Topic Task - Week Thirty-Nine

It's Sunday and I'm only just catching up with myself. Sorry for the delay in posting this weeks topic task.


The Olympics are under way and sun has let us know it is still up there and can shine down upon us when it wants to. I think this makes it a perfect time to get outside and write. This week I thought it might be nice to go back to writing a piece prompted by five simple words. 


Prompt words: 
1. Pimms - Mobile - Raid - Comfy Chair - Iguana.
2. Weights - Corrugated roof - Vision -Tipper - Scissors.
3. Vacuum - Drill - Ghost - Jug - Alarm.

Use one of the selections of words above to create a piece of writing. Think about where this work might be published and target your market. You need to use all the words in the list but choose the tense that is best for you. I think you will be surprised where these prompts can lead your writing. 
So go on, get writing.

REVIEW: I'm Dougal Trump and It's Not My Fault!

The first time I met Dougal Trump he was a mere 500 words – an idea – a brilliant idea. Now he has grown into an amazingly well written humours book with a unique voice. Which is full to bursting with laughs, well not laughs, but fantastic words that make you laugh out loud. The great use of different font types and illustrations throughout the book are a perfect back drop for the story, which push the narrative forward. And as for the story it’s self, it goes a bit like this: Our dear Dougal Trump has a problem, he has a big problem. In fact the problem is so BIG he has decided to make a will. His family have all threatened to kill him and they do it often, but that isn’t what is worrying him. What is worrying him is the DEATH note attached to the shed and the monster lurking within. He has to take care of it, but how? It is a big hairy, long clawed creature that growls deeply and terrifies Dougal. He daren’t open the shed door. He can’t do it alone, but dare he ask friends for help? This wasn’t a good idea. Things start to go wrong. With the new neighbours next door and Stan, Dougal’s life just keeps getting worse. He panics when a hole appears in the back of the shed. Pets living in the area start to go missing! Strange noises are heard in the night. And all the time Dougal Trump is getting the blame. He is terrified someone will open the shed door and be eaten alive!  No one believes anything he says and the blame for everything keeps falling on him. Even his friends don’t want to know him now. He is telling the truth, but it is too late! He is going to have to live his life being grounded and it is never his fault. He is about to get the blame for the fire, when ...
I can’t tell you the ending or you wouldn’t get the chance to read this amazing book by Dougal Trump with a bit of help from Jackie Marchant. A great summer read for kids of any age.

So what are you waiting for? Go and get your copy. You won’t be disappointed. Available at all good book shops and on Amazon. 

Topic Task - Week Thirty-Eight

We have come to the end of the week and yet again it has been busy.  I’m looking forward to some relaxation time and some good company. 

This week’s topic Task is about fear.

How do you convey the fear in your character to the reader?   

It comes back to the old adage ‘show, don’t tell’. By this I don’t mean you don’t tell us some information, but you limit the telling and extend the showing. We, the reader, need to know what your character is seeing, feeling and how they are behaving in response to the situation.  Does fear have a smell? I’ll let you decide that one.

Your prompts today are:

1.       Halfway down an alleyway as you turn the corner a shadow looms in front of you.

2.       It’s safe under the table, isn’t it?

3.       It’s your first time abseiling and your bottles gone, but it’s for charity and you’ve promised.

4.       You’ve found an abnormality and are sitting in the doctors’ waiting room.

I hope one of these prompts will inspire you to write and create a piece full of emotion, description and all the bells and whistles that go to make a great piece of writing.

So go on, get writing. 

Topic Task - Week Thirty-Seven

What an interesting week! I've had some good comments from readers on my current manuscript, which is very encouraging. I've been working on my YA novel and have received a rejection. On the whole a good week. That is apart from the car issues which are on-going.
This weeks topic task might get some of you worrying or wanting to hide your heads in the sand. We are going to look into the depths of a woman's handbag.
For some of you that might be an easy task, others might find things they really rather not know about the things lurking in the dark recesses.
You can choose to simply describe the bag and its content or it could just be the catalyst to a different world or you could explain the woman who owns the bag and her strange behaviour.
1. Use it as a tool to improve your descriptive abilities.
2. Use it to describe the woman who owns the bag through the items found inside.
3. To use the bag as a portal to a secret place, the bag owner may or may not be aware of what is going on within.
So what ever one you select, remember to draw a picture with your words.
Go on, get writing.

Topic Task - Week Thirty -Six

Once again it has been a very busy week. I've had loads of fun and learnt many new things. Friday ended with celebrations at the launch of 'I'm Dougal Trump and It's not my Fault.' by the brilliant new children's writer, Jackie Marchant http://www.jackiemarchant.com/ There will be a special blog about this later, so keep your eyes open for the photos, the review and the chance to win a signed copy. To find out more about  Dougal Trump and what he gets up to check out his website www.DougalTrump.com You'll find lots of fun things going on. 


Now for this weeks topic task. I've decided to give you a simple prompt: The tin shack had been rusing at the bottom of the garden for over fifty years without the door ever been opened. 
It is up to you to decide what is on the inside. Could it hold a portal to a different dimention? Will it be full of stolen goods, empty or hiding a dark secret? You decide. You tell the story. As always use all the senses to make the reader feel the emotion and be there with you.

So go on, get writing.