Rachel Medhurst's Blog - Posts Tagged "writing"
The Deadliners is Out Now!
I'm so proud and happy to be releasing my first novel The Deadliners, today, Monday 12th 2014. I've worked extremely hard to get my novel edited and ready to be seen by the public eye. My heart and soul has been poured into this book and I hope it gives you as much joy as it does me.
This journey has been ten years in the making. I picked up a pen and pad ten years ago and started to write seriously. Although I've had a few years off at various stages in the last ten years, I've always known what I was working towards. It took me three years to get my diploma in creative writing so that I knew how to edit and lay out a manuscript.
Read More here: http://goo.gl/WV8G3C
Click the cover to get your copy!
This journey has been ten years in the making. I picked up a pen and pad ten years ago and started to write seriously. Although I've had a few years off at various stages in the last ten years, I've always known what I was working towards. It took me three years to get my diploma in creative writing so that I knew how to edit and lay out a manuscript.
Read More here: http://goo.gl/WV8G3C
Click the cover to get your copy!
Do You Want to Achieve Your Dreams?
'What do you mean self publish?' I looked at my friend and raised my eyebrows.
'Well, you've always wanted to be an author, you're very good at learning and you'll have creative control. You're also not the most patient person I know,' she said, patting my hand and laughing when I feigned horror.
'There are a lot more people out there doing it now.' I replied, picking up my laptop.
'Exactly. You're a quick learner and you'll achieve your dream a lot quicker.
I'd always assumed that I would try and get an agent and a publisher. I never thought about being able to do this on my own. So I started my research and soon learned all that I needed to get started on my self publishing journey. From the day I decided to take my dream into my own hands to the day that dream was realised was about three months. In that time I learnt how to format my work into ebook and paperback. I learnt how to sort out my US tax code as a foreigner. I researched like mad and then I set up an online Facebook launch party where over 2,000 people were invited to it. I then launched The Deadliners on the 12th May and achieved my dream of being an author.
It's now six weeks after the launch of The Deadliners and I'm happy to say I've sold over 40 copies of the book. It might not sound like much, but for a first time author that only decided to self publish four months ago, it's good going.
So now, I want to help you achieve your dreams. If you're thinking about writing a book or publishing a book, I can help make your dreams come true. I've made some cool short video series to guide you through the process. Check out my free Self Publishing short series: http://www.rachelmedhurst.com/#!progr...
If you receive my emails because of your healing journey, I have not forgotten you! I've made two short video series. Write to Heal and Write to Heal Intense. These programmes are interactive and use writing as a healing tool. They are only £9.99 each. Check them out: http://www.rachelmedhurst.com/#!progr...
However, if you're not quite ready to go it alone, I'm here for you. I'm also releasing packages to help you achieve you're dream even quicker. I can help you edit, format and publish your books. I can also mentor you as you take your dreams in your own hands and become an author today. Check out the packages: http://www.rachelmedhurst.com/#!book-...
To order your copy of The Deadliners, click: http://www.rachelmedhurst.com/#!the-d...
'Well, you've always wanted to be an author, you're very good at learning and you'll have creative control. You're also not the most patient person I know,' she said, patting my hand and laughing when I feigned horror.
'There are a lot more people out there doing it now.' I replied, picking up my laptop.
'Exactly. You're a quick learner and you'll achieve your dream a lot quicker.
I'd always assumed that I would try and get an agent and a publisher. I never thought about being able to do this on my own. So I started my research and soon learned all that I needed to get started on my self publishing journey. From the day I decided to take my dream into my own hands to the day that dream was realised was about three months. In that time I learnt how to format my work into ebook and paperback. I learnt how to sort out my US tax code as a foreigner. I researched like mad and then I set up an online Facebook launch party where over 2,000 people were invited to it. I then launched The Deadliners on the 12th May and achieved my dream of being an author.
It's now six weeks after the launch of The Deadliners and I'm happy to say I've sold over 40 copies of the book. It might not sound like much, but for a first time author that only decided to self publish four months ago, it's good going.
So now, I want to help you achieve your dreams. If you're thinking about writing a book or publishing a book, I can help make your dreams come true. I've made some cool short video series to guide you through the process. Check out my free Self Publishing short series: http://www.rachelmedhurst.com/#!progr...
If you receive my emails because of your healing journey, I have not forgotten you! I've made two short video series. Write to Heal and Write to Heal Intense. These programmes are interactive and use writing as a healing tool. They are only £9.99 each. Check them out: http://www.rachelmedhurst.com/#!progr...
However, if you're not quite ready to go it alone, I'm here for you. I'm also releasing packages to help you achieve you're dream even quicker. I can help you edit, format and publish your books. I can also mentor you as you take your dreams in your own hands and become an author today. Check out the packages: http://www.rachelmedhurst.com/#!book-...
To order your copy of The Deadliners, click: http://www.rachelmedhurst.com/#!the-d...
Escaping The World
The dark nights were setting in. I'd been in hibernation for most of the summer, writing scenes of love, death, new beginnings and happily ever afters. The leaves were falling off the trees and I dreamed of a life where I could escape the wind and rain and live happily on a beach.
Why do you write?
The question glared at me from the interview email and I flashed back twenty years.
I'd been sitting on my mums bed when she was unwell. Her body was fine, but something made her stay in bed all day. I crept out of the room after another failed attempt at getting her up.
The book sat on my bed and I picked it up as I crawled under my own cover. I'd grasped words at a very young age and often got lost in the world of Fanny, Beth and Joe. The Far Away tree took us to lands that were not only fun and exciting, but very far away from my council house in England.
I started to write my answer to the question but then decided to cross it out. My fictitious worlds might seem like they're just popular genre stories, but there's more to them than meets the eye. So I wrote the simple truth:
Because Enid Blyton gave me hope as a child when life got tough. I want to bring hope and happily ever afters to as many people as I can with my words.
Why do you write?
The question glared at me from the interview email and I flashed back twenty years.
I'd been sitting on my mums bed when she was unwell. Her body was fine, but something made her stay in bed all day. I crept out of the room after another failed attempt at getting her up.
The book sat on my bed and I picked it up as I crawled under my own cover. I'd grasped words at a very young age and often got lost in the world of Fanny, Beth and Joe. The Far Away tree took us to lands that were not only fun and exciting, but very far away from my council house in England.
I started to write my answer to the question but then decided to cross it out. My fictitious worlds might seem like they're just popular genre stories, but there's more to them than meets the eye. So I wrote the simple truth:
Because Enid Blyton gave me hope as a child when life got tough. I want to bring hope and happily ever afters to as many people as I can with my words.
Finding Your Voice
'What is it you're trying to say?'
The question was a good one. One that I had never taken time to consider. For so long I had written words to find my voice. I had tried to hone my craft to get my message perfect, but underneath it all, did I know what my message was? And did I believe that I could be perfect?
'That's a good question. I need to take some time to think about the answer,' I replied, as I stared out of the kitchen window. The sun shone down on the trees that lined the back garden. The leaves moved in the gentle breeze.
'When you know what you're trying to say, it will be easier.'
She was right of course, my confident friend.
'No ones perfect,' I said, wringing my hands together.
'Exactly. In fact, readers relate to stories when the character isn't perfect.'
'Yes. I suppose finding your voice, is telling the world a story that you have inside you. No matter how you tell it.'
The philosophy of questioning myself was something I always practiced. Why had I forgotten to do the same with my books? They were my voice.
'Everyone has a voice. It's just whether or not they choose to use it. You want to write, so just write.'
I laughed at her blunt words. Five minutes before I had asked her if I was doing the right thing. Creative projects are personal, so when they're shared, the person questions if it was the right thing to do. Self doubt creeps up and tries to take you back down with it.
'Yes, I love to write. I'll stop putting so much pressure on myself.'
It was her turn to laugh. She knew me too well. If I didn't pressure myself at least a little bit, I would never publish a book. Balance was key to achieving the dream.
We all have a voice, but we need to open our mouths for it to be heard.
How do you express your voice?
The question was a good one. One that I had never taken time to consider. For so long I had written words to find my voice. I had tried to hone my craft to get my message perfect, but underneath it all, did I know what my message was? And did I believe that I could be perfect?
'That's a good question. I need to take some time to think about the answer,' I replied, as I stared out of the kitchen window. The sun shone down on the trees that lined the back garden. The leaves moved in the gentle breeze.
'When you know what you're trying to say, it will be easier.'
She was right of course, my confident friend.
'No ones perfect,' I said, wringing my hands together.
'Exactly. In fact, readers relate to stories when the character isn't perfect.'
'Yes. I suppose finding your voice, is telling the world a story that you have inside you. No matter how you tell it.'
The philosophy of questioning myself was something I always practiced. Why had I forgotten to do the same with my books? They were my voice.
'Everyone has a voice. It's just whether or not they choose to use it. You want to write, so just write.'
I laughed at her blunt words. Five minutes before I had asked her if I was doing the right thing. Creative projects are personal, so when they're shared, the person questions if it was the right thing to do. Self doubt creeps up and tries to take you back down with it.
'Yes, I love to write. I'll stop putting so much pressure on myself.'
It was her turn to laugh. She knew me too well. If I didn't pressure myself at least a little bit, I would never publish a book. Balance was key to achieving the dream.
We all have a voice, but we need to open our mouths for it to be heard.
How do you express your voice?
