Tag: Writing

Writing

The PR Machine

by NatalieLeave a Comment on The PR Machine

One of the biggest, and hardest things about being a writer, is getting your voice heard. There’ve been many a time, and there still are, when I’ve wondered if anyone can hear me when it comes to Social Media. Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr – there are so many sites with so many writers all trying to achieve the same thing. Get new readers, followers and sales. So, you can imagine the happy dance I did when my publishers emailed to tell me that I’d be getting to work alongside one of the biggest media PR companies.

I mean, hello?! Me? Yep. Apparently so!

Is it daunting? A little. When we had our conference call this week, I sat at the kitchen table, simultaneously jotting down notes and doing more happy dancing with my jaw hanging open as my boyfriend watched on (more on him another time). It’s completely and utterly bonkers, but then I’ve always loved a little adventure!

I guess, as with all the good news stories I post, what I’m trying to say is – never give up hope. I know how hard it is to try and get your book out there, I know how it feels to be a crayfish in a publishing ocean, but this stuff happens! For reals! And of course, I’ll be posting updates about what happens next – lots and lots of fun stuff!

Until then, kisses from Bavaria!

Nat

x

Travel, Writing

Wandering Writer Woes #331

by NatalieLeave a Comment on Wandering Writer Woes #331

So, I’ve just realised, it’s April. Already! That means it’s my birthday month, Easter, and spring time. Yay! It also means I’ve only got 2, maximum 3 months to get my second instalment of Pull ready. Balls.

I’ve met so many people who’ve got glossy eyed when I tell them I’m a writer. They all say the same thing – how great it must be to write and travel at the same time. And they’re right, it is great. It’s just that time doesn’t really exist while you’re travelling. On one hand, everything is super slow and chilled. The biggest dilemma of the day might be deciding where to have breakfast that day before lounging around all day. On the the other hand, everything goes so fast. I’ll be home in under a month – where have the last 4 months gone?

The inspiration for Pull is already there. The idea is there, I just need to get it out and on the one hand, being surrounded by scenery like this is pretty much most writers’ dream.

On the other hand, I don’t want to miss it by being stuck behind a laptop screen all day. It’s taken me the best part of 4 hours just to get this blog post done – the internet was sketchy and it seems that whenever I do get some precious time to do anything work related, my laptop decides it wants to throw a hissyfit.

Still. I’m not complaining.

 

Writing

Under Pressure

by Natalie2 Comments on Under Pressure

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This is me. No doubt about it. And, with my publishing contract came deadlines, and the re-write for Together Apart. In all fairness, it wasn’t loads. I’ve added a few new scenes and tidied things up a little, but the deadlines were fairly tight – and it probably felt even more so because of me being almost on the other side of the world in one of the most chilled out places imaginable.

Instead of doing a little bit each day, I left it until the day before the deadline for me to send the edits back. They weren’t problematic, or exceptionally difficult, and I thought I’d be able to handle that in no time at all. Except, it it wasn’t that easy. If you haven’t read Together Apart, it’s about a break-up. A fairly messy one at that, and when I wrote the majority of it, I was breaking up from a very long term relationship. I’m so far away from that now and I didn’t bank on how hard it would be to put myself back into that headspace.

My editor, the lovely Sophie, was asking for more emotion here, more reaction there, and it was an uphill struggle to put myself back into that place of heartbreak and uncertainty. I knew as soon as I started writing it that I should have left myself more time. In the end, the changes were made and Sophie loved them, and now, Together Apart is well and truly done and dusted. I’ve had a few days to recharge before the imminent arrival of the edits for Heart Shaped Bruise come into my inbox and this time I won’t make the same mistake. The truth is, Heart Shaped Bruise as it stands is fresh out of my mind, and I’m expecting MAJOR rewirtes to be done.

I bumped into a friend yesterday who’s a freelance photographer, and we were talking about the balance between socialising and enjoying life, and knuckling down to work. And, actually, I think the move from being a self-published author to having to deal with deadlines etc imposed by someone else will work so much better for me. I’ve always worked better with a bit of applied pressure, and the truth is, if you’re self-publishing, you have to be super disciplined to stick to your own deadlines. There’s far too much slippage in there for me.

Yeah, it meant sitting in front of the computer for nine hours straight on New Years Eve and almost making myself cross eyed, but it was totally worth it. Pressure?

Bring it!

Blog, Self-publishing, Writing

Pull: Blurb Reveal

by NatalieLeave a Comment on Pull: Blurb Reveal

So, as you’ll have seen yesterday, I announced the upcoming release of a new short story. So exciting! Here’s some more info…

In a world where the Alpha Males rule, meet the girls who are calling the shots instead…

The last thing Claire wants is a relationship. With a job taking her to the world’s most glamorous cities, casual encounters give her the freedom she needs. Until she swipes right on Danny’s profile.

From humble beginnings, Danny has built a successful business but after three years of celibacy, he’s ready to do the same with his personal life. Looking for someone to share it with, he joins Tinder and is immediately hooked by Claire.

Christmas is all about giving but both want something in return. Why play by the rules when breaking them is so much more fun…

Book 1 of the Pull short story series.

PicMonkey Collage