Oh indeed, it is very tempting this lovely spring day to abandon my, somewhat recalcitrant, computer to its own devices and charge off into the garden, the allotment and beyond! Robert Browning was right, not my favourite of his poems, it is glorious, but I have my writing life to lead, and it’s quite busy just now.
My writing life
Last Saturday I took my children’s book on an outing to London. I went to a half day session organised by Writers and Artists, called How to Hook an Agent. As I am now almost half way through the second draft, the session was very helpful and encouraging. It was also very intense with four very enthusiastic and professional agents telling us how they like to receive submissions. There was also a one to one session with one of them at which we could pitch our book.
I was exhausted afterwards, but have come home with a clear strategy for the next stage and feeling quite encouraged. At present two people in my writing group are reading the draft as it emerges and this is very helpful too.
The said writing group is getting a a fairly random succession of my poems at present and I’m waiting to hear back about some I sent off to a magazine.
Reading week
I’m off on holiday next week and, as well as some recreational i-books, I’m taking my Helena Nelson how to get your poetry published and a book I picked up at the event described above about writing for children called Writing Children’s Fiction. So plenty of homework.
Hare in the Headlights
My holiday will include a book launch, not mine, but a H-in-H moment for those concerned no doubt. More of that when I get back.
a short one this time. Enjoy Spring!