When I got down to work on my latest homework, which was to write a story for an eight year old child, I didn't think I was going to enjoy it or have much success. I can't believe how wrong I was. I absolutely loved the challenge - not only did I manage to create what I think is an original and compelling story, I ended up drafting two installments. Now I have 4,500 words (for my 600 word homework). I put in the first chapter for feedback so I can't wait to get the critique back this week.
On another note, my writing teacher lent me a copy of Mslexia which I'm going to subscribe to. It hadn't occurred to me how useful it might be to read about other writer's experiences. It also highlighted how little I know about this world - there is a cover story about 'starting your own salon' - I thought it was referring to a hairdresser. Apparently not, a writer's salon is where you share and discuss work. If publicly admitting my ignorance helps at least one person my shame won't have been wasted.
Tuesday, 31 January 2012
Monday, 23 January 2012
The Sublime to the Ridiculous
Last week our homework started with a class exercise where we had to choose one of eight different heroes, ranging from a 103 year old woman to a Squirrel. We were given 5 minutes to describe where they lived, their temperament and their most precious thing.
I should have guessed it was leading to something but of course I didn't and chose a Goldfish. Our homework was to write a story about our hero finding something really precious they thought they'd lost. It was certainly a challenge. I'm just glad it wasn't my turn to be read out.
This week we're working on a children's story. Not really my bag either but it's great to have a challenge. I'd strongly recommend a creative writing class to anyone, not least for the range of genres you're encouraged to dabble in.
I should have guessed it was leading to something but of course I didn't and chose a Goldfish. Our homework was to write a story about our hero finding something really precious they thought they'd lost. It was certainly a challenge. I'm just glad it wasn't my turn to be read out.
This week we're working on a children's story. Not really my bag either but it's great to have a challenge. I'd strongly recommend a creative writing class to anyone, not least for the range of genres you're encouraged to dabble in.
Wednesday, 11 January 2012
In it to win it
Apparently the best way to get yourself a profile in the writing world is to try and win some competitions. So my resolution in the Year of the Dragon is to give is a go. You've got to be in it to win it right?
I submitted my first entry yesterday - a 40 line poem entitled 'The Lost Generation.' I'm assuming I can't share it because if I did then it would mean it had been published and hence would technically no longer qualify. I can talk about the competition though. It's for a really good cause - the Alan Sillitoe Statue Fund.
It's really interesting, he was a British Writer who published both poems and novels. I hadn't realised that one was able to do both, I'd assumed you had to choose one or the other. You learn something new every day.
Best of luck to the ASSF, I hope they raise enough money for the memorial.
I submitted my first entry yesterday - a 40 line poem entitled 'The Lost Generation.' I'm assuming I can't share it because if I did then it would mean it had been published and hence would technically no longer qualify. I can talk about the competition though. It's for a really good cause - the Alan Sillitoe Statue Fund.
It's really interesting, he was a British Writer who published both poems and novels. I hadn't realised that one was able to do both, I'd assumed you had to choose one or the other. You learn something new every day.
Best of luck to the ASSF, I hope they raise enough money for the memorial.
Thursday, 5 January 2012
Year of the Dragon
Perhaps that's why they released the Hollywood version of 'Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' after Christmas. You'd think they'd have waited a few days longer though.
It was a long Christmas. Relaxing, yes, but equally, challenging. I don't know about fidelity but I do know that humans were not programmed to endure prolonged periods as adults with their families. All the petty jealousies, insecurities and agenda's come to the surface eventually, yet too soon. The squabbling, competitiveness and final showdown do not 'a good Christmas make'.
Not the best end to a difficult year and then back to work with news headlines talking about the world economy. Depression. Recession. Apparently there are signs of life in the US economy. Woohoo.
Against the run of play I managed to squeeze in some writing here and there. Admittedly at times I had one eye closed because I couldn't focus properly on the page (ah red wine, my muse, my downfall), but with a little tweaking during the transcription I have to admit I'm pretty pleased with progress.
School recommences next week and at the end of last year I came to the realisation that my writing teacher doesn't like me very much (I'm a bit like marmite, you either love me or hate me). I'm not sure whether that should bother me. It doesn't usually but if I'm looking to her for advice and guidance then I'm not going to get very far am I?
Hey ho. Onwards and upwards.
It was a long Christmas. Relaxing, yes, but equally, challenging. I don't know about fidelity but I do know that humans were not programmed to endure prolonged periods as adults with their families. All the petty jealousies, insecurities and agenda's come to the surface eventually, yet too soon. The squabbling, competitiveness and final showdown do not 'a good Christmas make'.
Not the best end to a difficult year and then back to work with news headlines talking about the world economy. Depression. Recession. Apparently there are signs of life in the US economy. Woohoo.
Against the run of play I managed to squeeze in some writing here and there. Admittedly at times I had one eye closed because I couldn't focus properly on the page (ah red wine, my muse, my downfall), but with a little tweaking during the transcription I have to admit I'm pretty pleased with progress.
School recommences next week and at the end of last year I came to the realisation that my writing teacher doesn't like me very much (I'm a bit like marmite, you either love me or hate me). I'm not sure whether that should bother me. It doesn't usually but if I'm looking to her for advice and guidance then I'm not going to get very far am I?
Hey ho. Onwards and upwards.
Tuesday, 22 November 2011
Well Read
We are in week 7 of homework, week 8 of term. I had my work read out for the second time since the course started during the last class. I have to admit that while I thought I didn't need the ego boost from a public audience it is good to hear your piece. It takes on a new life and gives the writer a different perspective.
My Magnum Opus is coming along OK. I think I was sub-consciously trying to finish it before the end of term but since my reading I've felt re-energised. I think there is still a lot more of the tale to tell and so I'm going to keep letting it unfold.
One of the many great things about doing this course is that the weekly classes and homework give direction and impetus for the student to keep producing work. In my case each homework assignment has given my story direction, my characters their own voice and my writing its own style. It's great.
I still haven't got anyone to read my work but I don't think I'm ready to show it yet. At lunchtime I thought of some new scenes to fill in some of the yawning holes in my prose. Then I went on to consider how my first story could become a critically acclaimed work and turned into an Oscar winning film starring Olivia Williams. Well. All dreams have to start somewhere don't they?
My Magnum Opus is coming along OK. I think I was sub-consciously trying to finish it before the end of term but since my reading I've felt re-energised. I think there is still a lot more of the tale to tell and so I'm going to keep letting it unfold.
One of the many great things about doing this course is that the weekly classes and homework give direction and impetus for the student to keep producing work. In my case each homework assignment has given my story direction, my characters their own voice and my writing its own style. It's great.
I still haven't got anyone to read my work but I don't think I'm ready to show it yet. At lunchtime I thought of some new scenes to fill in some of the yawning holes in my prose. Then I went on to consider how my first story could become a critically acclaimed work and turned into an Oscar winning film starring Olivia Williams. Well. All dreams have to start somewhere don't they?
Tuesday, 15 November 2011
Creative Writing - The Terminology
Flash Fiction, Sudden Fiction, Postcard Fiction, Micro Fiction, Nanofiction, Short Story, Novella, Novel, Poem, the list is endless. There is so much jargon. Who'd have known that you can't just write a story? Every piece of work falls into a category. Where do you start? Where does it end?
Apparently writers fall into one of three categories. Your plotter will start out with a planned story line, know exactly where the tale is going and how it will end. The discoverer starts writing with no clear direction and lets the story tell itself. Then there are those, probably the majority of writers, who are a natural combination of the two. You will start at the beginning of a journey with an idea of where it may take you but let it evolve organically, allowing natural, unplanned twists and turns to evolve.
At the moment I seem to clearly fall into the second category. Our first homework exercise set me off on a story I had no idea I wanted to tell. Each subsequent installment is directed by our next assignment. So far I'm on almost 7,000 words. So what is that? A short story I believe.
Teacher feedback is precious. As yet she hasn't seen my project in its entirety, in fact she doesn't know it exists as one body. I'm worried about demanding too much of her valuable time but equally I have no one else to show it to. What to do?
Apparently writers fall into one of three categories. Your plotter will start out with a planned story line, know exactly where the tale is going and how it will end. The discoverer starts writing with no clear direction and lets the story tell itself. Then there are those, probably the majority of writers, who are a natural combination of the two. You will start at the beginning of a journey with an idea of where it may take you but let it evolve organically, allowing natural, unplanned twists and turns to evolve.
At the moment I seem to clearly fall into the second category. Our first homework exercise set me off on a story I had no idea I wanted to tell. Each subsequent installment is directed by our next assignment. So far I'm on almost 7,000 words. So what is that? A short story I believe.
Teacher feedback is precious. As yet she hasn't seen my project in its entirety, in fact she doesn't know it exists as one body. I'm worried about demanding too much of her valuable time but equally I have no one else to show it to. What to do?
Wednesday, 2 November 2011
5 minute exercise - Autumn
The wind blows through the autumn leaves
A light south western, gentle breeze
A watery sun trickles through the trees
Rustling in the light south western, gentle breeze
Children laugh as they play in the sun
Grown ups walk, talk, while all sorts of dogs run
Because this is September, an autumn day
And somehow all the rain clouds have run away
We find our place in the watery sun
To eat, talk, love, enjoy some late summer fun
A light south western, gentle breeze
A watery sun trickles through the trees
Rustling in the light south western, gentle breeze
Children laugh as they play in the sun
Grown ups walk, talk, while all sorts of dogs run
Because this is September, an autumn day
And somehow all the rain clouds have run away
We find our place in the watery sun
To eat, talk, love, enjoy some late summer fun
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