In my last post I said I would share some of the things that have helped me start writing again after a 12-month break, but first I really need to tell you about something that happened on my birthday. Do you remember my blog post from 2016; 'A famous novel that almost didn't get written'?… Continue reading A sign that I should keep writing?
I was listening to one of Michael Neill's podcasts a few weeks ago - The Hercule Poriot Guide To Transformative Coaching - and he said something which I've been pondering ever since. He said that one day he was watching a colleague, George Pransky, coach a man who had writer's block. The writer said, "I just… Continue reading Why I stopped writing for 12 months
Last Wednesday I was invited to lunch at the Savile Club in Mayfair for the announcement of the Times/Chicken House Children's Fiction Competition 2017. You can imagine how I was feeling. For starters, the Savile Club is not the kind of establishment I usually frequent. It was founded in 1868 by a group of distinguished… Continue reading And the winner is…
When I started writing Minnie and Bogle at the end of September last year, I had no idea that in 7 months' time I would be saying the words, "I've made it to the shortlist!" Back then, I thought it would be a miracle if I managed to finish the novel and enter the competition, let alone… Continue reading I’ve made it to the shortlist!
I have some unbelievable news: my novel has been longlisted for the Times/Chicken House Children's Fiction Competition!! (Can you believe it?! Nope, me neither.) Here's what happened... I was at home last Tuesday, when the phone rang. 'Another blooming sales call,' I thought to myself. I sniffed dismissively and ignored the message the caller left,… Continue reading My novel has been longlisted!
This is the story of how I wrote my first novel... Last summer I spotted a Facebook post announcing The Times/Chicken House Children's Fiction Competition 2016. The prize was a £10,000 publishing deal. "Nice," I said to myself, "but I don't think I'm ready." Three months later, I saw the same post and I thought… Continue reading I did it. I finally wrote my first novel!
Katherine Bassford 