Did you guess the object? And my perfect writing holiday.

Posted on February 21, 2016 by Suzanne Rogerson Author

The object in the photograph below (which I posted it in response to Hughes weekly photo challenge week 12 – games) was of course a footprint, a cast of a wolf footprint to be exact.

Thank you, Hugh for picking my picture to showcase on your weekly blog challenge.

It is not as exciting as a fossilised footprint (being only 12+ years old), but it is very special to me and reminds me of one of the most magical and memorable experiences of my life.

I stayed on holiday for a week at Wolf Watch UK, actually within a wolf reserve in Shropshire, England. It’s a brilliant organisation and for me it was a once in a lifetime holiday. Please check out their website Wolf Watch UK to see how gorgeous the place is and the important work they do. I don’t know if they still run holidays, but there are plenty of opportunities to visit the wolves on things like photography days.

(The pictures in this post are not the greatest quality as they are only photos of photos, it was way before my days of digital photography.)

I loved that whole experience. Hearing the majestic and haunting sound of the wolves howling in the evening and early morning – I couldn’t think of a better alarm clock. I would spring out of bed at the first howl (not that easy when you’re 5 months pregnant!) and record their howling on my little palm top computer. I have a sound file that I wanted to share, but the .wav format is not accepted by wordpress. If anyone can tell me how to convert and add sound files I would love to update this post. As it is you’ll have to put up with a rather poor quality image of one of the wolves mid-howl or yawning its hard to tell.

Back in 2004 there was no TV reception in this beautiful Shropshire wooded valley so it made the perfect writing retreat. I started planning and writing scene for one of my works in progress called Child of Destiny. I hope to finally finish the draft in 2016.

My husband wasn’t that happy without a TV. And he certainly wasn’t keen on the wolf feeding experience.

I loved my time in the wolf enclosure. Even though I was 5 months pregnant with my first child, I wasn’t going to let that stop me getting up close with these lovely creatures. I think you’ll agree I look a lot happier about it than my husband.

I’ve always been an animal lover, but my obsession with wolves started when I read Robin Hobbs Farseer trilogy. Nighteyes was, and still is, one of my favourite all time fictional characters. I’d love to have met him.

This holiday will always have a special place in my heart and it’s brought back lots of memories writing about it now. I would love to revisit Wolf Watch UK, but I have a few years to go before my youngest is 16 (age limit imposed for safety reasons).

If you ever get the chance, go along and meet the wolves. The experience will stay with you forever.

I’m taking a few days off social media to finish the edit of my next book. Please do leave comments though, and I will get back to you as soon as I can.

#amediting for the next two weeks!

Posted on January 31, 2016 by Suzanne Rogerson Author

Last week I finally completed the read through and edit of ‘Search for the Sentinel’. It’s in good shape, though far from ready to self publish. I need to add in a dozen or so scenes and have lots of tell and unnecessary exposition to delete. I also need to work on some of the world-building ideas to make sure they come alive for the reader.

I’ve challenged myself to complete this next stage of editing in two weeks, deadline when the kids breakup for half term. If you could see the scribbled mess of my draft you would know that it’s quite an undertaking. But if I don’t set the challenge I will just drift along without completing anything. Looks like I will have to unplug my Wifi.

The plan will then be to print it and read it again after a break of a week or so. Then I’ll keep repeating the process until I’m happy enough to pass it on for it’s first beta read.

I also need to look into book covers. This time it will need to have a theme that can run through 3 books – and I have no ideas where to start with that. But I shall be heading over to ‘The Cover Collection’ who made the brilliant cover for Visions of Zarua.

In the near future I hope to put together an editing checklist which will incorporate what I’ve learnt from creative writing classes, professional critiques and professional editing. Watch this space.

My editors are getting ready to give me a hand…

See you on the other side of two weeks, if I still have my sanity!

#Writers – looking for inspiration?

Posted on January 29, 2016 by Suzanne Rogerson Author

When I get stuck for story ideas or am in need of some inspiration I love to look through my magazine collection. I’ve found new counties and countries that might feature in my stories, possible characters, interesting facts, buildings and objects, articles on crafts and quirky details that might spark story ideas.

Some of my favourite magazines are:

Countryfile – This magazine is always filled with inspiring stories, beautiful walks and landscape photography, crafts and seasonal articles. Plus they usually run a few pages on a chosen location with lots of interesting facts and pictures. It’s been a source of many of the photos on my wall for my W.I.P – Search for the Sentinel.

Discover Britain – this magazine is brilliant for pictures and articles about Britain. They have a focus on history and places to visit in Britain, and each issue will star a particular county i.e. Norfolk for the magazine in my picture. They have headers like History, Architecture, Art, Gardens and a Travel guide. Plenty to inspire…

Lonely Planet – The spectacular photographs are the stars of these magazines. I also find lots of interesting articles on places all over the world. They have monthly features like Globetrotter, Easy Trips, Great Escapes and Mini Guides.

My collection of writing magazines – These always have interesting articles to learn from and inspire, and I always head straight to the competition pages to see what’s coming up that I may be able to enter. I like the themed competitions for inspiration, and those that offer critiques for a small fee – possibly the most valuable thing to come out of entering competitions (if you don’t win that is!).

I’m always on the look out for interesting and quirky magazines. Do you have any to recommend?

#BookReview – Wild Ruins by Dave Hamilton

Posted on January 22, 2016 by Suzanne Rogerson Author

The first thing that drew me to this book was the title, Wild Ruins. I’ve always loved ruins and this book has over 300 of them to discover. Then there is the amazing cover, which drew me in, not least because it’s just like an image I have in my head for my current WIP – Search for the Sentinel.

This is a very easy to use reference book with chapters focusing on counties i.e. Cornwall, Hampshire and Isle of Wight.

A nice touch are the pages at the beginning where the author suggests the best ruins for things like foraging (a favourite pastime of mine), picnics, beautiful walks, the weirdest and strangest ruins and the best for children and families. The book has lots of inspiring pictures, maps, ordnance survey grid references and post codes for sat nav.

It’s a good size to fit in a ruck sack, and I certainly can’t wait to take it on family holidays and outings to discover these Wild Ruins for myself.

From a writers perspective this is a book of pure inspiration, a must for all our bookshelves.

I’ve rated it 4 out of 5 stars. I suppose my only complaint would be the lack of glossy pictures inside, just to make it more visually pleasing.

Check out Wild Ruins on Amazon.

What does it take to write a novel?

Posted on December 28, 2015 by Suzanne Rogerson Author

Answer:

7 note books, reams of paper, years of hard work, thousands of hours of writing and rewriting, 4 beta readers, several online courses and professional critiques, and lets not go into the money involved…

Now that Visions of Zarua is published, I decided to use this lazy day between Christmas and New Year to tidy my desk drawers and go through all the old paperwork. I’ve boxed up all the note books that hold the first draft, the pictures of characters and places that helped me create my world, my extensive notes on everything to do with Paltria and its characters, the various critique reports and my notes on rewriting.

Who would have thought that pile of scribbles and half formed plans would turn into this…

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Visions of Zarua started way back in 2003 with a tiny idea. I wonder what my younger self would think if she knew the long, long journey ahead.

Visions of Zarua by Suzanne Rogerson, Released today!!

Posted on November 16, 2015 by Suzanne Rogerson Author

Thank you, Thomas Brooke, for allowing me to guest post on your blog today.

Source: Visions of Zarua by Suzanne Rogerson, Released today!!

Business card anyone?

Posted on November 14, 2015 by Suzanne Rogerson Author

My business cards are here at last, along with a little indulgence – a poster I can look at to remind myself the book is really out there. It looks pretty good, shame I can’t have them plastered on the local buses and bus stops.

I had a result with the business cards, the original order was lost and had to be reissued. Now both have turned up, so I have 500 cards and no idea how to get them into the hands of readers. I tried my local library today, but they aren’t allowed to display them. My kids have asked for signed copies… only 498 to go.

Apart from stalking strangers in the street, does anyone have any ideas on how to distribute them?

I’m running out of marketing jobs, now it’s just counting down the hours… Sometimes I wonder why I opted to put the book on pre-order. It’s just prolonging my angst.

Time to concentrate on the next book I think. But do I go with the Bloodlines trilogy (I’m supposed to be drafting the 3rd book throughout November), finish and edit the novel I almost completed during NaNoWriMo a couple of years ago, or develop my 5k word short story, Death Dream, into the novella it deserves to be? So many choices…

I need to learn how to let go of ‘Visions’ and focus on the next project. My characters often meditate when they are troubled or need to focus, I wonder if that would work for me.

Does anyone have any tips?

Last minute book nerves and a call for advice.

Posted on November 12, 2015 by Suzanne Rogerson Author

Only 4 days to go and the champagne is on ice (well it’s in the fridge).

Ready for publication day!

I’ve been waiting for this day for as long as I can remember; to actually call myself a published author. But as we draw closer to the 16th November, I have to admit to the odd night of insomnia.

My marketing strategy, or lack of one, is the main source of my concern and the reason for this post. I would like to call on the blogging community for advice, and any tried and tested methods of reaching readers.

So far the ideas I have implemented are:

A paid Ad in the Dec 2015 Mslexia magazine
A feature in the Subscriber Spotlight Writing Magazine – the issue has yet to be confirmed.
A fellow blogger, Thomas Brooke, has agreed to run a blog post on the day Visions of Zarua is released.
I’ve ordered business cards with my book’s image, blurb and website etc. These have been lost in transit and re-ordered. I know they won’t help much, but I just wanted something physical to represent the book, and they are reasonably priced, if they ever turn up.
I have set up author pages on Amazon, Smashwords and Goodreads. I have completed interviews on the sites where possible.
I’ve tried to enrol in Amazon’s Search Inside, but something has delayed my application. Another thing to chase when I get the chance.

I’ve yet to call on any book reviewers – that will be my next step.

I also read a suggestion somewhere of setting up an author page on Amazon’s other sites i.e. .com .de .fr. So that is something else to look into.

Does anyone have any other suggestions? Or would anyone consider running a post about the book during the first few weeks of its release?

Thanks to those who have been sharing and spreading the word. I appreciate your efforts.

I’ll leave you with this picture, I know I’ve used it before, but I love it. And I’m sure she could do a better job at marketing than me.

Length of #fantasy fiction

Posted on November 10, 2015 by Suzanne Rogerson Author

Since starting NaNoWriMo2015, I’m beginning to understand the draw of writing trilogies and series.
I decided to draft book 3 of my WIP ‘Bloodlines’ to see if a third book was warranted. I had no real plan, except that a distance, long forgotten enemy was going to make an unexpected return. The characters have come to mind so easily and have given me plenty of scope to carry on their stories. I know their pasts, their motivations and how they will react so it’s been easy to conjure scenes between them. Although I concluded book 2 happily, I’ve realised there are plenty of new challenges ahead for my characters. It’s been a pleasure allowing myself to write without censor and revisiting these characters has been a joy. I’m too far off the word count to complete NaNoWriMo, but I’m glad to be taking part. I should have planned to publish my first novel in a different month. That’s something to remember for next time.

Suzanne Rogerson Fantasy Author

A recent blog on fantasy-faction.com got me thinking about the length of fantasy books.

They are usually weighty tomes, which I don’t have a problem with until you start building those into trilogies and series and clocking up thousands of pages.

I believe there should be more standalone novels in fantasy. It’s always sad when a book you’ve loved comes to an end, but isn’t it good to have closure? To know that the next book you pick up will be the start a new adventure with the author. To discover new worlds and find new characters to fall in love with.

I’ve even been put off starting series because the scale of them is just too daunting (Game of Thrones as an example, though I’ve loved the TV series). As an author I’m in awe of the skills involved in holding it all together, but as a reader I…

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Visions of Zarua – 1 Week to Go!

Posted on November 9, 2015 by Suzanne Rogerson Author

In just 7 days my book will be released.

I’ve put the first chapter on the website for those who want a sneak peek. You can also download a sample of the first 4 chapters on the Smashwords website. Samples can be downloaded in your preferred format.

Check out the links below.

Smashwords

Chapter 1

I hope you enjoy.