Writers are often categorised by their planning style – plotters or pantsers. Plotters are those writers who meticulously map out their characters’ motivations, fears, wants, showing the internal growth against the external narrative drive – set out in spreadsheets, taped on walls. They need to know all of this before they can start writing. J.… Continue reading Loose writing
Tag: writing
Naming – a short story
A couple of years ago, I had an adult short story published by Stringybark Press in one of their anthologies. It’s part of the collection of modern fairy tales I’m working on. I thought I’d share it here for you to enjoy! Naming I watch them every morning from my bedroom window at the front… Continue reading Naming – a short story
Different ways of thinking
There are so many different types of creativity and different ways to harness it. There’s also different ways to be logical and methodical and as many permutations as there are people for combining creativity and practicality. I am a blend of inspirational and practical thinking – I do love to be organised because it means… Continue reading Different ways of thinking
September holidays writing workshops for kids
Photo credit: Mandy Couzens Do you have any imaginative and creative children or grandchildren who would like to spend a few hours in the holidays writing a story? I’m running four writing workshops for kids in the September/October school holidays. I’ve presented these workshops in primary schools but this is the first time I’ve run… Continue reading September holidays writing workshops for kids
Waiting and writing, then waiting and writing some more
While I’m waiting to hear news about my first book which is under submission to a publisher, I’m working on my next book. My first book has taken about five years to write, starting from when it was initially a picture book. I will never, ever, ever write a book like that again! I had… Continue reading Waiting and writing, then waiting and writing some more
Character arc – in fiction and life
Although the word ‘journey’ has become synonymous with reality television shows, it’s an important part of stories. The journey a character goes on during the course of a novel is often what attracts us to the book. How does a man who has lost his memories reconnect with the people in his old life? What… Continue reading Character arc – in fiction and life
Revision checklist
‘I’m making a list, and checking it twice …’ No, I’m not pretending I’m Santa. I’ve drawn myself up a checklist to revise my children’s novel before I send it into a publisher next month. I’ve finished going through it scene by scene, working through about 5,000 words a week with my writing friend. That’s… Continue reading Revision checklist
Van Gogh – ‘arrive at the truthful’
Last weekend – because there was no sport in the school holidays – hooray! – we all went to the Vincent van Gogh exhibition at the National Gallery of Victoria. It was beautiful and crowded. Beautiful because the paintings were amazing. I loved seeing the brush strokes and the vivid colours. I must admit, I… Continue reading Van Gogh – ‘arrive at the truthful’
In the margins
I stared at the file in dismay. My words from my middle-grade manuscript had been kindly and meticulously edited by my friend Renee. There were almost 5,000 words in four chapters. Renee’s comments were in purple. She’d given me quite a few ticks, but there were more suggestions and deletions than ticks. Out of the… Continue reading In the margins
Words, words, words, I’m so sick of words!
I’m feeling a bit like Eliza Dolittle in My fair lady, when she tells Freddie that she’s over all the words surrounding her. This week I have been surrounded by words in the following ways: submitted a few thousand words of my middle-grade novel to a publisher sent many, many emails in my volunteer role… Continue reading Words, words, words, I’m so sick of words!