“Becoming a writer was a natural choice for me. I was always an avid reader with a love for the magical and whimsical…”
Jayne McIntyre
Here are some Frequently Asked Questions in regards to my books and publishing. You can also find out more about my personal writing journey over on the Blog.
Q. When did you start writing/know you wanted to be an author?
A. I have been writing short stories since I was very young (about eight years old), and eventually went on to study journalism at university. I then fell into business writing for mainstream media and the not-for-profit sector. This is where I refined my writing and editing skills, and learned the importance of deadlines and drafting. As media (mostly) shifted from print to online, I soon added website management, social media, graphic design and SEO to my skillset.
But I was always an avid reader with a love for the magical and whimsical. It wasn’t until 2015 that I seriously started working on full-length fiction manuscripts. Late at night, long after I had finished my day job in journalism/corporate marketing and put the children to bed, I would toil away on my projects.
When you’re first starting out as a writer, it’s all about carving out the time for writing, not finding time for it – we all only have 24 hours in a day, after all.
When you’re first starting out as a writer, it’s all about carving out the time for writing, not finding time for it – we all only have 24 hours in a day, after all.
Jayne MCINTYRE
Q. How do you go from ‘ídea’ to pitch-ready manuscript?
A. Writing a novel compared to shorter, editorial pieces or news articles is quite different. It takes a lot of planning (unless you are a ‘pantser’ rather than a ‘plotter’), drafting, editing, even MORE editing, and then hitting the ‘querying trenches’ to find representation. It can be a long and daunting process breaking into the publishing world as an unknown author. You need a lot of patience, dedication, and belief in your work. You can read more about my querying and publication journey over on the Blog.
Q. Can I be a writer?
A. If you are writing, you ARE a writer! You don’t need a fancy office mug (although, I am quite fond of my Harry Potter mug) or the latest computer to be a writer. A lot of my initial ideas came from pen and paper (and sketching characters and maps) and developed from there. Just keep writing. Even if the words aren’t flowing, you can always read – it’s always beneficial to read widely within your genre to get to know your market. It can also help with the dreaded writer’s block.
‘Writing’ may even come in the form of untangling plot holes in your head while doing the dishes, or getting inspiration from your surroundings as you go for a stroll. There is no secret formula to writing a successful book. Your unique experiences and voice are what make it magical.
Q. Can you read my manuscript?
A. While I’m a bookworm myself, and understand how special and personal writing can be, unfortunately I am unable to review other people’s manuscripts. But DO keep dreaming up ideas, perfecting your craft, and seek professional advice and support for your own circumstances. There are a number of resources available from national and state writers’ centres and author organisations.
jaynewriter.wordpress.com 