So, I had this dream and I woke up thinking - that would make a good story.  Most of the creative writing courses/support/advice say this is a big NO NO as the dream is usually unworkable nonsense. I'm ignoring that little voice of doubt, instead I'm hammering and chipping away at the idea to make it into a manageable plot before I start drafting. I've never done it this way round before, but I'm determined to have a believable and workable plot line in place FIRST. This is in the hope that I when I come to the editing it won't mean a massive overhaul on the structure. (This is all just theory you understand and like everything else I'm making it up as I go along - but I'll keep you posted....working title for it is: TIME TRAP)
The other thing to tell you all is that following advice from a fellow writer I'm trying out Scrivener. Oh Lordy - it's a little bit complicated, but I'm hoping that it will get easier. Keep thinking I've lost all my text and can't get my head round 'The Inspector'. Tutorials are so wordy. I've got a 30 day trial to make Scrivener my friend.

It is really happening! Spoke to Andy last week and agreed what the cover illustration is to be. I have talked this over with the designer at Matador too, so it is going ahead. Also going to have a few very simple, small illustrations throughout the book. Getting excited about it all. I'm so desperate to hold the book in my hand.

Hi Cam!

I finished Jarred Dreams yesterday and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Two nights ago I read from the beginning of Chapter 3 to the end of Chapter 20 and stayed up until quarter past 1 in the morning - I think that's a good sign...
When I started I wasn't sure if I'd like the genre because I'm not usually into supernatural/just scary books but when I'd read a few chapters in I really got into it and didn't care what the theme was.

I thought the plot twists - especially the one at the end! - were really clever and I definitely didn't see them coming! I also loved how you managed to develop the characters' personalities well; The Dream Thief is spooky and mysterious, and just scary enough to keep me hooked without frightening me off. I think Sade is the perfect heroine because she is pretty much the exact opposite of The Dream Thief - light, bubbly, colourful. I think Sade sounds like the kind of person I'd be friends with in real life. And I like Maggie the art teacher and the story about her dreams - and the fact that she's an art teacher, of course.

If I had to say one sentence to a child my age to persuade them to read the book, I would say: 'It is a gripping story that I couldn't put down - I could picture an entire world, it was so vivid and realistic! I was so sad when I turned the last page.'

Thanks for letting me read your book!

Suse

PS. Last night when I'd finished the book I drew roughly what I pictured the front cover to be like so I have attached it here: