Karen McCreedy: Novelist and Freelance Writer - Writing diary

January 1st-17th 2022

17/1/2022

Writing Activity: Started working through beta reader feedback on novel
#4.
Noted further ideas for next novel.
Changed working routine to see if it works - blitz writing
one day per week, fit in updates and editing around
other activities.

Just read: 'The Midnight Library' by Matt Haig
'The Last Assassin: The Hunt for the Killers of Julius Caesar' by
Peter Stothard

Currently reading: 'The Astronaut Wives Club' by Lily Koppel

December 22nd-31st

22/12/2021

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

I'll be reading through Beta reader feedback, in between the fun and festivities, so I'm ready to re-start the re-writing/editing process in the new year.
After that... the search for a publisher (or maybe an agent?) begins again.

Have a wonderful few weeks, whatever you may be doing.

December 1st-21st

21/12/2021

Writing Activity: Beta reader feedback received on novel #4. To be read
and properly digested over Christmas/New Year.
Sorted out timeline and new characters for novel #5.

Just Read: 'Star Trek: A Contest of Principles' by Greg Cox

Currently Reading: 'Silent Nights: Christmas Mysteries', edited by
Martin Edwards

November 22nd-30th

30/11/2021

Writing Activity: Continued notes for next novel
Attended writing talks by, and had writerly chats with
a fellow author while on holiday cruise.

Just Read: 'Skis against the Atom' by Knut Haukelid
'The Shetland Bus' by David Howarth

Currently Reading: 'The Greatest Knight' by Elizabeth Chadwick

November 1st-21st

21/11/2021

Writing Activity: Finished latest draft of novel and sent to Beta reader.
Took a holiday - but still managed to make a start on
next book, making notes of ideas, and drafting first
few pages.

Just Read: 'The Last Master: Passion and Anger' by John Suchet
'Force of Nature' by Jane Harper

Currently Reading: 'USS Hamilton: Ironhold Station' by Mark Wayne
McGinnis

October 18th-31st

31/10/2021

Writing Activity: Ran draft novel through SmartEdit software, and cut out
a bunch of adverbs, repeated phrases and redundant
words.
Checked with a gaming friend on correct phrasing that's
crucial to the novel's plot. Another run through, and
it'll be time to hand it over to my Beta readers.

Just read: 'Shadows of Athens' by J.M.Alvey

Currently Reading: 'Outlaw' by James Swallow

October 17th: u3a Interview

17/10/2021

New interview

Interviewed for the u3a podcast, following success in the u3a national short story competition
u3a radio podcast episode 11 - October 2021 - YouTube

October 1st-16th

16/10/2021

Writing Activity: Finished read-through of novel. Rewrote last chapter/
epilogue.

Just Read: 'Gone to Sea in a Bucket' by David Black

Currently Reading: 'Operation Pedestal: The Fleet that Battled to Malta,
1942' by Max Hastings

September 21st-30th

30/9/2021

Writing Activity: Interviewed for u3a podcast as a follow-up to winning
3rd prize in the short story competition
Continued 'out loud' read-through of SF novel.

(Still) Reading: 'Fortress Malta' by James Holland

September 2nd-20th

20/9/2021

Writing Activity: A short break to recharge the batteries, then resumed
read-through of SF novel.

Just read: 'Star Trek: Living Memory' by Christopher L. Bennett

Currently reading: 'Fortress Malta: An Island Under Siege 1940-43' by
James Holland