A facelift for your garden

Just like the rest of your house, your garden also needs attention. Wouldn't you rather prefer a nice, manicured garden full of flowers and greenery to a desolate looking desert?

Not it!

Well, the best way to give a much needed makeover to your garden starts with a plan. You may want to pay special attention to the amount of space you have available. It would be great if you have a big garden. But, not all of us are blessed with one, so make the most of what you have. 

A garden will be nothing without plants. Make sure that you have plenty of grass, plants and flowering plants in your new garden. You will be able to figure out what works best for your garden by consulting the  greengrocer.

Apart from greenery, a garden needs a focal point and an accent. This may sound awfully technical. But allow me to elaborate. A focal point is the thing that you are going to notice in the garden. It may be a water fountain or a sculpture, or even a tree. It's up to you to decide what you would want to display as the focal point in your garden.

Accents, are other areas of interest. They can be plants, garden gnomes or even those lawn flamencos if you are in the mood. The main thing to keep in mind about selecting these is to make sure that they match well and don't stand out individually. The idea is to create a final picture that is unified but does not blend in with each other. A tough balance to strike. If you're not much of a pro when it comes to these things, be sure to let a professional take the job for you.

Now that your garden looks much better with a carefully selected focal point, a few accents and lots of greenery, you would want to add some outdoor garden furniture to take in all of the new splendour. Be sure to purchase high quality furniture that is sturdy, attractive as well as durable.

Useful Link

Outdoor garden furniture

Get published already...

So you've written the next Harry Potter... No one cares. Unless you're published. If you think that you've created some sort of masterpiece that will take you on the same path as J K Rowling to be richer than the queen some day, make sure that the people who matter, take a look at it.

I readz ur Buk

First of all, you need to have your killer idea developed in to at least an outline.
If you think you can do the whole book or a few chapters, then that would also be good since that way, the publishers can make a decision based on your writing style as well as your idea and plot line.

U SPOILZ it

The next bit is the fun part. But it could be annoyingly frustrating and you may be tempted to commit murder at one point. But, this is necessary. Round out a few trusted people, these could be your friends, family or spouse and let them read your book and listen to their feedback. Your style may not be to their taste but, you'll at least be able to correct those typos and grammar mistakes and (shudder) plot holes!!

I said plot hole... plot hole

Step three, now that you know that your idea doesn't completely suck, start looking for publishers. If you're from the UK, looking for UK publishers would be a better idea. Check out their web sites before you send out your manuscript to make sure that the company accepts your genre.

CAN'T HAS FaNTASY

Next up is to actually send your manuscript out. Now, if you feel like using regular mail it's entirely up to you. But they won't be able to guarantee a safe and undamaged deliver. So, contact a courier services UK to make sure that your manuscript reaches the publisher in perfect condition and without dog ears and missing pages.

Lolcat did it!

The next step is to wait and prepare yourself for rejection. True, your idea may be the most awesome idea in the world for you and your friends, but a publisher might think otherwise. So, exercise patience and try not to send angry responses for those rejection letters and keep your head up, the right publisher for your book is out there somewhere...

...publisher!!

If all else fails, may I suggest self publishing? Not many authors have gone this way but it's definitely worth a shot.
Good Luck!

Reading list...

I'm into fantasy these days. I'm really a science fiction person at heart (trying to find a logical explanation for it all and without resorting to deus ex machina). Fantasy is, I'm surprised to say, actually quite good  (as long as it doesn't involve swords and wizards - except Harry Potter). Especially the ones that fall in to the Urban Fantasy category. So, I got my hands on a bunch of these books and am making my way through them...

The mortal instruments trilogy

you know what I'm referring to as spooky...

This is the first one of this category for me. I liked it, a lot. I'd say innovative and spooky.

Unearthly by Cynthia Hand

out of this world

I loved this one. I thought the idea was great. can't wait to get my hands on the second book in the series... keeping my fingers crossed for another great one.

Fallen by Lauren Kate

Fallen for Fallen

I just finished Fallen, halfway through Torment and I must say, I'm impressed. Luce is quite a gentle character and I was afraid she would catch Bella-swann-itis somewhere in the middle of the novel. But, not so much... ' very impressed by Arianne though. Can't wait to read the third instalment.

Tormented by Torment

Do I have to say?...

The mediator by Meg Cabot

I read mean spirits... and want more

This was a fun and easy read. Too bad I started with the third book, but it's definitely a great series. I wan't to read more, definitely!

Need by Carrie Johnson

Even the pixies are meaner than E. Cullen

Pixies, not so cute after all. It was new for me but I liked it. Even if I'd only read the first novel. and I NEED to find the second book.

Sooo, want this!

I'm looking to get my hands on the Trylle trilogy, Artemis Fowl and maybe one of those vampire fiction novles (maybe not, I don't like the names - vampire academy... eugh)