Wednesday 18 March 2009

Hello Novel Racers

Hi. I’m Annieye (real name Annie Ireson). I live in Kettering – recently made famous by our very own Faryl Smith - and I work for the Local Council … but please don’t run away ... I promise I’ll try not to use any of the 200 banned words that the government says should not be used by councils. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7948894.stm

I feel truly privileged to be joining the Novel Racers and I’m looking forward to meeting you all, talking about writing and the uphill struggle that is getting published.

I have already met some Racers in person and have chatted to others through our blogs and on facebook. I must admit to feeling a little scared, though, as I write my first post on this blog. It feels just like when I creep into the reference library at lunchtime for a blissful hour with my laptop, but forget to take my name badge off.

For most of my life, my writing has been done in my own solitary confinement. I did test the water in the 1980s and had a smidgeon of success, short story wise, but subsequent rejections scared me witless, and I scurried back into my shell for the warmth and comfort of writing just for the pure enjoyment of it and nothing else.

In August 2007 I plucked a book on writing from the wrong shelf in Waterstones in Kettering. Fate? Coincidence? Call it what you will, but I bought the book and through Jane Wenham-Jones 'Wannabe a Writer’ chatroom I met Novel Racers Captain Black, Lane and Fiona, as well as lots of other lovely people. After three decades of prevaricating I welded my backside to the chair and got my book finished.

I now have an agent, but as yet no publisher, and so I need to plod along at the back and pick up the momentum again.

16 comments:

KeVin K. said...

"I feel truly privileged to be joining the Novel Racers"

Though I'm inclined to question the mental acuity of anyone who feels privileged to gain entre to a group that let me join, in this case I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and say welcome aboard.
(I already used all of my good new member jokes on Karen, so you'll just have to read her thread and pretend.)

" I’m looking forward to meeting you all"

I'm the guy in North Carolina. I write mostly stuff for games -- which is just as artistic as it sounds. (In fact, I have a dozen more 300-word blurbs to get done by weeks' end.) I'm proud to be a hack -- work for hire writers produce 90% of the words you're likely to see on a given day -- but I'm looking to branch out into original work as well. Though I do generate short stories on spec, I have yet to write a novel without a contract in hand. So when it comes to writing an original manuscript and sending it out I'm as new as anyone else. Moreso than most, in fact.

So settle in, make yourself comfortable. The couch folds out and the desk by the window is yours. You'll have to share the bathroom, I'm afraid. Kitchen and housework duties rotate; you'll get your schedule.

Unknown said...

Welcome on board and well done on having an agent!
lx

Deborah Carr (Debs) said...

Lovely to see you here Annie, welcome.x

Karen said...

Welcome Annie - glad I'm not the only newbie :o)

Chris Stovell said...

Hi Annie, well done on having an agent.

Flowerpot said...

Hello Annie and well done on getting an agent - that;s an amazing achievement!

Anonymous said...

Hello. Haven't we met somewhere before?

Graeme K Talboys said...

Hiya Annie.

Fiona Mackenzie. Writer said...

Big hugs and welcome.

Cheryl said...

Congratulations!!

Liane Spicer said...

Welcome, Annie! You look familiar - I'm pretty sure I ran into you somewhere before... :)

Sarah*G* said...

Welcome to the Novel Racers!

Lane Mathias said...

Hi Annie

Welcome!

Have we met before?;-)

Kate Harrison said...

Welcome, Annie! Looking forward to reading your comments,

Kate x

sheepish said...

Welcome and good luck with getting your book published.

Rose Red Art said...

Welcome to the group Annie! :o)