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Post by claire on Mar 31, 2005 19:33:01 GMT
Hi Sarah, Yeah I'm the same Claire that asked the question, the only one around here I believe. By the way I love your site
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Post by SarahW on Mar 31, 2005 19:33:25 GMT
Oonagh - your email was gas - I remember those heady college days all right. Any more news on the ahem man front?
Molly - to answer your question - yes, all writers are used to rejection. In fact I have several 'rave rejections' in my own files - ' we really like your book but it's not for us' type of thing. All for my children's books funnily enough. But you just have to dust yourself back off and get back up. It helps to think of it like a job interview - you won't get every job, but hopefully one will come along that just fits and you'll be happy there. And it's worth the wait. Good luck if you're hoping to get published. Best, Sarah
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Post by SarahW on Mar 31, 2005 19:34:21 GMT
Hi Sarah, Sorry I can't make it tonight - but wanted to ask how long it takes you to write one of your books. And do you have to rewrite many times?Thanks,Bernadette
Hi Bernadette,
It takes me about eight or nine months to write the first draft. Then I print out the whole manuscript and read it in one or two days. I write all over the manuscript - notes, corrections, changes - adding bits and taking bits out. I find it easier to do this on a hard copy of the manuscript, rather than on the screen. Then I key all the changes in on my laptop. But I also rewrite a lot as I go along. I’m constantly editing and rewriting every day. Once I’m reasonably happy, I send it to my editor who makes other suggestions. Then I rewrite it again and print it out again. And make changes again. And then key in these changes. And then I do this once more (!) before I send it back to be copyedited.
It’s quite a long and time consuming process, but I want each book to be the very best I can make it - so it’s worth it in the end.
So to give you a short answer - about 1 year from start to finish.
Thanks for the question, Bernadette!
Best,
Sarah
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Post by SarahW on Mar 31, 2005 19:35:11 GMT
Thanks, Claire. Tell me, what age are your kids? And are you living in Ireland or abroad? And what do you like to read? Sarah
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Post by Oonagh on Mar 31, 2005 19:37:01 GMT
Are all gone to sleep or something?? any plans for the night girls besides me.
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molly
New Member
Posts: 2
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Post by molly on Mar 31, 2005 19:37:07 GMT
Molly here again. Thanks for the encouragement Sarah. The other question I wanted to ask is whether you believe writers are born, or can people become writers if they work really hard at it? I suppose I've always wondered how much of it is natural talent and how much is persistence?
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Post by claire on Mar 31, 2005 19:37:21 GMT
Oonagh,hope you have a great night out I'm living in Holland sitting here in my pj's enjoying the chat here. I think I'll just get me a beer ;D
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Post by SarahW on Mar 31, 2005 19:39:26 GMT
So sorry, Donna. I never answered your question about covers. If I've skipped anyone else's question please do let me know - it's quite something keeping up with all the questions! Donna, I don't design my own covers, no. The design team in Pan Macmillan, my publishers do. I have different covers for Ireland and the UK. You can check some of them out on my website - www.sarahwebb.infoI really like my new UK covers especially as they are really light hearted and capture the feel of the books very well. The new Irish cover for It Had to Be You I like too and the one for Take a chance (Aug) is funny - it has a white boot on it and it's dark pink. Thanks for your question, Sarah
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Post by Oonagh on Mar 31, 2005 19:40:02 GMT
No girl still single.i love it.Fast eddies great for finding men though ;D. No news really on the whole college thing. Well have to wait and see next week.
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Post by Oonagh on Mar 31, 2005 19:42:42 GMT
Sure that's as nice sometimes. Did ya read any good books lately.i read Charlotte's way recently I enjoyed that peresently reding A bad Mother's handbook.( sareah did u recommend that do me at some stage?)
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Post by charlie on Mar 31, 2005 19:42:54 GMT
Thank you Sarah another question Have you ever lost any of your work by accident or without saving it? Charlie
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Post by SarahW on Mar 31, 2005 19:43:36 GMT
Hi Oonagh and Claire - are you hanging in there, girls? I'm typing as fast as I can. I envy you in your PJ's, Claire! Just have to answer this question . . .
Molly here again. Thanks for the encouragement Sarah. The other question I wanted to ask is whether you believe writers are born, or can people become writers if they work really hard at it? I suppose I've always wondered how much of it is natural talent and how much is persistence?
Hi Molly, I think some people are born writers, yes. The same way some people are born artists or musicians. But I also think you can learn the craft of writing. And if you are prepared to work hard and stick at it, and you are prepared to read, read, read and learn your craft - then you will succeed. I like the writer's rule I've quoted earlier - 'he who posesses the best bum glue will win' - it's true! Hope this answers your question. Best, Sarah
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Post by claire on Mar 31, 2005 19:44:46 GMT
Sarah, my kids, Ryan is nine and is trying to read Harry Potter at the mo, and then I have Dylan and Amy my 6 year old twins. They love me to read to them. So if I want to get them to bed on time the promise of a story does wonders. I said earlier that I live in Holland close to Maastricht. I buy a lot of Dutch books to keep up with the language. When my mother comes she brings whar ever she can on books. I've read most of Cathys, Marian Keyes, Maeve Binchy God I'm no good at remembering names. The Shopaholic series is great. Nicholas Sparks. Don't like Stephen King or Danille Steel. I like a story that's 'real' believable, something that very well could happen.
By the way have you seen the film 'Muriels Wedding' it's also got a big Abba theme!
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Post by SarahW on Mar 31, 2005 19:46:16 GMT
Hi again Charlie, have I ever lost any work? Oh, yes. I think most writers have at some point in time. I lost most of a children's book (aagh!) and some early chapters of I think it was Always the Bridesmaid - my old, old Epson computer crashed and died. i was so upset. Now I back everything up on this dinky e drive thingy my computer boffin boyfriend gave me for Christmas (and who said romance is dead!). Sarah
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Post by Oonagh on Mar 31, 2005 19:48:01 GMT
You have your hands full claire. Im sorry girls have to head getting the bus to town now.Ill talk to ya tomorrow to tell ye how I get on tonight.See ya Sarah.Email ya next week with the lastest gossip
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Post by charlie on Mar 31, 2005 19:49:46 GMT
Hi Oonagh Claire I'm nearly finished The Waitress by Mellissa Nathan really good
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Post by SarahW on Mar 31, 2005 19:49:56 GMT
Hang in there, Oonagh, I'm getting to you next, promise!
First, Claire. Sarah, my kids, Ryan is nine and is trying to read Harry Potter at the mo, and then I have Dylan and Amy my 6 year old twins. They love me to read to them. So if I want to get them to bed on time the promise of a story does wonders. I said earlier that I live in Holland close to Maastricht. I buy a lot of Dutch books to keep up with the language. When my mother comes she brings whar ever she can on books. I've read most of Cathys, Marian Keyes, Maeve Binchy God I'm no good at remembering names. The Shopaholic series is great. Nicholas Sparks. Don't like Stephen King or Danille Steel. I like a story that's 'real' believable, something that very well could happen.
By the way have you seen the film 'Muriels Wedding' it's also got a big Abba theme!
Hi Claire, I love Muriel's Wedding - it't great fun. And Priscilla Queen of the Desert too. And I have an Abba live in concert dvd I love dancing along to - sad really! Was singing Waterloo at a karaoke party on fri night too.
You have an Amy too - that's funny. I love the name Ryan also. I've been to Holland and it's lovely - we did a house swop when I was a teenager and rode bikes a lot! Great food too. How long have you been there? Sarah
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Post by claire on Mar 31, 2005 19:52:03 GMT
I'll be living here 15 years the end of August. I can't believe that I'm nearly that long married! Used to live closer to Amsterdam though and that's still my fav city
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Post by SarahW on Mar 31, 2005 19:52:11 GMT
Hi OOnagh, Claire, Charlie, I recently finished Always and Forever by Cathy, which I really enjoyed. She's such a warm, sweet writer. I'm currently racing through the hilarious new Suzanne Higgins book - The Will to Win - it's a scream - great escapism. I love reading all kinds of things. Are you enjoying Bad Mother's Handbook, OOnagh. I think I recommeded it so I hope you are! Sarah
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Post by SarahW on Mar 31, 2005 19:53:49 GMT
Hi Claire, 15 years, holy moly! That's a long time. Is your husband/partner/sig. other Dutch? Where do you get your books in English? Is there a bookshop or do you shop on the web? Sarah [ps how did you come across this site - just curious?
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Post by SarahW on Mar 31, 2005 19:54:57 GMT
Hi Cleo,
You asked should you keep going back over the work you have already done, or go ahead with the rest of the book. No writer is ever 100% happy with what they have written, even when their book is published. I would suggest looking at the bigger picture - is there some reason that you don’t want to continue on with the book? Do you know where the plot is going? Do you know your characters well enough to continue? Is there some reason that you are stalling on the first few chapters? If so, you need to deal with this first before you continue. If not, leave the first few chapters aside and continue on with the rest of the book. You can come back to them later. I hope this is some help.
Good luck!
Best, Sarah
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Post by claire on Mar 31, 2005 19:55:56 GMT
There's just one other thing Sarah, a lot of my dutch friends would love to read more irish writers but then translated, they keep asking me what to look out for. Cathys book are very popular here and so are Maeves but when are we going to get the rest of you lot. Is it something that you yourself can push at the publishers?
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Post by SarahW on Mar 31, 2005 19:56:05 GMT
Hi Oonagh, Have you read the new Tina Reilly? Wedded Blitz. It's very good. I like Tina's writing voice - it's very fresh and unsual. Sarah
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Post by SarahW on Mar 31, 2005 19:59:07 GMT
Hi Claire, The publishers sell on the rights to other countries. But it's quite expensive to have books translated into another language. I have books in Indonesian which are amazing - the covers are beautiful. But I'd love to be translated into Dutch. I must mention it to my agent. It would be a honour. And if you know anyone in publishing over there do tell them how much you like Irish women writers - they might look at buying some of our books for their lists. Sarah Can you speak Dutch?
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Post by claire on Mar 31, 2005 19:59:57 GMT
My hubby is dutch, met him in the Canaries! My mother usually brings over the books. The best chance at getting english books is in Amsterdam or at Airports. I could order them on the net but money is often tight so that doesn't happen often. I'm a stay at home mother, and wouldn't give it up for the world!
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Post by SarahW on Mar 31, 2005 20:00:08 GMT
This is a question from earlier that I'll sneak in here.
Hi Karena, Yes, my daughter was two last week. She loves her books. I work with children’s books as well as writing and I adore them. Ones I would suggest for her age are - The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Fuzzy Yellow Ducklings, Ten Minutes for Bedtime - all picture books. Check out my website for more ideas - there’s a whole section on children’s books for different ages and also a reading diary of my Amy. Best, Sarah
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Post by charlie on Mar 31, 2005 20:00:10 GMT
Claire MY son is 8 nearly 9 and is also trying to read Harry Potter must admit I enjoy them myself, he also enjoys Horrid Henry by Franccesca Simon My other son is 5 and is learning to read quite well
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Post by SarahW on Mar 31, 2005 20:01:27 GMT
Hi All, I have to go in a few minutes - are there any more questions? Any book related or other? Oonagh - have a fab night. I'll be putting Amy to bed (again), working at my computer and reading. Exciting life! Sarah
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Post by SarahW on Mar 31, 2005 20:03:59 GMT
Hi Claire, A holiday romance - how lovely!
And Charlie - the Horrid Henry's are good all right. My son who's 10 loves Captain Underpants. He won't read the Potters but loves to listen to them on tape. I love books on tape myself and listen to them a lot while travelling. Sam, my son has offered to hang onto Amy for a few mins so I can stay for 10 mins or so. I'm really enjoying this - meeting you all and chatting - it's fun! Sarah
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Post by claire on Mar 31, 2005 20:04:09 GMT
Oh yeah I found this site through Cathy Kellys site. One of the big publishing companies here is The House of Books. I must get on to them. I went back to school to learn the language and worked for 4 years in a shop. I speak dutch with my kids but english with my hubby. The kids understand everything we say in english so we've no secrets from them ;D
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