Novel Lily

Adele Parks in print

2009-03-16T15:18:00.002Z

Another lovely little page 2!

Click to read full-size!

My proudest uni achievement to date

2009-03-16T14:53:00.004Z

It hit the news stands this morning. I love it! I had a sneak preview pdf sent to me at the weekend after OK-ing my picture... and it's even better than I imagined.

Click to read full-size!

Second- hand rummaging

2009-03-11T15:09:00.006Z

Forgive me, as I have not added to the sales of all these wonderful authors. But I must be excused for my student budget! Look at all of the goodies I found in charity shops today.... a lot of the books I've been meaning to buy, but never actually got around to it!

Lucky - Alice Sebold
Playing Away, Still Thinking of You, Husbands - Adele Parks

The Self-Preservation Society - Kate Harrison

Lipstick Jungle - Candace Bushnell

You Drive Me Crazy - Carole Matthews

The Bride Stripped Bare - Anon

Happy reading!!!

Adele Parks ‘In Conversation With…’

2009-03-10T14:09:00.001Z

(The Demon)

Women’s fiction writer Adele Parks attended De Montfort University’s Cultural Exchanges week to give students an insight into the world of publishing.

Adele Parks, 40, has written eight bestselling novels, all together selling one million copies in the UK and having been translated into 15 different languages.

In conversation with DMU English lecturer Imelda Wheelehan, Adele gave a short reading of her latest novel, Tell Me Something, before sharing her own views on her writing, the term ‘chick-lit’ in general, and her experience of getting published.

Of her eighth novel, Tell Me Something, Adele explained the different direction she took in her first attempt to create a romantic heroine.

She said: “I always write about strong characters and for a change I created Elizabeth, a hopeless romantic and utter dreamer who has this belief that you can write a list about your perfect man, ticking them off as you go along.

“She had such a perfect man on paper but no idea of how to make it work. She lives in stereotypes and is so romantic that she can’t see the reality of it all.”

Asked if this new direction led onto her being classic ultimately as a ‘chick-lit’ writer, Adele explained how she felt to be put into the much debated about genre.

“At first I didn’t notice I was part of it, because I’ve always just written the books I wanted to write. I am very mixed towards the term, and I think the problem with ‘chick-lit’ is that it cuts off as many people as it includes.

“It’s great that we’ve come to an age where women get the same opportunity for book deals as men, but then after that all we see women write about is clingy, clumsy women who are forever seeking a man to feel complete in their lives.

“’Chick-lit’ is generally so nice, and a lot of it is a little bit like living in a 1950s movie where they will all get their happy endings – and I realise we only live there half of the time, not all of the time, so even though I’ve created Elizabeth my heroines don’t always get their happy ever after.”

Adele, who studied English Literature at Leicester University, also warned that the idea of a book deal is not always what it is made out to be.

She said: “You put yourself out there as a novelist, much more than I anticipated. I had no idea of the impact it would have on my private life and my family’s private life.

“But there does seem to be an idea of ‘chick-lit’ writers having these high advances for their books and leading glamorous lives. But your advance is almost buying you in, it isn’t what you continue to be paid for the whole of your contract. It’s very misleading. My advice would be to not write a book for that reason.

“I’m finding it harder to maintain a glamorous identity. I’m not naturally glamorous, I don’t wear skirts. However, people always check out my shoes because of the shoes on every cover of my book!

Asked if she would consider writing for other genres in the future, Adele said: “I would, but I would have to start over again and probably write under a pseudonym. However, my experiences have changed so much throughout the years that on comparing my first and latest novel, you would think they were by two completely different authors anyway.”

Adele Parks

2009-03-06T12:32:00.002Z

Me and Adele Parks, yay!

A great opportunity

2009-02-24T21:46:00.003Z

I wonder how many 1,000s of graduates will apply for this job?!

The Robert Warren Scholarship

The News of the World is delighted to announce the 2009 Robert Warren Graduate Scholarship in journalism - named in memory of one of the greatest journalists ever to grace British newspapers.

In an unparallelled 45 years with Britain's biggest Sunday newspaper, Bob, as all his friends knew him, filled a range of roles from reporter to news editor and executive editor. He passed away in early January, aged 73, and was known throughout the industry for the time and help he would give to young journalists. Prime Minister Gordon Brown described him as ''an inspiration to so many others.'' Colin Myler, editor of the News of the World, said: ''Many senior executives owe their careers to the start Bob gave them. It is absolutely fitting that our scholarship carries his name. "Journalists who pass through our training scheme should know that they are custodians of a great tradition of excellence in reporting and story-getting, and Bob helped forge that tradition for almost half a century. We will make sure each new generation respects the values that made Bob so special.''

If you’ve always wanted to train and work at the highest level of media, this is your chance. The winner of our scholarship will receive the most comprehensive training in our industry.

Graduates from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

All we ask is that you have a university degree (or equivalent qualification) or be in the final year of a degree course. Of course, you must also be able to demonstrate a passion for the News of the World on all its platforms.

Our scholarship, run in conjunction with The Journalism Centre at Harlow College in Essex, lasts for two years during which our successful candidate will receive a salary. The News of the World will also pay tuition fees at Harlow College.

This is how the two years will be broken up:

September 2009 - Feb 2010
Our successful applicant will attend the 19-week postgraduate course at Harlow College’s Journalism Centre. This is an intensive, all-encompassing course providing a solid foundation on which to build and develop your journalistic talents.

During the course you’ll spend all your available free time (apart from your holiday entitlement) at the News of the World. Working in various departments, you’ll cover everything from a Premiership match to major political and showbiz stories both in print and online.

Feb 2010 - September 2011
You’ll gain experience of every relevant department in the News of the World. Apart from working on our news, features, picture and sports desks – plus Fabulous magazine and our website – you will look at the work of our circulation, marketing, production and advertising departments. You may also spend time at the News of the World’s Scottish or Irish offices.
How Do I Apply?

Applications must be typewritten and submitted by post. They must also include the following:
- A full CV
- An explanation of why the News of the World should choose you, in not more than 100 words.
- Your three favourite News of the World front pages and a 50-word comment on each.
- Details/examples of any newspaper/magazine/website work experience.

Applications should be sent to:
-

All applications must be received no later than Friday, May 8, 2009

FAQs
What sort of work experience do we expect?
While this scholarship is not aimed at people who already have a full-time job in our industry, those candidates we choose for interview MUST be able to demonstrate a history of involvement in NEWSPAPER journalism.

This is likely to be work experience with your local weekly, evening or daily newspaper - and not just contributions to websites or specialist magazines.

That said, at the News of the World we take our online edition extremely seriously, so additional experience in digital media is also welcomed.

It would also be a distinct advantage if your CV and cuttings can also show a commitment to newspaper work outside what we call your 'comfort zone' - that is, on a newspaper which is not in your home area.

Do I need to be an expert on the News of the World?
We accept that while most people read us on a Sunday, there may still be a few misguided souls who don't.

Clearly, though, if you're going to apply for a scholarship with us you'd be mad not to understand what makes us so passionate about great tabloid journalism. And, of course, if you get an interview you can expect us to be asking you about the paper.

I'm not sure I can make the application deadline. Can I have an extension?
In a word, no. Deadlines matter. Producing great journalism to tight time constraints is part of our lives - and if you're one of our next graduate trainees it will be part of yours too.

What happens after you receive the applications? Will I know what happens to mine?
Everyone, without exception, gets a reply though, clearly, that won't be until after the closing date. From the applications we receive, we will choose a number for interview. These interviews are likely to take place in June 2009 with the successful applicant notified very soon after interview.

If I'm successful, what happens then?
Between interview and the start of the Harlow course in September 2009, we expect you to engage in at least a fortnight's work experience with a mainstream UK daily or evening regional newspaper outside your comfort zone.

We hope you'll have enough acumen to arrange your own work experience.

What sort of work will I be doing at the News of the World?
Proper journalism. We certainly won't get you making the coffee or doing the photocopying. From day one, you'll be contributing to the paper, doing everything you can - with our help - to get great bylined stories in print and on our website.

You'll be working alongside some of the greatest names in tabloid journalism - people who are just as excited by our graduate scheme as you are. So far, all our previous graduate trainees have managed front-page bylines during their traineeship.

What sort of holidays do I get?
Holidays? You want holidays? Fair enough. Our graduate trainees get six weeks' paid holiday a year, September to September.

Your first break from the Harlow course will be in late October/early November 2009 when you will have a week away from college. During this week you will work on the News of the World. Your next time away from Harlow will be at Christmas 2009 when you will have a fortnight away from the course.

You'll spend one week at the News of the World and have one week's well-deserved holiday out of your six weeks' entitlement. After your final exams in February 2010 (which we naturally expect you to pass well!) you'll be working full-time on the News of the World until September 2011.

What if I have any more queries?
E-mail our deputy managing editor Paul Nicholas at -

Coming to a Demon near you... (okay maybe not)

2009-02-24T18:18:00.003Z

I stressed last year how important it was to try and build up a portfolio with enough published articles to try and impress my future employers. But last year work-experience everywhere was fully booked, and my uni newspaper was charging £30 for anyone wanting to join and write for them [sounds like a small fee but not when you're already £998 overdrawn]

But then when you get to third year and all of your friends are the feature eds/news eds/ general editor then things tend to get a bit easier. My lovely friend F, the editor of our uni newspaper The Demon was having a good rant the other day about everyone being too busy to write and submit content, cue bright idea Dans here wondering why the heck she hadn't pulled her finger out before.

F said they are always looking for content and need news stories to be 300-500 words, with features a good 1,000 with a nice pic, and a small plead from F to SUBMIT WHATEVER YOU CAN.

I've been really stressed lately and didn't have any ideas, I asked My Boyf and he said the Ed of Marie Claire magazine in the meeting he had with her at London Fashion Week (GRRR) was constantly talking about the effect that the recession was having on fashion, with designers making their clothes more user-friendly and longer-lasting.

Good idea, I thought, and tried to go on it but couldn't really find a Leicester link. And then when I was out and about in town - window shopping, of course, as it is still February - I went into Oxfam and had a sudden brainwave. Cue notepad and pen grabbed out of bag, and young unsuspecting shop volunteer being interrogated for a good few minutes about the effect the state of the economy is having on charity shop trade.

Et voila! Made the fashion pages today, yay!

Charity shops struggle in hard times
D Wright

High street retailers aren’t the only ones feeling the credit crunch as charity shops have been left with empty rails due to a fall in donations.

As cash-strapped customers choose to save money by not buying new clothes, they are continuing to wear last years’ fashions instead of bagging them up and donating them to their local charity shop.

At the same time customers are racing to charity shops to pick up the latest bargain, leaving shops struggling to find enough good-quality clothes to keep their shelves properly stocked.

A volunteer at the Oxfam shop in Leicester’s Market Street, who would like to remain anonymous, said they have been hit hard by the current economic crisis although they are advised to stay positive.

She said: “We like to think there hasn’t been much difference in the amount of donations in and goods out of the shop although it’s clear that we’ve been a lot quieter than normal lately.

“It’s just a shame. Of course Oxfam are continually doing well in raising money but the quality of donations has definitely decreased. And if you look around the shop you’ll see items that have been in here for three, four weeks that would usually have been snapped up straight away.

“People are thinking twice about both donating and buying clothes from second-hand shops and soon enough it will start to have a big effect on individual shops and sales.”

Rob McNeill, a spokesman for Oxfam, has always stressed on how much charity shops need their customers’ help. He said: “Our donations are starting to decline and demand for products is up, so we are saying to people: ‘Please, please bring your unused stuff to us.’ Even if you’re feeling broke, get rid of stuff that doesn’t fit, or you don’t like, and freeing up space in your cupboard can literally save lives.”

Oxfam’s shops made a profit of £20 million last year, although the charity now has to work harder to bring the customers in. They recently teamed up with Marks and Spencers to give out a £5 voucher to anyone donating clothes from the high-street giant, which is thought to have prompted more than 500,000 donations.

And as Faye is really struggling for content, she's just this second asked me to write 600 words on Jade Goody... yay! It's in the comments section and so can be from any angle, and include any opinion I wish to include..! The only problem is, she wants it by tomorrow morning to make this edition too!

Adele Parks 'In Conversation With...'

2009-02-20T17:42:00.005Z

Yay yay yay yay YAY!

I love Cultural Exchanges week!!!!!

Every year at DMU we have CE week, where us lovely Humanities students have the whole week off uni (even more YAY) and get to go to lots of wonderful events (or stay in bed all week like I have done two years' previous)

And look what's happening this year!!!

Adele Parks, ‘In Conversation with…’,
Thursday 5th March,
5.00pm-6.00pm,
Clephan Building, [the most wonderful building in DMU of course]
room 3.03.

Adele Parks, one of the biggest selling women's fiction authors in the UK, discusses her work and the themes that she writes about including adultery, second marriages, mothers-in-law and staying friends with your ex. She received a nomination for Romantic Novelist of the Year Award, Best Novel (2008) for Young Wives' Tales and two of her books are currently being developed as movie scripts. She will be in conversation with Professor Imelda Whelehan (DMU).

And, even better, this EVENT IS FREE!

Ohhh I can't wait! Soo excited, I'm sure it's going to be fabulous! Imelda Whelehan is my current Literature in Film lecturer, she's fabulous too.

I'm booked my place, have my copy of Tell Me Something ready, and even better I'm going to write up the event for our uni newspaper.

Yay!

passed me by...

2009-02-18T02:01:00.002Z

My profile has now had 1,000 hits! Yay!

i'm hereee i'm hereee pick meee pick meee!!!

2009-02-13T11:38:00.003Z

God, I miss Legs 11! I miss writing, I miss competitions, I miss everything and anything about writing. I still read, and I still catch up on everyone's blogs and achievements, I just never seem to have time to write.

Life's been pretty crazy, there's always drama drama, never a chance to sit still for an hour and think, right, let's get on with Legs 11! I'm sooo itching to do it, but first there's books to read, articles to write, impossible essays to complete, a publication to produce AND A DISSERTATION. Scary stuff. The scariest part of it all is that after all of <----that hard work, I have to try and find a job, which looks like the hardest part of it all. So I just wanted to apologise for being away from the writing blogosphere for so long, however I do update my personal blog very frequently over at danslily with some fun things going on, quotes of the week, the lovely yum of the week not to mention updates on my wonderful new relationship. Yep after almost a year as a happy singleton I am now dating one of my friend's brothers and he's loooovely and yum.

All is good, and graduation is just around the corner, which means that surely the Legs 11 rewrite is not that far away either?!

2008-10-22T14:39:00.005+01:00

happy times

Even with my blog being a boring, empty one as of late, I've received an award! Thank you to Lily for this lovely award that has immediately brightened up my page!

In order to accept this award I have to answer these questions with one-worded answers...

1. Where is your cell phone? Desk

2. Where is your significant other? Non-existent

3. Your hair color? Blonde

4. Your mother? Work

5. Your father? Hospital

6. Your favorite thing? Pinboard

7. Your dream last night? Unknown

8. Your dream/goal? Graduate

9. The room you're in? Dorm room

10. Your hobby? Reading

11. Your fear? Failure

12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? London

13. Where were you last night? Pub

14. What you're not? Confident

15. One of your wish-list items? Boots

16. Where you grew up? Leicester

17. The last thing you did? Lunch

18. What are you wearing? Jama bottoms/ DMU hoodie

19. Your TV? No TV for me...

20. Your pets? Dog at home home.

21. Your computer? Love it

22. Your mood? Worried

23. Missing someone? Joe

24. Your car?

25. Something you're not wearing? Make-up

26. Favorite store? H&M

27. Your summer? Exhausting

28. Love someone? Yes

29. Your favorite color? Yellow

30. When is the last time you laughed? Playing pool.

31. Last time you cried? Watching Pretty in Pink.

I would like to pass this award onto Paige, KayJay and Sarah G as I love all of your blogs very much.

=)

2008-10-20T00:21:00.000+01:00

I really do find it harder each week to find a hottie to out-hot my previous YOTW. And next week is going to be impossible.

You should know those eyes. The one and only 22 year old Chace Crawford, uber gorgeous/perfect guy/all over yum.

2008-10-02T21:32:00.001+01:00

I have my own personal blog up and running, it's a bit easier writing about my life on there instead of clogging this up when i don't have time to write.

So I'm not abandoning my writing, just trying to get back on track with it!

2008-09-30T14:48:00.003+01:00

yum

the

week

yummy yummy Danny Cipriani. Born 1987, plays rugby for Wasps and of course England. The next best thing, he's amazing on the field, clearly beautiful off the field, and not even afraid to get his kit off for the Cosmopolitan centrefold to raise awareness of cancer.

lucky lucky Kelly Brooke!

2008-09-22T02:17:00.002+01:00

my life in pictures #1
happy birthday Joe-bo.

I miss you, I wish you were here and not there, [I wish you would answer your bloody phone], I wish you a very happy 21st birthday, and I love you more than I've loved anyone in the whole wide world.

xxx

2008-09-17T15:42:00.008+01:00

the [problem with the] bookshelf

i'm having a slight problem. I'm packing, getting all excited for my move-into-flat day on Saturday. The dvds I want with me are packed, the exclusive CDs are packed and the rest on iTunes........ and then there are the books.

I want to take all of my books with me. Yes, all 78 of them!!! There's just one problem - I know for certain that they will not all fit in my tiny tiny tiny tiny dorm room.

So which ones do I take? I love them all, and if I leave them behind they will surely find themselves in the trash can [the brother is moving into my room].

This made me think of something as I looked at all of my wonderful books -which is your favourite book of all time? I found mine hiding on the top of my bookshelf whilst sorting out my collection:

Danielle Steel - The Ring

"In the turbulent days of Germany nin the Thirties, Kassandra von Gotthard met the man who changed her life ... Dolff Sterne.

She was the beautiful wife of a wealthy banker. He was a famous Jewish writer.

Together they shared a love that happens only once in a lifetime. But theirs was a love fated to end in tragedy.

The fateful day came when Dolff was wrenched from Kassandra's arms by Nazi soldiers - leaving her heartbroken and humiliated. And Kassandra decided that her life was no longer worth living. All that she leaves for her descendants is her memory of pain and a diamond signet ring. A ring that will carry the destiny of the von Gotthards to new lives and new loves..."

My best friend from Australia sent it to me to read about a week before we lost touch forever, so this book really means a lot to me. It made me cry absolute buckets, but it had me gripped all of the way through.

And it's definitely on the take-to-dorm pile!

2008-09-16T14:10:00.002+01:00

year 3 english : studies in literature and film

Term One
William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet
William Shakespeare, Hamlet
Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice (1813)
Jane Austen, Sense and Sensibility (1811)

Term Two
Henry James, The Turn of the Screw (1898)
Dashiell Hammett, The Maltese Falcon (1930)
Raymond Chandler The Long Goodbye (1953)
Alice Walker, The Color Purple (1983)
Toni Morrison, Beloved (1987)
Dodi Smith, The One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1956)

Films
William Shakespeares Romeo +Juliet, (Luhrmann, 1996)
Shakespeare in Love, (Madden, 1996)
Hamlet (Almereyda, 2000)
Hamlet (Olivier,1948)
Hamlet (Zeffirelli, 1990)
Hamlet (Branagh, 1996)
Miss Austen Regrets (Lovering, 2008)
Pride and Prejudice ( Leonard, 1940)
Pride and Prejudice (Wright, 2005)
Becoming Jane, (Jarrold, 2007)
Sense and Sensibility (Lee 1995)
Sense and Sensibility (Alexander, 2008)
The Innocents (Clayton, 1961)
The Maltese Falcon (Huston, 1941)
The Big Sleep (Hawks, 1946)
The Long Goodbye (Altman, 1973)
The Color Purple (Spielberg, 1985)
Beloved (Demme, 1998)
One Hundred and One Dalmatians (Disney animation,1961)
101 Dalmatians (Herek, 1996)

Going to be a good year! Although I'm so fed up with studying Hamlet for the past 4 years, and now I have to watch FOUR versions of the film! Enough to send anyone mad..

2008-09-15T01:42:00.004+01:00

gossipgossipgossip

i'm really loving The Hallam Brats, a new blog I discovered a few days ago when trawling through some random blogs. It's like our very own Gossip Girl, and has added to the many distractions keeping me away from writing!

I'm not sure whether it's fact or fiction, but either way it has me constantly checking for updates on the world of the rich kids. I love Lilly, hate Summer, can sympathise with Camps, and think Josh is a total hottie. And it's all only just started!

http://thehallambrats.blogspot.com/

2008-09-14T18:42:00.010+01:00

yum

the

week

William Chalker,the face of Louis Vuitton's SS08 campaign.

Aged 28, from Sussex.

I quote the ex-construction worker: “Before I became a model I was quite content in any profession that allowed me to use my hands.”

Yum.

2008-09-13T02:09:00.003+01:00

work in progress

So far I've completed 539/2000 words for my entry to Company/Galaxy/LBD's short story competition. How's everyone else doing? I'm sure most have been written, edited and sent by now! I'm not leaving myself a lot of time, although I'm quite pleased with what I've written so far.

My idea's quite quirky and I do like it, although the whole short-story idea gets me so nervous! I've never written a short story, ever ever or ever. I'm hoping to get it finished and sent off by tomorrow, with only the chance of praying that it gets there on time!

How many people have entered? I don't know what's made me enter this year, I nearly wasn't going to until an idea popped into my head whilst on holiday. It gets me back into writing though, which I'm pleased about, although I'm guessing I won't have time to do much of anything after uni starts again next week.

Good luck to everyone that's entered and I hope we get more success from this fabulous magazine compared to you-know-who!

2008-09-12T18:57:00.000+01:00

the bookshelf

I love my parents' work book clubs. Look what my mum brought home for me today, all shiny and beautiful with the promising of a great read. And all for a fiver! Has anyone read My Best Friend's Girl or the Cupid Effect yet? The Chocolate Run is why I'm so excited about reading the other two - I love that book SO MUCH. It's amazing, please go and buy yourself a copy if you haven't read it already! It's one of the best books I've ever read, it really picked me up and made me laugh and smile as well as the usual ahhhs of romance. The trickiest bit about this collection is deciding who to give my spare copy to!

My two weeks in Spain were amazing, loved almost every minute of it. I knew I would love Lucy Diamond's Over You as soon as I read the first page. I don't intentionally pick up novels about family life, although I thoroughly loved every part of it, so much that it's now creased, bent and full of sand from me lugging it around with me everywhere I went. I genuinely cared about Josie and all of the decisions she made, and felt like laughing and crying with her all of the way through. A very fabulous novel, I loved it.

I wasn't so keen on Be Careful What You Wish For. It is written from the main character's point of view and written in such a simple way that I thought she was a teenager, not in her thirties. It was a good storyline although not used in the best way. I found it a bit annoying, and found myself reading quickly through it to get it finished rather than to find out what happens next. I also wondered why, if everything she wished for came true, and she was so devastated when her bag was stolen, why didn't she just wish for it to come back?

Bridget Jones was as fabulous as expected, and even funnier than the original. I loved Beach Babylon. It really made me laugh and you have to kind of read it twice after remembering it's all real and has all happened. I'm gutted that I can't find Fashion Babylon anywhere, I'm really looking forward to reading it too.

2008-09-11T11:15:00.000+01:00

i think it is safe to say that Caroline Smailes' Black Boxes widget is the best thing since sliced bread!

2008-08-25T19:59:00.000+01:00

2008-08-25T18:11:00.000+01:00

happy
birthday
to
me!
no
longer
a
teenager!

2008-08-25T17:33:00.001+01:00

the bookshelf

these are the beach reads that I've finally sorted out for my (second) holiday! Very exciting stuff!

2008-08-23T18:40:00.001+01:00

short story competition

The most fabulous glossy magazine on the planet, Company, has teamed up with Galaxy this month to host its annual short-story competition!

All you need to do is write a short story of your choice, no longer than 2,000 words, and send your entry in hard-copy format to:

Galaxy Short Story Competition
Company magazine
72 Broadwick Street
London W1F 9EP

by 16th September 2008!

How exciting for our team of short-story bloggers.
Who's planning on taking part??

2008-08-23T18:33:00.000+01:00

the bookshelf

Lucy Diamond - Over You

Look what came through my door this morning. So pretty! So shiny and new. And utterly fabulous, I'm more than pleased that it's arrived in time for my holiday! I still haven't read Any Way You Want Me, which is near to the top of my reading list, although I feel that with all of Lucy's excitement about the release of this book, it shall have to jump straight to the top of the reading pile.

I'm not too sure what I'm most excited about - two weeks in Spain or the bookshelf I'm taking with me?!

2008-08-23T04:46:00.001+01:00

rewrite : very pleased

2008-08-23T00:37:00.000+01:00

now reading

Has anybody read this book? I got through all of my holiday reads and couldn't bear to wait around Athens/Luton airport for two and a half hours without a new book in my hand. So, with the limited choice on display at Athens, I picked up Be Careful What You Wish For by Alexandra Potter - I loved the cover, and the blurb offered a good, light read for my flight.

After being wrapped up by Gossip Girl I didn't get the chance to read it, however after coming home I logged onto Trashionista (naturally.!) and found disappointing reviews for Potter's new release, Me and Mr Darcy, with links to people who also weren't very pleased with this book. I'm still going to continue to go ahead and read it, but wondered if anyone had any views/reviews on this book or any of her others? I've never heard of the author before but her novels include Calling Romeo, Going La La, Do You Come Here Often? and Mr and Mr Darcy. She has a new release for January 2009, titled Who's That Girl?

The heart-throb in Be Careful What You Wish For is called James... what a perfect name for a heartbreaker............ Another thing that inspired me to read one of Potter's books is the author herself, who has achieved what I aspire to do in future - Potter has worked as a features writer and sub-editor for women's UK glossies including Elle, More, OK! and Vogue. Wow!

2008-08-22T16:20:00.001+01:00

yum of the week :

don't
they
just
get
yummier?

2008-08-22T14:27:00.000+01:00

the bookshelf - holiday reads

The Bride Hunter - Amy Appleton

I picked this book up a few weeks before my holiday and it looked so delicious that I jumped straight in and started reading it, before finding that life was too hectic to sit down and enjoy it completely. So I reopened it on my first beach day in Greece... and couldn't put it down. It's fantastic, I LOVE IT and it's jumped straight into my shrine.

I'm a hopeless romantic and all throughout the novel I was wishing for Becca to find her own man, at the same time admiring her for the changes she makes to the lives of those unlucky in love. I was gripped until the very last pages and it was so fabulous that I was tempted to turn back to page one and read it all over again.

It's full of twists and turns and unexpected surprises - go and read it, now!

I didn't know that 'Amy Appleton' had her own blog here too, at http://amyonlove.blogspot.com , so if you haven't already then check that out!

2008-08-10T11:13:00.000+01:00

2008-08-09T01:48:00.000+01:00

rewrite : a little progress is still progress

2008-08-05T00:07:00.000+01:00

our community

I've just been having a nosy at the Novel Racers blog and found myself smiling uncontrollably at the achievements of its members since the blog opened. Getting published is something we all aim, strive and wish for, and for some of us on here to have achieved that is amazing. To have one, two, three book deals, to be able to walk into Waterstones and see your book there in print... I admire all of the people who have worked so hard and stayed so determined and shown that it is possible.

And however it seems otherwise, it is possible!!!

2008-08-04T01:52:00.000+01:00

rewrite : started!

2008-08-03T21:23:00.000+01:00

question #1 :
how
do
i
use
ywriter?

2008-07-24T02:23:00.000+01:00

bear's attempt at a good rewrite
#1 : get to know your characters

I've been flicking through Legs lately and realise that I need to prepare myself for the rewrite. It's been so long since I started the first draft that I need to familiarise myself with everything and anything Legs.

So, over the next few ~~days~~ weeks I am going to introduce you to the world of Legs, starting with an insight to my delicious (and not so delicious) characters.

2008-07-22T15:48:00.000+01:00

the bookshelf

Holly's Inbox - Holly Denham

I picked this book up from WHSmith, after hearing about the international success of her website

http://www.hollysinbox.com/. It read well, and being in its email form, I finished it in just a day.

I enjoyed reading it but wasn't as gripped as I thought I would be - there was huge hype surrounding this book but I'm not sure it lives up to it. I much preferred reading the emails as they unravelled in real time on her website.... and where was all the scandal? There was gossip, back-stabbing, friendship and office bitching, but scandal I wasn't really so sure about.

I was left a bit disappointed, and although I loved the warmth of the characters I couldn't really click with Holly as much as I hoped I would. It's a fun, light read, although not gripping enough.

Next read: The Bride Hunter - Amy Appleton

2008-07-22T02:55:00.000+01:00

we are novel lily

2008-07-22T01:36:00.000+01:00

more... more, more

I have just accepted the offer of work experience with More magazine, commencing January 5th 2008!

I couldn't be more excited at the prospect of working for two whole weeks in London, on a top magazine!!

Next attempt : Company

2008-07-08T23:05:00.000+01:00

let the rewrite begin

2008-07-04T00:06:00.000+01:00

a new start

Oh my lovely blog, how I have missed theee......

Dansi is back.

2008-03-21T13:02:00.000Z

the bookshelf

The Chocolate Run - Dorothy Koomson

I can't remember the last time I found myself giggling out loud so often when reading a book. This book is FANTASTIC! I picked it up from WHSmith one night to start reading in the interval at Bingo (yes, really) and I haven't been able to put it down for so long. I love Amber, the main character. She's so warm, bubbly, funny... and she's a chocoholic!

I haven't finished reading it yet but I'd definitely recommend it. It's cheered me up no end and has been getting me through my breakup with my boyfriend, making me smile every day.

2007-12-22T02:49:00.001Z

legs 11 is complete!

How overwhelming it is to say that!

I did just under 6,000 words this week, bringing Legs 11 to a complete total of 76,652 words!

I'm really sad to have finished it as it's my favourite novel out of all I've written, but at the same time I'm really excited for the rewrites and polishing coming up in the new year that will bring it up to the standards I'm aiming for.

I'm going to give myself a break over the new year and complete these impossible essays I have to do, before starting with some new, fresh ideas I've had in my head for some time.

I'd like to thank everyone who's welcomed me into this wonderful blogging community and helped me along with my novel, and I'd especially like to thank Lane for setting up The Finishers, because if I hadn't have joined this group I certainly wouldn't have finished my novel by now. Thanks to everyone in there for all of their encouragement and even though the group is finishing after christmas i'd like to wish everyone the best of luck in completing their novels. You've all done so well already, so keep it up!!!

Finally, to everyone reading this, merry christmas and happy new year!
B xxxx

2007-12-16T22:43:00.000Z

you can do this

You can do this, you can do this, you can do this, you can do this,
you can do this, you can do this, you can do this, you can do this,
you can do this, you can do this, you can do this, you can do this,
And so can YOU!
So get yourself over to The Finishers
and finish your novel!

2007-12-01T21:15:00.001Z

itching for something new

Legs 11. Ashleigh Morris, Britain's next top model. Jamie West, trying to make her dreams come true. The bad bit? I think I'm tired of the runways, the make-up artists, the fashion houses and the [dare I say it] clothes.

I've had a new idea for a story in my head for a couple of months now. But I can't betray my beloved Legs! I know if I start this new idea then I'll never, ever complete Legs.

And I really, reaaaaaaally want to get it finished. And I do love it. So much. I just... ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

2007-12-01T17:33:00.000Z

a good week!

I managed 3,359 words this week, which makes me very pleased with myself! Until now I'd only been able to manage a thousand words a week, so I'm really happy that I started writing on thursday night and couldn't stop!

Bad news now though - 4 assignments due in before christmas, including one due in in 6 days' time. eeek!

2007-11-26T15:59:00.000Z

29 days to go....

Having been majorly tired from my weekend in Manchester, majorly confused by my best friend and majorly upset with the other half, I managed to produce

1,253
words
just before work.

Wait, I hear you say, that is more than you do in a week!
I know, I say, there must be something in the water.

2007-11-23T13:10:00.000Z

not doing too well

At the mo I'm only managing 1000 words a week. This means that I am noo waaay going to get my first draft completed in time for Christmas - there's only almost 4 weeks left. I really need to pick up the pace and get the words down on the paper but it's just not possible - it's so frustrating! It's laziness on my behalf cos there's so many things that distract me, and now I have 2 more assignments to be in before Christmas it's just looking impossible.

But I will stay determined. [and pray]

2007-11-22T15:55:00.000Z

could facebook ruin your dream career?

Thinking about putting your new drunken photos from the weekend up on Facebook or Myspace? Think again, as it has been revealed that almost 8% of employers check these networking sites when researching prospective candidates.

We all know that the internet can be a dangerous world and we have to protect ourselves against online fraudsters, hoaxers and paedophiles, but we never thought we’d have to do the same against our future employers.

Bosses are trawling through these personal sites to obtain information that wouldn’t usually show up on a CV or through a formal interview, and you’d think that your social circle, shopping habit or photos from a girls night out shouldn’t matter when it comes to looking for a new job, but these could potentially stop an employer from taking you on if they deem you to look irresponsible.

And the number of prying companies is expected to rise now that Facebook and other personal networking profiles can be accessed quickly and easily through search engines like Google.

How would you feel walking into work on a Monday morning with the sickly feeling in your stomach that your boss has seen everything you’ve done over the weekend?

There are over 3.2 million users on Facebook in the UK and the problem is that most of these people don’t know how to change their privacy settings. With a few simple clicks you can make sure that your profile (and that photo) is only viewed by your friends and the people you know about.

Bosses are also using the sites to check candidates’ loyalty to former and current employers. If your greeting message on Facebook is ‘Lucy is: sick of her job and hates her fat boss’ then they’re not going to be too impressed with your lack of respect. Nor will they be likely to employ you if you’re letting the world know you’re pulling a sickie because you’re still hungover from last night’s drinking binge.

And if your friends’ comments on your profile are full of daily invitations for a night out on the town, would your boss go as far as giving you an interview if he knows you probably won’t turn up for it?

It’s true that these online profiles are personal and that companies shouldn’t mix business with the private lives’ on candidates. After all, your future boss could click onto the profile of a part-time stripper after making an honest mistake in misspelling your name, and you’d never be accepted aboard that dream job. But it’s just not worth taking the risk.

The Recruitment and Employment Confederation warns that job candidates need to be careful of how they present themselves online. “Most employers looking at these sites aren’t trying to catch people out, but trying to get a better picture of a person overall.”

And if that overall picture is you collapsed on a nightclub floor with your knickers around your ankles, it has to be said that destiny (and your career) is in your own hands.

2007-11-15T14:22:00.000Z

an update

Even though there really is no update! I haven't had a chance to write at ALL in the past two weeks, I can't believe it! I managed a palty 230 or so words last week! All around me, especially in our beloved Finishers, people are succeeding with their novels and the only thing I have time for is essays!

Now that I've handed in my impossible essay and don't have another one in until 12th December, I am going to sit down with my cuppa and my galaxy caramel bar, spend an hour on my fashionlily updates, and then WRITE!

I will NOT:
Look on the internet for christmas presents
Spend the whole night browsing vogue.co.uk
Play scrabble on FB
Tidy my room
Do my washing [yes I actually do my washing as an excuse to put off my essay]

And I will WRITE!

2007-10-31T20:05:00.000Z

we are the finishers

I've joined a new group set up by Lane called The Finishers, a group where all members aim to get all of our current novels finished by Christmas...! Similar to the Novel Racers, it's a great way to get encouragement, help and advice especially in those stressful moments when no matter how hard you try and force them, no words will come out of your head and onto that piece of paper.

http://thefinishersgroup.blogspot.com/

It's a great blog and if you want to join get in touch with Lane and I'm sure she'll be pleased to help.

2007-10-29T00:36:00.000Z

inspiration

I don't know why I can suddenly keep doing it, but it just comes to me. I wrote 3,114 words tonight. It just all flowed so easily and I'm confident that I can be onto my re-write by the end of the year. I've picked and chosen which scenes I've wanted to write, so I have the boring part of filling in the gaps afterwards, but at the moment I'm really pleased with myself.

The reason I got to write so many words tonight is that I left my 4,000 word medieval and renaissance literature book in my journalism lab on Fri, which means that I can't actually do my assignment. And I can't collect it until weds, which is a bit of a bummer seems as it has to be done by Monday. But never mind, we all learn.

Now, I'm sorry if I've given anyone a heart attack by this picture. But this young gentleman here is the muse for Legs 11. He is the main character's love interest half way through my novel just before she starts her downward spiral. And it's amazing, because I've always had Jamie Dornan in mind for this specific character. But I've not actually been able to get on well with my character until I started researching pictures and info on the lovely Jamie, and now I feel as though I've got his character spot on [his physical side for definite, anyway!] You might think it's so typical of me to chose a male like this to present as one of my characters, but this is the fickle modelling industry we're talking about, and I am more than happy to concentrate my thoughts more on Jamie if it means I'm going to succeed more with my novel... wouldn't anyone be?!

Anyway. Back to the novel. I've always been one to babble on... 62,895 words have been written, and I just know that I'm going to go way over the 80,000 mark before the novel finishes. I also haven't yet included any of the important info regarding modelling [like, none of it.] and so I'm a bit concerned at how many words I'll end up with, but then again I can't wait until the rewrite where I can add the needed bits in, and take away the 30,000 words of crap.

At the moment I'm both concerned and happy. I really want to go somewhere with Legs; it's the most mature writing I've ever done and I really hope that come next year I will have shaped my novel into the perfect piece of writing I have imagined in my head.

2007-10-28T00:50:00.000+01:00

an update

For some reason, Legs flowed really easily tonight and I managed a massive 5,260 words, covering a couple of the biggest scenes in my story. I've been working on it all day at the same time as watching the footy/oogling over Andy in X-Factor, and I've got two assignments coming up next week so I'm glad I've done enough writing this week to keep me tied over until the end of October.

Happy times!

2007-10-27T18:03:00.001+01:00

a new crush

This is Andy.
He is my new crush.
I think he is GORGEOUS!
Any opinions?

2007-10-26T00:51:00.000+01:00

an update

I'm getting into the habit of a once a week writing spree. Declining offers to the SU so that I can get my head down and write some Legs every Thursday isn't such a bad idea! I managed 1,644 words tonight, very pleased with myself and with the progress of the novel!

2007-10-19T00:13:00.000+01:00

an update

I DID IT! 2,731 words of Legs 11 has been written tonight, and I loved it!

GO ME!

2007-10-17T11:08:00.000+01:00

an update

Everything has been so hectic at uni lately that I've hardly had any chance to open my laptop, let alone sit down and write!! I'm quite disappointed that I haven't been able to find any time at all for Legs, but hopefully the weeks will ease off a bit and I'll be able to get another couple of thousand words done in the next couple of weeks.

I've two assignments to do for mid-november, so even NaNoWriMo is looking a bit shaky, although I can try my best to turn into Wonderwoman and do all three at the same time! How's everyone else's writing coming along? Congrats to KayJay for getting an extract of her work published in an anthology - she was one of only twelve people picked for it - that's amazing and KayJay along with Jude proves that we do not need Cosmopolitan to help us reach stardom with our writing!

Also, make sure you nip over to Word Counting.... and Lady with the Laptop's blogs to read the first pages of their unpublished paperback novels. Very brave of them, and very pleasing to read too!

I'm going to set out a few comments, update my fashion blog [check it out!] and then off to lectures I go!

2007-10-15T15:54:00.000+01:00

blog it

Added to my blogroll is the more than wonderful Lane's blog, plus 'Word Counting.. A Wannabe Writer's Diary'

Love them both.

2007-10-15T01:14:00.001+01:00

blog it

I'm not sure how I've only just come across this!

Check out The Lady With The Laptop, it's fab ;)

2007-09-28T21:26:00.000+01:00

a spree

For some reason last night after I had packed all of my things away, I got them back out again and managed another near-2000 words up to 2am. I'm so pleased with myself for getting a lot done, because when uni starts I might not be able to keep up! But tonight I can't seem to get any words down, so I'm going to give it a rest whilst I go out over the weekend, and come back to it on monday!

2007-09-27T17:03:00.000+01:00

untitled

The one girl who
is now so far away
he never loves
and now he knows why. Because
the one girl who
he would give his life
for is the one girl who
he can never keep hold of.
He is not worthy of
the one girl's love
Because each time she gives
him her whole heart
He ends up throwing it away

2007-09-22T17:33:00.001+01:00

an attempt

I managed a small 397 words today before giving up. It wasn't completely my fault though - four of our five footy teams won on our bets and me an me bro were glued to the television until the 93rd minute haha [only for the last team to draw, boo].

But I feel positive about it knowing that I wrote an awful lot the other night to keep me tied over for a couple of days.

And now I'm off to the Students Union.

2007-09-22T13:16:00.001+01:00

read read read

After his lovely email a couple of nights ago I would like to introduce you to Sam Delaney's column and blog, both of which I've been reading and giggling to for hours [yes Sam, it is down to you I haven't managed my 2000 words for my novel last night!]

Get your daily dose of him on ShortList.com here, and read his weekly "Newish Man" column on online daily mag The First Post here.
here.

Like I said before he's a very funny and talented man and you really should check out his writing, not forgetting his column in Company magazine [subscribe; you know you want to =) ].

2007-09-21T02:41:00.000+01:00

an update

I can't believe I've managed to write over 5,000 words tonight, fitting them in with my lasagne and talking to my beloved Joe... I'm so proud of myself! That equals 45,175 words, and 56% of my total novel word count!

I've found it a lot easier over the past few days. I don't know what's made me do it but instead of writing it from start to finish I've been writing scenes that are already planned and because I know what's going to happen in my head already, I'm getting scenes completed and writing down thousands of words in the process! All I need to do now is link them all up!

I'm trying to get as much writing time in now as possible, as I start uni in just over a week. When I do go back I think I'll switch to editing my previous novel, to take a bit of pressure off of myself. But anyway, we'll see how it goes, and I think that's enough writing for one night!

2007-09-20T16:59:00.000+01:00

blog blog blog

Happy Dansi is back =) I found that I've been building everything up inside and just needed to get it all out! So a lovely night in with my boyfriend and a bit of a cry later, I'm ready to take on the world and the rest of 2007!

Anyway, a couple of wonderful blogs for you to check out....

Unfortunately it's long been closed, but I came across Miss Snark's blog a couple of weeks ago and I really love it. As well as being helpful with a bunch of tips for writers, it's also really funny and has really cheered me up.

Check it out here.

And Tappy Lappy too is another wonderful blog that's just been set up, I'm hooked already, check it out here.

-

I'm determined to get on with some more Legs tonight, I've started to feel more positive about it... I've figured that if I aim for 80,000 in the original draft, I can then do more research and fill my novel out more with the information needs in the second draft, and by the end of that draft I'm hoping to have the novel I've always wanted. And then by the editing I can get it back down to a desirable word count.

-

OO and also, I'm proving to my family tonight that I can actually cook! They've always said that I can't, so I'm going to prove them wrong and cook lasagne, wish me luck!!

-

PS/ Thanks to Sam Delaney for his lovely email this evening, muchly appreciated!

2007-09-19T01:37:00.000+01:00

an update

I actually managed 2284 words tonight, before and after work! That means I'm almost 50% through the whole novel, and I'm feeling much more positive about it! Go me!

2007-09-16T23:04:00.001+01:00

miss write - definitely the end

Well, I have to say I am absolutely gutted about there being no winner for the Miss Write competition. [I'm going on the idea that this is true.] After weeks of writing, submitting in May, and then months of waiting in suspense, we find out that in the judges' eyes none of the 2,300 entries were good enough to be published.

It feels as though they have cheated all of us. Surely there's plenty of talent out there, plenty of amazing writers just waiting to be found and uncovered by Cosmoblumminpolitan magazine.

But there we go. Sphere have just saved themselves £30,000, and Louise Candlish has no one to guide to fame, glory... and a complete novel.

My friends on their blogs have more or less already expressed what I feel. I just find it utterly bizarre that there is no winner, and that Cosmo have just dismissed a great competition and shoved it into a little paragraph on page 7.

Again, congrats to all of the winners/runnersup, and good luck to everybody for next year.

And more importantly, let's all look forward to Company's [hurrah!] annual short story competition, which should be airing soon.

2007-09-15T13:15:00.000+01:00

miss write : still not over but getting there

Louise Candlish has posted her sixth and probably final blog for some time on the Cosmo website. Check it out here She mentions the winner will be picked from the shortlist of five, but the question "when?" still ponders.

Regardless of winners and losers I think it's a fantastic competition and a massive opportunity for everybody that enters. The biggest [unfortunately] magazine in the UK is giving normal people like you and me a chance to pursue their dreams and even if we don't win, they encourage us to keep trying. And that's fab.

Ooo and don't forget to enter Company's short story competition that should be coming around this quarter.

2007-09-14T09:26:00.000+01:00

an ode to #2 : joe-seph the greatest

I'm quite sad today. I went out for dinner last night with my best friend Joe. We've been friends for 10 years and he's the best; he's more loyal than most of my girlfriends and I can always count on him to make me smile.

We go to the pub quiz and do dismally. He beats me at pool because every game I pot the black. He offers my brother discount on Vans at the place he works. He reckons we dated in Year 5; I can't remember a thing. I dropped a Valentines' Day card through his door in year 5; he can't remember a thing. We nearly dated at school. We nearly dated twice at college. And after all that we've been through [or not been through, as it seems] we've ended up closer than ever and very, very good friends.

And he's leaving for Manchester Met Uni on Sunday.

It's fair enough saying he'll be home for Christmas and Easter but that's not the point. I'm used to going cinema, going for a drink and a drive [not on the same night OC] and having fun. I'm used to him always being there for me.

And I'm really, really sad, to the point where I suddenly can't wait for my second and his first [:gap year] to be over so that it can be summer again and he'll be back home.

He said it's unlikely he'll return to Leicester after he graduates, probably staying, living and working in Manchester. He'll be growing up and moving on, and so will I. I may do my training elsewhere, or if not then I will most probably be working elsewhere aftewards.

I don't like change. Sometimes I'm afraid of the future. Sometimes I wonder, shit what am I going to do if I'm separated from my boyfriend and my friends? Will be life be so much more different than this in 5 years time? The answer will most probably be yes. And in a way it's exciting but it's also terrifying.

But that's life.
And I'm going to miss you.

Joe, I salute you.

2007-09-10T13:47:00.001+01:00

nanowrimo

I've finally been on the site and understood what all of this is about! And to be honest, I'm rather very excited about taking part... I've never heard of it before, and only came to know of it by reading one of your blogs, but it seems like a really fun idea... as the site says, quantity not quality, and you allow yourself to write crap, but you MAY enjoy it, and may get the whole thing finished!

Can anyone give me more information - have you entered previous years? Do you put a big pressure on yourself to get the novel finished or do you happily sit there creating a magical piece of fiction in 30 days?

I have written 34,000 words for my latest novel over 18 months, so it will be good to see how I can cope and whether I can finish the novel in only 30 days on top of university and part time work! I have an outline of what I will be writing about, but as for the rest I'm prepared to just let it flow and maybe surprise myself with what I can come up with.

Let me know...!

2007-09-08T22:50:00.000+01:00

when to stop

When do you realise that the time has come for you to give up on your novel and start a different idea? Do you plod on hoping that you can come to love your novel again, or do you just let it go? Do you continue with your plot hoping that it will come together and praying that you get better replacement ideas by the time you come around to editing?

I look at my novel and think hmm. There are so many factors that make me love it - it's original, it's on a topic that I'm passionately interested in, and it's sexy and smart. But then on the other hand it's disjointed, it lacks description [see first blog post] and also lacks knowledge.

Maybe more research will help me to carry on with it. I just don't want to continue with it knowing that I'm struggling and not believing in it. And then I don't know whether it's just a phase I'm going through [or a boring chapter], because obviously as a more-or-less amateur writer you're bound not to be confident at times.

I think it's just the place I'm at in the novel. My previous novel was sad, heartfelt and serious, and I really enjoyed writing it, the words easily flowing when it came to an emotional chapter. But with Legs it's the complete opposite: the happy, first chapters were the easiest to write and now that She's got to a certain, broken part of her life I feel I can't get into her head and put out any raw emotion.

I don't know. I am rambling.

I think I may give Legs a break and go back and edit my previous novel, to give me some time to think about what I am doing and what I want from my novel. And then after that break I may start researching more into my current novel so that I can make it the best that can be.

I really thought I was onto something with this one, but maybe not. I already have ideas for three more but I don't want to start those and then abandon them before I give myself to make something of them.

Sigh.

PS// my word count for tonight is 712, all of which may be scrapped tomorrow!

2007-09-08T16:47:00.001+01:00

daily mail

I came across this competition a few weeks before it ended, back in June. And I thought, wow, this could be a pretty nifty competition to enter. But in the end I didn't go for it, realising that printing off 300 pages of A4 and sending it off would take up both time and money, neither which I had as I had just finished uni and was about to jet off on my summer hols.

Click here

It encouraged people to send their fiction into the competition with the chance to win a £30,000 publishing deal, the novel to be published in April 2008.

I've just been having a little think about it.... As I read in Cally's blog about the Miss Write comp, they received 2,300 entries, all of which were 3,000 words each. But the Daily Mail sells 2.4m covers daily, so the entries would be well over 10,000, that being a very very minimum guess. So 10,000 entries at 80,000-150,000 words per entry..... you do the maths.

Of course the judges wouldn't read the whole novel before realising whether they like it or not. But with all that wasted paper, think of the trees!

Anyway, out of curiousity I wondered if any of you entered? And if any winners have been announced/when they are due to be?

2007-09-07T13:39:00.000+01:00

miss write : cosmo on the doormat

I was amazed by the early release and the postman waking me up at 8am for my Cosmo but also confused not to see any mention of Miss Write on the cover.

Or on the contents page.

THE WINNER HAS NOT BEEN ANNOUNCED! I repeat... the winner has not been announced in this months' issue of Cosmo. On page 270 is the advert for next months' Cosmo and it is not mentioned on there either.

However, the runners up have...

RUNNERS UP:
Six months ago we launched the search for Cosmo's Miss Write - the next star of chick lit. And here are the runners up, who win a coaching session with author Louise Candlish, £100 to spend on www.waterstones.com, a book a week for a year, plus a year's subscription to Cosmo...

Stacey Taylor, 24
From Cardiff, penned 'Sequel Opportunity', the tale of a former child actress choosing between normal life and showbiz.

Elisa McGarry, 23
From Winchester, wrote 'Playing Happy Families', about a woman's battle with fertility, infidelity and insistent old flames.

Gail Haslam, 33
From London, created Kate, the heroine of 'Miss Me?', who gave up her career for love, and wound up single and unemployed - before fighting back.

Nicola Brear, 23
From Barnsley, spun a Manhattan tale of restaurants, romance and riches in 'The Restaurant'.

Kristen Paul, 26
From Hampshire, plunged us into the scandalous world of baby modelling in 'I See You Baby'.

CONGRATS to all of the runners up, and I can't help wondering when the winner will be announced!

2007-09-07T11:14:00.000+01:00

one to watch : camilla morton

(Hodder & Stoughton Ltd)

A follow up to her massively fantastic debut How To Walk In High Heels, 20th September sees the release of A Girl For All Seasons.

Amazon review: 'If your resolutions tend to look much the same from one year to another and you are suffering from the suspicion that someone, somewhere is having more fun that you, then you need something to revitalise your lust for life. A GIRL FOR ALL SEASONS is here to help. This book will guide you through the months with a perfectly co-ordinated combination of culture and challenges. With a monthly muse to inspire, and a suggested title for that soon-to-be-formed book club, dumbing down is so last season.Erin O'Connor, Dianevon Furstenberg, Matthew Williamson and others share their secrets about their favourite places - so the next time you check in you'll know what to check out - while Dita von Teese, Anya Hindmarch and Christian Lacroix showyou how to undress, how to go green and how to appreciate opera. Eclectic, practical and fantastical, A GIRL FOR ALL SEASONS is crammed with fascinating stories, inspiring ideas and surprisingly sensible advice. Forget who, when, why and what to wear. Get ready to wow! Foreword by Manolo Blahnik.'

With the amount of laughs I had with her previous book ('supermarket aisles are the perfect place to practice your glide. Not only do you get to stock up on all your groceries and wow the locals, but you get up to twenty-four aisles' worth of runway-smooth surface to practice on, while being supported by a trolley, the ultimate stabilizer for the novice stiletto wearer. Ignore any funny looks, they are either jealous they didn't think of this idea, or mystified why someone so glamorous doesn't have 'hired help' to do their shopping') I absolutely cannot wait for this one! Her books are funny and smart, sexy and laugh out loud, and an enjoyable read for any chick-lit fan!

I don't really buy hardbacks so I have until 18th May 2008 to wait for the paperback, so if anyone reads it give me your thoughts!!!

2007-09-07T00:06:00.000+01:00

the times & chicken house

Is anybody thinking about entering this? The last time I tried to write a children's novel was for Waterstone's WOW Factor, and after I had written it I realised I wasn't very good at writing for such a young audience!

Terms & Conditions and how to enter here

It does sound like a good comp to enter though, so I may give it a try. And you can do either end of the spectrum, what with the audience age ranging from 9-16.

The judges are Malorie Blackman, Amanda Craig, Wayne Winstone, Karen Robinson and Barry Curringham. The winner gets an offer of a worldwide publishing contract with Chicken House.

Deadline is November 17th 2007, shortlist announced Feb 08, and winner April 08.

Any thoughts?

2007-09-06T20:06:00.000+01:00

miss write

My subscription usually means that Cosmo lands on my doorstep a day before the release, so if anyone is interested then the winner should be typed up here some time through the day on Thursday 13th.

And finally we can put this competition to rest and move on with the next one! Although I know there are going to be a million questions in my head - why her and not me? what didn't they like about my work? it is worth sending off again?

If you're not the lucky winner and are wondering what to do, head over to Cally's blog where there is some wonderful advice on how to complete your novel, and what to do next.

2007-09-03T15:00:00.000+01:00

an ode to #1 : sam delaney

I am absolutely in love with this man. In Company magazine [which you should all subscribe to by the way; it is the best that is out there and also runs an annual short story competition] he writes the best columns that I have ever seen; they are funny, witty, and more importantly, absolutely truthful. He writes about women's interest but from a man's point of view, and on the day Company is released each month I find myself flicking to his page first to see what the topic of dicussion is this week.

I waited until October's issue to see what he would write about this month but unfortunately he doesn't have his own page in the new-look Company, and I'm hoping it will be back to normal next month.

His previous columns include:

Sept 07 - More Than Friends - why do your best bloke mates always fancy you?
Aug 07 - I'm Man Enough for Girlie TV
June 07 - Can Women Be Too Successful
May 07 - Argh! It's Groomzilla
April 07 - The Curse of The Mummy (In Law)
March 07 - Male Mini - Break Fear Explained!
Jan 07 - Is It Ever OK For Girls To Talk Ex?
Dec 07 - Twas The Fight Before Christmas

It is worth buying Company to have a read of his page [and because it is actually the best 20-something's mag on the news stand]. He also writes for the Guardian, Ch4, Ch5 and the BBC and also has a book out now - Get Smashed: The Story Of The Men Who Made The Adverts, published by Sceptre.

There's only one problem with this man : he supports West Ham.

Sam Delaney, I salute you.

2007-09-02T18:58:00.000+01:00

a wonderful little find

I popped into WHSmiths knowing that I was going to work a good few hours early and needed something to keep me occupied. And so I found Falling Out of Fashion by Karen Yampolsky. It's true chick-lit - it's funny, sassy and interesting as well as heart-wrenching. And it's, more importantly, readable. It's more true to a woman's life than many, maany other books I've been forcing my way through over the summer.

And it's part of the Little Black Dress [it's a girl thing] books, a new series of fun, smart romance novels.

I amazoned the collection and there's near on 30 books, all receiving 4 and 5 * reviews. How did I not find these before????! I've been looking for perfect chick-lit books all summer, finding nothing and having to reread Marian Keyes on my holiday abroad.

And now, I have almost 30 reasons to distract me from my uni reading list

2007-09-01T22:54:00.001+01:00

another miss wrong

So I, along with about 3,200 other people, have been sitting heart in throat every time the phone rang in the past three or so months.

That's right, Cosmopolitan's Miss Write competition has had us all sat crossed-legged on our beds going over and over our first three chapters on our laptops, cross-examining every single sentence until we were almost shedding tears. 'They must love that line but I sooo shouldn't have put that in' has been running through our heads as we frantically changed paragraphs only to remember that our entry had been sent and there was nothing we could do about it.

I had the secret hope in me just like everyone else that I would be placed in the competition, even though I knew it was practically impossible because of the amount of entries they had received this year. But it's okay for me to hope, right?

Wrong, now that the winners have been told and will be announced in October's issue of the magazine, out on your news stands 14th Sept.

But it was worth it. I can't wait for the competition to come around again, so that I can feel the same excitement as I did this year, the feeling that will make me work harder and polish better to give me a bigger chance of that dream prize.

2007-09-01T22:08:00.000+01:00

welcome to my blog

....something I've been meaning to start for a long time now to help me with the process of writing. I wrote my first [teen] chick lit novel when I was 13, and even though that was 6 years ago, I'm still a newbie to this. In other words, I still can't write for jack.

See, my problem is detailed description; I just can't do it! I'm a dialogue kind of girl. I have a million and one things I want to say, and kind of forget to add the surroundings and description in with it.

I'm a third of my way through Legs 11, my 9th novel, and when it's finished I am absolutely determined to go back through it and rip it to shreds. The funny thing is, I've never, ever edited any of my work. I've simply done it for fun, and to make myself happy. So this time, Legs 11 is for real, and I'm determined to work hard and make it good.

There's plenty of people and sites out there that can really help me and give me good feedback. I just have to be confident enough to take that first step and show someone else my work. For my first five novels I received 2,374 reviews by friends and peers, but this time I want feedback to harsh, truthful and real.

And also, from now on... I'm determined to write more than 11 chapters in 18 months!

Follow me on my journey xxxx