The Prune Effect

Or How I need to be More Regular with the Blog Updates.

It's all part of the process of trying to become a published author. Writing the words is only the start.

After the words, comes the line edits and corrections, and, of course, all the corrections and changes that you suddenly find you need.

You've also got do decide what kind of book it is that you have. The best description I can come up with is a “Historical novel, with a strong romantic thread.” There are very strict rules for pure romances. Jane Austen can break them, but not a simple tyro like me.

Why does it matter? Because certain publishers, agents and editors prefer different streams. It would be a real waste of effort to try and sell it into a market for a different genre.

But – we are where we are, and I'm pretty happy so far.

Coming up. I'm drafting this en-route to the RNA Summer party. It'll be a good night tonight. I'll be popping a couple of photos in this update tomorrow.

Most friends will know of Liz Fenwick and her ultra-cool Cornish novels. (Click here - Unashamed plug) Pam and I finally made it back to Cornwall a couple of weeks ago and had one of the best short breaks we have ever had. 

Not only re-visiting a lot of haunts from my childhood but meeting up with Liz at the launch for Under a Cornish Sky. Pam and her finally got to meet as well so an extra bonus. To cap it all, I also got to meet Mandy James, one of the RNA members who got me into all this in the first place.

Talking of “the book” we are off in two weeks or so to Ireland for a holiday-cum-research trip. After meeting up with 250 old friends in Galway we are spending a couple of days in Mullingar, taking lots of pics and generally getting a better feel for the place. It's where the action in the book is set. More past family history. Sometimes it's useful to have some totally scuzzy ancestors.

Also coming up will be a proper web-site, and a “John Jackson – Author” Facebook page. All of the things you have to do if you are serious about it all. Having got this far, it would be really stupid NOT to be serious about it.

RNA-wise after this, it's my first RNA conference in London in early July. As Roger Sanderson – one of the few but really well known male authors in the romantic area told me – you see the RNA at their best at Conference! I, for one, can't thank my RNA friends enough for their help and support getting this all together.

You know what they say - with these three, "There may be trouble ahead......"

More old friends, in Liz and Jenny

AND – Brigid won the Joan Hessayon Award!

No One Wants to be Miss Havisham

Also away from the book, we took friends to see Vincent and Flavia on the last night of their Dance Til Dawn show, in Hull. A great night, and we took friends from Belgium, and met up with several old dancing friends too.. They are now preparing their last show together – The Last Tango. It's sure to be a sell-out. HIGHLY recommended!

So the next blog update will be after the Conference. (and will have more photos!)

Let's see if they like champagne cocktails!

John

who is also

@jjackson42 on Twitter
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=597036631  on Facebook

Time Flies – Faster and Faster

Where is this year going? As I write, we are half way through April, and it's almost the asparagus season (always a sign the spring really IS here).

We are now the proud owner of an array of solar panels, It generated a better return for some surplus cash we had than putting it away in an ISA. Almost everything is finished on the house. The conservatory is up and being put to good use. There's still a couple of chairs to get, but that's just a detail.

The book is going remarkably well. I've got some fabulous ancestors on the family tree, including a few really dreadful characters. One of them is providing inspiration for my book. I've been beavering away, and I'm up to 85,000 words. Right now I am about 85% through the narrative, which is just where I want to be, If I finish the narrative line inside the next month, that gives me two months to edit and rewrite before handing it in for evaluation.

Isn't Writer's Block weird? When you just don't know what to write, or where your story is going? I got stuck for about three weeks recently. Frustrating doesn't come close. Luckily, I got some advice from friends at the Romantic Novelists Association RoNA awards night. They were a big help, and thanks for the suggestions. I can say to any (aspiring ) novelist. Just go to an RNA event and you'll find more support and suggestions than you thought possible. A great way out of any particular quandary.

The RoNAs night was excellent. I've read and critted for the awards for the last two years so wanted to go to at least one event to see where it all went, so to speak. A great night with friends, too. Barbara Taylor Bradford looked amazing for 83! Sharp as a button, too.

As I said, a great night. There's me, about ten other blokes, and two hundred women ALL dressed to kill! Nothing wrong there, then!!

My last trip to Belgium was brilliant. Really, one of the best weekends. It started well, with a trip to one of the best beer shops in the country, at Poperinge. They don't spend money on advertising!

The weekend that followed featured no less than 85 different beers. No, I didn't try them all, but I had an outstanding time with about 90 old friends. Roll on next years trip.

So now? Back to the Work in Progress!! (and more regular updates in future. In the next two months we are off to Cornwall and to Ireland, so expect more after that.)

John

who is also

@jjackson42 on Twitter
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=597036631  on Facebook

A New Year – A New Me!! (Yeah, write)

(No, its not a spelling mistake)

Its only a couple of months since my last blog update and, after an amazing Christmas and New Year, a good time for another batch of musings.

It was a momentous holiday season for us is many ways – the first in our new home, with all the family, and DD1s partner with us for Xmas Day. Nobody fought or argued, all the food was excellent and it was, in short, one of the best Christmases for many years.

It has been a momentous New Year as well, so first, a bit of history.

A couple of years ago, I was having a twitterversation with some friends during an episode of Strictly (Dancing with the Stars to friends overseas) and a pair of new voices appeared. They both seemed keen to chat, and interesting in themselves. They were both, back then, unpublished authors in the romantic genre. One thing leads to another and I found myself chatting not only with these ladies, but also with their friends – who all seemed more than ready to chat with your humble servant (old, semi-crippled retired straight bloke). At the time these ladies, all members of the Romantic Novelists Association, were heading up towards their big annual award event, and I'm thinking – 200 competitive lady novelists?? Bitch-fight!!!!

Err.... No, as it happens. As I got to meet more of them I found myself in the middle of one of the nicest bunch of people you could meet. Encouraging, unbelievably hard working and mutually supportive almost to a fault – and all this for very little financial reward.

The upshot of all this is I now find myself a member of the RNAs New Writers Scheme, having been convinced to “give it a go myself.” This largely because of the amazing amount of encouragement and support I have had, including from other male members of the RNA. (there are a few)

Now Romantic fiction has got a bad press over the last few years; everyone thinks in terms of Barbara Cartland being force-fed chocolates on a pink sofa covered in Pekingese. There is a large sector which does remain locked in a world of fantasy, but – hey – they are published, which is more than I am. The pond is big enough to find other – to me, more acceptable – genres, especially in the contemporary or historical sectors.

There is also the added attraction of reading books by people you know! It really makes a difference.

Regarding Twitter - as many of you will know, its a popular custom to send a #ff message out on Fridays, to encourage friends to follow each other. About a year or so ago, I started sending a #ff series of tweets to my followers, depending on their area-of-interest. Note: I don't gather followers willy-nilly. If you follow me and we have no shared interests, you will find yourself blocked!

Also, just sending out a bald #ff message is – frankly – boring, so, as being boring is NOT good, I started putting an alliterative or (allegedly) amusing tag with it.

The list grew, as these things do, although I only allowed followers after we had met, or at least chatted on line. The list now stands at over 200 names – and I find myself having to come up with a new tagline every week. It seems that my followers love it. I shuffle the list, so people are not in the same batch of seven or eight every week, and quite a few will use their batch for their own #ffs.

For my Hash House Harrier friends, I can tell you – my author friends would make excellent hashers – convivial to a fault, and rarely seen without a wineglass in their hands.

Talking of Hashing – after a brilliant Beer Odyssey in Brussels I finished up the year with a great party with old London H3 friends, and then over in Brussels for a final get-together and Xmas party there. Its always great to see old friends, and, as I age and find myself less mobile, I am still going to try to keep going to those two events. It really IS about keeping contact with old friends.

To that end, I am taking Pam to her first actual Hash Weekend in Ireland when we go over to Galway for Interscandi. Apart from meeting yet more old friends there, I'll be doing some research for the “Work-in-Progress”. I've got a lot of old family history to comb for plots, scenes and situations, so we will be staying for about 10 days in Ireland.

Old Hash Friends can also expect to see me at Belgian Nash Hash, Eurohash and UK Nash Hash. I do have to keep popping over the channel or the beer cupboard will run dry, and that would NOT be good.

For us, we are enjoying retirement. The bungalow is finished – the builders managed to finish the Conservatory before Christmas, much to our surprise. The village we chose to live in, Haxby, continues to delight.

Now, if I could only throw off this chesty cough................

John/Urine

Its all Liz Harris and Mandy James fault! So blame them (or even better, read them)

Mandy James on Facebook @akjames61

Liz Harris on Facebook @lizharrisauthor

More friends whose work I like:

Jane Lovering https://www.facebook.com/jane.lovering @janelovering

Pia Courtnay https://www.facebook.com/christina.courtenay.9 @PiaCCourtenay

Sue Moorcroft https://www.facebook.com/sue.moorcroft.3 @suemoorcroft

Liz Fenwick https://www.facebook.com/liz.fenwick.author @liz_fenwick

Talli Roland https://www.facebook.com/talliroland  @TalliRoland 

Hash Friends will be able to find me at:

Belgian Nash Hash http://www.bmph3.com/BNH/2015/

Interscandi http://www.interscandi.org/

Eurohash http://eurohash.org/

UK Nash Hash http://nh2015.ukh3.org/nashhash/

Manchester H3 3^rd Birthday http://www.manchesterh3.co.uk/

Its that Recurring Question - Where did that year go?

Its exactly a year since we bought this house – although only seven months since we moved in. We have – with one major exception – finished the repairs and decorating. The exception is the new conservatory – the builders are being dilatory in the extreme! That is hardly news in the great story of builders, though.

It is nearly 6 months since I last updated this blog, and I keep asking “Where is the time going?” and never really receiving a sensible answer. We still try to fill our days though.

The major event of the summer was the Brussels Beer Oddesey, involving over 2500 veteran hash house harriers from all over the world descending on Brussels for an extended weekend of Running, Walking and Beer. I've been attending (and organising) these events for 20 years, and I can put my hand on my heart and happily say this was the best. :) For me personally, it was unbelievable having so many friends there!

A colourful bunch aren't they. :)

Anyone interested can check out the myriad photos at https://www.flickr.com/photos/16341398@N07/collections/72157646058229232/

The other major event was a gorgeous holiday in a gite in Brittany for Pam and I. Right out near Roscoff, the gite was, as usual, a converted farmhouse and was one of the best we have stayed in. We had a great time! Its a gorgeous area and the weather stayed kind.

I spend an enjoyable day in Leighton Buzzard with friends attending the Festival of Romantic Fiction. Such a nice bunch, and always a pleasure to see and spend time with them.

Thee Book Fair 

As I got to know more of them on Twitter I started sending out a #ff message, but including some little gag or tag to make it interesting. After all #ff on its own is pretty damn bald and meaningless. This, like Topsy, has Grown! As I have got to know and chat with (whether in real life or on line) more authors, that have been added to the list so it now numbers more than 100. (a lot more) Finding something amusing and original to use as a tag gets harder and harder! Still, its fun in a weird way. Perhaps I should get out more

In fact, I enjoyed myself so much I am off to see many of them again at the RNA Winter Party in a couple of weeks. I plan on having my camera!

I've also been whiling away the off hour reading and reviewing books for the RoNAs – all in the romance genre, but not by any means what some might call Mills and Boon types. This year I got given 5 to read – all of them between 400 and 550 pages long!! Nevertheless I made it and filled my forms in and sent them off. I look forward to see who makes the short list and who wins. There were 2 of mine I thought were in with a chance.

Strictly Come Dancing is back with us! So far, it is proving to be a brilliant series - with several real surprises!! My last 4? Jake, Caroline, Frankie and Pixie by a country mile. 

The other major improvement is NO MORE BRUCE! Now if we can only get the BBC to let Zoe Ball take over from the Loch Tess Monster all my wishes will have been granted (LOL)

We have both our girls with us for Christmas, so the house will be full! Preparations are continuing apace! We have been over to an Xmas Craft Fair this morning in Harrogate for lots of bits and bobs for stocking fillers. Before them, I am back over to Brussels for a major Christmas party – a wind-down and thank-you for the committee and all our helpers who made July's event so good – and, for me, a vital chance to restock the Beer Cupboard!!

More after Christmas – and may YOUR Christmas and New Year bring you everything you wish for.

Comments? Keep'em coming!

John

who is also

@jjackson42 on Twitter

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=597036631 on Facebook

Cakes and Ale (& Home)

Cakes and Ale (& Home)

Actually, scones and beer!

Back in the dawn of time, when dinosaurs roamed the earth, and I was about 10, I won third prize at Poynton Show in the junior section for my scones. Last Friday, I was forced to delve deep and hard into the memory to recall all I used to know, as we'd volunteered to produce some for a book launch (of which more anon).

Luckily, it seems I haven't lost the knack, probably owing to some assistance from St Delilah of Norwich. Which turned out to be fortunate as P. was lying hors-de-combat, struck down with her particular brand of dreaded lurgi.

A friend, the delightful Liz Fenwick, has a new book out, and her publishers had arranged for a launch at a small independent bookshop in Urmston. Why Urmston, you may ask? Liz's publishers, Orion Press, suggested it. Liz's new book, A Cornish Stranger, has a music thread to it, and Liz got a lot of her information from a student friend of her son's who attended Chetham's School of Music – also in Manchester. All of which was as tenuous a connection as you can get, but still made for a really nice night. A nice crowd of some 36, Liz spoke for an hour, some good questions and all the scones went!

BTW – I really recommend her book – it's the best she has written, and I really enjoyed it. I spent a large part of my childhood in Cornwall. Liz really “gets” that bit of magic that starts when you cross the Tamar, and it shines through her books.

Meanwhile, back at the house, we are still knocking off those little jobs left from the move. The carpet fitter comes tomorrow to fit new stair carpet, we have new curtains, the garden is coming on a treat, and we have ordered some new double-glazing. Bit-by-bit we are getting there.

I am off to Belgium again next week for the last committee meeting before the big Hash House Harriers “do” in July. 2500 people coming, and a LOT of beer organised!

When Liz was talking she mentioned how she looks on her house in Cornwall as “Home”. And that got me thinking. Both Pam and I are really feeling the new house is "Home" already. Perhaps because we both chose it, and made all the decisions about it.

Just for once, we were able make all those decisions purely on their own merit. All the other houses we have had, for the last 30 years, have either been because they went with the job, or because my work was in the area. THIS time, we are here just because we want to be – and that is a great feeling!

Time For an Update - the Weeks Just Slip By!

Where does the time go? In spite of being putatively retired, I seem to have less time than ever these days.

You can tell the difference between being a York resident and a visitor to York – we've been moved in for 6 weeks, and we still haven't been to Bettys! Mind you, the other York bakery, Thomas's, produces equally good Yorkshire Curd Tarts. I AM feeling the lack of a Fat Rascal or two, though.

It seems that – for us, at least, the house market remains buoyant. We've sold (almost) my late uncle's old house (owned by my late Mother). Completion should be next week, subject to “probate being granted”. Then we only have to wait 6 months before Mother's will can be proved. All very time consuming, but not, for us, urgent.

The big agenda item for us though, has been the garden. Being both old and knackered we decided on raised beds – and I managed to make them out of old scaffold boards. They are proving great, and the recent spell of good weather has allowed us to press on with planting and re-potting all the plants we brought with us from Evesham.

I have made contact with local friends on the Yorkshire Hash House Harriers. LOTS of old friends!! The only problem is, when they made Yorkshire, they made a hell of a lot of it. Also had a great trip to Macclesfield Beer Festival to join up with old London friends of the SLASH3. Good beer (246 different ones) and great fun. Bill Turnbull (doyen of the BBC Breakfast Sofa) was  very busy pouring beers for us all afternoon!!

Readingwise, its been busy. Among the bits and pieces left to me by my Uncle was a couple of old books about Cornwall. One of these, “Deep Down” by RM Ballantyne was fascinating, and packed with details about the old Bottalack mine in Cornwall. My Gt-Gt-Grandfather bought the mine and put it into production again in the mid 18^th. C. Very much in the same writing style as John Buchan and Ballantyne's other books, i.e. Coral Island, and its free on Kindle.

Many of my lady writer friends have been living the high-life over in New Orleans for the big Romantic Times fiction convention. Curiously, I used to stay at the same hotel where the convention was held, so was able to give them a few tips re the delights of Bourbon St. I note with interest that they are all remarkably coy about any weight-gain from all the amazing food that New Orleans has to offer.

Liz Harris's Blog post catches a flavour at http://www.lizharrisauthor.com/?p=2191

Life goes on!!

We are up, we are in!!!

We are up, we are in!!!

Time for an update and the event of the year has undoubtedly been Moving House! We are now resident in a bungalow in a little village called Haxby, 4 miles north of York.

We are at that stage where the furniture and packing has gone into the house – been re-arranged once, but is now being re-arranged again! Yes more stuff will, I'm afraid be going for sale, or to thee charity shop. The undoubted effect of having lived in so many places and moved around so much over the last 40 years.

Fortunately Pam loved the house after all the redecorating and refurbishment. There's still lots to do though. At least we have time!

One effect of moving up here is a change in travel-mode over to the Continent. I have another trip to Belgium coming up and I'm experimenting with going via the ferry from Hull to Zeebrugge. More expensive, but it saves me (and the car) 500 miles of driving. I'll let you know how it works out.

Now we ARE up of course, we have to get on with all the minutiae of life; registering with the doctors, library cards, etc. etc. Luckily I made a personal check – you can get a bus into York avery 12 minutes and it stops 100 metres from our favourite York pub. This is important! The Three Legged Mare (known locally as the Wonky Donkey)

Among the goodbyes to the soft underbelly of the country was a Tuesday trip to have lunch with the delightful Oxford Chapter of the Romantic Novelists Association. Of course, I sweetened the pill (literally) by taking some Belgian chocolates with me. A remarkably nice bunch of ladies, and many thanks to Liz Harris who has organised and been “mother-hen” to the chapter for ages. I look forward to seeing them again, and to reading (and reviewing) their books.

We also had a visitor to our (old) neighbourhood. Talli Roland is another author who keeps me entertained - and Pam and I met her, the Doc and young MasterTR in yet another of our favourite pubs for a lovely couple of hours. Her blog is here: Talli Roland. Oh, and young MasterTR is a grand little lad!

The pub is the excellent Fleece, at Bretforton. It is owned by the National Trust.

So – in the next month – LOTS of sorting out in the house, garage and garden. It already looks better though.

John