This is not as easy as we might think. And even though I believe my novel is a very good story with great memorable characters… it is getting past they’re first reservations with  a storyline of this nature.

In today’s economy Publishers are hard pressed. Do they take a chance on a new author? or stay with the authors they all ready represent? The answer to that is the question is one I am still trying to figure out. I am a hopeful person and since my childhood it has been a dream of mine to have at least one of my books published by a major publisher.

So here I am doing what needs to be done. Progress may be slow but I am still making progress.

On a positive note a member of the Scriptwriter’s Network Paul Myerberg reviewed one of my script analysis of one of the scripts I reviewed for Scriptwriter’s Network and he said of my work:

Paul

I do have another one of my interview articles coming out in The Writer Magazine this March 2012. Be sure to pick up a copy and read my article with Caroline Leavitt New York Times Best Selling Author.

In the meantime I have adapted my family saga novel into a screenplay of the same name. Ideas keep popping into my head so fast I have a writing-tablet at my bedside in order for me to write these ideas down.

Keep writing.

Robin

I hope this year showed you that with a little effort much can be accomplished.

I am truly grateful that I did not succumb to negative thinking and give up, especially with writing. With all the publishing markets being more cautious and not accepting new or too many projects, it was hard to have a wait-and-see attitude.

It is my desire that 2012 will be a block buster year for all of us. I hope you and your families will be blessed with wondrous good health and prosperity.

My prayers go out to each one of you.

Have a safe Holiday Season.

Robin Garland

livingtreemedia.com
livingtreemedia.wordpress.com
Tanglewood books for children

I have forgotten how complex this can get when trying to create or update a new website. So after several near misses… I am now in the process of uploading files and pictures and debugging all the small issues I might have missed.

While I have been doing this, I am also beginning a new novel – the second story in a family saga series I created.

I love it! If I could spend all my days writing and creating I would be in heaven although I don’t know how the mortgage would get paid. Ha-ha!

Till next time, stay warm and keep writing.

Oh yes, the website I am updating is: livingtreemedia.com

I have read screenplays all year-long and doing story analysis for writer’s. One thing I get asked is do you write screenplays or can you adapt my novel into a screenplay for me.

The answers is: YES.

So if you are interested in having your novel, manuscript, or works in progress adapted into a screenplay –  send an email to livingtreemedia(at)gmail.com with the particulars or visit: livingtreemedia.com (by the way this website is currently being updated) and I will respond in kind with a specific quote for writing your screenplay.

Have a glorious day,

R.

We’ve gotten a lot of editing requests… good. But when quoting an author please be advised – all the time it takes to edit a manuscript. We check for spelling, run-on sentences, plot, crises points, formatting error’s etc.  And because we pride ourselves in due diligence our average fee is around $12 to 14 dollars a page. When you consider the detailed editing comments back on your manuscript we feel it is well worth the price.

We also understand the  economy is not too great and are willing to work with you, however please understand the detailed work involved to make sure your written words are being properly used and your manuscript is the best it can be.

Till next time… keep writing!

visit us at: www.livingtreemedia.com
or email at: livingtreemedia@gmail.com

I decided to reinvent my old children’s stories and have rewritten and renamed the first book in the Tanglewood series.

Also I have signed up for an art class. I want to be able to draw the illustrations in my books. So far the instructor is having us draw boxes… don’t laugh. This freehand drawing class is a lot more difficult that it looks. Try it and you’ll agree.

The one thing I am finding out from my editing clients’ writing –  is that they are making a lot of run-on sentences. Try using six to eight words in any given sentence. Also I always tell everyone to buy a $39 dollar software program called Visual Thesaurus. It is the best investment I have ever made.  Use one or two choice words to describe your plot or setting instead of five. Hope this helps?

Until the next time. Keep on writing!

Me I’ve been working. Ho-hum…. but one must do what one must do to finish off projects.

My Tanglewood Children Series is being totally revamped and updated. Some of the characters will have new names and I will have completely new illustrations throughout the book.

The publishing market keeps fluctuating going from bad to good. So keep your chins up and keep writing.

And remember if you receive a rejection… laugh it off and keep trying.

Phones are ringing and calls for my editing services are truly a blessing as I can not say no to another writer, as I feel the trials and tribulations they are going through to finish their novels.

So I have decided to let the phone ring and others can leave a message. Then when I am done writing I call back. Simple… duh, should have thought about that before.

Ha-ha what a blonde.

Everyone have a good weekend.

I recently received noticed that another interview article I did with nine-time author Caroline Leavitt has been accepted although I do not know the publication date yet.

Boy do I have more energy to push myself to have all that I ever wanted in my life and that is to be a full-time writer and editor for myself and other writers.

I am working on another website that will help writers have another avenue to getting published. It is still under construction but you can preview new pages at: www.livingtreelitagency.wordpress.com.

One thing I am seeing is the growing jealousy among creative types. If you are a sensitive person like me… do not let others insecurities affect you. They need to own their stuff.

Always be true to yourself! and as one of my writing instructors always said to me before I graduated,
“Onward and upward… my friend.”

Till next time,

Robin

I have been busy reading several scripts for the 2011 Big Bear Lake Annual Screenwriting Contest, and sending out query letters to Literary Agents for the novel I finished.

The back of my neck hurts from all the strain from sitting down for long hours at the computer. But I figure I am doing what I love so I will put up with the pain or maybe I should just go to the gym more. HaHa.

I am looking forward to receiving positive responses (see how I am….) and a go-ahead to send more pages of my historical family saga/romance.

I hope you are all finishing up your writing and sending out those letters.

Till the next time,

Robin