A collection of musings and writings and upcoming events.
Last time I came to Ty Newydd two years ago, I packed my swimsuit but never swam. This time I promised myself I would, even though it is April this time and not June. I was going to do it yesterday when the sun was scorching but I got absorbed in my writing and vowed to swim today.
Read MoreI’ve just started a new novel. It’s exciting for me because I’ve not started a new novel for a while. I love setting off on a voyage of discovery with the characters. I have a vague idea of the theme of the book and a vague idea who the characters are but, for me, the process of writing fiction is very similar to the process of reading it.
Read MoreAt the moment I’m on a writing retreat at Ty Newydd in Wales. It is the most beautiful day and I have been for a walk by the sea. On the way back, I spotted a dandelion clock. It made me think of my children and how they would squeal and fight over it.
Read MoreIt’s that time of year again. Autumn leaves crunching underfoot, nights drawing in. Everyone’s back from their holidays and back to school or work.
Read MoreI had it all planned. I was going to re-write my novel, polish every word and have it safely deposited with agents and publishers in September. And then I got pregnant and my mum (and main source of childcare) was diagnosed with a particularly nasty cancer and it all became a bit harder than I’d expected.
Read MoreI’ve been meaning to post the latest version of my opening chapters for a while and I’ve finally mastered the technology to post them on my website (or at least, I’ve finally got round to getting Tim to do it.) You can find them at http://www.beverleyward.net/page4/page4.html
Read MoreJust back from a lovely holiday and returned to my reality with a bump. I went to visit Roundabout (the young people’s homeless hostel where some of my book is set) and grilled one of the workers there about how things have changed since the time when I worked there.
Read MoreI’m nearing the 20,000 word mark of my redraft but I’m beset by this feeling that ‘something’s not quite right’ about it. Having shown it to friends, I’m starting to be convinced that it’s something to do with the choice of narrative point of view and getting the voice right.
Read MoreI’m on retreat at the moment in Ty Newydd, North Wales, an amazing location. I’m sitting in the library at the moment and looking out through the bay window at a view of trees, sea and mountains.
Read More“I’m not sure it’s appropriate for teenagers,” said a writing (and teacher) friend, having read the first 5,000 words of my novel. The reason? It features some gritty issues including drug use, prostitution and sexual exploitation, all of which affect teenagers.
Read MoreI haven’t had time to blog recently. I’ve been too busy actually writing the novel – 8,000 words of the new draft now which doesn’t feel too bad.
Read MoreI managed to write about 2,000 words last Wednesday – mostly in the past tense thanks to DragonTamer’s feedback. I too am beginning to think that it could be a bit much to write the whole novel in the present tense but I might keep experimenting.
Read MoreToday is the first day that I’ve dedicated to writing since before Christmas and, typically, I can’t get started. I’ve tidied the house, written a few emails and tinkered about with previous blog posts but I haven’t yet opened the file which contains the actual novel I’m supposed to be working on.
Read MoreThanks to the Arts Council, I’ve now got 5 months to re-write my novel for young people. I’ve got some ideas about the new structure but there will still be a lot of experimenting to do.
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