Getting to work will be a bus in Greater Manchester, a train from Greater Manchester into Merseyside and then a bus back into Greater Manchester from Merseyside. And because of this foray into Merseyside I have to buy THREE separate travel tickets.

In my research today, I have discovered that Newton-le-Willows is 0.9 miles outside of the Greater Manchester System One bus ticket zone. This means an extra £16 a week on bus travel – annoying being spent on a bus that runs only every 30 minutes. Confirming the £16 for 0.9 miles took two emails and one phone call to Arriva.

I have also discovered that I wouldn’t have to pay this £16 if I went via Wigan on the train, but this route is significantly longer and to match up with the 360 bus I’d have to leave the house at 6.30am, not 7am. (I didn’t have to write a letter to discover this. But I have written one to Arriva to see if they will increase the 360 bus to every 15 or 20 minutes during peak times.)

I have also discovered that Golborne used to have TWO rail stations, one of which (Golborne South) was on the line between Newton-le-Willows and Wigan. If this still existed I would be able to get the train from either. So I’ve contacted Transport for Greater Manchester to see if the feasibility study carried out in 2003 will be revisited as part of the Northern Hub plans. I’ve put in a FOI request.

I’ve also put in an FOI about the underground walkway alternative to the now defunct Picc-Vic line and the proposed Ordsall Curve because the Newton-le-Willows trains are a mishmash of Piccadilly and Victoria services.

My five main characters (I have an ensemble cast, as it were) are social misfits and have a sometimes uneasy friendship because it’s their inability to be a member of the popular crowd, to be in a a clique, that binds them together.

The book is about how people who were bullied in their past still jostle for position within a group of friends for fear of being the one outcast – and don’t feel totally at ease or safe in a friendship group made up of those who were bullied.

But this is the subtext of the book and not something that is apparent to the reader at the outset and a title such as “A future for the bullied” would make the reader go looking for the subtext and not focus on reading and enjoying the book.

“Friendship Misfits” seems the most obvious fit, but I’m not sure it’s strong enough. And, as one of my readers pointed out, it might not be the kind of title that draws readers to picking it up.

Who would want to read a book about a bunch of misfits? I for one would. But I’m not sure it’s appealing enough to a wider audience – especially if I got the opportunity to be published and it had to sit alongside other books with maybe more enticing titles.

I would like to thank those people who have given up their time to read and give feedback – so that’s thanks to Lexie, Skips, Shoe, Chicky, Squirrel, Ozbird, Froozy and Little L. (Keep your comments coming please!)

Although my plans to succeed won’t be pleasing David over on themastermindproject.com.

Sharing the words you’ve written is even harder. I know there’s no point in writing them if people aren’t going to read them, but that doesn’t mean handing over copies of your carefully drafted chapters is any easier.

The feedback from most of the agents who rejected me was too vague to help me address whatever it was that they didn’t like. So I’ve now roped in a group of online friends to read it and tell me what they think. And they are being very honest and constructive with their criticism. Two key character flaws have been raised and I’m now working to sort them.

I’m now in the process of rewriting – and I feel like I’m making progress for the first time in a long time. And hopefully what I end up with will be something agents will be more interested in.

Does that make sense?

It means I’m working on my first novel again, which is good for me because it’s getting me into writing again and I wasn’t ready for the hard slog of starting a new book just yet.

I’ve reworked the first chapter and am emailing out to friends to see what they think. Hopefully, I’ll be able to share some of their feedback on my blog… if it’s not too painful reading!

(I would link to her column, but it’d cost you £2 a week to have a nosey.)

Yes there are foods that are rich in things such as omega oils that are meant to be good for brain power, but that’s not the same thing. I’m wondering if sitting back and enjoying chocolate bar is enough to get the mind ticking over again. Yes you’d be looking at consuming extra calories, but surely you’d burn off* a few of these with the extra brain power?

Back when I was a smoker (pre-1997) I found that a cigarette break could help my mind refresh and by the time I’d taken the last drag I was ready to get typing again. Unfortunately, the fags didn’t refresh my lungs so they had to go. The only thing I’ve found that comes close now is a coffee break, but I’m not sure my increased caffeine intake is doing much long-term refreshing of my system either.

*Probably not.

The lovely Amanda Hocking, who is a self-publishing success, was nice enough to share her thoughts and experiences in an online Q&A session- and I’m sure the extra publicity didn’t hurt!

I’m hoping that, if I get my second book right, I will get a nod from the right person, but if I don’t, I’d love to follow in Amanda’s footsteps.