Category: Good Read

e book

The Indie Book Revolution

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Reach for the sky

I recently wrote a reply to an Indie author bemoaning  on Facebook they weren’t making sales on line.  I think my reply is worth sharing.

There are 1.5 million Indie books published in the US alone, every year. I wondered how many of these authors buy Indie books?

I buy 2 a month as that fills my reading time. Mostly I find them lively and interesting, the occasional one, not so.   No different from a traditionally published highly advertised book, they are not always great even if the grammar is pretty much guaranteed. To be a successful Indie author you have to be better than the best, even then you might not make it. It’s like agents who have turned down amazing works of literature many times over but they have gone on to be best selling novels, the reading public are doing the same thing, turning away from amazing possibilities. Don’t miss out on discovering a book that might be brilliant; buy loads of Indie books. How many agents turned down Beatrix Potter and J. K .Rowling etc. As an Indie author your experience may be like theirs and you have to keep marketing – and waiting, and hoping readers will cotton on to your amazing book.

In the meantime why not buy a few Indie books and enjoy the whole reading writing scene?

As a Creative Writing tutor I have read across genre, often reading genres I would not have freely chosen. Sometimes they have surprised me at how much I have enjoyed reading them, sometimes I have found them awkward and uninteresting. I am never sorry to have read them. The bad ones teach me how not to write a book and I think about the author who has embarked on a learning curve and , on day, they might become a great writer. Everyone starts somewhere.

From a writer’s perspective reaching the top rung of success can be an unrealistic goal. If you play tennis are you going to be a Wimbledon champion? Would you give up singing if you weren’t the winner of X Factor? You can enjoy playing tennis and singing at any level – you can enjoy writing at any level.

Make friends and meet people on line and through organisations; enjoy working on language skills, going to literary festivals etc. There is so much more to do when you are interested in writing than become famous. Even listening to related programmes on radio or analysing something you are watching on T.V. I would recommend a writer’s life to anyone.

Why do people ask, ‘Do you write? What have you published?’ Would we ask, ‘Do you play tennis? What tournaments have you won? If a writer is successful they will tell you without being asked!

It’s all about money for some potential authors. If that’s you and you’re starting out, make sure you have a good day job.

I have made a living out of writing. I started out earlier than most and this was a big advantage. From selling articles and poems to major magazines my writing career developed. I went into education and taught other people to write, I wrote Creative Writing examinations and marked them. This gave people a qualification that was recognised  in a subject they enjoyed and I loved teaching. Splitting the subject into communications and media studies at level 3 meant that adult students could use it for university entrance.

The aspect of my career I enjoyed the most was Creative Writing for rehab of mental health patients, for prisoners, and as a stepping stone for homeless people back into education.

Over the past few years I have been teaching Creative Writing in Sri Lanka (for free), a work/vacation. I’m lucky that writing has added so much to life, and I believe in can for others. Don’t be a  lone writer, get out there and join in things.

What I really have written this blog for, is to say to indie authors – buy indie books. If we all did this we could start an indie revolution.

As I sit looking at my cup of coffee I realise that for half the price of that coffee I can download an Indie book. For the whole cup – thats 2 books (I’m sure you worked that out). So what if I don’t enjoy them all? I will certainly enjoy most. Of all my reading this year one indie book stood out and I will always remember it. I bought it because I met the author at one of these social writing events and bought the paperback. Indie books can be better than the best.

My husband has met people at these indie events when he has tagged along with me. Occasionally he smiles at the daft book, but it made him smile and other times he has raved on about how good a book is. Because it’s indie he has been able to read their blog, join their twitter etc. and he has spoken to the author and might meet them again.

I write reviews when I’ve read a book, but if it is not my usual genre I say so, that doesn’t mean it isn’t worth a good review . If it really is bad then I don’t say anything. I’m sure a poor writer is capable of giving back what they get. When I do write a poor review it is for a highly publicised book and the story genuinely isn’t good. I  hate reading a traditional published book with the might of the media behind it and it could – no should be better. You can forgive indie books but not professional writers. Readers have often agreed with my review and said so. If I love it I do always say so, or if it’s good but not my type of book it may be worth 5*.

Christmas is coming and I’ve order my presents – I want paperback Indie books and they will cost under £10 They will give me several hours of pleasure when Christmas is over. ‘Which indie book,’ I’m asked. My reply, ‘Surprise me. You know me.’

I belong to BGS. If you are looking for an indie book join this site or something similar.

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See what other people are reading. Goodreads has indie books with reviews.

Be bold and make an Indie book a regular addition to a book club reading list. My Romantic Comedy is only 99p 5* reviews around the world. http://tinyurl.com/jd6bn9a

Henri Marcel. French artist 1938 – 1996

I have been asked about Henri Marcel, the French artist I quote in Marriage, a Journey and a Dog..

Henri Marcel is remembered for his quotations as well as his art. He was a part of the cubism movement that changed the face of art.

Pablo Picasso was credited with cubism’s creation, but there are other examples of this style of art. As with all artists and creative people there is a reliance on what you have learnt and your environment, mixed with your own creativity. It was Picasso that brought cubism to the forefront in art.

This is a link to cubism art pictures – Cubism Art

I came across these in Le Louvre. I’m not sure how old they are but they are described as ancient. 33-P100092134-P1000922

George Keyt 1901 – 1993,  is a famous Sri Lankan artist and as far as it is known he had no contact with Picasso and his associates.

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George Keyt

George Keyt is worth knowing about – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Keyt

Henri Marcel was a part of the  cubism movement, creating his own distinguished style – hidden in many ways, but a great  discovery if you find him.

Quotes about Henri Marcel in Marriage, a Journey and a Dog.

This is where it all began.

This is when I realised what my life could be

                                     Henri Marcel. French Artist 1938-1996

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Once outside on the pavement, I notice a small house, squeezed between the shops, on the wall there is a brass plaque to Henri Marcel. I have a book about him from a charity shop. He painted pictures then ripped them up, repositioned them and painted the new picture, similar to Picasso and cubism. The colours he used were bold and the reconstructed paintings vibrant. Some of his paintings are of people; others of buildings. So he lived here for twenty years until he died in 1996.

‘I am always doing what I thought I couldn’t do because I learn something’ is the quote under his name.

“Yes, Henri!” I say out loud. I mustn’t let Gerry see me talking to myself, and clasping my hands with agreement!

____________

Alan might offend me when I’m vulnerable, so as much as he might be useful I decide to try this one on my own and hope I’ve benefitted something from my one and only past experience of cycling.

‘I am always doing what I thought I couldn’t do because I learn something’ I reflect on Henri Marcel’s words. ‘Remember Natalie, you made it through France and Spain’. I pinch myself at the thought.

As his paintings are held in private galleries they are not available on google. Maybe, one day there will be an exhibition.

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“To tell the truth is often distracting, Make what you will of me.”  Henri Marcel.

In Praise of The Indie Experience

I became an Indie author to publish and sell my book. I have done both, but there is so much more.

Making friends and meeting people is top of the list. Online through twitter, @brendah Sedgwick, through this blog, and through goodreads and facebook. Then there are the talks and people you meet anywhere anywhen.”Yes, I’ve written a book – how about you? Do you enjoy reading or writing?”

The originality and variety of indie books exceeds that of celebrity books and well known authors. It takes a few extra minutes to find something you are interested in.

There many nonfiction indie books with information that is easily accessed by everybody. These books can be for small niche markets and important. Only available because of indie publishing.

Some indie books lack good grammar and need more spelling checks. Indie authors don’t have an army working for them. It’s the story that counts for me;  the pictures painted with words in them. It’s like a song well written but lacking life or a song full of life but with faults.

A whole room of people can write a professional blurb. An indie blurb will be written by one or two inexperienced people.

Give me an indie book and suprise me.

The covers have beautiful art work. Through indie books, covers have become the opportunity for more artists to show their amazing talents Remember the record sleeves that were works of art and have a monetry value in themselves? Can this happen to book covers?. Limited editions?

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Will there be shops that sell only indie books that become a hub of activity with downloading facilities and book clubs only for self published authors,. Could they  be more fun than the conventional reading groups?

There is a new dawn for Indie books yet to be  seen. How many great books never made it past the agent’s desk? We know about Beatrice Potter and Lord of the Flies , by William Golding, etc  that only just made it. How many great stories went in the bin we will never know. Indie books may not be perfect, but there are more good ones  ones that will make it through to popularity by the indie route,  and will be around for future generations.

Another reason for not getting across the agent’s desk is age. It takes a lot of money and time to promote someone and they want lots of books and a long future. Older people can write amazing books that are a good read for all ages and in all genres..

Recently I have read writers who have a mainstream published series to their name, and the authors are coming up to middle age. Unfortunately, I have found them lacking in story content after the first one or two. Some indie book stories I have found to have originality and to be buzzing with life.Books that will stay in my memory.

For the value of indie books and writers to be appreciated readers must be willing to experiment, and accept that some books don’t make the mark anymore than mainstream books do.

You can meet your author on twitter,on  websites, through blogging and on Facebook pages. There’s an author’s page for books on Goodreads and about the author on Amazon. So much background to be discovered before and after you read the book. You can even ask an author questions.

It’s no longer about a book or an indie book, but it comes with information that makes the reading experience  more interesting.

Book clubs could, perhaps should, have an indie night now and again, when they read different genres in indie publishing and find out what the overall response is.

If you can’t read a book where you think a comma is wrong, then stick to the mainstream published books or try to write one that is perfect in every way.

 

 

 

 

 

When I’m not travelling

Dog at my house

Sri Lanka has become our second home, but the U.K is still home. It is where the family live and we enjoy our own house. In Sri Lanka we rent and the standard of comfort is not the same. An interesting challenge at times.

In the U.K the animal minding continues and so does does the child minding. Travelling is on hold until the new family additions grow up a bit. A quick trip to Paris was fun, and a week in Provence. I love France!

It is easy to write about a place you enjoy. I can relive the pleasure of beautiful places and they carry me along with my characters.

Right now, dog minding, while my children are away on holiday. I’m not a lover of domesticated animals, but argue they thrive with me as I am very practical and don’t spoil them.

Dogs have joined my factual life and my writing, even though I tell them to go away.

Continue reading “When I’m not travelling” →

Bull Fighting

I like to research before writing anything in a book, even if it is a small part of the story. When Natalie, in Marriage A Journey and A Dog, visits Barcelona, she stays at the home of Linda and José. The father of José was a bullfighter and was killed, so there was reading to be done.

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I can understand the excitement of the crowds, and the headiness of the arena, but not the cruelty to the animal. I knew a man who was involved in the finances of bull fighting and he gave a lecture. He spoke about how the bull didn’t feel anything after the first spear accurately entered the neck. Nothing will convince me it isn’t cruel and unnecessary.

I came across this Torero Alvaro Muner’s story on Facebook. He was a matador and this was the moment he was filled with remorse at the suffering of the bull. It changed him into an anti bullfighting campaigner. I found his story on the site of this man.

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Researching, even the smallest details can lead onto a trail of interesting discovery. I often have to remind myself that the job in hand is writing.

The Cover of the Book

I’ve been told the cover design can sell the book. Yesterday I stood back in Smiths and looked at the top 20 books and tried to decide which book I would buy because of its cover. My answer was none.

So why would I take a second look? I decided first the title, and then the genre, before the writer. The blurb on the back cover became the next step.

Some covers I found decidedly uninspiring, but I have bought books on the recommendation of friends. In fact, most books I buy because a friend enjoyed reading it or I heard about it on radio.

A seriously good cover, with raised gold wording and beautifully designed can make me wonder if the cover is better than the content.

Tomorrow I am going to see a publishing company and I will discuss my cover. I think I can design it, but might come stuck on the technical side.

What would happen to sales if inside the cover was a note saying, ‘designed by the author.’ The variety of covers might be fun and make them interesting to look at. I guess, if money is no object you might as well hand it over and let other people do it and if you are a well known writer it will sell anyway.

Book covers are not like old record covers and only if it is a first edition cover, in excellent condition is it worth anything and not necessarily considered a work of art.

Is there a place for more creativity?

………………………………………………………………………

Jan 2015. I’ve handed my book over to the professionals and that included the cover. I’m waiting to see their suggestions. I am told that if your book stands out in a genre, it could be wrong as customers looking for a genre look for similarities. I am learning. When my new cover comes I’ll let everyone see it.

Kizzy a Family Dog

 

 

I looked at the picture of Kizzy, my son’s dog. I often look after her when I am in the U.K.  and she keeps me company at home on writing days. Sadly, I had news that she died today. So I won’t be looking after her anymore. I guess a new one will come along before too long. He can’t live without a dog.

 

 

 

Dog at my house
Dog at my house. In memory of Kizzy

The Travel Bug

This blog is intended to be about the travels and life of Natalie aged 40 in, Marriage A Journey and a Dog. The people who are following are from self-help backgrounds and fellow travelers.

So this is a blog about the travel side of my life.

My husband is a retired clinical neurophysiologist. He is now Honorary Professor of Physiology in the Medical Faculty of the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. Sorry, that’s a bit of a mouthful. He is researching the effects of snake bites and organophosphate poisoning.

I have been teaching in a school in Kandy. We have 2000 girl pupils. It has been a great experience.  We have the privilege of sharing in the lives of people in a  poor village. We have been coming  here for 5 years, staying several months each time. There is so much about the communities spread out across the country to learn. The old and the new, rich and poor live side by side, so do the religions for now.

With the vegetation and climate comes birds, butterflies monkeys, pigs, elephants, porcupine, squirrels etc. Every time a house is built, and forestation removed, the numbers go down and the human numbers go up.

Mike Sedgwick (husband) is writing a blog on the Chandler’s Ford Today site, if you would like to know more, look it up. I’ve added some pictures, but there are lots more on Chandler’s Ford Today. You will find Mike’s picture of him in a glider.

 

Looks good, but a bit synthetic up close

 

Elephants in Sri Lanka
Typical green view travelling around Sri lanka
Typical green view travelling around Sri Lanka
View from our house
View from our house

Edit. Edit. Edit.

I have just been trying to read J K Rowling, The Casual Vacancy.  I found the story uninspiring and, from the reviews, I am not the only one. The good thing about it is the perfect editing. I wonder how many people there were in the team that helped prepare this book ready for publication?

I read that Jeffrey Archer had 16 on his edit team. Imagine the luxury of writing the story and leaving the rest to someone else.

If you have the ideas, then editing is worth it. If you are brilliant at editing, but without any inspirational ideas a book isn’t worth writing. That makes sense.

So far I have made 15 edits and started on the 16th for the paperback. I have read what printing companies offer and it hardly seems worth doing. It has to be UK English for a British book, so that cuts out a lot of editing options.

I have found the more I edit the more I learn and have grown to appreciate making the story a better reading experience.

I was told not to litter the text with commas, now I think I should. There are certain words that could be written in a more interesting way and the occasional phrase that I wonder how I came to write it badly, then miss the opportunity of correcting it.

One more edit and I would like it professionally read. Any recommendations on how you do that?  I can run software myself.

I come back to the mantra of edit, edit, edit, yourself. One day, when I’m rich and famous, I’ll hire a team to do it for me, or have a live in secretary like Joanna Trollop. Wouldn’t that be great!

Marriage

IMG_1390Natalie was brought up on the Cinderella fantasy and other Fairy Stories of marrying a Prince.  When she was young, she loved the Heidi books, especially when Heidi married Peter, the boy who looked after the goats on the mountain.

Next came Anne of Green Gables who marries Gilbert Blythe, the boy she had known since she was at school and they return to their country home together. Romeo and Juliette and Jane Eyre all filled her mind with romantic ideals.

When Natalie, the protagonist, meets Gerry at school they become childhood sweethearts and marry in their early 20’s.

While all the marriages and relationships around them are not straight forward, her life with Gerry remains constant and stable. The happily ever after Fairy tale is unquestionable.

The lives of  grown ups rarely happen that way as Natalie finds out.

At the end she still believes in marriage and magic still happens.

Marriage A Journey and A Dog click for ebook on amazon. The book is a comment on love and marriage. It is both serious and funny, all designed to entertain readers. I have been delighted to see that half of the readers have been men.