A thought occurred to me today as the hours progressed, that I lead, along with millions of others in this world, a varied life. That variety is the spice of life.
I have just posted a comment on Hyaline Prosaic’s blog. She’s a historic re-enactment enthusiast and has just spent the weekend cooking over a traditional campaign campfire. Not just pottage and crusts . . . but roasts and coq au vin. This is happening in the States as we speak.
This week I attended some sessions of the Melbourne Writers’ Festival.
“In its 25th year, Melbourne Writers Festival is a nationally and internationally-acclaimed festival featuring over 350 writers from around the world and more than 300 events.
Yesterday, Nathan Bransford (http://blog.nathanbransford.com) quite upset my apple-cart in a blog entitled Buckle Up. Even the title implied a scary ride into the future. In quoting a global commentator on the publishing world, the following was pointed out:
I noticed there was a question from Nathan Bransford’s blog in the last week or so, asking writers whether they read only the genre in which they write?
It seemed some did, some didn’t.
I read a lot, not as much as I want as I seem to fall asleep by the second para of the page on any given night, but I love to read. Once when I was a reader I read for pleasure totally. Now I find my pleasure is overshadowed by a questioning mind: why did the author do that there, how do they accomplish that, why that word and not another. And look, there is an adverb and wow!, an exclamation mark, lots of them! And ooh-er, an edit blooper.
The idea of holding a blog event would have sounded quite odd to me twelve months ago. 
That long ago I was only just coming to terms with Facebook and LinkedIn, followed by the dreaded 140 characters of Twitter. But on the lookout for ways in which to reach a readership, I came across ‘how to make a book-trailer’ on Nathan Bransford’s blog. Of course I couldn’t on my own, because technology and I don’t speak in the same language and so my brother (who runs a production house) did it to my brief. After that I felt ‘challenge’ biting at my heels and on reading all my favourite historical fiction blogs, came across the amaaaaazzzing vvb32 who seems to run brilliant events on a weekly basis.
Some days are meant to be good.
From Facebook Fairy Tales
Woke this morning with a blooded eye, wondering why I chose to punch myself in my sleep. This later developed to a migraine . . . I have no pain, no nausea, just visual disturbance . . . split images, venetian blind effects, sometimes barely any vision at all. But half an hour later, with some treatment, it was all gone and I was able to sit at the computer and read emails, blogs and even do some writing. The blogs, chiefly Nathan Bransford’s (www.nathanbransford.com) of the last three days were damned good reading giving a succinct rundown of the most recent Amazon/Macmillan problems, also a fabulous blog on the future of the e-book, digital publishing and self-publishing which I found fascinating, especially the comments from readers. I experienced some sort of vindication for flying with the independent YWO.com with my first two novels. Mr. Bransford implied that those outside the maintream, who have had to pedal harder under water (my words), may, together with a knock your socks off ms, have the edge in this e-book battle and may indeed make an impression with the mainstream publishers. I really loved this because an agent last year basically called me out over my decision to POD with YWO.com My confidence took a hell of a hiding, despite the fact that the year has been exciting, inspiring, full of growth in both writing and marketing.
There was a great blog today from a guest blogger on Nathan Bransford:
http://blog.nathanbransford.com
Worth reading because it lists all the excuses people use not to write. I know I’m a victim of the ‘but’ days. There’s too much housework, I need to do some cooking, I’m needed on the farm, or worst of all . . . I can’t be bothered today!
