Project Waneta takes her first steps …

Yay! I printed off two copies of my novel – working title Project Waneta – for two good friends to read today while they holiday in Thailand, the lucky lucky ladies (for holidaying in Thailand, not necessarily reading my novel

So my baby has taken its first steps and waddled over to the trustworthy hands of my gals. One’s an editor, another is a prolific (teen fiction) reader and is notorious for her brutal honesty so I’m hoping I’ll get some useful feedback. I also plan for my 15-year-old cousin to read it plus one of her friends (target market).

But my god, even printing out the darn thing, I noticed some cringey bits – eg. I’ve gone a bit overboard with the adverbs. So ‘Tori said sadly’ or something (I didn’t actually use that but too tired to remember the exact examples), which have kinda slipped in here and there. But in all, I’m pleased with it and looking forward to final drafting so that I can send it out in the New Year.

And yes, call me crazy but already started writing a) the follow up to Project Waneta (started writing that a few weeks back just cos I’m in love with my characters and want to know what happens next myself) and b) a new project called ‘God, Complex’ which I’m rather excited about.

Anyway, must go, the hubby’s giving me ‘but I thought you finished your book already so why are you still on the laptop’ looks …

Night ya’ll … x

Noughts and Crosses (Malorie Blackman)

Just because a book has been critically acclaimed and praised to high heaven doesn’t mean you’re gonna like it.

Noughts and Crosses is one of those books. I can see why it’s been praised: the premise is original. It’s about a world where white people (known as noughts) are perceived as second-class citizens in a world dominated by black people (Crosses). I think Malorie Blackman is a wonderful woman – I’ve read interviews with her and she’s very inspiring. So many people have urged me to read this book, including two teachers I know mainly because it delivers some very strong messages and has a rock-solid moral core to it.

But the novel – I just can’t get through it. Sorry! I really want to but I just can’t. I think I’m struggling with the writing style, it’s just not for me. And certain elements – for example, one of the main characters, a 14-year-old girl, develops a drink problem – just aren’t convincing enough. There are strange naive turns of phrase too but maybe this is an attempt to deliver copy in a teenage voice? O my, I so wanted to like it but, hands up, I’ve given up.

Ha ha, you can SO tell I don’t wanna criticise it, don’t you? But there you go, it just hasn’t worked for me so am putting it down and I’ve picked up The Luxe by Anna Godbersen which is madness because it’s the total opposite to Noughts and Crosses. But my gosh, it’s beautifully written. The characters are convincing (if a little stereotypical). I feel like I’m sitting down to a lovely garden party feast as I read it. I’m not sure it has any deep moral issues to explore, like Noughts and Crosses but it’s pure entertainment. Mebbe that’s what I need right now.

Ooooooh, what I need to add is that I’m rather excited about a book that’s coming out next year: Sarwat Chadda’s The Devil’s Kiss about 15-year-old Billi, the first-ever girl to (reluctantly) join the Knights Templar Order.  It sounds sooooooo fab and can’t wait to read it. Sarwat writes a cool blog, check it out here.

x

It’s November …

 … And I want to share a beautiful poem with you (courtesy of my Tweet mate, Stephen Fry, who’s currently in Africa, filming for the BBC … see his blog). I think I’d like to use it at the beginning of the follow up to my shapeshifter novel (still re-drafting it, think I need to change the end). Enjoy!

November

Thomas Hood, 1844

as heard in The Art Of Noise’s “Opus 4″

 No sun – no moon!

No morn – no noon –

No dawn – no dusk – no proper time of day.

No warmth, no cheerfulness, no healthful ease,

No comfortable feel in any member –

No shade, no shine, no butterflies, no bees,

No fruits, no flowers, no leaves, no birds! –

November!

I met Mary Queen of Scots!

Last night, I met Mary Queen of Scots.

No, seriously, I did!

She possessed the curator of the very dramatic, very beautiful Tetbury Castle where myself and two (mad, deluded) friends decided to spend the night.

The curator was just sitting there, chatting away about the history of the place when all of a sudden, her head snapped up and her eyes started glazing over. ”Do you mind if Mary Queen of Scots pays a visit?” she asked in a strained voice. I kinda craned my neck around the room, thinking ‘WTF? Isn’t she, like, dead?’

But then the curator started rasping and swaying her head around (so Exorcist!)  and launched into a random tirade in a truly bizarre accent. “I am Mary Queen of Scots,” she moaned.

When she snapped out of it, she asked if we had any questions. I was wondering where the loos were and when tea would be served but didn’t think that was the kinda question she had in mind.

Anyways, that kinda set the tone for the rest of the night (all 7-8 hours of it) which included ‘ghost vigils’ in the dark where various mediums (tried to) call up spirits; pushing a glass around the table (no, I didn’t push but someone did. A dead someone?) and dowsing. I actually luuuurved dowsing, it was the most convincing part of the evening. You basically hold metal rods and ask questions and they sway in a certain way to say yes and no. I asked if I was gonna get published next year and it said yes! But it’s only now I realise of course I’m gonna get published, I get published every week. I meant, will my novel get published? I also asked if I was gonna marry Jared Leto but it said no so I do question their accuracy!

So, that was our haunted night. Not amazingly scary but at least I can tick it off my ‘things to do before I die’ list. A Halloween soiree with friends on Thursday night was actually much scarier – cleavages, pork pies and confessions. It was like an office party at The Sun HQ! More here with a video (evidence) here …

I could go into more detail about both events but I’ve had two hours’ sleep so am going back to bed.

x