JC Blair
@jc-blair.bsky.social
Aspiring (failed/failing) writer scribbling wastes of your time.
Concept to rejection 15:
Missed out on a shortlist. Read the winner... Realised that this was NOT the competition for me. 😂
They absolutely were not looking for my weird, weird manuscript.
Next time I guess.
#writing #author #book #novel
Missed out on a shortlist. Read the winner... Realised that this was NOT the competition for me. 😂
They absolutely were not looking for my weird, weird manuscript.
Next time I guess.
#writing #author #book #novel
a close up of a man with his eyes closed and his mouth open .
ALT: a close up of a man with his eyes closed and his mouth open .
media.tenor.com
November 13, 2025 at 8:39 PM
Concept to rejection 14:
Got my first comp #novel feedback. It's SO HARD to pay attention to all the positives... That one negative stings.
They even stressed how compelling it was but all I can see is the note.
#writing #author #book
Got my first comp #novel feedback. It's SO HARD to pay attention to all the positives... That one negative stings.
They even stressed how compelling it was but all I can see is the note.
#writing #author #book
a man in a white shirt is sitting on the floor holding his stomach and laughing .
ALT: a man in a white shirt is sitting on the floor holding his stomach and laughing .
media.tenor.com
November 11, 2025 at 2:00 PM
#Question for any writerly friends:
My manuscript is 'finished', edited (by 3rd party) and now in a bunch of comps with my query docs waiting.
Would you kick off the next project? Query before comp results come in? Touch grass?
#writing #author #novel #books
My manuscript is 'finished', edited (by 3rd party) and now in a bunch of comps with my query docs waiting.
Would you kick off the next project? Query before comp results come in? Touch grass?
#writing #author #novel #books
elmo from sesame street is looking at the camera while standing in front of a wall .
ALT: elmo from sesame street is looking at the camera while standing in front of a wall .
media.tenor.com
November 8, 2025 at 1:27 PM
This one totally sucked me in. I was wary of the hype, the length... I needn't have been. Totally. Addictive.
#TIL Multiple narrators are only fun and worthwhile if they disagree. That gap creates tension, mystery & illustrates theme.
#book #novel #writing #literature
#TIL Multiple narrators are only fun and worthwhile if they disagree. That gap creates tension, mystery & illustrates theme.
#book #novel #writing #literature
October 21, 2025 at 7:53 PM
This one totally sucked me in. I was wary of the hype, the length... I needn't have been. Totally. Addictive.
#TIL Multiple narrators are only fun and worthwhile if they disagree. That gap creates tension, mystery & illustrates theme.
#book #novel #writing #literature
#TIL Multiple narrators are only fun and worthwhile if they disagree. That gap creates tension, mystery & illustrates theme.
#book #novel #writing #literature
Concept to rejection 13:
Going BROAD in my desire to get qualified opinions on the #book.
Competitions, writing circles... And now #TheBlackList.
I'm sceptical but prepared to take a punt. The right quote or exposure will really give queries some punch.
#writing #author
Going BROAD in my desire to get qualified opinions on the #book.
Competitions, writing circles... And now #TheBlackList.
I'm sceptical but prepared to take a punt. The right quote or exposure will really give queries some punch.
#writing #author
a drawing of a mouse with the words " all in " written on it
ALT: a drawing of a mouse with the words " all in " written on it
media.tenor.com
October 21, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Concept to rejection 13:
Going BROAD in my desire to get qualified opinions on the #book.
Competitions, writing circles... And now #TheBlackList.
I'm sceptical but prepared to take a punt. The right quote or exposure will really give queries some punch.
#writing #author
Going BROAD in my desire to get qualified opinions on the #book.
Competitions, writing circles... And now #TheBlackList.
I'm sceptical but prepared to take a punt. The right quote or exposure will really give queries some punch.
#writing #author
Need I say anything about this banger?
If I have to... What a melding of magic, sociopolitics and the way love can drives us to good or ill.
It just rules. Enchanting.
#book #reading #writing #literature #novel
If I have to... What a melding of magic, sociopolitics and the way love can drives us to good or ill.
It just rules. Enchanting.
#book #reading #writing #literature #novel
October 20, 2025 at 7:52 PM
Need I say anything about this banger?
If I have to... What a melding of magic, sociopolitics and the way love can drives us to good or ill.
It just rules. Enchanting.
#book #reading #writing #literature #novel
If I have to... What a melding of magic, sociopolitics and the way love can drives us to good or ill.
It just rules. Enchanting.
#book #reading #writing #literature #novel
Concept to rejection 12:
Asked by a kind coworker if I'd consider self #publishing.
Calling myself an author is less important than knowing I've created something quality. Getting pros onside is a key part of that.
How to tell them when they've self published previously...
#book #writing
Asked by a kind coworker if I'd consider self #publishing.
Calling myself an author is less important than knowing I've created something quality. Getting pros onside is a key part of that.
How to tell them when they've self published previously...
#book #writing
a close up of a black dog 's face looking at the camera
ALT: a close up of a black dog 's face looking at the camera
media.tenor.com
October 20, 2025 at 5:34 PM
Concept to rejection 12:
Asked by a kind coworker if I'd consider self #publishing.
Calling myself an author is less important than knowing I've created something quality. Getting pros onside is a key part of that.
How to tell them when they've self published previously...
#book #writing
Asked by a kind coworker if I'd consider self #publishing.
Calling myself an author is less important than knowing I've created something quality. Getting pros onside is a key part of that.
How to tell them when they've self published previously...
#book #writing
Concept to rejection 11:
Received a PAID comp "feedback". It was a general form to "all participants" rewording the submission guidelines.
Disappointing understates it.
Shrug it off, keep polishing, keep working. Remember that you enjoy this.
#writing #author #books
Received a PAID comp "feedback". It was a general form to "all participants" rewording the submission guidelines.
Disappointing understates it.
Shrug it off, keep polishing, keep working. Remember that you enjoy this.
#writing #author #books
a brown puppy with a funny face is being held by someone
ALT: a brown puppy with a funny face is being held by someone
media.tenor.com
October 15, 2025 at 7:25 PM
Hilarious, heartfelt, devastating. The fictional history is absolutely bursting with feeling.
#TIL: not to take myself too seriously. If anything it makes the drama more powerful.
#book #reading #writing #literature
#TIL: not to take myself too seriously. If anything it makes the drama more powerful.
#book #reading #writing #literature
October 14, 2025 at 8:22 PM
Hilarious, heartfelt, devastating. The fictional history is absolutely bursting with feeling.
#TIL: not to take myself too seriously. If anything it makes the drama more powerful.
#book #reading #writing #literature
#TIL: not to take myself too seriously. If anything it makes the drama more powerful.
#book #reading #writing #literature
Concept to rejection 9:
Entering the competitions. ALL of them.
It's HARD. Each sub raises the hopes, the heart rate, but then comes the dread.
What if they hate it, you missed something in the edit, or didn't follow all the comp guidelines?
Hope and fear
#writing #author #book #novel
Entering the competitions. ALL of them.
It's HARD. Each sub raises the hopes, the heart rate, but then comes the dread.
What if they hate it, you missed something in the edit, or didn't follow all the comp guidelines?
Hope and fear
#writing #author #book #novel
a man in a denim jacket is holding a cell phone in his hand .
ALT: a man in a denim jacket is holding a cell phone in his hand .
media.tenor.com
October 13, 2025 at 7:12 PM
Now this is brilliant.
A cracking mystery, top POV work, heartbreaking themes. A great twist.
#TIL the best twist is one you'd have guessed if it was delayed any further. Just out of reach.
#novel #reading #literature #book
A cracking mystery, top POV work, heartbreaking themes. A great twist.
#TIL the best twist is one you'd have guessed if it was delayed any further. Just out of reach.
#novel #reading #literature #book
October 11, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Now this is brilliant.
A cracking mystery, top POV work, heartbreaking themes. A great twist.
#TIL the best twist is one you'd have guessed if it was delayed any further. Just out of reach.
#novel #reading #literature #book
A cracking mystery, top POV work, heartbreaking themes. A great twist.
#TIL the best twist is one you'd have guessed if it was delayed any further. Just out of reach.
#novel #reading #literature #book
Concept to rejection 8:
While the submission sits in competition intrays, don't sit back.
Work on the next stage; query letters, sub packages. Synopsis.
If the manuscript gets the slightest buzz, a long list or hon mention, you'll be ready.
#writing #novel #book #literature
While the submission sits in competition intrays, don't sit back.
Work on the next stage; query letters, sub packages. Synopsis.
If the manuscript gets the slightest buzz, a long list or hon mention, you'll be ready.
#writing #novel #book #literature
October 9, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Concept to rejection 8:
While the submission sits in competition intrays, don't sit back.
Work on the next stage; query letters, sub packages. Synopsis.
If the manuscript gets the slightest buzz, a long list or hon mention, you'll be ready.
#writing #novel #book #literature
While the submission sits in competition intrays, don't sit back.
Work on the next stage; query letters, sub packages. Synopsis.
If the manuscript gets the slightest buzz, a long list or hon mention, you'll be ready.
#writing #novel #book #literature
I was quite late to the party on this one but WOW.
#TIL: A real lesson in how multiple personable narrators can come together like a magical jigsaw puzzle.
Also the way it finds hope and joy amongst the sadness really picked me up. This book is sorcery.
#book #reading #literature #novel
#TIL: A real lesson in how multiple personable narrators can come together like a magical jigsaw puzzle.
Also the way it finds hope and joy amongst the sadness really picked me up. This book is sorcery.
#book #reading #literature #novel
October 8, 2025 at 6:33 PM
I was quite late to the party on this one but WOW.
#TIL: A real lesson in how multiple personable narrators can come together like a magical jigsaw puzzle.
Also the way it finds hope and joy amongst the sadness really picked me up. This book is sorcery.
#book #reading #literature #novel
#TIL: A real lesson in how multiple personable narrators can come together like a magical jigsaw puzzle.
Also the way it finds hope and joy amongst the sadness really picked me up. This book is sorcery.
#book #reading #literature #novel
Concept to rejection 6:
Editor asks me if I want a note about the ending.
YES. I want it to be perfect, not finished.
"It's a big shift though..."
[Long pause]
Spill it, let's do this.
#book #author #writing #novel #literature
Editor asks me if I want a note about the ending.
YES. I want it to be perfect, not finished.
"It's a big shift though..."
[Long pause]
Spill it, let's do this.
#book #author #writing #novel #literature
October 7, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Concept to rejection 6:
Editor asks me if I want a note about the ending.
YES. I want it to be perfect, not finished.
"It's a big shift though..."
[Long pause]
Spill it, let's do this.
#book #author #writing #novel #literature
Editor asks me if I want a note about the ending.
YES. I want it to be perfect, not finished.
"It's a big shift though..."
[Long pause]
Spill it, let's do this.
#book #author #writing #novel #literature
Concept to rejection 3:
Let the characters talk. They have voices, points of view, biases. They REACT.
"Declan had gone up like the fifth of November and I hadn’t heard a damn thing about it. The announcement came overnight..."
#writing #books #literature #author #novel #book
Let the characters talk. They have voices, points of view, biases. They REACT.
"Declan had gone up like the fifth of November and I hadn’t heard a damn thing about it. The announcement came overnight..."
#writing #books #literature #author #novel #book
October 4, 2025 at 8:17 PM
This was a cracker. Mesmeric descriptions of a life, a world so distant... Yet mired in the concerns of our own.
#TIL That it doesn't matter if the magic is real, it matters that your characters believe it. What does it tell us about them?
#books #literature #reading #writing #book #read
#TIL That it doesn't matter if the magic is real, it matters that your characters believe it. What does it tell us about them?
#books #literature #reading #writing #book #read
October 4, 2025 at 7:48 PM
Now THIS is my cup of (unsettling, watery) tea! Julia Armfiled smashes it.
Perfectly interwoven theme, mystery, a pointedly human & flawed narrator.
#TIL the power of leaving the reader with questions.
#book #books #reading #literature
Perfectly interwoven theme, mystery, a pointedly human & flawed narrator.
#TIL the power of leaving the reader with questions.
#book #books #reading #literature
October 3, 2025 at 12:35 PM
Now THIS is my cup of (unsettling, watery) tea! Julia Armfiled smashes it.
Perfectly interwoven theme, mystery, a pointedly human & flawed narrator.
#TIL the power of leaving the reader with questions.
#book #books #reading #literature
Perfectly interwoven theme, mystery, a pointedly human & flawed narrator.
#TIL the power of leaving the reader with questions.
#book #books #reading #literature
Concept to rejection pt2.
Start at the end: timeline, themes, characters, voice... all mapped, refined and plotted.
'A commune burns, its leader falls and a film crew unravels. At the centre of the wreckage is Anaïs.'
#writing #books #literature #novel
Start at the end: timeline, themes, characters, voice... all mapped, refined and plotted.
'A commune burns, its leader falls and a film crew unravels. At the centre of the wreckage is Anaïs.'
#writing #books #literature #novel
October 3, 2025 at 8:33 AM
Concept to rejection pt2.
Start at the end: timeline, themes, characters, voice... all mapped, refined and plotted.
'A commune burns, its leader falls and a film crew unravels. At the centre of the wreckage is Anaïs.'
#writing #books #literature #novel
Start at the end: timeline, themes, characters, voice... all mapped, refined and plotted.
'A commune burns, its leader falls and a film crew unravels. At the centre of the wreckage is Anaïs.'
#writing #books #literature #novel