New Writers Scheme
May 23, 2007
It’s the RNA New Writers Scheme Awards next Wednesday and I’m going along, with Mr B and Miss B, to make up the numbers. Mr B surprised and delighted me last night by saying he’d taken time off work to come with us so after a hasty call to Jan Jones, I’ve got him a ticket.
On the same theme, Liz Fenwick’s addictive blog features her experiences with the RNA and agents. I had an RNA report on Decent Exposure which was a huge help. It was the first time I’d ever shown my writing to a professional and I was absolutely terrified of the response. What have I done, I thought. How dare I presume etc etc
In the end, my ‘reader’ phoned me one Friday evening with the words: “Phillipa, I love your book, but…”
I was not the least dismayed by the report even though it was chock full of (blush) ‘pointers’ about plot and character development. I was just so grateful to be told I wasn’t wasting my time and to finish the book and try and get it published. I spent months thinking about the characters and plot, revising the novel, setting it aside and tweaking again before I was persuaded by a non-RNA writer friend that my best bet might be an agent. Then fate took a hand and I happened to send it to an agent who liked it because it was ‘entertaining’. That’s just luck, I guess, and I feel guilty about that quite often. Yes – really!
PS Competition entries are coming in as we speak – don’t forget to enter and win a copy of Wish You Were Here and More Than Love Letters!
Posted by Phillipa @ 5:46 am | Leave a Comment
Liz Fenwick Says:
What a great story! How lovely that your reader called you. I am so grateful to mine:-) And yes luck plays a huge part but as you mentioned so does the RNA!
Phillipa Says:
Thanks, Liz.