Getting to Know You: Carol Fenwick

Today I have the lovely Carol Fenwick here to give all of you writers out there some advice. Carol did her Masters in Creative Writing at Teesside University so she knows her stuff!

Vic x

How would I define writing? A powerful tone or voice that gives resonance to someone either as a narrative e.g. a life story (auto) biographical, a novel or spoken word, oral storytelling, or what we now describe as performance poetry.

To me writing is more than the words on paper. Appreciation of words is a maxim of mine, what is important is how a tale or story is told.

My rules on writing are as follows:

• Writers write.
• You need to learn the rules before they can break them. Read as much as you can and write as much as possible. Never make the mistake of thinking you can break rules without learning your craft. I have learnt the hard way.
• Listen to the lecturers on writing courses and apply yourself in your learning. Hard work and perfecting your craft is important as is everything in life.
• Be your own harshest critic but be constructive with others. There is nothing worse or more cowardly than someone who criticises you but does not have the guts to apply their criticisms to themselves. You need to be ruthless when it comes to your own writing, as one lecturer memorably told me: “You got to kill your babies”. In  this context, your babies are the bits of writing you love but that are irrelevant to the story. Constant repetition, typos, spelling mistakes, grammar errors you name it. If you won’t be hard on yourself there will always be a troll or even a writing critic that will be harsher. So you’ve got to try to make it as perfect as possible. That’s the hard part. But it is also a fun challenge.
• Don’t give up – life is a learning curve and so is writing. 

My final point is that writing is a craft and we are all still learning, so learn as much as you can when possible. This is a rule that I have a tendency to break as a busy lifestyle, like having young children, can lessen the time you spend on writing. Having children can be ultimately inspirational. I developed plenty of ideas for poems and children’s stories through talking and playing with my son.

If you would like to read more of my work, I have two books, ‘Modern Proverbs: Stories from Spain and Gibraltar‘ and ‘Light and Shade‘, available on Amazon. Both selections of short stories are also available on http://www.createspace.com

Please consider joining my group, Copper Beech and Silver Birch Publishing for information on how you can get works published: http://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/142681622567914/

I also have a children’s publishing service page on facebook. Please feel free to like. The link is below: http://www.facebook.com/#!/MuckyPupsAndChinaDolls

Getting to Know You: Valerie Laws

Today I’m happy to have yet another fellow North-East writer chatting on the blog. The very clever and multi-talented Valerie Laws is here to tell us about her writing life.

Vic x

What do you like most about writing?

There’s the feeling when something goes right, a piece of work seems to be getting close to the idea in my head. Then there’s learning new stuff. I have many Writer in Residence posts which are so interesting, I’ve learned so much and met so many cool people who are generous with their time and expertise. I feel very lucky that I’ve managed to work as a full-time professional writer for a decade or so, with 11 books to my name. Then there’s reaching an audience, making people laugh and cry. Hearing and seeing them do it when performing my poetry or reading from my novels or when watching one of my plays. My AV poetry installation ‘Slicing the Brain’ had a very powerful effect on exhibition visitors in London and Newcastle, reading their comments in the visitors’ book was amazing. Positive reactions to my novels online or at events, good reviews on Amazon.  A total stranger was tweeting about how much she loved my crime novel ‘The Rotting Spot‘ the other day, which was fab.

What do you dislike (if anything)?

Sometimes it’s frustrating but that’s part of the challenge. Pressure of time; marketing my books and poetry, I enjoy that but it takes up a lot of writing time – I would like to slow down the planet to get longer days. Rejections, or projects which crash and burn, part of any writer’s life, they never get any nicer!
What inspires you to write?

Most of my plays, even my BBC radio play ‘Nowt to Look At’  and many of my poems are about the lives of real working class people from the North East, especially from the past, people like my own family background. I am passionate about the life stories of people who were ignored by historians and academics, and whose endurance, courage, and spirit, to say nothing of their humour, deserve to be celebrated. Even Lydia Bennet – I wanted her to speak up for herself instead of being scorned by all the ‘good’ characters in Austen’s novel! Hence my comedy ebook ‘Lydia Bennet’s Blog‘, her saucy teen version of ‘Pride and Prejudice‘. Another major inspiration is the sea, I’ve always lived by the sea and am obsessed with water and swimming. Again, many poems and most of my plays are sea-related (e.g. ‘Collingwood’, ‘The Selkie’, ‘Hadaway’), and I love the sea’s power, beauty and ever-changing colours. My crime novel ‘The Rotting Spot‘ is set in Seaton Sluice on a tiny headland in the North Sea, which is really like a main character. The follow-up novel ‘The Operator’ is also set on the north east coast. Ideas also come to me from personal experience, listening to people’s stories in queues, headlines, and they keep hanging about annoying me until I write them. They come as poems, plays, novels, sci-art installations…  I write when I feel I’ve got something that needs saying. I am often commissioned to write or create something and I find writing to a deadline inspiring!

Do you find time to read, if so what are you reading at the moment?

I always find time to read. Apart from being a fanatical and very fast reader, I have a lot of friends who write books, and I like to support them! I read masses of crime fiction. I’m just finishing my friend Ann Cleeves’ new Shetland novel ‘Dead Water‘, she’s always so good – I even buy hers in hardback, and I’m a total Kindle convert!  I read a lot of poetry, just been re-reading Ann Alexander’s ‘Too Close‘ in e-book form.

Which author(s) has/have had the biggest influence on your writing?

I love the novels of Barbara Pym, and Jane Austen (though I’m having fun with her heroes and heroines in ‘Lydia Bennet’s Blog‘!) I love a lot of poets’ work and I know many of them so have to be careful here but Sharon Olds, an American poet, is breathtakingly honest and intimate. Shakespeare, he’s funny, lively, sexy, sad and his language is so powerful and entrancing to hear. William Blake’s poetry, he’s a true prophet, he foresaw some modern scientific and social ideas far ahead of his time. Oh so many… I don’t try to write like anyone in particular, but writers I love have changed me so they must change my writing I suppose.

If you weren’t a writer, what would you be doing?

I would be a forensic pathologist. I have a degree in Maths/Theoretical Physics, but I’ve done years of research recently working closely with neuroscientists and pathologists to learn about the science of dying for ‘All That Lives‘, my latest poetry collection from Red Squirrel Press, and that has been an amazing journey – I’m Writer in Residence at a pathology museum in London, as well as in several other unusual brain institutes, and now at Dilston Physic Garden near Corbridge, growing mind altering plants! The more I learn about death, the more I learn about life. This interest also feeds into my crime fiction. I collect skulls, so I have an interest in anatomy. I was a teacher until I was disabled in a car crash 27 years ago.

 

What do you think are your strengths and weaknesses?

I have ‘multiple publishing disorder’, I write in lots of genres, which makes it perhaps harder to succeed financially, I’m always keeping lots of plates spinning and rushing round like a mad thing and it’s harder to market my work when I’m doing poetry, performances, exhibitions, plays, novels. I also write across genres. But this is just who I am. Strengths, from a writing point of view, I would say lyrical sensuality, witty dialogue, writing about taboo or difficult subjects such as malformed foetuses or dementia or flirting at funerals or phone sex… Weaknesses, well, lyrical sensuality and humour in the eyes of those who like spare minimalist writing and disapprove of humour in crime fiction (yes, some do)! I also work hard but I always put off starting something new as I’m scared it won’t work – though sometimes it is forming in my head during that time.

What are you working on at the moment?

I’ve just relaunched my ‘‘Clueless in corsets” comedy ‘Lydia Bennet’s Blog – The Real Story of Pride & Prejudice‘ on Kindle which has some great 5* reviews from respected authors. I’ve had a splendid new cover designed by Alison Richards, with a steampunky feel, to get across the timeslip element of the book.  Lydia Bennet’s shameless story is told in modern teen language though it’s set in the 19th century. So I’m busy spreading the word about that.

My newest Writer in Residence post at Dilston Physic Garden includes a commission for one of my signature inventions, the quantum haiku, first seen in my world-infamous ‘Quantum Sheep’ project, where I spray-painted sheep with words of a poem which they rewrote randomly. The second one was on beach balls in a swimming pool, featured in BBC2’s ‘Why Poetry Matters’ with Griff Rhys Jones. This will be my third in the series, and will also be in water, but will be on the theme of plants and their strange evolution of chemicals which mirror the chemicals in our brains – self-defence for the plant, drugs for humans. I’ll be doing some workshops at the garden later on, so do check those out! I’ve just had to fight for my copyright of ‘Quantum Sheep’, first seen in 2002, as someone hustled the idea and sold a simplified version of it to a couple of organisations as their own! My project is still all over the internet and frequently published, referred to and used by many to inspire them to do new things with the idea, which is fine by me as long as they do something different and don’t claim credit for the original idea.

I’m busy touring all over performing my ‘CSI: Poetry’ from  ’All That Lives‘, which is being well received, and a lot of my new poems are being published in various anthologies. I’m busy formatting the book for Kindle which is quite a challenge – much harder than novels due to the layout of the poems and the differing sizes of e-reader screens. I have other work to put out on Kindle too, when I get the chance! My next poetry collection is well underway and I hope it will come out next year.

My second crime novel ‘The Operator’ is ready to roll when I’ve sorted out publication. Whether to go indie ebook, or get a publisher, or both, or…? Things are changing so fast in the book world!

When you’re a famous author and you write your autobiography, what will be the title?

‘Quantum Sheep’ is my most famous work and a great title but I’ve already got a poetry collection named that. ‘Counting Quantum Sheep’? Perhaps ‘In the name of the Laws’? ‘Laws of Physics’?

Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?

The poet/playwright Peter Mortimer once told me that a poem, and I think it’s true of novels and plays too, needs an imperative of some kind: it’s something you feel needs to be said. I’d also say write the kind of books or works you want to write, not just what you think will sell or succeed. Lee Child said when you can see the bandwagon, you’ve already missed it! Keep learning and exploring new ideas, new technology, skills and experiences.

What’s been your proudest moment as a writer?

Difficult to say, each step seems like a pinnacle at the time – first poem published, first competition prize, first full poetry book, first novel… being interviewed live on BBC Radio 4’s iconic ‘Today’ programme by John Humphrys (about Quantum Sheep of course!), performing live at Royal Festival Hall in London, first nights and last nights of each of my stage plays, my radio play: each time I feel, wow, this is as good as it gets, this might be the best it ever is. For a couple of days, then I raise the bar for myself. Anyway those moments make up for the many failures!

What would you say to your sixteen-year-old self if you could offer one word of advice or inspiration?

Literally one word? Too hard even for a poet but ‘Enjoy!’ might do it.  More than one? Erm, ‘You will get there, enjoy the journey.’  And that doesn’t just apply to writing!

Where can we find you online?

My website: http://www.valerielaws.co.uk/

You can contact me via Twitter – @ValerieLaws –  or Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/valaws - or my website to get copies, or order paperbacks of THE ROTTING SPOT and ALL THAT LIVES from http://www.redsquirrelpress.com

My Residency at Dilston Physic Garden is here: http://www.dilstonphysicgarden.com/writer_residence.htm

Very Inspiring Blog Award

Thanks to Gerry McCullough for nominating me for the ‘Very Inspiring Blog Award’. Gerry has written several great books which you can find on her Amazon Author Page.

So, here are the rules:

1. Display the award logo on your blog.
2. Link back to the person who nominated you.
3. State 7 things about yourself.
4. Nominate other bloggers for this award and link to them.
5. Notify those bloggers of the nomination and the award’s requirements.

OK, so now I have to open my heart up to you guys and tell you 7 things about me that you don’t already know. Hmm, tough one…

1. I used to be a city swimmer and one of my records (set almost 20 years ago) still stands today. 
2. I wrote a play aged about nine or ten at school for drama club but my friends’ dad said it was too sensitive as the main thread of the story was about a character’s grandma dying. Apparently, I’ve always had a knack for writing stories that aren’t exactly light-hearted!
3. Two weeks ago I finally revealed to my brother that the letter he received from Chessington World of Adventures after writing to them, aged five, regarding a new roller coaster he designed was fake. My dad had been kind enough to mock-up a letter in response to my brother’s design. I thought my brother already knew and I was absolutely devastated when I saw his face drop in realisation.
4. I’m terrified of fish and pictures of fish. I don’t suppose I’ll ever do any diving or snorkeling.
5. I have very strict rules about how I eat food. For example, I only allow myself to eat certain flavours of crisps depending on the sandwich filling. If I’m eating a salad or a roast dinner, I am only allowed to eat veg together in the same mouthful (E.G. potato and carrots on the same forkful are ok but I wouldn’t add meat into this).  I can’t bear the thought of a tuna melt as cheese and tuna, to me, seem completely wrong. I have to separate M’n'Ms and Skittles into colours, I couldn’t eat a mixture – that would just be bizarre.
6. Throughout my life, my dad has potentially told me hundreds of lies (as a joke, nothing too serious) and I’m still just finding out the truth regarding some of them. For example, he told me that eating raw mushrooms would kill you. 
7. I once asked The Boy Wonder if ‘The Simpsons’ were yellow because they had been affected by the nuclear power station in Springfield. According to him, it’s just because they’re a cartoon. 

So, now I’ve revealed myself to be a terrible big sister, an idiot, an OCD eater and  a depressive writer from a young age, it’s now my turn to pick my top blogs. Here they are (in no particular order):

1. Gemma Wilford. Gemma’s blog ‘Missuswolf’s StoryLand’ is about sharing her reading and writing with the world. Like me, Gemma is on a mission to publish her first novel before she is thirty. I worked with Gemma on the second ’I Am Woman’ anthology and am a big fan of her writing.
2. Mark Taylor. According to his blog: “Mark occasionally has too much time on his hands and thought he’d share his love of watching random nonsense with a world which doesn’t, and in fact shouldn’t, care.” That is not true – I care, as should the rest of you!
3. Maria Smith. Maria is a writer of dark fiction, urban fantasy and paranormal stories. Why do I love her blog? She has a weekly “goal list” and reviews her targets from the previous week. However, the best thing about her blog is her monthly Small Pleasures – a lovely idea.
4. Rachel Cochrane. Rachel runs Listen Up North, a website based in North East England, featuring audio drama, short stories, poetry, extracts of novels and interviews. Rachel also had her poem ‘Sisters’ Away Day’ featured in the first ‘I Am Woman’ anthology.
5. Allison Davies. Allison is a very dear friend of mine who is not only an amazing script writer but a philanthropist too: she runs a fair trade jewellery business with two friends. You can read more about that at Danusha. To read more of her wonderful writing, please check out her blog, Found Poet.
6. Claire McGowan: The author of ‘The Fall‘ (a great book I read last year) incorporates her blog into her full website. With handy hints for writers and debunking writing myths as well as some interesting articles on relationships and more!

OK, I cheated and chose six. My thanks again to Gerry McCullough, I had a great time writing this post.

Vic x

Review: ‘Sinema 2: Sympathy for the Devil’ by Rod Glenn.

 

In ‘Sinema: The Northumberland Massacre’, Han Whitman went on a rampage around a village called Haydon. Not content with slaughtering 395 innocents, Han is back to carry out “Stage 2″ of his twisted plan. However, someone’s on his tail and there’s more than one person with an interest in his whereabouts. Han’s conscience also seems less than willing to accept his transgressions, he’s haunted by a voice he doesn’t recognise.

“Phase 2″ sees movie-addict Whitman turn vigilante, turning on the foulest members of society. Rod Glenn writes Hannibal Whitman’s story with such aplomb, his descriptions are scarily vivid and the situations he puts his character in are completely believable.

Han Whitman is the kind of character that, logically, you should despise but there is something so human about him that it’s impossible not to root for him.

This is an ambitious novel with plenty of twists, turns and red herrings. Glenn doesn’t shy away from the gory details of Whitman’s exploits and this only adds to the gritty feel of the novel. There are certain parts of this book that are so stomach-churning that it makes for difficult reading although Han’s cruel exploits always seem realistic.

This may not be a story for the faint-hearted but if you can get over the blood and guts, it is a great read.

Vic x

Order your copy of ‘Sinema 2′ here: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sinema-Sympathy-Devil-Rod-Glenn/dp/1907954066/ref=tmm_pap_title_0

Download your copy of ‘Sinema 2′  here: http://amzn.to/VnWm0h

Ian Ayris’s Review of 2012.

Today we have the mighty Ian Ayris on the blog to talk about his incredible 2012. 

2012 has been a pretty great year for you. Do you have a favourite memory professionally?

That’s a hard one, Vic. There’s been loads this year – from holding my debut novel in my hands to reaching number one in the Sports Fiction chart, to standing at Romford Waterstones at my first ever book signing. But my favourite moment has to be something that took place just a few days ago – a book signing at my beloved Dagenham & Redbridge F.C. An incredible experience.  One I will never forget. The books flew off the table, and we beat Barnet one-nil into the bargain, with a Matt Saunders blast from the edge of the area. Heaven, indeed. Come On You Daggers!!!!

And how about a favourite moment from 2012 generally? 

I don’t take too much notice of the outside world, if I’m honest, Vic. But going to the Olympic Stadium to watch a day at the Paralympics was incredibly inspirational. 

Favourite book in 2012?

Really hard one, this. I’ve read loads of authors new to me this year – standouts include Les Edgerton, Josh Stallings, and Gerard Brennan. Can’t choose between them, so I’m going for one from each: ‘Fireproof’, Gerard Brennan – ‘Beautiful, Naked & Dead’, Josh Stallings – ‘The Bitch’.

Favourite film of 2012? 

I don’t really watch as many films as I should. But I did see ‘Badlands’ for the first time – and thought it was stunning.

Favourite song of the year?

Not quite a song, but my favourite musical thing this year has to be my discovery of Shostakovich’s String Quartet No. 8, played by the Borodin Quartet. Just incredible.

Any downsides for you in 2012? 

There never is a downside, Vic. To anything. Just takes a shift to the left and a blink of the eye and the whole world can be whatever you want it to be.

Are you making resolutions for 2013? 

To take writing more seriously, and less as a pastime. 

What are you hoping for from 2013? 

If all goes well, I’m hoping to finish the sequel to ‘Abide With Me’, knock out a novella, and also publish another short story collection. A lot of the depends, obviously, on the success I have regards the previous question.

You can read Ian’s blog at www.ianayris.com 

Visit his Amazon Author Page at: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ian-Ayris/e/B004RQO13K/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1

Mari Hannah’s Review of 2012

Over the last couple of years, I’ve built up some amazing friendships via Twitter. Some of those people, I’ve never met but over the last twelve months, I’ve met lots of my lovely Twitter chums. Very few are as lovely as Mari Hannah and that’s why I’ve invited her on the blog to review her 2012.

2012 has been an amazing year for you. Do you have a favourite memory professionally? 

After years of hard work, seeing my debut novel ‘The Murder Wall’ finally make it into print was very special. As you know – because you were there! – the title was launched at Hexham Book Festival. The event was a sell-out. It doesn’t get any better than that.

And how about a favourite moment from 2012 generally?

For me, that would be the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. It was lovely to see so many people celebrating Her Majesty’s reign, not just on The Mall in London, but right across the country. She’s a much-loved monarch. My dad was a guardsman and I was brought up on ceremonial occasions like Trooping the Colour – it’s in the blood. Unfortunately, I was on holiday in Majorca and only saw it on TV. It made me homesick.

Courtesy of Claudia van der Werf (@claudiavdwerf)

Favourite book in 2012?

I haven’t read it yet but it will be ‘The Black Box’ by Michael Connelly. I love his writing and his character, Harry Bosch. I can’t wait to read it.

Favourite film of 2012?

‘Skyfall’ has to be up there. I wasn’t a big fan of early Bond movies. 007 was always too slick, too perfect, pretty unbelievable really. The new Bond is more edgy, fallible even. I loved the fact that he returned to his roots in this film. The images of Glen Coe were amazing. Shame about M though. Sob.

Favourite song of the year?

I’m not sure when this song came out but when I heard Emeli Sandé sing ‘Read All About It’ at the 2012 Olympics it brought me to tears. I thought she was amazing. I’m not surprised that she was influenced by Nina Simone and Joni Mitchell.

Any downsides for you in 2012?

Not having a lot of time to spend with my family. I’ve written one book, edited two in the past year and appeared at many festivals up and down the country, hardly stopping for breath. Fortunately, my family are very supportive; they understand how important it is for me to promote my work – but I’m always conscious that it’s time you can’t get back. They know I’ll make it up to them … eventually!

Are you making resolutions for 2013?

I never make resolutions. They’re counter-productive in my experience, broken within days or even hours after being made. Who wants to start a new year feeling like a failure?

What are you hoping for from 2013?

Same again please.

Order your copy of ‘The Murder Wall’ here: http://amzn.to/X9jjXP or download it here: http://amzn.to/Wk4OkT

Download ‘Settled Blood’ here: http://amzn.to/REpwE8 or order your copy here: http://amzn.to/X9jwKw

Andy Rivers’s Review of 2012

The rather wonderful Mr Andy Rivers pops by to discuss his 2012 in his own inimitable way. Enjoy…

2012 has been a pretty great year for you. Do you have a favourite memory professionally?
Not really professionally as I haven’t had anything out but I have written a new novel (‘Special’) about a vigilante loose in Newcastle and a novella for the Byker Books ‘Best of British’ series entitled ‘The Spy Who Bluffed Me’ about a bouncer who thinks he’s a spook…should be out next year.
In the meantime here’s a link to my two previously published seminal works  Here – I’m good to you lot I really am!

 

And how about a favourite moment from 2012 generally?
I’ve had a tremendous year in that respect. Done so many things – went to India (proper, proper curry!), Dubrovnik (lovely) and Cornwall (get me eh, proper cosmopolitan!) Attended a couple of Olympic events in London which was brilliant, discovered I liked Gin, saw some great Theatre (‘Hamlet’ is class!) and saw some of my all-time favourite bands like The Happy Mondays and The Inspiral Carpets but the highlight has to be seeing The Stone Roses at Hyde Park. It sends shivers down my spine thinking about it.

Favourite book in 2012?
I thought it would have been ‘Skagboys’ by Irvine Welsh but I was disappointed with that. So, as this is the year I came right out of my comfort zone and started reading Charles Dickens, it’d have to be ‘Hard Times’ by Charley D. Grasping employers, downtrodden workers and grinding poverty – could have been written yesterday!

Favourite film of 2012?
None really spring out at me so I’m going to tell you about one I saw quite by accident on the telly. ‘A Room for Romeo Brass’ stars Paddy Considine and it’s really good.

Favourite song of the year?
Think it came out last year but ‘Let’s Roll Like We Used To’ by Kasabian off their ‘Velociraptor’ album – been playing it non-stop for 12 months!

Any downsides for you in 2012?
Just that I didn’t have time to get anything out but that was more than made up for by all the other stuff I did.

Are you making resolutions for 2013?
Not really. Just want to be a multi-millionaire by this time next year…that’s all.

What are you hoping for from 2013?

Get an agent, get published, get drunk, get rich, get an Aston Martin, get more royalties than I could ever possibly spend, get Mike Ashley/Derek Llambias in a boxing ring, get another interview this time next year and be just as chuffed with 2013 as I am with 2012. Cheers.

Check out Andy’s Amazon Author page for information about his literary works: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Andy-Rivers/e/B00873WHEE/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1353956806&sr=1-2-ent

Gerry McCullough’s Review of 2012

Today, the lovely Gerry McCullough shares her 2012 ups and downs with us.

2012 has been a great year for you. Do you have a favourite memory professionally?

I suppose, as a writer, the best thing that happened to me in 2012 was suddenly, back in April, seeing my first book, ‘Belfast Girls’, shooting into the top hundred, staying there for nearly two months. It sold 6,000 copies in April alone. It was exciting, wonderful, unbelievable – you name it!

And how about a favourite moment from 2012 generally?

That has to be watching my little grandson Daniel take his first steps at the age of eleven months. He is such a sweet little thing. It’s been amazing to watch him growing from a baby in arms into a sturdy toddler – even better than seeing my book being successful!

Favourite book in 2012?

This turned out to be a hard question. I read a lot, so the field of choice was enormous. However, in the end there were two books that I thought were definitely outstanding. Firstly, Tom Winton’s second book ‘The Last American Martyr’, which I read at the start of the year. This is in my view a modern classic. All Tom Winton’s books are very good, but this one has a theme of major importance as well as first class writing. Then, secondly, a book which I read more recently, Cheryl Shireman’s ‘Cooper Moon: The Calling’. Again, all Cheryl’s books are in the top rank, but this one has something special – it’s warm, funny, full of depth, unputdownable.

Favourite film of 2012?

I’ve always enjoyed the James Bond films, so I’m going to say the new James Bond, ‘Skyfall’. Daniel Craig makes a good Bond, and the wit and action are fully up to the previous films. Mind you, the choice of films was much more limited – I’ve been to very few in the past year!

Favourite song of the year?

To be perfectly honest, most of my favourite songs go back a bit further than this year. But I did really like One Direction’s ‘Take Me Home’.

Any downsides for you in 2012?

2012 was the year when I finally realised that I’d been overdoing things badly for over two years (writing, editing, promoting my own books, supporting other writers, building a Social Media platform, you name it) and found that I was practically unable to get out of bed, due to stress and exhaustion. However, I pulled back for a while, was able to take a very happy holiday in Corfu, and began to cut my internet work down to a reasonable amount. The worst bit was feeling I was letting down my writer friends; and also it’s bad that I’ve been taking so long, because of the lengthy break, to write my current book, the second in my Angel Murphy series, ‘Angel in Belfast: An Angel Murphy Thriller’, following on from ‘Angel in Flight’. I’d hoped to have it out a couple of months ago!

Are you making resolutions for 2013?

I don’t, usually. But I’m certainly going to avoid the overworking trap, if possible!

What are you hoping for from 2013?

Two new grandchildren – both currently on the way. Oh, and to see all my books topping the rankings as bestsellers! And to see my children blessed in every way they need.

Visit Gerry’s Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Gerry-McCullough/e/B005F0MZU8/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1353956322&sr=8-2-ent

You can read Gerry’s blog at: http://gerrysbooks.blogspot.co.uk/

And this is her website (she meant it when she said she’d been busy!) www.gerrymccullough.com

Graham Smith’s Review of 2012

Day 2 of our advent calendar sees the lovely Graham Smith giving us his rundown of 2012.

2012 has been a pretty great year for you. Do you have a favourite memory professionally?

As an author who is still learning their trade I was massively thrilled when a New York agent contacted me regarding two of my short stories. What he wanted to do was submit them to Otto Penzler for an anthology he was creating. My stories didn’t make it but I was overwhelmed by the thought that such esteemed people were reading my humble scribblings.

And how about a favourite moment from 2012 generally?

Seeing the GB team do so well in the Olympics was awesome but the thing I took the most personal pleasure from will always be spending time with my wife and son.

Favourite book in 2012?

That’s a tough one as I have read so many great books. ‘Revenger’ by Tom Cain, ‘Die Easy’ by Zoe Sharp, ‘The Vanishing Point’ by Val McDermid all jump instantly to mind, but the winner for me would have to be ‘Close to the Bone’ by Stuart MacBride which comes out in January and is absolutely fantastic.

A little bit of cheating there, Graham, but I’ll let you off! Favourite film of 2012?

I haven’t seen any films this year. I spend my time reading, writing and procrastinating.

Favourite song of the year?

‘Somebody I Used to Know’ by Gotye. It may have been out last year but I don’t listen to music anymore than I watch films.

Any downsides for you in 2012?

The whole sockpuppet saga which started with that infamous panel at Harrogate. I’ve friends on all sides of the debate and to see them going at each other was sickening as was the effect on reviews and reviewers in general.

Are you making resolutions for 2013?

Not really. I plan to keep on keeping on. If anything I intend to do more writing.

What are you hoping for from 2013?

A six figure book deal with an eye watering advance. Film and TV ties ins plus a bigger house, better job etc. Realistically though I’ll be happy if I can get any kind of traditional print deal.

Visit Graham’s Amazon Author Page for links to his great work. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Graham-Smith/e/B006FTIBBU/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1 

http://www.amazon.com/Graham-Smith/e/B006FTIBBU/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1

Luca Veste goes ‘Off The Record’ (Volume 2).

 Yesterday saw the release of ‘Off the Record 2: At the Movies’, a charity anthology edited by Luca Veste and Paul D. Brazill. It features short stories with movie-inspired titles from the likes of Matt Hilton, Claire McGowan and many more, including a story by lil ol’ me.

Luca stopped by to tell us what inspired the original idea.

Vic x

OTR At the Movies is a follow-up to OTR, what brought about the idea for the 1st OTR?

It originated from reading many short stories over the summer of 2011. One anthology really caught my eye. ‘Pulp Ink’ was put together by the excellent Chris Rhatigan and Nigel Bird. What jumped out at me, was the hook. All of the stories were named after tracks from the ‘Pulp Fiction’ soundtrack. I then drank Jack Daniels and began thinking of doing something along the same lines.

That was back in August 2011. My ‘Guilty Conscience’ review site was a month or so old. I had one short story written, and knew very few people. What I knew, even at that point, was what I wanted ‘Off The Record’ to be. It had to be for charity, and in particular, something to do with children reading. And also, it had to be a genuine mix of writers and genres. So, I wanted big names in fiction sharing space with those who were just starting out.

How did you get so many ace writers involved?

I never worried about getting a “no” which meant I had no problem emailing any writer I may have had contact with in the past year and asking them to be involved. And thankfully, writers are, in the main, good people. As soon as they hear the word charity, they’re in.

Plus, it’s something a bit new or different for many of these bigger ‘names’. They spend most of the year writing a 100,000 word novel. I guess writing a couple of thousand words, about any subject they want with no pressure from a publisher etc, is a nice change.

Getting ”unknowns” in was a bit trickier. I could possibly have done more there. Most of the writers from the first ‘OTR’ have returned, but there are a few new names. That came from reading short stories around the web and getting in touch with the authors of ones which stood out.

I’m still waiting to hear back from Stephen King though…

Who’s going to receive the profits of these books?

In the UK, the National Literacy Trust and in the US, the Children’s Literacy Initiative. Both charities deal with supporting literacy in children.

Why did you choose those charities?

I know how important reading was for me as a child. It’s an escape from whatever is happening around you in the real world, and that can be good for most children. It broadens your horizons and gives you hope. Anything I can do to help other children find that solace is important to me.

Any plans for a third volume?

Definitely. Not for a while yet, but it’s already being discussed. First one was song titles, this one is films…TV shows? Video Games? Not sure yet.

Do you have favourites from each volume?

It’s like choosing your favourite child…from ‘OTR 1′, I think Steve Mosby’s stood out. It’s a remarkable story which was picked out by the ‘Mammoth Book of Crime’ for wider publication next year. I also really enjoyed Simon Logan’s story, and Darren Sant’s sci-fi take on ‘Karma Police’.

From this one, I think there’s a few which I’ll re-read over and over. Helen FitzGerald’s autobiographical piece which is astounding. Stav Sherez’s tale of pregnancy woe, David Jackson’s ‘The Time Machine’ - which is Stephen King-esque -Tracey Edges story, which came in from an open submission, I loved that tale. There’s too many. I love them all!

Personally, do you have a favourite anthology that you’ve read?

‘First Thrills’ edited by Lee Child, I really enjoyed. But it has to be the one that started ‘Off The Record’, ‘Pulp Ink’.

Download your copy of ‘Off the Record 2: At the Movies’ here: http://amzn.to/UuxJvZ

Download ‘Off the Record’ here: http://amzn.to/MDkWDQ