Tag: The Ellfaenian Journals

Ellfaenian Journals, work in progress, Writing journey

Welcome to Synopsis Hell

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I thought translating an idea and characters into the first draft was hard but I have discovered writing a synopsis for your book is a writer’s version of Hell.

Writing a synopsis: Writer's version of Hell
Welcome to Hell

How do people do it and do it well? I was lulled into the belief I had my synopsis all wrapped up but my 15 page ramble of plot points is not a synopsis, it is an outline and I need to condense it to a page. Yes one page. I have lots of characters jostling to be heard, two threads of a plot; one in based in our reality while the other is in Ellfaen with Amber where she is trapped as well as backstory of the fantastical land. There is also Glenn’s fight to face his demons and try to guide her. My attempts so far are too long and I am unsure if they make any sense.

Links to help with synopsis writing

As usual I have sought help online. I thought I would share, in case you are facing the same dilemma.

https://fabricatingfiction.wordpress.com/2017/10/12/hook-an-agent-part-iii-the-dreaded-synopsis/

http://www.firstnovelsclub.com/2013/04/WriteANovelSynopsis.html?m=1

https://www.awelltoldstory.com/publishing-writing-book-synopsis-5-tips/

http://www.marissameyer.com/blogtype/6-steps-for-writing-a-book-synopsis/

If you have been through Hell and back, how did you tackle it? Any tips?

I am under pressure as time is ticking for our visitors arrival. WW is frantically cleaning and stressed while deadlines for this opportunity of a place on a writing course and the picture book competition are looming. As you can tell a tidy house is not priority for me. A bit of dust has never hurt anyone. I am consumed by the need to write but being on PC is not a recipe for happy marriage so I am limited to sneaky moments when no one is looking.

It is time for a cuppa and a break of the diet for at least a ginger nuts or two.

Happy writing!

Kate Kenzie's Blog

Nano hours: 13

Word count: 48,121 (somehow I have lost words on Scrivener – never a good sign)

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Ellfaenian Journals, Writing journey

Practical research: Willow’s herbs and garden in June

kakenzieblog

When I began to develop Willow Anderson, an important character in the journals,  I knew as a  witch and proprietor of The Enchanted Emporium herbs and remedies would play a significant part of her life. What better way to get into her psyche than grow some myself. Last summer I took cuttings from the plants of green-fingered friends and miraculously grew. Elsie and friends must have helped because I have the anti-Midas touch when it comes to gardening. Some are now in bloom.

Flowers blooming in June

Nature and their gardens are important to all the witches in the journals bar one, so what better way to research this aspect of their lives than record the cycle of my own fledgling garden and others on Instagram, please follow #willowswitchsgarden to find out more. Or even better use the hashtag #willowswitchsgarden so we can be nosy and see the wonders in your garden.  June has brought a border of colour.

 

For those who love herbs and their uses, I have found a wonderful site full of useful information  and I was impressed I had accidentally planted many of the recommended herbs – http://www.flyingthehedge.com/2016/05/10-herbs-every-witch-should-have.html

What are your favourite flowers and plants in June? Or if you have any herbs or tips you think Willow should know, I would love to hear from you below.

 

More soon.

Happy writing and gardening!

Love

Kate Kenzie's Blog

 

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Ellfaenian Journals, Short story, Writing journey

Mathilde’s Book of Shadows: The Wrong Choice #FlashFiction

kakenzieblog

It is Friday a perfect day for Flash Fiction.  I am sharing a snippet of Mathilde’s Book of Shadows. Mathilde is the first witch to begin The Ellfaenian Journals.  This was found on a loose leaf of damaged parchment browned with age and stained with blots of ink.

Flash fiction: Mathilde's Book of Shadows

Mathilde’s Book of Shadows: The Wrong Choice

 

(illegible date caused by water damage) 

What have I done? I knew I was dealing with powerful magic, a raw, wild energy; the howling wind and churned sea warned me but now I see the consequences, I am aware of my naivety and foolishness of meddling with fate because of my deep, overwhelming love for him. 

Snuggled against Eldrid’s chest, I could hear his heart beat in time with mine. strong and steady. Relaxed and at peace while he holds my hand tight connecting him to me. It is at odds with the man I saw earlier when sweat gathered on his forehead, his heart was frantic while his muscular limbs thrashed until I woke him. When his eyes finally focused on mine I was struck by the fear they held. When I demanded he tell me what was wrong, my heart chilled and tightened as he confirmed my worst fear. There is evil in Ellfaen; it is gathering and refuses to let him go. Waiting in the shadows, it pounces when he falls asleep  The evil, he describes as The Dark, has followed him home.

Has he been given the gift of life in exchange for the curse of daily nightmares and terror? I created this situation; it is my responsibility to correct my interference but how?

 

Have a good weekend and happy writing

Kate Kenzie's Blog

 

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Writing journey

Writing, failure and new beginnings.

kakenzieblog

I am a NaNoWriMo loser! While writers everywhere celebrate their commitment, dedication to their work and receive their rewards I am having a cup of tea vowing I will do better next year.

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This was originally posted on my old version of this blog yesterday 30th Nov 2017:

Writing, failure and new beginnings.

November started with hope and enthusiasm as I joined hundreds  of thousands of writers globally to write for NaNoWriMo but it ended in failure. Even my goal to write to 10000 words faltered and then hurtled to a full stop. If NaNoWriMo had to write a school report it would say “she could do better if she applied herself” before handing me a sticker declaring ” NaNoWriMo 2017 loser”.

#NaNoWriMoloser #writing

I could come up with a pageful of excuses and reasons but they do not change the truth.  I failed. I wasn’t committed enough to write despite life’s hurdles,  strong enough to fight through the fear of failure and just write the scenes in my head, however crap the words were but most of all, I was not assertive enough to implement my plan of retreating to my room undisturbed to write. As I saw other writers word count grow and welfies appear showing their commitment to the cause, mine crumbled with shame. This sealed my fate because a mind full of “I should be doing …” leaves no room for creativity.

On the plus side words were written, new ideas were formed and old ones developed. The  shame of not achieving my daily target made me analyse my commitment to The Ellfaenian Journals, writing and acheiving my dream of being a published author. The desire is stronger than ever. When life tugged me away from my writing, it flared with rage as restrictions were placed on it.  This forced me to lay the foundations with family to allow me in the future to work undisturbed. Writer’s block and procrastination  diverted  my mind to the other side of being an author – marketing and promoting.

Writers can no longer hide, write and appear blinking from a study with a manuscript in hand to forward to a publisher before hiding again. They are expected to promote their own work especially debut authors. This requires becoming social media saffy, networking and battling with strong introvert tendencies and talk to people.

When I wasn’t writing I was learning. YouTube videos, articles and Pinterest are my new best friends. I now understand what a SEO is, set up a domain homeserver and SSL. I was sucked into the complicated world of WordPress and I discovered WordPress themes and widgets are a perfect for procrastinators. You can play for hours.

This month I failed NaNoWriMo but I have gained vital knowledge to move forward with a new site, improved enthusiasm and stronger foundations to achieve my goal.

My new site is kakenzie.com Please follow the link as it will no longer show on WordPress reader. Potentially I lose all my followers for the desire more freedom and flexibility and I would hate to lose you so hop over. Thank you.

I have rambled enough and it is time to write. Christmas is days away and there is nothing like twinkling lights, festive atmosphere to sow new seeds of ideas.

How did your NaNoWriMo go?

Happy writing.

Hope you like the new site, let me know suggestions welcome.