Authors Electric

My first collection of short stories that take place on Moon Meadow Farm Over the last few months the only writing I've completed has been connected to my day job - I teach writing and craft related subjects. So, it's been handouts and those dreaded schemes of work. It's taken a few months but I'm now missing my characters who live on Moon Meadow Farm. So, I decided to build a small library of non-fiction books that would help me write the third in the series (Hare of Moon Meadow Farm). The first book in my new library was 'The Inner Life of Animals (Surprising Observations of a Hidden World)' by Peter Wohlleben. A thoroughly enjoyable read, insightful and it confirmed what I already believed about animals. That in many ways we are exactly the same as they are. I have also added to my reading list one of his other books 'The Secret Network of Nature.' I have also read and enjoyed 'The Wood - The Life and Times of Cockshutt Wood' by Joh...

My new updated cover I self published my first collection of short stories, Anansi The Trickster Spider  in January 2014. Since then I've self published a further four collections of short stories. With each one I've discovered something new. So, this month I decided to share some of my those things with you. So, in no particular order: One: It always takes longer than you think! So, be patient you'll get there in the end. Two: Take time to get the right cover and if you can then get someone to design it for you. Also remember to think about what it'll look like as a thumb nail image. Three: Keep up-to-date with all your paperwork. Especially the important stuff for example W-8BEN (this ensures you don't pay US tax). To find out how to complete this form  click here . Four: Keep an eye on your sales. The resellers for example KDP don't always get it right and don't be afraid to get them to check. I've done this three times and on one occ...

I recently read a book written by Diana Kimpton ( Plots and Plotting - How to create stories that work - read my review here ). In it she suggests when working on a story it may be helpful to draw a map. This idea obviously resinated and without realising the idea had planted itself somewhere in my  subconscious.   Because when I was working on a new story for my latest work in progress (Fox of Moon Meadow Farm) a nagging voice started telling me I needed a map.  You see I was working on a chase scene which wasn't going to plan. I eventually stopped and listened to that nagging voice.  So, I grabbed a piece of A3 paper and started to sketch a map of Moon Meadow Farm. Once I'd sketched in a few important landmarks, the farm house, the courtyard, the lane, the river and the orchard I realised I couldn't remember all of the places I'd mentioned in the first book ( Hedgehog of Moon Meadow Farm ). So, I started to read the book and as I did I realised I'd put some...

I know the skills of researching have been discussed on Authors Electric before, for example: Research: How much is enough? And how much do you use? written by Chris Longmuir It's Research: But Not as we Know it written by Wendy H. Jones and You can't throw that away; it's research! written by Jane Adams Sings or chirps by rubbing its wings together  But in this post I wanted to share some of the research I've recently undertaken. I've carried out this research for two reasons: One Last summer I took part in a workshop that explored how to include the five senses in your writing. Two Not wanting to waste what I'd learned I decided I'd attempt to include the five senses more in my latest work in progress. This current project is a set of short stories that take place on on my favourite, but fictional place Moon Meadow Farm. For this first round of research I decided I'd focus on one sense, this being sound. Now, being January there ...