. Yep, done that, I’m keeping up well 🙂 it’s fairly busy, but will get busier….gawd, it’s not even November yet! Lol. Will remove this from the list now, I’ve got notes in my diary lol

2. Finish Mick Jacksons book. Done!

3. Finish at least one if the romance books. I think I opened one if them, but that was it lol. I’ve been reading Natalie Goldberg. What can I say, I’m easily distracted when it comes to lovely shiny book covers lol

4. Continue outlining Sorrento Sunrise, think about timeline. Done, but I’ve kind of given up now. I won’t be touching my notebook again until November. That’s unless I come up with something that needs adding of course 🙂

5. Sort out a donation tin for Nano. Done! Did you see it on FaceBook? No? Ok, here it is 🙂

6. Start new Ideas note book. Done! And I’ve already filled about 10 pages!

7. Make sure I’m all set for Faber *gulp* Done! I think….. I have a gorgeous Moleskine bag, 2 Moleskine notebooks, new pencil case, pens, umbrella and folder to put all the Faber info in 🙂

All I’ll need to add is my purse, phone and diary 🙂

Soooo, now onto this weeks list…….

Yeah, I know, it’s looking pathetic right?

I sat there last night and I thought, and I thought, and I thought…..blank! Lol. I think because I’m nervous about this evening I can’t seem to focus on anything else. So i gave up at point 3 lol

1. Faber homework. Yeah, there will be some, every week apparently. I had an e mail last week saying about critiquing each others work *gulp*

2. Finish reading current book. I’m having a break from reading the Faber tutors stuff. Reading one if the new Mills & Boon Rivas at the moment.

3. Get out winter clothes and boots. Ok, on first glance, not really writing related, but, it is when you have to trudge round the streets of London in the cold and wet. Hence the umbrella mentioned above 😉

So I’m being really easy on myself this week. I haven’t a clue about what is expected of us in the way of homework over the coming weeks….I guess time will tell 😉

I’ll tell you all about it tomorrow 🙂

what are your writing plans this week?

Six Sentence Sunday 14th October

Posted on October 14, 2012 by Vikki Thompson

I wrote this piece back in April 🙂

“I’m sorry Jan, but it needs to be said.”

“No, please Dave, that’s enough, you’ve made your point.”

Jan looked across the table at her father in law. When she’d first met him, 30 years ago, he’d been tall, strong, a real mans man. But now, sitting at her kitchen table he reminded her of a frightened child, the roles reversed. The shell of the man he once was, living in their house because Dave’s sister couldn’t cope.

Image courtesy of stockimages/freedigitalimages

Poor Jan….the poor father in law….I don’t think Dave has got much patience, do you?

Six Sentence Sunday 10/7/12 (laniseb.wordpress.com)
Six Sentence Sunday (heatherj22.wordpress.com)
Six Sentence Sunday – My 100th #SixSunday Celebration! (lisafoxromance.wordpress.com)

Seven

Posted on October 13, 2012 by Vikki Thompson

I’ve been nominated by Sam at Manty67 to list 7 things about myself. Sooooo, to put a twist on it, I’m going to give you the 7 faces of Vikki *snigger* 😉

Aged 18 months