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#HistFicThursdays - National Mammal Week

 It's true that the title of this blog does not look like anything to do with historical fiction, but the equilibrium between wildlife and humanity was not always so precarious as it is now. Finding the balance which existed at the time you're writing can be a very useful tool to setting a believable background for your writing. So here are a few mammal considerations... Wild mammals were everywhere - they still are, in fact! Whether you're writing about the middle of a city or the middle of nowhere, it should be a given that these animals will influence life. As well as the obvious and frequently maligned rats and mice, other mammals have cohabited our cities with us. Foxes have always had a partially urban existence, and the building of cities on waterways also often lead to otters and (depending on how far inland they were) seals being resident. Mankind knew how to find wild mammals  - there is a continuous development in the scientific study of our wild mammals and this...

NaNoWriMo Day 30 - What Next?

Saturday 30th November - What Next?

Wow! We've made it to the end of NaNoWriMo.  If you managed your 50,000 words: Congratulations!  If you managed to get off the starting block: Congratulations!  Whatever anyone tells you, there is nothing easy about writing a book.  Even when you enjoy it, it's still hard work.

So, what happens next?  Here's what Crowvus suggests:

  1. Have a party - you've deserved it! And, by the way, a party only needs to have as few or as many people as you want.  My favourite parties have been family affairs.  It's important to be proud of yourself, and to celebrate your success.
  2. Revisit your novel - I suggest you re-read the whole thing.  Pick up and iron out any continuity issues and correct any typos you spot, but don't go through looking for them.  Proofreading comes later.
  3. Find your First Reader - for advice on this you can read our Day 15 blog.
  4. Rerevisit your novel - decide which of the First Reader's comments you want to build on and make these changes.
  5. Proofreading - you can choose whether to employ someone or find a friend, but proofreading should not be done by yourself or your First Reader.  You need someone who is not familiar with your writing and story.
  6. Rererevisit your novel - no need to add or change anything other than any issues your proofreader highlighted.  Some proofreaders will make these changes for you.
  7. Editing - for advice on this you can read our Day 10 blog.  This stage takes time, and will probably take a lot of to-ing and fro-ing for your manuscript.
  8. Rerererevisit your novel - this is your novel's final visit before handing it over.
  9. Decide your publishing route - whether through a publisher or self-publishing, your book is now ready to go "Out There".
On behalf of Crowvus, Congratulations!

Image result for congratulations free clipart


Thanks for sharing NaNoWriMo with us!

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