Scene setting is one of the invisible “tools” a writer uses to make a convincing story though it can apply to non-fiction work too. What it involves is working out what a reader needs to know and then figuring out the best way of getting that across.
It is with great pleasure I welcome back Jennifer C Wilson to Chandler’s Ford Today. Jennifer is the writer of the Kindred Spirits series which crosses history with ghost stories. She also writes historical and romantic fiction (The Warrior’s Prize, The Last Plantagenet amongst others) and has written non-fiction book too (A Novel Approach). She has also contributed to many anthologies.
Jennifer also runs a writing group – the North Tyneside Writers’ Circle (NTWC) – so for this post, we will look at the joys and hard work behind doing that and why groups can be so beneficial to writers, regardless of where they are “at” in their writing journey. There is also a National Association of Writers’ Groups – individuals as well as groups can join. I share the link further down.
[Read more…] about Author Interview: Jennifer C Wilson – The Joy of Writing Groups and Workshops
Writers are often advised, rightly so, to study renowned books with famous opening lines. The idea is to demonstrate an excellent opening line which will hook the reader with an intriguing premise, an interesting character and/or setting, and so the reader will read on to find out what happens.
There are so many benefits to creativity, regardless of which type you enjoy. I admire those who can knit, crochet, draw etc as I can not do those things myself and there are so many beautiful examples of each. I admire the skill and the resulting works.
I appreciate music, especially classical, while not playing it. I also believe there is a form of creativity for everyone. It is a question of finding the one (or more if you are lucky) which suits you. In my case that is creative writing.
I set writing exercises for a flash fiction group I lead online for the Association of Christian Writers. I base these on topic. For example, I have led a session on titles so the exercises there were to brainstorm title ideas, following tips I shared on how to do that.
I am often set writing exercises in workshops I go to as a delegate.
I was privileged to lead a one hour workshop for The Writers’ Summer School, Swanwick on Editing – From Both Sides of the Fence. I had the experience in 2020 of being edited on my book (Tripping the Flash Fantastic) and, simultaneously, I was editing someone else’s book for a small publisher. With my third book given the nod, it wouldn’t surprise me too much if I find myself in the same position again.
I thought it would be useful to give some pointers as to how to make the most of an in person workshop (though many of the points I make will also apply to online ones).
[Read more…] about Getting the Most From An In Person Workshop
It was with great pleasure I returned to The Writers’ Summer School, Swanwick for that treasured time where I can be fully immersed in the world of writing. As ever, I’ve been looking forward to catching up with friends and making new ones. I did so within an hour of arriving at Derby Railway Station and got chatting to a fellow long term Swanwicker on the coach laid on to take us to the Hayes.
I mentioned in my most recent round-up of what I’ve been up to, writing wise, Mom’s Favorite Reads had come to an end but a new monthly online magazine, Writers’ Narrative, was coming out. I’m pleased to say the first issue of this (the August 2023) edition has just been released (25th July 2023). A free subscribe link is included below.
The same editorial team, including me, is on board for Writers’ Narrative and its editor in chief is Wendy H Jones. It is a magazine by writers for writers.
[Read more…] about Welcome to Writers’ Narrative Magazine – Interview with Wendy H Jones
It was fabulous taking part in the Book Fair at the Hilt on 8th July. It was great to catch up with authors I know and to meet up with others for the first time. I was delighted there was a great turn out for this inaugural event.
The organisers counted 125 (and there were more. The organisers were sometimes supervising talks by some of the writers so literally could not count everyone!). I hope this bodes well for there being future events like this.
It is great to welcome back Francesca Tyer for Part 2 of her interview. Francesca is part of the Authors Reach stable and is the author of The Firestone, The Seastone, and, shortly to be launched, The Earthstone.
There is so much hard work behind writing any book, yet alone a series, and given most authors spend so much of their time at their desks, it is great to get away from that for a while to have an enjoyable discussion about writing and to spread the news about our latest works.
So welcome back to Chandler’s Ford Today, Francesca. Now to pick up from where we left off last week.
[Read more…] about Part 2 – Francesca Tyer – Author Interview
It is with great pleasure I welcome Scottish crime writer, Val Penny, back to Chandler’s Ford Today.
Naturally, she has been busy since we last spoke and is now on the Committee for The Writers’ Summer School, Swanwick as well.
Committee service is voluntary, but it can be rewarding. Most writers like to give back in some way. This is one way to do just that. The school couldn’t run without its volunteers.
So over to Val with the questions.
[Read more…] about Val Penny – Author Interview and News Update
Writers can fall into two categories – the planners and the pantsers. One lot plan out their writing while the other prefer to write “by the seat of their pants” so to speak. They get to their desk and just write.
But you can be both. Some writers will want to plan out, say, a novel, but don’t worry about doing this for their shorter forms of writing. I do both too. How does this work?
It has been a busy few months since my last round up and that was only back in March!
Mind you, this is how it is supposed to be! The writing life is not a static one. Nor it is meant to be. So what has been going on writing wise for me recently?
[Read more…] about Local Author News: Allison Symes – Spring 2023 Round Up
I’ve often used time in fiction. I’ve sometimes used Time as a character. I sometimes have a story where a character has a certain amount of time in which to achieve their objective. I’ve also written from the viewpoint of time travelling aliens (as you do!). I’ve written the odd story as a diary format and even timed the entries written by the narrator. I’ve also written historical flash fiction where the setting is back in time. All great fun to do.
It is with great pleasure I welcome Gill James, publisher and author, back to Chandler’s Ford Today. Gill wears many hats. She is a multi-published writer and is the driving force behind Bridge House Publishing, CafeLit, and Chapeltown Books amongst other imprints.
For more information check out the following sites.
Gill James website: http://www.gilljameswriter.com/
Bridge House Publishing: https://www.bridgehousepublishing.co.uk/
CafeLit: https://cafelit.co.uk/index.php/submission-guidelines-2
Chapeltown Publishing: http://www.chapeltownpublishing.uk/
Bridgetown Cafe Bookshop/Buy Link: http://www.thebridgetowncafebooksshop.co.uk/2021/07/build-book-workshop.html
[Read more…] about Author Interview: Gill James – Build A Book Workshop
I’ve had the privilege and joy of being published in various anthologies over many years, mainly published by Bridge House Publishing.
What are the advantages to writing for anthologies? I thought I’d take a look at this and give some tips on working out ways of using any set theme wisely.
What would you say were the purposes of creative writing?
[Read more…] about Purposes of Creative Writing by Allison Symes
‘I see you are eating the meat of a pig,’ an American sharing my table in the hotel eyed my delicious crispy bacon. ‘Disgusting animals, they eat worms and roots from the ground. They roll around in mud and their own excrement.’
‘You must be a vegetarian,’ I suggested as he was eating a bowl of gravel-like cereal.
‘Vegan,’ he said. ‘Cooked meats contain secondary amines, and they are carcinogenic.’
‘So that is not milk on your cereal but some vegetable juice that lacks calcium. You must be taking supplementary vitamins to stay healthy.’ I glanced under the table to see whether he was wearing leather shoes, but his feet were tucked under his chair. He was not used to being challenged by a committed omnivore. Perhaps I should pay attention to a healthier lifestyle.
Coffee comes in for most comments. In the popular press, it is shown to be harmful, cancer-causing, and to be avoided. The following week’s newspaper will hail coffee as the drink to improve your intellect and prevent dementia, not to mention physical prowess. [Read more…] about Healthy Living?
Douglas Adams, author of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, famously said “I love deadlines. I love the whooshing noise they make as they go by.” Strongly suspect his publishers/those he worked with on the BBC (for scripts, including for Doctor Who) did not take the same view!
I see a deadline as a challenge. Not to let it go by but to meet it with room to spare. I also think deadlines can encourage you to be more creative, simply because they give you something to work towards. There is an end goal. It is a great antidote to that notorious thief of time, procrastination!
One good thing to come out of the pandemic was the increasing use of Zoom. I used it for family get togethers when meeting in person wasn’t possible. (I still regularly meet up with family members abroad this way too).
A number of writing related activities transferred to this medium so I was able to join in with workshops, listen to talks etc. In the past eighteen months or so, I’ve been invited to run workshops via Zoom on flash fiction. It has been lovely to have paying gigs too! (Would always welcome more of these!).
So I thought for this post I’d look at how to make the most of Zoom workshops if you’re running them/likely to run them in the future. I hope you find this useful.
