Coming Autumn/Winter 2017!
Summer House Writing.
Who doesn’t love coasting down a hill on a bicycle on a warm day; wind in your hair, legs out to the sides, squealing, ‘weeeeeeeeeeee.’? It’s one of those ‘great to be a alive’ feelings. (And goodness knows we need them.) It’s uplifting! Well, this is how I’m feeling as I finish the first draft of Return To Dixbury. It’s satisfying tying up the character’s storylines, finding the conclusions, and at the same time, setting the scene for what will be the final instalment of the trilogy. It’s all very satisfying.
I’m the sort of gal who always want to coast down that hill for longer, and it seems it’s the same with this book – it’s too much fun to finish! But finish I must, and when I do, I will be moving on to my next project which will be exploring avenues for transforming Dixbury Does Talent into a screenplay. It’s always felt like a film, play or television series, and so it’s time to start working on that journey. Exciting times!
P.S. I love this little summer house where I write and it also happens to double as the home to my bicycle. Just had the thought that when I finish the final words I’m going to get on my trusted power bike and go find that hill. ‘Weeeeeeeeeeeeee!’
And For Something Different
I’m still hard at work on Return To Dixbury but a particular paragraph has frazzled my brain – I cannot get it to make sense. On times like these I need to step away, make a cuppa, go for a stroll, take a bath (if only I had one – how was chucking out the bath a good idea?) or write something totally unrelated, like a blog.
Whilst waiting for the final touches to be made to Dixbury Does Talent I really enjoyed writing a collection of flash fiction stories. It was such a different experience to writing a novel. These are short, sharp, snappy stories (A* for alliteration) and I made them into a little book entitled Snapshots.
If, like me, you’re feeling the need for a bit of time out, please put your feet up (or take a bath if you have one – you lucky devil) and enjoy a little story.
Acceptance Speech
“Hey! Wow! How about that? Jeez, I cannot believe it!”
I’m elated, sweating profusely in my tux, before the glitterati of the movie making business.
“When we started work on ‘The Sanctuary’,” I say, my voice thick with emotion. “We had no idea it would touch so many people. I wanna thank you all from the bottom of my heart for embracing this movie.”
Applause ripples.
“This award isn’t just about me, there’s always a team behind any great movie and I have people to thank. Firstly, the producers, John P Wiseman and Carol Giffen, Mary J for her direction, the Arts Gang, Slitch, my beautiful co-star, Sarah Cozens, Dick Wallis, Miranda Stow, Carly G and most of all, Pete Carmichael, for his outstanding writing and for creating this amazing character for me. Thanks Pete, I love ya.”
I look to him and salute whilst the audience clap again.
“I’d like to finish off by thanking my nearest and dearest for supporting me. To my children, Nick and Annie, I love you, and to my wife, Chandra, I have no words for you, as you didn’t support me at all – in fact you nagged, bitched and whined the whole way through the process of me making this movie.”
People shift in their seats, looking around nervously, unsure whether to laugh.
“In fact, Chandra, I’m taking this baby home…” I say, holding up my statuette. “…And I’ll see you in my lawyers office real soon. Goodnight folks, have a great evening!”
Now You See Them…
Hello all!
See this picture? This shows Dixbury Does Talent on the shelves of the wonderful local department store, Jarrold’s. (Yes I do skulk around there taking pictures – is that a bit creepy?) I am chuffed to tell you that if you went there today you would find a gap on the shelf as they are having to replenish their stock again. Happy days!
Meanwhile I am having so much fun writing Return To Dixbury. I’m up to chapter forty-one and have been doing some serious editing. People ask how I plan out my books and I say that I have a beginning, an end and a rough idea of events in-between. More often than not those ‘events in-between’ change the course of the story and that’s what makes it so much fun to write. As much as I know the ending, it’s the journey to get there that’s interesting. Hmm, there’s a thought: you could say that about life too, couldn’t you? So deep, that’s me.
Jarrold’s should have a new supply of Dixbury Does Talent on their shelves next week – grab ’em while they’re hot! (Now, that makes it sound like they’re stolen and they’re really not – unless you steal one, but being on the top shelf that’s quite tricky, unless you’re tall. OK, I’m signing off now.)
See you later alligators! x
A Sunday Morning Blog
Just a quick catch up…I’m very excited to be part of an event that involves sandwiches, cake and raising money for Alzheimers. It certainly sounds like fun to me, so if you fancy it, I’d love to see you.
What else is happening? Well, I went on an amazing day of workshops last Saturday courtesy of the Writers’ Workshop and I left brimming with ideas and inspiration. I have since spent a large part of this week editing the latest book. Still hoping to have it completed before the year is out.
I have also officially set up my Author’s Page on Amazon so my two books can sit side by side on the same page. Check it out at your leisure. 🙂
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Maxine-Sinclair/e/B06XFXZNMC/
Once again I’d really like to thank you for all the support you’ve shown me in these past months since I released my books – I am deeply grateful.
And finally – it looks like a lovely day outside and I hope that you have a very happy, warm and relaxing Sunday! xx
Feeling Grateful
Before the end of 2015 I had never written a book, never thought I would, and am still not quite sure how it happened. You know how you look back over the years and say, ‘how did I get here?’ – well that is exactly how I feel now. How did my book end up in one of the best department stores in Norwich? Keeping company with the likes of Jo Jo Moyes, Jill Mansell and Katie Fforde?
The answer is that Jarrold department store, a family run business in Norwich, is supportive of local people and events, and it is all thanks to them that Dixbury Does Talent is now proudly perched in their Valentines display. I could not be happier. My gratitude goes to Jarrold’s for encouraging a new author and also to all the lovely folk who have bought and read Dixbury Does Talent so far. Thank you, x.
P.S. If you’re not in or near Norwich you can still get it at Amazon.
Talking Dixbury Does Talent…
I am so grateful for this opportunity to talk about Dixbury Does Talent. It’ll be a fun afternoon – can’t wait!
Dixbury Does Talent
Trumpet fanfare please! Today is the day that my debut novel is available to buy in e-book or paperback at Amazon. I am beyond excited!
This year for Christmas my husband gave me a notepad that simply says on the cover, ‘Dream Big’, which I rather like. It was that sentiment that found me, at the end of 2015, revisiting the chapters I’d written of Dixbury Does Talent (dormant on my computer since 2012) and deciding I really wanted to tell this story of a group of people who all lead separate lives but come together to learn ballet. It’s a feel good tale filled with love, life, laughter and dancing. And now that it’s published I can tick that dream off my list. (My next dream is to see it as a musical or a film as, believe me, it would work so well!)
Thank you to all of you who read Snapshots and thanks to all of you who will read Dixbury Does Talent. I love this writing lark.
Happy New Year to you all. I’m signing off to help dismantle the Christmas tree, vacuum round then I’m going to continue to dream big.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1520195214
NEW YEAR, NEW BOOK.
COMING JANUARY 2017!
Dixbury Does Talent
In my early forties I took up ballet. Some folk thought I was quite mad, but I immediately fell in love with it and quickly became addicted to class. One day it hit me that I had no idea what the person in front of or behind me had been doing at nine o’clock that morning. What were the real lives of the class’s would-be ballerinas? From that, the seeds of ‘Dixbury Does Talent’ were sown…
When Amy Gathergood is left with a broken heart she joins a local adult ballet class for a much needed distraction. There, she not only learns how to dance but also makes new friends, each with their own story to tell. As the group prepares for a local talent competition friendships are cemented, new romances begin and for some, circumstances dictate that their lives must change.
But, will the dancers find happiness and do they have what it takes to win Dixbury Does Talent?
Before 2016 is over I’d like to invite you to share the highs and lows of The Dixbury Dancers as their lives twist and turn, bringing laughter, friendships, a tear or two, love and dancing along the way.
maxinesinclairdotcom 