Topic Task - Week Fifty-Five

It has been a busy week. The day job was manic, but somehow everything got done. On the writing front, I have been blessed with some wonderful options, and I'm going to be taking them. It means lots of hard work but nothing good is easy.

The preparations for 'Get Writing 2013' are coming on nicely. I'll post more about it soon and of course when the tickets go on sale, I'll let you know.

So what is the topic task for this week?

Photo prompts.

Take a look at the images and try writing something for each.
You could think about aiming to write a piece of poetry for each picture or a non-fiction article simulated by what you see. Of course they could each evoke different feelings which will in itself will guide your writing.

Have a go and play with what you see and the emotions they conjure up for you.

Whatever you write remember to use all your senses to engage with your reader. Once complete think about where might market your work.



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Above all have fun with it.

So go on, get writing

Please let me know if you would like more images as prompts.

Topic Task - Week Fifty-Four

Still no feed back on the children's manuscript, getting quite nervous now. On the positive side the manuscript I'm currently reading/editing is okay, well, good actually. At least I like it. I just hope that when it's read the readers will like it too.

I hope the starting sentences last week stimulated your writing and that you got some good material out of it. Don't forget to drop me a line to let me know how your writing is going. I always love to hear from you.

This weeks topic task is to write a 15/20 minute stage play. You will need to research your market. Find out how to set out a script  and all the whistles and bells you will need. Lighting, special effects and anything else to help your characters.

You'll need to get your scenario worked out, characters developed and think about why these people are together and how that will effect the direction of your story. Once you've completed it, why not change the genre. If it is serious make it comedic, play with the scenario and see what works best. Now comes the harder part, find an outlet for your work. Why not try a local amateur theatre group take a look, they might be interested, or set up a showcase with your writing circle. It is great to see your work come to life on stage and hear the appreciation of a real audience.

So what are you waiting for, get writing.

Topic Task - Week Fifty-Three

One of my children's manuscripts is now out being read by my reading friend. I'll get good feed back and find out if the story makes sense. I've been doing a lot of editing I'm just hoping I've not chopped out something that is essential. I find this time both exciting and frightening - it's the waiting and the fear of finding out what they really think. Perhaps this time next week I'll know.

If you weren't aware, I'm going to be involved in the 'Get Writing 2013' which will be held on 20th April 2013. Keep a look out for details on twitter @getwriting2013 or here for an update. It's shaping up to be another brilliant conference.

I had a wonderful day out in London on Monday - lovely company, food and conversation. I've been made to look at where I want to be and think about where my writing passion lies. This wasn't an easy task, but I have followed my heart and gone with what makes me really tick.

So what have I got for your topic task this week?

Writing scenes with animals is quite difficult. You need to capture the animals character and how it interacts with its surroundings and maybe other animals or humans. What your animal is and what characteristics you give it is completely up to you. Write your story from one of the genres below.

1. Children's
2. Horror
3. Thriller
4. Historical Fiction

Good luck with this. Go on, get writing.

Topic Task - Week Fifty-two

Today has been an interesting day. It feels like the change in the weather is blowing away the dross that was hanging around. I'm looking forward to changes I'm implementing to my writing and with luck, by March I will have finished the first draft of my thriller. In the meantime, I'm trying to find a home for two of my children's manuscripts. They will be winging there way out into the world very soon.

This weeks topic task is to use the following opening lines to create a piece of  writing. As you make your selection think about the market you are targeting. Once complete, why not send it out and see what happens.

Options:
1. "Why didn't you tell me it was...
2. The fingers gripped tightly onto...
3. For a moment she was free to...
4. Oranges aren't the only fruit that makes me...

Hopefully one of these openings will inspire you.

So go on, get writing.

Topic Task - Fifty-One

You have weeks when the writing is slow and that is what it has been for me this week. If I'm honest it is all due to having lots to do and not enough time to really get into the writing. I've fiddled about with a couple of scenes and spoken about writing to some first timers. It was fantastic to see and feel the enthusiasm they have about their material. The discussion that followed was about the way forward. Editors, agents and publishers and how and when to submit work. It is important to make sure that your manuscript is the best it can possibly be before you push it out to meet the world. So how is that done? The best way is to join a good writing circle and by that I mean one that gives good critiques and has members who have been through the process and are still getting published. Attend as many writing conferences you that you can. there many out there and each will inspire. Networking with other writers working in the same genre is a great way to keep abreast of what is happening. As a writer you need to do the leg work to glean all the information, direction, knowledge and skills to get your manuscript up to publishable quality. And remember this doesn't happen over night.

This weeks topic task is to put your self in the position of one of the characters below. You need to tell the story through their eyes. Your character is in a street somewhere. This could be in a City Centre, in a village or down by the coast. What happens to them, how they deal with it and what effect it has on them is up to you. Chose one of the subjects from below.

A. Street Drinker
B. Vagrant
C. Tramp
D. Memory loss victim.

So get yourself inside the head of your character and get writing.

Topic - Task Fifty

I've had a fantastic couple of days, catching up with old friends and meeting new people. A Bollywood & Bond party was amazing. What made it so great were the people and the effort that went into making costumes and getting into the spirit of the evening - AND the food was exceptional. I have brought a doggy bag home with me.

On the writing front, I've been jotting down new scenes and getting play with my new characters. There has been less written than I had hoped, but what I have done, I'm pleased with.

I've had one of my children's novels re-edited and many things have been brought to my attention. I will now have confidence in sending this one out. Now to see if the editor can also do the one I've just finished!

So what have I got for you this week. As it is week fifty I thought we need to do something special.

The challenge this week is to write a story set at a bus stop. Three characters of your choice are going to be standing at this bus stop throughout the four seasons. Summer, Autumn, Winter and Spring. You need to show us how the seasons effect your characters. What happens to their surrounding, them and the way they interact.

So go on, get writing.

Topic Task - Forty-Nine

It's the end of the working week and I've been writing every day and feel very much in the zone. The is the writing zone not the twilight zone or any other zone! It is the most amazing feeling when the writing is working and something that I wonder if non writers would ever experience. It is something you are driven to do. It doesn't give you the opportunity to stop. Characters are great butt kickers - always digging you to get their story down on the page. How can a writer refuse? I know this one can't.

This weeks topic task is set in either a noisy:

a) Cafe
b) Nightclub
c) Swimming pool
d) House Party

You are in conversation with some one and telling them either:

a) A secret.
b) Some home truths.
c) Hear a false statement.
d) Gossip about a teacher at your child's school.

Make your choices, target your market, create your piece of writing and submit.

Remember, writing is wonderful, publication is amazing - that tasty icing on the cake.

So go on, get writing.