YouTube One Year Anniversary and other updates

I have been frantically flapping around on YouTube for a whole year now, and so to celebrate I have made a One Year Anniversary Special. In this video, I look at an old short story that I submitted to New York Midnight (https://www.nycmidnight.com/ ) years ago and not only rip it apart, but give advice on how I would adapt things now that I have learned a few lessons about writing. Please check it out if you want a bit of a laugh; the story is quite ridiculous: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7AtQI7WEG2E&t=85s

I have also started to branch out into videos that look at professional works and what lessons they have imparted regarding storytelling and character. I have just released my first one, picking apart the writing lessons that The Mummy (1999) has taught me. This one was hard to record, in all honesty. The new format had me fumbling a little, and the sheer amount of ramble that I cut was shocking! 20 minutes of me stumbling over my speech had me doubting I would even get the video out, but after lots of editing (mostly the words 'um', 'er', 'sort of' and 'you know') and honestly hours and hours of my life, I finally made a video that I was happy sending out there. Next time, I will record on a day when my ADHD does not have complete control of the wheel 😂 It was a tough time getting through the brain fog to complete a task that I vastly underestimated. Who knew that my usual format would feel so different to this type of story dissection! Anyway, if you wish to take pity on me and watch me attempt something new, and only just scramble to the finish line, then please give it a click. Heck, even if you hate it and wish to mock me in the comments, at least it would be good for the algorithm: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJTTefZY0Mc

Additionally, I want to give another shout out to the concept of writing collaboration groups. Some people call them critique groups, but that sounds like an intimidating idea for some folk. Writing feedback groups should feel collaborative, and so I fully support The Nottingham Writers' Studio (https://www.nottinghamwritersstudio.co.uk/ ) adapting the name. After about 6 months of participating in my collab group, I feel that they are incredibly valuable. Reading your work and getting a few passing comments from your peers is good, but doesn't compare to a small group of 3/4 other people picking apart everything they loved and struggled with in your work. Even finding a partner for beta swapping isn't quite the same, as that is only one voice, one opinion. In my group, everyone takes a turn sharing their feedback for your story, but everyone also has a chance to chip in during that time to explain why they may/ may not agree with the person doing the feedback. It makes things balanced and lets the writer know that everything is subjective.

I love the atmosphere and really cannot understate the value of having real, live, actionable feedback! If you have the chance, go join one.

On a different note, I have sent off queries to 3 agents for my first novel in the last few weeks, and plan to send at least one more before the summer. The advice I have been given is to send off no more than 5 before you wait for responses, and I plan to follow this advice. Fingers crossed that I get something back from at least one of them before the new school year in September. Double fingers crossed that any rejections have some element of personalisation, rather than being form rejections, so that I can learn something from them. Though from what I hear that isn't as common as writers would like.

I've been careful about my agent choices so far, so hopefully I have something that matches their tastes! I'm nervous but optimistic. For now 😆

Finally, I just wanted to give a quick update on my AWG work. The Ashbourne Writers' group have worked closely with writer, Ruth Allen, to workshop some interesting and varied pieces centred around the themes of edges and weathering. Exploring the idea of nature and how it reflects life in the weathering process, we have created a series of shorts. We will be performing them in Ashbourne Library, so please feel free to come along and watch if you are free.