Jericho Writers Townhouse | Rose Blakeney | Activity

Rose Blakeney replied to a discussion in the forum Coffee & cake

Sun, 12 Jan 2025 09:15:18 +0000

Hello, Andrew.

Thank you for your advice. I’ll risk it!

Rose Blakeney posted a new activity comment

Mon, 25 Nov 2024 09:30:01 +0000

Hello Sian

Welcome to the forums. They are an enjoyable and interesting way of being involved in Jericho Writers.
The best of luck with your writing.

In reply to - Siân Marlow posted an update in the group Premium Members

Hello. I’ve been a JW member for a while but have only just joined the forums. Looking forward to getting to know you all. 🙂

Rose Blakeney started a new discussion in the forum Coffee & cake

Sat, 16 Nov 2024 14:19:35 +0000

Bluesky

I’ve just discovered this medium and need to know a bit more before possibly starting an account. Does anyone else in Jericho Writers use it? I’m looking for simplicity and not to exchange videos or photographs.

Are there groups (such as a writers’ one) or is it just for people to sound forth generally? (I’m open to that!).

I tweeted at one time but…

Rose Blakeney replied to a discussion in the forum Ask Jericho

Mon, 11 Nov 2024 13:44:55 +0000

Reply to Elevator Pitch - feedback please

Hello Rose

There are a couple of places in your summary where you use the past tense when I think you mean the present but I’d like to make the following pitch suggestion:

A woman with an unsteady background seeks her true parents and traces a secretive mother and a Cuban father whose death was sought by Castro.

You may be able to make that snappier!…

Rose Blakeney replied to a discussion in the forum Ask Jericho

Sat, 09 Nov 2024 09:23:20 +0000

Reply to Good to Great Course

Emily

Thank you for your helpful reply. I have found my posts using your suggestion. I need even more powerful glasses, obviously. 👓

Rose Blakeney replied to a discussion in the forum Week One: 1 November – 10 November

Tue, 05 Nov 2024 15:54:01 +0000

Reply to For a laugh about writing

Not sure if I can get that but I’ll have a look.

Rose Blakeney replied to a discussion in the forum Week One: 1 November – 10 November

Tue, 05 Nov 2024 09:40:43 +0000

Reply to For a laugh about writing

What channel is it on, Rachel?

Rose Blakeney started a new discussion in the forum Ask Jericho

Fri, 01 Nov 2024 15:06:53 +0000

Good to Great Course

This was a helpful course but I found recently that my posts had disappeared from the forums I entered, which is rather strange. Has anyone else noticed that this has happened to theirs? (They are still in my timeline but probably not accessible to anyone else).

Rose Blakeney replied to a discussion in the forum IT helpdesk

Wed, 23 Oct 2024 14:19:47 +0100

Reply to Search function

Hello JJ

I don’t know if you know this already but, if you view your profile and click on “Timeline” (top left) your posts will come up. There isn’t a search facility but, if you know roughly when the post you’re looking for was made, it should be fairly easy to find it by panning down.

Rose Blakeney replied to a discussion in the forum Ask Jericho

Thu, 10 Oct 2024 08:49:11 +0100

Reply to Finding the main hooks of your book communication without simplifying subplots?

Hello Celina

Unfortunately, I can’t give any examples. I’m wondering if you aren’t trying to convey too much with the cover.

The sibling rivalry is the central theme so the two sisters would surely have to be shown, but not any other characters, to keep it simple. I can already picture it: the twins standing back to back, conveying their opposition.…

Rose Blakeney replied to a discussion in the forum Ask Jericho

Fri, 04 Oct 2024 08:33:36 +0100

Reply to Book Covers

Yes, a good title is the key. Peter James’s cover is very shouty but that does suit the genre. I seem to remember reading that covers need to be uncluttered, so that the small version shown on Amazon is clear to see.

Rose Blakeney replied to a discussion in the forum Ask Jericho

Fri, 27 Sep 2024 14:24:46 +0100

Reply to present / past tense dual timeline

Hello Julia

It depends on what you are trying to achieve. I once tried to read a book that switched from one timeline to the other and back again throughout, with no connection being made. I soon gave that up. There was no thread.

If you had a character, say, a reporter interviewing someone about their past, that could have switches back to the…

Rose Blakeney posted a new activity comment

Tue, 17 Sep 2024 08:29:53 +0100

Congratulations on that personal reply! Hen’s teeth spring to mind. It’s probably promising for the others.

In reply to - Ollie Mawdsley posted an update in the group Perfect your pitch

I’m submitting to agents on Monday, and I was just hoping that I might be able to get some last-minute feedback on my one-line blurb and longer […]

Rose Blakeney replied to a discussion in the forum Coffee & cake

Sun, 15 Sep 2024 09:05:59 +0100

Reply to "Digital Voice"

Thank you, Stuart, for your comforting words. I am a bit calmer now!

My trial is coming on Wednesday, when apparently I’m to be treated to a two-hour visit. BT probably kept quiet about this side of it to avoid complaints. It all adds to the imposition of the thing.

I know that many people have dispensed with their land line but many will still…

Rose Blakeney replied to a discussion in the forum Agents & publishing

Sat, 07 Sep 2024 08:12:38 +0100

Reply to BOOK COVER DESIGN

Hello Paul

I think the first one is more impressive as it has action in it and poses questions that will arouse people’s curiosity enough to pick it up in the bookshop, especially if they are speculative fans.

Good luck with it.

Rose Blakeney posted a new activity comment

Thu, 05 Sep 2024 14:20:51 +0100

Hello Ollie

I love the sound of this, too. I do think that, when you apply some labels such as “book club” or “women’s fiction” (grrr – I hate that term) you are limiting the readership. Isn’t “Pantoland” comedy? I’d use “comic novel” , perhaps qualified by “with dark undertones”, if that’s appropriate.

I think it would be a mistake to omit the… Read more

In reply to - Ollie Mawdsley posted an update in the group Perfect your pitch

I’m submitting to agents on Monday, and I was just hoping that I might be able to get some last-minute feedback on my one-line blurb and longer […]

Rose Blakeney posted a new activity comment

Wed, 28 Aug 2024 10:22:27 +0100

Superb!

In reply to - Susan Turner posted an update in the group Perfect your pitch

Okay, another go at my pitch for The Soul Corruptor. I would be ever so grateful for any comments.

Twin brothers are summoned to the Afterlife: one to […]

Rose Blakeney posted a new activity comment

Tue, 27 Aug 2024 08:41:52 +0100

Got it. (and apologies for the unspotted typos.)

In reply to - Raymonde posted an update

Harry’s feedback Friday-

Opening Chapter of White Lies Green Envy

Something changed between us on a sweltering September day in 1975, a week after my sixteenth birthday. Kate and I were […]

Rose Blakeney posted a new activity comment

Tue, 27 Aug 2024 08:33:13 +0100

Oooh, I think you’re practically there. Well done.. It’s a concise summary of the plot – but could the rescuing twin be summoned too, or am I being too pernickety?

In reply to - Susan Turner posted an update in the group Perfect your pitch

Okay, another go at my pitch for The Soul Corruptor. I would be ever so grateful for any comments.

Twin brothers are summoned to the Afterlife: one to […]

Rose Blakeney posted a new activity comment

Mon, 26 Aug 2024 15:58:56 +0100

Raymonde,

You have the ingredients there for a novel about tangled relationships, to be developed as the youngsters age. Unfortunately, though, I think it needs something stronger than character establishment to carry it forward. There needs to be some sort of hint at the theme or an incident to prompt readers to stay with it.

The characters do… Read more

In reply to - Raymonde posted an update

Harry’s feedback Friday-

Opening Chapter of White Lies Green Envy

Something changed between us on a sweltering September day in 1975, a week after my sixteenth birthday. Kate and I were […]

Rose Blakeney replied to a discussion in the forum Ask Jericho

Fri, 16 Aug 2024 08:55:14 +0100

Reply to hybrid self publishing

Hello Richard

I’m pretty ignorant about Hybrids but I wonder if you’ve read Jericho’s article “Everything You Need to Know About Hybrid Publishing”. This might help to clarify what should happen. If you had those 300 books printed through your hybrid publisher, shouldn’t they have told you beforehand about how this would affect costs?

Good luck…

Rose Blakeney posted a new activity comment

Thu, 15 Aug 2024 08:50:49 +0100

I think it does matter that the twin is unwilling but that could be conveyed by the word “captured” or “taken prisoner” rather than “recruited”. Torture could be left out as there would be enough information to prompt the words “tell me more” from the agent or publisher. 😃

In reply to - Susan Turner posted an update in the group Perfect your pitch

Thanks everyone for your comments. Considering them and trying to keep it punchy as you say, what about this version?

Twin brothers are summoned to the […]

Rose Blakeney replied to a discussion in the forum Ask Jericho

Mon, 12 Aug 2024 14:34:52 +0100

Reply to Profiles

Thank you, Katie.

Rose Blakeney posted a new activity comment

Mon, 12 Aug 2024 08:50:19 +0100

I think whatever pitch you use, it needs a note of hope in it. Why not give a hint at Helen’s success (if it’s there), otherwise you’ll give the impression that your book is a misery saga which in itself could be off-putting.? You’re tackling a lot of issues in there, which is a brave choice. Good luck.

In reply to - Angela Cort posted an update in the group Perfect your pitch

Hi all. Ok… Yet again I would be grateful for any opinions…

Short Version… One woman – two love stories, with betrayal, death and a mental b […]

Rose Blakeney replied to a discussion in the forum Ask Jericho

Sun, 11 Aug 2024 14:50:31 +0100

Reply to Profiles

Thank you, Emma. ☀

Rose Blakeney started a new discussion in the forum Ask Jericho

Sat, 10 Aug 2024 14:42:48 +0100

Profiles

Could it be made possible for members to put something different in the genre and writing goal fields, as the suggestions given are not always appropriate? This would be useful as you might write in more than one genre, for example.

Rose Blakeney posted a new activity comment

Mon, 05 Aug 2024 08:51:14 +0100

When [Fred’s] twin brother is recruited by the Devil, Fred sets out to rescue him and scotch the Devil’s plans.

In reply to - Susan Turner posted an update in the group Perfect your pitch

Thanks everyone for your comments. Considering them and trying to keep it punchy as you say, what about this version?

Twin brothers are summoned to the […]

Rose Blakeney posted a new activity comment

Sat, 03 Aug 2024 08:47:35 +0100

I agree – the second one is much better but I think there should be a hint at why this happens – an experiment? Who does the summoning – presumably, the devil himself?

In reply to - Susan Turner posted an update in the group Perfect your pitch

Hi everyone.

I’m trying a new take on my pitch for my adult fantasy The Soul Corruptor. Which is preferable? I would really appreciate any […]

Rose Blakeney posted a new activity comment

Thu, 01 Aug 2024 14:36:51 +0100

By contrast in Norfolk. we are enduring a hot spell (on and off) and it’s too much for me! There was a welcome shower this morning but now it’s back to oppression by temperature. I could eat a ton of ice cream but I’m trying to lose some weight.

In reply to - Rose Blakeney posted an update

Rain, lovely rain!

Rose Blakeney posted an update: Rain, lovely rain!

Thu, 01 Aug 2024 08:32:01 +0100

Rain, lovely rain!

Rose Blakeney replied to a discussion in the forum Coffee & cake

Mon, 29 Jul 2024 14:28:22 +0100

Reply to Munch's Piano

Congratulations on the publication of “Munch’s Piano”.

I like the way you have written the paragraph about Tranby as a way of intoducing the narrator’s soliloquy about Munch, which might otherwise seem to readers to be an odd subject in the circumstances.

You bring the text round neatly again to Nils and the narrator. I do find the meaning of “the…

Rose Blakeney posted a new activity comment

Thu, 25 Jul 2024 08:48:39 +0100

Hello Megan
Congratulations on completing your three novels and getting to a point where you feel pretty well satisfied with your first novel. You have to know when to stop. The trouble is, if you go back to your writing yet again later, you always find reasons to re-edit! Police procedural is a challenging genre but it sounds as though you have a… Read more

In reply to - Megan Brebner posted an update in the group Premium Members

Hi. I’m retired, and live with my daughter and her family. So far I have written three novels and have outlines and the first 300 or pages of a fourth. […]

Rose Blakeney posted a new activity comment

Wed, 24 Jul 2024 08:41:52 +0100

👍

In reply to - Rose Blakeney posted an update in the group Perfect your pitch

How about the following?:

In Victorian Yorkshire, a strong-minded boy fights family ridicule and expectation to achieve a musical career.

Rose Blakeney posted a new activity comment

Sun, 21 Jul 2024 09:10:47 +0100

Many thanks for your reply and suggestion, cds cds.

In reply to - Rose Blakeney posted an update in the group Perfect your pitch

How about the following?:

In Victorian Yorkshire, a strong-minded boy fights family ridicule and expectation to achieve a musical career.

Rose Blakeney posted a new activity comment

Sat, 20 Jul 2024 13:57:39 +0100

Apologies for “makeing” typo.

I haven’t thought of comps yet. I think I’ve got my pitch at last though: A strong-minded rural boy, George, resists family pressure and ridicule in Victorian Yorkshire, to achieve a musical career.

In reply to - Rose Blakeney posted an update in the group Perfect your pitch

How about the following?:

In Victorian Yorkshire, a strong-minded boy fights family ridicule and expectation to achieve a musical career.

Rose Blakeney posted a new activity comment

Fri, 19 Jul 2024 10:18:12 +0100

Thank you for the suggestion. I’m currently having another re-think.

In reply to - Rose Blakeney posted an update in the group Perfect your pitch

The Lad From Ravenwick

After doing a recent re-edit, I ‘m thinking of sending the above novel to a few independent publishers and would like any c […]

Rose Blakeney posted a new activity comment

Fri, 19 Jul 2024 10:12:18 +0100

cds cds

I like your suggestion up there and it might be a good idea to try to get the “mill-working” element into the pitch if possible, as a pointer to the contrast between his home and his aspiration. Difficult to get it in without makeing it clumsy or too long, though.

In reply to - Rose Blakeney posted an update in the group Perfect your pitch

How about the following?:

In Victorian Yorkshire, a strong-minded boy fights family ridicule and expectation to achieve a musical career.

Rose Blakeney posted a new activity comment

Fri, 19 Jul 2024 10:00:34 +0100

Thank you for the idea. It’s rather long for a pitch but I do like the word “pressure” in preference to “expectation”. Yes, I think it could be more personalised. My thinking cap is on.

In reply to - Rose Blakeney posted an update in the group Perfect your pitch

How about the following?:

In Victorian Yorkshire, a strong-minded boy fights family ridicule and expectation to achieve a musical career.

Rose Blakeney posted an update in the group Perfect your pitch: How about the following?:In Victorian Yorkshire, a […]

Thu, 18 Jul 2024 14:26:34 +0100

How about the following?:

In Victorian Yorkshire, a strong-minded boy fights family ridicule and expectation to achieve a musical career.

Rose Blakeney posted a new activity comment

Thu, 18 Jul 2024 14:18:56 +0100

Hello Mark,

Your use of the word “plucky” has got me thinking.

In reply to - Rose Blakeney posted an update in the group Perfect your pitch

The Lad From Ravenwick

After doing a recent re-edit, I ‘m thinking of sending the above novel to a few independent publishers and would like any c […]

Rose Blakeney posted a new activity comment

Thu, 18 Jul 2024 14:07:12 +0100

Gianna

George, the M.C., isn’t a teenager when the srory begins. He is ten at the start but his ambition solidifies leter. No, the word “teenager” wasn’t around in his time so boy or lad. is the only alternative.

In reply to - Rose Blakeney posted an update in the group Perfect your pitch

The Lad From Ravenwick

After doing a recent re-edit, I ‘m thinking of sending the above novel to a few independent publishers and would like any c […]

Rose Blakeney posted a new activity comment

Thu, 18 Jul 2024 14:01:22 +0100

Angela,
I could use the word “boy” but “Lad” would stay in the title.

In reply to - Rose Blakeney posted an update in the group Perfect your pitch

The Lad From Ravenwick

After doing a recent re-edit, I ‘m thinking of sending the above novel to a few independent publishers and would like any c […]

Rose Blakeney posted a new activity comment

Wed, 17 Jul 2024 15:44:57 +0100

Angela

Thank you for the suggestion. I think “young man” would seem too formal, though. “Boy” would be a suitable alternative but “Lad” suits the setting, as it echoes an everyday term used in the north.

In reply to - Rose Blakeney posted an update in the group Perfect your pitch

The Lad From Ravenwick

After doing a recent re-edit, I ‘m thinking of sending the above novel to a few independent publishers and would like any c […]

Rose Blakeney replied to a discussion in the forum All about writing

Wed, 17 Jul 2024 15:32:45 +0100

Reply to Wordcount

Hello Cath

Perhaps when you’re editing, you’ll find you can develop your book into a higher wordcount. Good luck with it. 😃

Rose Blakeney posted a new activity comment

Wed, 17 Jul 2024 11:01:13 +0100

Thank you for the suggestion. I like that a lot: it captures the essence but I’ll try to make it: a bit more concise.

In reply to - Rose Blakeney posted an update in the group Perfect your pitch

The Lad From Ravenwick

After doing a recent re-edit, I ‘m thinking of sending the above novel to a few independent publishers and would like any c […]

Rose Blakeney posted a new activity comment

Wed, 17 Jul 2024 10:57:48 +0100

Hello, Tracey

Yes, I’m afraid you’re thinking of someone else’s work. Sorry I can’t point you in the right direction.

In reply to - Rose Blakeney posted an update in the group Perfect your pitch

The Lad From Ravenwick

After doing a recent re-edit, I ‘m thinking of sending the above novel to a few independent publishers and would like any c […]

Rose Blakeney posted a new activity comment

Tue, 16 Jul 2024 15:24:14 +0100

Thank you, cds cds. I’ll bear in mind what you’ve said.

The musical career the main character wants is actually a singing one. It would probably be best not to be that precise in the pitch, though. The story starts when he is ten years old. I haven’t seen “Billy Elliot”, the film or the musical, so any plot similarities are purely coincidental!… Read more

In reply to - Rose Blakeney posted an update in the group Perfect your pitch

The Lad From Ravenwick

After doing a recent re-edit, I ‘m thinking of sending the above novel to a few independent publishers and would like any c […]

Rose Blakeney posted a new activity comment

Tue, 16 Jul 2024 09:26:19 +0100

TO ALL OF THE ABOVE
I thought you might say something like that but thought leaving the aim vague would prompt the company to want to know more! It seems I’ve been too vague so I’ll re-think this.

The book is set in the 1860s. George, the protagonist, wants a musical career – completely alien to the farming community he lives in. His father… Read more

In reply to - Rose Blakeney posted an update in the group Perfect your pitch

The Lad From Ravenwick

After doing a recent re-edit, I ‘m thinking of sending the above novel to a few independent publishers and would like any c […]

Rose Blakeney posted an update in the group Perfect your pitch: The Lad From RavenwickAfter doing a recent re-edit, I ‘m t […]

Mon, 15 Jul 2024 15:21:32 +0100

The Lad From Ravenwick

After doing a recent re-edit, I ‘m thinking of sending the above novel to a few independent publishers and would like any comments on my pitch:

An ambitious lad in mid-Victorian Yorkshire fights opposition and circumstance to achieve his aim.

Is it snappy enough?

Rose Blakeney replied to a discussion in the forum Ask Jericho

Sat, 13 Jul 2024 08:24:06 +0100

Reply to Italics or not?

Ramsbottom wasn’t in the same era as Bill and Ben, etc. (I remember them too – and the Woodentops!) Ramsbottom was a character who popped up in the Sooty Show’s later stage from time to time in Harry Corbett’s era. He would say something grumbly in a broad Yorkshire accent, then disappear! You’ve missed a treat.