Mick’s Musings: Time Flies When You…

Time flies when you’re having fun – and writing can be fun, though time flies in this case even if you’re not having fun. Of course, it can also behave as if you’ve got both feet stuck in quicksand.

This has actually got nothing to do with what I’m going to talk about today, it’s just something that’s been flitting around my mind for a while and I’m hoping that by laying it down on paper (so to speak) I’ll be able to get this wind-worm out of my head. Sorry if you’ve now got it.

Right, so what have I been up to since the last time I wrote?

For a start, there was the RNA Conference in Lancaster, probably the highlight of the writing year for me at the moment (at least until such a time as I get ‘that’ call) and as much fun as ever. My heartfelt, and belated, thanks to all who gave their time to present to everyone, word cannot be enough to express my thanks – quite ironic considering the purpose of the conference. Especially to Imogen Howsen for her ‘Speed Dating’ session. No, you did read correctly, though we didn’t come away with partners in that respect, but rather it was utilising the format to find Critique Buddies. I’ve come away with some terrific ladies – Lisa Hill, Elaina James, April Hardy, Sue Mackender, Samantha Bentall; Imogen has also foolishly looking at various attempts at my writing too and thanks out to Bernadette O’Dwyer as well for ‘being there’.

So after my liver had recovered (I can’t recall when I last drank so much Prosecco?) it was away with a new sense of purpose I, um, went. I still have an agent I met there to send off some chapters to. After those chapters had been reviewed by some of the above ladies and been discussed, I came to the conclusion that one of the secondary characters should be a primary. Hence, rewrite hell came forth. Well, not quite hell as I really enjoyed writing out the new second chapter, and after going through the other two chapters, it does read better. Now, I need to complete the re-hash of the synopsis and it’ll be ready. Never my favourite thing writing synopses.

The story I completed a couple of years ago has seen resurgence. I’d never given up on it, but hadn’t done as much with it as I should. However, I’d stumbled across a website that has had two open calls from agents in the USA over the last couple of months. The result of which, requests from three agents for chapters. Nothing may come of it, but if I didn’t pitch, then I wouldn’t even have got this far.

Procrastination is still my mortal enemy, along with its twin, time. Whilst I work full-time, I can’t see that changing much. When you work in front of a computer all day, it can be really difficult to pick up another when you get home. I’m not making excuses, and I do write as much as I can, simply telling the truth. All I can do is, try harder.

by

Mick Arnold

Mick reviews books and will also be chatting about his experience as a male author in the romantic genre. Mick is a member of the Romantic Novelists Association, New Writers Scheme. He lives in Northamptonshire and is the proud keeper of two cats, Gus and Elphaba. When he’s not trying to write books, Mick has a deep-seated love of reading that he’s brought from his teens to the current day with no signs of waning. He’s also mad on the music of the Beach Boys and enjoys the theatre and humouring his Manchester United supporting wife. Mick can be followed on Twitter: @mick859