Choices.

Do you ever wish that your life was a novel that you could flick to the end to and find out how everything turned out?

I usually know where I'm headed and what I'm doing but lately I've been struggling to make some very important choices. Should I stay in my current job or go for the new one? Should I go back and rewrite an old story or carry on with the one I've been working on since November?

There have been other choices that are on my mind but they are more personal and I'll only let you know when I've made them!

A choice that all writers have to make is whether or not to get an agent.

To get published you can go down two routes; to get an agent and let them do the work or to go it alone and approach a publisher or editor without representation.

I have taken the agented route (and I'll have some news about Agent A in the next two weeks!) for the following reasons:

a) They are the experts. I've got more knowledge of the industry than most due to the Masters course that I did but I'm no expert. Agents know the industry inside and out and will know exactly which editors and publishers to target with your novel so you won't waste precious time and effort sending it out to people who won't be interested.

b) They can guide me. I've got a vague idea of the kind of writer that I want to be but I'm not completely sure how to get there. And a good agent will hopefully find me work that I wouldn't be able to find on my own.

c) They leave a writer free to do what they are supposed to be doing; write. Whilst they are dealing with contracts and wrangling you a higher advance, you can be free to just write and come up with the next best selling idea. A good agent will deal with all of the business side of things and you will only have to sign on the dotted line.

There are downsides to having an agent, of course. The main one is money. Most agents take between 10 and 12% of their clients profits. However, I personally think that this is worth it but it's a choice that everyone has to make individually.

Choosing an agent is also difficult. I wanted to find a small agency so that they would have more time to focus on me, rather than a bigger one in which I'd be just another writer in a big pool of them. But then, a bigger agency will have more money to put behind you...oh decisions!

The best way to find an agent that you think would be suitable for you would be to buy The Children's Artists & Writers Yearbook 2010 because it is literally the writers bible! Every agent and publisher in the UK (and some abroad) who deal in children's literature are listed, along with their details and the types (genre, age range) of literature that they deal in.

My advice would be to make a short list and then whittle it down to five by looking at their websites and trying to get a feel for them. Look at their client list and see if you would fit in with it. Then approach them but don't forget the number one golden rule...

ONLY APPROACH ONE AGENT AT A TIME!

Most agents hate it when writers do multiple submissions (i.e. when they send it to more than one agent at a time) so just send it to one agent and wait for their response. This can take up to six months so this is a very slow, but hopefully worth it, process. Just hang in there!

Anyway, those are my thoughts on being agented, I'll blog about going it alone in the next little while.

Hope everyone is well and good luck if you're trying to get agented - I know how tough it is!

See you soon,

Writer Girl x

Practical Magic, Alice Hoffman

Synopsis:

From one of the most captivating storytellers in American fiction comes a tale of two sisters, Gillian and Sally Owens, brought up by their two elderly guardian aunts in a world of spells and exotica.

As the magical charm of their childhood wears away, they escape from this mystical mayhem - one by running away, the other by marrying.

Many years go by before strange circumstances thrust them together again, and once more they are in a place that blends the mundane and mysterious, the familiar and fantastic, the normal and the numinous.

Three generations of Owens women are brought together in an experience of unexpected insight and revelation, teaching all of them that such perceptions are rare and wonderful and - to be sure - practical.

My thoughts: This is a brilliantly written, atmospheric novel that looks closely at life, love, loss, growing up and believing in yourself.

It's nothing like the film - apart from the basic plot in which Gillian kills Jimmy by accident and the sisters bury him in the garden - but the two run alongside each other nicely.

I particularly liked that the small amount of magic that is included - from the potions of the aunts and Kylie's ability to see people auras - was woven in so subtly that Hoffman has managed to make it seem like an ordinary, every day event.

My only complaint is that the end is far too neat and each character is paired off with their perfect match.

Overall though, I was pleasantly surprised by this novel, although I have learnt that in future I should never be surprised by the brilliance of Hoffman's writing...

*****

Running Wild, Michael Morpurgo

I blogged a little while ago about not judging a book by it's cover. Well, look at this cover, isn't it great? It's bright, vibrant and tells you what to expect on the inside, just what I said was important right? Well, if only the inside was as good as the cover...

Synopsis: When 10-year-old Will's father dies in the Iraq war, his mother surprises him with a trip to Indonesia. But little could she have known what awaited them both there.

The first Will knows that anything is wrong is when Oona, the elephant he is riding along the beach, begins to spook. Then, suddenly, she takes off into the jungle with Will on her back. And that's when Will sees the wave come crashing in!

With his mother almost certainly drowned, with nothing to cling onto but an elephant and nothing to help him but the clothes on his back, Will faces a terrifying future. But maybe the jungle, and Oona the elephant, can help him?

My Thoughts: *SPOILERS*

Being a big Michael Morpurgo fan, I was excited to read this book.

What a disappointment.

The narrative is clunky and uneven and I just didn't feel the fear that Will would have been going through when the tsunami hit. There didn't seem to be any major highs or lows and even when Will was captured by the hunters, I didn't fear for him.

Will himself is interesting with all of his back story and emotional luggage but I didn't completely connect to him as his voice seems too old for a ten-year-old.

Of course, it turns out in the end that it's his grandfather telling the story but I don't think this works at all, it would have been more empowering for Will - and therefore his readers - if he had been telling this story for himself.

The ending bothered me as well because it was all far too neat and felt like the ending to a Disney film.

The only positive for me was the character of Oona. I think that Morpurgo drew her well, especially considering that she doesn't speak.

Overall, this could have been a really inspiring story about a young boy surviving a horrible situation and overcoming the difficulties involved but instead it is dry, clunky and I would be surprised if many children were drawn in.

**

Warning by Jenny Joseph

This is one of my favourite poems, there is something so vibrant about it and it is comforting to think that old age doesn't have to mean invisibility.

Warning by Jenny Joseph

When I am an old woman I shall wear purple

With a red hat which doesn’t go, and doesn’t suit me.

And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves

And satin sandals, and say we’ve no money for butter.

I shall sit down on the pavement when I’m tired

And gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells

And run my stick along the public railings

And make up for the sobriety of my youth.

I shall go out in my slippers in the rain

And pick flowers in other people’s gardens

And learn to spit.

You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat

And eat three pounds of sausages at a go

Or only bread and pickle for a week

And hoard pens and pencils and beermats and things in boxes.

But now we must have clothes that keep us dry

And pay our rent and not swear in the street

And set a good example for the children.

We must have friends to dinner and read the papers.

But maybe I ought to practice a little now?

So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised

When suddenly I am old, and start to wear purple.

Evermore, by Alyson Noel

After looking back at previous reviews, I realised that I haven't put up a review that is less than glowing. So, I thought I'd review this novel Evermore by Alyson Noel which didn't exactly jam my doughnut...

Synopsis: Since a horrible accident claimed the lives of her family, sixteen-year-old Ever can see auras, hear people’s thoughts, and know a person’s life story by touch. Going out of her way to shield herself from human contact to suppress her abilities has branded her as a freak at her new high school—but everything changes when she meets Damen Auguste…

My thoughts: I found this book to be mediocre at best. The writing is flimsy in places and none of the characters seem to develop properly.

Noel also doesn't answer a whole range of questions that are set up which is frustrating for the reader and makes the ending unexciting.

I did like the pace and the interludes with Ever's younger sister Riley who was like a breath of fresh air in an otherwise stale narrative.

Overall, this could have been a much better and more interesting novel but instead it was lukewarm and I won't be reading the others.

**

P.S. Sorry if this doesn't make total sense, I've got a lovely dose of tonsilitus right now! WG x

Ghost Hunter, Michelle Paver

Synopsis: As winter approaches and Souls' Night draws near, the Eagle Owl Mage holds the clans in the grip of terror.

To fulfil his destiny, Torak must seek his lair in the Mountain of Ghosts. He must defy demons and tokoroths, and find his way through the Gorge of the Hidden People. Wolf must overcome terrible grief. Renn must make an agonizing decision.

And in the final battle against the Soul-Eater, Torak must face the most heart-rending choice of all.

My Thoughts: I picked up this book on a whim, not realising that it was the sixth and final book in the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness series.

That didn't matter at all.

The writing is so strong that I wasn't confused at any stage and was immediately swept into the story as Torak and Renn battle Eostra and the darkness that she brings with her.

I loved the way that Paver had written Wolf's sections, she pulls the reader into the animal's viewpoint effortlessly and makes them look at the world in a different way. I also liked the way that she paralleled the story of the humans with that of the wolves.

My only problem with it was that Eostra is defeated rather easily, after all the build-up I was expecting more of an epic battle.

Overall though, this is an interesting novel and Paver has an easy, flowing style that makes it difficult to put down.

I can't wait to go back and read the first five!

*****

Don't Judge A Book By It's Cover...

Hey all,

Apologies for not really blogging lately (apart from the occasional review), I've started my very first full time job and everything else seems to have been hurled out of the window!

Anyway, today I was thinking about book covers (whilst I was cleaning my kitchen - I'm just that cool!) and how important they can be.

Think about it, what is it that makes you pick a book up off the shelf? Sure, things like promotions or recommendations from friends are big factors, but if you're just randomly browsing the shelves, what is it that draws you to one book instead of another?

It has to be the cover.

A great one can make you pick up and read something that you would otherwise have passed by.

Or a bad one can make you miss out on something really great.

Recently, I had to read The Last Elf by Silvana De Mari for my MA course. When it arrived I

was less than excited because the cover was so dated and uninspiring. So I put it to the bottom of the pile and didn't read it for weeks. How foolish of me! When I did get around to it, I found that not only was it a moving and thoughtful story, it was also one that I could barely put down. I've since recommended it to my friends and family and they have all had the same reaction to the cover as I did.

Here, see what you think:

It's dated, isn't it?

So, what makes a good cover? This is obviously subjective but to me it's one that is bright and eye-catching - it has to be to compete with all the over covers jostling for position on the shelves! It should also sum up the novel and be aimed correctly at the target audience.

Some of the most clever covers that I've seen recently are the ones for the Skullduggery Pleasant series by Derek Landy. They are bright and fun and give the reader an immediate idea of what will be inside. They also have coloured edges which is great as they will always stand out and each book in the series is a different colour.

Take a look at a couple:

Obviously you can't see the edges in these pictures but next time you're in a bookshop, take a look!

Another author who always has great covers is Terry Practchett. His novels, particularly the Discworld novels, always have bright, humorous jackets and they have a style that immediately tell you who the author is. And that is what you want, a signature style. Like this:

The Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer also have their own distinctive style with the black background and red picture.

So, why all these thoughts about covers?

Well, the MA course that I was on, has put together all of our manuscripts into one anthology which will be sent to all the agents and publishers in the UK. Then in May/June time we will all go up to London for a big launch and - hopefully! - some deals will be made. For this we needed a cover, both for the anthology as a whole and for our individual pieces. The university paired us up with people on the Art/Graphics MA and I got mine today!

I can't show you yet (everything is still heavily under wraps) but I will as soon as I can! Mine is really edgy and drawn like graffiti which reflects the story well. It's very odd seeing someone else's translation of something that I've carried around with me for months though!

Anyway, those are my rambling thoughts on book covers!

And hey, next time you're in a bookshop, take a risk on the book that doesn't have the best cover...you just might be surprised!

WG x

The Fifth Elephant, Terry Pratchett

Synopsis: Sam Vimes is a man on the run. Yesterday he was a duke, a chief of police and the ambassador to the mysterious, fat-rich country of Uberwald.

Now, he has nothing but his native wit and the gloomy trousers of Uncle Vanya (don't ask). It's snowing. It's freezing. And if he can't make it through the forest to civilization there's going to be a terrible war.

But there are monsters on his trail. They're bright. They're fast. They're werewolves - and they're catching up.

"The Fifth Elephant" is Terry Pratchett's latest installment in the "Discworld" cycle, this time starring dwarfs, diplomacy, intrigue and big lumps of fat.

My Thoughts: I'm a massive Pratchett fan and this is my favourite one yet.

Once again, Pratchett has taken a big topic - this time politics - and wrapped it up in a hilarious, dramatic and fast paced story that pulls the reader along with it and doesn't let them go until the final page.

Vimes is developed even further in this one and his wife Sybill becomes less of a cartoon cut-out of a character and more like a real, well rounded person.

Angua's family are really interesting and give us a better view of who she is and where she came from. And her relationship with Carrot is deepened and made more important to the reader.

Overall, this is a brilliant Discworld novel - but then, what else would you expect from a master like Pratchett?

*****

The Enemy, Charlie Higson

Synopsis: They'll chase you. They'll rip you open. They'll feed on you...

When the sickness came, every parent, policeman, politician - every adult - fell ill. The lucky ones died. The others are crazed, confused and hungry. Only children under fourteen remain, and they're fighting to survive.

Now there are rumours of a safe place to hide. And so a gang of children begin their quest across London, where all through the city - down alleyways, in deserted houses, underground - the grown-ups lie in wait. But can they make it there - alive?

My Thoughts: When I read the synopsis for this novel I was less than inspired by it. The idea is that every person over the age of fourteen has been struck down by a mystery virus that causes them to become wild, crazy and want to eat children. By the time the story starts, most of London is dead and only a few children survive, living in a Waitrose store, stalked and hunted by a group of feral grown-ups. A strange virus that has wiped out most of the population, leaving a few lone survivors to fight it out? Not the most original of ideas.

So, I started the novel with low expectations as I thought that it would be a mix of '28 Days Later', 'Survivors' and 'Gone'.

Oh how wrong I was.

Higson is a true genius, managing to take an horrific situation with a scattered group of children and turning it into a thrilling, terrifying story that drags the reader deep into the action and keeps the pages turning one after the other.

Each character - and there are a vast amount and array of them - has been carefully created and given time to establish themselves and their individual story. A particular favourite of mine - and I would think of many - is Small Sam as he battles to cross London to find his little sister. He is a brave and endearing character and the reader is anxious for him as his journey becomes more and more perilous.

There is no let up on the pace with this novel, Higson drags us along with his characters and moves the different story strands along quickly, never giving the reader a chance to get bored.

The real horror of this story comes from the simple idea at the heart of it. In our society, adults are there to protect, love and care for children. So what would happen if the adults were suddenly out for blood?

The ending is brilliant as it sets up the sequel but still leaves the reader feeling satisfied that the characters have reached a conclusion - of sorts.

I cannot WAIT for the second novel in this series - Higson has quickly become my new favourite author.

*****

PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS A VERY VIOLENT NOVEL AND IS NOT SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 13.

*Cough, Splutter, Sneeze* Repeat until fade...(Two)

Once again I've got a lovely dose of the flu (next year, I'm getting the damn jab!) and so have paused somewhat in my blogging.

Feeling more like myself today so hopefully I'll get a decent blog up in the next couple of days!

*Sneeze!*

WG xxx

P.S. I'm reading 'The Enemy' by Charlie Higson, it's terrifying!

P.P.S How cute is that kitten?! Bless!