I mostly read out short stories and poems at spoken word gigs. Occasionally I find a novel chapter which is self-contained and suitable for reading. I've drafted a child's story recently about Grandma's Sweetshop and magic sweets but, at present, I'm having fun reading out my latest grown-up story: UNSUBSCRIBE. Anyone who's ever sworn at the unsubscribe process on some websites will associate with this theme. The story is not published anywhere yet but below is a taster. If you want to know how it ends, contact me on my contact page and I'll send you the rest. I can also send you the children's short story, Grandma's sweetshop. If the entire taster does not show, please click on the 'read more' button.
UNSUBSCRIBE
John had come to a decision. With his first year's membership at an end, he would unsubscribe from Excitingdates then join the new dating site friends had told him all about. It would only take a minute.
He logged in, turned to 'settings' and searched for 'unsubscribe.' There it was.
If you wish to unsubcribe, please choose the yellow button below.
Without hesitation. He clicked. Immediately another page flashed up.
We're sorry you are leaving us. Before you go, please help us understand why.
Choose at least one of the following statements, then click the yellow
unsubscribe button at the bottom of the page.
John sighed. They always asked things like this. It was a bind. He looked down the statements.
1. I've found my ideal partner
2. I haven't found my ideal partner
3. Members refuse to answer my messages
4. Membership fee is too high
5. My spouse refuses to get involved
6. Not enough features
7. Other
It didn't really matter which reason he chose, as long as he decided on at least one. This done, he clicked on the yellow button. Another page flashed up.
Thank you for providing us with information which will help improve our service.
Before we can usubscribe you, we would like to know how you identify. Please
tick at least one of the following.
I am:
1. Male
2. Female
3. Transgender
4. Gender Fluid
5. Heterosexual
6. Homosexual
7. Lesbian
8. Gay
9. Asexual
10. Bisexual
11. Metrosexual
13. Undecided
14. Other
John scratched his head. With a cheeky grin, he clicked 'Other.'
Hi all. I expect most of you reading this short blog have never read one of my books. It must be very difficult making a purchase decision on an unknown author like myself. To help overcome this dilemma, you can read first pages of every novel without any obligation on the publisher's website. Go to www.feedaread.com and in the search box type in my name, Julia Patten. All my books will pop up. Just click on the one which interests you. This will give you a better idea of my writing style.
I should say, I pride myself on writing fast-paced novels with no unnecessary waffle. I think this style comes from the many years I was employed in the field of public relations. I was required to write press material, advertising, leaflets, newsletters and the like, all of which had to be sharp, to the point, economical with words.
When I began writing novels, I mistakenly believed all these commercial disciplines could be forgotten. I soon learnt the opposite. The disciplines of commercial writing are essential to good fiction writing.
My characters, generally, are 'normal' people who find themselves in chaotic situations. Sometimes there is a mystery; sometimes a murder; sometimes an inexplicable event; but the emphasis is always on the characters and the part they play in each story.
I am always pleased to receive feedback. From time to time, if I receive comments, I will update my books to take such input into account.
So, please do read the synopsis and sample the book before you make a decision. Best wishes.
Julia
Hi all. I am ever conscious of how my novels develop, how important it is to build the story word by word, paragraph by paragraph. When it comes to description, it is far too easy to use familiar phrases which have almost become cliches. What matters is, whether these words accurately describe the situation or are they just words that sound good? Do the individual adjectives give the reader additional information or merely repeat the obvious?
For example, in the novella I am currently writing, STATE OF MIND, a psychological drama, my main character, Jenna, runs off to the Lake District to escape terrible images in her head. The Lake District is, of course, famous for its fells. In describing these, my immediate inclination was to describe them as 'high fells,' 'towering fells,' 'impressive fells,' but, of course, the reader knows already that fells are high, impressive and towering. These adjectives tell the reader nothing new. (more)
This is what I mean by building up the story, word by word. In the end I decided on 'craggy fells' as this provides information which is not entirely repetitive. This all takes time and conconcentration, first of all to spot the places where these automatic words appear and then to consider carefully which replacement would be best. I also have to consider how often certain descriptive words are used throughout the novel. I am horrified if I find the same word has cropped too many times. It's surprising how this sticks in your mind when you are reading. Best wishes to you all for now. You can contact me with comments, if you have any, through this website. Julie END