Finding Flight
Hello and a Happy February to everyone reading my latest entry! It’s been a while yet again but I finally have the time to mention all the exciting writerly experiences from this past month!
First things first, and in a complete turn around from my last entry, I have decided to once again pursue writing and editing my manuscript for the competition. I have been following the competition’s progress over January and was surprised to find that the deadline has been extended until May. My excitement instantly came rushing back. Of course, I was still uncertain whether to get my manuscript off the shelf as it were. That is, until I attended one of the live talks suggested to me by the author I interviewed for one of my university assessments - see my last entry for more details! Watching this gave me the sudden spark of inspiration once more as I realised that my book meets the genres and themes they are looking for, for one of the prizes in particular. I just knew that I had to at least try, otherwise I would never forgive myself if I let the moment pass. Even if my manuscript is rejected, I can be proud of my achievement that I will have submitted a covering letter, synopsis and manuscript to an official publisher, with their team reading through my work. So this has been my prime focus for this month, editing as well as writing and driven by a hope that has kept me going through this manic year!
As a side note here I’d like to mention something which has given me extra motivation to do what I love. This little coaster (dragon light not included!) has become a mantra that I repeat to myself every morning and every evening before I go to sleep. It speaks to me on a level which I can’t really describe, and I’d like to thank Mollie of @ohmydaises.uk for creating such an inspirational line of products! (Make sure to check her Instagram!).
As well as balancing such a mammoth task I have of course been working on my university assessments. I have completed my first semester of assessments and I am well on my way to working on my dissertation novella, a text which I am really looking forward to be working on. With only my workshops reading/watching/listening to complete weekly, this leaves my days to be split between working on my manuscript and on my dissertation piece. A writer’s dream day, really! I am writing away the remaining days of lockdown with a rising hope for the future months after Boris’ announcement yesterday. Better times are coming, I can feel it!
Another excitement development aided by my university course was the opportunity to interview a literary agent initially for one of my assessments. The deadline had passed and I had submitted my assessment - receiving a first on my first essay, which I am so grateful of! - but I took the opportunity to enquire about the daily working life of a literary agent and to ask any questions I had about the industry. Thus followed a lovely phone call with a very engaging and enthusiastic lady who informed me that I was doing everything right by getting my name out there and that personally enquiring with agents shows motivation. So, my advice for anyone unsure what they could be doing to pursue literary agents, I would highly recommend getting into contact with as many as you can find to get a bigger picture not only of where your work could go to but to understand the wider world of the writing industry. As of yet I am still an unrepresented writer who is currently working on her manuscript and her MA, but I will definitely take her advice on board should I wish to pursue the traditional literary agent route.
A final point to mention is that The Literate Earth Project UK, the charity I am involved with, is currently running a campaign on ‘Reflection’ for World Book Day 2021. (You can follow our social media to find out more information about the campaign). Currently each of my fellow University Charity Ambassadors are posting blog entries on to the official website, with mine to be included in a few days time. I shall make sure to include the link to this entry once it is online! For now, you can take a look at Harry’s, the UK Development Director, entry here!
(UPDATE! You can find my blog entry here!)
That’s all for this month’s entry! I hope that everyone is hopeful for the future, given the current situation and the positive effects of vaccinations in England and worldwide. I just know that March’s entry will arrive on a wing of relief as slowly but surely the elements of lockdown are carefully eased. Like many, I cannot wait to see my family and friends in person again.
Keep safe and I look forward to revealing more exciting writing news in the next month!
Emily