Russell's Writing Blog

About Me


I'm 46, Married with two sons. This blog will document my attempt to get my children's novel published.
Enjoy the blog. To comment on any of the posts, just click on the title of the post you want to comment on.  Play nicely!

Looking very hopeful

March 18, 2013
I let the first agent know that someone else has requested my manuscript (it's only good manners after all). She says she's sent it to a colleague for a second opinion, which is really promising. I can't imagine anyone doing that if the first opinion wasn't positive. Here's hoping!

Posted by Russell Sanderson. Posted In : Agent update 

 

Must be doing something right...

March 14, 2013
Just had an email from another agent asking for my full manuscript and asking me to check in with her before accepting a deal with any other agents.  I must be doing something right - at least I know there's nothing wrong with my first 3 chapters if it can interest 3 agents.  Fingers crossed!
Continue reading...

Posted by Russell Sanderson. Posted In : Agent update 

 

Excellent Character Portraits

February 21, 2013
I had to share some excellent character portraits done by my extremely talented Niece, Emily.  They really bring the story to life.



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Posted by Russell Sanderson.

 

Letting the train take the strain

February 16, 2013
Spending the week touring Northern cities for the day job, I feared I'd get no work done but on the train I actually got the time to finish the first draft of the second Pandora Wolfe book plot - approx 60 chapters plotted out.  Got a long weekend this week, so I intend to try and pull it into some semblance of order, change the timings of some events and ensure the pacing is right. Once that's finished, I'll start the writing proper. By the way, the working title of the sequel is Pandora Wol...
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Posted by Russell Sanderson. Posted In : Writing update 

 

Working stops me working

February 10, 2013
The day job has been demanding far more hours than its usually due this week, requiring all the time and effort that I'd normally put into writing but hey, gotta keep paying those bills. Turns out I am motivated by money after all, or at least the risk of not having any.  Still, I managed to have some ideas and will attempt to get them down in black and white this week.  No more news from agents yet, so the show must go on as they say.

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Posted by Russell Sanderson. Posted In : Writing update 

 

And then there was one.

February 2, 2013
Looks like all my eggs are back in one basket again. The second agent who asked for the manuscript last week came back to me on Friday to say that while she'd hugely enjoyed it, she didn't feel the 100% commitment that she'd need to represent me.  I had originally been hoping for more feedback but I'd read during the week that a lot of agents give fairly general feedback as they don't want to steer writers in the wrong direction. In all honesty I'd already been looking at the other writers sh...
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Posted by Russell Sanderson. Posted In : Agent update 

 

....Then two come along at once.

January 25, 2013
Well a second agent has got in touch and has told me that she's really enjoyed the first three chapters and wants to read the rest. I sent her the manuscript tonight and she replied immediately saying that she was looking forward to reading it.

Sounds promising!  TTFN



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Posted by Russell Sanderson. Posted In : Agent update 

 

Confidence and Competition

January 22, 2013

A chance reading of an article in a writing magazine has led me to do something I've never done before and entered the book into a competition.  The Northern Writer's Awards is for new (i.e. unpublished) authors living in the North of England and winners will be rewarded with prizes ranging from cash to editorial support and contacts in the publishing industry.  The closing date is 31st but I won't hear anything until the summer. I've only really had the confidence to try since letting people...


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Posted by Russell Sanderson. Posted In : Writing update 

 

Write On

January 20, 2013
Despite a potentially fatal bout of Man Flu (or as my wife cruelly refers to it "a mild cold" - she'll feel ever so guilty when I'm gone) I've heroically continued to plan this weekend and have reached chapter 41.  The story is hotting up now and I've added the first bit about Lord Morland's (the leader of the bad guys) magic powers.  Not long now before what's really going on becomes apparent to the main characters.

Only maybe 15 or so chapters to go to the end of the plan but I already know ...
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Posted by Russell Sanderson. Posted In : Writing update 

 

Paranoia and Progress

January 15, 2013
A month after sending my manuscript I succumbed to my inner OCD which kept saying "I bet they never got your email and you're waiting in vain" and emailed the agent to check it had arrived (while being clear that I wasn't checking on progress or being pushy).  They got back straight away and said it had been recieved and was in a queue, so I can relax.

On the plus side I haven't been idle and have continued plotting out book 2 - up to chapter 34 so far. I've invented three new magical items fo...
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Posted by Russell Sanderson. Posted In : Writing update 

 
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