Another TMA result and a decision made.

My results for TMA (Tutor Marked Assignment) 03 are in! and its 82% so I figure I'm headed for a great pass on my OU (Open University) course if and it's a big IF I get at least 85% on my examinable marked component and 85% on my next TMA's so going to really have to up my game! If you want to see what course I'm doing you can see that here.

As a result though I have finally made a decision about that elusive novel. I'm going to connect both my OU course and beginning my novel and submit the first chapter as the examinable component. Difficult I know but it gives me the impetus to keep going, and boy do I need it when my piece is going to need soooo much research!

I can't go into too many details here as anything I say on the web means my work will not be acceptable to the OU and may fall foul of plagiarism rules (how do you plagiarise yourself?, answers in the comments box pls) so I can only talk in generalities, so no plots or character names. I do need to know about Victorian England and some about the teachings and speeches of travelling ex-slaves so any recs for good websites on those would be greatly appreciated.

Sooo much to do and so little time to do it. I was looking forward to the Mslexia First Chapter Competition this year, but not entirely sure whether they would expect the whole novel finished by then 'just in case' - Okay, off to do some more work. Have fun fellow scribblers.

Books Glorious Books!

So being a shopoholic I did what I always do when starting a new project ... shopped. I went to Amazon and bought a veritable cornucopia of writers goodies. The Writers and Artists Yearbook 2011,of course, an encyclopedia of magical creatures to help me with my new book and the examinable component on my A363 OU Advanced Creative Writing course and, my favourite purchase, The Writer and Artist Yearbook Guide to Getting Published by Harry Bingham.

This book, alongside From Pitch to Publication by Carole Blake, has to be, in my opinion, the most useful book a writer with a serious eye to being published can own; covering everything from making sure your manuscript is ready to telling you the truth about the publishing industry and how it really is. While it does make quite depressing reading in some respects it is already ensuring I'm prepared for the roller coaster to come and approaching my ambition realistically.

All well and good but I don't have a manuscript yet! Don't worry I'm already obsessing over my characters and plotline. That said I have been a little distracted by the opportunity afforded by the GQ Norman Mailer Award 2011 which has a very, very juicy prize on offer for the winner. For those of you who are interested in creative life writing you might enjoy checking out the terms and conditions and rules of this remarkable competition.

Resolutions?

Okay so I don't actually believe resolutions work. They are often decisions made in a moment and because of that have no real determination behind them. That aside I have made some decisions that just so happen to have coincided with the new year.

1 - and probably the most important. This is the year I will be published. Why do expensive courses if you don't take advantage? I'm also going to attempt to write and edit the first draft of my novel and shock! horror! pay a professional literacy agency to give me the lowdown. Keep your eyes here for news, reviews and other bits and pieces to do with my adventure.

2 - a la Katie Allsop I'm having a homemade Christmas this year. So a second blog about my adventures in knitting, painting, soap making, decoupage etc etc coming up soon. I have drawn up my plans and I'm very excited about it. Members of my family, might be less enthused, of course, dependant upon my efforts ...but there we go.

3 - The ubiquitous cliche - I need to lose 5 stone. So unfortunately grumpiness may ensue...

Of course I've already made the biggest change in my life so far, having left my house, my job and all my friends to start again in Northampton. Smart or stupid? You decide.

So heres to the coming year ... join me?