A Novel Idea for November

We have reached November already, I can't believe how quickly this year is flying by, and it can only mean one thing in the writing world - it's National Novel Writing Month!

I have to admit I only heard about this idea a few weeks ago, but I instantly fell for the idea. Although I love to write, like many others, I barely get the time to put pen to paper. I would love to write a novel, who wouldn't, but the idea of all the planning and preparation makes me tremble in my boots! So, if like me you can think of a million excuses, what better way to throw yourself into the deep end and take part in National Novel Writing Month.

I know I should have posted about this before November started as we have already lost a few days, but with the weekend ahead, I recon there may still be time to catch up! The aim is to write 50,000 words this month, which can either be a complete novel or just part of one. This works out to be just over 1,600 words a day. Yes I hear you all saying 'but that's a heck of a lot of words per day', I know it is but what better way to force yourself to give up your reservations and get writing that novel!

You can sign up to the website for National Novel Writing Month here where you can track your progress, meet other writers all trying to do the same and receive pep talks and support.
I have to admit that 50,000 words is a little too daunting for myself and I know I could give up with such a mountain ahead so if you feel the same, why not use the National Novel Writing Month's prerogative and set a smaller word target. Why not try for 1,000 words a day? After all you will still have 31,000 words under your belt.

When I heard the idea being discussed on breakfast TV a few weeks ago it was said that you should write your amount of words per day, not letting yourself go back to change anything. I think the idea behind this is that you have so much to write in a month, there is little time to be editing as well. To me this is a great idea. I often start writing, only to become stuck criticising what I have managed to write so far. Yes it is great to edit and alter things, it is how we all improve. I know you probably won't produce your greatest work yet if you have to just keep writing no matter whether you had an off day or not, but you will have made the time to write and have written something perhaps you could alter after the challenge or use to form part of other work.

I hope you all have a successful writing month. It would be great to see who is taking part, leave a comment if you are giving it a go!

Still Time to Enter Our Competition!

We are still accepting entries for our adult short story competition. Get your pen at the ready as it closes at midnight 1st Novemeber 2011!

We are looking for adult stories up to 5000 words, the theme is open, it can be in any style or genre but do look at our titles to see the kind of thing we publish. We are looking for stories that are different, thought-provoking and unusual- we err on the side of literary. We want previously unpublished stories, if they are submitted elsewhere do let us know if they are to be published as they will need to be withdrawn from this competition.

CLOSING DATE:Midnight NOVEMBER 1st 2011
The fifteen best stories will be published in a collection in 2013 that will support the 2013 charity (to be decided.)
The entry fee also includes a donation of £1 to the 2011 charity Children’s Hospices UK.
The winner will also receive 6 months one-to-one mentoring and the runner-up will have 5 short stories critiqued by our editors.
How to submit:
Pay for your entry with PayPal £5 per story submitted. Then email your story as a word document following the guidelines below
£5 to enter (per story), £1 goes to Children's Hospices UK

Please email your submission to submissions@bridgehousepublishing.co.uk

For submission details please go to http://bridgehousepublishing.co.uk/ShortStoryCompetition2011.aspx

Good luck and get entering!

Cancellation of Charity Summer Party

It is with great regret that the Bridge House Summer Charity Fundraiser has had to be cancelled. Those that had purchased tickets will receive a full refund.

We suspect that a lot of people are on holiday at this time of year and we all know how hard it is to keep cash flowing- we sadly only sold a handful of tickets.

We do wish to hold an event at another time and if you would like to meet other authors, meet us, buy books, talk about books then do e-mail marketing@bridgehousepublishing.co.uk if you would like to be on a mailing list for such events.

Really sorry to disappoint!