Books that have helped me with my writing.....

Creative Writing for Dummies

English Grammar for Dummies

The Five Minute Writer

Self Editing Fiction that Sells

This is the cover to my first book, Long Lost. What do you think? A work colleague created it for me and I think it depicts the essence of the book perfectly. I do think it will need to look more professional when I come to self publishing but it works for now.

Since I began trying to get published I have joined ALOT of websites (not enough hours in the day springs to mind!).

Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Michelle-Read-Author/580556831980280

Twitter
@chelle52

Avon Romance
http://www.avonromance.com/post/chapter-1-of-long-lost?from=your-books

Authonomy
http://authonomy.com/books/50266/long-lost/

Wattpad
http://www.wattpad.com/story/10157130-long-lost

Blog
http://readsread.blogspot.co.uk/

Feel free to follow me on any or all of these sites. Look forward to seeing you there :)

My pattern of writing.

I write in the morning before I have to shoot off to work. I write in my lunch breaks, sat mostly in my car. In front of the TV most evenings and as much as possible over the weekends.

I know you will probably think I have no life but writing IS my life. I like to use good old fashioned pen and paper (for a 30 something, technology really scares me!) and then I type it all up later. I know that sounds a bit long winded but I'm not always sat in front of my computer, and nor do I want to be. However I usually end up adding more as I edit and type it up!

I don't write from start to finish but as the story unfolds in my mind which could mean I write chapter ten first and then chapter one last, I usually know how I want the story to end but not how it begins! I keep a running index so I know where I want to place each chapter so I don't forget anything, believe it or not this makes it easier for me when it comes to editing.

I don't edit until I feel I have written all I can on the story, I then have a break for two weeks and then start the editing process in earnest. By the time I've finished editing the book has practically doubled in length. I usually edit my book three times but as I'm not published it will probably be edited again!

These are my techniques, they may sound crazy but they work for me :)

If others can get a publishing deal, so can I!
If others can make a living doing something they love, so can I!
If others can be successful, so can I!

I have a confession to make, I write my book in my car when on my lunch breaks in work. I know, I know, sad, but its the only place I can get any peace during my working day. My reasons are: I get bothered by people when I sit at my desk, there is no decent staff room and I work in a dodgy area so have no where else to go.

My seat slides back to give me plenty of leg room and lap space for my A4 pink note book. Classical FM goes on for some soothing background tunes, and my hours break disappears in minutes as I write furiously, trying to get everything down that's been on my mind throughout the morning.

Phew! I feel better for getting that off my chest!

I have a trilogy going on. My first book is called 'long lost', my second book (here's the exclusive! Lol) is called 'long last' but I'm stuck on a title for my third! Any ideas? (Sticking with the 'long' theme).