Up until a year ago, getting the ideas in my head onto paper was impossible. Then writing a picture book was impossible. Then sending my manuscripts to an agent was impossible. Then being rejected by an agent was impossible (I had to get over that one quick). Now being a published author is impossible. But… Continue reading Doing the impossible
Category: Writing
The magic box
In 2007 I had a strange dream: I was a child again in our old family home in the countryside. I was looking for a wooden box that had been hidden there. I didn’t know what was in it but I knew I had to find it. I needed to discover its secret – what… Continue reading The magic box
The day I started writing a novel
Today I got up and virtually ran to the computer. I forgot about showering or having breakfast. The only thing I allowed myself was a gulp of water – it was imperative that I sat down in front of the computer and typed what was in my head. It felt like my life depended on… Continue reading The day I started writing a novel
Follow your nature
NEWSFLASH: I have now accumulated three rejections – two from agents and one from a publisher I contacted in April (actually, the publisher hasn’t officially rejected me yet, they just haven’t got round to replying). I have mixed feelings about this. On one hand, I feel like a proper writer. I am following the path… Continue reading Follow your nature
Literary agent update
I had lunch with a friend just now. He earns £60,000+ doing very little work and very few hours. He is also in a stable relationship and has a lovely 3-year-old daughter. I drove home and pondered how I had got to this stage in my life – 42, no money, no home (I rent… Continue reading Literary agent update
The bestselling series books of all time
A while back I wrote a post about the bestselling books of all time. As this was a list of non-series books, authors like J. K. Rowling didn’t make an appearance. I promised I would reveal the bestselling series books of all time in a future post. Here it is (there are A LOT of… Continue reading The bestselling series books of all time
My first rejection letter
I have received my first rejection letter! Well, it was a rejection email. Luckily I was prepared for it so didn’t become too unhinged. But it was touch and go for a few seconds. The email plopped into my inbox last weekend. Realising it was a reply from an agent I took a deep breath… Continue reading My first rejection letter
Alien spotted hovering near my blog
While we were away in the Lake District I received two emails bearing good news. The first email was from the Quest Institute telling me I had passed my Hypnotherapy Practitioner Diploma. Finally, my 6 weeks of round-the-clock googly-eyed working-my-arse-off on the computer paid off! Pheeew. However my celebrations were overshadowed by the next piece… Continue reading Alien spotted hovering near my blog
How long is a novel?
Ha, I have just worked out something rather fabulous! I was sitting here revelling in my 21,000 word smugness when I suddenly thought ‘hold on a cotton pickin’ minute, isn’t a novel around 80,000 words?’ I’m no mathematical genius but doesn’t that mean that in the past 6 weeks I have written the equivalent of… Continue reading How long is a novel?
The bestselling books of all time
It is now 6 weeks since I sent my children’s book manuscripts to a publisher and I am thinking that their rather lackadaisical response is not a good sign (I had to look that word up - anyone else want to spell it like this: ‘lacksidaisical’?). In the meantime, here is a list of the top bestselling… Continue reading The bestselling books of all time
Katherine Bassford 