Wednesday 26 February 2014

Creative Babble ~ The Online Writing Workshop



Great News!            
                                    

Sue Johnson and I are collaborating on a new online creative writing blog! It is going to be a workshop, with articles and exercises for all writers, whether established or budding.


Follow the link and have a go at my Sensory exercise. Who knows, you might create the start of your next prize-winning short story or novel!


http://creative-babble-writing.blogspot.co.uk


I am currently editing my latest work-in-progress and awaiting news on various submissions. Very soon I will be starting work on the edits for An Improper Marriage, published by Musa Publishing (www.musapublishing.com) which is due for release late spring.


In the meantime, do let me know about your stories from my 'Welly Day' post.


Best Wishes,

Heather



Tuesday 11 February 2014

Heather's Hotchpotch Of Writing Hints



So You Want to be Published?  Writing The Book is the Easy Bit!



1.     Never assume it will be straight forward, even when you have been accepted. The publishing world has a way of throwing googlies!

2.     Don't get disheartened. No matter how good you are, there are hundreds of other voices out there, just as good and maybe better. It often comes down to the tone of voice the publisher is looking for.

3.     Be prepared to rewrite, rewrite and rewrite. And rewrite again.

4.     Equally, beware of over-editing or you can lose the freshness and soul of your writing.

5.     It really does help to write every day, even if just for a few minutes composing an email.

6.     Have pictures, postcards or a selection of words/phrases to use as 'triggers' if you are struggling with an existing piece, or to create a new one.

7.     If it works for you, have more than one project on the go, then you can pick the one which suits your mood.

8.     Explore different lengths of work and different genres to help develop your 'style'.

9.     Beware overuse of 'qualifiers', i.e. adverbs. If it is your style to employ them, it can be a challenge to find alternatives. There are only so many ways you can say ' in such and such a fashion'!

10.   Create a list of exciting and imaginative metaphors.

11.   Collect pictures of people and places to use for descriptions of characters and settings.

12.   Don't rely on internet information for research. Always aim to confirm facts through three different sources. If you are struggling in your garret while writing your masterpiece and are on a budget, try scouring the charity shops for books. It is astounding what you can find!


Saturday 8 February 2014

A 'RIDICULOUS' SHORT STORY COMPETITION

 
 
To Celebrate The Release Of A Sense of the Ridiculous
 
 
SHORT STORY COMPETITION
 
OPEN TO:   UNPUBLISHED AUTHORS
 
CLOSING DATE:   30 APRIL 2014
 
GENRE:   ANY BUT HORROR
 
WORD LIMIT:   1500 words
 
                                                     JUDGES:   SUE JOHNSON, HEATHER KING
 
                                                     PRIZES:   1ST £50     2ND £25    3RD £15
 
                                                     ENTRY FEE:   £5.00 

                                                     OPENING SENTENCE: 
                                                     "She did not need a looking glass to know she must look a fright."

 
 
 
Cheques made payable to Sue Johnson
 
 
Double space entry
Put contact details on separate sheet
Entries will not be returned, so please do not send your only copy!
Only postal entries accepted. Please ensure correct postage!
 
Send To:
 
'Ridiculous' Short Story Competition,
c/o 2, Teme Close,
Bromyard,
Herefordshire.
HR7 4TP


Good luck! Heather