Judith's Blog

Welcome to Judith's Blog

WELCOME to the blog of the Judith's Room community for women writers.

Here we aim to bring you some of the best talent showcased on the Judith's Room groups and forums, introduce you to our members and their writing, share interviews and tips from new and established authors, feature advice, news, book reviews, giveaways and events, and act as a point of reference for all those interested in writing and pursuing a writing career.

Advice for aspiring writers from Keris Stainton, author of Della says: OMG!

This is a cross post from You've got your hands full.

KERIS Stainton is one of the sweetest people you could ever meet. Totally unassuming and modest, she is a fabulous writer and blogger and now, don't you know, author of Della Says: OMG!

Della’s over the moon when she kisses her long-standing crush at a party – but then she discovers her diary has disappeared... When scans of embarrassing pages are sent to her mobile and appear on Facebook, Della’s distraught – how can she enjoy her first proper romance when someone, somewhere, knows all her deepest, darkest secrets?

Here's an interview with Keris to mark publication of her first young adult novel, which I can't wait to read.

Choose three words to describe yourself

Determined. Excitable. Short.

Book review: Love Writing by Sue Moorcroft

By Shelley White

I THOUGHT I’d written a red-hot love story until I read Sue Moorcroft’s book.

Then I discovered that my effort at romantic fireworks was merely a damp squib. My Heathcliff and Kathy had more in common with Kermit and Miss Piggy, my scrummy Mr Darcy was akin to a sex-starved Mr Bean and my teasing Lolita was more teacher’s pet.

I had lots to learn.

Author and blogger Tim Atkinson launches free creative writing course

CHECK out Tim's recent post for news of a wonderful initiative sparked by a Judith's Room member's disappointment.

Way to go, Tim!

He's still working out finer details, but please do get in touch with Tim via his blog if you would like to know more.

A wonderful weekend at the York Festival of Writing

UNIVERSITIES make me nervous. Usually because of the people in them.

There were times over the weekend where I felt overwhelmed. But this was in a good way.

I was at the York Festival of Writing where I was invited by Kate Allan to give a talk on um, making money from writing. Not many people there seemed to think this was possible. But then I was talking about a different kind of writing - non-fiction, journalism, copywriting - you name it - not fiction.

I don't see why the two have to be mutually exclusive and I came away from the event the most determined I have ever been to make a go of a novel.

Listening to bestselling novelist Katie Fforde explaining how she was rejected for seven years by Mills & Boon, that 'writing shouldn't read like writing' and that by working at your craft and persevering were the keys to success was quite something.

Feature ideas: It's all in the timing

FOR a freelance writer, ideas can make or break a career. As markets and budgets shrink and competition increases, it’s more crucial than ever to make your ideas stand out from the crowd. Linda Jones shows you how.

So you want to write for your favourite magazine and you are brimming with ideas – you’re a little disappointed that most of them – or something similar at least – has been covered already – but it’s still worth a shot, right?

Wrong. If you spot a piece in a target publication that bears any resemblance to the germ of an idea you have been slaving over – but too nervous to send – for days or even weeks then you need to change direction immediately.

Coping with rejection: Editors are people too

By Linda Jones

HOW scared are you of editors?

Does the thought of picking up a phone to suggest an idea for a magazine feature fill you with dread? Do you break out in a cold sweat as you open an email with the all-important “yes” or “no” to your pitch?

If you're are nodding in agreement to either of these questions, then to put it unkindly, you need to get a grip! Or, to put it much less bluntly – don’t worry, editors are human too.

Book review: The Greatest Freelance Writing Tips in the World

By Heather Sutherland

THIS is a book written by Linda Jones ex journalist, freelance writer, blogger at You've got your hands full, Judith's Room member and all round fabulous lady who has helped me out a lot with starting freelance writing.

Her book arrived today and I have been racing through it.  Verdict?  It's flippin' brilliant.  You know all those questions you have about how to write a pitch, should you write the article first or not, how do you find out how to email it to, should you call them afterwards, how soon etc etc? She answers them all and so much more.  

Twitter - a fabulous way to connect with authors

By Josie

ONE of the reasons I love Twitter is the way you can connect to the most unlikely people - including authors. I've been tweeting with Jackie Collins - I'm not writing erotic novels but I do find it funny that she's on Twitter as her books certainly played quite a part in my formative years *cough*.

So last night I tweeted her (she's @jackiejcollins) the following questions: how many pages do you write a day when you're working on a book, and do you always draw on real life experience?

Here's what she had to say:

'10-15 handwritten pages'
'yes unless you're writing a fantasy novel' (I'm presuming by fantasy she meant Lord of the Rings type fantasy, not - er- erotic fantasy).

So there you have it. 10 to 15 handwritten pages a day... not sure how much that translates to in typed pages but it sounds perfectly doable... doesn't it?

Do you have any tips from published novelists? If so, share them below!

Ten blindingly obvious things I learned in my first year as an author

Linda Jones shares some harsh realities of a book deal with a small publisher.

1. A book launch may be more hassle than it’s worth This time last year, I was feeling pretty pleased with myself. My first book, the modestly titled Greatest Freelance Writing Tips in the World had just been published. Holding some initial copies in my quivering hands, I’d felt a rush of pride. Now here I was, preparing for my very own book launch. Then one by one, more than half the confirmed guests dropped out. My heart sank. Even though local paper reports and reviews followed and those lovely guests who did come along were overwhelmingly positive, I was disappointed. In hindsight I can see my expectations were unrealistic. But I hated feeling like Billy no-mates.

"Throw mud against a wall" Fran Sandham on publicising your book

FRAN Sandham walked across Africa solo from the Skeleton Coast to the Indian Ocean at Zanzibar.

His groundbreaking journey is told with great humour in Traversa, which has been met with critical acclaim.

Interviews with The Liverpool Echo and The Argus in Brighton have already been published, as well as reviews in the likes of New Statesman, Metro and Travel Africa, among others.

Further regional and specialist media column inches are in the pipeline.

He's also been interviewed by Radio Four's Excess Baggage and has now turned his attention to gaining national newspaper coverage by pitching freelance articles.