Click to enlarge I'm wondering if the collective noun for writers could be a 'lunch'. I'm sure there have been other suggestions and maybe there is even an official term. I'd love to know what it was. Here is the South West Chapter of the Romantic Novelists' Association about to tuck into a very good lunch at the City Gate in Exeter. Writing is for the most part an extremely solitary occupation but once writers leave their caves, much jolly socialising takes place. In fact, it's fair to say, they make up for lost time. I (third nearest, left) went to see The Hobbit afterwards with Su Bristow (nearest left) and Margaret James (next to Su). A formative book of my childhood, when thinking about it, I am straight back in the classroom sitting cross-legged on the floor during story time. I wondered how on earth they would make three films out of a shorter and slighter book than Lord of the Rings, but I can see it will be fine. I was thrilled to be back in Middle-Earth. New Zealand, Howard Shore's score, the casting - all fab. The battles are too long but hey, they'll please the majority of the audience. I've been woefully bad at writing Christmas cards, so if anyone reading this feels aggrieved that I haven't sent them one, I do apologise!
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Dartmouth in December Yesterday couldn't have been more beautiful for my trip down to Dartmouth. I was delighted to have been asked to lead a workshop by the good writing folk of the town and we had, in my opinion, a very fruitful and enjoyable time. I talked too much as usual and went on too long, but they didn't seem to mind. Thanks to Lindsay for hosting and dropping me off in Totnes, which has hardly changed at all since I was a student at Dartington many decades ago. My tea-shop of choice back then is still there and didn't disappoint. It features in my latest novel too. I imaged my happy couple sitting at the table by the window and chomping through large slices of Devon apple cake. Except Beth wasn't that happy. She knew that the love of her life had an unopened letter in his pocket that might change the course of their future together. Oh dear. Will we ever find out? I hope so, and still have all my fingers and toes crossed that my novel will be published one day. If you write about a relationship, sooner or later, your lovers will probably want to have sex. They will! Honestly! They usually do it more than once as well. And if not that couple, then another. Of course, you might decide that you don't want to provide your reader with intimate details but what is enough? What is merely embarrassing or laughable? Jane Holland, until recently Executive Editor for Embrace Books, will be leading a workshop on writing about sex for CreativeWritingMatters on February 2nd. Go HERE There's only one place left on my short story course beginning on January 11th. It's booked up really quickly! Go HERE if you would like that last place. PS. It would be really brilliant if you clicked on the Twitter or Facebook 'like' button. Thank you! I'm writing this with a Lemsip in the mug on my desk instead of the usual tea. My voice has almost disappeared bar an occasional croak. Fun for my class this morning; they all had to pay special attention. There's lots of common writing ailments that we all suffer from and unlike physical illness that present obvious symptoms, they can often present with nothing more than a feeling of disenchantment or malaise. Something's not right but without diagnosis, how do you know what remedy to take? You can see where I'm going with this. It's a sweet coincidence that I'm ill at the same time as suggesting to all of you out there with writing ailments that you should come along to the writer's surgery. Think of Sophie and myself as literary Lemsips. Go HERE for more information. There was something about the comfortable posture of this cat and the way she was outlined against the wall that demanded a photo. Besides the title of this blog pinged into my mind there and then. But should it have been 'a hot bin lid'? Hmm. Titles are very serendipitous and it's worth keeping a title alarm ticking all the time. A passing comment or a headline can lead to a title. They can arise out of a story or provide the impulse to write one. They signpost the reader to the content. Sometimes the title can be the best thing about a story, rather like this cat perched on top of lots of rubbish. If she hadn't been there, I wouldn't have taken the photo. Perhaps finding a title isn't your problem but deciding where to begin your story is. I've cropped this photo because it had too much wall and not enough cat to begin with. It can be the same with writing. What should go and what should stay? Sometimes advice from a professional is required. We can help! Check out the Writer's Surgery HERE. As promised, here's a tree. Prettier than wash basins and taken last spring, in case you're thinking it's a phenomena of climate change. It may be a Judas tree but more likely it's a cherry. I'm not good at tagging my photos or keeping them in any kind of sensible order. There's still a couple of places left on the short story course starting next Thursday 20th. From blossoming inspiration to final draft in three sessions! What's not to like? Go HERE If anyone is thinking of signing up to one of my Exeter College creative writing classes, this is where I will be and when. The information in the prospectus and on the website isn't correct. I shall be at the Mint Methodist Church on Tuesday mornings. The course starts on September 25th at 10am. The same course runs in the evening at the Hele Road site starting on 25th September at 6.45. You have to sign up for one or the other. |
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