New Website Published

I'm in the publishing zone right now and have now updated my new website. I hope to add to this and make it a place where I can update my progress on all my projects, as well as here of course!
Check out Louise Charles now.

I'm also going to be away from desk now until 7th November. I have plans for my NaNoWriMo 2011 challenge (details on my website) so won't be slacking but I may not get chance to pop in here very often until I return.
Happy Writing, whatever you may be doing...

Foreign Flavours Publication Launched

The day has finally arrived, Foreign Flavours is now available for purchase and will make an excellent gift for friends and family. Packed full of stories, articles and recipes, the foreword is written by none other than the gifted author Alexander McCall Smith and all proceeds are being donated to The Book Bus Charity. What could be better than giving twice?

Website Woes

I'm creating a new website so that I can market my new publication, Reflections, and hopefully share more about my writing projects. I've always gone for the freebie options, but my previous host was so slow it really didn't provide a professional front. So I've paid for some hosting and have decided to use WordPress to design it. The only trouble is creating something new is that you have to go through a whole new learning process again. No two web design programs are the same. They may have similar functions but in order to produce what you want, feels a little like wading through mud. I was hoping that I would be able to share my new creation with you in this post, but I've given up for today. My brain can't cope with all this activity and it's time to move on to something else. Tomorrow will dawn another web creation day.

So what else have I been up to? Well, I have my outline for NaNoWriMo posted on Writers Abroad - so that means I'm committed. I'm actually picking up on the project I prepared for the 2010 challenge, but I was unable to carry it through due to a family emergency. I discovered character synopsis, blurbs, plot ideas all in a wonderful red journal I had bought especially for my preparation. And so much research, where did I find the time? I used the Snowflake method to develop the outline which has really grounded my characters, though they may well choose to change direction half way through.

And finally, Foreign Flavours, Writers Abroad 2011 Anthology is finalised and ready for publication on Monday 24 October. Hoorah!

In Print and On Demand

Well, Reflections is now ready to be courted to the world. Having received my proof copy I made two changes. One was to the colour of the title on the cover. Whilst it looked great on screen, it didn't really transfer well to hard copy. The second was to justify the contents... looks much tidier and I couldn't believe I hadn't done it. So for me, hard copy proofing is a must. I now have to get it uploaded onto Smashwords and create my new website - but am being held back by my domain transfer. But never mind, it's Friday and the weekend ahead full of space for my writing projects.
(Post note: And you can find a link to my publication on the new tab above - My Publications - LouC Publishing)

Which leads me nicely onto the second part of this blog. My November writing project... yes it has to be NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month). This is my third maybe fourth, time. I had to abandon it last year due to a family emergency and I shall be in the UK again for the first week of November but I'm determined to see it through. I just have to choose which project I'm going to dedicate it to. I know I should be grateful in one way but I have about four options I could use, including the one I prepped for last year... so this weekend I shall be weighing up all the options, revisiting the characters and making my choice. I think I might make them star in a kind of Strictly Come Dancing challenge, to see which one sparkles and glides across the floor and then give them marks out of ten!
Until Later...

Feel Good Foreign Flavours

I'm severely behind with my own projects but I have a good excuse...

As you know, my writing group - Writers Abroad - is in the throes of producing it's second Anthology. It's called Foreign Flavours and we have selected a mixture of short stories and non fiction pieces (64 in total) to appear alongside a foreword written by non other than acclaimed author Alexander McCall Smith. It's in the final stages of production, all pieces having been edited, proofed, pdf'd and sent to authors for approval. It totals approximately 70k words and includes 27 recipes from around the world. We have even included images relating to the recipes to make the finished product 'stand out on the shelf'.

Although at times the process has been tortuous to to say the least, I'm really pleased with the way it is shaping up. But it's not just been a solo effort, every member of Writers Abroad has been tasked with something or another, from reading, editing, proofing, producing images, covers, blurb, marketing strategy and being nobbled to do a radio interview! It's a team production; written, edited and produced by a group of expat writers who just happen to be extremely committed to a professional end result. And we're hoping to make a shed load of moulah for the charity, Book Bus, who provide reading opportunities to children in Africa. Members are even talking about next years production! Wipes brow dramatically... So all round a really good 'feel factor' to the whole project. Keep posted for details of publication around the week commencing 24th October, I'm hoping some of my readers will support our worthy cause.

And in the post today came my proof copy of Reflections! I've already decided to make a few changes to the front cover in terms of colour and then it's ready to hit the shelves...