IDEAS FOR NOVELS

                                                                 A FATAL FACADE

 

The idea for my forth-coming crime thriller came from discovering that for hundreds of years the Catholic church allowed abandoned babies [ usually illegitimate ] to be left in a small wheel in a room in the walls of convents in Italy. The anonymous mother then rang a bell and the wheel was moved around so that the baby was brought inside the convent and was eventually adopted. Isn’t that amazing? What’s even more amazing is that this practice is still continuing today!

TALENT AND TENACITY

 

I've just been emailing a fellow Celt in Scotland. I love the country as its wild ruggedness reminds me of Wales where I grew up. [Around the corner from Dylan Thomas but many years separated us.] I spent many hours as a teenager reading his poetry in Cwmdonkin Park where he wrote  “The Hunchback In The Park” and spent many other hours trying to imitate his poetic style; the results were appallingly bad.

 

You’ll be glad to know that my writing has improved a great deal since then and to prove it, my 6th novel, a crime thriller called A FATAL FACADE is being published in June. 

 

I hope you like the cover; I think it's great.

 

 

 

It’s a hard struggle to become a published writer, especially for someone who was told in school that she was slow. I was left-handed and was forced to write right-handed which really screwed up my network of neutrons so I started stammering. Fortunately, the nuns allowed me to revert to my left hand and I stopped stammering. Eventually, against all their predictions, I got three degrees and lectured in English. I know my struggles [along with the writing techniques I teach] have inspired many of my students to be published.

 

Many good writers don't continue because of the rejection. It's awful to have rejection letters. [ I have had so many I could wall-paper my bathroom with them!] But after picking myself up from the floor, I worked to improve my writing. 

 

And, as I say to my students, if I can do it, so can you.  

A RACE TO THE FINISH

My publishers have just told me that I’m one of the finalists in this prize and I’m thrilled. Still some hurdles to jump. The finalists will compete again. Further voting will take place between 21st to 29^th May 2013 when the public will be asked to vote again for the 12 finalists in each category to determine the winner of that category’s People’s Book Prize 2012/13.  The winners will then be  announced at the Award Ceremony on 29^th May 2013. 
 
I do hope you buy the book and vote for it.
 
Here are some of the comments on People’s Book Prize. I hope they encourage you to read the book before May and vote for it:
 

“A very well written book which kept me hooked to the last page and which had a wonderful twist that all good psychological thrillers must have! I very much liked the characters who were realistic and believable. The descriptive passages made you feel you were there. The idea that you are the sum total of past memories and that someone could plant memories in your mind is devastatingly simple, but effective in this wonderful plot. A well-researched book that is a very good read”
“I just loved this book! I have read and enjoyed other books by Ms James but this one is exceptional even for her. The whole idea of the plot is so original and captivating. This book is enjoyable on so many levels which is what I like my reading to be.”
“Thoroughly enjoyed the novel. It was gripping and interesting. Would like to read more books by same author.”
“This is a fantastic book. Once I started reading it I couldn't put it down. Having had some experience with cognitive behaviour therapy it is extremely believable and had me on the edge of my seat as each page turned.”

“A thrilling read.”
“Great read, I couldn’t put it down.”
Marvellous book and very riveting. Really liked the exploration of reality and identity.
This book is an excellent read, well written, creative and exciting, so that you simply don’t want to put it down until the last page is turned. I would like to add my vote for this book. It is an excellent read."
"A great read. Couldn’t put the book down. Marvellous landscapes, interesting well-researched characters and most of all suspense galore!"
"A cracking read from its beginning to its climactic end. Read before Christmas!"
 

2013

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Does everyone make New Year Resolutions as I do, then break most of them. I wonder why we do this. Odd, isn't it? How many of them have you made? I wonder how many you'll break.

One resolution I'm definitely not breaking is my resolution to write every day. It obviously works because I have another book being published this year which is great. A departure from what I've written before - this is a crime thriller. The germ of the idea came from conversations I had with a friend where we started inventing people who all had a mysterious link with one narcissistic wealthy Art Dealer. As usual, I moved numerous times and I worked on other projects but the people roamed around in dark corners of my brain and last year they started hammering to get out, so I worked on their characterizations for many months before working on the plot. I finished the novel last November and it's being published in 3/4 months. Still working on getting the right title.It's changed four times so far and yet another title pops up in my mind in the night and makes me change my mind. When will it stop? It's driving me nuts!

NOT THE LAST POSTING

I've just had my website up-dated with a blog and wasn't going to use this blog site any more but I like it so I will!

I hope you will follow my news on my website: http://www.writingunderwater.co.uk

You'll see a link to The People's Book Prize under Books section of The Day Of The Swans.

Two weeks ago it was nominated, now it's been short-listed. So exciting. If you are intrigued by the book, I hope you'll vote for it. You'll see two chapters from the novel on the site.

THE DAY OF THE SWANS BOOK LAUNCH

This has been a good few days for me: last week I was nominated for The People's Book Prize and this week the video of my book launch in Canterbury has just been put up on You Tube.  Here's the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=S3mjJIkMS3w

I hope you watch it and perhaps those of you living in the UK will be able to forget the awful rain and wind we’re having at the moment. It makes me regret not appreciating the clear blue skies I used to see every morning [ it seemed] when I looked out of the bedroom window of my beautiful Maltese Villa so many years ago. It’s strange how we only seem to be able to truly appreciate something when it’s gone, or is that just me?

I envy people living in sunnier climates at this time of the year. Oh, for the spring to arrive…

http://bit.ly/TTiYny

THE PEOPLE'S BOOK PRIZE

Hello!

I meant to put some more chapters from The Red Body Stocking on my blog a couple of weeks ago but I’ve been away staying in a beautiful part of the New Forest and haven’t had the time. When I returned I discovered that my book THE DAY OF THE SWANS had been nominated for the People’s Book Prize which is wonderful. I’ll know on 1^st December whether it’s been selected or not, but having a nomination is great. I’ll tell you what happens after the 1^st.

I’m having masses of positive feedback to Swans; everyone seems to find it gripping which is all an author can ask for. I hope whoever reads this blog enjoys it too and tells me.

On 13^th January, 2013, I’ll be running more writing workshops at The Horsebridge Centre in Whitstable, Kent. Here’s a link to the details.

http://bit.ly/PZktC6