Miranda Writes 11 - Book 5 characters, tenses, rituals and more!

All this year I will be documenting the writing, editing and publishing of my fifth novel, giving you a unique, behind-the-scenes look at my life as a writer. This week, I'll tell you about one of the supporting cast for Book 5 and answer your questions on everything from writing rituals, good vs evil characters and which tense to write in...

With the sun finally appearing, this vlog is in my very sunny garden this week. Apologies for the blustery wind and couple of edits (I got rather carried away nattering to you in the sunshine!)

Thanks so much for your amazing questions, which this week come from the lovely Kirsty at the awesome bookish site Novelicious (click the name to visit), Dot from the equally fabulous Dot Scribbles Blog (click the name to visit), together with twitter lovelies @RosieBBooks and @Rachel_Fusion.

So, without further ado, may I present my very sunny vlog!

p.s. This week's YouTube-nominated freeze-frame is entitled, 'Here comes the sun...'

Miranda Writes 8 - Edits, winners and inspirations

All this year I will be documenting the writing, editing and publishing of my fifth novel, giving you a unique, behind-the-scenes look at my life as a writer. This week, I announce the final two winners of my #getinvolved challenge, talk about edits and answer your questions!

After a completely crazy couple of weeks, the first edit on Book 5 (still awaiting a title) is done and I've recovered enough to be almost coherent!

So, without further ado, here is this week's vlog - hope you like it!

Enjoy! xx

p.s. This week's YouTube-nominated freeze-frame is entitled, 'Oy! Oo nicked me teef?')

Miranda Writes 7 - San Francisco baby!

All this year I will be documenting the writing, editing and publishing of my fifth novel, giving you a unique, behind-the-scenes look at my life as a writer. This week, I bring you the first of my vlogs from my research trip to San Francisco and reveal the winning KOOKY COFFEE SHOP NAME suggestion for this week's #getinvolved challenge!

Bob and I have just returned from San Francisco - what an amazing place! I absolutely fell in love with the city and am having withdrawal symptoms already...

While I was there, I filmed lots of footage to help me recreate the sights, sounds and experiences we had for when I'm writing Book 5. I also kept a blog diary, which you can read at my website. I'll be sharing several videos with you over the next couple of weeks - hope you enjoy them!

Also in this week's vlog I'll reveal the kooky coffee shop name suggestion that is going into the book - keep watching to find out who will get a mention in my acknowledgements.

I'd love to know what you think - also let me know your questions about writing, publishing or anything else that you'd like me to answer next week. Leave me a comment below or email me at mirandawurdy@gmail.com

Enjoy!

p.s. This week's YouTube-nominated freeze-frame is entitled, 'Check out the shades, y'all...'

Miranda Writes 6 - A big trip and writer's block tips!

All this year I will be documenting the writing, editing and publishing of my fifth novel, giving you a unique, behind-the-scenes look at my life as a writer. This week, I announce the third of your suggestions for Book 5! Which CUPCAKE FLAVOUR will Nell be making in the book and who will be get a thank you in my acknowledgements? I'm getting ready for San Francisco and also give my top tips for beating the dreaded writer's block...

Your suggestions for a CUPCAKE FLAVOUR for Nell to bake have flooded in this week and I've been like a kid in a cake shop choosing the winner - thanks! Find out in the vlog who will see their suggestion written into the story and their name in the thank-yous!

I'm getting ready for my exciting research trip to San Francisco - and I'm so excited! In my vlog I'll tell you the innovative way I'll be using the trip to create Nell's discovery of the City of Lights. I also give my tips for overcoming writer's block, including a visit to the pub...

So here's the vlog - hope you enjoy it!

p.s. This week's YouTube-nominated freeze-frame is entitled, 'Ooh for the wiiiiings...'!

Miranda Writes 5: Advice for aspiring authors and a big trip!

All this year I will be documenting the writing, editing and publishing of my fifth novel, giving you a unique, behind-the-scenes look at my life as a writer. This week, I announce the third of your suggestions for Book 5! Which piece of VINTAGE CLOTHING will Nell be buying from a store in San Francisco's Haight-Ashbury district and who will be mentioned in my acknowledgements for suggesting it? Plus, I give my top tips for aspiring authors and tell you where I'm off to very soon...

Well, it's been a bit of crazy week writing-wise, but Book 5 is coming together well. I've been writing more about Annie's neighbourhood diner, where quite a few scenes will be set and some fab supporting cast characters have appeared, each with their own stories. Like Marty and Frankie who dole out their wisdom over enormous pancake stacks, and a pair of star-crossed lovers who don't even realise their stars are anywhere near each other! There's also a a bit of a mystery that intrigues Nell - but when she solves it she's in for So much more than she bargains for...

In this week's vlog I'm also talking about my advice for aspiring authors, sharing how I came to be a published author and my top tips for getting the most out of your writing. I'll even give you a bit of sneaky info on my Writing Inspiration Course that I'll be launching in May this year!

So, ready to discover if your piece of vintage clothing has made it into the book? OK lovelies, sit back, relax and enjoy!

p.s. This week's You-Tube nominated freeze-frame is entitled, 'Half-asleep'...

Miranda Writes 3 - Your Questions Answered!

All this year I will be documenting the writing, editing and publishing of my fifth novel, giving you a unique, behind-the-scenes look at my life as a writer. This week, I'm well into writing the new first draft of Book 5 and have started to ask for your help...

Last time I told you I was going to invite you to get involved with the new Book 5 - and this week I asked my first question:

What is the name of the San Francisco cabbie in the story?

I had fifty awesome suggestions on Twitter - so thank you so much if you sent one! I announce the winner in this week's vlog below, so fingers crossed and enjoy! There will be more chances to get involved - watch out for the #getinvolved hashtag on my twitter profile and special requests on my facebook page. And if I use your suggestion, you will get a thank you in the acknowledgements of Book 5!

Enjoy!

p.s. This week's YouTube-nominated freeze-frame is entitled, 'La-Laaaaaaaah!'
p.p.s. I also mention some fantastic writing retreats - find out about BookCamp here