Over the weekend Cardigan Press released the title of the anthology I have contributed to and it will be called Byline Legacies. The reasons for the title and more can be found on their Instagram video here. My interview with them was also published this week. All of a sudden being a writer feels real. Nerve wracking as I hate being out of the shadows and real. The interview can be found below.
Contributor Interview with Kate Kenzie
Everyone, welcome Kate Kenzie to our Contributor Interview series, a routine blog feature that introduces you to the wonderful writers whose work will be featured in our upcoming anthology, Byline Legacies. Be sure to subscribe for email alerts so you never miss new posts! You are following this blog (manage). “Perhaps the scariest event for […]
A post saying good riddance 2020 and welcome 2021 will be along shortly but I have happy news that can’t wait for to edit post and have in depth ponders of what to write. I am going to be published! People will be able to open a book and meet the characters I have created. Eek!
A short story, The Ghost Writer, has been accepted by Cardigan Press for an anthology. I began writing it during the Dystonia Around the World challenge last year and finished with the help of a short story course run by the lovely Myszka at the delightful Foxes Retreat. I’m so happy. I keep reading the acceptance email with a huge grin on my face and know this is how Jo March felt when she got published.
Later this year, I’ll have a physical book on my bookcase containing my story and my name; what better encouragement is there for getting me to continue pursuing this emotional rollercoaster career as a writer. And to think I very nearly did not submit it. The stars must have been aligned and my spell bottle must have been working its magic when I pressed send.
Magical Spell Bottle ready for action
If I am this excited to get a short story accepted, imagine what will happen when I get an agent or publishing deal on a book.
I have written June update in the title but it should read 2020 update because this poor blog has remained largely untouched since the RNA Afternoon tea last year. Why, when I have exciting good news to tell you? The answer may not be what you expect. 2020 has been a dystopian year throwing life unimaginable challenges but the main reason I have been missing is I have been writing. Yes, writing, editing and The End has been typed on the last page of A Blend of Magic.
But first, a catch up of the year.
This Year’s News
Last year I won a free six-month mentorship with Alison May, which started in January. This has been a turning point in my writing, confidence and determination to finish A Blend of Magic and not hide it away in a drawer but send it out in the world. I just need to keep my fear of failure under control. Her advice and support has been invaluable.
I was given another bursary for the New writer’s Scheme at the Romantic Novelist’s Association. If you write any form of novel with a romantic thread, check it out. As with my mentorship, the warmth and support of the Association has had a massive influence in my writing. Or check out the speech from the Queen of Romantic Fiction Milly Johnson speech. She says it all.
Lockdown happened and I was placed in the shielding category. As I am usually at home not much changed except, I can not see my aunt or meet up with my local writing group on a Friday. It is amazing how much two hours a week of human company can be missed. Thank heavens for WhatsApp. As doom and gloom raged outside the bubble around me, I decided to hide in my imagination. I have surfaced to catch up with my writing friends and drink tea. This was the best decision as I have been productive and words have been written (except on here – oops).
I finished umpteen drafts of A Blend of Magic and sent it off to be critiqued with the NWS and within 3 weeks it was returned. The reader liked it and only a few tweaks are needed to improve it – phew!
For the first time I sent it off to an agent (eek) and I have entered more competitions.
I have started a new project which I am so excited about. I wake in the morning wanting to connect with the characters and write their stories. Where they will take me? I don’t know and it is exciting to find out. I hope the enthusiasm lasts and does not dwindle the further I am into the manuscript as I am only 6000 words in. It is a step away from magic into the world of dance.
All about the dance
The question is should Willow and Vincent make a fleeting cameo appearance or should it be set in a completely different world?
I hope you are all staying safe and as lockdown is easing you remain so. I have chosen to remain in my creative bubble a while longer and am grateful I am able to do so while others can not.
I have recently read a post by Lucy V Hay on Bang2Write blog titled Why You Should Stop Calling Yourself an Aspiring Writer It resonated with me deeply because I am guilty of this. In all my bios and when I talk to people, I always say “I’m an aspiring writer.” Never the words “I am a writer.” But today in time for NaNoWriMo and Samhain, where it is time to let go of things you no longer need, these words are gone.
Words to remember
I may not be published; my current manuscript is unfinished and a fledgling one starts in two days time but I have improved since I published my first post here. Writing has become my all-consuming thought whether words are written or not. Therefore, I am a writer.
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.
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.
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!
Nano hours: 13
Word count: 48,121 (somehow I have lost words on Scrivener – never a good sign)
Kate Kenzie Writes 