I never heard of "The Prisoner" TV series, is that available in the
US? I've never been much of a TV watcher, mostly movies. Sounds
interesting though.

Here is a good explanation of: The Snowflake Method for Writing a
Novel
http://www.rsingermanson.com/html/the_snowflake.html.

- James

--- In friendsofanne@..., "James D. Maxon"
<SamuriJim@y...> wrote:
>
> Hi Will,
>
> Yeah, it was a struggle at school. I got thru it but it took a lot
> of work. I really appreciate your encouragement. In High School I
> worked my way out of the "Special Education" program and got
> into "normal" classes. My toughest subject was English, so I
> dedicated a lot more energy towards it and in doing so developed a
> passion with the written word.
>
> Growing up my love for fantasy comes from having books of that
genre
> read to me as a kid - and the desire to live in a different world,
> if only for a short time, was also intriguing. As C.S. Lewis
> said, "We were created for something better." Stories like his
> Narnia helped to pave my love for imagination and fantasy. My
> writing took on a form of symbolism (of which I love) and depth of
> meaning. There is a lot that can be expressed and conveyed with the
> vehicle of fantasy/Sci-Fi. It can help us to look at things in a
> different way and discover truths we are normally blind to.
>
> I agree that structure is important, I need to be better at that. I
> used to think forcing a structure would hinder the creativity and
> spontaneity of the story. But as many times as I have gone back to
> rework it I'm thinking it's not a bad idea. I was thinking of using
> the "Snowflake Technique" to writing to see if that helped at all.
> At this point my biggest hurtle is time. After getting married and
> working long hour days, free time is hard to come by. But I am
> committed to one day getting it done.
>
> Thanks again for sharing your experience with me and your
> encouragement. I hope that one day I will indeed finish "A Wizard's
> Tale" and be able to hold the published book in my very own hands :-
)
>
> - James
>
>
>
> --- In friendsofanne@..., "Will Hadcroft"
> <will.hadcroft@n...> wrote:
> >
> > James,
> >
> > Annedroyd.com was taken when I registered at 123 Reg, so I took
> annedroyd.co.uk instead. I'll take another look. By the way, if you
> do want to help on the web site front (ie design one for me),
Gareth
> Preston has said he would be happy to hand over duties to anyone
who
> wants to spend more time on it. Cheers Gareth!
> >
> > I understand how a learning disability can slow one down. At
> school I was deemed "a bit slow" by my teachers (much to my
mother's
> annoyance). My desire to be a writer was fed and developed when I
> signed up to The Writers Bureau correspondence course. You pay
> something like £200.00 (might be a bit more now) and each
assignment
> is designed to be turned into a piece of work for submission to
> editors. I signed up to the course in 1996 and I still haven't
> completed and received my diploma - partly because I have too many
> writing projects on the go, and partly because I'm slow at working
> on assignments (though if it's something I'm interested in, like my
> most recent novel, I can knock it out swiftly!). I have two books
to
> my name, both published by a reputable company. I'm now on the
> search for an agent and pitching my latest work.
> >
> > Reading your email, I wouldn't ever have suspected that you had
> learning difficulties. It reads fluently, you communicate yourself
> well. With fiction, you need to understand how to plot and
structure
> your story. You need to know your characters (write little
> biographies for them) and you need to know how the work should be
> presented. If all this is in order, you could be up to publishable
> standard.
> >
> > Good ideas are not enough to get published. You need good ideas,
a
> bit of flair with your writing style, and know how to approach
> publishers in a professional manner.
> >
> > It took me ten years to get there. I have confidence that you
> could get there too.
> >
> > Will.
> >
>

I have always referred to it as 'snow flake,' meaning
that you start off with a basic idea but aren't
satisfied that there is enough to make a complete
story, so add little bits over a period of time.
'Snow Ball' would suggest a story that runs away of
it's own accord once you get started. I guess both are
correct but have slightly different connotations.
Adrian

--- Will Hadcroft <will.hadcroft@...> wrote:

> Do you mean the snow ball technique, where you start
> off not knowing how things will end up - or
> something else?
>
> Will H

Adrian's Homepage:     
http://www.geocities.com/adrianjandrews/fun_d_mental.html
Cabaret Show:               http://www.freewebs.com/vaginalguff
"ANDY" the Cartoonist:  http://www.freewebs.com/sceniks
For Voice-over work:     http://adrianjandrews.voice123.com
E-Books:                       http://www.thebookwiz.com/120349
Big Tree Productions     http://www.freewebs.com/bigtreeproductions
THE TRIPODS                http://www.freewebs.com/theleagueoffreemen



___________________________________________________________
Inbox full of spam? Get leading spam protection and 1GB storage with All New
Yahoo! Mail. http://uk.docs.yahoo.com/nowyoucan.html

I have just completed a stage play using the 'snow
flake technique.' It's the first time I have ever
applied it to my work, as I usually have all the
threads in a story worked out before applying pen to
paper. All said and  done, my cast is very
enthusiastic, so it obviously works!
Adrian

--- "James D. Maxon" <SamuriJim@...> wrote:

> Hi Will,
>
> Yeah, it was a struggle at school. I got thru it but
> it took a lot
> of work. I really appreciate your encouragement. In
> High School I
> worked my way out of the "Special Education" program
> and got
> into "normal" classes. My toughest subject was
> English, so I
> dedicated a lot more energy towards it and in doing
> so developed a
> passion with the written word.
>
> Growing up my love for fantasy comes from having
> books of that genre
> read to me as a kid - and the desire to live in a
> different world,
> if only for a short time, was also intriguing. As
> C.S. Lewis
> said, "We were created for something better."
> Stories like his
> Narnia helped to pave my love for imagination and
> fantasy. My
> writing took on a form of symbolism (of which I
> love) and depth of
> meaning. There is a lot that can be expressed and
> conveyed with the
> vehicle of fantasy/Sci-Fi. It can help us to look at
> things in a
> different way and discover truths we are normally
> blind to.
>
> I agree that structure is important, I need to be
> better at that. I
> used to think forcing a structure would hinder the
> creativity and
> spontaneity of the story. But as many times as I
> have gone back to
> rework it I'm thinking it's not a bad idea. I was
> thinking of using
> the "Snowflake Technique" to writing to see if that
> helped at all.
> At this point my biggest hurtle is time. After
> getting married and
> working long hour days, free time is hard to come
> by. But I am
> committed to one day getting it done.
>
> Thanks again for sharing your experience with me and
> your
> encouragement. I hope that one day I will indeed
> finish "A Wizard's
> Tale" and be able to hold the published book in my
> very own hands :-)
>
> - James
>
>
>
> --- In friendsofanne@..., "Will
> Hadcroft"
> <will.hadcroft@n...> wrote:
> >
> > James,
> >
> > Annedroyd.com was taken when I registered at 123
> Reg, so I took
> annedroyd.co.uk instead. I'll take another look. By
> the way, if you
> do want to help on the web site front (ie design one
> for me), Gareth
> Preston has said he would be happy to hand over
> duties to anyone who
> wants to spend more time on it. Cheers Gareth!
> >
> > I understand how a learning disability can slow
> one down. At
> school I was deemed "a bit slow" by my teachers
> (much to my mother's
> annoyance). My desire to be a writer was fed and
> developed when I
> signed up to The Writers Bureau correspondence
> course. You pay
> something like £200.00 (might be a bit more now) and
> each assignment
> is designed to be turned into a piece of work for
> submission to
> editors. I signed up to the course in 1996 and I
> still haven't
> completed and received my diploma - partly because I
> have too many
> writing projects on the go, and partly because I'm
> slow at working
> on assignments (though if it's something I'm
> interested in, like my
> most recent novel, I can knock it out swiftly!). I
> have two books to
> my name, both published by a reputable company. I'm
> now on the
> search for an agent and pitching my latest work.
> >
> > Reading your email, I wouldn't ever have suspected
> that you had
> learning difficulties. It reads fluently, you
> communicate yourself
> well. With fiction, you need to understand how to
> plot and structure
> your story. You need to know your characters (write
> little
> biographies for them) and you need to know how the
> work should be
> presented. If all this is in order, you could be up
> to publishable
> standard.
> >
> > Good ideas are not enough to get published. You
> need good ideas, a
> bit of flair with your writing style, and know how
> to approach
> publishers in a professional manner.
> >
> > It took me ten years to get there. I have
> confidence that you
> could get there too.
> >
> > Will.
> >
>
>
>
>
>

Adrian's Homepage:     
http://www.geocities.com/adrianjandrews/fun_d_mental.html
Cabaret Show:               http://www.freewebs.com/vaginalguff
"ANDY" the Cartoonist:  http://www.freewebs.com/sceniks
For Voice-over work:     http://adrianjandrews.voice123.com
E-Books:                       http://www.thebookwiz.com/120349
Big Tree Productions     http://www.freewebs.com/bigtreeproductions
THE TRIPODS                http://www.freewebs.com/theleagueoffreemen



___________________________________________________________
The all-new Yahoo! Mail goes wherever you go - free your email address from your
Internet provider. http://uk.docs.yahoo.com/nowyoucan.html

Hi Will,

Yeah, it was a struggle at school. I got thru it but it took a lot
of work. I really appreciate your encouragement. In High School I
worked my way out of the "Special Education" program and got
into "normal" classes. My toughest subject was English, so I
dedicated a lot more energy towards it and in doing so developed a
passion with the written word.

Growing up my love for fantasy comes from having books of that genre
read to me as a kid - and the desire to live in a different world,
if only for a short time, was also intriguing. As C.S. Lewis
said, "We were created for something better." Stories like his
Narnia helped to pave my love for imagination and fantasy. My
writing took on a form of symbolism (of which I love) and depth of
meaning. There is a lot that can be expressed and conveyed with the
vehicle of fantasy/Sci-Fi. It can help us to look at things in a
different way and discover truths we are normally blind to.

I agree that structure is important, I need to be better at that. I
used to think forcing a structure would hinder the creativity and
spontaneity of the story. But as many times as I have gone back to
rework it I'm thinking it's not a bad idea. I was thinking of using
the "Snowflake Technique" to writing to see if that helped at all.
At this point my biggest hurtle is time. After getting married and
working long hour days, free time is hard to come by. But I am
committed to one day getting it done.

Thanks again for sharing your experience with me and your
encouragement. I hope that one day I will indeed finish "A Wizard's
Tale" and be able to hold the published book in my very own hands :-)

- James



--- In friendsofanne@..., "Will Hadcroft"
<will.hadcroft@n...> wrote:
>
> James,
>
> Annedroyd.com was taken when I registered at 123 Reg, so I took
annedroyd.co.uk instead. I'll take another look. By the way, if you
do want to help on the web site front (ie design one for me), Gareth
Preston has said he would be happy to hand over duties to anyone who
wants to spend more time on it. Cheers Gareth!
>
> I understand how a learning disability can slow one down. At
school I was deemed "a bit slow" by my teachers (much to my mother's
annoyance). My desire to be a writer was fed and developed when I
signed up to The Writers Bureau correspondence course. You pay
something like £200.00 (might be a bit more now) and each assignment
is designed to be turned into a piece of work for submission to
editors. I signed up to the course in 1996 and I still haven't
completed and received my diploma - partly because I have too many
writing projects on the go, and partly because I'm slow at working
on assignments (though if it's something I'm interested in, like my
most recent novel, I can knock it out swiftly!). I have two books to
my name, both published by a reputable company. I'm now on the
search for an agent and pitching my latest work.
>
> Reading your email, I wouldn't ever have suspected that you had
learning difficulties. It reads fluently, you communicate yourself
well. With fiction, you need to understand how to plot and structure
your story. You need to know your characters (write little
biographies for them) and you need to know how the work should be
presented. If all this is in order, you could be up to publishable
standard.
>
> Good ideas are not enough to get published. You need good ideas, a
bit of flair with your writing style, and know how to approach
publishers in a professional manner.
>
> It took me ten years to get there. I have confidence that you
could get there too.
>
> Will.
>

Hi Will,

Sounds like you had a good time in the White Mountains ;-). Thanks
for letting me know you do actually have a Web site at
http://annedroyd.co.uk/. Although it's very bear bones and could use
some design work ;-). I might be able to help in the future when I
have more freetime :-), it would be a fun project.

I checked http://annedroyd.com and according to
http://www.directnic.com/?7400 it is still available, meaning no one
owns it. I wonder why you see it as otherwise? Maybe you need to
have a US address to buy a .com? If you use DirectNic you can just
set it up to forward to your http://annedroyd.co.uk/ site. I think
some other Domain name providers do the same, but I'm not sure which.

Yeah, as far as my story goes I actually started it when I was about
13 years old. I went back in my later years to rework it, then got
some good feedback from people. Now I once more want to go back to
rework it again using their feedback. I found that "Show more tell
less" is a better way to unfold a story, and I explain too much in
my current version.  As mush as it's my dream to see it printed
someday I doubt that will ever happen. I love to write but I'm slow
at it as I have grown up with a learning disability, and don't know
if my skills are up to publishing standards. Even so the joy of
writing itself is part of the reward.

- James
< http://awizardstale.net >

--- In friendsofanne@..., "Will Hadcroft"
<will.hadcroft@n...> wrote:
>
> Thanks for this information, James. It is very much appreciated.
>
> I applied for annedroyd.com a few months ago, only to find that I
> had been beaten to it (I did actually own the name, but when it
> lapsed, I procrastinated, and someone snatched it off me). However
I
> did register "annedroyd.co.uk" and asked our fellow Friend of
Anne,
> Gareth Preston, to put up my information and point the name to it.
> On returning from holiday this morning I was delighted to find
that
> he has indeed done it. So cheers Gareth!
>
> As for your offer to help with web site related things, I am again
> very grateful. I must tell you (as I told Gareth) that I know
> absolutely nothing about designing sites and hosting them and find
> even the simplest explanations difficult to follow. You would, if
> you wanted to help out in this way, have to do all the work
yourself!
>
> It's great to know your own novel is coming along. I look forward
to
> seeing it in print.
>
> If there are any other budding authors out there, remember
> it's "Black on White, You Gotta Write". So many would-be writers
say
> they aren't getting anywhere, and then when you ask, it turns out
> that they haven't even started writing anything!!
>
> Cheers,
>
> Will H.
>

Thanks for this information, James. It is very much appreciated.

I applied for annedroyd.com a few months ago, only to find that I
had been beaten to it (I did actually own the name, but when it
lapsed, I procrastinated, and someone snatched it off me). However I
did register "annedroyd.co.uk" and asked our fellow Friend of Anne,
Gareth Preston, to put up my information and point the name to it.
On returning from holiday this morning I was delighted to find that
he has indeed done it. So cheers Gareth!

As for your offer to help with web site related things, I am again
very grateful. I must tell you (as I told Gareth) that I know
absolutely nothing about designing sites and hosting them and find
even the simplest explanations difficult to follow. You would, if
you wanted to help out in this way, have to do all the work yourself!

It's great to know your own novel is coming along. I look forward to
seeing it in print.

If there are any other budding authors out there, remember
it's "Black on White, You Gotta Write". So many would-be writers say
they aren't getting anywhere, and then when you ask, it turns out
that they haven't even started writing anything!!

Cheers,

Will H.

Thanks Victoria, and thanks for coming on board.

The information currently on display on this site has been
duplicated on "annedroyd.co.uk", which has a link to this one. I
might write some fresh articles to go in "Friends of Anne Droyd", or
maybe put up some of the reviews Anne has received on the internet.

I did indeed enjoy the Tirol. You know, there wasn't a single Tripod
in sight! Mind you, in John Christopher's trilogy the White
Mountains were the Swiss Alps, so maybe that's where they are...

Will H.


--- In friendsofanne@..., "Victoria" <vwoollon@y...>
wrote:
>
> Hi Will
>
> Very inpressed with your site.  I'm sure Anne Droyd fans would be
> ecstatic with the amount of extra information they have access to
here.
> Haven't read your book yet, but I vow to do so asap, after my next
> payday that is!
> Enjoy the Tirol, but watch out for Wurtemburgers!
>
> VW
>

Just a suggestion, as a Web developer. You should purchase the domain
name annedroyd.com, it's not taken yet and will cost only $15 a year.
It most likely will be important in expanding your readership and
provides quick references for people to learn more about your work.
When asked you can simply say, "please visit annedroyd.com". From
there you can have a Bio, News, Notes, Articles, Interviews, History,
and links to purchase your book in several different countries. It's
easy to put on a business card or on the back cover of future book
releases not to mention its short enough for people to remember. I
purchased a domain name and designed a site for my story
(http://www.awizardstale.net) and I don't even have more than 12
chapters yet! In my opinion it's worth the small investment. You can
start with grabbing your domain, I use this site for registering my
domains: http://www.directnic.com/?7400, there are many others too.

If you need any help or advice on the development and/or design of the
site let me know.

- James

Hi Will

Very inpressed with your site.  I'm sure Anne Droyd fans would be
ecstatic with the amount of extra information they have access to here.
Haven't read your book yet, but I vow to do so asap, after my next
payday that is!
Enjoy the Tirol, but watch out for Wurtemburgers!

VW

----- Original Message -----

From: julie_euston

To: friendsofanne@...

Sent: Thursday, May 04, 2006 10:43 PM

Subject: [friendsofanne] Hi

Hi Will,

Finally a free moment to stop by.   Wishing one of my most favourite
authors every success with future works.   You truly have a gift,
thankyou for sharing it.      

Very Best Wishes,
Julie  

Hi Will,

Finally a free moment to stop by.   Wishing one of my most favourite
authors every success with future works.   You truly have a gift,
thankyou for sharing it.

Very Best Wishes,
Julie

----- Original Message -----

From: jawsextreme

To: friendsofanne@...

Sent: Thursday, April 27, 2006 12:11 AM

Subject: [friendsofanne] Re: Welcome!

I look forward to seeing the site once it's done^^ Also, I'll show mum
and dad this place as well. They may want to sign up, although more
than likely they'll just hijack my account to post messages from time
to time XD lol

And yeah, I'll mention it to others too :D

JAWs

I look forward to seeing the site once it's done^^ Also, I'll show mum
and dad this place as well. They may want to sign up, although more
than likely they'll just hijack my account to post messages from time
to time XD lol

And yeah, I'll mention it to others too :D

JAWs

--- In friendsofanne@..., Daniel Järnström
<dakki78@y...> wrote:
> I see you've made it here mr. Electromatix. Nice to see familiar
> faces.

I'm glad you didn't spell that final word with an e after the a, even
if it might be appropriate for one such as myself. :)

My curiosity was a little piqued at hearing the title of the
group...sounds a bit like Friends of Dorothy.

Hi Will.
It's good to see the real locations that inspired those in the book. Wish I had
seen these
before putting pen to paper. Still, you know where I am if you require revised
artwork.

"Andy" the cartoonist

I see you've made it here mr. Electromatix. Nice to see familiar faces.

Dan

--- In friendsofanne@..., "Will Hadcroft"
<will_hadcroft@y...> wrote:
>
> Dan,
>
> Thanks for signing up. Tripods Army Finland is now in the Links
> section as requested.
>
> Will.
>

Thanks mate! Hopefully this group will be a hit. So, how many here
have read the book?

Dan

Thanks matey. Spread the word to anyone whom you think would be
interested. I want to give Anne a real online presence.

--- In friendsofanne@..., "jawsextreme"
<jaws.extreme@h...> wrote:
>
> Hya^^ It's me, JAWs. Thanks for inviting be Will, this place looks
> cool^^
>
> I may not be able to chack here regularly, but I'll do so as much as
I
> can :D
>
> JAWs
>

Hya^^ It's me, JAWs. Thanks for inviting be Will, this place looks
cool^^

I may not be able to chack here regularly, but I'll do so as much as I
can :D

JAWs

Just saying a big hello to everyone, and a thank you to Will for the invite. The
man himself lives next door to my home town of Wigan, so he's a lucky guy.

See you in Liverpool soon, Will!

Brian

Hi Jim,

Thanks for signing up. The book can be bought online at Amazon.com
(which serves the United States, as I'm sure you'll know!). Go
on "used and new", they're usually quite cheap on there. Aternatively,
you should be able to order it at your local book shop, since JKP have
offices and suppliers in the US.

Any probs, drop me a line.

Will.


--- In friendsofanne@..., "James D. Maxon"
<SamuriJim@y...> wrote:
>
> Hey Will,
>
> Just joined your group from the Tripods list e-mail. I actually
> haven't had a chance to get a copy of your book yet. Since I live in
> the USA I'm not sure where I can get one. Any ideas?
>
> - James
>

Dan,

Thanks for signing up. Tripods Army Finland is now in the Links
section as requested.

Will.


--- In friendsofanne@..., Daniel Järnström
<dakki78@y...> wrote:
>
> I will answer your question right here Will: I like it! And I'm also
a
> member now so see you around!
>
> Dan
>

Hi Jim,

Thanks for signing up. The book can be bought online at Amazon.com
(which serves the United States, as I'm sure you'll know!). Go
on "used and new", they're usually quite cheap on there. Aternatively,
you should be able to order it at your local book shop, since JKP have
offices and suppliers in the US.

Any probs, drop me a line.

Will.


--- In friendsofanne@..., "James D. Maxon"
<SamuriJim@y...> wrote:
>
> Hey Will,
>
> Just joined your group from the Tripods list e-mail. I actually
> haven't had a chance to get a copy of your book yet. Since I live in
> the USA I'm not sure where I can get one. Any ideas?
>
> - James
>

Hey Will,

Just joined your group from the Tripods list e-mail. I actually
haven't had a chance to get a copy of your book yet. Since I live in
the USA I'm not sure where I can get one. Any ideas?

- James

I will answer your question right here Will: I like it! And I'm also a
member now so see you around!

Dan