This week our local writers' group welcomed Carol E. Wyer as our guest speaker. Carol gave an entertaining talk about how she drew on personal experience of facing fifty for her debut novel 'Mini Skirts and Laughter Lines'. Published by YouWriteOn in 2011, the novel takes the unusual form of a blog written by the main character.It is always lovely to meet writers who are generous in sharing what they've learnt along the way. Amongst other things, Carol discussed the trend towards digital publishing, and the relative ease of producing eBooks, especially in Kindle format. This reminded me, yet again, that I'd threatened to put my Pocket Novel onto Kindle and still haven't done it!
Social media has been crucial in the marketing and promotion of Carol's book. She continues to write on the themes of 'Mini Skirts and Laughter Lines' in her own blog Facing 50 With Humour.
Here's how Carol describes the novel.
"Amanda Wilson can't decide between murder, insanity and another glass of red wine. Facing 50 and all that it entails is problematic enough. What's the point in minking your eyes, when your husband would rather watch 'Russia Today' than admire you, strutting in front of the television in only thigh boots and a thong?Her son has managed to perform yet another magical disappearing act. Could he actually be buried under the mountain of festering washing which is strewn on his bedroom floor? He'll certainly be buried somewhere when she next gets her hands on him.
At least her mother knows how to enjoy herself. She's partying her twilight years away in Cyprus. Queen of the Twister mat, she now has a toy boy in tow.
She really shouldn't have pressed that send button The past always catches up with you sooner or later. Still, her colourful past is a welcome relief to her monochrome present; especially when it comes in the shape of provocative Todd Bradshaw, her first true love.
Soon Mandy has a difficult decision to make; one that will require more than a few glasses of Chianti."
'Mini Skirts and Laughter Lines' is available from bookshops, online, and also as an eBook. For further details, Carol's website is here.
19 comments:
I am honoured to be featured on your blog Joanne and I thoroughly enjoyed the talk this week. Many thanks for this mention and get that book on Kindle!
You're very welcome Carol and I wish you continued success with your writing.
Kindling WILL reach the top of the 'to do' list before I'm much older!
Carol's book sounds great. I'm off to Amazon to check it out.
And Joanne - you should put your pocket novel on kindle (have you sent it to Ulverscroft for large print?) x
Teresa, I am hopeless at getting round to these things! I would much rather be writing than spending time on technology or marketing. Yes, it could be worth my while trying Ulverscroft. I've thought about it before. I know - I'll add it to the list!
LOL!! Love the story already!! Good for Amanda and her strutting around in thongs and thigh boots! LOL! Yay!
Good luck Carol and all the best with your fun book!
Thanks Joanne and I do hope you get to publish your story using this new-fangled kindle thingy that seems to be all the rage in this brave bold world of self and indie publishing!
Take care
x
Thank you Old Kitty. I will always love real books best but eBooks are growing more popular all the time. We just have to dive in for our own piece of the action!
Thank you, Joanne. This book sounds fabulous and lots of fun, Carol. I shall head off to Amazon!
Carol certainly knows how to sell her book! That description really makes me want to read it. She should write her own cover blurb.
By the way; for some reason Blogger has not been notifying me of your new posts - I thought your were taking a break!
Click here for Bazza’s Blog ‘To Discover Ice’
Thanks Joanna. We certainly had a fun visit.
Bazza, Carol did write the blurb, and is great at the whole promotional side of things. Blogger often has a mind of its own doesn't it. No I'm not taking a break, although I could do with fitting an extra day into the week somehow!
Thanks for sharing this, Joanne. I agree that it's useful to hear of other writers' experiences. At Nottingham Writers we often have novelists, publishers and journalists giving us their views. Social media is a tool that seems to have become essential if you want to be a serious writer.
I agree that it is essential these days, Keith. Your writers' group sounds very enjoyable too.
Sounds a great read! And you should definitely put your pocket novel on kindle, Joanne.
Yes Rosemary, I am definitely going to get to grips with that!
Mini Skirts and Laughter lines sounds like a lot of fun.
Fun with a capital 'F' Patsy!
Joanne - I've tagged you over at mine.
Ok!
Hello - thank you for the follow! :-) Mini Skirts and Laughter Lines sounds great - I'll check it out.
Hi Linda and welcome to the blog!
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