Kia ora from rainy Golden Bay 🌧️
This week I’m focused on book design and I wanted to remind you: it’s never too early to thinking about your book cover.
I have four suggestions for you:
- Start gathering examples of book covers you love now, because at some point your story will need a cover.
- Keep an eye out for your favourite photos, as they might be good for your front cover. It’s good to have a few to choose from.
- Think about your book title – something short ‘n sweet.
- How do you want people to feel, and what do you want them to know as they gaze at your future book cover? The more information and ideas you can gather now, the easier it’ll be for you down the track.
100 words from you
Thankyou for sending them to me, they’re really special. And I know they help others feel less alone as they write their stories. I have a few 100 word stories (snippets of memoirs) in the pipeline for you, and let’s start with this one from Gillian Bowen:
I saw her in the mirror of the camper van. We were all in the same traffic jam. I could see her face. She turned for a moment and they laughed together. She put her hand on his knee and they were “your typical married couple”.
Did she see me in the camper van with my shadow?
I think she saw me!
Was it indifference that made her turn her head and push her hair away from her face?
It was a moment along time ago.
We haven’t spoken for at least ten years, not a word, not a text, only that fleeting contact on a business link that obviously. offended her. Did I mean to call her stupid?
I’ll never know.
She humped her spite over the business page and then total silence.
Has that youthful passion died?
She and he looked like the habits of a long, happy marriage.
Not what we had together, long ago!
What feelings did this story evoke for you? I felt drawn into Gillan’s world, as if I was seeing things through her eyes. And I was totally intrigued and wanted to know more! Who was she writing about? Who were they to her? If you’d like to write your response to Gillian’s words, feel free to comment here.
Also, if you’d like to send in your 100 words, I’d love to receive them. Email yours to me at: charlottesquirecoms@gmail.com
Keep writing your story, because the world needs it. Who knows how it will help people in the future.
Charlotte x
PS I love that these free emails help you write your stories, and I don’t mind if you don’t ever join my larger memoir course. But for those of you who are interested in my online course Write Your Memoir (and the lovely community that comes with it) this month it’s on special for a 50% discount. And yes, there is a payment plan available. I’d love to journey more closely alongside you as you write your story in 2025. Next Monday I’m meeting with students of the course meeting online and talking about everything you need to do before you print your book.
Charlotte Squire 