by Maggie Fogarty | May 30, 2015 | Uncategorized |
Sometimes you just have to take the slower road.
Not that it comes easily to people like yours truly who has always worked to tight deadlines in high octane work environments.
Old habits really do take some shifting but living in Cornwall has helped – they don’t use the word ‘dreckly’ down here for nothing.
For those not in the know, ‘dreckly’ means doing something in an unspecified amount of time – in other words ‘no rush’.
When you launch yourself out there as an author, the ‘dreckly’ route is the only realistic one.
The majority of established writers – even those who are best sellers – have taken a while to get there.
And no matter what standing you have in your chosen field – in my case having written numerous features for national newspapers and magazines – when you start to write fiction, it is a completely different ball game.
New rules, new players, new consumers.
Of course the occasional ‘new kid on the block’ will buck the trend but it’s exactly that. Occasional.
Most well known fiction writers have slogged away for a considerable time with little recognition and modest incomes. Then something magical kicks in.
Readers start to follow, they spread the word and the publishing world takes more notice.
The marketing bods use the ugly term ‘brand awareness’ but whatever you call it, the process still takes time.
Of course if you see writing as a serious pursuit, none of this will come as a surprise.
Yet time and time again, I meet people who expect overnight publishing success in a way that they wouldn’t do in other aspects of their career.
Well more fool them. For now I’ll stick to the more leisurely ‘dreckly’ route and just see what unfolds – with a little ‘marketing’ help from cockapoo dog Bonnie.
More about that in her blog below…..
‘Hey – I’ve bagged myself a new job. At least I think I have.
My rent Maggie says I’d make a great – now what’s the term? – er, ‘marketing tool’ for her books. Forget the word ‘tool ‘- I’m manager material and no doubt I’m the girl for the job.
The idea is that I get my pretty furry face out there on things called social networks and the like.
I just pout and look sweet while she spouts on about the books. Sounds like a doddle
I mean, people are always coming up to say hello to me, offering me doggy treats and the like. So I must have a bit of the wow factor.
Still, I want to know the terms and conditions of this new job.
How will I get paid? More of my favourite ‘smart bone’ treats is all well and dandy but a girl needs a bit more than that.
I’ve said it before, but I think I need an agent.
Watch this space then – and expect to see a bit more of this madam mutt over the coming months.
Woof and out…’
by Maggie Fogarty | May 15, 2015 | Uncategorized |
One of the most positive things to come out of my book reviews – all submitted independently – is that readers describe them as ‘easy to read’. Happy days.
Someone once remarked that the easier a book is to read, the harder it is to write.
Well I can certainly vouch for that.
A skilled interviewer or TV presenter makes it look easy, like you are eavesdropping into a great conversation.
Wearing my TV producer’s hat, I’ve seen many people – some of them celebrities themselves – try their hand at TV interviews, only to make a complete mess of it.
Only then do they realise the level of skill and ability involved.
So when people ask if fiction writing is hard work, I have to answer honestly.
Yes it is and just because something is easy to read, doesn’t mean it is a doddle to write.
Like most things though, it does get better with practice. So if you are serious about fiction writing, you have to think like an athlete and keep at it – even if it’s only for an hour a day.
Back on my A-Z theme of city living versus Poldark county, here’s some thoughts beginning with ‘C’…
‘Competitive’, ‘crowded’ and ‘cantankerous’ – these words sum up big city living all year around.
Love it or loathe it, life in the city means constant competition with your fellow rat racers for space, whether it’s on rammed commuter trains, congested roads or simply day to day living.
Forced proximity also breeds cantankerous attitudes and increased crime.
Stimulating and addictive it can be from time to time. Like a good old double Espresso coffee, nice in small doses.
Cosy though it isn’t.
‘Candid’, ‘cranky’ and – er – ‘clotted cream’ teas.
These are the C themed words that spring to mind for life in Poldark county – if you deliberately leave out the obvious ‘coastal’ one.
I’ve noticed how being candid, (speaking your mind), isn’t exactly frowned upon in this neck of the country.
This can be for good or ill but at least there’s an openness and ‘crankiness’ – for that read ‘non conformity’ – is positively encouraged.
As someone who doesn’t like cream, clotted or otherwise, I just don’t get the fondness for Cornish cream teas.
But I’m told they are the best of the best and looking at the numbers sold, they must be giving the local economy (and waistlines) a mighty boost.
I’ll continue to stick to the strawberry jam though – surely it must count as one of your 5 a day?
Now over to Bonnie, the very Cornish cockapoo, for her latest take on things…
‘Hiya folks,
Now getting over the spaying op, and back leaping from sofa to sofa.
All those tasty cooked chicken and liver post op treats have given the old appetite a boost too.
Yeah – the grogginess from the anaesthetic seems a long way off now and everything is tickety-boo.
So, it’s been back to the business of retrieving slimy seaweed off the beach.
I see it as doing my doggy bit to tidy up while having some fun at the same time.
Win/win eh?
Oh – and it gives me my daily dose of iodine which costs good money in those health food shops.
Yes those smelly seaweed strips are giving this gal a great shiny coat, so I don’t get why the rents won’t let me keep a stash at home.
I’ll need to get my thinking cap on to find a place to hid it at my pad – all suggestions welcome of course.
Woof and out….’
Recent Comments