'Distant Shadows' New Review Quote

Great new review on Amazon for 'Distant Shadows'

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Distant-Shadows-Jayne-Marie-Barker/product-reviews/184963176X/ref=la_B007EDJ7SW_1_1_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

The Silent Beginning

It is easy to write a book… or so they say.  Almost every writer has suffered in silence at one point or another when some kind-meaning reader or enthusiast stands there telling them how lovely it must be to write a novel, and how they are always meaning to start theirs, and how great it’ll be when it’s done.

Whilst writers love to talk to readers it can be a touch irritating hearing how straight forward it must be to write a book, when deep down they know that crafting a novel is pure hard work!  If only the poor unsuspecting public knew how difficult it is to sustain the smile whilst they are being told all this.  Naturally it would be impolite to correct the reader so many writers nod along with a pleasant smile.  It wouldn’t be fair to discourage people anyway, particularly from such a rewarding job.  Yes, it is not easy, but it is well worth the hard work so don’t be put off if you’re one of the millions all planning to pen your first novel next year.

Many writers often appear to come out of nowhere or arrive on the shelves or best sellers list overnight.  In reality this couldn’t be further from the truth.Like all professions, writers must develop their skills over time and serve their apprenticeship years.  What this usually refers to is the long stretch of time before anything they have written is ever published, but they continue to chip away, perfecting their craft gradually, hopefully leaning a few new tricks along the way.  One day an agent or publisher says yes, actually, I will take a chance on you, and the writer immediately leaps into the air in disbelief at having finally jumped the first hurdle.

The beginning of any writer’s career, before their work is published, is obviously unknown to the rest of the world.  It is the silent beginning, when hope is high and ambition strong, when chances seem minuscule and neigh impossible.  It’s the toughest time, so you think, until you take the next step and you find new challenges to content with.  This is probably true of life in general but we must plough on, if only to find out what happens!

Characters - how well do you know them?

How well do you know the characters in the book you’re currently reading?

It’s a question we rarely ask ourselves, but as writers, we must get to know our characters inside out if we want to attain the dizzy heights of fictional bliss.

Building a cast of fictional people in the readers’ minds can be fun and exhilarating but it takes work and dedication.  A character should appear to be a real person, all be it existing purely in a fictional or imaginary sense.  They need to have well-rounded physical appearances, quirky mannerisms to make them unique, faults and talents, accents, and appropriate names.

I find it helpful to create a personal history for each character.  This may or may not feature in the story, but it adds to their personality none the less, and helps me visualise them as real people when spinning the tale.  Just because the writer knows the tiny details about a character doesn’t necessarily mean all those minute points will end up in the novel.

It is an interesting question, whether or not to paint the picture of a character fully.  Do you, for instance, prefer to have a fully described individual down to hair and eye colour, height and additional details about their personality, the way they walk, their favourite colour, the way they react to news etc.  Maybe you prefer a less precise image, their movements likened to the slow crawl of the earth worm or their features chiselled into focus as they strain at the keyhole…. Before any writer can effectively draw a character in the readers mind, they need to understand their roles in the story, and consequently, the length to which that character should stand out from the cast.

So, I ask you, whether you are a reader or a writer, the next time you read a book have a little think about what you know of the main characters, and maybe one or two of the extras.  It could be fun, write down what you know about each character, then look back carefully and work out how much of this was actually given to you in the text, and how much you’ve plucked from your own imagination….  If a large portion is from your imagination then the writer has crafted the character to perfection – they are as you imagine them, fully formed in your own mind.  Job done!

'Beneath The Daisies' Review

Read the fabulous review of 'Beneath The Daisies' here: Blog Spot - Review
Mystery People Website link: http://www.mysterypeople.co.uk/b.html

Lowestoft Journal - new feature!!

Read the follow up piece in the Lowestoft Journal here

'Distant Shadows' out now

The long awaited 'Distant Shadows' is out now - full details: www.jaynemariebarker.com and facebook page http://t.co/V1pP6dqA

Live Radio Interview 11th Oct 2012

Listen into BBC Radio Suffolk Thurs 11th Oct 2.40pm ish to hear my live interview!!!

Pre-Order 'Distant Shadows' at Waterstones!!

http://www.waterstones.com/waterstonesweb/advancedSearch.do?buttonClicked=1&author=Jayne-Marie+Barker&searchType=2

Pre-order 'Distant Shadows' at Amazon

Click here to Pre-Order 'Distant Shadows' at Amazon now!!

I'm so excited - hurray!

Celebrating In Style!!

Hello

I wanted to share some exciting news with you; the launch of 'Distant Shadows' is being celebrated in style! It’s my second novel so I’m having two launch parties!

Party 1 at Waterstones Lowestoft
Wednesday 11th October 2012 - 7pm onwards
Free entry - to get your free tickets please email quantity required and your postal address to contact@jaynemariebarker.com

©      Free refreshments including a fabulous feature cake

©      Background themed music

©      Copies available for purchase with optional author signature

©      Reading and Q&A session

©      Dedicated photographer

©      Local newspapers & radio stations invited

©      Families welcome

Venue details: Waterstones, 98 London Road North, Lowestoft NR32 1ET
Tel: 0843 290 8467 / Fax: 01502 585595.  E-mail: manager@lowestoft.waterstones.com  Site: http://www.waterstones.com

Signing session at Waterstones Lowestoft on Saturday 13th October 2012 from 11am

Party 2 at Waterstones Hitchin
Wednesday 17^th October 2012 - 6pm onwards
Free entry – to get your free tickets please email quantity required and your postal address to contact@jaynemariebarker.com

©      Free refreshments

©      Live Music; we’re very lucky to have the highly talented Jacen Bruce playing themed and well-known tracks

©      Copies available for purchase and author signature

©      Reading and Q&A session

©      Dedicated photographer

©      Local newspapers & radio stations invited

©      Families welcome

Venue details: Waterstones, 32 Market Place, Hitchin SG5 1DY
Tel: 0843 290 8391 / Fax: 01462 422312.  E-mail: manager@hitchin.waterstones.com  Site: http://www.waterstones.com

Signing session at Waterstones Hitchin on Saturday 20^th October 2012 from 2.30pm

Come and join the party to welcome 'Distant Shadows' to the shelves!! Chat casually with other like-minded folk and enjoy the fun.
Looking forward to seeing you all soon.
Jayne-Marie