Finish Line!

London is carpeted in snow. The ubiquitous tin of Quality Street languishes in the office empty save for the rejects including the random red one (had to laugh Kate!). Carols at the Royal Albert Hall last night and a work do with new colleagues today. I'm finally in the festive mood. Are you?

In view of the cherry brandies that await at lunchtime I feel the need to line the stomach and can offer you the usual array of drinks plus the aforementioned leftover choccies and a fat slab of red velvet cake* with scrumptious cream cheese frosting. Any takers?

Earlier this week we had the fantastic news that Mel (L-Plate Author) has herself an agent - congratulations! This is brilliant and inspiring news and adds to the long list of achievements by Novel Racers in 2009. We’ve welcomed new writers to the race and said farewell to other friends who have become alumni, the most recent of which was Graeme whose insightful and regular comments will be missed. Hope to see you here soon. As the year draws to a close I wanted to reflect on the Novel Racers' writing year. So, what worked for you in your 2009 race and what did not? What are your proudest achievements and what are your goals for 2010?

I feel proud that I've survived a bumpy year between bereavement, unemployment and a series of family crises. In August I sent off a partial to the RNA's New Writers' Scheme and was pleased with the detailed critique that I received which contained not only constructive comments but encouragement and praise from a total (professional) stranger at a time when my confidence in all areas of my life was so low. Though my plans to start subbing the finished rewrite to agents went awry and I'm a year late, my goal for 2010 is to take the plunge and get my work out there so I can get stuck into novel 2.

Merry Christmas and all the best for 2010!

** of the birthday variety because I am twenty-one today. Again!

Coffee Break: Racers' Rules Part Two

The Dark Skipper's den of iniquity is once again open for business. Simply name your poison. I'm going to indulge in an Irish coffee.
Last week we talked about writer's rules (guidelines) and their various pros and cons. Still on the subject of rules, I got to thinking about this blog and The Race in general.		Perhaps rules are unnecessary as, let's face it, it's not really a serious race. Is it? Anyway, looking at the things on the left side-bar, I realise that I'm rather unclear about the Novel Race and how it functions.
The categories seem to be "New Work", "Rewrites" and "Complete Started Work". However, isn't rewriting * really just part of completing a started work? What is defined as complete? First draft, full publication or something in between? What about projects where more than one author is involved, where (say) one of the co-authors is not a Novel Racer?

It also occurs to me that the display of the "medallists" on the left may not be fair and accurate. Some of you may well have finished the race, however we define that to be, and have slipped under my radar. If that's the case then I apologise.

Perhaps I'm trying to be overly formal about all of this, but in any case please let me know what you think.

Talking of races, I'm off to take part in the Colworth Marathon Challenge this weekend. This means I'm not actually around to participate in the comments, though I'll have a read of them all when I get back.

Have fun!

* I don't know about you, but I've never liked the term "rewrite". It implies you're scrapping it and starting again. The term "editing" seems much more appropriate. Unless of course you really are scrapping and starting again.

So if you like, an extra question for this week could be: What's your editing process; what steps do you take to get from first draft to a submission-ready book?

The Race 2009

Now that the presidential race is finished we can all start to think to our for Race 2009. In someways I find it hard to believe we are ready to roll up to Race 3 but we are. 2008 saw the Racers grow to 40 and we have coped well with the increased numbers. Coffee participation has been good and the rota has worked brilliantly with fantastic topics. Getting to visit the racer blogs is tougher with the bigger group but still seems to be happening. We are all such a huge support for each other so that I'm looking forward to a even more sucessful Racer year in 2009. Just look at Capt. B's wonderful widget to see how well the Novel Racers are doing!

So thinking hats need to be on...

First have you finished this year's race? Did it push to a place you didn't think you'd reach even if it wasn't quite where you'd hoped to be?

Second what Catagories would we like for 2009? Last year we had three:
1. complete first draft
2. complete rewrite
3. finish an already started project

Now - what prizes? Last year it was champagne, books and a chapter crit. What would motivivate you further and faster?

What is your race for 2009?

Have you got the time for the new race? I ask this question because of our eager waiting list people. This gang have added a great deal to our coffees and I know they would like to add more. If you already know that you can't race next year could you think about offering your place in the 'active' racers? By this I don't mean fall away but move to the racer in sabatical mode with a separate catagory on the blog. Attend coffee when you have time, drop by and visit racers as time permits........

This year already has been a fantasic year for the NRs and I know 2009 will be even better. Think forward so that come 1/1/2009 you can be off the starting blocks.