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Friday 3 August 2012

ALL ABOUT SHARING



My new book
Had a lovely surprise today when I popped into Waterstones, my latest book, Become a Writer – A Step by Step Guide was there on the shelves. I knew it was out but I hadn't actually seen a copy yet, but there it was in all its colourful glory!

It was just so nice to be able to pick it up, feel its glossy cover and flick through the pages. It was bigger than I thought it was going to be, and I don't think I could have felt more delighted.

This is book number 13, but forget superstition, this book feels very special because it's something I've been wanting to write for quite some time.

Up until recently I haven't felt qualified, if you like, to write a book on 'how to write'. Then a couple of years ago I began running writing courses which people seemed to like. Also workshops in schools have taken off and I discovered that I really like giving tips and advice on writing. So it seemed logical to put a book together covering all the many aspects of writing with all the perils and pitfalls that can be avoided.

Looking back at my early writing days when I hadn't a clue how to make a start on a story – and worse, to figure out why my work was being rejected, if it hadn't been for other writers sharing their knowledge and experiences through their 'how to' books, and giving talks and running workshops, I would never have improved.

I wonder if anyone else remembers the great writing seminars that used to be run by Freelance Market News back in the 1980s? The wonderful day-long seminars were always held in Manchester and usually had about four different speakers. I used to come away from there feeling inspired.

More recently being a member of the Scattered Authors Society (SAS) has resulted in some fantastic seminars and lots of opportunities to get advice from the other Sassies. Who said writing was a lonely and solitary business?

Years ago I was a probationer with The Romantic Novelist's Association and remember a lovely two-day event held in Bournmouth. I think it was there that I saw and heard Mills & Boon writer Mary Wibberley. If ever a woman inspired an up and coming writer it was her. 

 With children's books taking the front seat over recent years it's taken me a few years to get any romances published but finally A Tropical Affair has been published by My Weekly Pocket Novels, and is now out as an ebook – and soon to be published in hard back. And Champagne Harvest comes out in a People's Friend novella on September 6th.
 So thank you Mary and all the other authors who share their knowledge so willingly. I just hope that my Become a WriterA Step by Step Guide will prove to be a stepping stone for other budding writers.





Become a Writer – A Step by Step Guide by Ann Evans, published by Greenstream Publishing. ISBN 978-1907670244


Amazon link:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Become-Writer-Step-Guide/dp/1907670246/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1343919473&sr=1-1

2 comments:

  1. This is a great book, Ann, full of really useful advice. I'd recommend it to anyone who wants to become a writer.

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  2. Thank you, I'm really hoping people will find it useful.

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