Tuesday, 17 September 2013

Day 14: Blood Brothers Count Down Day 14 of 28: NaNoWriMo; The Young Writers Program

Day 14: Blood Brothers Count Down Day 14 of 28: NaNoWriMo; The Young Writers Program 

My new novel, Blood Brothers, is to be launched on 1st October. This is day 14 of the countdown to the launch. Half way there!

And, today, it is more on NaNoWriMo and their young writer's program.  


Nothing for me is more important than giving young people the confidence to start writing. Here is what the the Chris Angotti, the NaNoWriMo Director of Programs, has to say about their program.

"Every year, kids and teens around the world turbo-charge their writing during the month of November.

We consider NaNoWriMo the ultimate power-up for classroom creativity: with more resources than you can shake a Procrastination Slug at (note: we don’t recommend this) and a community all its own, our Young Writers Program will bring the novel-in-a-month challenge to nearly 100,000 K-12 students in 2013. We do this in a couple of ways:

The first is through our 2,000 brilliant, energetic educators. Starting in September, they order our free classroom kit, take advantage of our Common Core-aligned curricula, and get their students organized in Virtual Classrooms. For a sense of how one teacher makes it all happen, check out Kim Votry’s video of her kids’ planning-to-self-publishing journey.

The second is through our giant crew of independent young writers. Even now, they’re gabbing in our forums, filling out our engaging prewriting workbooks (they’ve got you covered on character building), and revisiting past pep talks for some early inspiration. (Did you know we had two Newbery and two Printz Award winners provide pep last year?)

We’re incredibly proud of the work we do with the YWP. We believe that stories matter for everyone, and that they especially matter for kids and teens."

You can read the rest of this post at this link; http://nanowrimo.org/en/breaking_news
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Monday, 16 September 2013

Day 13: Blood Brothers Count Down Day 13 of 28: Salman Rushdie on Novel Writing

Day 13: Blood Brothers Count Down Day 13 of 28: Salman Rushdie on Novel Writing

My new novel, Blood Brothers, is to be launched on 1st October. This is day 13 of the countdown to the launch. Today, something for fellow writers!

Salman Rushdie believes the key to writing is concentration, not inspiration! He believes it requires deep attention to your characters, to the world they live in, and to the story you have to tell. Here is what he has to say:

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Sunday, 15 September 2013

Day 12: Blood Brothers Count Down Day 12 of 28: Rock Gods and Rock Legends

Day 12: Blood Brothers Count Down Day 12 of 28: Rock Gods on Rock Legends



My new novel, Blood Brothers, is to be launched on 1st October. This is day 12 of the countdown to the launch. 

A rock band features in Blood Brothers and, oh yes, I do love rock!

This was published recently in honor of the 36th anniversary of Elvis Presley's death on August 16, 1977. 

Here, The Golden God (the wonderful Robert Plant) explains his admiration for The King (Elvis Presley). 

As for me?  Well, I think they are both wonderful!

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Saturday, 14 September 2013

Day 2: Blood Brothers Count Down Day 2 of 28: Liz Meets the General Plus the Blood Brother's Facebook Page

Day 2: Blood Brothers Count Down Day 2 of 28: Liz Meets the General Plus The Blood Brother's Facebook Page  

For those who missed my own Facebook post here is what appeared on Day 2 on The Wolf Project Blog!

Liz meets the General

Day 2 in the 28 day countdown to the launch of my second novel, Blood Brothers, and I've been thinking about my first one, The Wolf Project. I loved writing about Liz and Jet and how their lives intertwined. Here in this extract is Liz's first encounter with General Jet Meadows. I hope you enjoy it. You can find the rest of the book at this link.  

"You look lovely by the way – Wales must be good for you."  Alex always knew how to make her feel confident.
"So, what do you think they want – General Jet and his Gattling Gun?" Alex chortled.. "Gattling Gun?  No, no, that is not the right word but it is definitely the lovely Annabel who is shooting the bullets on this. She is truly  formidable! It is Annabel I've been speaking to through our American partner. Annabel is determined the General will take his "rightful" place in American history. He retires in a few months and she wants to publish the book to coincide. I think he usually does what she wants – she is quite a character." "And his rightful place?" Alex looked quizzical; "Hmm, that is going to be for you to judge. They are here for three weeks. He has some official things to do and she has friends here but I think they want to make some trips as well and he likes fishing. He likes hunting too but I don't think we have anything big enough. You won't get much time with them in London. You should get an interesting trip to Washington."

Liz wasn't very keen on the hunters of this world and she shivered. Although she had gone fishing with Evan on their river in Wales, she didn't like killing things. But a trip to Washington could be an intriguing experience. It sounded even better when Alex added; "They are prepared to pay very generous travelling expenses and your fee is going to be outrageous. It will be paid in the UK in Sterling, of course."

It was time to get into a taxi and make the journey to Browns. The journey from Soho Square to Albemarle Street in Mayfair wasn't far but Liz wasn't in the mood to walk. She never really enjoyed meeting new clients these days.  But she knew she was a good writer and a very good researcher. On this commission, that, and the ability to get on with the General and his wife, seemed to be the main requirements.  She knew that Alex had done what he could to prepare the way on both sides.

The Meadows were a striking couple. Annabel Hutchison Meadows had been, and remained, a beauty! She was in her fifties, the mother of two grown-up children and grandmother of three. But you would have guessed much younger. She was petite, blond, slim and had just the slightest Southern accent. If Liz had pictured an elegant American grand dame in pocket size, Annabel would have been it. Suddenly, Liz very much wished she'd stuck to that healthy eating plan – she was what the kind call curvaceous. Annabel was charming, of course. But, Liz had no doubt that she was someone who expected to be taken very seriously indeed. This lady usually got what she wanted in life.

As for the General! Well, even out of uniform and in a plain dark suit, you'd notice him in a crowded room. He was tall and quite broad at the shoulder and very fit looking. The photo didn't do him justice! He was good looking but there was something about his eyes that looked weary - almost as if he had seen to much.

You can find The Wolf Project on Amazon at this link.  In the US it is this link 
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Started a new page The Writing Wolf - lots of work to do on it but I'd welcome your Likes!






Day 1: Blood Brothers Count Down Day 1 of 28: The Book

Day 1: Blood Brothers Count Down Day 1 of 28: The Book

For those who missed my Facebook post here is what appeared on Day 1!




1st day in the 28 day countdown to the launch of my second novel, Blood Brothers, Lots more news to come before it is launched on 1st October
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Day 11: Blood Brothers Count Down Day 11 of 28: How To Choose A Champagne!

Day 11: Blood Brothers Count Down Day 11 of 28: How To Choose A Champagne!



My new novel, Blood Brothers, is to be launched on 1st October. This is day 11 of the countdown to the launch. 

Jenny, the heroine of Blood Brothers, finds herself at an exclusive party in Paris! Of course, she drinks champagne! Someone chooses for her. But would you know how to choose the right champagne for you? Here is how! (Don't miss Part 2 below)




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Friday, 13 September 2013

Day 10: Blood Brothers Count Down Day 10 of 28: Rock and Roll's Great Survivors!

Day 10: Blood Brothers Count Down Day 10 of 28: Rock and Roll's Great Survivors!


My new novel, Blood Brothers, is to be launched on 1st October. This is day 10 of the countdown to the launch. 

Blood Borther features a band that survives all changes of music fashion and goes right on rocking.

Status Quo were not in my thoughts when I wrote Blood Brothers but my wonderful Copy Editor mentioned them to me as an example of bands surviving!  So homage to Mr Rossi, Mr Parfitt and co.  

Here are the mighty 'Quo with Roadhouse Blues. (There is a great riff in this sampled from a rock classic; Shaking All Over.)

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