READ MY EDITORIAL REVIEW FROM NEW YORK LITERARY MAGAZINE HERE. On the Morning Herald

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A BIT ABOUT ME

My writing has taken me on an interesting journey where I have whiled away a few years of my life writing a series I never intended to.

This journey took me from an idea through a learning curve I had no awareness even existed.

I just had the notion that I would rewrite a manuscript I typed up that sat gathering dust for over 25 years after I took voluntary redundancy from my full-time job of nearly 10 years with the local council. I was 63 by then.

Since I’m semi-retired (I still work a casual job) it will give me something to do besides renovating work.

I thought.

Who knows? Maybe people might even read it? Oh, my goodness! What if they bought it? It could help me pay my escalating bills.

I thought.

Well, to cut a long story short, (as if…)

I rewrote that first draft from that dusty old manuscript, which was typed with two fingers on a typewriter with carbon paper and a second sheet for my copy. A few bottles of white ink helped the process. You’re possibly too young to know what I’m talking about there, so let’s move on.  When rewriting I got to about page four of just over two hundred foolscap pages, I made a slight change to the plot. Whammo! I ditched the old manuscript as a brand-new story developed.

I titled the novel ‘The Sins of our Mother’s.’ Published it in 2015 as an e-book. Then thought it might look nice as a paperback. Did that, with no real cover and the day I held the physical proof copy it in my hand? One of the best feelings overcame me. Indescribable. The passion beast in me was aroused.

My journey began in earnest. I had to make this book better!

I will cut it short here, or at least try to.

What I learned is that the first edition, although it was very encouraging to hear people say the best things about it, wasn’t good in so many ways.

The formatting was wrong, there were a pile of grammar faults, the cover wasn’t very good and the blurb even worse. I am such an amateur!

I learned to edit. And re-edit and edit again and again. I was determined to make it better. The rewrites added a further 20,000 words. I learned to format, set pages to assorted sizes for e-books and paperbacks. I learned to submit in different required formats for different distributors. I learned all that, but I still made silly mistakes and probably always will, as long as I live. Like one day, I spent a full twelve hours editing and when I saved it, discovered I was editing the wrong version. Sigh.

Making covers was fun and I reckon I made 212 of them before I thought I had a good one. Failed.

Thousands of wasted hours on my part later, my daughter made me 4 new awesome covers. I love them. Then five years down the track, I have new covers again and I love them too. Yes, I lashed out and paid a cover designer for five of them, now six, but I’m sure my stories are worth it. Right?

I discovered writing isn’t just about conjuring up a tale and putting it on paper. I learned that.

It’s about the first draft rewritten sometimes dozens of times. It’s about telling a good story that readers will enjoy for a few hours.

There were times I was resolute in giving it away, throwing my arms up in the air and calling it quits, then someone calls or visits or writes me an email, posts something nice on face book or my website to tell me how much they loved the novel, or leaves an amazing review on Amazon. And I am back!

I write a second book. I write a third. A fourth and a fifth… And every one of those stories are for my readers. To give them a few hours of escape to another place. A place away from the dishes, the kids, the floor washing and real life in general.

I am following my dream. I am attached to my passion. I am learning despite my age and I am giving some of me, to my readers.

Is it all worth it?

Yes!! That part definitely is.

I learned that being an independent writer can mean you’re also an editor, a proof-reader a graphic designer or artist, a formatter and a person bent on making the best read you can. The other thing I would need, is some sort of degree in marketing. Now there’s a whole different ball game to play. Oh, boy. I am so not good at that! I need help. Big time!

So can you please help me reach new readers?  One way is to tell your friends, take a picture of you reading my novel post it to fb or leave a review. Be as creative as you want. Reviews, which are simple (or complicated) opinions of the story, are so important to writers like me to help get the stories out there so that others might enjoy a few hours of escape and leisure time.

I read every single review I get. And not just once. I treasure them and sometimes read them just to give me the courage to go on.

To review any of my books or (I wish)all of them on Amazon please visit the link below.

Thank you for reading my novels. .

Luv Kitty xxx

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‘Her Mother’s Sins’  2015

‘Her Fathers Daughter’ 2016 

‘Her Brother’s Keeper’  2017 

‘Her Grandma’s Ghosts’  2018

‘Her Husband’s Honour’  2019 

‘Her Son’s Promise’ 2023

Kitty reads all her reviews and likes to stay in touch with her fans. She has had a couple of stories published in anthologies over the years and was awarded a finalist position  for ‘Her Mother’s Sins’ in 2017 which she feels particulaly proud of.