Susan Jones – Writer

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Hello, and welcome to my website ~ here you will get a view on my books and life as a published author. It’s been a long journey to getting here ~ finally I am now writing full time and hope you enjoy what you find here. If you want to get in touch, follow the links, and I’ll get back to you soon.

Susan Jones writes romantic drama with a touch of humour, and historical sagas as Lydia King. She lives in North Warwickshire, and loves walking through the beautiful woodlands where she lives, and gardening and reading are her pastimes.

Writing a novel.

Have you ever written a novel, and been struggling with characters, and wondering why these people bother to get up in the mornings? I love choosing a catchy title, getting going with the opening lines, then a few more paragraphs. I even get through a chapter or two, then the interest drifts off. Once when I got stuck on chapter 11, I went through my vast bookcase, looking at as many chapter 11’s as I could to see what goes on in chapter 11… You see, I’d got bored with my own story by then. Isn’t that daft.

So, to remedy this, I’m doing an online course with the lovely Sally Quillford who is full of good advice; isn’t it strange that when people point out where we’ve gone wrong, it becomes clear. Just like those detective stories when all is revealed at the end. Speaking of detective stories, I’ve just finished reading Paint me a Picture By Patsy Collins. It’s an interesting read, with Mavis being the main character. Through the story, Mavis becomes more and more confident, and has some romantic moments. At one point, I worried that her boyfriend was something more sinister. Won’t give it away though, as it’s well worth reading.

I have a few short stories out at the moment, and sending one to WW this week, so keep fingers crossed for me. To get to grips with the novel, and keep at it and at least get it finished, I’ve created a group on yahoo.com… it’s called writingyournovel where anyone who wants to discuss what stage they’re at, or how they’re going on is welcome to join. Let me know if you’re interested in having a chat on there and I can add you to the list. There’s one member so far, and that’s me. Aw,,,. The thing that keeps me going with this particular one is that I was on the shortlist last year at the RNA new talent awards. I’ve had good feedback from the lovely judges, so I owe it to myself to keep on with it. If you’d like to join, send me an email.

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Digital image

Digital image

It’s all getting a bit of a squash on our front windowsill as you can see.

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18 responses to “Writing a novel.”

  1. bardessdmdenton Avatar
    bardessdmdenton

    Keep writing, Susan … a novel is something you need to keep at, even if you have a break from writing on it now and then … and good luck with your short story, too! XO

    Reply
    1. susanjanejones Avatar
      susanjanejones

      Thank you Diane, you should know, I’ve got your book on my bookcase to prove it. Thanks for popping by.xx

      Reply
  2. Lynne Hackles Avatar
    Lynne Hackles

    You’re not alone. I once left a character sitting on a tombstone. She’s been there for 30 years now. I must remember to send her some cream for her piles.

    Reply
    1. susanjanejones Avatar
      susanjanejones

      Lynne that is hilarious! the poor woman, you must get her off there, she must be starving:)))) You should have saved that for November giggles…. Enjoying your writing mag column. I’m taking your advice and getting help with the writing.

      Reply
  3. Sally Jenkins Avatar
    Sally Jenkins

    Good Luck with that novel, Susan. I really struggle with longer works – I always get a touch of the saggy middles!

    Reply
    1. susanjanejones Avatar
      susanjanejones

      Yes, me too Sally, determined to keep going though, just to prove I can.

      Reply
  4. Teresa Avatar
    Teresa

    You certainly should keep going – I think the group is a lovely idea – and Sally’s course! Good luck 🙂 x

    Reply
    1. susanjanejones Avatar
      susanjanejones

      Thank you Teresa, it was you who said, ‘be confident’ when I sent this out to the RNA new talent awards last year, and I was over the moon to be on the shortlist of 20 from over a hundred entries. Knowing the judges saw something worthwhile in there spurs me on.. Thanks for your support.

      Reply
  5. Patsy Collins Avatar
    Patsy Collins

    Keep at it. Novels take a long time, so a lapse in enthusiasm every now and again is understandable.
    Really pleased you enjoyed Paint Me a Picture. Did you know it took ten years to write?

    Reply
  6. susanjanejones Avatar
    susanjanejones

    Oh Patsy, ten years, that’s perseverance, I’ve been writing my Hats off to Love for a couple of years now, so I’m in the early stages aren’t I? It’s getting the genre for me, I drift from romance to history and mystery and nursery rhyme I think:)))

    Reply
  7. rosgemmell Avatar
    rosgemmell

    Well done on being proactive in your writing – enjoy the course!

    Reply
    1. susanjanejones Avatar
      susanjanejones

      Thanks Rosemary, we have to keep trying don’t we?xx

      Reply
  8. charliebritten Avatar
    charliebritten

    I read ‘Paint Me a Picture’ about a year ago… and reviewed it on Copperfield Press. A very thoughtful novel. I’m thinking about your novel writing group right now…

    Reply
  9. susanjanejones Avatar
    susanjanejones

    Hi Charlie, great to see you here. If you’d like to join the novel writing group, let me know and I’ll send an invite. Are you doing Sally’s course this year? Talk soon.

    Reply
  10. Linda Avatar
    Linda

    I’m naturally a very slow writer so although I often had ideas for novels I resisted starting one for a long time because I was sure I’d never finish it. But in 2005, I did NaNoWriMo and managed to write about 40,000 words in a month. Of course most of it was complete rubbish but I didn’t throw it away, I just put it out of sight for over a year. When I did look at it again I was surprised to find that amongst all the waffle there was a story in there, although not exactly the story I thought I had been writing! I played about with it for another year or so until I had a detailed outline of the whole thing, then left it again …
    I’m now on Chapter 6 of what I hope will be the final draft, but I’m really enjoying writing it because I don’t have to keep stopping to wonder what’s going to happen next or going back to alter earlier scenes. No idea how long it will take to finish it though because I’m also writing short stories, articles and a children’s book!

    Reply
    1. susanjanejones Avatar
      susanjanejones

      Thanks Linda, for letting me know I’m not alone in trying and wanting to write a novel, and keeping going is the key.

      Reply
  11. Tracy Fells Avatar
    Tracy Fells

    Good luck with the novel, Susan. The RNA endorsement of the novel opening must be a motivator, keep going!

    Reply
    1. susanjanejones Avatar
      susanjanejones

      Yes Tracy, I remember at the time you said ‘that will look good on the cv.’ and also it does keep my going on with it.

      Reply

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