Tag Archives: Help

Early Chapters by Gillian Holmes of The Editor | Get Published

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Meet Gillian Holmes – literary editor By Margaret Graham1

Frost is delighted to have an editor of Gillian’s calibre to help aspiring authors. It’s particularly apt, because the fundraising Independent Author Book Award, run by www.wordsforthewounded.co.uk is open for entries until 6th March 2016.

 

Last year’s winner, Jane Cable, is now represented by the Caroline Sheldon Literary Agency as a direct result of the competition. Felicity Trew of the Caroline Sheldon Literary Agency is judging this year’s Award.

 

So over to Gillian:

 

Early Chapters

 

It’s tough being a writer, and we editors appreciate that. I have never written a book – if you don’t count the half-written romance with a Daniel-Craig-as-Bond-type hero, but the least said about that the better. So all writers who have the tenacity and commitment to complete a novel have already earned my full admiration.

 

However, on the other side of the coin, having worked as an acquiring editor, a reader for literary agents, and a reader for competitions, you can appreciate, I’ve probably read more than my fair share of opening chapters and synopses. And sometimes I stop within half a page. It sounds brutal, but when you have a lot of manuscripts to read, you simply don’t have the time or the inclination to read on to see if it improves.

 

So here are ten tips to help you catch the eye of the judges.

 

First the Don’ts:

 

  1. Please do not, and really I mean this, open with a dream. Ask any editor/agent/reader. There is nothing more irritating than to be pulled into some action, only to find it’s not real. Can I add here, do not ever use dreams as a way to move the plot forward. Please.
  2. Do not open your book with backstory… if we don’t know the characters, how can we be interested in their backstory?
  3. Do not start the book with a minor character. No matter how good the writing, as soon as the reader realises that the character they have been reading about disappears by chapter 2, they will give up.
  4. Do not open with your character doing mundane stuff – getting ready for work, having breakfast, unstacking the dishwasher, going out the door – because although you may think it’s a great contrast with the explosive action that comes later, the reader may never know that. They’ll have given up just as your character is locking their front door.
  5. Do not mince your words. Starting any book with exposition and/or long descriptions of the character or location can be mind-numbing for the reader. Dive in, all will reveal itself as the book unfolds. Speaking of long descriptions: watch out for flowery language and too many adjectives. Having to wade through paragraphs of wordy prose before you even get to the story is frustrating and time-wasting.

 

Now the Dos

 

  1. Give the reader a snappy opening line that immediately intrigues.
  2. The submitted chapters should be the very best they can be, so I would suggest you hire an editor/copy editor. It can be an expensive business, but do it for just these three chapters in the first instance. It makes a huge difference to the reader, and could give you some useful advice for the rest of the book.
  3. Keep the pace moving and don’t get bogged down in irrelevant detail.
  4. Introduce us to your characters – the reader needs to be invested in them from the start.
  5. If you’re sending a prologue as part of your first three chapters, make sure it’s relevant and interesting, not just a convenient way to give backstory.

Soon I will be giving you some hints on writing the synopsis.

 

 

gilliansholmes@hotmail.com

www.wordsforthewounded.co.uk
http://www.carolinesheldon.co.uk

 

 

Carnation Bunion Pads & Bunion Protector Review

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Bunions. They are awful and painful. Even the gorgeous 37-year-old Amal Clooney suffers from them and Nigella Lawson had hers removed from both feet. What exactly are they? Carnation let us know.

A bunion is an inflamed fluid-filled bursa formed on the side of the foot. The joint protrudes because the toe is bent away at an angle, pushing into the other toes and causing them to bend unnaturally.

Sometimes the second toe is forced over the big toe leading to the toes being crammed together and subsequently, as a result of the pressure, to the formation of corns and callouses.

Bunions

Identifying bunions by appearance and symptom:

A bunion forms on the side of the foot at the base of the big toe.

Cause

Bent toes and bunions can run in families but are often caused by defective or ill-fitting footwear.
In early teens, bones are soft and still developing and can mould to the shape of the footwear worn.
Socks that are too tight or too small, pointed shoes and high heels which cram the toes into the front of the shoe will cause permanent distortion if maintained while the feet develop.
A bunion forms on the joint as an attempt to protect against pressure.
Treatment

Wearing a bunion pad or shield which fits the contour of the joint will relieve pressure on the bunion, as will wide fitting shoes. In a small number of extreme cases, surgery can be performed, which involves straightening the toe by removing parts of the deviated bones.

Carnation Bunion Pads are shaped to fit around the bunion and are made from felt, which spreads the load to give maximum comfort.

Carnation Gel Bunion Protectors are made from soft, flexible gel with a toe loop to help positioning over the bunion. They can be washed for repeated use.

bunionpadsreview

Carnation Bunion Pads

Carnation Bunion Pads
Traditional, cost effective felt pads proven to relieve the pain caused by bunions

Shaped to fit around the bunion
Made from felt, which spreads the load to give maximum comfort
Hypoallergenic adhesive
Carnation Bunion Pads are available in packs of 4

We reviewed them and they work. Brilliant things.

bunionprotectorand bunion pads review

Carnation Gel Bunion Protector

Long lasting, cost effective protection to relieve the pain caused by bunions. Ideal for chronic sufferers

Soft, flexible gel contains mineral oil to moisturise and help soften the skin
Slim design fits easily into the shoe
Toe loop to help positioning on the bunion
Long life – can be washed and re-used

This is brilliant and is also reusable so saves you money longer term. Great cushioning that relieves the pain. Full marks.

 

Available from boots.com

 

 

Help For Blocked Plugholes SLAM

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Help For Blocked Plugholes SLAM Help For Blocked Plugholes SLAM2For blocked plugholes look no further than the new SLAM, a single-dose Power Shot plughole unblocker that comes in a foil pouch, is highly effective and easy to use.

SLAM blasts through blockages to quickly clear plugholes and pipes and stop slow moving water.  There are dedicated formulations for the two main types of blockage:

–          Kitchen (60g)  – for dissolving fat, grease and food

–         Bathroom (80g) – for dissolving sludge, hair and soap scum

The foil pouch contains an optimal dose.  Its compact size means there’s no need to carry heavy packages back from the shops or store half empty bottles in your cupboard.  Both variants are granular, so there’s no chance of spillage.

Simply open the foil pouch, pour into your plughole, add water and let the high performance SLAM formulation do the rest.  Your plughole will be flowing freely again in minutes.

And with your blocked plughole solved for only £1.49, SLAM is great value for money. Available from Robert Dyas, Lakeland.com, B&Q.com, Wickes.com, independent homeward stores and online at www.kilrock.co.uk

 

 

An Aspirin a Day Keeps Big C Away? By Dr Patricia Thompson

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doesasprinlowercancerriskDaily aspirin and cancer has been in the news again. So what does it all mean?

People have been investigating whether aspirin protects us against cancer for many years. The first few study results were confusing – some showed a beneficial effect – others didn’t. This is the problem – you often don’t get a clear answer until many thousands of people have been studied. However, a group of medical researchers from Queen Mary University, London, have analysed the results of a large number of clinical trials, involving over a hundred thousand people in total, and the evidence is now clear.  Taking 75-325mg aspirin daily (between a quarter and just over a full tablet) for at least five years, can reduce risk of getting certain cancers (particularly bowel cancer), heart attacks and strokes.

Before you dash out to the nearest pharmacy – I should explain that a small percentage benefit was seen after studying a very large number of people. Whether you, as an individual, would gain, depends on many factors, including your age, sex, what other medical conditions you have, and how prone you are to the types of cancers which seemed to show the most effect. Aspirin does have some serious side-effects, including gastric bleeding and bleeding into the brain, and you should always discuss with your doctor before taking long-term regular aspirin.

What is interesting though is why aspirin works – and are there other ways we can reduce our chances of cancer, without taking a tablet every day?

We know that inflammation is important in the development of cancer, and at least part of the reason why aspirin protects, may be its ability to suppress inflammation.

Inflammation is the body’s protective response to damage, and to invasion by infections, such as bacteria. Normally it is a good thing as it involves our immune system destroying and removing infective organisms and dead cells and promoting repair of the damaged tissues.

Cancer cells appear in our bodies on a fairly regular basis. Normally they are discovered and destroyed by cells of our immune system and never cause us any harm.

However sometimes cancer cells manage to avoid discovery. Then they can turn our normal beneficial inflammatory response against us, to help them grow and spread. They do this in various ways, for example using aspects of the inflammation to grow new blood vessels, which provide the tumour with a source of food and oxygen.

So, although short bursts of inflammation can be protective, long term inflammation is certainly not. In fact some chronic inflammatory illnesses are known to predispose us to cancer, for example, inflammatory bowel disease can lead to bowel cancer.

Is there any way we can damp down inflammation naturally, without resorting to tablets? Absolutely yes – the best way is probably diet. See the Table for examples of simple changes you can make.

In addition to cancer, reducing inflammation can also protect us from heart disease and joint disease. Worth making an effort eh?

 

Examples of foods which promote inflammation and suggestions for avoiding them:

1. High sugar foods eg sweets and cakes – switch to fresh fruit (whole – not juice)
2. Trans fats (fried food, margarine, processed foods) – switch to olive oil, flax oil)
3. Many ‘Ready meals’ – switch to fresh vegetables, garlic, Herbs
4. Red meat – switch to fish, particularly oily fish
5. Refined carbohydrate (white flour, white rice) – switch to whole grain bread, brown rice

 

‘These articles express personal views. No warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of information given and you should always consult a doctor if you need medical advice.’

 

 

 

Lansinoh 3-in-1 Breast Therapy Review

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Lansinoh 3-in-1 Breast Therapy ReviewBreastfeeding is tough. No one really says just how hard it is, but even if you are lucky enough to take to it easily you may not be lucky enough to escape engorgement, mastitis, plugged ducts and sore nipples. Luckily there are things made to help, like Lansinoh’s 3-in-1 Breast Therapy. Is it any good? Let’s find out.

breastfeeding

The 3-in-1 Breast Therapy Packs use innovative PearlTechnology to deliver either heat or cold to affected areas of the breast. Chill it in the fridge or freezer for analgesic cold, or pop it in the microwave for penetrating heat and warmth. The pack holds its therapeutic temperature for a full 20 minutes so you get fast, effective relief.

The writer who reviewed this had mastitis and said that it really helped. Her doctor told her to use hot and cold compresses on her breasts and this treatment made it easy. They are convenient and because they can be both hot or cold they multi-task too. Perfect for saving money and space. No more cabbage on the breasts, this handy and effective treatment really works. It can also be used hot to reduce time spend pumping milk. Using it cold relieves engorgement and the hot therapy relieves mastitis and plugged ducts. Our writer says: ‘This is convenient and works well. It can be used for lots of different breastfeeding problems. It is a mum must have.’

mastitishelpbreastfeedinghelp

Lansinoh Therapearl 3-in-1 Breast Therapy Pack
RRP:£12.95
www.JohnLewis.co.uk

This innovative set includes two reusable treatment packs and covers that can be used hot or cold. The pearl design moulds to the breast to provide all-round relief when breastfeeding.

 

 

Early Miscarriage by Dr Patricia Thompson

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miscarriage A miscarried pregnancy can be a devastating experience. The woman has already experienced pregnancy – nausea, swollen, tender breasts, just ‘feeling pregnant’.  The couple are sharing a cosy, exciting secret – visualising their anticipated offspring, they may well have chosen some names.

Then, abruptly, hopes are shattered. It can happen in several ways – sometimes there is bleeding, cramping pain, the woman may just not feel pregnant anymore, an ultrasound scan may show that the baby has stopped growing, or there is no heart-beat.

However it happens, both partners usually feel devastated.

And yet, approximately a fifth of pregnancies end as early miscarriages, meaning during the first three months. Sometimes the woman didn’t know she was even pregnant, just experiencing a ‘late period’, other times the couple are very aware, and can experience deep pain and loss.

The baby frequently has a serious genetic/chromosomal abnormality in these cases, and would have been incapable of surviving.

An early miscarriage is usually a one-off event, and the next pregnancy will be successful. However, if it happens during the first one, the couple may feel uncertain whether they can have a child. Nothing will convince them except a subsequent normal birth.

A few couples (around 1%) have recurrent miscarriages – defined as at least three in a row. Even then, three-quarters of these will eventually have a normal baby.

A few unfortunate couples may never succeed – possibly due to a particular genetic problem, but often a reason isn’t found, and it is very upsetting.

Late miscarriages – during the middle third of pregnancy, are less common (only one pregnancy in fifty), and may be due to illness in the mother, or womb or cervix abnormalities. Depending on the cause, treatment may be possible for future pregnancies.

So what if you have an early miscarriage? Firstly, nobody is to blame.  Too much exercise, stress, or having sex, for example, do not cause miscarriage. Healthy pregnancies are pretty resilient.

The pregnancy tissue may be lost naturally, through your vagina. However, the hospital may suggest removing any remnants, using a gentle vacuum under anaesthetic. This prevents possible infection, which can be serious, and could compromise future pregnancies.

The experience can impact both partners for a considerable time. The woman experiences physical changes, and both are affected emotionally. The man sees the distress of his partner, and feels he should be the strong one, and yet he is suffering too.

It is important to talk, and grieve together, and, if possible, to share with close friends and family. People can appear to forget very quickly, or don’t even know you’ve had a miscarriage. They expect you to be ‘back to normal’ and don’t always understand your continuing pain.

Specialists and groups are available should you experience difficulty in getting through the grief.

Importantly, don’t forget, if you have had a miscarriage, you are highly likely to have a successful pregnancy next time.

Useful information sites:

http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/miscarriage/Pages/Introduction.aspx

http://www.babycentre.co.uk/a252/understanding-miscarriage

Home

 

These articles express personal views. No warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of information given and you should always consult a doctor if you need medical advice.

 

 

What Your Bridesmaids Really Think About Your Wedding

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Frost was quite surprised at the results of a survey done by Vashi.com They surveyed 1,000 bridesmaids to spill the beans on what really goes on behind the scenes. The results are in and you wouldn’t believe what it reveals.

Seven out of ten bridesmaids say they have been forced to wear an unflattering dress to make the bride look prettier!

Unfortunately, it looks like Bridezilla isn’t too thoughtful when it comes to how she treats her closest friends on the wedding day.
bridesmaids

72% of respondents felt they’d been lumbered with a questionable outfit. Yikes.

More than a fifth (22%) of bridesmaids insisted on altering their outfit before participating in the wedding.

One third of the bridesmaids surveyed were given a choice in deciding what they’d wear on the big day.

43% of bridesmaids admitted to going to a wedding that was a ‘bit naff’ (lacking taste/style), with only 9% of them envying the bride on her big day.

A third (37%) revealed that they had been at a wedding where they felt the bride and groom were mismatched and should not be tying the knot.

More than half (54%) explained that they had been a bridesmaid at a wedding where they were delighted that they were not marrying the groom themselves!

A fifth (20%) have actually picked up a new man at a wedding where they were bridesmaid!

6% have secretly fancied the groom

3% admitted to being romantically involved with the groom before he met his bride.

weddingplanning

Celebrity jeweller and founder of Vashi.com, Vashi Dominguez says, “”We’ve all looked at wedding photos and thought, ‘What are the bridesmaids wearing!?’ Well, now we know the answer. In seven out of ten cases, the bridesmaids are convinced they’ve been lumbered with a dress to make the bride look prettier. I’m sure most brides do not see it that way. They’d say they chose bridesmaid dresses that went well with the wedding dress! The solution is for everyone to relax – no bridezillas or bridesmaidzillas required. Brides should enjoy the process and involve their bridesmaids more in choosing their outfits.”

If you are getting married then get your hands on a copy of The Wedding Survival Guide: How To Plan Your Big Day Without Losing Your Sanity. It has great advice on planning your perfect wedding and is written by our editor, Catherine Balavage. It is also available in Ebook format and is a great guide for wedding planning.

 

 

Help with Back and Pelvic Girdle Pain in Pregnancy

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newborn-216723_640Pregnancy is a life changing, joyous, emotional and exciting journey for most women. However, approximately two-thirds of women experience back pain and almost one-fifth experience pelvic pain during pregnancy. This pain often increases with advancing pregnancy, interfering with daily activities, work and sleep. Fortunately this condition is treatable, it is important to seek treatment sooner rather than later. Prompt diagnosis and treatment is key to successful resolution of symptoms.

The hormones released during pregnancy to prepare a women’s body to grow a baby and give birth, soften and relax the soft tissues of the body (eg. muscles, ligaments). This increased softening increases your joints’ range which means that they do not receive the same protection from the ligaments as before. It is this, coupled with the weight of your growing uterus that may cause backache or sciatica.

Symptoms of back pain and PGP

Back pain can be felt in the upper, middle or lower back. It is probably most commonly felt in the low back during pregnancy and can vary from an occasional ache to a constant sharp or nagging pain in any of these areas.

Pain in the pelvis is described as pelvic girdle pain (PGP), used to be known as symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD), but this implied that only the pubic bone was involved, which is often not the case.

A range of symptoms can be described as PGP and they vary in intensity from woman to woman and even pregnancy to pregnancy.

The main symptom is pain;

  • pain over the pubic bone at the front in the centre
  • pain across one or both sides of your lower back
  • difficulty and/or pain walking, waddling gait
  • clicking or grinding in the pelvis with movement
  • pain when weight bearingWomen may experience pain anywhere in the pelvis or into the front of the thighs. These symptoms tend to increase and intensify with walking, standing, sitting, moving the legs apart, standing on one leg (think getting dressed into socks, underwear), climbing stairs and turning over in bed. Symptoms vary from mild to more severe needing support with crutches or a wheelchair.What causes back pain or PGP? For most women PGP is a mechanical problem; there is often asymmetry in the pelvis, with one joint becoming stiffer or more mobile than the others. It is more common in women with a previous history of PGP/low back pain. In approximately 9% of women with PGP the cause is purely hormonal and this tends not to respond to treatment.

When might back pain or PGP start?
it can start at any stage of the pregnancy, it may come on gradually or start quite suddenly. Sometimes symptoms will disappear or improve with rest.

How do I know if I have PGP?

Diagnosis of this painful condition is based on the location of the pain and by taking a careful history of your symptoms.

Will back pain or PGP affect my baby?

No, it will not affect your baby. However, it is important, however that the midwives caring for you are aware that you have back or pelvic girdle pain.

What can I do about PGP?
It is important to remember that whilst PGP is common, it is not normal, but is treatable;l Often resolving within a few treatments. Firstly, tell your midwife, or whoever is responsible for your antenatal care, and then seek treatment sooner rather than later. Prompt diagnosis and treatment is key to successful resolution of symptoms.

Meanwhile plan your day carefully, avoiding too many trips upstairs, remain active with the limits of your pain, avoiding activities that increase your discomfort. Rest is important, rest more frequently, try sitting for activities that normally require standing ie ironing. Try sleeping with a pillow between the legs, or use the pregnancy cushion known as ‘dream genie’.

What can I do about back pain?

Seek treatment sooner rather than later. Try to find a McTimoney Chiropractor who is experienced in treating women during pregnancy and ask them for a few safe exercises you can perform at home. Wearing support tights or a belly band can often give enough support and relief without having to resort to an actual back or belly belt. Try sleeping with a pillow between the legs or under the legs in early pregnancy when you may still be sleeping on your back.

A multi faceted approach is need to treating both conditions. After taking your medical history and examining your back and pelvis, treatment takes the form of gentle mobilization of the pelvis and spine where appropriate and sometimes acupuncture or soft tissue mobilization. This should be followed by gentle exercises and ergonomic advice. The McTimoney approach is gentle and safe for both mother and baby.

In one study, women receiving chiropractic care through their first pregnancy had twenty-four per cent shorter labour times and subjects giving birth for the second or third time reported thirty-nine per cent shorter labour times. In another study, the need for analgesics was reduced by fifty per cent in the patients who received adjustments. In addition eight-four per cent of women report relief of back pain during pregnancy with chiropractic care.

Finally, if you are experiencing back or pelvic pain, McTimoney Chiropractic treatment is a safe and effective way to relieve your symptoms, preparing you for the exciting journey of pregnancy and childbirth.

Article credit: Penny Henderson DC MSc MMCA FRCC
Chiropractor and Medical Acupuncturist

Active Chiropractic Clinic
Lister Surgery, 8 The Parade, St Helier, Jersey, JE2 3QP
and Quennevais Parade, St Brelade, Jersey, JE3 8FX

Tel: 01534 617987
Web: www.activechiropracticjersey.co.uk

 

 References

Interventions for preventing and treating pelvic and back pain in pregnancy Pennick et al 2007.Cochrane Review.

Pelvic Girdle Pain and Low Back Pain in Pregnancy: A Review.
Era Vermani, FRCA*; Rajnish Mittal, FRCS†; Andrew Weeks, MRCOG

© 2009 World Institute of Pain, 1530-7085/10/$15.00 Pain Practice, Volume 10, Issue 1, 2010 60–71

European guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of pelvic girdle pain. European Spine Journal. June 2008, Volume 17, Issue 6 pp 794-819

Vleeming A, Albert H.,Ostgaard C., Sturesson B,. Stuge B
Rosenberg Stacey Dr., Natural Pregnancy, Natural Baby.2008. GibsonsChiropractic.com

Henderson C., Macdonald S., Mayes’ Midwifery, A textbook for Midwives.,Thirteenth edition., 2004.,Bailliere Tindall

www.pelvicpartnership.org.uk