Hey everyone

So, it's come to that time of the year again...

It's Halloween, which we South Africans don't really celebrate historically, although I see it may be on the rise. I do enjoy the range of scary movies on the telly, though, I must say.
 
I've been suffering from the usual Octoberitis for the last month along with the majority of my colleagues - you know, the condition where your body just physically refuses to continue with your day job from exactly 1 October onwards out of sheer and utter exhaustion.

My philanthropic duties have been completed for 2013 (for now). For those of you who participate in the Santa Shoebox Project, you'll know what I mean. And for those of you who don't, why not check out their website and consider signing up for next year for this worthy cause at www.santashoebox.co.za

The preliminary Christmas gift lists and budgets have been commenced and holiday plans are being made.

And, of course, there's our beloved annual NaNoWrimo, which starts in exactly 40 minutes!!! For those of you who haven't heard about this yet, it's an absolute crazy challenge that writer's plunge themselves into to write 50 000 words in a month - the month of November, that it. Everyone needs to write a minimum of 1667 words daily in order to make the final wordcount. This will be my second year participating and the pre-Nano jitters are rife! This is an international event and this year our regional group has challenged a group in Canada to a word war, which simply means that we'll see who'll be able to tally up the highest wordcount by the end of the challenge. So with clattering teeth and heart palpitations, I'm making sure that the cupboards are stocked with sufficient coffee and chocolates to get me to 50 000 words! If you'd like to keep up with my progress, I've added a widget to the sidebar (the light blue box on the right). Any words of encouragement would be most welcome! :)

And so I bid you adieu on this NaNoWrimo Eve. Until we meet again.

Carmen
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Hi everyone...

It's been a while since my last blog and there are a few reasons for that. One is that I've been having major issues with internet connectivity and hardware. My laptop actually crashed two days ago - while I was in the middle of writing! But that's been sorted now. My lovely husband got me a very early Christmas present in the form of a brand new laptop - in red! :) Gotta love him. He's equally as keen about my writing as I am.

Then there's the bit about the actual writing. I've started on my second novel in The Ternion Series and am about 22 000 words in. I've received some feedback from a publisher regarding the first novel, and I'm still deciding what to do about that. I wrote my very first horror story (well, attempted at least) and entered it as part of the SA Horrorfest. The writing group to which I belong has decided to do an Anthology, which we're all super excited about! The theme is 'Storm,' and we're hoping to launch it mid-2014, so watch this space. So I've been busy on that as well.

I'm also in the middle of doing a rewrite / edit on the very first novella I ever wrote at the age of 17, called 'Dead-End Dreams.' I am hoping to get this online within the next few months. And then, last, but not least, I was privileged to have written a guest blog for Linze Brandon on Time Management in the life of a writer. Please go check it out at this link: http://linzebrandon.blogspot.com/2013/09/guest-post-time-management-by-carmen.html

So, as you can see, I've been quiet for good reason. Sorry for neglecting you!

I hope to be back soon :)

Carmen
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 I’d like to start off by saying something like, “If you like this book or this movie, then you’ll really enjoy Dollhouse by Anya Allyn.” I’d like to – but I can’t. Not because it’s not as good as any book or movie out there, but simply because it’s not easily comparable.
 
Dollhouse by Anya Allyn, for me, is a different breed of book. It’s dark. It’s gothic. There are certainly elements of horror in there. It’s a mish-mash that works really well, I think.
 
While searching in the young adult section on my Kindle app, I stumbled across this little gem by accident. Well, not by accident really. I was in that particular section and the book cover caught my attention. Yes, yes, I know. Never judge a book by its cover. All that glitters is not gold. And I have been caught out on numerous occasions, but I have to say that this time, it worked out pretty well. 
 
If dark, supernatural YA novels are what you’re into, then Dollhouse is certainly for you. In an Australian town, girls have gone missing over the years within the surrounding mountains, never to be found again. When Aisha Dumaj goes missing in this very area, her boyfriend Ethan and friends, Cassie and Lacey, go looking for her. What they find is nothing short of a horror story.
 
I loved the premise of this book and was kept engaged throughout. I found it to be full of suspense, making me eager to read more. I finished the book in about a night-and-a-half, and when I did, I was somewhat disappointed that it ended as a cliff hanger, but excited that there was more to come. The characters and their dialogue were typical yet believable and the romantic undercurrents and subtle love triangle were dealt with skilfully. 
 
In Dollhouse, Cassie, Ethan, Lacey and Aisha’s strengths are tested, their friendships are tried and in this new world of extremely weird characters where they find themselves trapped, they have to fight against delirium, starvation, clowns, dolls and death.
 
Allyn’s writing is beautiful and descriptive and I felt her words drawing me into this surreal and sometimes terrifying world that she has created on every page. 
 
At times the storyline felt confusing, but I think that this illustrated how the characters felt in the situations they found themselves in. I can honestly say that there were moments in this book where I was truly scared. And I loved it!
 
All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed Dollhouse. I am so happy to have stumbled upon this author and I am looking forward to reading Paper Dolls, Book #2 soon.

1. I love the premise of this book. Where did you get your idea for the Dollhouse series?
 Thank you :). I had the first threads of an idea when I went away to the place that the book is set in - Barrington Tops (in Australia). The eerie beauty of places there such as Ladies Well had me thinking ghostly thoughts. Weirdly, even a photo of me there came out ghostly….
 
2. Do you enjoy writing in this genre?
Yes, definitely! It's not something I've tackled before. I've always been more into sci fi. I didn't realise I was writing horror until the end of the book, because it doesn't have any gore in it. Then I realised my book had all the hallmarks of the Gothic genre. So the Dollhouse series is Gothic horror -definitely not one of the popular genres to choose to write in!
 
3. You’re fast! These books are coming out at lightning speed. Did you write continuously or did you take a break in between writing
each book?
I'd like to think I'm fast, but I'm glacially-slow compared to others I know who are writing and putting out books within a month! It takes me around four months to a complete draft and then more weeks for editing. I don't take breaks because I'm unable to do so - even if I'm
not writing, some story or other is busily writing itself in my head!
 
4. How much do you generally write in a day?
Anywhere from 400 to 4000 words. It's rare that I write nothing at all.
 
5. Clowns are not my favourite things in the world, so there were a few scenes which terrified me. Were you able to sleep at night while writing these books?
Clowns used to terrify me too! And dolls… And being trapped underground… I wrote about all the things that used to scare me silly when I was a kid. I used to have to put the dolls in a wardrobe at night so they couldn't 'watch me sleep'. I think, with this book, I must have been
exorcising my childhood demons. The writing of it did at some points get under my skin - especially those late-night writing sessions. I wondered if I was making this book too damned scary and if I should lighten it up (I didn't).
 
6. When can we expect book four?
Book 4 is around half the way there - more if you go by word length, but editing can take longer than the writing, so I'll say half! I'm not sure when I'll have it finished but it will take me another couple of months at the very least.
 
7. What are your writing plans once this series is complete?
I'm not sure which way I'll head after this. I absolutely do want to write the prequel to Dollhouse, which will be set in the 14th century  - it keeps writing itself in my head as I'm writing Book 4 (which is very distracting!). I also have the idea for a Gothic romance/thriller - which would be fun to write. And then I have a YA dystopian that I've already written and I love the story, so I might release that one. I'm just not sure which way I want to go yet!
 
8. Are you a plotter or a pantser?
I'm both, but good at neither. Writing four books in a series has told me a lot about how my mind works - my mind is a scary, jumbled place lol!  There are lots of crisscrossing story lines running from Dollhouse 1 to the end of Dollhouse 4 ( some pantsed and some plotted), but they're strangely all wrapping up neatly, so there may be some method underneath the madness yet….
 
9. You’re a busy mom. How do you manage to write and be mother to four boys?
The two eldest are grown and big enough to look after themselves! The two youngest are eleven and seven - I write while they are at school. Last year, I homeschooled the youngest for the last months of the year, and I wrote every night from 9pm until 1am. It's not easy, but the
great thing is that it's a job you don't need to leave home to do, which leaves more time for your family.

Carmen’s TOP TEN: (with a nod to Amanda Patterson's 17 Questions)
1. If you could choose to be any character in a book, who would you be and why?
Hermione Granger from Harry Potter. Boarding school where there is magic and adventure every day would be extremely cool!
 
2. Which book have you read the most in your lifetime?
Charlotte's Web. I read it when I was very young and it became a favourite that I read many times.
 
3. What can’t you leave home without?
It can't be my phone, shoes or wallet, because I often go off walking without those! I'd have to say, I can't leave home without a good reason, because it cuts into my valuable writing time!
 
4. What book that you’ve written is your favourite?
The one I'm currently writing always seems to be my favourite!
 
5. Other than your own books, what are your top 3 books?
Oh, my own aren't amongst my top books - not even close! I'd say 1984, Pride and Prejudice and Lord of the Rings.
 
6. What is your favourite place in the world?
The ocean, wherever in the world it is.
 
7. What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
Be bold. Write what is in the deepest part of you and forget what anyone else is writing or doing.
 
8. What is your most treasured possession?
A key ring belonging to my mother, who is no longer with us. I have pieces of her jewellery, but the key ring was something she used almost every day, and it reminds me of her and of home.
 
9. What do you do in your spare time?
Bushwalking and reading. Am also an avid movie-watcher.
 
10. Describe your perfect day.
With family, outside in spring weather, with some yummy food.

Dollhouse, Paper Dolls and Marionette are all available as Kindle e-books. Dollhouse is currently free! :)

Find Anya Allyn at:
Website: www.anyaallyn.com
Twitter: @Anya_Allyn
Facebook: www.facebook.com/AuthorAnyaAllyn

I was first introduced to the works of the late great Douglas Adams when I was in Std 7 (Grade 9). It was on our weekly family trip to the local library one Thursday evening. Walking through the quiet aisles that evening, with my quota of books that I would read that week safely tucked under one arm, I was killing time until my sisters had finished their hoard.
 
I knew the aisles pretty well already. I’d seen all those books before – week after week, neatly packed away on the shelves. And then I saw ‘The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.’ I’d seen it many times before, but I’d never picked it up. The title was a bit odd. Some futuristic book with someone travelling through space, I thought. Not exactly what I was into at that time. But because I had time, I picked it up and read the cover.
 
A trilogy in four parts. Even odder than the title. I was intrigued.
 
“One Thursday lunchtime the Earth is unexpectedly demolished to make way for a new hyperspace bypass.” 

That was the clincher!
 
I quickly put back one of my already carefully chosen books and grabbed this one. And I am glad to say that the rest is history. 
  
This was the first book I had ever read where I actually had to set it down next to me just so that I could have a good laugh before carrying on again. I loved the language and the way he described things and his flow of thought. It was bizarre! It was genius!
 
One of my absolute favourite lines which I remember to this day is: “The ships hung in the sky in much the same way that bricks
don’t.”
 
Needless to say, the next Thursday I reluctantly returned ‘The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy’, and took out ‘The Restaurant at the End of
the Universe’, ‘Life, the Universe and Everything’ & ‘So Long, and Thanks for All The Fish’, just to be safe.
 
My reading repertoire was drastically changed from then on in for which I am eternally grateful.
 
And so, on this Towel Day 25 May 2013, I salute you Mr Adams. Thank you for Vogon poetry, the Babel fish, towels and the meaning of life (or should I say Liff? )
 
So go get your towels ready. I have mine. And if you’ve forgotten, you still have four days to go, so DON’T PANIC!


 

My journey of becoming a published writer has been immensely interesting so far and has taught me quite a few unexpected things, which I have listed below to name but a few. 


1.    I learned to stop making excuses.
I used to tell myself that the reason I was in my thirties and not yet published was because I was too busy; because my day job exhausted me; because I needed to write when inspiration hit me, and if it came at an inopportune time like when I was at work, well I couldn’t very well just stop what I was doing and write, could I? But when I set this goal for myself, I rekindled the love of writing that has always been inside of me. I learned that, like with anything else, it required discipline and commitment. So I drew up a timetable for myself and set daily goals. I made myself sit at my laptop every night and write something, even if it was just five hundred words. And within about a 6 month period, I had managed to complete my first full-length novel.
 
2.    The writing is the easy part.
Yes, believe it or not, after having made all these excuses about why I was not able to write, when I completed the novel I realised that that was actually the easy part. Now I had to figure out what to do with it! Did I want to go to a traditional publisher? Was it better to go the e-book route? And when I delved into it a little bit more, I discovered obstacles such as getting an IRS number in order to sell on Amazon, etc. With regards to traditional publishers, I discovered that it was not as easy to categorise my book into a genre as I thought. Was it a book for teens or young adults? It was fiction, but also fantasy and also adventure. And then there was the question of whether South
African publishers should be approached or international or both. And then came the cover letter, the author biography and the dreaded synopsis, which scared me most of all!
 
3.    I learned to believe in myself again.
My husband, who is not an avid reader by any stretch of the imagination, is wonderfully supportive. Once I voiced my goals to him he was immediately enthusiastic and became my personal cheerleader. My parents and sisters, who have always been fans (naturally) gave their unfaltering support as well. In fact, my sister bugs me nearly daily to hear how far I am with the second book!  And as for myself, I learned to just enjoy the art of writing again and the feeling of letting ideas flow freely. It’s such a wonder to be so caught up in a story that three hours feels like only a few minutes. 
  
4.    I love Social Media.
So I realised that, either way, I was going to have to get myself acquainted with all the social media out there. I learned about blogging and website design and blog tours and retweets. I had heard of Twitter, but I never really had any desire to engage in it. But then one day I signed up and I can happily say that I haven’t looked back. I have met such absolutely wonderful people out there! Really, you guys are my i-support and I appreciate you all so much. The best thing was to see that I was not alone in this quest. Yes, I may be sitting on the southern bit of Africa, but I can relate with each and every one of you. Of course, some are further ahead in the journey than others, but that provides inspiration for which I am truly grateful.

 
So, all in all, writing has taught me so much more than I ever thought it would, and I’m positive that I’m still only at
the beginning. It has also absolutely cemented in me the fact that I want to be a full-time writer – but that’s another blog on its own. So with my manuscript currently with two publishing houses, I am keeping my fingers crossed, trying to forget about it as much as possible (as it will most likely take about 3-6 months for any sort of feedback in any case) and continue to write as much as it pleases me. I will also take these words of Lauren Beukes to heart, on tweeting about submissions and rejections:
“It is nerve-wracking. You will get rejections. It’ll hurt like a bitch. Learn to roll with the gutpunches. Get up, go again.”

Until next time.

Carmen
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