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.

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.

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.

Win a Book Token!

Welcome, and here are details of this new competition.


Why a Competition?
I've been reading books avidly on my Kindle lately, and feeling that they are absolute bargains for (a) how much work the authors put in to produce them and (b) how many hours for which each one entertains me. So it struck me that it would be appropriate to 'give something back'.


What is the Prize?
There are two prizes of national book tokens. (Sorry but this means UK entries only.) The first token is worth £15, the second £10.


How to Enter
Simply describe, in fifteen words or fewer, how you would use your book token. Maximum of two entries per person please. There are two ways to enter: either leave your answer as a comment on this blog post, or on Twitter to @JacquelinePye with the hashtag #bookcomp


When Does It Close?
Open now, and closes at 6pm on Wednesday February 8th.


Who Is Judging?
Richard Morris, Founder & MD of TheGivingMachine, has kindly agreed to judge the competition, and all entries will be passed to him anonymously after the close. TheGivingMachine is a thriving not-for-profit organisation, perfect for online shoppers to support their favourite charities absolutely free. Participating online shops (over 350 of the most popular sites so far and counting) pay TheGivingMachine commission for whatever we buy through the portal - only one extra click. These commissions are converted into cash donations to the shopper's chosen charity. Details are on The Giving Machine website. I use it for all my online shopping, and donations go to Leukaemia Research. It seemed the ideal 'partner' for this competition, going with the theme of 'giving'.


Anything Else?
There are no other conditions - I'm not insisting on a follow or RT on Twitter! I'll provide a link to the competition on Twitter, and on Facebook too although I'm, er, rather inactive on Facebook! If you decide to enter, the best of luck. Winners will be announced on Monday February 13th and contacted individually. 

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.)

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!)

What Twitter Tells Us About Writers

From now on, the Greek letter psi (below) will be at the head of any posts originating from my psychology brain.

Among the accounts I follow on Twitter are a good number of writers, some already successful and others on their way to publication. Keeping track of what they all appear to be saying, doing, feeling, thinking, enjoying and dreading makes really interesting reading. It also reassures me that I should continue to call myself a writer, as I identify so much with the common trends.


Here are ten threads which crop up time and time again, and if you're a writer (at any level), it would be great to know if you recognise a number of these.


1   A true passion for writing. Those in full time writing don't contemplate any other career,
     while others are finding time to write and are hoping eventually to 'give up the day job'.


2   There are sometimes lulls in the creative flow, but these are rarely 'wasted'. Rather, they 
     are used for a different creative activity or to polish off jobs from the 'to do list'.


3   As much of the work of writing is done in the mind, writers find it hard to switch off at
     night. They may take ages to get to sleep, or wake in the night with an important idea or
     a solution for a work in progress. (If this applies, so might my earlier post about sleep!)


4   Editing is seen as a greater task than the original draft. While editing, writers often take a
     short break to tweet about their efforts and problems with it, and this usually elicits not 
     only sympathy but also encouragement and an invitation to keep everyone updated. This
     is hugely supportive, and gratefully received.


5  Even the most experienced and successful writers appear occasionally to suffer anxiety 
    or self-doubt before an important launch or talk. I think this reflects a felt need to'write
    more and write better'. This kind of urge seems more common in creative people.


6  I may get kicked for this one, but a trend is for women writers to reveal their feelings 
    and uncertainties about writing more readily than do the men.


7  Euphoria quite rightly goes with publication or launch, but may be followed by a slump in
    creativity - though the slump is well tolerated and doesn't last long.


8  Champagne or sparkling wine ...


9   A great sense of humour.


10  Most successful writers have partners who are extremely supportive. Excellent!