What does it take to open a bookshop?

I have been self-employed for nearly 5 years as a freelance writer. Unfortunately it doesn’t bring in enough to support a family, and while my husband does work full-time, he would like to pursue a career as a self-employed photographer. Our son is due to start school in September, and so the subject of me going back to work has cropped up a number of times. But, I don’t like the idea of going to work for someone else so have been looking at other options. One of these options includes opening my own bookshop.

Now this is where all my Indie friends decide they hate me. You know that person who only buys books from Amazon, WH Smiths, Waterstones or eBay, charity shops and carboot sales? Yeah… That’s me… Sorry!! However, I do know that Indie bookshops in my area are few and far between, and most of those that are around only sell second-hand, antique, or Christian related books. So getting my brand new contemporary romance in there, well… It ain’t happening. There are a few nearby, but you’re talking 5 miles and a drive to find them. (I know 5 miles doesn’t sound all that far, but when you live in the back end of beyond…) All of this is why I ask the question: “What does it take to open a bookshop in the UK?”

I know the basics of self-employment and running your own business thanks to a college course in business management, and having spent the past 5 years filling in self-employment forms, sorting out tax, and dealing with HMRC. But what about the cost of running a bookshop? That’s where I come unstuck. I have no funds that I am able to risk, which is a big part of starting a new business. Risk. Will it work? Won’t it? And that’s where the next list of questions come from.

I am hopeless at sales. I couldn’t sell toffee to children. There is a reason I only lasted a few days in a sales office before being moved to customer services. I am crap. When it comes to retail sales, I’m fine, but selling myself to the public, or a business idea to a bank manager… Nah. Thankfully I have a husband who is good at sales so I suppose I could use him… I digress.

Time. Do I have time? Yes and no. I’m a busy Mum, with children who do afterschool clubs, and I volunteer for the local Rainbows group as part of the Girl Guiding Association. But during the day I’m free. Almost. Plus, if I was in a bookshop with access to a laptop then at least I can write during the quiet periods. That’s the theory anyway.

Looks like I already know the basics of what is required. So I guess the true question is: “Where do I find the funds from?!”

 

“April’s Baby” gets a re-write and new title

It started out as a severe edit, but “April’s Baby” (remember that one? The novel I wrote before SEVEN DIRTY WORDS but didn’t get published?) has now been completely re-written, and is being given a new title. Does that make a different story? Well… Sort of.

It’s still a contemporary (raunchy) romance about April Miller and her best-friend Max Knight, and how they’re friendship is jeopardised when her ex, AJ Willington-Priest comes back on the scene. Max is still a spoilt rich kid who sleeps around, and it is still based in an equestrian centre / yard.

The POV still jumps from April’s to Max’s, and when I get there, to AJ’s, so readers can get a good sense of who is feeling what for whom.

So what’s changed?

Max is no longer a single orphan. He now has a fiancee who he cheats on regularly, and his parents are now very much alive. April is no longer the child of a billionaire, instead her father now works for Max’s.

That’s about it. Not much really is it? I’ve changed a relationship status and added a few new characters. But oddly, those few changes have made a big difference to the overall storyline.

I’m hoping that these few changes will improve the plot…

Did I say new title as well? Yes I did. But I haven’t got that far yet. “April’s Baby” seems kind of weak. Guess I’ll wait until I get to the end and see what happens! Fancy a sneak-peek? Okay, here’s a random paragraph… (I’m so good to you guys.)

“Max moved to the mirror and admired his own reflection. If she was being honest with herself, then April would have to agree that he wasn’t all that bad looking. With dark hair that flopped over his deep brown eyes, he could pass for a decade younger than his actual age. It helped that he took care of himself, working out and riding every day, leaving him with a body that was a column of muscle. The problem with Max was that he knew he was good looking. He was too aware of how attractive women found him and his wallet, and used it to his own selfish advantage.

  He moved behind her, thumbs pressing into the knot at the base of her neck. April shrugged him off and turned. Inches away, she could smell the fresh peppermint on his breath. “You’re hopeless,” she sighed, still angry with him but letting the shadow of a smile tease the corner of her lips.” 

When I have a better opening paragraph, I might let you read that too…

Four Letter Words is Coming!

Yup, you read right! The sequel to SEVEN DIRTY WORDS will be available in the early part of 2014. I know that seems a long way off, but it means you have ample time to go and read the first part of Paige Holmes’ story.

SDW has received mixed reviews so far. The ‘worst’ (and I use the word loosely) is a 2-star review on GoodReads, which even begins “I am definitely NOT the target audience for this sort of book.” But it’s also had an awful lot of 5-star reviews with quotes including “Really enjoyed this book, had me gripped from the start. Look forward to more from this fantastic author. Best novel I’ve read in a long time.” and “People are linking it with 50 shades of grey…but in my opinion this book is so much better…better story and definitely better written!“

I’ve had lots of lovely feedback from readers, especially regarding Mr Vance Ellery. I’ve also had a lot of questions about the smouldering TDS. Who is based on? Who would I want to play him in a movie? I’m sorry, but I can’t really answer them! He’s not based on anyone in particular, just an amalgamation of people I’ve met, with a bit of fantasy thrown in. I have no idea who would play him in a movie, but the film rights haven’t been bought (yet), so it’s not something I have to think about. I can promise you that readers will learn a lot more about TDS and why he is the way he is in FOUR LETTER WORDS.

But what’s in store for Paige in FLW? Well… It begins exactly where SDW left off, which I’m not going to give away in case you haven’t read it yet.

Some characters you met, such as Lou, Danny, Hannah, and Mark, all get bigger roles in this book. And of course, the sexy Matt Jackson features heavily throughout!

The Blurb:

“She made her choice. But is it the right one? While coming to terms with her past, and struggling with her demons, Paige Holmes wants to get her life back. She’s fighting for normality, but something, or someone keeps stopping her. She finds herself torn between what she wants and who she wants. And then the letters start…”

Poor Paige. But don’t worry, the ending suits her character. That’s all I’m saying!

And what’s next? Well, anyone who has been following my interviews, blog, and FB page will know that I have about 15 first chapters at the moment. I’m currently torn between starting a new one, trying my hand at paranormal / fantasy / crime / mystery etc. etc., re-visiting a previous novel (April’s Baby), or mashing several together and seeing what happens.

Is there a third Paige / TDS / Matt Jackson book? Not at the moment. But, never say never…

Mesmerizing Monday ~ Interview with Charlotte Howard

Reblogged from sslyblog:

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Beverly and Tamara: Welcome to SSLY Charlotte. Thanks so much for joining us today. So first why don’t you tell us a little about yourself.

My name is Charlotte Howard, I’m a housewife and mother of two young children, and a writer! I live in Somerset and my first full-length novel ‘Seven Dirty Words’ has just been published.

Tamara: What do you HAVE to have when you are writing?

Read more… 1,218 more words

Thanks Tamara and Beverly!

If a 5 year old can do it…

I’m probably going to alienate myself from many people with this blog, and lose several FB friends should they read it, but here goes…

My five year old daughter was writing her ‘shopping list’ this morning before school. It consisted of one item – Sun cream for Mum and Dad. What I have written there, is exactly how she wrote it. A simple enough sentence you would think, yes? I didn’t think anything of it at all, and only commented on how neat her hand writing was getting now that she was willing to practise. And then she said something that, as a writer, I am truly proud of: “I have used a capital letter for the start of the sentence, and capital letters for ‘Mum’ and ‘Dad’ because they are names. You should always use capital letters for names. If they weren’t names, if I was saying ‘my mummy’, I wouldn’t use a capital letter because I am describing you, not naming you.” Yes, my five year old has an understanding of basic grammar, something that seems to be lost on a lot of adults I know.

I’ve read on FB and heard a couple of parents questioning why children at the age of 4, 5, and 6 should be learning the difference between nouns and verbs, and what a connective and preposition are. Are they too young to understand grammar? In my opinion, the answer is a firm and resounding NO. They should learn how to create and form sentences correctly. I get so frustrated when I read emails and status updates using incorrect wording. Grammatical errors I can forgive. Not everyone is as anal as me regarding the correct use of a semi-colon, and I have been known to overuse commas. But the basics of spelling and grammar should be ingrained at an early age.

My daughter knows the difference between their, there and they’re. She knows the difference between your and you’re. She knows how to use a capital letter correctly. So I ask again, if a five year old can grasp the concept of forming a sentence, then why can’t some fully grown adults?

I blame mobile phones and social media. We’re all becoming lazy. Perhaps I’ll write my next book entirely in txt spk…