Through the eyes of another.

My week has been very busy on the work front, and also on the writing front. There is still too much to do but the manuscript is shaping up nicely and I’m sure that by the end of July I will be where I want to be.

I’m awaiting feedback on a few samples and I’m hoping that when that arrives it will have me going in the right direction. I’m keen to polish and submit now.

This week we are looking at writing from the point of view from different characters. Firstly set your scene. Choose from: living room – corner shop – garden shed - art gallery. Then you are going to populate it with one or two human characters. After that you are going to select one of the following to tell the story from their point of view. Cat – Rat - Gold fish – Gecko. Think about how the scene influences your story teller, are they just watching and relaying the story, or are they in danger or being spoilt. Why not try each of the story tellers in each scenario?

This challenge will help you see things differently. It might be a good idea to get down and look from the same level as your chosen story teller. Think about what they see, and how they interpret that.

So go on, get writing. 

Playing with words.

I'm loving this new desk placement. I look out across the road, from a top floor window and out across the fields. I guess the only downside to this is that I have noticed I can be easily distracted from writing by the rabbits, birds, deer and foxes periodically crossing my eye line. However, I put this down as a good thing, it gives my thoughts time to work through the scenarios I'm writing. Well that is my excuse and I'm happy with it. Add squirrels to the list!

The writing is actually coming on quite well. I've also realised that one of my children's book ideas, can be rewritten with a mythical link. I was watching a quiz program and they mentioned the creature's name and 'PING!' the idea popped into my head and I now have to dig out that manuscript, pull it apart and rework the plot. Can't wait to get started, but first I have a submission to complete and then I can move forward on the changes.

For this weeks task, I thought it might be fun to make use of a dictionary. I want you to select four separate sections in the dictionary A-Z and choose four words you would not normally use in your writing. Write these words down, along with their meaning, just in case you can't remember and put them to one side.
Then I want you to walk around your house looking out of the windows. (This can also be done in any building) Decide on the view of your choice. Open the window and listen carefully to the sounds and take in the aromas that assail you. Now you need to look out of this window for TEN minutes and absorb what you see, hear and smell. Make brief notes if it helps.Then go back to your computer or carry your note book back to your writing area and write a scene to show what you have experienced. To make it a little trickier, you have to include in the piece of writing the four words you previously selected - don't go and change them, challenge yourself, believe in your creative ability to use unfamiliar words to enhance your writing.

So go on, get writing.

Things aren't quite what they used to be!

These weeks are passing so quickly, I can hardly keep up! However, this is good, it means that I'm working hard on my own writing and although it is slow, it is slowly taking shape and I will soon be in a position to forward the plots off and see if they are well received. They have to be right and I can't push myself into submitting them before they are correct. Every day, every hour a new tweak - when will it end, when will I be happy? I've no idea, but I really hope it will be by the end of this coming week - focus is what is needed and perhaps a smidgen of luck, okay, a bucket load of luck.

Over the next week I'm also hoping to get a review out of 'I'm Dougal Trump... Where's my Tarantula? This is the second novel from the pen of Dougal Trump ably assisted by Jackie Marchant and illustrated by Mike Lowery. 

Now to this week’s writing prompt. This week we are looking at the musings of our characters. This week your chosen character is going to look in the mirror and for the first time notice that things aren’t quite what they used to be. They can be looking at their faces, body (clothed or unclothed) or hair. How do they react? What will they do about it? How far will they go to change things? Will they ask the opinion of others, this could mean showing the unsatisfactory area, would they be happy to do this? The beginning of your story needs to show the thoughts that are torturing their minds and show us how they deal with the situation.

So, what are you waiting for – get writing. 

An injection of creativity

What a busy few weeks!
Firstly let me apologise for not posting a blog recently.Things have just gone crazy here. In a good way, but it has meant I've been tied up in knots with other writerly things. At last I think I have a system in place which will enable me to write the blog, do all my writing and have a life too! That is the plan and hope.

Last week I was at the 'Get Writing' one day conference at the university of Hertfordshire run by the Verulam Writers' Circle. It was another good day with many delegates taking advantage of the agents, editors and book doctors at individual meetings. Workshops were amazing and the networking at lunch and throughout the day made for many happy faces.

The next conference I will be at is the Winchester Writers' Conference in June, so if you've not yet had a look at their details, do so, as it is a great creative weekend. They follow the weekend up with a week of workshops for those able to stay on to study with those in the business of writing. I can't express how inspiring these conferences are, from novice to accomplished writer there is always something for everyone.

Now if you are looking for a writing holiday, you couldn't do better than to check out: Philippa Pride 'The Book Doctor' (Stephen King's English Editor) she is running one of her fantastic creative writing weeks. The current course is to be held above Turkey's Turquoise Coast.

The task for this week is to create three characters. Each has a reason to want to change something about themselves or in their lives. They are unknown to each other until they find themselves in the same place at the same time. A chance comment by one gets them all talking. Do they all make the changes, do they all decide to forget it or decide to change something else? These changes can be as extreme or simple as you like. e.g. Liposuction - mind set - partner. There are so many things that we all want to change from time to time.
Think about where you might pitch this story and remember to add all the usual bells and smells to bring the writing alive on the page.

So, go on, get writing.

'The Sea' through the seasons.

The past week I have been quite creative and getting the further development points and plotting down for my YA novel. This is now taking shape and I’m enjoying the new direction it has taken me. It is very much still in its infancy, but developing steadily with a wealth of interesting characters.

I’ve also been working on more elements of my thrillers and they are, I hope, beginning to have a similar theme and elements but are uniquely individual, if that makes sense?

I headed down to the coast this weekend and enjoyed the sun and the sound of the waves gently breaking on the beach and sound of shingle moving, the laughter of children, the calls from parents and the sea gulls screeching for food.

This week I thought it might be fun to use the idea of ‘The Sea’ through the seasons. What do you hear, smell and taste at different times of year? Think about the things that differ season to season.  Try writing a 500-1000 word scene that uses all the elements to make it real.

Once you’ve completed the four seasons, choose your favourite and expand to create a complete piece of work. You might want to use all four sections and submit your work.

Have fun with this and remember to make the reader believe they are there within your work.

So, go on, get writing. 

Character development, writing tips and a One Day Conference.

Firstly let me apologise for my lack of blog last week. I was having an amazing week of birthday celebrations, which meant that I didn’t get an opportunity to get to a computer for any reason, so that also meant no writing. However, I am now really relaxed and looking to get back to my new writing schedule and write, write, write.

As you know my laptop has been playing me up, but I have now tapped her power cable to the desk and as long as I don’t type too fiercely I should, cross my fingers, have any more issues. Still can’t afford a new computer as I had to purchase a washing machine. Long story! I still dream of the new computer. One day, one day.

This week we are going to be looking once again at characterisation. How will your character react in different situations? This will help you to create a more rounded character.

Firstly, create a new character or use a familiar character, but let them lead the way. Place your character in the following situations and see how they react. Use the same character for each of the scenarios. They may sometimes surprise you and do the unexpected! This can often work well within a novel as it could show an unexpected character flaw, which may or may not endear or shock your reader.

Situations:

1.       Running late for the most important appointment of their lives. On their way there they encounter a person collapsed; there is no one else around.

2.       They are off for a first date with a person they have met on the internet. They are meeting at Leicester Square underground station, but they are waiting at exit 1 they arrived slightly late and there is no sign of the other person.

3.       House sitting for a new neighbour. They go in to check and pick up the post when they notice water running down the dining room wall. As they investigate the water appears to be coming from the loft. They can’t find the stopcock!

Remember we need to show how the character feels, behaves and their thoughts.

Just a little reminder that the Get Writing One Day Conference will be held on 20^th April it is a great conference with many agents, editors, book doctors and authors attending. So if you’ve not had a look at their website yet, why not pop over and take a look. www.vwc.org.uk

Another great blog to look at www.imranwrites.com for some great writing tips and much, much more.

So what are you waiting for, go and get writing. 

It has been hectic here! Machines giving up the ghost and those that choose when to work and when not to. However, I'm getting some notes written and slowly getting them typed up. This does mean that I probably won't get the synopsis out when I wanted too, but that is something I have to accept and strive on through the annoyance that is the world of computers. Writing without one is impossible.

I'm currently sitting in my kitchen with the computer cable propped up in a position that seems to work! The sweet fragrance of home baked ginger cake is surrounding and tempting me into having a slice before it is cool and iced.

There are times when things just don't work out as we expect and that is what I want you to think about this week. Things that are emerging and could possibly go on to be brilliant, but will it turn out that way. Will the bud bloom or be crushed before it has a fair chance. I'm not going to give you any scenarios or other prompts, you need to think of a situation, perhaps one you have experienced or observed and use it. Perhaps take it in a different direction so that the outcome is vastly different to the actual event. Whatever you decide to do make it real. Remember all the bells and smells. 

Here is a link you might be interested in. The wonderful writing circle I am part of is running their annual conference on 20th April 2013 which is packed with agents, editors and authors. If you are serious about writing then you should attend at least one conference a year, more if you get the chance. It is a chance to see what other writers are creating and do that all important networking. Why not check it out? There are still a few tickets available so click on this link and take a look. It might just take you that step closer to becoming a published author. Verulam Writers Circle

I'm off to do some synopsis writing.

Go on off you go, get writing.