BLOG: Questionnaire – Juliette asks YOU! #justaskin

Hello everyone!  Not really a blog post today, but I’m busy not only doing my 2nd book (having lots of inspiration today!!) but also busy trying to organise book 1 for publication!

If you were reading my twitter feed today (no, not those tweets #imsuchalosertweetingdjs) I announced that on Friday I shall be announcing my release date for “What Would Lola Do”!  (The official hashtag for that is #wwld.  Please try and use it whenever you’re referring to it on Twitter!)  However, before I do the huge announcement, I need for you to answer these quick questions and respond to me via a comment or on a tweet!  It’d help me hugely if you could respond, so that I know what I’m doing (and whatnot).

So, here goes….

1.  On which application would you be downloading #wwld on?  Kindle, iBook, Other.  Apparently, it’s really confusing to get a book on iBooks….
2. How much are you willing to pay for the book?  I was thinking about £4.99 – is that too expensive?  I was thinking of donating 20p of each download to Forth One’s Cash for Kids (if that’s alright!!!)
3. Do you think I should be having a Q&A page on here so people get to know ‘the real me’?  this page has been created, it’s based on a questionnaire!! ha!
4. How do you think I should be promoting the book? I know, tweeting radio people won’t necessarily work!!! Wh0ops! Maybe I should be tweeting people from STV instead?!?!
5. I have a playlist for #wwld, any chance you will be downloading the tracks from the playlist or, if you’re a DJ, playing some of the tracks?!  Like I keep saying, Music is my husband.  #ihavenolife.

The #WWLD playlist will be added on the 15th February, as planned; and it’s very nearly finalised!!!  Does anyone know how this works on iTunes?  Is it free?  Or shall I do it on last.fm?

I’ve been speaking to my editor and proof-reader (who’re kindly offering their services for free!) and they’re both saying that amendments are minimal and that the story is very good, which is really promising!!! :)

Let me know your thoughts.  Thanks!

BLOG: TV Shows from my childhood #bigbreakfast #RetroTV

Hello!

Yesterday, whilst reading the Sunday papers, I read that a TV show from my childhood, The Big Breakfast, is returning!  The TV show, which featured the feature “Vital Statistics” will be back on our TV screens by the summer…

And, it got me thinking – what TV shows would I like to bring back?

Obviously, I’d like the early 90s #bluepeter team to do a one-off show (who remembers the Tracy Island make?!?!); along with #fullybooked… BUT, there are some more that do deserve a mention!

Blind Date.  
Oh yes.  In the 80s and 90s we had our version of “Take Me Out”.  And, believe it or not, Blind Date was a whole lot better!  Basically, a girl (or a guy) had to ask three questions to three guys (or girls) and then pick one for a date.  There were some interesting partnerships but it was essential Saturday Night viewing, along with Gladiators and Noels House Party (and yep, *someone* got gunged!!!)

Live & Kicking
Obviously, one of the greatest kids TV shows of the 90s.  Loved watching it with Emma Forbes and Andi Peters along with Zoe Ball.  Legendary.  And I still remember the phone number.  01818118181.

Sister Sister
Loved this show.  I wanted to be like Tamera.  I think I watched every single episode.  You can currently watch Tia and Tamera on American TV.  Hurrah!

Going LIVE
One of my earliest TV memories (along with the Scott and Charlene wedding on Neighbours).  Loved watching this show.  Trev and Simon.  Amazing.  (and yep, the phone number was exactly the same as Live & Kicking.  018118181.  Jayzus, I’m mad).

SM:tv live
This was more like Hangover TV than a childhood fave.  I used to watch the pokerap and challenge ant – along with chums – whilst feeling worse for wear.

Saved by the Bell
Loved watching this in the summer holidays.  And no, I didn’t have a crush on Zack Morris.  I was crushing over someone else.  *AHEM* #notmrbelding

Funhouse
Fridays wasn’t Fridays without this show.  I wanted to be in the funhouse.  But, bizzarely, I hated Pat Sharp’s Mullet.  But still.  It was an ace show.  My classmates and I were still attempting the funhouse grand prix race in our classroom at lunchtimes… when we were in the 4th year….!!!  Ooops!!!

Grange Hill (from the beginning, obvs)
LOVED this show.  It got rubbish after…. 1995?  But I remember watching the repeats on a sunday morning when a certain sunday morning TV show wasn’t on in the wintertime.  Those were the days….

What TV show from your childhood would you like to bring back?

p.s. it goes without saying that, another retro band, The Happy Mondays, are returning!  Hurrah!  They’re twisting my melons, man!

Vlog – Happy Birthday @forthone and @morayfirthradio! #thatsfife

Afternoon! Yes, that is a hashtag in my title!  All will be revealed in my vlog.  Along with other tidbits.
This week’s vlog is mostly on my two fave radio stations in the world, Forth One and Moray Firth Radio! :)

And if anyone’s wondering what the jigglypuff I’m talking about when saying “that’s fife”, the following video will help you out! :)  And yes, it it was on iTunes, I would download it.  Only if the DJ involved will download a copy of my book.  #thatswhatimtalkingabout.

 

Yes, I’m already on the booze.

Have a great weekend.

The Fear.

I want to be rich, I want lots of money
I don’t care about clever, I don’t care about funny
I want lots of clothes and I want lots of diamonds
I heard people die while they’re trying to find them
And I’ll take my clothes off and everyone’s shameless
Cos everyone knows that how they get famous
I’ll look in the stars and I’ll look in the mirror
I’m on the right track, yeah I’m onto a winner
I don’t know what’s right and what’s real anymore…
I don’t know how I feel anymore
When do you think it will all come clear?
Cos I’m being taken over by the fear…

Today, I was very close to handing in my notice.

After nearly five years’ of working in this particular role and over 10 years’ of working in various Admin roles, I was ready for a change.

With my Asperger’s, I find it hard to make the leap, let alone to get my arse into gear and start to get my career kick-started again.  When I started my job 5 years’ ago, I told my family that I would be changing it in a years’ time.  Since then, the economy went pear-shaped and about 20 people are applying for each job – well, in my area, anyway.

I’m hoping – and dreaming – that I finally move away from commuter-belt land up to Scotland – ideally either Edinburgh or Inverness.  But, after looking at job applications I’m limiting myself – If there’s something on the job spec that I can’t do (but can do everything else) then I won’t apply for the job.  Simple as.  Plus, there’s the fact that I have to get up to Scotland for the interview; along with the fact that I’m totally crap at interviews.   People aren’t supposed to be discriminating people with Asperger’s but I’m still scared because, even though I’ve finally come to terms with my condition, people will probably judge a book by its cover even when I have my meltdowns.

But, what about my dreams of being a published author or becoming a DJ/TV Presenter?  I’m not going to lie, that’s all I’ve ever wanted to do.  As ironic as it seems, in my book the main character, who’s based on myself, finally gets her dreams.  But for me, it’ll still remain as one:  even though I’m always on MFR every day, I have no media contacts whatsoever – I don’t mingle with anyone within that industry.  That means that my chances of ever being on the radio or on TV are practically zero.  I am desperate for my book to be huge (as I have ideas of turning it into a TV drama!!) as, even though it’s based on someone with Asperger’s, it also features relationships and divorce; thus being it being open to everyone!!

I have at the moment at least finally got round to getting myself a twitter page…. but it’ll be seldom updated… so tweet me @julesburkeoffic :)

Am I being taken over by the fear?  All signs point to YES…..

Tax Breaks for new writers/authors?

When I was doing my daily round of the Scottish news the other day, my eyes glanced to this article.

Ian Rankin, the Edinburgh-based novellist, has expressed concerns that new authors are finding it hard to make a living from their books – and are resorting to sell their works of art (if they’re doing it online via Amazon or iTunes) for a mere 99p.

That’s only enough money to get a bottle of Irn-Bru, if you’re lucky.

In fact, Rankin is so outraged that he’s encouraging the UK government to issue tax breaks for new UK authors, entitling you to get paid upto £30,000 without paying taxes; which is based on a scheme that’s operating in Ireland (new authors don’t pay any tax if they earn less than  €40,000).

However, because the UK economy is still in dire straits, the Treasury has already expressed concerns about Rankin’s proposal, saying that they’re more concerned about getting the UK economy back on track.

This has struck a chord with me.  As a writer who’s on the brink(!!!) of publising her first works, I’m always scared of not earning enough to pay a living.  If the UK government agrees to this, then at least I’d be feeling just a teeny bit better.  But I know that, unless I get a huge break, I’ll still be working in my mundane Administration role, something that I’d much rather give up than doing that for the rest of my life (and I’ve been doing this job for over a decade).

I need a new break.

You can read more about Rankin’s proposal here.

Do you think us novellists need a tax break when releasing our first works?  Let me know what you think.