Flaunt it Friday

Flaunt it Friday

~ my word (s) ~ 5 Comments

How’s your week been? I’ve had an industrious week writing-wise. As well as continuing with the editing of my second children’s book, I’ve started work on two other short pieces.

One is for TenX9 Nottingham, where nine true-life pieces of no more than ten minutes are read. The theme for the next one is waiting.

My second piece is for Let’s Write, an online writing group I attend. This month we had a choice of three prompts. I spent some time deciding which prompt to use and made a start on my piece.

I’m feeling satisfied.

What are you pleased or satisfied with this week?

Ticking off writing tasks

Flaunt it Friday

~ my word (s) ~ 9 Comments

What are you pleased with yourself about this week? Go ahead, flaunt it.

I’m feeling very satisfied to have continued to ask independent bookshops across the UK to stock The Clocker, my children’s book. My Books

I decided that I would physically post some of these, including the information from the publisher and one of my bookmarks. I’m gradually lengthening my list of bookshops to contact, including a number specialist children’s bookshops. I made an effort to include something I had noted from their websites, to make it more personal.

As I popped them into the postbox down the road, I felt a great sense of achievement.

Putting letters into envelopes

Flaunt it Friday

~ my word (s) ~ 4 Comments

It’s that time of the week to share what you’re pleased with.

A few months back, I contacted Young Page Turners UK to ask if they’d consider reviewing my children’s book, The Clocker My Books

I got a response quite quickly saying yes and asking me to post a copy to the reviewer, which I did. This week I had an email with an apology for the delay and a link to the review on their website. Young Page Turners are passionate about books and they provide independent reviews of children’s and YA books. They do not charge for this service.

Not only was the review 5* but gives a comprehensive insight into the book and its appeal. I loved this – “ The Clocker, in particular, becomes a symbol of courage and self-acceptance. Through his daily care he provides for his hens, Nev also learns to care for himself, discovering an inner strength he didn’t realise he had.”

See the full review here https://youngpageturners.co.uk/the-clocker-by-liz-mackenzie-review/

To use a Wordy Wednesday word, I’m chuffed.

Flaunt it Friday

~ my word (s) ~ 5 Comments

Having completed the first draft of my next children’s book, I felt a bit daunted at the thought of starting the editing process. I remembered I still had access to some online talks on editing and decided to listen to the one on developmental editing.

It occurred to me as I listened that I knew how to do this. There was nothing in the tutorial that I couldn’t do, or hadn’t done before. It felt reassuring to have a way forward.

I’m pleased to say I’ve made a start. I’ve been through the whole manuscript noting areas I’d identified in square brackets that needed research or clarification. I’m now halfway through reading the manuscript to check for inconsistencies. That feels like quite an achievement.

What are you pleased about this week?

Focussed on editing

Flaunt it Friday

~ my word (s) ~ 6 Comments

This week, I am pleased with a plodding along sort of week. I’ve plodded on with the first draft of my second children’s book. Plodded on with contacting bookshops and libraries to ask them to stock my book. I’ve volunteered, been out, kept the house (reasonably) clean and tidy, groomed the cats and so on. See what I mean by plodding? It’s good to have a plodding along week sometimes.

What are you pleased with this week?

Benjamin, my tuxedo cat, needs lots of grooming

Flaunt it Friday

~ my word (s) ~ 6 Comments

Share something you’ve achieved, or are pleased with, this week. It doesn’t matter how big or small; go ahead and flaunt it.

In the last week, I have taken my children’s book, The Clocker, to two local libraries. I’ve met lots of children and their families and had a wonderful time. Each session has started with me reading a few chapters of my book, followed by a writing/ craft session. I’ve been very impressed at how many children know what a blurb is and where to find it on a book.

Each child, as well as some of their family members, thought of an animal whether real or imaginary they’d like to write a book about. They came up with titles, drew pictures and wrote a mini blurb. What fantastic ideas they had, from Superflea, to The Finx, from Flight (about a bird called Blue Bell), to Fun Facts About Snakes. There’s definitely some budding talent out there.

Thank you to Nottingham Central Library and Wollaton Library for inviting me; I loved it.

This is the first thing I saw when I arrived at Nottingham Central Library My Books

Flaunt it Friday

~ my word (s) ~ 10 Comments

Every month at the writing group I go to – Let’s Write – Esther, the facilitator, sets a prompt. A few months back our prompt was music and I wrote a piece about buying my first single at aged 8. Esther asked me to read the piece at the group session and suggested I submit it for the Yesterday Remembered section of Best of British magazine, which I did. https://www.bestofbritishmag.co.uk/

My piece was accepted and, this week, I picked up a copy of the magazine at my local post office shop. It’s a wonderful feeling and worthy of a flaunt. To use a word from a recent Wordy Wednesday, I’m chuffed.

I’m chuffed to see my name in print in Best of British magazine

Flaunt it Friday

~ my word (s) ~ 7 Comments

Today’s the day to share anything that you’re pleased with this week. Here’s mine:

Having had my debut children’s book, The Clocker, published this year, I have been beavering away on a second children’s book. It’s a follow on, with a focus on a different character than the first book.

I’m delighted to have now written over 30,000 words. Although it’s very much a first draft, that feels quite an achievement.

I’m looking forward to adding this book to My Books

Flaunt it Friday

~ my word (s) ~ 10 Comments

After some set-backs, this week has been positive. Despite the challenge of not being able to drive at the moment (cataracts), I’ve picked myself up and got organised. Train and hotel bookings are sorted so that I can still get to Liverpool Book Festival in August, where I’m sharing a stand with a fellow children’s author. I’ve calculated the maximum number of books and bookmarks we can manage to take. Phew.

On Monday, I heard from my contact at the library that there’d been some bookings for the 2 library events I’m doing next month. She’s also asked me to sign some books as they’re going to be given as prizes for a different library event. All very exciting and uplifting just at the moment I needed it.

I’m off to Liverpool Book Festival – https://www.boxpark.co.uk/venues/liverpool/events/liverpool-book-festival-summer-special

Flaunt it Friday

~ my word (s) ~ 12 Comments

Here’s your chance to shout out about anything, big or small, that you’re pleased with this week. I’d love to hear from you.

Here’s my Flaunt it Friday:

On Monday mornings, I volunteer at a local charity shop. I’d noticed the beautiful Royal Doulton tea set a few weeks before, marvelling at its simple elegance. Several customers had admired it, picking up the teapot or milk jug, but no one had bought it. On Monday, I spotted a woman looking at it, turning various pieces over in her hands. She approached the till, enquiring if the price was for the whole set, which it was.

Having taken her payment – £25 – I carefully wrapped each piece, packing it all neatly into a bag. I felt so pleased for her as she went off proudly clutching her bag and telling me she couldn’t wait to use her tea set. I was also pleased for making the sale; it all adds to the money needed by Children’s Air Ambulance.