Is it Friday already? Wow, that week went quick 🙂
Today’s piece of fiction was prompted by this photo…
A big thank you to Dominic de Mattos for allowing me to use it here…
Monthly Archives: May 2014
Turn Your Living Room Into A Coffee Shop
I’m passionate about Nano “Write Ins” 🙂 A group of writers, in a coffee shop (pub, bar, open space) all sitting hunched over their laptops, trying to write as many words as possible during a 15 or 20 minute writing sprint. Trust me, it really does work (I’m going to one tonight!) and we have continued with these sprints, “virtually” on our Facebook group since last November.
But if you really want a bit more atmosphere and can’t get out to one of your local “write in’s”…
The Creative Writing Coursebook
Firstly, a huge thank you to everyone who offered words of advice to my post last week, Do I Really Need A Creative Writing Qualification? Your views kind of confirmed what i already knew deep down…i don’t need one, as such, but if i ever wanted to teach creative writing it would be a good idea. Other than that i could probably get what I’m looking for in other courses but i still think it would look good on my CV 😉
So i’ll do what i normally do with these types of quandaries…i’ll stick it on the top shelf, let it gather dust for a bit then take it down in about a years time when I’m spring cleaning *sniggers*
In the meantime, I’m trying to move forward…
Friday Fiction
To keep my brain ticking over I’ve decided to do a prompt every Friday morning. I have to admit that I’ve blatantly stolen the idea from the Friday Fictioneers 🙂
Todays piece is inspired by this photo, which i took whilst taking tea (get me!) at Fortnum & Masons last month.
It inspired a character more than an actual story…
Do I Really Need A “Creative Writing” Qualification?
Prompted by a conversation with my writing friends last night, this morning, i spent some time Googling Creative Writing Degree & MA courses here in the UK.
Back in 2012 i started the BA course with The Open College and although i enjoyed my first year, i didn’t continue onto the 2nd year, for 2 reasons:
Turn Your Concerns Into Stories
One of the exercises on the Future Learn course this week is to make a list of our “concerns” as this will help us build up a self-portrait of who we are as writers. It will also help us to become clearer about what matters to us, as these subjects are bound to crop up in our writing.
Ok, well you know me, I’m game…heres my list…
- The safety of my family
- Sleep problems
- Fear of death
- Love and protection of animals
- Hatred of infidelity
- An interest in the supernatural
- What makes people tick
- Cooking/Baking
- The Victorian Period
- Memories
- Art
- Love
- Good over riding Evil
Wow, thats a big old list lol…but im sure i can just keep adding to it. So what does that list indicate about me as a writer do you think?
What would be on your list?
What’s In The Suitcase?
I stumbled across a fantastic resource recently…
Photographer Jon Crispin has been given the opportunity to…
The Art Of Blurbing
I spent some time yesterday morning writing a blurb for the novel I’m just about to start work on. A good exercise to get me focused on what the story is actually about and at least i now know the MC’s name!
I know some people get confused between a blurb and a synopsis, so we should probably start there..
Blurb =Â Found on the back of a book and used to entice a reader to buy it. Usually two or three paragraphs in length. No spoilers.
Synopsis = A summary of the whole story from beginning to end. Usually about a page long (unless told otherwise) and sent to agents/publishers. Must include spoilers.
So now we’ve cleared that up lets get to the nitty gritty…what should a blurb actually do? What needs to be included?
- Wet the readers appetite.
- Convey atmosphere.
- Indicate what kind of book it is, genre.
- Short and sweet, draw the reader in quickly.
- Introduce the protagonist.
- Describe the theme, if the book has a strong one.
Right, so now i know what a blurb is and what i should include, i must be able to write a great one yeah? lol….you be the judge. This is the blurb i wrote for my new WIP Pressence 🙂
“It just feels so right.” Was the thought that escaped Beth Adams lips as she stood outside number 10 Button Lane with the Estate Agent.
Having battled her ex-husband Michael for nearly two years in their bitter divorce she was looking forward to a fresh start and rebuilding her life. An unloved Victorian house in a picturesque Kent village was exactly what she needed.
But behind the dirty stained glass in the front door lurks a dark force. Beth’s search for recovery soon turns to terror as she is forced to confront her fears and the pressence, with whom she is convinced she shares her new home.
Does beth have the strength to win this last battle? Or will the strain be enough to tip her over the edge?
Do you ever buy books on just the basis of the blurb? I know i do, so i guess its important to get it right 🙂
Open to suggestions and opinions…does this work or do i go back to the drawing board? lol
How To Give A Great Critique
I hate critiquing! There, i said it…but do you know why? Not because i can’t be arsed. Not because i’m far too busy, and not because i don’t want to be helpful to my fellow writers. No, the reason i hate critiquing is because i don’t really know how to critique lol
I can point out the odd spelling mistake, the need for a comma (I’m comma happy so thats not always a good indication lol), the fact that the tenses are all over the place. But so often i find myself saying “Really enjoyed this.” or “Well done, can’t wait to find out what happens.” PAH! Thats not exactly helpful is it? lol.
Im currently doing the Start Writing Fiction course on the Future Learn website. Its run by the Open University (so its got some pretty well known writers involved) and this week they gave us a pdf entitled “Commenting on the work of fellow writers” which in my case, was much needed 😉
Do go give the article a read, but, if you haven’t got time…heres a brief outline:
- If you’re asked to focus on a specific issue, don’t forget to address it.
- If you think an aspect of the writing works well try to analyse why, but also look for its faults.
- If you think an aspect doesn’t work, again, analyse why, but also look for the parts that are working better. Focus on positive aspects.
- Always comment on the idea and its implememtation.
- Bear in mind that its probably a WIP. Assess where it might go and what tactics could be used in its development.
- Show evidence of any claims you make, the part of the writing you are talking about.
- Suggest there may be other opinions “I wonder if anyone else thinks this?”
- Think about how well the writing is geared to the target readers.
- Be honest, but not dismissive.
- Point out the good bits! 🙂
So when i sat down yesterday afternoon to do the critiques for my writing group with my red pen (it has to be a red pen doesn’t it?) i felt much more confident (having the OU sheet next to me), but I’m not promising i’ll ever be able to give a detailed analysis 😉
Are you confident when it comes to giving critiques?
Insecure Writers Support Group Day – May 2014
Today is Insecure Writers Support Group Day, or affectionately known as IWSG for short. I haven’t taken part since December last year (WOW! Has it really been that long?).
If you don’t know what it is check out the link, but basically its one day every month where writers get to whinge and moan, give in to self pity, and share their insecurities with the world. As a member its then your job to visit other participants and offer hugs, support and encouragement.
The View Outside 