Apologies for not keeping up this blog. So many things have got in the way, nothing too serious but just didn't get around to updating.
Last year, as mentioned, I completed an online poetry writing course. Grades were great and since then I've been subbing to magazines and competitions, so far without success. Set form, formal poetry has been a special interest - terza rimas, pantoums, sonnets and so on - but these rarely appear in lists or magazines. Successful poets seem currently to be writing lovely but rather ethereal poetry, so I'm wondering if I need to be more like that.
Recently submitted to a single-poem comp and also one for poetry pamphlets - around twenty poems. Waiting and hoping.
Currently I'm studying with an online Art Appreciation course. Not strictly a writing-related thing, but I try to get all the main points in my assignments while giving them a literary sort of style. Really enjoyable but very time-consuming. I've a very long history of published articles and some short stories and flash fiction, but the tutor doesn't know that. He commented, 'Well you can certainly write'! Seven assignments in and marks average 9/10. Find myself watching loads of art programmes on TV and realise I have been watching them keenly for years.
On the subject of our current lockdown, I have been noticing on social media that many of the writers I follow are struggling with moving their projects forward. It has taken them by surprise, as although most work from home and are used to being solitary, the atmosphere isn't now conducive to concentration. I've recently written a short piece on why this is, and how to manage it, and I believe it will be published online sometime soon. People report that it's more difficult to work with family members buzzing around, and concentration is difficult with all the awful media information pouring in. I'll write more on this soon, in case it might be helpful. In the meantime, the parting greeting 'Take care' has been replaced by 'Stay safe'.
Showing posts with label writing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label writing. Show all posts
Friday, 17 April 2020
Saturday, 8 June 2019
Tips for writing students working online
After a long break ...
Here's the text of my ten tips for completing an online writing course. The piece was published on the blog of The Writers' Bureau on June 7th, 2019. I had just successfully completed the Bureau's online course, The Art of Writing Poetry, during which quite a portfolio of poems developed, including some set forms as I wrote in the previous post on this blog. My later submissions earned A+ grades, and this spurred me on to try to get my work published - an ongoing uphill task, but as with the course itself, I won't give up.
Some of the points may seem obvious, but surprisingly not all are followed by all students. I've studied through online and postal courses quite a number of times now, almost all writing-related (and all completed) and one for drawing (dumped), but I know what it's like to become disheartened. So here is the piece:
I’ve recently completed the poetry course with The Writers’ Bureau, and found planning helpful in keeping up the momentum. Here are ten suggestions to remain on track from selection to completion. There is so much enjoyment and satisfaction to come!
1 When choosing your course, whether purely for interest or with an aim to be published, read
everything the website can tell you about it. Don’t be put off by a suggested timescale. (I
completed mine with very few weeks to spare.)
2 Pounce on the course materials. Read the introduction and details of the first assignment carefully.
Flicking through the next few modules may whet the appetite.
3 Plan your writing rate and submission goals. For example, a target number of hours per week, to
include reading the course material as well as writing. If there are, say, twelve assignments over
two years, your goal might be to submit every six to seven weeks. But if you can’t keep to this,
never be tempted into ‘that’ll do’. Make it The Best!
4 Keep a notebook with you always, including at night, and jot down ideas, snatches of
conversation (one spawned a prize-winning short story for me!), themes, or issues that upset,
annoy or inspire you.
5 On settling to work, check the notebook. If there’s no light bulb moment, think about an event and
ask ‘what if?’. Start a rough draft and try not to edit as you go along. I found it best to have both
something starting from scratch and one piece in mid-edit.
6 Keep a log of your work; it’s very motivating to see it piling up. For each assignment I kept a
folder with a copy of the submission, the feedback, and the resulting edited version. Keep a note
of submission contents and grades – this will hopefully show progress and be motivating.
7 Examine feedback carefully; if points are repeated, that needs sorting. You may not agree with
every point but each will have a reason. Bask in positive comments.
8 If it’s a struggle, or there’s a troublesome issue, ask the tutor for advice. It can be hard to be
objective about our own work.
9 Expect variable enthusiasm levels! Typical is a burst of creativity followed by a slowdown, then
an increase in energy as you get into the second half of the course. Update friends/family on
progress – that helps avoid temptation to ‘take a break’.
10 If you hope for publication, make notes about target markets as you go. If the course is mainly for
enjoyment, why not build up a catalogue of the work to take pride of place on the bookshelf?
Wishing everyone a fulfilling, successful – and completed – writing course!
Here's the text of my ten tips for completing an online writing course. The piece was published on the blog of The Writers' Bureau on June 7th, 2019. I had just successfully completed the Bureau's online course, The Art of Writing Poetry, during which quite a portfolio of poems developed, including some set forms as I wrote in the previous post on this blog. My later submissions earned A+ grades, and this spurred me on to try to get my work published - an ongoing uphill task, but as with the course itself, I won't give up.
Some of the points may seem obvious, but surprisingly not all are followed by all students. I've studied through online and postal courses quite a number of times now, almost all writing-related (and all completed) and one for drawing (dumped), but I know what it's like to become disheartened. So here is the piece:
See It Through And Reap The Rewards
June 7th, 2019
When you’ve looked at the writing courses on offer and made the commitment, a strategy can be helpful to ensure you’ll get the maximum benefit.I’ve recently completed the poetry course with The Writers’ Bureau, and found planning helpful in keeping up the momentum. Here are ten suggestions to remain on track from selection to completion. There is so much enjoyment and satisfaction to come!
1 When choosing your course, whether purely for interest or with an aim to be published, read
everything the website can tell you about it. Don’t be put off by a suggested timescale. (I
completed mine with very few weeks to spare.)
2 Pounce on the course materials. Read the introduction and details of the first assignment carefully.
Flicking through the next few modules may whet the appetite.
3 Plan your writing rate and submission goals. For example, a target number of hours per week, to
include reading the course material as well as writing. If there are, say, twelve assignments over
two years, your goal might be to submit every six to seven weeks. But if you can’t keep to this,
never be tempted into ‘that’ll do’. Make it The Best!
4 Keep a notebook with you always, including at night, and jot down ideas, snatches of
conversation (one spawned a prize-winning short story for me!), themes, or issues that upset,
annoy or inspire you.
5 On settling to work, check the notebook. If there’s no light bulb moment, think about an event and
ask ‘what if?’. Start a rough draft and try not to edit as you go along. I found it best to have both
something starting from scratch and one piece in mid-edit.
6 Keep a log of your work; it’s very motivating to see it piling up. For each assignment I kept a
folder with a copy of the submission, the feedback, and the resulting edited version. Keep a note
of submission contents and grades – this will hopefully show progress and be motivating.
7 Examine feedback carefully; if points are repeated, that needs sorting. You may not agree with
every point but each will have a reason. Bask in positive comments.
8 If it’s a struggle, or there’s a troublesome issue, ask the tutor for advice. It can be hard to be
objective about our own work.
9 Expect variable enthusiasm levels! Typical is a burst of creativity followed by a slowdown, then
an increase in energy as you get into the second half of the course. Update friends/family on
progress – that helps avoid temptation to ‘take a break’.
10 If you hope for publication, make notes about target markets as you go. If the course is mainly for
enjoyment, why not build up a catalogue of the work to take pride of place on the bookshelf?
Wishing everyone a fulfilling, successful – and completed – writing course!
Tuesday, 11 September 2018
BACK FROM THE WILDERNESS!
You know that feeling when you're travelling and it turns out that you paid more than anyone else for your ticket?
That's what it's been like for me in recent years with my website. Although I did all the work of setting it up, writing it, posting photos and images, and managing it generally, the web host was starting to charge ridiculous fees for 'hosting'. They were also giving me considerable warning that renewal was coming over the horizon, then suddenly the renewal date was imminent. 'But I thought you said ...'
Each year I considered abandoning ship, but I didn't want to lose all that work (did print it out in case) or the name of my site which was 'registered' with them. Also, when glitches appeared on the site, they were unable to fix them and I had to recruit a tech-savvy member of the family to take over the site and fix it.
This summer, I complained about the fees and was offered a year with more than a third off. Fell for that one, but when it came to paying, the site wouldn't work and the host several times said they'd fixed it but they hadn't. Then I got a bill for two years at four times the one-year offer.
So I have quit. I know about Wordpress, but thought I'd keep this Blogger account, for now at least, and ring-fence it just for writing.
Currently I'm concentrating on Poetry, studying through an online course. 75 per cent done, and grades started at C+ and have steadily increased so that the last three assignments were marked A+, A and A+. I think my efforts with formal poetry forms and with my own invented forms have helped, and the course is really enjoyable. Aware that I have bragged about this on Twitter, but it's been so pleasing.
I have now started submitting to competitions and magazines, though the wait to hear further is up to three months, and then only if successful. No idea how novellists cope with the 'wait-to-hear'; more poems can be written and submitted during this time, but a new novel can't be produced that quickly.
More to follow. If you're still with me, thanks!
Monday, 30 November 2015
Winning Pieces of Flash Fiction - must there be a common strand?
My own submitted flash fictions have varied quite widely in their nature. Some have been quite dark - murder, other death, jealousy, obsession, weirdness, threat and so on, with several of these appearing in my collection Bottles and Pots. Others have veered towards the lighter and hopefully humorous. Guess which types have won or been placed more times?
As I enjoy writing and entering flash fiction, I do read a great number of others' entries, especially those longlisted, shortlisted or placed. What troubles me is that these - and this often applies to your actual short story winners - tend to be disturbing, stream of consciousness, surreal or generally depressing. Quite prepared to be contradicted; this is just my impression.
Wouldn't it be pleasing if, sometimes, lighter work and humour could be considered worthy? Guessing most of us study what's been winning before we submit, as is wise, but I'm imagining a tranche of flash fiction competitions that state the judges are looking towards fun/humorous skilful writing that manages to tell a story, show a snapshot, make a point, deliver a twist - or all of these.
This a bee in bonnet matter!
As I enjoy writing and entering flash fiction, I do read a great number of others' entries, especially those longlisted, shortlisted or placed. What troubles me is that these - and this often applies to your actual short story winners - tend to be disturbing, stream of consciousness, surreal or generally depressing. Quite prepared to be contradicted; this is just my impression.
Wouldn't it be pleasing if, sometimes, lighter work and humour could be considered worthy? Guessing most of us study what's been winning before we submit, as is wise, but I'm imagining a tranche of flash fiction competitions that state the judges are looking towards fun/humorous skilful writing that manages to tell a story, show a snapshot, make a point, deliver a twist - or all of these.
This a bee in bonnet matter!
Saturday, 31 October 2015
October Round-Up: Ups and Downs
Further to the previous post, some things came off well, others less so ...
The Portswood Library centenary celebrations went very well, with some staff in vintage clothing, lots of exhibits, and the mayor cutting the cake. Penny Legg and I each did a short turn about our books; small audience with one chap rapidly falling asleep but the rest giving their attention.
Then Southampton's Festival of Words SOToSpeak15 began!
Authors on the water Southampton-Isle of Wight was entertaining, although my pitch in the family lounge was surrounded by very vocal preschoolers so a talk was not possible. Even so, had some very nice chats with children about reading and writing, and sold some books. The Solent was slightly choppy but not enough to bother us.
Very small audience at the Boutique Village, but even the children who were too young for my Millie the Detective books watched and listened as I hammed it up with the actions of the school bully and the fretting of the goodie characters. And again I sold books. Maybe should consider a late career on the stage instead.
The writing group of which I've been a member for about 6 years was given our own competition with prizes in each of the four categories. At a very lively awards ceremony in local bar/restaurant The Stage Door, I learned that I had come first in both of the categories entered - flash fiction and non-fiction. This was a shock, but very heartening as during the weeks beforehand I had seriously considered giving up writing. Some of the prize money will go towards raffle prizes to be won at our fab group Christmas tea at the Grand Harbour Hotel in Southampton.
The one-day writers' conference sadly had to be cancelled. I had collected loads of books and leaflets for our writing group trade stand, sorted them into categories, and made a plan of how the table would look. However, it was worse for those who were booked as speakers.
Made the longlist but not the shortlist for the Bath Flash Fiction Award, again honestly unexpectedly. This rolling award has just restarted, and I think it's worth entering again and working even harder this time.
So it's been quite a month, which also saw self-publication of Millie the Detective's second case, The Thief Unmasked. Details are at http://tinyurl.com/p4n7soq - a five-star review already - and info about the first book is not far away from that.
Happy November, all, whether or not your plunging into NaNoWriMo!
The Portswood Library centenary celebrations went very well, with some staff in vintage clothing, lots of exhibits, and the mayor cutting the cake. Penny Legg and I each did a short turn about our books; small audience with one chap rapidly falling asleep but the rest giving their attention.
Then Southampton's Festival of Words SOToSpeak15 began!
Authors on the water Southampton-Isle of Wight was entertaining, although my pitch in the family lounge was surrounded by very vocal preschoolers so a talk was not possible. Even so, had some very nice chats with children about reading and writing, and sold some books. The Solent was slightly choppy but not enough to bother us.
Very small audience at the Boutique Village, but even the children who were too young for my Millie the Detective books watched and listened as I hammed it up with the actions of the school bully and the fretting of the goodie characters. And again I sold books. Maybe should consider a late career on the stage instead.
The writing group of which I've been a member for about 6 years was given our own competition with prizes in each of the four categories. At a very lively awards ceremony in local bar/restaurant The Stage Door, I learned that I had come first in both of the categories entered - flash fiction and non-fiction. This was a shock, but very heartening as during the weeks beforehand I had seriously considered giving up writing. Some of the prize money will go towards raffle prizes to be won at our fab group Christmas tea at the Grand Harbour Hotel in Southampton.
The one-day writers' conference sadly had to be cancelled. I had collected loads of books and leaflets for our writing group trade stand, sorted them into categories, and made a plan of how the table would look. However, it was worse for those who were booked as speakers.
Made the longlist but not the shortlist for the Bath Flash Fiction Award, again honestly unexpectedly. This rolling award has just restarted, and I think it's worth entering again and working even harder this time.
So it's been quite a month, which also saw self-publication of Millie the Detective's second case, The Thief Unmasked. Details are at http://tinyurl.com/p4n7soq - a five-star review already - and info about the first book is not far away from that.
Happy November, all, whether or not your plunging into NaNoWriMo!
Tuesday, 6 October 2015
October 2015 will be some month ...
Much of my activity this month relates to Southampton's Festival of Words, SOToSpeak15 - http://www.sotospeakfestival.org - which runs from October 23rd to November 1st. But not all.
October 2nd was meeting day for Southampton Writing Buddies, of which I've been a member since soon after the group was formed six or seven years ago. As the group owner was away, I chaired the meeting. Always a worry, as she's a Duracell bunny and a great group leader. Still, decent-sized turnout, lots of members in chatty mode, and a great workshop from magazine short story guru Barbara Dynes.
On October 4th I, along with up to 49 other writers, received a very cheering email to advise that our entry to the Bath Flash Fiction Award had been longlisted. Especially thrilling since it's the inaugural award and will be ongoing, always stopping after 1000 entries before restarting soon afterwards. I didn't have high hopes, as the competition comes from the prestigious Bath Short Story Award stable, but gave it my best shot.
Still to come:
On October 22nd my local library, Portswood in Southampton, is celebrating its centenary. As part of the festivities, our writing group owner and I are giving short talks about writing and our books, and hopefully working our way through some cakes. Delighted to be invited to this; the library is very community-friendly and hosts regular events. Including cake sales.
October 26th, first weekday of local half term, will see me boarding Red Funnel ferry Osprey to the Isle of Wight for a straight there-and-back in the family lounge chatting about writing and about my two books for children. Planning to wear something sparkly. A number of Writing Buddies are doing this during the day, and we're all hoping for a calm sea ...
On October 27th I've a date at The Boutique Village in Millbrook, Southampton to chat with families about writing and my books. It's an open, free event, and again other Writing Buddies will be doing the same during the week.
As Southampton Writing Buddies are involved with the Festival, a competition was set up for members to submit fiction, non-fiction, poetry and/or flash fiction, with three prizes in each category. I have entered but shouldn't say what or which category until the judging is completed. On October 28th there's our award ceremony where we learn our fate in this competition. We're a fairly large but very cohesive group, and it does seem odd to be competing with one another, but a great incentive to get on and write.
October 30th is a big day - the Festival's Writers' Conference at Southampton City College. There will be some amazing writing-related talks and workshops throughout the day, and I'd be there even if I didn't have a part to play. Writing Buddies have a 'trade stand', and I'll be enjoying organising it. Have already amassed a good collection of books, booklets, laminated short pieces, biogs and other publicity material and have planned how it's all going to be displayed. Very fine displacement activity, that.
November will seem very flat, writing-wise, but time to relax.
October 2nd was meeting day for Southampton Writing Buddies, of which I've been a member since soon after the group was formed six or seven years ago. As the group owner was away, I chaired the meeting. Always a worry, as she's a Duracell bunny and a great group leader. Still, decent-sized turnout, lots of members in chatty mode, and a great workshop from magazine short story guru Barbara Dynes.
On October 4th I, along with up to 49 other writers, received a very cheering email to advise that our entry to the Bath Flash Fiction Award had been longlisted. Especially thrilling since it's the inaugural award and will be ongoing, always stopping after 1000 entries before restarting soon afterwards. I didn't have high hopes, as the competition comes from the prestigious Bath Short Story Award stable, but gave it my best shot.
Still to come:
On October 22nd my local library, Portswood in Southampton, is celebrating its centenary. As part of the festivities, our writing group owner and I are giving short talks about writing and our books, and hopefully working our way through some cakes. Delighted to be invited to this; the library is very community-friendly and hosts regular events. Including cake sales.
October 26th, first weekday of local half term, will see me boarding Red Funnel ferry Osprey to the Isle of Wight for a straight there-and-back in the family lounge chatting about writing and about my two books for children. Planning to wear something sparkly. A number of Writing Buddies are doing this during the day, and we're all hoping for a calm sea ...
On October 27th I've a date at The Boutique Village in Millbrook, Southampton to chat with families about writing and my books. It's an open, free event, and again other Writing Buddies will be doing the same during the week.
As Southampton Writing Buddies are involved with the Festival, a competition was set up for members to submit fiction, non-fiction, poetry and/or flash fiction, with three prizes in each category. I have entered but shouldn't say what or which category until the judging is completed. On October 28th there's our award ceremony where we learn our fate in this competition. We're a fairly large but very cohesive group, and it does seem odd to be competing with one another, but a great incentive to get on and write.
October 30th is a big day - the Festival's Writers' Conference at Southampton City College. There will be some amazing writing-related talks and workshops throughout the day, and I'd be there even if I didn't have a part to play. Writing Buddies have a 'trade stand', and I'll be enjoying organising it. Have already amassed a good collection of books, booklets, laminated short pieces, biogs and other publicity material and have planned how it's all going to be displayed. Very fine displacement activity, that.
November will seem very flat, writing-wise, but time to relax.
Sunday, 30 March 2014
Target Reached!
It was the online short story course early last year that showed me how to break out into different genres, and that has been the root of what's happened since.
My climb up the greasy pole began with some short stories being accepted for several anthologies. Then last summer I began collecting together some of my short stories from earlier months and writing more - mainly dark stories and flash fiction - and put together a collection. While this was in progress, I entered two stories for the open competition held by the Winchester Writers' Conference 2013. A writing pal from Southampton Writing Buddies won first prize with a terrific piece full of colour and some quite understated violence, and we were all delighted. Then, to my surprise, I had my two stories back with kind critiques, one marked 'third place' and one 'commended'.
After that I set about finishing and self-publishing the collection as Bottles and Pots* (ebook and paperback) and this has sold reasonably well and received five-star reviews. At the same time I converted my ebook novel for children of 8-10 years, Millie the Detective and the Diamond Ring**, to a paperback, and that has done well too, again with five-star reviews. Millie mark 2 is in progress. I arranged book-signings in various places locally, which was great fun, and judged a children's book-themed cake competition. Currently awaiting entries from Southampton Writers' Circle for an article competition which I'm to judge and award the trophy - I have twice been to their meetings to talk on the subject.
Now to targets. Last year I set myself the goal of being listed or placed in a writing competition by Christmas, and both of those were sorted, including two second places for limericks. By this summer I had ambitions to actually win a competition, and I recently heard that my short story had won first prize in a comp set by Writers' News, a magazine which I've read since the year dot but haven't entered many comps. The story is dark in its way but with some lightness and, I hope, a laugh or two. It's about a funeral, the wake and the will!
The only target that can follow these is to be listed or placed in one of the big competitions - Bath Short Story Award (just entered) followed by Bristol (April) and Bridport (May). Just have to be sure to up my game for these as they have big prizes and large numbers of entries. But faint heart never won fair writing competition, so I'm giving them my best shot.
* Link to Bottles and Pots is http://ow.ly/pioGZ
** Millie the Detective is at http://ow.ly/pFOy8
My website is at http://www.jacpye.com
My climb up the greasy pole began with some short stories being accepted for several anthologies. Then last summer I began collecting together some of my short stories from earlier months and writing more - mainly dark stories and flash fiction - and put together a collection. While this was in progress, I entered two stories for the open competition held by the Winchester Writers' Conference 2013. A writing pal from Southampton Writing Buddies won first prize with a terrific piece full of colour and some quite understated violence, and we were all delighted. Then, to my surprise, I had my two stories back with kind critiques, one marked 'third place' and one 'commended'.
After that I set about finishing and self-publishing the collection as Bottles and Pots* (ebook and paperback) and this has sold reasonably well and received five-star reviews. At the same time I converted my ebook novel for children of 8-10 years, Millie the Detective and the Diamond Ring**, to a paperback, and that has done well too, again with five-star reviews. Millie mark 2 is in progress. I arranged book-signings in various places locally, which was great fun, and judged a children's book-themed cake competition. Currently awaiting entries from Southampton Writers' Circle for an article competition which I'm to judge and award the trophy - I have twice been to their meetings to talk on the subject.
Now to targets. Last year I set myself the goal of being listed or placed in a writing competition by Christmas, and both of those were sorted, including two second places for limericks. By this summer I had ambitions to actually win a competition, and I recently heard that my short story had won first prize in a comp set by Writers' News, a magazine which I've read since the year dot but haven't entered many comps. The story is dark in its way but with some lightness and, I hope, a laugh or two. It's about a funeral, the wake and the will!
The only target that can follow these is to be listed or placed in one of the big competitions - Bath Short Story Award (just entered) followed by Bristol (April) and Bridport (May). Just have to be sure to up my game for these as they have big prizes and large numbers of entries. But faint heart never won fair writing competition, so I'm giving them my best shot.
* Link to Bottles and Pots is http://ow.ly/pioGZ
** Millie the Detective is at http://ow.ly/pFOy8
My website is at http://www.jacpye.com
Tuesday, 27 August 2013
Lots of Writing Going On!
Currently I'm in one of those can't-think-about-anything-except-writing phases. (Apart from cooking in between of course.) Brain is in overdrive.
A previous post was about being either a pouncer or a stalker, and I'm the former - can't resist a challenge, always several short projects on the go. Here in list form is what I've been pouncing on recently.
• Gave a talk to a writing group about magazine articles, and have now been asked to return to run a workshop and judge
a competition.
• Submitted two stories for the Winchester Writers' Conference/Hampshire Chronicle competition - judged by the Prof of
Creative Writing. One was commended, one awarded third place. Very nice critiques, too.
• A rather unpleasant piece involving a clown and a little girl was awarded 4th place in an international flash fiction comp.
• A very short piece was included in National Flash Fiction Day's rolling blog. That was rather nasty, too.
• My work is currently longlisted in Ether Book's twisted tales competition; shortlist not out yet.
• Waiting to hear whether shortlisted for a cash-prize locally based story comp. And, oh goodness, another murder,
but this time set in the middle ages.
• I have ready a 22,000 word anthology of my 'dark tales', and a cover, and currently exploring the best way to get it into print.
• As a member of Inkslinger Books I've just submitted a 4,200 word whodunnit for consideration for our next anthology.
• Now planning to give more attention to a work-in-progress novel for 8-11s about a boy and his mother's new partner.
Nothing nasty here but plenty of conflict. Cd be 15,000 words.
Please forgive the egotistical nature of all this - it needed to be out of my brain and onto a page of some sort. So if you're still with me, thanks ever so.
A previous post was about being either a pouncer or a stalker, and I'm the former - can't resist a challenge, always several short projects on the go. Here in list form is what I've been pouncing on recently.
• Gave a talk to a writing group about magazine articles, and have now been asked to return to run a workshop and judge
a competition.
• Submitted two stories for the Winchester Writers' Conference/Hampshire Chronicle competition - judged by the Prof of
Creative Writing. One was commended, one awarded third place. Very nice critiques, too.
• A rather unpleasant piece involving a clown and a little girl was awarded 4th place in an international flash fiction comp.
• A very short piece was included in National Flash Fiction Day's rolling blog. That was rather nasty, too.
• My work is currently longlisted in Ether Book's twisted tales competition; shortlist not out yet.
• Waiting to hear whether shortlisted for a cash-prize locally based story comp. And, oh goodness, another murder,
but this time set in the middle ages.
• I have ready a 22,000 word anthology of my 'dark tales', and a cover, and currently exploring the best way to get it into print.
• As a member of Inkslinger Books I've just submitted a 4,200 word whodunnit for consideration for our next anthology.
• Now planning to give more attention to a work-in-progress novel for 8-11s about a boy and his mother's new partner.
Nothing nasty here but plenty of conflict. Cd be 15,000 words.
Please forgive the egotistical nature of all this - it needed to be out of my brain and onto a page of some sort. So if you're still with me, thanks ever so.
Friday, 9 November 2012
Writing for the Family at Christmas
As families get together at Christmas, there is often a lull in 'things to do' once the grand lunch is over. Board games or other everybody-join-in activities don't appeal to everyone, either.
Here are some of the 'productions' we've offered in recent years.
 |
| by LizMarie_AK via flickr.com |
What John & I have enjoyed for a number of years, and which fits nicely into a 'quiet' slot, is to provide a reading, a mini panto, or a play of some sort. Sometimes they're worked out last-minute, but the family always listen dutifully, laugh in the right places, and shout out if it's called for. It's been such fun that I wondered if others might consider giving it a go.
Of course some people are currently busy with NaNoWriMo, but even they could put the idea in their brain section marked 'ideas for later'. I believe all writers have one of these, and that's why I'm blogging about Christmas this early.
 |
| by David Blackwell via flickr.com |
* We'd acquired an Angelina Ballerina Theatre set to amuse the grandchildren. So, for two
consecutive Christmases I wrote 20-minute 2-act plays for the Angelina characters to
perform. The script had stage directions and everything. I did the moves and most of
the voices, while John acted a severe Miss Lilly, narrated, and operated the FX,
revolving bit of the stage, the curtains and the 'lights'. Popcorn was served in the
interval. There were, of course, some black moments but always a happy resolution.
The highlight of these plays, in 'Roger the Rat Saves the Theatre', was John's FX for
the roaring of Roger, made by that crocodile toy that roars when you pull the lever.
The immediate response from the children was to dive under the table to see how he
was making the noise.
* An existing folk tale, narrated and with speaking characters, about a princess saved by a
donkey that could make gold coins shower out of its huge ears. At crucial moments
a handful of gold-wrapped chocolate coins would be thrown into the air, and play
stopped while the children scooped them up.
* A reading of Twas the Night Before Christmas, which was written in 1822. I'd taken the
liberty of altering the text to remove any references to Santa smoking his pipe, so I
was interested to hear very recently on the wireless that someone else was thinking
along the same lines.
* A ten-minute Christmas ghost story for children. Each character had resonances with at
least one person present. It involved a family where the tree decs had always been red
and gold although the girl would have loved something different for once. The ghost of
a child visits the girl on Christmas Eve, and in the morning there's a new purple bauble
hanging on the tree.
* Usually I also write or copy a poem suitable for children, print it out and laminate it, and
ask the children if they'd be willing to read it for us. No refusals so far! My all-time
favourite is Christmas by Steve Turner. Four lovely 8-line verses, with the recurring
theme a variation on 'We always do that.'
This year's effort isn't planned yet, but now the children are older, I'm thinking a play with perhaps a ghost theme and involving social media. It might be an idea to write in a part for each of the children, too - I'll ask them.
If anyone is inspired to do this sort of thing this year, I'd really love to hear about it! It can be a lot of work for a short 'performance', but great fun and, hopefully, memorable. Anyone want to borrow a story?!
liberty of altering the text to remove any references to Santa smoking his pipe, so I
was interested to hear very recently on the wireless that someone else was thinking
along the same lines.
* A ten-minute Christmas ghost story for children. Each character had resonances with at
least one person present. It involved a family where the tree decs had always been red
and gold although the girl would have loved something different for once. The ghost of
a child visits the girl on Christmas Eve, and in the morning there's a new purple bauble
hanging on the tree.
* Usually I also write or copy a poem suitable for children, print it out and laminate it, and
ask the children if they'd be willing to read it for us. No refusals so far! My all-time
favourite is Christmas by Steve Turner. Four lovely 8-line verses, with the recurring
theme a variation on 'We always do that.'
This year's effort isn't planned yet, but now the children are older, I'm thinking a play with perhaps a ghost theme and involving social media. It might be an idea to write in a part for each of the children, too - I'll ask them.
 |
| by WaterHorse Media, LLC via flickr.com |
Tuesday, 24 July 2012
The Olympic Struggle Should Not Apply to Writers
 |
| by Aaron Fulkerson via Flickr.com |
After wondering for some time why I'm such a wet blanket about the Olympics, an answer has emerged. The point of this blog is that I believe my reason applies to writers as well - some of us at least.
The aim of the Games, for individuals and teams, is to make your country proud by proving that you are better than anyone else at what you do. And, as the bard says, 'There's the rub.' I strongly believe that 'be the best' should not be applied as widely as it is. All right, a little competition at school sports days for fun - but look how easily it turns into bitter competition, no less for parents than for pupils, perhaps damaging the child-parent relationship along the way. How much more must it affect athletes and other competitors to fail in their bid, especially after years of planning, outlay and effort have taken over their lives.
Moving on to writing, I have also realised that it is not so important to 'be the best'. Although for many years I have been a published article writer, recently I have taken to fiction, making use of courses, advice books and feedback. At first I naively entered competitions, and heard nothing. Then a little feedback started to arrive, often mainly positive with just a few correctable problems. That's progress, and I'm happy with it. I'm now seeing my fiction published here and there, and that's joyous. Fortunately I don't need to make my living this way, and any type of success adds building blocks to my self esteem and confidence as a writer.
For those who are able to make their living through writing, that's just wonderful. I sense that many are not especially striving to win competitions, but just to write work that large numbers of people are happy to buy and enjoy reading. If an agent puts an author's work in for a competition, fine, and it if does well - brilliant.
In summary, I feel that progress and success lie in building on one's own achievements, grasping opportunities and making the best possible outcome, rather than wanting to conquer everyone else.
So my competition efforts will be limited, although I love to read winning entries. I'm aiming to improve my standards and my publication rate as an end in itself. And that's why I don't rate the Olympics. It's not necessary to be the best.
Thursday, 5 April 2012
Writing Courses - What I Hope to Find
.
The very first writing course I followed was a correspondence type many years ago. The subject was non-fiction, and the promise was a full refund if the fee was not recouped by sales during the course. There was a good deal of positive feedback latterly, and the tutor seemed confident that I'd be published, but there was no success with magazines at the time. Gathering and returning all the course materials as demanded, I received a refund - but I kept writing. Should I have felt guilty about the refund, given that I covered the fee in sales fairly soon afterwards?
The most recent course has been for short story writing for more literary and competition type work, with the aim of ending up with a story of publishable standard. Again, I completed all the assignments and received a good deal of useful feedback, although the main piece of work is not quite up to standard as yet. It's a 'work in progress'.
Reviewing the outcome and range of emotions during the course, I've compiled a list of ten things which I would hope for in a writing course.
1 In the blurb, a clear statement of the aims for achievement by the end.
2 Again in the blurb, a comment about the optimum level of prior experience. Is it suitable
for beginners, for example, or writers just starting to be successful, or those already
well on their way?
3 Unambiguous info about the expected length of the course, and any restrictions on the
time allowed.
4 Statement about what feedback the student can expect during the course, e.g. from tutor
and other students, and whether each student will be asked to give feedback to others.
5 Advice on how to give considered and constructive feedback. (Says
she after a bit of a battering - though in the latest course this advice
was certainly given clearly.)
6 Opportunities to study successful work and pieces which are considered
great writing.
7 Ongoing feedback which picks up problems and gives pointers towards addressing them.
Personally, I feel that occasional specifics are very helpful, e.g. when an issue with
dialogue is flagged up, an example of what would be better (even if just one line).
8 At the end of the course, a summary of how far the tutor feels the student has progressed
(not "Don't give up the day job" though.)
9 Suggestions for further study, individualised for the student if time/fee permits.
10 Finally, if there is work of reasonable standard, suggestions as to where it might be
submitted when polished, so the student can research those opportunities.
Thanks for reading this. I'd be very interested to hear whether anyone who's currently on a course, or who has recently completed one, agrees with these points or has any to add.
.
The very first writing course I followed was a correspondence type many years ago. The subject was non-fiction, and the promise was a full refund if the fee was not recouped by sales during the course. There was a good deal of positive feedback latterly, and the tutor seemed confident that I'd be published, but there was no success with magazines at the time. Gathering and returning all the course materials as demanded, I received a refund - but I kept writing. Should I have felt guilty about the refund, given that I covered the fee in sales fairly soon afterwards?
 |
| By David Blackwell |
The most recent course has been for short story writing for more literary and competition type work, with the aim of ending up with a story of publishable standard. Again, I completed all the assignments and received a good deal of useful feedback, although the main piece of work is not quite up to standard as yet. It's a 'work in progress'.
Reviewing the outcome and range of emotions during the course, I've compiled a list of ten things which I would hope for in a writing course.
1 In the blurb, a clear statement of the aims for achievement by the end.
2 Again in the blurb, a comment about the optimum level of prior experience. Is it suitable
for beginners, for example, or writers just starting to be successful, or those already
well on their way?
3 Unambiguous info about the expected length of the course, and any restrictions on the
time allowed.
4 Statement about what feedback the student can expect during the course, e.g. from tutor
and other students, and whether each student will be asked to give feedback to others.
 |
| by Frankie Kangas |
5 Advice on how to give considered and constructive feedback. (Says
she after a bit of a battering - though in the latest course this advice
was certainly given clearly.)
6 Opportunities to study successful work and pieces which are considered
great writing.
7 Ongoing feedback which picks up problems and gives pointers towards addressing them.
Personally, I feel that occasional specifics are very helpful, e.g. when an issue with
dialogue is flagged up, an example of what would be better (even if just one line).
8 At the end of the course, a summary of how far the tutor feels the student has progressed
(not "Don't give up the day job" though.)
9 Suggestions for further study, individualised for the student if time/fee permits.
10 Finally, if there is work of reasonable standard, suggestions as to where it might be
submitted when polished, so the student can research those opportunities.
Thanks for reading this. I'd be very interested to hear whether anyone who's currently on a course, or who has recently completed one, agrees with these points or has any to add.
.
Friday, 16 March 2012
Course, Week 5 - nearly there
Some more excellent advice in the week's course notes, all taken to heart. Two very pleasing critiques received from fellow students, with one describing my half-finished work as 'monumentally creepy' - just what I was aiming for, fortunately! Submission this week was the finished story - not necessarily in its final form but showing how it all works out, and I did that, surprising myself with incorporating a death - and I've never used 'creepy' or death in a story before. So something is changing.
Another task was to produce a shorter story from scratch in one go, which I have done. No idea where the story came from, apart from a memorable (for all the wrong reasons) moment in my mid-teens involving a spider. The story just, as they say, told itself.
Now both of these stories need some going over. I have emailed them to our gas fitter! He is a keen reader, especially creepy, and asked if he could see them.
The final week will involve critiquing by and for each student - I expect everyone, like me, is bracing themselves. This is a good course, stirring up the waters and producing surprising results.
Another task was to produce a shorter story from scratch in one go, which I have done. No idea where the story came from, apart from a memorable (for all the wrong reasons) moment in my mid-teens involving a spider. The story just, as they say, told itself.
Now both of these stories need some going over. I have emailed them to our gas fitter! He is a keen reader, especially creepy, and asked if he could see them.
The final week will involve critiquing by and for each student - I expect everyone, like me, is bracing themselves. This is a good course, stirring up the waters and producing surprising results.
Saturday, 3 March 2012
Week Three
So on to week three of this short story writing course. This looked at how to leave blanks in the narrative to allow the reader's imagination to work, another aspect I'd not really considered before.
There was also a short story from the tutor's own collection; chilling, but with a feast for the senses coupled with never actually mentioning the most important fact about the characters - this is worked out by the reader towards the end. Another example of the principle was in the link given to a prize-winning story, which again left me with a sense of satisfaction but wishful thinking about my own work.
The piece to submit was further work on the short story begun earlier. Having distilled the points from the two critiques, and absorbed the 'lesson' of this part of the course, I deleted some weak bits which didn't move the story forward or which told too much, tried to keep just the one point of view, and adjusted expressions which had tripped up the critics. By the time I'd done all the other exercises, I got round only to progressing the story a little further, and submitted it in the hope of more positive, less negative feedback this time.
I do get it, and realise how meandering and flat my earlier work has been. Spurred on by this, and by hearing that one of our Southampton Writing Buddies, Jacqueline Field, has just been shortlisted in the Writers' News competition (as well as another of her works being runner-up in one of their comps about 3 months ago), it's onwards and upwards at the half-way stage of the course.
There was also a short story from the tutor's own collection; chilling, but with a feast for the senses coupled with never actually mentioning the most important fact about the characters - this is worked out by the reader towards the end. Another example of the principle was in the link given to a prize-winning story, which again left me with a sense of satisfaction but wishful thinking about my own work.
The piece to submit was further work on the short story begun earlier. Having distilled the points from the two critiques, and absorbed the 'lesson' of this part of the course, I deleted some weak bits which didn't move the story forward or which told too much, tried to keep just the one point of view, and adjusted expressions which had tripped up the critics. By the time I'd done all the other exercises, I got round only to progressing the story a little further, and submitted it in the hope of more positive, less negative feedback this time.
I do get it, and realise how meandering and flat my earlier work has been. Spurred on by this, and by hearing that one of our Southampton Writing Buddies, Jacqueline Field, has just been shortlisted in the Writers' News competition (as well as another of her works being runner-up in one of their comps about 3 months ago), it's onwards and upwards at the half-way stage of the course.
Saturday, 25 February 2012
Week Two of the Course
The second part of the short story writing course caused mixed feelings. I duly used the link provided to read a most excellent prize-winning and atmospheric story (cue "I could never write like that".) The writing exercises were completed too (not to be submitted at this stage, but filed away). I had submitted a draft of the first 800 words of a story, with the task being not to worry too much about editing at this stage, and submitted my feedback on the story openings buzzed over from the tutor.
Then - oh heck. Encouraging feedback from the tutor, with some aspects to consider including an unexpected change of point of view. Yes, I know, a common mistake. One of the students' feedback comments kindly mixed positive with problems and suggestions, and agreed in some places with the tutor's own opinion. The other feedback (almost as long as the original piece) piled comment upon comment about what didn't gel, what didn't make sense, what trips the reader up and so on, with the point-of-view comment only too incisive (and repeated).
It's a funny thing with writers. As a group we seem to lack confidence; even the most prolific and successful suffer. Which I guess is a spur to keep up standards or risk falling victim to failure. This review certainly knocked me for six. After all, it was supposed to be only a draft. Like most students I suppose, I found it hard to take such a wealth of criticism, wrote to the tutor saying maybe I had bitten off more than I could chew, and whinged to my family and my writing group. All-round reassurance followed, and given a few days to stop sulking, I have now listed from each critique the points which I accept and to which attention will be given in the next draft. Just as planned, no doubt!
So, on to week three, about which I'll write soon (getting a bit behind, but will catch up). As a psychologist who has run courses for teachers, I know all about negative/positive feedback, how students often feel after the initial flush of enthusiasm about a course, and how important it is to keep them on track and looking ahead with confidence. Physician, heal thyself and all that. And I shall.
Then - oh heck. Encouraging feedback from the tutor, with some aspects to consider including an unexpected change of point of view. Yes, I know, a common mistake. One of the students' feedback comments kindly mixed positive with problems and suggestions, and agreed in some places with the tutor's own opinion. The other feedback (almost as long as the original piece) piled comment upon comment about what didn't gel, what didn't make sense, what trips the reader up and so on, with the point-of-view comment only too incisive (and repeated).
It's a funny thing with writers. As a group we seem to lack confidence; even the most prolific and successful suffer. Which I guess is a spur to keep up standards or risk falling victim to failure. This review certainly knocked me for six. After all, it was supposed to be only a draft. Like most students I suppose, I found it hard to take such a wealth of criticism, wrote to the tutor saying maybe I had bitten off more than I could chew, and whinged to my family and my writing group. All-round reassurance followed, and given a few days to stop sulking, I have now listed from each critique the points which I accept and to which attention will be given in the next draft. Just as planned, no doubt!
So, on to week three, about which I'll write soon (getting a bit behind, but will catch up). As a psychologist who has run courses for teachers, I know all about negative/positive feedback, how students often feel after the initial flush of enthusiasm about a course, and how important it is to keep them on track and looking ahead with confidence. Physician, heal thyself and all that. And I shall.
Tuesday, 14 February 2012
Back To School!
As I've been venturing into fiction more lately, especially of the flash type but also short stories, the lure of Tom Vowler's six-week online short story course was hard to resist. After looking at his website, achievements and general cred, I paid up and planned - very roughly - my 3-5 hours per week to devote to the course. There are only a few 'students' so feedback from Tom and from the others is manageable for us all.
The first week's work is now done, and I am really glad that this is more a literary course than one for women's popular magazines, as that's what I feel I lack. Tom wrote a useful intro about the short story, and set some exercises - including submitting the beginning of a story - and reader, I did them all. He intends to make silk purses out of sows' ears, and I shall give it my very best shot. Oink, oink.
I shall blog in a week's time about the second lot of exercises now in my inbox, together with (if publishable) any interesting feedback on my first attempt.
The first week's work is now done, and I am really glad that this is more a literary course than one for women's popular magazines, as that's what I feel I lack. Tom wrote a useful intro about the short story, and set some exercises - including submitting the beginning of a story - and reader, I did them all. He intends to make silk purses out of sows' ears, and I shall give it my very best shot. Oink, oink.
I shall blog in a week's time about the second lot of exercises now in my inbox, together with (if publishable) any interesting feedback on my first attempt.
Thursday, 29 December 2011
The Best From My 2011
To round off the year, here's a list of the ten gadgets or other items that have made my 2011 better, easier, safer or more fun. They're not in any special order. I wonder if any of them appear in your own top ten...
1 The first decent crop of carrots I've ever harvested: a bit knobbly and whiskery, but tasting wonderful.
2 Setting up an external hard drive after a crash that lost masses of text and pictures, some lost for ever.
3 We both bought silver acupressure rings from Boots (www.goodnightsnoring.com) which have all but eliminated
sn*ring and greatly improved our sleep. But don't tell. Btw, Holland & Barrett do a cheaper version, same
principle.
4 Finishing my first children's novel about Millie the Detective and submitting it.
5 Acquiring an iPad.
6 Negotiating a better contract with BT - didn't realise you had to do this annually otherwise a worse contract can
come into play without you knowing.
7 Successfully losing 2 stones weight, thus reaching my target and maintaining it with significant health benefits.
8 Seeing one of my poems published on the internet (www.wtd-magazine.com - What The Dickens magazine), and
another - together with 2 pieces of non-fiction and one drama - in our Writing Buddies anthology Wordfall.
9 In my (large) Christmas stocking, lovely non-slip wellingtons with fleecy lining.
10 Finally clearing most of my 'professional working life' from my den and making a decent amount of desk space for
my writing.
Happy New Year, everyone!
(Any comments very welcome of course.)
1 The first decent crop of carrots I've ever harvested: a bit knobbly and whiskery, but tasting wonderful.
2 Setting up an external hard drive after a crash that lost masses of text and pictures, some lost for ever.
3 We both bought silver acupressure rings from Boots (www.goodnightsnoring.com) which have all but eliminated
sn*ring and greatly improved our sleep. But don't tell. Btw, Holland & Barrett do a cheaper version, same
principle.
4 Finishing my first children's novel about Millie the Detective and submitting it.
5 Acquiring an iPad.
6 Negotiating a better contract with BT - didn't realise you had to do this annually otherwise a worse contract can
come into play without you knowing.
7 Successfully losing 2 stones weight, thus reaching my target and maintaining it with significant health benefits.
8 Seeing one of my poems published on the internet (www.wtd-magazine.com - What The Dickens magazine), and
another - together with 2 pieces of non-fiction and one drama - in our Writing Buddies anthology Wordfall.
9 In my (large) Christmas stocking, lovely non-slip wellingtons with fleecy lining.
10 Finally clearing most of my 'professional working life' from my den and making a decent amount of desk space for
my writing.
Happy New Year, everyone!
(Any comments very welcome of course.)
Thursday, 10 November 2011
Writing Targets: They Should Be Servant, Not Master
To-do lists, savings plans, shopping lists, the 'to-be-read' pile, deadlines, NaNoWriMo - they're all targets of a sort. Fine if they seem attainable, and you're in charge - then they're your servants. Bad news if if they're too threatening - they're your masters.
Fiction or non-fiction, there can't be many writers who don't set themselves writing targets. Without them, productivity would probably be slower, but they can generate more tension than is helpful. Here are some brief thoughts on why inappropriate targets can cause problems, and how wise and considered targets are the business.
Inappropriate Targets
Key issues here include timing and scope ...
1 If a writing target has been set by someone or something else, and it seems unattainable, it should not
be agreed in the first place, but negotiated.
2 If the completion target is too soon, it may cause the writer to speed up, but this will bring an
unhelpful degree of stress, so quality may be affected because research/planning/editing are rushed.
3 Careful planning is important when a writer suggests their own target to an outside agency. If
anything, the temptation is to offer a deadline which is closer than it might be.
4 Most writers prefer always to say 'yes' to a request for work - especially true for non-fiction writers.
I have pitched an article in detail recently, only to be told it would be fine if I changed the angle
substantially. I agreed; it involved unexpected research, but the deadline was well ahead so the task
was manageable without stress. Taking on an assignment of any sort which is beyond a writer's usual
scope needs consideration - it can be uplifting and fascinating but will be hard work.
5 Lastly, writers who take on NaNoWriMo but get bogged down and can't complete should never
beat themselves up about it. It was a good target in itself, but in their case it turned out not to be
appropriate. It's a strength to come to terms with that.
Happy Targets
1 A goal which the writer really wants to reach.
2 A goal towards which there is a 'time-planned journey' which includes some leeway to allow for
unexpected problems.
3 Maybe a target which is broken down into units, such as first draft: chapter 1 within 10 days,
chapter 2 within the next 8 days, and so on. For articles, could be plan day 1, research days 2-4,
first draft day 5, final edit day 6.
4 If working with units, good idea to use a chart so that they can be ticked off as completed. Very
motivating, and gives writers 'permission' to log off if they're ready to.
5 Best bit - plan a suitable reward for completion of units, and a cracker of a treat at the end. (But then
you probably already do that last one already, judging by Twitter!)
Tuesday, 18 October 2011
A Psychologist Lurks Within the Writer's Mind
A degree in psychology usually takes three years; however, I believe that the committed writer quickly gets the basics.
Fiction writers, especially, are inveterate people watchers. What's she thinking? Why's he doing that? Those lads think they look hard. I bet those two have had a row. They're both besotted with the baby. He favours the older child over the younger. And so on. This sort of 'imaginative inquisitiveness' must be important to those who construct novels or stories. On the surface it seems just plain nosy, but we extrapolate to the why, how, who, what happened, what's next set of questions. This allows the reader to see into the minds of the characters, and edges them into making predictions for the rest of the writing. My guess is that this is especially important to crime writers, but it's somewhere in every writer's mind.
Non-fiction writers perhaps use a different set of psychology strands. Taking magazine articles, the writer works out what kind of people read a particular mag, what their interests are, what they are likely to enjoy reading about, and how to reflect their characteristics back at them to engage and keep their attention.
I've been thinking about this partly as a (former) psychologist and (current sometime) writer, and also having returned from a week at a Croatian hotel where nearly one third of guests were British, and almost all the rest were Japanese. People's approach to buffet meals seemed to be closely related to ethnicity - what time they turned up, how they approached the laid out food, what they chose, how quickly they ate, whether they chatted between mouthfuls. Then there was 'the man who studied everyone' (yes, yes, I know), the self-consciously glamorous girls, the couple who never spoke, the wife who did all the choosing, fetching and carrying for her man, the older blokes who chatted up the waitresses, those who always sat as close to the buffet as possible. The waitress probably thought of me as 'the woman who thinks she can speak a bit of Croatian'. All grist to the writer's mill, and endlessly fascinating.
So greeting to all writers/psychologists! For anyone not Greek-alphabet-minded, the sign at the top is meant to be the Greek letter psi, the logo used for psychology. And mine is Pi.
Thursday, 5 May 2011
Twitter the Seductress, and Other Things
Twitter must be the great seductress of our time. (I think female.) She lures us in, so that she can take from us our time, and then our money as she persuades us to buy books, cheesecake, tools, jewellery, and anything else in tweets in our timeline.
I can't be alone in not wanting to 'miss something important'. This means I return time and time again to Twitter to keep up with the timeline and make sure I scan everything there. Then there are links - who can resist the pictures of pet cats and dogs (I can't) or the clamped car with graffiti on it: "F***ing Keep It"? On the positive side, I have found the odd writing opportunity and have won a few prizes, too, as a reward for monitoring.
The last four books I have bought have been written or edited by writers whom I follow on Twitter. It's a great marketing tool; friendly tweets modestly mention their latest book, give quotes from it, and make it really easy to buy, interspersed with some fun and maybe interesting personal revelations. Then other authors praise the book. In the end, I may decide to order - though impressions must be accurate, since I seem always to enjoy the books and can then write a good review. Interestingly, though, authors whose tweets are never conversational or amusing, but almost always just impersonally promote their book, can have the opposite effect.
Twitter sucks us in to respond to other people's questions and comments, and to show appreciation. Then we return to see if we have a reply, or we investigate those followed by our favourites, and add them to our ever-growing list. And oh, the guilt at unfollowing (except for irrelevant businesses such as tarpaulin loans). Thus Twitter feeds on us, which makes it grow continually. A winning formula indeed.
And "in other news", I have now received the set of posh pans as the prize for my star letter in June Sainsbury's Magazine, and have entered another writing comp. My commissioned article on sleep is researched and ready to write, and other pitches are planned. And the set lunch at Rasraj restaurant, Oxford Street, Southampton is organic, very nice, and only £5.95. My first foodie note for ages.
I can't be alone in not wanting to 'miss something important'. This means I return time and time again to Twitter to keep up with the timeline and make sure I scan everything there. Then there are links - who can resist the pictures of pet cats and dogs (I can't) or the clamped car with graffiti on it: "F***ing Keep It"? On the positive side, I have found the odd writing opportunity and have won a few prizes, too, as a reward for monitoring.
The last four books I have bought have been written or edited by writers whom I follow on Twitter. It's a great marketing tool; friendly tweets modestly mention their latest book, give quotes from it, and make it really easy to buy, interspersed with some fun and maybe interesting personal revelations. Then other authors praise the book. In the end, I may decide to order - though impressions must be accurate, since I seem always to enjoy the books and can then write a good review. Interestingly, though, authors whose tweets are never conversational or amusing, but almost always just impersonally promote their book, can have the opposite effect.
Twitter sucks us in to respond to other people's questions and comments, and to show appreciation. Then we return to see if we have a reply, or we investigate those followed by our favourites, and add them to our ever-growing list. And oh, the guilt at unfollowing (except for irrelevant businesses such as tarpaulin loans). Thus Twitter feeds on us, which makes it grow continually. A winning formula indeed.
And "in other news", I have now received the set of posh pans as the prize for my star letter in June Sainsbury's Magazine, and have entered another writing comp. My commissioned article on sleep is researched and ready to write, and other pitches are planned. And the set lunch at Rasraj restaurant, Oxford Street, Southampton is organic, very nice, and only £5.95. My first foodie note for ages.
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