tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56513770750911738332024-02-07T05:53:12.304+00:00The Fight To WriteThe road to publication...Valinora Troyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04587671273808005507noreply@blogger.comBlogger43125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5651377075091173833.post-59626517309067660432009-01-07T21:03:00.002+00:002009-01-07T21:13:41.094+00:00Small is...Beautiful. Or sensible.<br /><br />I mean making realistic plans and setting goals for the year. I have decided to set my sights low (if that makes sense) and aim for a few major & minor items for the year. My targets for January are even more modest, and I am going to set myself one target a week. Hopefully I will exceed this!<br /><br />I am in my new job almost 7 weeks - I can't believe I've been there so long. However writing has suffered, but<em> </em>I am determined to stick to my targets this time!Valinora Troyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04587671273808005507noreply@blogger.com60tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5651377075091173833.post-38920909075219243762009-01-01T17:14:00.002+00:002009-01-01T17:20:38.185+00:00First Publication of 2009My first <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">publication</span> of 2009 is now available on line - see the latest edition of <a href="http://www.necrotictissue.com/issue005/0908820090101/Download.html">Necrotic Tissue</a>.<br /><br />I thought January would never come, but now it's finally here, and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Inkpot</span> and I are published on the same page.<br /><br />What a good start to the year!!Valinora Troyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04587671273808005507noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5651377075091173833.post-91563325677066215332008-12-31T23:59:00.000+00:002009-01-01T17:11:10.281+00:00Happy New YearHappy New Year everyone!<br /><br />What will 2009 hold for us all, I wonder? Hopefully it will be a better one than 2008 - not that 2008 was a bad year for me. I got to see my work in print for the first time, I made a writing sale (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">yipee</span>!), I got a job (several actually), so it was a good year in many ways. :)<br /><br />Also over Christmas we heard good news - a new niece and nephew are on the way. Little <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Svetlana</span> from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Tula</span> in (West) Russia is due in March to my brother and his wife, and hopefully by June little Michael Nikolai from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Blagoveschenck</span> (far East Russia, less than a km from China) will join my sister and her husband. The two little cousins will be close in age, and grow up almost next door to each other - so hopefully they will be friends!<br /><br />Of course, the 2008 saw plenty of disappointments and sadness too for family and friends, but I am hopeful that 2009 will bring loads more happiness and (writing) success for us all!<br /><p>So HAPPY NEW YEAR!</p>Valinora Troyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04587671273808005507noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5651377075091173833.post-8240398240712744292008-12-25T00:35:00.000+00:002008-12-25T00:42:54.543+00:00HAPPY CHRISTMAS<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcbOFKBHvHbfTOtGm1GAZjdKSkml6WJ46pSxBh0klQKRkTgZDqUczr70z6Tw7rIW0lWoHWSD2BieC93HXzvU7PrETBg-ErstehGKSOnT428lx0GCOA1UyPgHF_DsDOoR8cLdLBdRB7FhY/s1600-h/sy_bethlehem_star-1773.png"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283521301530298210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 250px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcbOFKBHvHbfTOtGm1GAZjdKSkml6WJ46pSxBh0klQKRkTgZDqUczr70z6Tw7rIW0lWoHWSD2BieC93HXzvU7PrETBg-ErstehGKSOnT428lx0GCOA1UyPgHF_DsDOoR8cLdLBdRB7FhY/s320/sy_bethlehem_star-1773.png" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;"><strong>Merry Christmas!</strong></span></div>Valinora Troyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04587671273808005507noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5651377075091173833.post-50474484212928743852008-12-23T21:23:00.000+00:002008-12-24T22:55:02.664+00:00BOOKS TO TAKE ON HOLIDAYSWhat is the most essential item to take on holidays other than tickets, passport & money? I think a good book comes next, and if I happen not to be currently devouring one, I turn to a few old favourites.<br /><br />These usually are :<br /> Lord of the Rings by <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">JRR</span> Tolkien (who couldn't love this masterpiece?)<br /> The complete Fr. Brown short stories by GK Chesterton (brilliant, insightful & highly original)<br /> Emma by Jane Austen (my favourite of her works).<br /><br />Did you ever see the episode of 'Seinfeld' where George asks Jerry to get back some books of his that are in his <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">ex's</span> apartment. Jerry asks George if he has read them, and upon George's confirming that he has, Jerry says 'So what do you want them back for?' (Or words to that effect. If you don't know the show, I won't bore you with explanations).<br /><br />Anyway, I have a number of favourite books, which I could easily read once a year with great pleasure, and any of the three above usually find their way into my suitcase. This time as I made a big effort to travel light, it was 'Emma'.<br /><br />Which I enjoyed, yet again!Valinora Troyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04587671273808005507noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5651377075091173833.post-65649450061143470132008-12-21T17:14:00.000+00:002008-12-24T21:22:50.739+00:00Back from HolidaysBack from 8 days in Tenerife, where I had a lovely relaxing holiday.<br /><br />The island is very English - which means lots of plain food for me to eat. Usually I find it difficult to find somewhere nice but there was plenty of choice. The weather was not great - cloudy most of the time, but to enjoy 17 or 18 degrees in the middle of December is such a treat - I want to go every winter now! Of course, when I returned to work, I was informed that Tenerife was known as the Cloudy island...<br /><br />I have a tendancy to bring bad weather with me whenever I go on holiday - be it New York, South Africa, France, Italy, Croatia, wherever - thunder and lightning usually follow. Some people, of course, talk about the earthquake in Assisi that happened after I visited, the fires in France, and numerous other things... It almost always rains on my holidays.<br /><br />It didn't rain in Tenerife although the locals told me that it was really bad weather for there, so perhaps I really deserve my reputation!Valinora Troyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04587671273808005507noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5651377075091173833.post-90201634674892453122008-12-05T08:46:00.002+00:002008-12-05T08:51:33.560+00:00Submission & AcceptanceFollowing <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Inkpot</span> and her various submission competitions has made me recall the joy of getting accepted for the first time. It was such a high, I thought 'This is addictive - I want more!'. Although I have had several other acceptances, I have not put in much time in the last few months - in fact, I haven't submitted anything for ages.<br /><br />Therefore when I return from holidays, I am going to be all motivated to do loads of writing. At least - at long last - my evening classes are over, so I don't have them hanging over me any more, which should help me get into my new writing routine (of at least an hour a day during the week, more at the weekend).<br /><br />I think I will blog every day about how much or little I have done - just to embarrass myself into doing some work!Valinora Troyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04587671273808005507noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5651377075091173833.post-76780267218943275312008-12-02T20:00:00.002+00:002008-12-02T20:11:02.693+00:00SORRY - SLOW TO BLOG AGAINI really mean to blog at least once a week, hopefully twice. I would love to say daily but I don't think I'd manage that. It's amazing how much time blogging actually consumes - I can see why photos are used so often! (I know, they take time too).<br /><br />I survived my first week in the new job, by starting late on Monday and leaving early Wednesday and Thursday for evening class. By Wednesday I also picked up a bad cough/chest infection, in bed all weekend and yesterday..anyway I got through it.<br /><br />Tomorrow night is my last Wednesday night class, and Thursday is my last Thursday night class - I cannot wait. In fact, I'm celebrating by going on holiday to the sun. When I return to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">blogland</span>, I will have my evenings back for writing, and I also intend to do some at lunch (once I'm settled in the job long enough to be my usual anti-social self).<br /><br />How do people working by day find both time and energy to write, I wonder. Is it sheer self-discipline, and does anyone know where I can get some?Valinora Troyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04587671273808005507noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5651377075091173833.post-33641872777948045052008-11-22T23:26:00.002+00:002008-11-22T23:51:04.265+00:00New JobOn Monday I start a new job.<br /><br />The good news - I shall be earning some money, a sad necessity for all people, even writers. The job also sounds very interesting, and the company, from what I've seen so far, seems excellent.<br /><br />The downside - not so much time for writing.<br /><br />Of course, there are two comments I should make about this (before anyone else does) :<br /><br />1. What have you done for the last two years, time you took out of the busy world to write? Okay, I've written a couple of books (in need of more work), a novella and had a few short stories published, but I have not been as productive as I thought I would be.<br /><br />2. Working full time does not mean I cannot write - it just makes it a little harder. After all, loads of people work full-time and write at night/weekends, including some very successful writers.<br /><br />I'm hoping of course that the routine of working daily will get me into the routine of doing a regular hour's writing every evening plus lunchtime and half a day at the weekend. Is this possible, ambitious or totally under-achieving?Valinora Troyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04587671273808005507noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5651377075091173833.post-12203084802971698492008-11-01T14:04:00.003+00:002008-11-01T14:10:21.527+00:00BLOVELA new term to me!<br /><br />Today is November 1st - All Saints Day. It also also the start of National Novel Writing Month (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Nanowrimo</span>).<br /><br />This year <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Inkpot</span> plans to publish her story on her blog, and invite contributions from the unsuspecting public (for some reason, either 'unsuspecting' or 'general' has to precede 'public').<br /><br />So be sure to drop by her <a href="http://theinkpotfiles.blogspot.com/">blog</a> to have your say on the Blovel!<br /><br />By the way, as is probably obvious to you, we survived last weekend's horror ordeal, but only just! We came close to extinction - too awful to tell you the details in case it ruins your repose for years to come!<br /><br /><em><strong>Best of luck to all <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Nano</span> participants this year!</strong></em>Valinora Troyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04587671273808005507noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5651377075091173833.post-34263775705105158472008-10-25T13:56:00.002+01:002008-10-25T14:00:10.620+01:00FRIGHT WEEKENDOkay so it's not Hallow E'en yet but <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Inkpot</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Pinkpot</span> and I are celebrating it this weekend by endeavouring to scare ourselves to death!<br /><br />If you never hear from me again, you will know that it worked!<br /><br />I can't reveal what the plans are at this point in time, but I hope some of us will survive and live to tell the tale...<br /><br />Happy Bank Holiday weekend to those that have one! Yes, I should be working, planning my classes, preparing for interviews, catching up on writing - but sometimes you have to throw all good intentions aside and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">just</span> enjoy yourself!Valinora Troyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04587671273808005507noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5651377075091173833.post-53127700085358396392008-10-22T15:39:00.002+01:002008-10-22T15:50:37.252+01:00APOLOGIES FOR LACK OF POSTSBack in early September I got a job to deliver a training course, and although there was a syllabus, there was nothing else - in other words, I had to plan out every detail of the every day of the course, which started almost immediately. At the start of October, I took on two evening courses, also without any proper <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">guidelines</span>, notes, manuals or anything else.<br /><br />Which has meant that I have been giving courses five days and two evenings a week and spending most of the rest of my time planning for the next day!! And when I haven't been planning or training, I've been too exhausted to do anything else.<br /><br />So both writing and blogging have been suffering these last two months! of course, I have learned a lot from these jobs, not least how to type [slowly], and having some money is great! I will try to blog once a week from now on.Valinora Troyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04587671273808005507noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5651377075091173833.post-36758699272721158612008-09-01T16:12:00.002+01:002008-09-01T16:17:08.115+01:00APOLLO'S LYREI've just noticed that Apollo's Lyre has published their August edition.<br /><br />This excellent <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">publication's</span> last issue showcased <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Inkpot's</span> <a href="http://www.apollos-lyre.com/id440.html">'The Sky Horse'</a>.<br /><br />The current issue has my micro-fiction tale <a href="http://www.apollos-lyre.com/id454.html">'Last'</a>.<br /><br />Still get that strange nervous feeling when something of mine is published!Valinora Troyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04587671273808005507noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5651377075091173833.post-71640110488946267282008-08-29T14:52:00.000+01:002008-09-01T15:03:53.720+01:00PROOFED AT LASTFinally got my novella 'The Other Side of the Mirror' proofed, so it will be available very shortly.<br /><br />I'm not sure what took me so long - except I had a few other things on.<br /><br />Of course, I did suffer from what probably a lot of writers experience - the urge to edit and re-edit and re-edit.. In other words, never let it be finished! I can improve each version...forever...<br /><br />Of course, I probably could continue to improve it, but at some point you have to let go of your creation, release it out into the big bad world for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">others</span> to read and review and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">criticise</span> or enjoy (hopefully the latter)<br /><br />It's done now anyway!Valinora Troyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04587671273808005507noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5651377075091173833.post-43011382503101160872008-08-21T08:21:00.000+01:002008-08-21T08:21:01.009+01:00MY NEW BOOKSI didn't list them in the last post cos I try to keep my posts short and snappy (except when I rant about first person present tense..<br /><br />Anyway for <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">those</span> who may be interested the books I bought are:<br /><br /><strong>1. Christians in China AD 600 to 2000.</strong> I think China is a fascinating country so how could I resist this? Nearly 600 pages and small print!<br /><br /><strong>2. Church and State in Early Christianity.</strong> As this is a much debated topic (debated is perhaps the wrong word: usually it is proponents of a certain type of separation of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Church</span> and State who speak loudly on the subject), I thought a look at early Church history would be interesting.<br /><br /><strong>3. Milestones (Memoirs 1927:1977).</strong> This slim volume is the autobiography of Pope Benedict XVI, and relates his life up to 1977 (when I think he became a cardinal. The book was first published in 1977).<br /><br /><strong>4. Architects of the Culture of Death.</strong> A look at the main thinkers who shaped and influenced the culture of death <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">that</span> is so prevalent in the world today.<br /><br /><strong>5. Jesuit Missionaries to North America.</strong> The 8 missionaries in question all arrived in North America between 1632 and 1637, and their story is told mainly through letters they wrote back to their superiors in France.<br /><br />These 5 books were ordered about a week ago from the States. The postage was more expensive than the books, and yet altogether the total cost was under €35!!Valinora Troyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04587671273808005507noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5651377075091173833.post-22245518250772839542008-08-20T16:08:00.003+01:002008-08-20T16:18:10.966+01:00BOOKS - A FEAST OR A FAMINEI find it's generally one or the other.<br /><br />It's nice to have a list of books waiting to be read but a lot of the time I find that I have nothing to read, or perhaps really I'm not in the mood to read anything piled up on my bedroom floor!<br /><br />Having just finished the latest Odd Thomas book by Dean Koontz, I was given "The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Pimpernell</span> of the Vatican" - regarding the Irish priest <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Monsignor</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">O'Flaherty</span> who hid numerous escaped <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">POWs</span>, Jews, Italians, and in fact anyone who had fallen foul of the Nazis during their occupation of Rome (1943-44), and earlier helped those in need evade Mussolini's regime. At the same time, I was lent a recently written (though obviously not by Ian Fleming) James Bond novel. On top of that, I started to re-read that masterpiece "Black Rabbit Island" (written by me for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Nanowrimo</span> 2006) with a view to seeing if it could be polished up for publication.<br /><br />I am enjoying all three books, despite their varied tales (zombies versus heroic priest versus secret agent). However today 5 books I ordered from Ignatius Press arrived - it's hard to resist starting one or two of them as well!Valinora Troyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04587671273808005507noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5651377075091173833.post-49726799460090745202008-08-18T09:02:00.002+01:002008-08-18T09:02:00.463+01:00OLD NOTESRecently I read a blog from <a href="http://theinkpotfiles.blogspot.com/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Inkpot</span> </a>about keeping notes, and how she went through notes on stories she wrote years ago.<br /><br />Although I too kept most of my notes and stories from way back (not that long ago, really!), I also have another problem which is not a good one. I tend to keep all versions of stories I write (now that I write on a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">pc</span>). Therefore I have story X version 1, 2, 3.. and so on. I start a story, it's not going well so I re-start it from a different angle, yet I can't bring myself to scrap the first version.<br /><br />I tend to be a hoarder anyway but I think this is pushing it!Valinora Troyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04587671273808005507noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5651377075091173833.post-16702721345151989002008-08-14T01:30:00.001+01:002008-08-14T01:30:01.497+01:00FIRST PERSON PRESENT TENSE...I was watching 'Frasier' the other night. At one point he advises a man who is contemplating writing his biography to use the present tense, that it added a sense of urgency.<br /><br />Like the advice that Frasier gives out on his show, I think this gem stank. Maybe I am being unfair, I have a particular antipathy to the use of present tense, particularly when combined with a first person narrative.<br /><br />I will now rant about this pet peeve of mine.<br /><br />I think using the first person is generally done out of laziness. It saves the author having to describe the MC, or indeed anything at all as we can be shown through the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">MC's</span> eyes instead of having to interpret descriptions. It is much easier to write but what does it add to the story? Usually when I read first person I hear the author's voice rather than the characters - and so often this ruins a perfectly good story where, for the example, the teenage boy/girl sounds like a middle-aged woman. I also think it takes from the story because we know the MC is going to survive (unless the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">author</span> cheats).<br /><br />Present tense - what does that add? Again I think this is done out of pure laziness, and I find it both irritating and boring. Irritating because it makes no sense - you can't tell a story in present tense because every action is immediately in the past. And what does it add? Does it truly make the story any more believable? Or urgent??? I find these stories boring because generally the less <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">talented</span> writers use this format (and if you can prove me wrong, please do so!)<br /><br />First person present tense - <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">arrgh</span> what a combination! I shall say no more.<br /><br />Seriously, I can think of few occasions when first person is used well. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Wilkie</span> Collins 'The Moonstone' is a brilliant exception where the first person narratives are done perfectly and each character is so diverse. I think first person narrative works well for Dean Koontz's Odd Thomas tales but I don't think I'd like to see him use it in his other books. Don't get me wrong - I have enjoyed many stories which have been told in first person (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">eg</span> '<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Rebecca</span>' by D. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">DuMaurier</span>, 'Laughing Gas' by PG Wodehouse) but I think I'd have preferred them written in the third person. (Quick aside: I understand writers like to experiment with different styles, so first person is not always written out of laziness!).<br /><br />I can think of nothing written in the present tense that I could rate as a good read.<br /><br />Please let me know of any books written in either/both first person and present tense that are good!Valinora Troyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04587671273808005507noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5651377075091173833.post-45286076753247223392008-08-12T08:42:00.001+01:002008-08-12T08:42:01.027+01:00Congrats to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Inkpot</span> who has done it again!<br /><br />Yes, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Inkpot</span> has won another writing competition - check out the details <a href="http://theinkpotfiles.blogspot.com/2008/08/cool-contest-challenge.html">here</a>!Valinora Troyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04587671273808005507noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5651377075091173833.post-25852088686999675282008-08-09T17:26:00.002+01:002008-08-11T17:40:23.546+01:00Toffee and HoneyHoney, the new pup in the house, is settling in well, and playing lots of games of chase with Toffee.<br /><br /><div>The other day Toffee curled up in her basket for a rest, but Honey hopped in beside her.</div><div></div><br /><div>It was, of course, a great photo op. Naturally both kept moving once the cameras came out, but here they are anyway:</div><br /><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233299729807376370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijSFt5zvf4Quh-nvQ9rjJ8v91FyXVEWnO1XeqX8jM4Xc2MMBSFjEVCpAF3Ugp1pHfor_nN3lsjfUPIU_8zXL1DCFSeuve4QDVqfGl4zcd9Lz9-r3MWVNYDUJYZNRtF_Ufizi4c1caIyac/s320/Honey+%26+toffee+sharing+the+basket.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><div></div>Valinora Troyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04587671273808005507noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5651377075091173833.post-7153354922901278432008-08-04T12:27:00.000+01:002008-08-09T12:34:07.682+01:00THE NOVELLAI saw the proof copy at the weekend and it looks really good - the cover came out really well, and I really love the pocket size.<br /><br />Had to do a few tweaks to the story so I'm now waiting on a second proof copy. Then it should be ready to go!Valinora Troyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04587671273808005507noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5651377075091173833.post-79863750295955468202008-07-31T18:27:00.003+01:002008-08-01T10:42:41.522+01:00THE OTHER SIDE OF THE MIRROR - COVERThis is the cover of my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">IDB</span> novella <em>The Other Side of the Mirror</em>.<br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5229231506368906386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpk7wEmKm4M0raYGsfLp_4vtlf8zmffiGs-DoZJx5nzTxBxRERlT0ZtntiMWcwLEFmkaE5MqUtrT6Dcwp_r4NMYqEfwwvLn_Li_pVgBtr2wP6gy61-z38qy_JmoTJX5-icb0ExJ6C8cwk/s320/theothersideofthemirror2.jpg" border="0" /><br />Designed by <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Iseult</span> Murphy. Looks good, doesn't it?<br /><br />Currently being proofed, my story should be available in the near future. I'll keep you posted!Valinora Troyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04587671273808005507noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5651377075091173833.post-46186071167514724902008-07-30T11:07:00.001+01:002008-08-01T10:43:21.673+01:00WEBSITE LAUNCHEDI have just launched my website - <a href="http://www.valinoratroy.com/">www.valinoratroy.com</a> .<br /><br />Let me know what you think!Valinora Troyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04587671273808005507noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5651377075091173833.post-31681698770885896732008-07-28T11:27:00.001+01:002008-08-01T10:42:41.522+01:00INTERNATIONAL DAY OF BOOKSYesterday was the <strong>International Day of Books,</strong> and also the 11th anniversary of the Disresponisble Nodpots. How did you spend it?<br /><br />The proof copy of <em>'The Other Side of the Mirror'</em> has not yet arrived from the printers. It has been shipped and it would have been nice to have read it at least on the big day but it was not to be.<br /><br />Instead a new arrival joined the family, a cute 9 week old Cavalier King Charles ruby pup called Honey. It was great fun meeting this cheeky little thing, and it didn't take her long to feel at home.Valinora Troyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04587671273808005507noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5651377075091173833.post-79774261425766671212008-07-23T10:43:00.002+01:002008-08-01T10:42:41.522+01:00THE BIG DAY DRAWS NEARYes, indeed, July 27<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">th</span> approaches!<br /><br />I got the final edit done to my chapbook (although it is quite long and may really be classified as a novella), approved the brilliant cover design, and am now waiting for the printers to ship me a copy.<br /><br />I have to say that I'm really looking forward to seeing it. I hope people will enjoy the story - it's always difficult to judge your own work, so I have no idea whether the tale will bore, bemuse or exasperate people! Naturally I hope it will entertain and amuse them - amuse as in an engaging story, rather than humorous laugh-out-loud, because it's actually meant to be a horror story.<br /><br />Anyway it's called <em>'The Other Side of the Mirror'</em>, and it will be available soon to the general public. I will also be launching my own website in the near future, which will have all the details about my book and the other <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">IDB</span> chapbooks.Valinora Troyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04587671273808005507noreply@blogger.com2