Profile Post Archive

Whoop! Well done! Maybe put this in an Author Update as I don't think Profile posts are being used any more? xx [USER=1]@AgentPete[/USER]

April 25 is celebrated in Italy as Liberation Day. Below ([I]if it works)[/I] is a note written by former German general Gunther Meinhold in 1949, in which he records the events of that day in 1945 when he led the surrender of the entire German garrison in Genoa, more than 10,000 men, to the partisans.

This was the only time in Europe when German troops surrendered to resistance forces. Many years ago now I heard the story of the other time this happened, in Norway. On a press trip to Stavanger, one of my colleagues – in response to a question - had just explained that his British father had met his Norwegian mother there when he was one of the first British troops to arrive for the liberation of Norway. At this, one of our hosts, a man in his sixties, said sternly: ‘The British did NOT liberate Stavanger, the forces of the resistance did. The British arrived on May 9. [I]WE[/I] came out of the forest on May 5...’ Given the gentleman was less than 65 at this point, though maybe not much less – still working - [I]what age[/I] was he in 1945? With a very cold shock, I calculated he couldn’t have been more than 14 years old. He was scary then, so he must have been outright terrifying in 1945, with a gun in his hand.

I always write a little short. You could: Finish the novel then work on developing plot points and scenes in the re-write? Or accept the length (Pete says books are getting shorter anyway)? On another note, [USER=1]@AgentPete[/USER] I'm a bit confused about when we post a Profile Update versus when to post an Author Update - what's the difference? Thanks xx

Using AI makes you dumber. Kind of obvious even wo the studies confirming. Seems esp damning for writers because using it -you will never become a better writer. Just an ever more cliche and dull one. Maybe point out life is about solving problems and usually only people who can do that creatively stand out from the crowd? But minus the harrumphing. Well done. Teaching is an art.

A brilliant read, Rachel. Well done! So much great advice and lovely to see Litopia mentioned and linked. By the way, I think you're being far too modest claiming beginner's luck - you're an incredibly talented writer and I have no doubt that those acceptances are down to that!!!! xx

I've heard that whilst dogs may keep you warm, they're no good for sound insulation.

These dogs mostly keep me damp.

I just had a listen. Loved the rainforest sounds. And you really could get a job on Radio 4 with that marvellous voice.

Only if they let me do the shipping forecast

Dear Girl, if you write them and narrated them- they would be worth listening to. Wet dog smell mixed with jungle sounds. Very evocative.

Shipping Forecast is on just now, and I can't help thinking how much better it would be if [USER=1941]@Aethalope[/USER] was doing it.

fingers crossed everything works out for you. x

That's brilliant news about the pitch event. I'm so pleased for you. I hope you had a very happy 80th xx

Yay! Congratulations! Go for it! And Happy Birthday! :D :clapping-hands::crossed-fingers::shamrock:🎂

[USER=1004]@Hannah Faoileán[/USER] , [USER=1954]@Sedayne[/USER], [USER=1324]@Vagabond Heart[/USER] -- Thank you all for your encouraging words! And [USER=1628]@Claire G[/USER] and [USER=1583]@Rachael Burnett[/USER] too! :) 😊

Surely not their own editors though! They must be talking about freelancers, and, if you use one, it will be worth getting them to sign a no AI use contract.

Grrrr. Yeah, I agree with [USER=1004]@Hannah Faoileán[/USER] , a clause in a contract is a good idea but ... Would the author actually know that an editor has done this with their MS? Is there a way of knowing one's MS has been fed into an AI? (I still write on cave walls and have no clue.)

I think this is really hard to prove and... if they are doing this with manuscripts then logically they are doing it with slush piles. Ask for 10k words and have AI check to see if it's got any of the things we are selling at the moment? I could see agents seeing that as a tool to get thru slush piles.

Yet another reason to self-publish.

But with a difference. Find a way to self publish outside of Amazon.

Yes, but Jake, you can be discouraged by things like that. As can anyone. That is human. But here's the thing.... I KNOW the book you're working on now is already better than Prophecies. Because writers improve the more they write. Fact. So maybe Prophecies is a 3-star, and maybe the next one will be 4-star, and the next a solid five, and the following one will get a film deal.............. Write because you love it. Write because you must. Write because only you can tell these stories. Everything else will find its place in the fullness of time. xxx

Yep, what Bev said x

Patient:, It hurts when I do this. Doctor: So stop doing that , already.

Yeah I know that logically. My worry is if my first book isn't very good, no one will bother with the better ones.

Better to follow the advice of a lot of actors and creatives-never read the critiques. Goodreads especially. Werent there articles about how people go on there to give bad reviews deliberately? It's not an unbiased source. Jesus, man if Bev says you're good take that and run. Remember she's the one who "tough-loved" Shakespeare.

Look, Terry Pratchett's first one was a bit shit. But then he moved on and we got Vimes and Granny Weatherwax. And he got a knighthood. No one, I repeat, no one should be judged by their first book. And, luckily, if you produce better stuff then your audience will find it. History shows that. Plus, 3 stars is nice. Not earth-shattering. But also not bad. Stop worrying, keep writing, and give us Goblin Hood with all guns blazing. xxx