h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Don't see you writing much?

How's it going?

No, not writing much at all.

I think this is the first time I've been on here in the last 6 months - maybe.

Just doesn't seem to be any time lately.

How's yourself? Time to dig your novel out of the drawer and start hawking (no pun intended) it around the publishers - or have I missed it on the shelves of my local Ottaka's?

Later

Russ

Hi Russ

Nope, novel still in the shoe box, life isn't though, but when it is, I'll get the novel out! This site seems greatly improved, especially compared to other writer's sites, that seem to be full of "chums"!

Will consider the novel again soon - honest

Hi Philippa

"Will consider the novel again soon - honest" - I believe you - thousands wouldn't. You're just going to leave it in that shoe box aren't you?

Can I ask you why you write? I know you say on your profile that you "write for enjoyment" but why do you really write? I have a theory (I usually have) that people only write for 1 or both of 2 reasons. Either for money or for their own ego. Have I told you this before? If not for the money - why have your works published? And if not for your own ego - why put your name to it? I'm sure there are some people that give their stuff away for nothing and don't put their name on it - but I've never met them. Personally I'm in it for the money and fame ... unfortunately I've never finished anything I've started so both are still just distant dreams .

The new site is nice - taking a bit of getting used to where they've put stuff though ... the sad thing is I work with computers myself and I can't get to grips with their web site . Maybe I should go into writing .

I have had a brief daliance with ukauthors.com but, as you say, things seem to be a bit chummy on the other sites and it's difficult to enter their circle.

Any road up, I'd best get back to work.

Later

Russ

Russ

You are of course right, its either like doing the lottery, or because we like to see our name in lights.

However, I love to share and communicate and also to entertain people, which I guess falls into the ego category.

I make enough money doing what I do, and who the hell would buy my stuff anyway (ego creeping in again, that need for pat on back and gold star)!!!!!!!!

Hi Philippa

I like my theory because whatever reason you come up with it falls, broadly, into one of my categories .

You make enough money doing what you do? "Enough" is a very subjective word, don't you think? I, personally, don't believe you can ever have enough. You'll always find something to spend it on - no matter how much you have. Maybe happiness is the pursuit of wealth, rather than the attainment of wealth? Except is doesn't make me happy to not have as much money as I want. So perhaps misery is the pursuit of wealth? I don't know. I do know that I never seem to have enough money to do the extra things I'd like to do, or to allow my wife, children and I live to in the style of luxury I'd like to get accustomed to .

I write for money AND ego. I want to be fabulously wealthy AND I want people to know I am and to see that I did it.

So I have the vision all I'm short of is the drive, talent, ideas, time and inclination to get my lazy butt down to doing the writing instead of dreaming about the Harry Potter style phenomenon I could write if I had the drive, talent, ideas, time and inclination .

Don't sell yourself short though Philippa. I've read some of your stuff and I thought it was very good. Certainly better than some stuff I've read that has been published. The "I Am My Daughters Child" (the title's not growing on me yet) stuff was excellent. I guess, not that I know you, that you're afraid of rejection so you won't put it out there to have it knocked back. You should, in my humble opinion, get it sent off and move on to the next one.

Just my opinion, feel free to tell me to keep my nose out .

Opinion, criticism, as well as it is constructive is welcome and useful! The Daughter story will be told and published - one day! But in the meantime, I have other goals that I am working towards, house in France, moving home here, work, that are all rewarding and keep me busy!

Just reach out and you can get or be whatever you set your mind too!

Hi Philippa

You do sound busy, busy, busy. I was going to ask if you'd seen the "Richard and Judy" writing competition but you're probably too busy anyway ...

That said you're probably way ahead of the game if you've already completed a novel. They're offering a £50,000 advance for a first chapter and a 4 page synopsis of the rest. You could do that in 2 seconds couldn't you?

If you're interested the URL address is:

http://www.channel4.com/entertainment/tv/microsites/R/richardandjudy/keep4archive/how_to_publish.html

The deadline for submissions is 15th October and delivery of the completed manuscript is the following April I think - but you're already there!!

I'd enter myself but, to be honest, I don't know that I could find the time to produce anything worthy between now and 15th Oct - and we're off to Florida too at the beginning of Oct so that limits me even more for time (do these sound like excuses to you? ).

Just thought you might be interested ...

"Argue for your limitations and, sure enough, they're yours."

Hello Russ!

Your faith in me is admirable, and I will rise to the challenge. Now, don't you think you should do the same? Its not the winning etc etc.

Florida sounds good - excuses - life is full of them!

Now I must get back to the writing that pays the mortgage!!!!

"Now I must get back to the writing that pays the mortgage!!!!"

Oooo that sounds intriguing. What do you do?

Hi Russ

What do I do? Training Consultant - I write bespoke training for large corporate clients.

Have "done up" the novel Novel, and come up with a new working title How Not to Marry a Millionaire, not novel (Ha Ha), but struggling with the title, sure its not a problem. Will post it this week. How about you?

Hi Philippa

"Training Consultant" you say? Fancy. Just a lowly IT Project Manager myself, but it pays the bills I guess (but only just).

Ah! Now that title I like. It has more of a tounge-in-cheek-ieness (I know that's not a real word but I think it conveys the meaning ) about it. Which, as I recall, fits in nicely with the style of your writing.

How about "How Not to Marry a Millionaire Training Consultant" ... or maybe not.

How am I doing with mine? Er ... ah ... well (fiddles with hair and looks at feet) ... erm ... I did do it but the dog ate it Miss. So, er, I did it again but, um, the baby was sick on my shoes and, er, I had to use it to clean it off Miss ...

I'm kinda busy doing, er, stuff ... um ... and, erm, things ... you know?

OK! JUST STOP STARING AT ME!! I haven't done it yet! Alright? Happy now!? I've kind of got this idea for a trilogy thing in my head but it's not really that well defined and the characters are a bit wishy-washy and the plot's vague to say the least. Without some serious effort I don't suspect it'll be going anywhere soon - but thanks for pointing that out Philippa . It's a humerous (I hope) bit about time travel, parallel dimensions, death, dreams and immortality (honestly; in my head it's hilarious - it's a shame you can't see it ) - you know I'm into the whole comedic sci-fi/fantasy thing, yes?

Anyway - must go and see if I can write a synopsis for it and create/flesh-out some characters inside the next 2 weeks - and they want a first chapter?!?! Great! I like a challenge !

Good luck Philippa