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Hey Paperback Writers

For all you writers out there….

June 10 is the anniversay of The Beatles 1966 UK release of the song “Paperback Writer”.
So sing along – with harmonies (and echo) – after three.
One….two….three

Paper back writer (paperback writer)

Dear Sir or Madam, will you read my book?
It took me years to write, will you take a look?
It’s based on a novel by a man named Lear
And I need a job, so I want to be a paperback writer, Paperback writer.

It’s a thousand pages, give or take a few,
I’ll be writing more in a week or two.
I can make it longer if you like the style,
I can change it round and I want to be a paperback writer, Paperback writer.

If you really like it you can have the rights,
It could make a million for you overnight.
If you must return it, you can send it here
But I need a break and I want to be a paperback writer, Paperback writer.

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My D-Day

Today is the anniversary of D-Day. In the early morning hours of June 6, 1944, Americans received word that three years of concerted war efforts had finally culminated in D-day–military jargon for the undisclosed time of a planned British, American, and Canadian action. During the night, over 5,300 ships and 11,000 planes had crossed the English Channel and landed on the beaches of Normandy. The goal of every soldier and civilian involved in that effort was to drive the German military back to Berlin by opening a western front in Europe.

It got me thinking and I figured if there was ever a day to DO IT – today is it – my D-Day. (Especially given the opening line in the prologue of my ms:

Positano, Italy 1943
It arrived with a stream of local children in tow,
the bearer dressed in full military regalia.

Yes, I actually hit the send button on that agent submission that has been sitting in my draft email box staring at me, laughing at me, goading me. So it is done – fired across to the other side of the world via cyberspace. Whether or not is hits the mark, I’ll have to wait and see.

Now…a moments silence in memory of all those really brave – the soldiers, the sailors, and the airmen.

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All advice is not good advice

There’s the old saying – “all advice is good advice”.
I think it’s true 99% of the time, and that’s about how much notice I take when I ask and receive advise on my writing.
But as this picture proves, you also have to go with your instincts.
It might be good advice, but maybe not for you at your particular place in your journey.
Always take a minute to consider the impact of any advice you receive, not just in the immediate future, but further down the road as well.
PS sorry I’ve been away so long. I’ll try and do it better.