Friday Fiction…On A Monday


I didn’t get chance to blog at all last week. What with the 100K challenge and then the internet going down for 2 days (GRRRR!!!! Don’t ask *rolls eyes*) but, i have got back in to reading, and watching rather a lot of a certain TV show…so its all good.

Just a quick piece of fiction today that was written in response to Dominics recent photo…

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Friday Fiction – Caff’s Caff


Dominics photo this week prompted the following scene. At some stage in the future perhaps i can extend it 😉

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Dear Muse…..


Dear Muse,

Please identify yourself!

I don’t think you’re being entirely fair. Ive kept my side of the deal, i write every day (well, ok, nearly), and have done on and off for several years now. Im not sure if i should be thanking you for that or just congratulating myself on my own powers of determination.

I get so jealous when i hear other writers talk about their “muses”. Some are real people who inspire them to write (*thinks*…nope, i don’t have one of those). Others talk about an imaginary entity, fairies, animals or a spiritual being (*thinks*…nope, i don’t see you as that either). Some see their muse as being part of themselves, a part that pushes them on in the right direction with an encouraging, supportive hand (*laughs* yeah, right, theres nothing pushing me on!).

So why are you so elusive?

Ive spent the last 4 years writing…short stories, novels, scenes, characterisations, but no idea, so far, has had that “wow factor”. Nothing has gripped me so tightly that i don’t want to let go of it. Can i say to myself, oh, well, thats because i don’t have a muse? Are all my ideas destined to be boring without your guidance?

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So please muse, if you’re reading this i could really do with a helping hand. A flash of inspirational brilliance, just one (I’m not greedy) would be so welcome right now. Something along the lines of Harry Potter, or The Hunger Games would be good. Thats not asking too much is it? 😉

I look forward to hearing from you at your earliest convenience.

Sincerely

Vikki x

 

Do you have a “Muse”? Would love to hear about him/her/it 🙂

 

 

Friday Fiction


To keep my brain ticking over I’ve decided to do a prompt every Friday morning. I have to admit that I’ve blatantly stolen the idea from the Friday Fictioneers 🙂

Todays piece is inspired by this photo, which i took whilst taking tea (get me!) at Fortnum & Masons last month.

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It inspired a character more than an actual story…

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Turn Your Concerns Into Stories


One of the exercises on the Future Learn course this week is to make a list of our “concerns” as this will help us build up a self-portrait of who we are as writers. It will also help us to become clearer about what matters to us, as these subjects are bound to crop up in our writing.

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Ok, well you know me, I’m game…heres my list…

  • The safety of my family
  • Sleep problems
  • Fear of death
  • Love and protection of animals
  • Hatred of infidelity
  • An interest in the supernatural
  • What makes people tick
  • Cooking/Baking
  • The Victorian Period
  • Memories
  • Art
  • Love
  • Good over riding Evil

Wow, thats a big old list lol…but im sure i can just keep adding to it. So what does that list indicate about me as a writer do you think?

What would be on your list?

The Art Of Blurbing


I spent some time yesterday morning writing a blurb for the novel I’m just about to start work on. A good exercise to get me focused on what the story is actually about and at least i now know the MC’s name!

I know some people get confused between a blurb and a synopsis, so we should probably start there..

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Blurb = Found on the back of a book and used to entice a reader to buy it. Usually two or three paragraphs in length. No spoilers.

Synopsis = A summary of the whole story from beginning to end. Usually about a page long (unless told otherwise) and sent to agents/publishers. Must include spoilers.

So now we’ve cleared that up lets get to the nitty gritty…what should a blurb actually do? What needs to be included?

  • Wet the readers appetite.
  • Convey atmosphere.
  • Indicate what kind of book it is, genre.
  • Short and sweet, draw the reader in quickly.
  • Introduce the protagonist.
  • Describe the theme, if the book has a strong one.

Right, so now i know what a blurb is and what i should include, i must be able to write a great one yeah? lol….you be the judge. This is the blurb i wrote for my new WIP Pressence 🙂

“It just feels so right.” Was the thought that escaped Beth Adams lips as she stood outside number 10 Button Lane with the Estate Agent.

Having battled her ex-husband Michael for nearly two years in their bitter divorce she was looking forward to a fresh start and rebuilding her life. An unloved Victorian house in a picturesque Kent village was exactly what she needed.

But behind the dirty stained glass in the front door lurks a dark force. Beth’s search for recovery soon turns to terror as she is forced to confront her fears and the pressence, with whom she is convinced she shares her new home.

Does beth have the strength to win this last battle? Or will the strain be enough to tip her over the edge?

Do you ever buy books on just the basis of the blurb? I know i do, so i guess its important to get it right 🙂

Open to suggestions and opinions…does this work or do i go back to the drawing board? lol

 

Z Is For…


Oh no…its the last day of the A-Z Challenge! Wow, that actually went pretty quickly didn’t it. And the best bit is…

I DID IT! 🙂

Sorry, got a little bit excited there, coz its not over yet… Its Z day…

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And my last random word is…

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Y Is For…


Good morning, or afternoon 🙂 Im a little late today…not feeling too great…have my reflux problem back so its back to the Quacks for me today *sighs* Plus I’m taking The Hubster to the dentist (I’m sitting in a dentist waiting room as I type!). Its all go here you know 😉

Today is Y day on the A-Z Challenge, so you know what that means…one more day and we’re done…awwwww…before you know it its all over 😦

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