2018-10-01 Writers Forum

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#204 Oct 2018 • £3.95
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WELCOME
Writers FORUM
A WORD FROM 4 HEADLINES 31 INSPIRATION
Newsfront The latest in the Ideas Store Paula Williams
THE EDITOR world of writing meets two travel bloggers
6 AUTHOR INTERVIEW 32 THEATRE
W
Find like-minded NEW!
e haven’t covered people to help Monologues and
playwriting much Debut author Jane sketches Pippa
over the years but this issue Lacey-Crane shares lessons Roberts introduces a regular
we present a new column from her road to publication round-up of theatre news and
with Kate Chapman opportunities
from Pippa Roberts that
8 WRITERS’ CIRCLE 34 ACHIEVEMENT CALENDAR
should fit the bill. She opens Your letters plus First Draft October Stay on track
with monologues and short 10 FIRST STEPS 37 STORY COMPETITION
sketches, which have the Living wage Douglas This month’s winners
dual benefit of being simpler McPherson shows how of £550 in cash prizes
you can make writing your 46 FICTION WORKSHOP
to write and more in demand
full-time job A ghost of a theme Using
from theatre companies. 13 TALES OF MY GURU a reader’s story, fiction editor
To help you practise, the flash comp this month calls for a Hugh Scott’s mystery mentor Lorraine Mace shows how
short monologue in the form of a telephone call. As Douglas is on a flow clever use of a theme can
McPherson points out in his Get Started column (page 10), 14 MARKETING strengthen your stories
It’s a wrap! 48 TRAVEL WRITING
writers have to widen their target markets to make a living,
Barbara Henderson’s Business matters Solange
and writing for the stage adds another string to your bow. seven-step plan for Hando concludes her series
Thank you to all those who entered our first themed poetry making a promotional video with a guide to fees, freebies
contest this month. The results will be published next month, 17 AGONY AUNT and professional practice
and in the meantime you can find the details of the new Dear Della Writer Della 50 POETRY COMPETITION
Galton answers your queries NEW! Poetry editor Sue
competition, on the theme of weather, on page 50.
18 CHILDREN’S BOOKS Butler introduces this month’s
Write soon, Carl Developing ideas themed comp
Anita Loughrey finds 52 POETRY COMP RESULTS
out about the This month’s winner of £100
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Please note that Writers’ Forum does not carry book reviews. winner of our ‘Chicken’ comp crime writer Leigh Russell
Writers’FORUM #204 3
newsFRONT
HEADLINES
The latest in the world of books, the internet and publishing – written by you
Discounter’s unseen cost

Amazon tax touted to save high street
’’ Amazon has come in for more
criticism for asking warehouse
staff in the US to promote the ’Government
’Booksellersis considering
have welcomed signs that the
taxing Amazon and other
company on Twitter, in return online retail giants based on their revenues rather
for time off work. According than declared profit. Chancellor Philip Hammond
to website TechCrunch, 14 said that the Government may bring in an ‘Amazon
members of staff have signed up tax’ to help ‘rebalance the playing field’ between
as ‘ambassadors’ to post upbeat physical and online retailers.
messages on social media. Amazon UK paid just £4.6m in corporation tax
A typical tweet said: ‘Did you in 2017 from a huge £9bn turnover, down almost half
know that Amazon pays warehouse from the £7.4m it paid in 2016.
workers 30% more than other Speaking to the Guardian, Hammond said: ‘We
retailers? I feel proud to work for want to ensure that the high street remains resilient, and that we also make sure that taxation is fair
Amazon – they’ve taken good care between businesses doing business the traditional way and those doing business online.’
of me. Much better than some of Booksellers Association president Nic Bottomley, owner of Mr B’s Emporium of Reading Delights in
my previous employers.’ Bath (pictured), said it was ‘great’ that the Chancellor recognised there was a problem and said the high
A former worker told street was under ‘great strain’. The BA has called for the Government to overhaul business taxation,
TechCrunch: ‘Becoming an which has failed to keep up with the challenges presented by online global retail. Elaine Parson
ambassador was a way to get
out of loading trucks, or packing
boxes for ten to twelve hours. Guardian that he was on his feet during a televised cricket match to Libraries Champions for England,
I stopped doing it after the first for 10 and a half hours per shift thank her for the publicity. Scotland and Wales respectively.
year because it didn’t pay more.’ and had to pack an item every The police officer turned The role includes helping
Amazon, who announced 15 seconds or face a warning. bestseller tweeted a TV grab of libraries who want crime writers
plans to open ‘fulfilment centres’ the woman during the test match as speakers, supporting libraries
in Rugby, Bristol, Bolton and between England and India in under threat via social media,
Coventry, with jobs advertised at Nottingham. Following the appeal, and seeking ways to build closer
£8.35 an hour or more, has faced Author bowled over which was re-tweeted nearly links for the good of libraries and
criticism for stressful working 8000 times, Janice Atkinson came CWA members. The trio take
conditions in its warehouses.
Southend-on-Sea employee ’tracked
’Authordown
Clare Mackintosh
a woman who was
forward as the reader, adding that
the book was ‘the best I’ve read
over from Ruth Dudley Edwards.
Aaron Callaway wrote in the seen reading her novel I Let You Go for a long while’.
Mackintosh, who thanked
Janice by posting signed copies Do you need a kickstart?
Poetic thank you of her two other novels, said: ‘I
knew nothing about it until I got
’Kickstart
’The Kimberley Chambers
’’ 2018 marks 100 years since the end of

the First World War and to commemorate
a barrage of messages from
cricket-loving family and friends,
Prize is designed to
help open doors for writers who
the anniversary, the Royal British Legion and from readers. As an author need a leg-up into the world of
has created a poster featuring 41 First it is really lovely to see someone publishing. Bestselling author
World War poems. The war affected a reading your books.’ Sam Todd Kimberley Chambers’ prize offers
generation of artists, from Edward Elgar one lucky recipient £1000 to help
to JRR Tolkien, and prompted some of our with writing essentials. They also
most recognised verses, such as those from In Flanders Fields by win time with Chambers’ editor,
John McCrae and Dulce et Decorum Est by Wilfred Owen. CWA appoints UK writing tips and feedback, and
The Poetry of the First World War print is available from the Libraries Champions an offer of representation from
Poppy Shop (www.poppyshop.org.uk), the Legion’s official store, the prestigious Peters Fraser &
for £19.99 (excluding frame). All profits go directly to the Legion
and their continued work in providing care and support to ’Association
’The CrimehasWriters’
appointed
Dunlop literary agency.
Entrants will be asked to
members of the Armed Forces, veterans and their families. authors Priscilla Masters, John submit the first three chapters
Dean and Jan Newton as its new of their fiction novel, a short
4 Writers’FORUM #204
synopsis, and a short paragraph Women thinkers wanted
about why they need a kickstart Writers of the world unite!
to KimberleyChambers@
’authors
A new prize for women
HarperCollins.co.uk
The judges will be looking for ’ Author Natasha Carthew is planning
a ‘working class writers’ festival’, after
aims to shine a spotlight
on contemporary female
someone who stands out from finding that she met very few writers from philosophers. The Thinking
the crowd, demonstrating gritty a similar background on the festival circuit. Woman’s Writing Award,
determination and a flair for After posting a tweet on the subject in for a non-fiction book with a
storytelling. The closing date for July, the Cornish author, who has written philosophical theme, has been
entries is 31 October 2018. For three books of poetry and two YA books launched by author Kate Jegede.
more information, visit www. published by Bloomsbury, received offers of support from author The winner will receive a
kimberleychambers.com/kickstart Kit de Waal, the BookTrust, Prima magazine and many others. manuscript assessment from
Phil Barrington A festival is now being planned for 2020. The Literary Consultancy, a
Carthew said: ‘The core values that have been raised so far year’s subscription to the RSA
are that we’re accessible to everyone in terms of cost and that all Fellowship scheme, and a meeting
writers and performers are on a more equal playing field when it with LAW agency. The prize is
Author’s notes stolen comes to fees. It’s also my ambition to fill the festival with free or free to enter. More details at
minimal-fee workshops so people from all backgrounds can access www.literaryconsultancy.co.uk
’afterAnhisauthor is appealing for help

Moleskine notebook,
knowledge and encouragement without worrying about cost.’
containing a year’s worth of notes

for his next book, was taken from Nine Witches Wood. The £2000 Buckinghamshire. He realised it Secret book
a pub in Bristol. Tom Cox, author prize is given every year for was by the 18th-century artist
of The Good, The Bad and The
Furry, said the notebook was in a
stories set in Scotland.
Featuring characters from
Giovanni Battista Piranesi.
The book, which was part of ’Korean
Booker prize-winning South
author Han Kang has
bag stolen from the Red Lion pub Scottish mythology, the entry was a large anonymous donation to become the fifth author to be
in Whitehall Road. He posted an described as a ‘quirky whirlwind the shop, contained 52 drawings asked to donate a new work to
appeal on Twitter. of an adventure’. of Rome and sold for more than a library of books that won’t be
It is not the first time Cox has four times its initial estimate. opened for 100 years.
experienced bad luck with a draft. The Future Library, in Oslo,
He also lost 23,000 words of an Norway, is a project by Scottish
earlier book, 21st Century Yokel. Charity shop treasure artist Katie Paterson, which each
Flash workshop year invites a renowned author
’ A book of etchings found to write a new book that will
Kelpies prize winner

in a charity shop has fetched
£30,000 at auction. Despite ’is holding
Our agony aunt Della Galton
a one-day Flash Fiction
be locked in a room in the city’s
Deichman library until 2114.
missing a front cover, the workshop in Bournemouth from As part of the project, 1000
’ Former nurse Hannah Foley

has won this year’s Kelpies Prize
book of etchings attracted the
attention of volunteer Tim Street
10am to 4pm on Saturday 3
November. It costs £45. More
spruce trees were planted outside
Oslo, which will be ready to turn
for her story, The Lost Wizard of at the Oxfam shop in Olney, details at www.dellagalton.co.uk into paper to print the works.
ps
and flash com
y, poetry
ODD SPOT BY HUGH SCOTT

mous stor
world-fa
Hugh Scott is a Whitbread-winning author. He writes and illustrates for The Park Free Press
0 in our
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Items should be under 200 words – the snappier the better.
You can attach a good quality photo and please make sure stories
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to prove your story is true and where you found it. Writers’ Forum
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Please send items to [email protected] You can cover
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Derek wondered whether he should start entertain writers in other regions. Get writing and good luck!
to take more desk breaks.
HOW I WRITE
Find like-minded
people to help
Debut author Jane Lacey-Crane tells Kate Chapman
about her journey to publication
T
he support and guidance of fellow genres, but the support is wonderful.
writers has been instrumental We share and give constructive feedback
in Jane Lacey-Crane’s road to and in between meetings we have an
publication, and she urges all online forum where people can post their
aspiring authors to seek out other writers work in progress, too. I shared chapters
to help them hone their craft. from my book as I was writing it.
Her first book Secrets and Tea at Rosie Up until three years ago Jane mainly
Lee’s, published earlier this year, was wrote short stories, some of which were
shortlisted for the Romantic Novelists’ published in the group’s anthology,
Association’s Joan Hessayon Award for Plonk. It was a writing competition on
new writers and Jane is adamant that ITV’s Lorraine that sparked the idea for
joining the RNA has been the best move Secrets and Tea at Rosie Lee’s. Although her
she’s made for her writing career. extract didn’t place, she knew she had the
‘The RNA is amazing – if you write in beginnings of something great, and also
this genre then you need to be part of it. recognised the story would need to take
There’s access to a wealth of information, a longer form.
Facebook, Twitter, websites, a conference Her debut is a modern day romantic
in July, local chapters who hold their drama and follows Abby Cowan – a
own meet-ups, plus lots of other events. woman fast approaching 40 and fighting
It does such a good job. Not only do I get a serious case of empty nest syndrome.
to meet other writers but also industry Jane, who grew up in the East End of
professionals, agents, book buyers. Its help London, based several of the characters on
and support has been invaluable people she knew from her childhood.
Jane, who lives in Spalding, Lincolnshire, ‘As soon as I came up with the idea, I
is also an advocate of creative writing felt it could really go somewhere, I knew
classes and writers’ groups. what I wanted to say and I just had to tell
‘I joined a class several years ago and it,’ she says. ‘It took around three years
it was great – I got to meet like-minded to finish the manuscript, as I didn’t have
people and it was good having someone in the luxury of being able to sit at my desk
charge who knew what they were doing,’ all day.
she says. ‘You could sit in a room and write ‘Then I found out about the RNA’s new
for ages, and you might end up with an writer scheme – they only take 150 people
absolute gem, but I am of the opinion you on a first-come-first-served basis, so I made
need someone else’s thoughts and opinions sure I was there at a minute past midnight
too. And while family and friends are to get my email in!’
good, they are only going to say what Jane’s application was successful and
you’ve produced is brilliant – or you’re she submitted her manuscript for critique
going to end up falling out. and re-wrote it after taking on board the
‘If you’re able to get to a writing class, suggested recommendations.
I’d definitely recommend it. Our tutor ‘I submitted it to various agents, but
moved away after a couple of years, didn’t have any luck, so I went through the
but our core group didn’t want to stop Writers’ and Artists’ Yearbook looking at all
meeting. We found it helpful to form our the publishers who took unagented books
own group, Red Wine Writers. It’s nice and sent it out again,’ she recalls.
to be with people who understand what ‘I couldn’t believe it when I was offered
you’re going through and what you’re two contracts – one from Aria Fiction
trying to achieve. and another from a small publisher – and
‘Our membership has doubled and is found myself in the position of having to
really diverse, covering lots of different choose. I signed with Aria and am now
contracted to a three-book deal, with
the second hopefully due out around
Christmas.’
Jane has always been passionate about
books and writing, especially Mills and
Boon romances, which she’d buy in bulk
from jumble sales. She originally wanted
to be an actress but eventually started
working for a cable television company,
where she wrote scripts for documentaries.
This work petered out when she moved
to Lincolnshire with husband Jason, but
she continued to write alongside part-time
jobs that fitted around looking after her
children Grace, now 12, and Sam, 10.
‘I’m incredibly lucky – a couple of years
ago my husband said that if I was going to
take my writing seriously and treat it like a
job he’d support me. It’s a luxury that a lot
of people don’t have, so I’m very grateful.’
Jane roughly plans out her stories before
writing and makes a timeline of events to
help her keep track of what’s happening.
She sticks to a set routine, working in a
bedroom that she’s turned into a study.
‘The first thing I do when I sit at my
desk after the school run is set a timer
for 45 minutes so I can catch up on social
media. It’s a necessary evil and can take a
huge amount of time, but it has to be done.
‘Once I’m finished I put the laptop on
airplane mode so nothing else can come
through, and I try and work for at least
two hours. I usually average about 2500
words in the morning and then try and do
another hour before I pick the children up.
If I’m not too tired I’ll do another hour when
they’ve gone to bed. I write every day if I
can, even if it’s just a couple of sentences.’
If she’s particularly struggling, Jane goes
for a walk or does a few mundane chores.
‘Sometimes I think you just need to free
your brain space up a bit. Problems solve
themselves subconsciously when you’re
not actively thinking about them.
‘I also have a document on my laptop
where I just type and type and type – it
doesn’t have to make sense, no one else
is ever going to see it, but it gets the
writing muscles flexing – a bit like doing
a warm-up before you exercise.’
Jane’s key advice for other aspiring
authors is to do your research properly
when approaching agents and publishers.
‘It’s no good sending out a blanket
email,’ she says. ‘Get a copy of the Writers’
and Artists’ Yearbook, find all the people
interested in publishing what you’re
writing and target them by name. Make
an effort to give them exactly what they’re
asking for.’
Jane with her writing group’s
anthology and (inset) the • Secrets and Tea at Rosie Lee’s is published by
cover of her debut novel
Aria Fiction (www.ariafiction.com)
READER LETTERS
Writers CIRCLE
Your news and views, writing tips and funny stories
FIRST PAGE TRUE FIRST STEPS
I’m so glad I read First

PRIZE Page Blues (#203 Sept GET STARTED You discover your story as you write
it. Your hero will become more real to
LETTER issue) by Douglas
First page blues
you as he faces the plot’s challenges TAKE THE STEP
Lesson 1
McPherson. I’d started lame like All’s Well that Ends so much told as built. challenges, forcing you to
The danger in
comparing your work
Well. Just what was Tolstoy The first draft is a matter make decisions about him. to published writing
writing a crime thriller and thinking?
What’s more, it’s just not
of laying the foundations –
basically getting all the plot
You may be three-quarters
through before you think: ‘Ah,
is that you’re reading
a thoroughly reworked
Douglas McPherson has a way to beat beginner’s block possible to edit a first page to points in the right order. he’s quite feisty and has a chip
spent such a long time on the by building your story up in layers

the point of perfection until
you’ve written the whole story
From there, the story is built
up in layers, adding a bit of
on his shoulder,’ or: ‘I could
give him a Cockney accent that
and edited umpteenth
draft. The first draft
would have been much
and typed The End. character here and a bit of makes him feel self-conscious
first chapter, it almost put me Layers

atmosphere there.
Again, that doesn’t happen
in this setting.’
The process of developing
clunkier and a far less
intimidating example
that it’s easy to be intimidated The reason is that, while we in chronological order. In a character in the authorial to judge yourself
off continuing with the rest of by the polish of the prose.
From the very first line, every
read stories from beginning to
end, they aren’t written that
the redrafting and editing
stages, writers are once again
sense is different to the way a
character may develop in the
against.
sentence is perfectly placed, way. Authors skip back and skipping back and forth across story sense, such as maturing Lesson 2
the book! I got so frustrated that like a series of stepping stones,
to lead you into the story. The
forth across the manuscript.
They might start on the
the manuscript, fixing a bit
of dialogue three-quarters
as a result of his experiences
or letting go of fear.
It’s not possible to
write a truly assured
characters are fully formed and first page, or they might start through, then tinkering with So although it may take
it didn’t seem professional and the dialogue perfectly pitched
to reveal their inner feelings.
somewhere in the middle, then
jump ahead to the end and
a bit of description near the
beginning.
half the story to bring your
character alive to you, you’ll
first page until you’ve
written the whole
The author, in short, writes write the beginning last. That jumping about is how want to go back and make story because until
perfect in comparison to other with an assurance that suggests
they know exactly where their
They might start at what
they think is the beginning,
a good story ends up feeling so
rounded and consistent.
sure that your readers meet
a fully formed, feisty, chip-on-
you’ve got that far
you won’t know your
story is going. then realise that they have to his-shoulder Cockney from story, characters and
authors’ novels, although I had Faced with writing like that,
it’s easy to look at the first page
start the story at a completely
different point in their
Journey
The reason authors write that
the beginning.
It may also take you until
setting well enough.
of your own story and think: characters’ lives. way is because you discover the end of your story to spot Lesson 3
edited it over and over again. ‘This is rubbish. It just doesn’t
compare.’ I think that’s why
Even when a story is written
more or less in the order it
your story as you write it.
When you begin, your hero
its overarching theme, such
as the importance of finding
There’s no point
getting hung up on
many would-be writers give up finally appears in print, the may be a bit vague in your your place in the world. Once
I put it to one side and at the first page.
After all, we’re continually
first page will seldom end up
the way it was first drafted.
own mind, but he will
gradually become more real
you know that, you may want
to make it more explicit by
writing a ‘perfect’ first
page in a first draft,
because you’ll end up
continued to follow my synopsis.
told that the first page is the That’s because stories aren’t to you as he faces the plot’s dropping a hint on page one
most important, that you have that the hero feels out of place changing it later.
to hook your reader with the when we first meet him.
Homework
I now seem to be making
first paragraph or first line. If
you can’t get that right, what’s TRICKS OF THE TRADE Conclusion If you have a story
the point in continuing? Douglas shares writing tips he’s learned through experience There’s no point, then, in that stalled at the first
steady progress since I stopped First draft

The problem with reading a
#44 Write now, trim later
trying to write a perfect first
page on your first draft,
because you’re inevitably going
page, force yourself
to finish it. Only when
I
you have a complete
obsessing over the first page! t’s often said that if you
want to write, you have to
to see and emulate. After all,
a printed page is not like a car
slow motion you can see him
slip that card out of his pocket
published first page is that you
are looking at an umpteenth
draft that has been rewritten,
The pace of a story can often only be worked on once you have
completed a full draft and can see exactly how much story you have to
fit into the required wordcount.When you’re writing early scenes, for
to chop it around later.
The way to proceed is to get
your first scene down as best
first draft should you
go back to the start
and look at ways it
Douglas is right when he says you read. It’s certainly true that – you can’t hide the engine and
transmission under the bonnet
right in front of your eyes; it’s edited and polished to within
an inch of its life.
example, you may think: ‘I have 3000 words to fill – I’d better trowel
on the description and dialogue to use some words up.’ Further into
you can, ignore its faults and
get the rest of the story written. could be enhanced to
don’t really know your characters also read some of the magazines. has them. A more progressive twist ticket to Bognor. Would the tax
until further on in the story. People’s Friend does touch on would be the teen imagines her gran office accept that a week in Santa
It’s true, too, that you do end this topic obliquely, eg a recent will be angry but in fact she’s known Cruz was critical to my novel’s
up jumping back and forward story referred to a pensioner’s for ages and is fine with it. development?
between chapters. Outlines come LGBT-symbolic garden, and there However, most editors will have Reading Barbara Dyne’s
in handy but it doesn’t mean you are characters that defy gender seen that twist a lot, too, and it’s still ‘Creating different voices’ led to
will be writing the chapters in stereotypes. making being LGBT an ‘issue’, rather a hissed rebuke in a cafe from
that order. And I recall a sweet story in than simply having characters who my husband. I’d leant a little too
How grateful I am for the My Weekly where a grandma are as diverse as the real world. obviously towards the adjacent
advice in his article. Being a writer supports a teenager over a table, scribbling their words on
can be lonely. I have nobody with
the same interest, or anyone to
broken romance: but the fact
it was a same-sex one was the
PAIN & PLEASURE the paper tablecloth. The waiter
whipped the cloth away and the
ask for advice, so it’s good I can ‘reveal’ at the end – which is what Writers’ Forum is certainly a precious notes were lost.
turn to Writers’ Forum. you complained about. conundrum – every month it I retreated to the magazine’s
Sharon Carey, So, being realistic, I guess there brings me as much pain as it pages, looking forward to
Runcorn, Cheshire is still some way to go on pushing does pleasure! Last issue, it was tackling my first Flash Comp,
these boundaries! illuminating to read how Douglas but ‘Chicken’? Really? Pain and
Sue Weekes,
DO THE TWIST Ashley Down, Bristol
McPherson deals with the murder
of his favourite characters –
pleasure – it’s going to be an
interesting month.
I didn’t enter the womag Flash there’s the positive – but then he Jo Scott,
Comp discussed in issue #203, Ed: My Weekly has occasionally run backhands with the idea that two Broadstairs, Kent
but I consider your view that ‘a the twist as a ham-fisted attempt at and even three complete rewrites
truly modern story would just use
characters who are gay and get on
being inclusive. Most editors share
my view and reject it. No one would
are needed to get a polished
story. I am struggling find time to
ALL CHANGE
with a more interesting plot’ to be suggest ‘he’s black!’ as a twist, write a first draft let alone more. I recently became a freelance
over-optimistic. and ‘she’s lesbian!’ is no different, The lovely (prolific!) Julie writer after 20 office-bound
As coordinator of a Bristol however ‘sweet’ the writing. Cohen told us of visiting locations years in journalism and PR.
song-writing collective, Act of Writers can cover such topics, on both sides of the Atlantic that While I’m yet to fully achieve my
Faith, which has an LGBTQIA but make a character the one with featured in her novel Together, goal of writing more fiction (no
ethos, I wish it were true. But I prejudices, don’t assume the reader whereas I can barely afford a bus journalism or PR quips, please)
JUST FOR FUN
WIN A YEAR’S SUBSCRIPTION!

The writer of the prize letter each month will win
a year’s subscription to the magazine. Please make Oh dear, it looks like Antonia Hodgson was having
sure that you include your full name and address in a bad writing day. Can you spot the 20 errors in
your email. Write to [email protected] this ‘first draft’ of The Devil in the Marshalsea?
‘You have the luck of the devil Tom Hawkins.’

I grinned at the man across the bench. It was a warm
I’ve already learned a great deal and I are aged 50-plus. We have
about where to write for the frail, elderly parents who rely on september night I had a full purse for the first time in month’s
best results. It’s interesting to us on a daily basis. We’ve had to and we had just found a table in the moist disreputable
note that your Where I Write deal with recurring emergencies
subjects tend to work in the same when they’ve had falls, and when
coffeehouse in London. Life could not be better. ‘It wasn’t luck.’ I
place, as I don’t always find this is they been discharged there are replied, shouting over the din.
conducive to creativity. follow‑up appointments to attend. Charles Buckley, my oldest friend, shot me a look I had come
A change of scenery can It can be a real struggle at times
successfully change my mindset. to combine caring duties with to know every well over the ears: exasparation, dissapproval –
If I’m tackling business writing for writing. The last casual line was: and a flicker of amusement glowing deep in his eyes. I settled
clients, a quieter environment You’ll soon see that most things can
back, content, and lit a pipe. One of my greatest pleasures in life
usually works best, such as home wait. It seems to me the article
(if the kids aren’t around) or completely failed to take this kind was making Charles laugh when he knew he shouldn’t.
the library. For a more creative of situation into account. A serving maid past close to our table – a pretty girl called
approach I prefer the background Sharon Boothroyd,
hubbub of a cafe or pub. Brighouse, W Yorks Betty with tight black curls and skin the colour of roasted coffee
Take the website copy I just beans. I beckoned her over and ordered a bowl of punch.
completed for a marketing Ed: I sympathise with your ongoing
‘A bowl of coffee,’ Charles corrected. ‘And then home. You
consultancy, who requested an situation but think you are defining
irreverent tone. I wasn’t feeling emergency in a different way to the gave me your word, remember?’
too upbeat when the task arrived. author. She did suggest making sure I slipped a shillling into Betties hand. It felt good to have
Fortunately, I noticed something someone can always get in touch
funny happening next door. With and talked about adapting writing
money again – and to spend it. ‘Coffee. And a bowl of punch.
his wife and children away, my time around such commitments. We’re celebrating,’ I said, dismissing Charle’s protestations with
neighbour had invited his friends a lordly waive.
to an al fresco weight-training
session, complete with thumping
FLASH BULB Betty arched a eye brow. There were only two reason to
music and barbecue. I may not have won, but being celebate at Tom King’s coffeehouse – a win at the tables or a full
I shifted my desk outside in the highly commended in your
recovery from the clap.
sunshine. Far from distracting me, Flash Comp was like a creative
the grunting and hollering over explosion in my mind. In the ‘I took ten pounds last night,’ I called out hastily, but she
the fence set me giggling, and I space of two days I’ve started two was already gilding through the crowds to the coffee pots
was soon in the right frame of short stories and already formed
mind to produce crisp, humorous ideas for the next competition. hanging over the fire.
copy, which the client loved. Writing is like breathing for me, Sent in by Sue Martin, from Dobcross, Oldham, who wins £25
So, if you need to change your but it has become a little laboured
mood, alter your setting. It will of late. Seeing my name was a jolt (typo). 20 gliding (wrong word). (misspelling). 10 disapproval
take the weight off your mind! to restart my imagination. reasons (plural). 19 to celebrate (wrong word). 9 exasperation,
Ian McCawley, I would urge anyone to start 17 eyebrow (one word). 18 only two very well (typo). 8 over the years
Welling, Kent entering this wonderful monthly article needs n before vowel). I (wrong punctuation). 7 to know
competition. Writing to such a
word). 16 arched an (indefinite disreputable (typo). 6 wasn’t luck,’
UNTOUCHABLE
after name). 15 a lordly wave (wrong (no apostrophe). 5 in the most
tight wordcount and theme is a 14 dismissing Charles’ (apostrophe comma). 4 first time in months
great way to practise your craft, 13 into Betty’s hand (wrong word). capital). 3 night, I had a (missing
In the #202 August issue I and knowing you only have to 12 slipped a shilling (extra letter l). 2 warm September (missing
read the article ‘Make yourself wait a few weeks to see if you passed (wrong past tense). 1 the devil, Tom (missing comma).
untouchable’ with interest, but have been published makes a (misspelling). 11 serving maid Corrections
under the subhead What about refreshing change from months
£25
emergencies? I took exception to of waiting for submitted work Could you ruin a passage from a modern novel? Send your
the rather dismissive line: Let’s elsewhere. Thank you. error-ridden First Draft (around 250 words), and the 20
face it, they hardly ever happen. Angela Keeler, solutions, to [email protected] Please note that entries
Some of my writing friends Lowestoft, Suffolk are accepted via email only. We pay £25 for the best published.
FIRST STEPS
GET STARTED
Living wage
Douglas McPherson shows you how to join the
lucky 13 per cent who live off their words alone
to have their books adapted to

a film or TV series.
If you want to make money,
novel writing is best regarded
as a long odds game. You won’t
win it if you’re not in it, but if
you want to give up your day
job sooner rather than later,
it’s better to combine novels
with some quicker and more
reliable ways of making cash.
Such as…
Articles
Writing features for magazines
is the most attainable way of
making money with words.
The vast range of mags open
to freelances means you only
need to write about subjects
that interest you. And because
you pitch ideas rather than
finished articles there’s no
writing on spec. Whenever
you sit down to write a
commissioned piece you will
T
have a guarantee of being paid
hanks to free online writers’ groups: ‘Is it possible aspiring writers, but it also for it, generally within a fairly
publishing, there are to make a living from writing?’ offers some of the slimmest short time.
probably more people According to the Authors’ chances of making money. Article writing is a good
launching books in to Licensing and Collecting Rich List authors like Stephen foundation for novel writing.
the market than ever before. Society, the chances are slim. King, JK Rowling and Danielle Interviewing people will give
Many no doubt see it as a route Their latest survey of 5000 Steel are very much exceptions you ideas for plots and insights
to kissing the day job goodbye. wordsmiths found the average to the rule. into settings – you’ll be getting
Easy publishing does not professional writer makes just Most literary novelists will paid to research your novel.
equate with easy money, £10,500 a year and that only need the publicity of winning Journalism is also a proven
however, and a lot of aspiring 13.7 per cent earn enough to a major prize before garnering stepping stone to book deals.
authors will find self‑publishing live solely off writing. more than tiny sales, while It will hone your writing skills
to be an expensive hobby when Yet it is entirely possible to genre authors tend to need and commercial instincts and
they start paying for editing, join that lucky 13 per cent if several novels on the market give you the ‘platform’ that
cover design and Facebook you adopt a varied approach before the combined sales and publishers like a writer to have,
advertising without any to writing. lending library payments will because it will help you sell
guarantee of recouping the add up to a reasonable income. books. Caitlin Moran, Tony
outlay through sales. Novels Even some of the biggest Parsons and Frederick Forsyth
As a result, it’s common Writing a novel is probably the names only became bestsellers are all journalists-turned-
to find people asking online number one ambition among when they were lucky enough bestsellers.
For most successful novelists
a novel was not the first thing
they had published TAKE THE STEP
Lesson 1
Writing novels is one
Short stories Young who went from People’s whole thing on spec – an idea of the hardest ways
Although the number of Friend stories to a book deal and sample will be enough to to make a living,
magazines that print fiction with Headline. secure a commission. especially in the short
is relatively small, it’s still Non-fiction books and
term, but there are
easier and much quicker to Pocket novels feature writing go hand in
get short stories published in My Weekly and People’s Friend hand. A track record writing
many more reliable
women’s magazines than to Pocket Novels pay a one-off on a subject is a good route sources of income
find an agent and get a novel £300, which isn’t a lot for to a book deal and, because for writers, including
published. 40,000 or 50,000 words. But magazine editors like magazine features,
Word-for-word, short stories most authors re-sell the large- commissioning from experts, short stories and
will often pay more than print rights for an extra £450 having a book on your CV will business writing.
novels and it’s possible to sell and earn £100-plus per annum help you sell more articles.
them on a regular basis. from library lending royalties. Lesson 2
Compared with article Add additional earnings Business writing Writing fiction
writing, it would be hard from self-published ebook For those with the relevant and non-fiction for
to make a living from short sales and the figures compare background and expertise,
magazines can be a
stories alone. But, combined favourably with mainstream there can be a great deal of
good stepping stone
with articles, they scratch your publishing advances while money to be made from writing
fiction itch while adding a providing a much easier route all sorts of business material, to a book deal because
decent amount overall to your to publication with no need for from brochure and website it will hone your skills
earnings. an agent. content to ghost-writing books and give you a track
A track record writing stories and newspaper articles on record of publication
in well-known magazines Non-fiction books behalf of business leaders. that publishers are
will help you secure a book Non-fiction is easier to sell looking for.
deal, and writing stories in the than fiction, because it’s the Portfolio career
women’s mags will be a good subject rather than the writing Some of the above may seem Lesson 3
way of promoting your novel that people buy. a long way removed from Many established
when it comes out, as they will Advances tend to be higher, the dream of writing only writers are active in
generally run a plug or special because there’s less risk for bestselling novels, but the
a wide range of areas,
offer on copies. the publisher. You don’t need fact is that for most successful
In the #201 July issue, for an agent. And, as with articles, novelists a novel was not the
from fiction to non-
example, we featured Glenda you don’t need to write the first thing they had published. fiction, and aiming to
Most cut their teeth on short be similarly widely
stories, articles or even published will give you
TRICKS OF THE TRADE advertising copy. Dan Brown’s the best chance of
first book, for instance, was a success.
Douglas shares writing tips he’s learned through experience humour title written under a
pen name. Homework
#45 Write simply Many celebrity authors Try a different form of
continue to enjoy varied writing. Put aside your
George Orwell said good writing is like a window pane. What he writing careers that combine novel for a while and
meant is that you look through a window at the view: you don’t want novels with magazine and
make a list of things,
to see the glass. It’s the same with writing. The best writing is almost newspaper columns, short
invisible. We forget that we’re looking at words on a page, because stories, memoirs, non-fiction
perhaps linked to your
what we’re really ‘seeing’ is the characters, the action and the world of books, children’s books, scripts research, that you
the story; or, if it’s non-fiction, we’re forming a clear understanding of and travel writing. It’s a good could write an article
the topic.The best way to achieve that is to write simply. Uncommon habit to get into from the or short story about.
words and complicated sentences that force us to stop and go back beginning.
to try and figure out what the author just said take us out of the It’s all writing, and by trying • Start Writing
world of the story. Adopting a simple, easily digested writing style is as many different types as Today by
also the best way to move effortlessly between different fiction and possible you’ll not only stand Douglas
non-fiction markets, because good writing is welcome anywhere. a better chance of getting McPherson is
published in the near future, available as
■ If you have a question about getting started as a writer, but you’ll hugely increase your an ebook to
please email Douglas at [email protected] chances of making a living download from
from your words. Amazon now
Professional Self-Publishing
“ I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them for their
professionalism, customer care and post-production
assistance, all at a reasonable price.“
Adrian Churchward Moscow Bound and Dancing With Shadows
How can we help you…?

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LIKELY STORIES
Tales of my GURU by Hugh Scott
This month the mystery mentor explains the meaning of flow
I
was lounging beside a coffee pot in flown from Spain to Heathrow, hired a
the conservatory of my favourite hotel. car, and is driving through delaying
Outside, mountains lay about with their snow to reach his sister, Sylvia, who is
knees up. A cigar, I thought, would be – determined to leave for America to marry
A cigar was jammed between my lips a con man – then everything is explained.
and a flame applied. ‘The reader is not confused through lack
– luxury. of information, but can enjoy the tension,
I raised my eyebrows at the waiter who which is, wondering if the hero will be in
had read my thought, and I said: ‘If only time.’
you could solve the problem of Flow, my ‘Crumbs,’ I said, sensing the arrival of
life would be perfect.’ contentment among the lazy mountains.
So he bobbed away and returned with I breathed in my cigar.
an ashtray and a bloke. ‘Sometimes,’ said my Guru, ‘such
I sighed, for the bloke was my Guru. confusion is all in a single amateur
If you are new to these literary ambages paragraph. The hero is in Spain. He
of mine, you won’t know that my Guru mentions many things that have not yet
isn’t a bloke at all but an Original Thought, appeared in the story, thus:
extant since the beginning of time, and
stuffed with advice about creative writing. ‘There is a bit of a problem in Malta. Sylvia
And Flow was my current problem. ‘I understand.’ I helped myself to is off to America. Jeff and J must go to Madrid
The problem, I must tell you, was not a thoughtful sandwich. I really did for the conference. And who knows what
actually mine, but Apricot Flan’s (who understand. ‘But –’ Malcolm will get up to when the parcel arrives.
is not a pudding but a well-eyelashed ‘Tension in the writing is the error,’
member of my writers’ group) and it was said my Guru, ‘and it is difficult for the ‘This is the writer trying to create
my responsibility to advise her – but I inexperienced writer to know that it is tension by not explaining anything. So the
hadn’t the foggiest. wrong; and it is wrong because it breaks readers’ thoughts are danced all over the
‘When you read a story,’ said my Guru, the Flow of the story, which means that map, while wondering who Sylvia, Jeff and
pouring himself coffee and selecting a one event does not relate to the next. Malcolm are, and why has no one has ever
sandwich that had also arrived with the ‘The reader is puzzled by the hero mentioned a conference or a parcel.
waiter, ‘one event follows another, and being in Spain in one paragraph – hearing ‘Confusion, you see, not tension. Love to
there is no problem in understanding the Spanish accents, sweating Spanish sweat Apricot Flan.’
relationship between the events. and dining on things that sprawl on his And he faded into the steam of the coffee
‘This Flow continues throughout the plate like so many resentful bugs – and in pot, leaving me to my cigar and the sound
story, and at the end the reader puts the the next paragraph, he is peering through of a slapped-down chocolate kipper.
book away, resolving to read it again his windscreen at swirling snow, hoping to
because it was jolly good. This is easy to see Sylvia before she leaves for America.’ Use it or lose it
understand.’ He paused, and I knew from his A kipper, as you know, is a split herring, smoked
And he looked at me as if expecting an innocent eyelids, as he opened his next to preserve it. You may not know that it is also
argument, and selected a second sandwich. sandwich to examine the contents, that he a salmon treated the same way.
‘Everyone knows that,’ I said, ‘but not was actually waiting for me to ask what Here is how to use it:
every writer can do it. Apricot Flan –’ could be wrong with that.
‘Beginner writers,’ explained my Guru, ‘What?’ I asked – Place your kipper in the frying pan; fry lightly
‘know it, but they make a basic error: they ‘I’ll tell you what is wrong!’ cried my until sober, then eat, with lots of coffee.
confuse tension in the story with tension in Guru, slamming his sandwich shut.
the writing.’ ‘Presenting the reader with an unexplained That’s what I do, anyway.
He muscled another sandwich into his paragraph is like your cigar waiter
mouth. slapping down a raw kipper without
‘You’ll have to explain that,’ I said, my telling you who ordered it, how to cook The early adventures
gaze on the mountains and the placid sky. it or how to eat it without cutlery. It is of me and my Guru are
‘Tension is essential in any story. Who confusing! published in a super-
murdered the vicar? Why are the aliens ‘Only when you realise that it is a beautiful hardback, Likely
bent on destruction? These are the sorts of chocolate kipper with the Compliments Stories, published by How
Stories
questions that create the necessary tension, of the Management, does your confusion To Books for less than a
and when they are answered, the tension vanish. By not explaining the story, the tenner – that’s the price of
is gone and the book is finished. As I said, writer, too, is creating confusion. five coffees. Treat yourself.
tension in the story.’ ‘But if the writer says that her hero has
MARKETING
IT’S A WRAP!
Barbara Henderson explains how she went about making
a cinema-style trailer for her latest book, Wilderness Wars
I
first ran the idea past my to visit, film and edit the look authentic!), I opted for
publishers, Cranachan trailer for a very reasonable close-ups of hands and arms
Publishing, back in 2016. ‘I rate, as long as I did all of the only. Keep your script concise,
quite fancy having a go at organising. Deal! achievable and tight. to me). Be flexible and never,
3
a book trailer,’ I said blithely. If you don’t know anyone never be afraid to ask.
‘I’m a drama teacher. How suitable, contacting a local Plan your shoot. A busy road meant our
hard can it be?’ college or university may Organising specifics can low-angle shot of a sign for
Little had I counted on the be a good starting point, or sometimes prove tricky. Punch proved impossible.
complexity of the process when try Googling freelance film I had hoped to film at ‘Up there, those offices
I started out. However, I now makers in your area. a nearby folk museum for Fir would be ideal,’ commented
2
have three book trailers under for Luck, but it became evident Ross. I pressed the buzzer,
my belt. The first two were for Create the script. that their hands were tied by explained the urgency of the
children’s novels set during In the first instance, procedure – we couldn’t film situation to the receptionist at
the 19th century: Highland I had to decide what at short notice and the hire of the other end of the line… and
Clearances tale Fir for Luck to include in my book costumes proved expensive. five minutes later we had the
and Victorian-boy-on-the-run trailer – I knew it had to entice, Another museum three footage in the can.
adventure Punch. When it to intrigue. hours’ drive away could help If you can’t get the exact shot
came to making a trailer for Focusing on the first crisis with both, so extra travel time you were hoping for, is there
my latest book Wilderness Wars, my characters faced seemed had to be factored in. Boxes an alternative that would do
a contemporary children’s like a good place to start. I of props and provisions were the job? Go for that!
6
eco-thriller, I had the process created a screenplay (see right), essential, too.
pretty well worked out. drafting the voiceover text Look at your script line by Communicate
1
and specifying the shots and line and identify where you during the editing
Find someone with sound effects required. will make the shot happen, process. You are
the necessary skills. Being an historical novel, and what you will need. paying, so if the trailer
4
A young acquaintance, there was the extra challenge does not look or sound as you
Ross Wiseman (www. of sourcing period costumes Recruit the talent. hoped, say so.
wisemanfilms.co.uk) had just and avoiding any evidence Conveniently, my son I told Ross when I wanted
graduated with a film degree of modern life in the shots. had donned Victorian a shot slowed down or if a
in Glasgow and his parents Rather than filming a bunch clothes as the Punch certain sound effect didn’t
lived nearby. Keen to build up of villagers attacking a sheriff protagonist, running across work for me. He, in turn,
his own portfolio, he agreed officer (very hard to make this cobbles looking terrified. For made suggestions and found
Wilderness Wars, my heroine suitable music, which meant
was female, so I asked around the finished product was
among friends and found the much better than I had ever
perfect girl for the job, Isla. imagined.
7
When I needed a sound
effect of an angry crowd, I Upload the trailer.
approached a local drama In my case, the finished
group, who simply recorded trailers were uploaded
it at the end of one of their to my publisher’s
rehearsals. Perfect! YouTube channel and I shared
5
the link on my website and all
Shoot the footage. my social media channels.
Be pragmatic. It may If you self-publish, there is
rain for eight hours on nothing to stop you creating
filming day. The view your own YouTube channel or
you planned to shoot may be simply uploading the file to
obscured by a parked lorry. your website.
The stair you wish to film on
Ross, Isla and Barbara may be closed for a wedding There, you’ve done it. You
(all of these things happened have made a book trailer!
Filming the chase scene (left)
BOOK TRAILER PLAN: WILDERNESS WARS and the props in the surf
Ideas: Ask Eloise? Shots of gulls. Construction work close up. Island far
off. Rough seas. Coral beaches. Summer isles? Handa? Divebombed by
seabirds? Grey skies. Glasgow girl voiceover? 12 year old? BBC footage Book trailer in a day junior sprinter, capturing the
of container sinking? Or guitar/toys sinking into water. Hamster? Broken desperation of fleeing from
trees (Ness Islands). Can Ross record voiceover? Binoculars. 7.00: I look out into the gloomy deadly danger.
June sky. Excellent! Dull and
dreich. Just the atmosphere I 13.00: All is going to plan.
BOOK TRAILER SHOT LIST
need. I pack up the car with Time to stop for lunch.
props: office folders, maps,
Shots/pan of sea/island in the distance/waves/sky. Montage of people in
shoes, binoculars, cuddly toys. 14.00: It has started raining,
high-viz vests shaking hands/Sea sfx
but I feel like weeping with joy
9.00: I pick up Ross, the when the tiny dot I had circled
Voiceover (girl, ideally Glasgow accent): The wind, the
cameraman, and we drive to on the map actually looks like a
leaden skies, the churning moody sea. The ferry, loaded high with
our first location: a building misty isle across the ocean. Isla
supplies and building equipment, Dad shaking hands with his new
site. There is no one there. We and I stay in the car while Ross
team, the grey pier and the greyer waves…
need a crane and workmen in crawls out, a raincoat draped
And, far in the distance, a misty outline.
high-viz, so this is a blow. We over him and his camera.
Skelsay.
film the crane and building
Wilderness haven. Building site. Luxury-retreat-to-be.
supplies before heading for the 15.00: The final stop is filming
And now, home.
harbour to film Portacabins. the props wash up on a beach,
including building plans. I
Shots of ‘Skelsay Skies’ folder, Prime Isles Ltd, being placed on a shelf.
9.45: Bingo! People in high-viz wade into the sea, gritting my
Sea sfx continue.
vests in the distance. I grab teeth against the cold to throw
my business cards and launch them in. When Ross is done, I
V/O: It’s only for a year – maybe two at most if there are problems
my charm offensive. Would splash out to retrieve them. I
with the construction. And it is cool, living on an uninhabited island
they mind if we filmed them from would have liked the sea a bit
for a bit, right? (Shots of nature being beautiful and non-threatening.)
behind? Could they shake hands for wilder, but that can’t be helped.
me? Would they do it again as we
V/O: Wrong! (Shot of crashing wave, looks aggressive. Dramatic sfx.)
messed up the first take? 15.45: On the way home, we
There is a cruise ship in the pull into a quiet layby to record
Frantic montage of swooping gulls, divebombing. Shrieking kids. Cracking
harbour – if we film parts of it, the audio for the voiceover. The
and splitting trees, more waves, running feet.
we can make it look like a ferry. talent is tired, but very patient,
recording crystal-clear audio,
V/O: What if nature fights back?
10.15: Now the hardest bit despite the fact that ‘living on
– angry gulls. We spot some an uninhabited island’ proves
Sliding feet on scree, falling/tumbling, fake rat between food stuff (ask
on the roof of a workshop. I a bit of a tongue twister.
museum), flying branch with wind sfx. Dropping binoculars.
have come prepared. With the
owner’s permission, we throw 16.45: Isla has slept for the
V/O: What if we’re at war with this wilderness, and no one
pieces of bread into the air and whole journey back when we
will listen? (Circular pan of the
they take the bait, shrieking deliver her to her parents.
wilderness inc. sea and sky, as if
and fluttering angrily above Ross will now edit the trailer
watching. Threatening music or
our heads. A deposit misses together, add music and sound
heartbeat?)
me by inches, but we’ve got the effects and send it back to me
shot. Time to pick up the talent. for feedback.
V/O: It’s a sort of life and death
The day’s been exhausting
thing. (Shots of everyday items
11.00: Isla joins us and we but also the most fun I’ve had in
sinking into sea including folders
journey to the West Coast. ages. It may not be Hollywood,
from earlier, floating high-viz vest,
First stop, scrambling over but for now it’ll do!
scrambling up hillside?)
scree while we film her feet as
she stumbles. The slopes of a • Find out more about Barbara at
Screen of silent seascape with
roadside reservoir will do. The www.barbarahenderson.co.uk
cover of book superimposed.
vegetation is suitably wild, so You can view the Wilderness Wars
we decide to film the chase book trailer at www.youtube.com/
V/O: Wilderness Wars.
here, too. Ross runs after our watch?v=o2Tc35EVvz8
What if nature fights back?
(Heartbeat sfx)
MASTER YOUR
CREATIVE
WRITING CRAFT
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Visit: mmu.ac.uk/english/creative-writing
Got a question – or advice for one of these readers? Email [email protected] ADVICE PAGE
Need advice on writing and publishing? Novelist

and short story writer Della Galton can help
How accurate should fiction be?

Q I recently saw a character in a UK
novel, a supposed diving expert,
refer to wearing an ‘oxygen tank’. The
Q One of my main stumbling blocks
to writing is research. The plot
of my story involves fraud, but how
writing crime, you might be interested in
looking at the Crime Writers’ Association
(www.thecwa.co.uk). There are also
correct term is a dive cylinder or bottle. can I get background information to several books dedicated to the subject. As
Divers breathe compressed air, not give credibility to the story without well as the Michael O’Byrne guide, I can
oxygen. I write short stories and strive to sounding like I want to get involved in recommend Writing Crime Fiction: Making
get the terminology right. But a member a crime? There is a luxury yacht involved Crime Pay by Janet Laurence.
of our writing circle disagrees. She says and I need to know the background to One final word of warning. Try not to let
it’s only fiction so there is some leeway. owning one. I did think about talking to your research prevent you from starting
What is your view? Sunseeker in Poole, but I don’t know how the actual writing. It might be a good idea
Lisa MacDonald, Bristol best to approach them. to allocate a time limit, say a month, for
Phil Herbert, Porthcawl research that you do before you start, but
A I’m with you. Just because it’s fiction

it doesn’t mean facts should be wrong.
A As you know, research is a vital
then get cracking. Good luck.
Novelist David Hough, who writes

aviation thrillers, says many authors refer
to passengers disembarking on runways,
part of writing good fiction. It’s also
interesting and fun and can shape a novel
if you do it in advance. There is more than
Q There’s an adult education writing
class starting in my town. Is it worth
joining or would I be better off going on
but that’s where planes take off and land. one approach, but basically you have a a course run by a publisher? I want to get
Passengers get off on the apron. choice of researching before you begin or published. I’m not doing it for fun.
Writers should aim to be correct, but researching as you go. You might even Peter Angus, via email
public perception should also be taken prefer a combination, which is what I do.
into account. I don’t mean you should use
the wrong terms, but occasionally it may
be necessary to back up the right one with
Here’s how that method works:
■ Things to research in advance: this

A I’m a fan of adult education classes,
as this is where my own career
began. Are you aiming to be a specialist
a subtle explanation, through context or includes anything that is vital to make the in a certain area, ie journalism, children’s
perhaps via a character. Otherwise readers plot work. In your story, you may need to writing etc? If so, a general course may not
may think you’ve got it wrong! know the cost of your yacht, for example. be the best path.
You can find this out easily – just phone A lot depends on the tutor. But whatever
Q Are there any magazine markets left

for serials? And what are the lengths
they require?
Sunseeker and ask, or look at their website.
If those models are too expensive, perhaps
your criminal could have a cheaper yacht!
course you decide on, consider the
following points.
Monica Bennet, Liskeard With regard to the fraud, I asked Michael ■ Does the course cover your speciality?
O’Byrne, author of The Crime Writer’s Guide ■ Does the tutor have industry experience
A The People’s Friend wants serials

with a minimum of two instalments
(preferably three) up to a maximum
to Police Practice and Procedure, and he
suggested you start with the Serious Fraud
Office website – www.sfo.gov.uk
and are they published in the same field?
It’s helpful if they have knowledge of how
to get published as well as how to write.
of eight, at 5000 words per instalment. ■ Is their experience current?
Approach in the first instance with a ■ Things that don’t need research in ■ Do they have a teaching qualification?
synopsis of one or two pages and they will advance: includes anything that isn’t vital
ask for more details if they like it. to the plot but can be done on a need-to- Oh, and please do have fun!
My Weekly also publishes serials but know basis, for example technical details
they are not currently open to submissions on how to moor up that yacht. • Della’s books on
from writers who aren’t on their authors writing, The Short
list. But any writer can submit ideas for Personally, if I need detailed research on Story Writer’s
pocket novels and if accepted they are any subject, I find an ‘expert’. Passionate Toolshed and The
put on the author list. Pocket novels are enthusiasts are good as they tend to be Novel Writer’s
50,000 words in length. Submit a synopsis happy to talk about their subjects at length. Toolshed, are available
and three chapters in the first instance. On a more general note regarding from Amazon
CHILDREN’S BOOKS
WRITING4CHILDREN
DEVELOPING IDEAS Karen Ball from Speckled Pen explains the
services that her creative consultancy can offer to authors
I
have worked in children’s
publishing as an editor and
publisher for over 25 years
(phewee!). My roles have
included head of editorial
at Working Partners and
publisher for young readers
at Little, Brown Books. In
2016 I launched publishing
consultancy Speckled Pen, and
in 2017 was named a ‘rising
star’ by The Bookseller.
In that time, I have worked
with publishers including
Oxford University Press,
Penguin Random House,
Hachette, Bloomsbury
and Parragon – and I have
consulted with many talented
authors, including debuts,
established authors and
self‑published authors.
An ideas person
My strengths are in idea
generation, brainstorming,
concept development and
editing. I love the creative
side of my field and wanted
more opportunity to use my
key skills, working with any
creative developing content.
Put simply, I wanted to
pursue my passions and, more
selfishly, explore if I could
pivot my career in my late
40s. Gotta love a woman with
energy and ambition!
I offer a range of services
from brainstorming first ideas,
through to series development
and storylines, developmental
editing or line editing. If you
need a creative partner, I’m
your woman. I love the variety
of my working week.
Plugged in
I also regularly attend
international book fairs and
network in the publishing
community, so I feel that I
PICTURE BOOKS STORY BOOKS EASY READERS CHAPTER BOOKS MIDDLE GRADE YOUNG ADULT
EASY READERS CHAPTER BOOKS MIDDLE GRADE YOUNG ADULT PICTURE BOOKS STORY BOOKS
with
children’s author
Anita Loughrey
offer bang-up-to-date insights

into the industry. I’m also a
founding organiser of the
Book Bound writers’ retreat.
Brainstorming
I always ask that the author
has at least an A4 side of
material from which to
brainstorm – that way, we can
all feel confident that what
we’re brainstorming is your
idea. If my imagination is fired
up and I can see commercial
potential, we can brainstorm
with no more than that.
Other times, we may engage
around a highly developed Left, a good example of ‘voice’. Above, the consultancy’s website
concept that would benefit

from expert editorial and examples of this from my but I read that voice and devour plot. Do you need all
industry insight. own experience. thought, yes, I really want to that set-up? What about if
Brainstorms work according Back in 2013, when I first work with you. you cut those first couple of
to the client’s needs. We can read the opening chapters Now, this may make authors paragraphs or – shock horror! –
have a Post-it note brainstorm, of Alex Wheatle’s Liccle Bit worry. What if I don’t have that first chapter?
a group brainstorm with other – his first YA novel, which voice? How do I know what Other craft details: don’t
creatives attending, a Skype I commissioned and which voice is? over-explain, cut out as many
brainstorm… If you are willing went on to be longlisted for But this is where the magic adverbs and adjectives as you
to engage, we’ll find the format the Carnegie – I was sat on a starts. You already have it – think you can afford to lose,
that works for you. packed commuter train into you can’t learn it, it’s in your don’t use over-complicated
I ask that brainstorms never London, feeling very stressed bones. speech tags. And make sure
last for more than 60 minutes and anxious. But the narrative This is why it’s so important that by the end of the story,
(brains quickly get tired) and voice made me grin like a loon! not to try to emulate what your main character has
I always supply follow-up I thought, if this person can others have written. Just be changed in some way. We’re
notes and conversations. make me smile on a packed YOU. Honestly, copy out those all on a journey, especially
From there, the author can commuter train, we have three words on to a Post-it note your main character.
take the idea and run with it something here. I walked and place it above your desk. I hope that anyone who has
or we can continue to work into the office, turned on my Just being you is the best thing worked with me will attest
collaboratively. computer and immediately an author – or human being! – to the fact that my approach
People can email me at emailed my boss at the time: I can be. is friendly, collaborative
[email protected] and want to commission this author. and encouraging. I shan’t
we’ll chat about their ideas The second example One writing tip mollycoddle you – a good
and existing material and my happened more recently. An Only one? I’m definitely going editor never avoids difficult
availability and fees. I have an author approached me who has to fail at that. OK, let me truths – but I shall always
author flyer that provides a never been published and has pull on my thinking cap for support you. Publishing can
broad format for engagement, no experience of the publishing a moment. If I’ve just talked look scary when your nose
but usually we agree a bespoke industry. She comes from a about the instinct of voice, let’s is pressed up against the
arrangement. background where she may focus on the craft. window, but it really isn’t.
never have been encouraged to Less is more. I regularly
Voice write a novel but write a novel come across books that open • Find out more about Karen and
In my opinion what makes she has. in the wrong place. You want Speckled Pen at www.speckledpen.
a children’s book special is The book is a rough diamond to get to the heart of the action, com or, if you also like sewing, at
voice. I’ll give you two good and needs a rigorous rewrite, particularly for children who @didyoumakethat on Instagram!
FREELANCE MARKETS
THE MAGAZINE SCENE

Adam Carpenter gives a round-up of launches, trends and other magazine news
MOR NOT REQUIRED AT THE WIRE

Music mag The Wire has published 400 issues since 1982 but most
people would struggle to spot a familiar face among the coverstars.
■ This is not a place for the mainstream, no matter how minor that
mainstream may seem. So, Shabaka Hutchings rather than Shakira,
Finland’s spandex-clad hypno-rockers Circle rather than Coldplay. The
Wire celebrates the most radical and undervalued musicians on the
planet, past and present, encompassing ‘avant rock, electronica, hip-
hop, new jazz, modern composition, traditional music and beyond’.
■ If you chance upon a style of music or musical act from a particular
town or city on your travels, The Wire covers international music in
its main features and in a regular column. The guidelines say: ‘We are
always interested in submissions to our regular Global Ear section, a
monthly report from a different town or city anywhere in the world.’
■ The team are keen to hear from new writers. If you are interested
in becoming a freelance contributor, email Derek Walmsley at
Kimmo Metsaranta
[email protected], outlining any particular areas of interest and
xxx
suggesting a few feature/review ideas. And don’t forget to enclose
examples of your writing, whether published or unpublished.
Finnish hypno-rockers
Circle fit The Wire’s bill
Recent coverlines: Music and mental health; Cairo’s new wave;
Ceramic Hobs – out of their minds
Visit: www.thewire.co.uk
MARKET NEWS
SLATE LIKES A GOOD ARGUMENT
Slate is an online magazine offering analysis and commentary on It hasn’t been the best start to 2018 for the majority of
politics, news, business, technology and culture. There are many women’s magazines, according to the latest circulation figures.
sections to target and they are always looking for new contributors. Of all the women’s magazines, only Hello showed any significant
increase, although Harper’s Bazaar and Red returned respectable
■ The main thing to consider when pitching is to have a strong scores. No such luck for Now magazine, whose plummet to 50k
argument. Slate is known for smart, witty and persuasive articles, so means they now sit at the bottom of the women’s weeklies. The
use your pitch to express your argument, with clear main points that once-mighty Woman and Woman’s Own both suffered declines of
support your view and counter the opinions of others. This will help 24 per cent, whilst Bella managed a three per cent increase.
you frame your pitch, and the piece as well. The News and Politics Meanwhile, among the news mags, The Week Junior, The Economist
section, Technology section and Business section are the best places and Monocle posted encouraging increases whilst The Spectator and
to get an argument going. For more lighthearted content, check out The Times Literary Supplement continued last year’s growth.
the sections on Culture and Human Interest.
■ Reports and dispatches are also welcome and you should pitch Do you ever suffer from ‘imposter syndrome’ where you feel
them in a similar way to arguments. Say which insights your report you shouldn’t really be pitching to magazines and newspapers
will help to uncover. The team are looking for ways they can influence as you don’t fit in? Well, take heart in a column by Spectator editor
change. Straightforward reports will be rejected. Fraser Nelson. When looking for interns, the magazine shuns the
■ Read the site thoroughly to find the right section and check your CV and interview process in favour of assessing each candidate on
idea hasn’t been done. It’s also worth Googling your idea as the team their aptitude to write a blog or conduct research, regardless of
reject anything they feel people will have seen before. Don’t send the their background. He said: ‘We rejected CVs so that we can hire
same idea to another Slate editor if one rejects it as the team work people from a deeper pool of talent, not out of a sense of
closely together and make decisions collectively. do-gooding. No one, ever, is hired as an act of charity or social
outreach. Journalism is about reflecting and reporting on the wider
Visit: www.slate.com world, so it makes sense to avoid going for the same sort of person
with the same sort of background.’ Apply that thought to yourself.
THIS WRITING LIFE
INSIDE VIEW
WESTJET magazine
This is the inflight
publication for
the Canadian
airline WestJet
and features
well-crafted,
informative stories
designed to inspire
and enrich the WAITING AND HOPING
travel experience.
O
They are always
ne of the reasons I prefer phone interviews to face-to-
keen to receive
ideas from new face ones is that you lose far less time when things go
contributors. Here wrong. As they often do. If you get a call five minutes
are some pointers. before a phoner to say, ‘We’re running late, can we do this in
an hour?’ or ‘Can we reschedule for tomorrow?’ or the person
Have the right
destination in mind simply doesn’t answer, or is on voicemail when you call… well,
at least you’re sitting comfortably at home and can get on with
First, check where WestJet fly to and make sure you pick a something else. If the same things happen while you’re waiting
relevant destination, obvious as it sounds. The locations are
in a hotel lobby, you’re just hanging around kicking your heels.
quite varied and include European countries so there should
be plenty of choice. Recent issues have featured Scotland and In the worst-case scenario, you may have wasted half a day
Ireland prominently. Don’t go for the usual tourist spots. Editor travelling there and back with no result.
Dean Lisk says: ‘We are seeking stories that are off the beaten Also, the arrangements for face-to-face interviews tend to be
path, that examine social trends impacting travel, that are about
far looser. There’s often an unsaid assumption that because
unusual or quirky little gems not found anywhere else and that
answer the question, why this destination now?’ you’re there on the spot you won’t mind hanging around to fit
in with whatever else is going on. So whereas a phone interview
Shape the idea to fit a slot with a singer may be scheduled for, say, 4pm, a face to face may
be arranged for ‘after the soundcheck’. The soundcheck may be
Study the magazine carefully – there are a variety of sections,
each with different formats, so pitch your idea to fit. Seek scheduled for ‘around 5pm’ and actually start at 5.30, with no
presents snapshot information of what to see, where to stay telling whether it will last 15 minutes or an hour.
and what to buy at specific destinations. Roam focuses more These days, to avoid all the hassle, I use the phone 99 per cent of
on insider tips and advice with Q&As, then there’s Food, which
the time, but this month agreed to a face to face with an American
shines a light on the locations that are worth visiting for the
food alone. Finally the Features section allows more space for vocal group because I was already going along to review the
exploring a cultural aspect about a certain location or round- festival where they were appearing. The arrangement was that
ups covering different destinations under one theme. they’d come in to rehearse at 3pm and sit down with me after that.
At 3.30, though, the rehearsal room was still empty and when
Declare any commerical interest
I tracked down the promoter to ask if the rehearsal was still on, he
You must declare whether your idea has been used elsewhere went into a panic because he didn’t know where the group was.
and if you received any complementary flight, accommodation For the rest of the afternoon I checked back at the rehearsal
or meal as part of a press trip. Also bear in mind the long lead
room every half-hour between watching the events on stage,
time of six months – start thinking about ideas for summer 2019
now! Dean adds: ‘No phone calls or follow-up queries, please. but there was no sign of my interviewees. At 7pm I’d written the
We ask that you limit your pitches to two per email. If you have interview off. But I guess there are times when fortune favours
not within a month, feel free to submit your query elsewhere.’ the persistent, because I just happened to be hanging around near
the festival entrance when a taxi pulled up and deposited three
Recent coverlines: Music City – we discover Nashville’s
creative side; A journey in time – discovering Ireland’s eternal Aran cool-looking dudes right next to me.
Islands; The Highland Way – why you need to experience Scotland’s With no one to greet them, they didn’t look like they had a clue
best road trip where to go. So I asked them if they were the group I was there to
interview. When they said they were, I said: ‘Great, follow me!’
Visit: www.westjetmagazine.com
I led them to the empty rehearsal room and got my interview
before they went on stage – unrehearsed.
FICTION MARKET
INSIDESTORY
Every cloud has a silver lining, Douglas McPherson found,
when his rejected story was bought by In The Moment
R
ejection is part of a Hannah gets in trouble for
writer’s life, and not
just a new writer’s life.
They felt the heroine was too gazing out of the window
instead of focusing on the
It’s not as if you start estranged from her responsibilities lesson, and a scene from
off with rejections, progress her working life where her
to acceptances and never get as a wife and mother… cloud-gazing is equated with
rejected again. Even when you idleness.
sell regularly, rejections come Even her relationship with
along with the unwelcome Pretor-Pinney via his website driving diesel locos. She met her fiance is strained by her
regularity of utility bills. and was soon chatting on her husband, a guard, through tendency to drift off to the sky:
If you’re not getting rejected, the phone to him about his her work. They married on
it’s because you’re not sending enthusiasm for fluffy white a preserved steam railway. ‘Have you heard a word I’ve
enough stuff out, or not trying and grey things. Even giving birth came with a been saying?’ Tom snaps.
enough new things. One of the things I enjoy railway gag: ‘What?’
The good news is that it’s about interviewing experts is ‘Don’t you ever take your head
seldom a definitive comment that they can make any subject My first son arrived as late as out of the clouds?’
on your work. A story that isn’t fascinating, surprising you a baby can be.
right for a particular editor with insights into corners of a ‘He’s obviously going to be a The general theme was
at a particular time may be topic that you may never have train driver,’ I joked. that cloud-watching wasn’t
just what another magazine dreamed existed. making her popular. I gave her
is looking for. That was the As a result, I came away not The procession of railwayana an intelligent voice, however,
case with my story Castles in only thinking that I’d have a gave the piece the tightly and even in her schooldays
the Sky, which was rejected by good feature but that clouds focused feel of a short story hinted that whatever her peers
the first mag I sent it to, and would make a good subject about trains, whereas more thought, she considered her
then bought by not one but two for a short story, too. In fact, random images from a person’s hobby to be far from a waste
other publications. Pretor-Pinney had so fired life might have come over like of time:
The idea came from a my imagination that I started a rushed synopsis for a novel.
fleeting mention of the Cloud writing the short story first. I decided I could do the same I think of stormy paintings by
Appreciation Society in a kind of thing about a woman Turner, his skies as turbulent
newspaper column I was Theme obsessed with clouds. as the crashing waves. I picture
reading. The piece wasn’t even Many shorts focus on a brief Constable’s pastoral scenes, with
about the society, it was just period of time, a moment of Starting point every shadow and highlight caused
a throwaway reference, but it change in a character’s life, Pretor-Pinney traced his by the shifting skyscape that takes
intrigued me enough to Google starting with a problem that fascination with clouds to up half the canvas.
the cloud watchers’ website they solve by the end. It’s watching them from the back I bet those guys spent ages with
and find out what it was about. possible, however, to set a seat of his mother’s car as she their head in the clouds.
Ten minutes later, I’d decided story over the full span of a drove him to school. I decided
that cloud-spotting would character’s life, as long as you my heroine could discover Later in the story, the sight
make an interesting feature, keep the theme consistent. them even earlier, as a baby of clouds crossing the moon
so I pitched People’s Friend For example, I wrote a looking up from a pram: inspires her to write a romance
the idea of interviewing the People’s Friend story called Full novel about werewolves, which
society’s founder, former Idler Steam Ahead about a female I notice that the clouds aren’t marks her emergence as an
editor Gavin Pretor-Pinney. train driver. The narrative flat. They’re fat like pillows and author. When her mother dies,
You never know when ticked off all the usual frayed like cotton wool. I watch she finds solace in the timeless
an idea will chime with an landmarks in a life but each them drifting gracefully, changing nature of the sky.
editor’s previously undisclosed scene had a backdrop of trains. shape and dividing. I think they’re By the end, when Hannah
interest in a subject, and the In childhood we saw the the most beautiful things I’ve has reached her eighties,
features ed came back with: main character playing with ever seen. it’s revealed that all of her
‘Yes please. Don’t tell him I have a train set and riding on the werewolf books have been
a copy of his book that I haven’t footplate with her train driver From there we cut to a outsold by her most regarded
read yet!’ I duly contacted dad. She embarked on a career classroom scene where work: Head in the Clouds – The
Healing Power of Relaxation. magazine fiction, thanks mag that generally buys my differently two fiction editors
Even her marriage turns to a sprinkling of academic work and was miffed when it can see the same tale.
around as the stressed husband references that I’d picked up met with rejection. In fact, just to inflate my
she was too distracted to during my interview with Although they liked the head with a little more helium,
support retires and becomes Pretor-Pinney: cloud images – to the point she later told me: ‘We had our
the contented supportive Aristophanes called clouds the where the editor confessed to routine Monday morning dummy
partner in her writing career. patron goddesses of idle men… looking up one of those elusive chat this morning, and the team
Essentially, it was an ugly Kelvin-Helmholtz wave clouds quite spontaneously said how
duckling story. The cloud Cirrus. The name means ‘curl online – they felt the heroine much they’d loved Looking Up!’
obsession that had initially of hair’. The teased-out strands was too estranged from her It turns out they weren’t
seen her cast out as a work-shy are made of ice and caused by day-to-day responsibilities as the only ones, because after it
dreamer had eventually made violently rushing winds in the a wife and mother. was published I interviewed
her successful. troposphere, but you’d never know In other words, she spent too the editor of recently launched
That transition fulfilled that by looking at them… much time with her head in mindfulness magazine In The
one of the basic requirements the clouds! Moment for Writers’ Forum
of what makes a short story, Have you ever seen a Kelvin- Well, that was kind of the (issue #195). The mag was of
which is that a problem is Helmholtz wave cloud? It looks point, but the editor’s decision, interest because they run a
solved during the course of the like a child’s drawing of the sea: a as they say, is final and there short story each week and
narrative. At the start of the row of breaking waves seen side was no sense in arguing. accept previously published
story she was misunderstood on, each curling over in the same By that time, however, quite fiction.
– that was the problem. By the direction. If you saw a picture a few months had elapsed I thought my cloud story
end she’s found her place in of one, you’d probably think it since my Pretor-Pinney might fit their remit for
the world – that’s the solution. was the Penny Black of clouds – interview had appeared in relaxing reading. I zipped it
something only the most dedicated People’s Friend and, if they liked over to them, and when they
Literary touches collectors would ever find. my story, several more would bought it, I was on Cloud Nine!
I felt the first person voice pass before it was printed, so
and continual descriptions of I was initially reluctant to I submitted it to them. How to Write and
drifting clouds and changing send the story to People’s Friend Happily, Shirley Blair Sell Fiction to
skies gave the story a poetic, because I didn’t want it to clash replied with an effusive: ‘We Magazines by
dream-like quality that fitted with my Cloud Appreciation love, love, love Looking Up [as it Douglas McPherson
the subject matter. Society article, which would was originally titled]. What an is available to
I also thought it had a more naturally cover some similar unusual and mesmerising story.’ download from the
‘literary’ feel than my usual ground. So I sent it to another Which just goes to show how Kindle store.
WRITING EXERCISE
SETTING in
the SHORT STORY
reader will probably assume
the couple are arguing in their
kitchen. For clarity, we need
to know earlier that they are in
a public place, but also because
it will give the beginning a
completely different tone and
add extra tension.
Better like this:
‘There’s no way I’m staying

even one night at your mother’s,’
Jane said, glaring at Darren. ‘I
just can’t stand her nitpicking!’
Jane scraped back her chair and
stood up. A scene in the middle
of such a posh restaurant was not
really on, but too bad. ‘You go, by
all means!’ she added.
Darren, embarrassed, leaned
forward. ‘Right, I’ll take the kids,’
he said quietly.
‘That you won’t!’ About to make
a dramatic exit, Jane stopped,
aware of other diners staring. But
she didn’t care…
Barbara Dynes explains why even the shortest story You do, of course, have to
be economical with words.
needs a sense of place – and sets an exercise There is a lot to think about
at the start of a short story
N
– hooking the reader is the
ovels are easier short story writers have to Take this example of an main objective. Yet some
to write than be really brief. Yet placing opening: background, however brief, is
short stories, your characters somewhere is essential. As author Elizabeth
say experienced vital. Never get into the habit ‘There’s no way I’m staying Bowen said: ‘Nothing happens
authors. And whilst no writing of regarding setting as an even one night at your mother’s,’ nowhere.’
is exactly ‘easy’, you can afterthought because it can add Jane said, glaring at Darren. ‘I
understand what they mean. so much to the story. can’t stand her nitpicking!’ Jane Setting and senses
The short story writer The actual plot – the conflict scraped back her chair and stood The best way to learn about
has to get across conflict, and action – are, of course, the up. ‘You go, by all means!’ setting is to study the way
character, dialogue, tension and crux of it, but readers need to Darren leaned forward. ‘Right, the ‘greats’ do it. First, the
everything else, all within a be able to picture those events. I’ll take the kids –’ beginning of And No Birds Sing
certain word limit. Quite a task! They cannot do that if the ‘That you won’t!’ About to make from HE Bates’ book of short
Although a novel storyline also background is blank. a dramatic exit, Jane stopped, stories, The Fabulous Mrs V:
needs to be strictly controlled, Yet it is easy to get so aware of other diners staring. But
the novelist has many more involved with the storyline she didn’t care… It wasn’t only being alone; it
words at his disposal and much – especially at the start of the was the way the house smelt dead.
more space to express himself. story – that you neglect to place The setting comes in far too She sat under a big sweet-
When it comes to setting, your characters anywhere. late in that piece. By then, the chestnut tree, in the heart of the
Writers’FORUM
woodland, watching Mr Thompson
with grave brown eyes. Mr
Thompson was frying mushrooms
over a hazel fire in an old half-
the senses, so Mansfield’s
contrast of these two characters
is masterly. Ma Parker, in
spite of how she is feeling,
EXERCISE
circular billy-can. The peculiar
aroma of hazel smoke and the tang
of mushrooms was so strong on
automatically helps ‘her
gentleman’ shut the door. Her
employer has said nothing yet,
Set and match…
A
the October evening air that every but we feel we already know
Select one of the following couples. They
now and then she licked her lips both characters. The setting
like someone in a hungry dream. plays a big part here.
are strangers, meeting for the first time.
Charles Dickens, too, added Where are they? Place them somewhere –
That first line tells us a lot to characterisation with if possible, somewhere unusual.
about this young girl: she the settings he used. Miss ■ A grandmother and a streetwise young girl
doesn’t want to go home to an Havisham in Great Expectations
empty house; she is hanging is one example. The cobwebs, ■ A young office worker and a supermarket manager
out in the woods with this the dresses and the ancient ■ A librarian and an angry councillor
Mr Thompson, who is possibly wedding cake all help to give
■ A sportsman/woman and a disabled child
a tramp. As the story progresses us a picture of the woman.
we learn more about her (Bates Now write the opening of a short story, featuring their
doesn’t give her a name) and Real vs fictional setting meeting and your setting. You’ll need conflict to hook the
Mr Thompson. But the setting – Sometimes an actual place reader. What has brought the pair together in this setting?
the woods, the fire, the cooking can give you an idea for a
– is so real, along with the two story. You visit a stately home,
characters, that we feel you are garden, museum or tattoo Notes
there with them. parlour and develop a plot
The senses, always at the around it. This can work well,
forefront of HE Bates’ work, are especially if it is somewhere
brilliantly expressed; we can a bit different. Magazine
almost smell those mushrooms editors, for instance, welcome
frying, taste the delicious unusual settings, though
wildness of them, feel the heat you still need to keep to their
of the fire. We also, alas, smell familiar short story format.
the girl’s house, ‘where she Is it a good idea to use a
belongs’, as Mr Thompson real place? Although readers
declares, at the end of this do like to identify an existing
poignant story. area, unless you know the
actual building, station, park
Setting and character or whatever very well, it’s
/ / /
Now let’s look at the opening probably better to create a Completed My scene rating
of Life of Ma Parker by Katherine fictional setting.
B
Mansfield, from her collection If you use Waterloo Station,
The Garden Party and other for instance, make sure your Think of a place – perhaps a house,
stories: research is bang up to date – building, park or an area you know very
places change so quickly. well. Work out a short story plot around
When the literary gentleman, Try to use familiar that setting. How much extra research
whose flat old Ma Parker cleaned expressions and places to
will you need to do to ensure your setting
every Tuesday, opened the door to denote sizes. The back yard was
her that morning, he asked after around the size of tennis court
is accurate?
her grandson. Ma Parker stood on is better than specifying the
the doormat inside the dark little actual size in metres. Readers Notes
hall, and she stretched out her can more easily envisage a
hand to help her gentleman shut tennis court.
the door before she replied. ‘We Before you start a short story,
buried ‘im yesterday, sir,’ she said give your setting the attention
quietly. it deserves. It will pay off!
A completely different style

of writing, and a different era,
but again straight into the gist Barbara Dynes’ latest
of the plot – with a setting book, Masterclasses
so ordinary yet so vital as a in Creative Writing,
background to this tragic tale. is published by
While HE Bates portrays Constable & Robinson
/ / /
his story mainly through at £9.99 Completed My scene rating
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THE BUSINESS
BECOMING A WRITER
Kath Kilburn on why you should think about BUILDING YOUR BRAND
W
e’ll start with loves this other, and generally
just one word: interacts and sounds lovely. I
Adele. Those bought her vegan cookbook on
album titles, the back of a few free recipes
you see what she did there? and also because she seems
She started as she meant to go very, very nice.
on. First album was 19, then Please note: this doesn’t
21, then 25 – her ages when work if you’re writing about
she started recording each one. serial killers. Well, any murders
And the result is a lovely little really. There’s only so far
pattern of consistency and you can go in the personal
brand management. experience direction.
And like Adele, you should
start as you mean to go on, Give it a go
Iain Philpott
One-woman brand
Marian Keyes
right from the beginning of How do you feel about being
your career. a brand? It doesn’t sit well
with me, but I still manage
Do I really have to? In non-fiction, there are books have restrained text and it to some extent. Of my two
What’s the point of branding series such as …for Dummies, photography. Both excellent, non-fiction ebooks, one is about
for writers? Can’t you just flit which tell you instantly what but satisfying different travel opening our shop – the cover
between styles? Of course, they’re offering. These make information needs. is the shop’s open sign – while
you can. But creating a the reader’s choice as quick the other is about closing it – the
strong author brand through and easy as possible. Be your brand cover is the shop’s closed sign.
consistent style and formatting If you can, extend your The people I think branding Not matching, but mirroring.
makes your work recognisable, public image across social works best for are those like They have similar titles, they’re
so the reader knows broadly media – Facebook, Twitter, the lovely Marian Keyes who both fun reads, both tell it like
what’s in store when they take newsletters, blog posts and practically is her own brand, it is. And they both reflect how
your book to the cashdesk. website. Colours, banner, as anyone who reads her posts I write naturally.
Putting it simply, every tin graphics, writing style, types and tweets can verify. You can decide on a brand
of Heinz soup has the same of photograph – replicate All breathless, excitable and market this public image
design so that the buyer knows them if you can. Irish chattiness, with a hint as one of your professional
instantly it’s soup by Heinz. If you write more than one of something more serious tasks, or you can allow your
It’s a soup-related guarantee. genre, consider using different underneath, Marian Keyes public image to simply reflect
So, if all your writing and pen-names for each, to avoid includes her own family in her who you already are. Either
promotional materials are discombobulation when newsletters in the same way way can work.
presented the same way, the lovers of your Aga sagas find that she explores the families Despite what I’ve said,
reader sees at a glance that a psychological thriller on she’s created in her fiction. You you can only take branding
you wrote it and that it’ll be their bedside table. guess that her books will be so far. You won’t have control
great quality. Or style your author name warm and enjoyable, because over all aspects of your output
as Esmerelda Oldhand writing as that’s how she sounds. and presentation. But so long
Designing your brand Joseph Newbie. That way you It works for non-fiction too. as you have some degree of
Start by thinking about the have two distinct, but linked, When you learn that Annabel consistency and recognisability
image you want to convey – public personas. Karmel’s meals-for-children in your marketing, you’ll be
if you write romance that’s books were inspired by issues on the right track.
probably not your name Covers feeding her own fussy toddler As a beginner writer, start
in a Gothic font dripping Despite the old saying, people – well, you feel like she’s been thinking about this stuff
blood (unless it’s very niche judge books by their covers there with you in all your ‘Here now, because when success
romance…) every day, so make sure yours comes the aeroplane’ moments. comes a-knocking, you’ll
Choose appropriately. is right, not just for the subject Another cookery writer, be far too busy with all the
What’s your message? Think or genre but also for the tone. Miriam Sorrell (I have no idea other promotional stuff (the
about how publishers do it. For example, light and what’s with all these food Newsnight appearance, the
Mills & Boon have different humorous Bill Bryson’s travel references, although I am Guardian interview, opening
lines for different styles of books use a cheerful mix of a little peckish) offers free, the village fete…) to
story, regulating the amount bold, colourful fonts and delicious recipes on Facebook concentrate on developing
of sauciness and the character cartoony graphics. ‘Richly and explains this one was an image. Plan for success by
types in each one. written’ Jan Morris’s travel her mum’s, and her daughter doing it now.
SHORT SHORT WRITING
Writers’FORUM
FLASH COMP RESULTS
The task was to write a story explaining why the chicken crossed the road
£100 winner ‘Desperate, actually,’ said Hatton. ‘When Torode brought his
Flying the Coop by Kevin Cheeseman pushy son-in-law into the business, Khasbulatov knew his time
C
was up. Verlaine’s a snake. A poisonous one.’
ohen flashed his badge and the cop lifted the incident Hatton rose to indicate that the meeting was over. ‘Listen – I
tape to allow him through. He walked down to the jetty, wanted to hire Khasbulatov, not kill him. But if Verlaine found out
buttoning his coat against the wind whipping across the he’d been talking to me…’
water. Under a dim sodium light, a couple of uniforms stood over ‘Boom,’ said Cohen. ‘Kentucky Fried Chechen.’
a body lying face down in a puddle on the otherwise dry boards. They thanked Hatton and headed off to find Verlaine.
His partner, Robinson, was crouched down next to it, a torch in ‘Hatton’s story sounds plausible to me,’ said Robinson, starting
her hand. the car.
‘What have we got?’ said Cohen. ‘I agree,’ said Cohen, ‘Moreover, it answers one of life’s eternal
Robinson answered without looking up. ‘Couple of fishermen questions.’
hauled him out. Caucasian, mid-forties. Cable ties round his ‘What’s that?’
wrists. Bullet to the back of the head.’ Cohen cleared his throat. ‘Why did The Chechen cross Torode?’
‘I guess we can rule out suicide,’ said Cohen. The uniformed ‘Oh no…’ said Robinson.
cops snickered. ‘Oh yes,’ retorted a smiling Cohen. ‘To get to the other side.’
Robinson rolled her eyes, flipped the corpse over and went
through his pockets. She fished out a sodden wallet and found a • It’s the second win this year for Kevin, from Haddenham, Bucks, who
driving licence. says: ‘The ghost of a famous Canadian singer told me to do this as a crime
‘Ilyas… something.’ spoof and to mention his name. I was too frightened to argue.’
‘Khasbulatov,’ said Cohen. ‘Commonly known as The Chechen.
One of Torode’s guys.’ Editor’s comments
‘Drug gang killing,’ he said, yawning. ‘Bag him up. I’m going
back to bed.’ Kevin’s take on last month’s task made me laugh and groan in several
The next morning, Cohen arrived to find Robinson already places. As requested, his story ended up a long way from the original
hard at work. She ambushed him at the coffee machine, notebook chicken joke, but he also used it as an effective punchline.
in hand. Quite a few entrants had fun with the idea. Owen Townend had a
‘You were right about Khasubal… the Chechen guy,’ said farm chicken take against a visitor, the Irish author Cormac McCarthy.
Robinson. ‘He came over in ‘96, allegedly fleeing the fighting in The hen learns to read and eventually takes up a career as a literary
Chechnya. Seems he had skills that Torode found useful.’ critic just to get at the author – by dissing his book The Road.
‘Like how to handle a gun?’ Nick Hargreaves’ entry was about Rooster McQuarry, a country and
‘Must have been more than that,’ said Robinson. ‘Under western singer. Nick invented some brilliant country song titles, such
Torode’s patronage, he rose up the ranks pretty quickly.’ as If it’s You or the Beer, Then Mine’s a Cold One and I’m Still Missing You,
‘So, it was one of Torode’s enemies who whacked him.’ So I Better Learn to Shoot Straight. Rooster stops being ‘middle of the
‘Maybe,’ said Robinson, ‘but apparently he’d fallen out big time road’ to get dumped by his music company to he can move to a rival.
with Torode’s new son-in-law, Luc Verlaine.’ One of the rules was to avoid writing a children’s story, so quite a
‘Verlaine had a beef with with The Chechen?’ said Cohen, few entries about talking farmyard animals didn’t make the cut. Other
stirring his coffee. problems included making rather too many chicken-related puns but
‘That’s not all,’ continued Robinson, trailing Cohen to his not bothering with a story, and simply telling a longer version of the
desk. ‘My snitch also tells me that the Chechen had been secretly joke rather than taking the idea and running with it. The runner-up
meeting with Torode’s main competitor in the local heroin story Flight, by Jennifer Bickley, on the other hand, told a grown-up tale
business.’ that made poignant use of the elements.
‘Dan Hatton? Very interesting.’
‘Who should we talk to first?’ said Robinson. Runner-up
‘As the man sang,’ said Cohen, ‘first we take Dan Hatton, then Flight by Jennifer Bickley
C
we take Verlaine.’
‘Spare me, Cohen, please,’ sighed Robinson, picking up the car hickens can’t fly, you know,’ says Michael, as we join the
keys. small crowd. Peter kicks his shins to shut him up, and
the two of them try to start a fight, but the older boys
‘Sure, I met with Khasbulatov,’ said Hatton. He leaned back in surrounding us glare at them until they stop and stand straight
his chair, cigar in hand. ‘His import–export experience, and the and quiet.
inside information he offered, would have been very useful. And ‘I think he’ll fly,’ I whisper to Karl. I’ve known the Chicken for
he was keen to further his career in my organisation.’ years, since long before anyone called him that. He was a friend
‘Keen?’ said Cohen. of my parents, and it was through his stories that I constructed an
HOW TO ENTER
image of the father I never knew. The locals call him mad, but my Writers’FORUM
FLASH COMP
mother cherishes his friendship.
‘He’s just a little eccentric,’ she always says, ‘and we need
eccentric people in the world. They brighten things up.’
Mum doesn’t know about his plans, though. If she did, maybe
she would have stopped me from coming to watch. She knows
he’s been working on some odd things, and she knows the
townsfolk, who always called him names, call him ‘the Chicken’ Enter our monthly quick writing
now after Erika said she saw him running around a field with
huge wooden wings strapped to his arms, but Mum didn’t believe contest with a £100 first prize
T
the gossip.
The Chicken enlisted us local kids to help him forage for he editor’s monthly competition for short short
supplies, and in return he told us a little of his plans. If the test
writing has a £100 prize for one winner and a
works today, he will be going to the crossing to try for real. He
needs to find a high enough point there to take off from; here, he
number of runners-up may also be published,
has chosen the half-crumbled old bell tower, and as we crane our depending upon the nature of the contest and available
necks towards it, he appears at the top. space. The flash competition is FREE FOR SUBSCRIBERS
The wooden wings that Erika told all the adults about are not (single entry only). For non‑subscribers (or extra
really wings, now that we see them; they stretch across his arms, subscriber entries) the entry fee is £5, which you can
but they go further, and the scraps of old parachute and canvas purchase by following the link on the Writers’ Forum
we helped him find are sewn together and stretched taut between website (www.writers-forum.com).
various parts of the contraption. He looks more like the webbed Entry is strictly by email only.
foot of a chicken than a chicken itself. He stands tall and strangely
elegant, despite the crude machine strapped to him, and not a Writers’ Forum wants to encourage you to write, so:
single breath can be heard among our audience. The Chicken
looks upwards, as if in prayer, then launches himself forwards. ■■ We will have a theme/task each time so that new
Amazingly, he flies. It’s more of a glide than anything, and writing has to be produced.
it’s faltering, but the Chicken built aeroplanes during the war ■■ There will be a tight deadline so that results can be
with my father, and he knows the science of flight, even from the
published quickly and entrants can’t dither!
primitive supplies available to him now. The boys around me
cheer, and I join them, whoops of joy and encouragement that will The editor’s decision is final and no correspondence over
no doubt attract the attention of any adults nearby, but watching results will be entered into. By entering, entrants agree to these
him go over our heads like a modern-day Icarus gives us all hope.
rules and for their entries to be published in Writers’ Forum.
Three days later, Neues Deutschland reports that an attempted
defector in a rudimentary flying device was shot attempting
to cross the border, but they name no names, and we all hope
against hope that it wasn’t the Chicken, and that he managed to COMP 204:
get to the other side. PHONE CALL
• Jennifer, from Shrewsbury, says: ‘I teach my pupils about some of the Deadline: 12 noon GMT
more eccentric ways people tried to cross the Berlin Wall. They are often on 1 October 2018
shocked that such attempts cost some of those escapees their lives.’
Editor’s assignment: To celebrate our new
Highly commended playwriting column, write a monologue in 400 words
(±20) that takes the form of a telephone call. Don’t give
Hitting Back by Lynda Casserly – Banty, an Ulster policeman who used scene descriptions or stage directions, just the words of
to fight at bantam weight, blows an undercover operation by crossing one side of the conversation. The reader should get the
the road in order to intimidate the terrorist they’ve been watching. whole story from that. Think hard about how to make it
an interesting phone call that holds our attention…
The Girl in the Mirror by Alison Wilkings – a Gothic horror about a
girl, nicknamed Chicken by her nanny, trying to get to the girl who
taunts her from the other side of the mirror.
How to enter
1 Paste your entry straight into the body of a new email
KFC by David Higham – a teen gang love story about a boy Krishane, (NOT as an attachment) followed by the wordcount
known as KFC, who crosses into the wrong postcode to visit his and your name and address. Give your purchase order
girlfriend but then has to get back. number or state if you’re a subscriber to check against
our database. Add a line or two about what inspired you.
Adding up the numbers by Arlene Jackson – a man arrives home after
being made redundant and is too afraid to tell his wife, but as suicidal 2 In the email’s subject line box, write Flash Comp 204:
thoughts overwhelm him he decides he has to tell her, so they can get followed by your interesting and relevant story title.
through it together. 3 Send your email to [email protected]
by the deadline above.
The Farmer’s Widow by Sarah Morris – a woman lures a rich neighbour
by taking him coq au vin, then poisons him with it after they marry. The results will be published next issue. Good luck!
THE BEST WAY TO SELF-PUBLISH
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ANd ASK FOR TOdd, ROSIE OR ALExANdRA.
INSPIRATION
THE WRITERS’
L
ocation, location, location are said the amusement centre of my brain for longer
to be the three most important things than it should.
when it comes to selling a house Hungarian is a language that eludes me, but
or opening a hotel, but location (or I didn’t need to read the signs to realise we were
setting) is important to a story, too. crossing the border. The landscape changed…
A good setting will bring a book vividly a curious mix of monotonous wasteland and a
to life. Try to imagine Wuthering Heights vast forest of wind turbines, more than I have
unmoored from Yorkshire, Harry Potter seen even in Denmark or the Netherlands. The
Paula Williams finds inspiration from a couple of travel bloggers

without Hogwarts, or Rebus without for words. She’s a professional cellist and tracks became less smooth. More sighing from
Edinburgh. the idea behind her blog is to share with her the train. A glass of Hungarian wine went down
This month, I’m featuring two writers who readers life from her perspective in a busy well at this point. Research purposes.
are both brilliant at writing about settings. touring orchestra, reflecting on her passion
But they’re not fiction writers, they’re travel for language – and coffee! – and her curiosity Jane’s blog can be found at janeodriozola.
bloggers. about the world in general. com and is well worth a look.
Jane Odriozola is at the beginning of her This is a taster from her description of a Another blogger who writes very
writing journey. rail journey, a favourite part of which was evocatively is Georgie Moon, who blogs at
‘I’ve always wanted to write,’ Jane says. spent on the Austrian Railjet from Munich georgiemoon2016.wordpress.com
‘It feels like it’s bubbling like lava under my to Budapest. Georgie, her husband and their cat called
surface. Right from the encouragement of my Artemis have lived on their boat Fandancer
teachers at school and a few local articles I Predictably, the train oozed out of the station for the past eight years and have made their
wrote, the feedback has given me hope. At precisely on time, smooth and practically silent. living sailing around the Greek Islands. It
this later stage of my life, and in a far happier As we passed into Austria, I celebrated the fact sounds idyllic, doesn’t it? But as Georgie
place, I’m determined to try. with a piece of Linzertorte. When in Rome… explains on her blog, it is extremely hard
‘I’m now learning to observe so much… it Austrian countryside charmed me with its work and this year, sadly, is to be their last.
feels like having a new glasses prescription. onion-domed churches and rich farmland. The Both her descriptions and her stunning
Suddenly I’m overwhelmed by what’s around cows looked faintly smug. As we shifted tracks, photographs bring the places they sail to
me, and challenging myself to write it down.’ the train gasped out a hoarse sigh, sounding vividly to life. One of my favourites is an
Jane obviously has a great love (and gift) exactly like ‘WhyyyYYYYY???’ This occupied account of a visit to the island of Levitha.
FICTION SQUARE
Half way between Amorgos and Kalymnos
in the Aegean Sea, is the tiny Greek island of
Levitha. It’s mostly cruising sailors who know this
island, as it’s a good ‘bolt hole’ if the weather is
Roll a dice to find all the ingredients for your next story bad, as the various bays offer excellent shelter
from high winds of any direction.
– or use each of the squares as a daily prompt this month Apparently, the island is only occupied by one
family who look after a goat farm of 900 goats,
Ist & 2nd roll 3rd & 4th roll 5th roll 6th roll 7th roll
and also run a small taverna at their farmhouse.
Characters Traits Weather Location Object
They’ve put a dozen mooring buoys in the bay
1 7 13 19 25 for yachtsmen, and charge seven euro a night
A railway for the privilege. We took the dinghy ashore and
Dog breeder Psychotic Drought Identity tag
journey walked the short distance up the hill to the farm
taverna. There were goats everywhere!
2 8 15 20 26
Computer There were about half a dozen tables in
Shy Floods At sea Painkillers the farmhouse courtyard, beautifully decorated
scientist
with shady awnings, and displayed on the walls
3 9 15 21 27 were artefacts they’d fished from the sea, such
A Greek as parts of ancient amphorae jugs, and huge
Undertaker Nerdy Windy Money box
island sea shells.
4 10 16 22 28
Doesn’t it make you long to go there and
Yorkshire
Child Mysterious Foggy Sunglasses check it out for yourself? And wouldn’t the
Moors
train journey, the island or the boat described
5 11 17 23 29 in the blogs make great settings for a story? I
A school for Colouring write murder mysteries and can’t help feeling
Faith healer Freckled Hot
wizards book any one of them would be a brilliant setting
for a murder or two (fictional, of course!).
6 12 18 24 30 Has this inspired you to write a blog? Or
Miner Courageous Heavy rain Edinburgh Musical score do you already run one? As always, I’d love
to hear about it. You can write to me at
[email protected]
NEW COLUMN!
MONOLOGUES
& SKETCHES
N
ine playwrights try to speak for those affected.
have been selected There have been discussions
to write monologues among playwrights for
about the Windrush centuries about whether plays
generation for a series of short should be political. Some, such
films. The project is organised as Bertolt Brecht, wrote fiercely
by the Royal Court Theatre political plays, while others,
in London, and directed by such as Oscar Wilde, believed
Lynette Linton, who will also in ‘art for art’s sake’.
be one of the writers. Whatever your stance,
The Windrush generation it is useful and interesting
was the first large group when playwrights respond
of post-war immigrants to imaginatively to the big
come to Britain, invited by changes that are happening in
the government because of a their time – and theatres are
critical shortage of workers. likely to be interested in plays,
They were promised a home sketches and monologues that
but, 70 years later, they and do this.
their families have found The best playwrights can
themselves classed as illegal make audiences empathise
immigrants. Some have been with anyone, and are frequently
denied health services; others concerned to speak for the
Playwright Lynette Linton wants
have lost their jobs, and been dispossessed and the alienated. to contribute to the media debate
asked to leave the country. over the Windrush scandal
Lynette Linton is of
Guyanese heritage and her Economy of sale
family has been affected by for theatre. You can imagine
the Windrush scandal. She It is worth noting that the yourself into the mind of any It’s easier
sees the project as a way to Royal Court are commissioning character, and give them voice,
contribute to the debate, and monologues in this instance. and then you can watch them to achieve
to honour people who have Many theatres are starved of become real on a stage.
contributed so much to the funds, and writers should be Sometimes you’ll be
boldness of
country. aware that plays for a small disappointed and sometimes style with a
This topical, political subject number of actors will always you’ll be delighted, but you
is a very good example of the find a home more easily than will always learn from it. monologue
sort of thing that interests plays with a large cast. You’ll build up experience
theatres. All writing, but Each actor has to be paid, seeing your work performed, plays when you have already
particularly writing for theatre, even if they only have a without the huge investment learnt to speak like that in
is an attempt to show the world small walk-on part, so any of time and effort involved in monologues.
from different perspectives. person who is not absolutely writing full-length plays before If you find your pieces are
The most important job the obligatory will be axed. It is you are ready. enjoyed in the theatre, then
nine writers are being asked much better, then, if you don’t It has been said that it is that is the time to move on
to do is to try and enter into put those random characters in easier to achieve ‘boldness of and start writing one-act or
the feelings of the people in the first place. style’ with a monologue than full-length plays. Membership
involved. If it isn’t part of their Monologues and short in a full-length play – and it of a theatre lab will provide
direct experience, they need to sketches are an incredibly will be easier to carry that support throughout the
imagine what it feels like, and good way to begin writing boldness of style over to process. (See my article in the
THEATRE NEWS
Theatre news and

opportunities with
Pippa Roberts
WATCH FOR INSPIRATION
EXERCISE Four fabulous comedy monologues can be found on the BBC

Find a news item that moves website at https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p069vfmb.
or interests you and write a Written for BBC Live Music Festivals, I particularly recommend
monologue or short sketch Porta-lols by Kirsty Roderick, which made me laugh out loud,
exploring the situation of but there are many funny and poignant monologues on the site.
those involved. Stick to the
time limits mentioned below.
As a rule of thumb, one A4 HELPFUL BOOKS on short sketches
page equates to about a
minute, but allow time for Pint-sized Plays is a series of anthologies produced by an
movement around the stage, annual playwriting competition. Some of the plays chosen
and the all-important silences. each year are taken to the Edinburgh Festival or performed at
venues in Wales. Successful writers are paid and provided with
a writing mentor. See www.pintsizedplays.org.uk for more.
you give them. It is all about
pauses and heartbeats, and Great Scenes and Monologues For Actors edited by
what is not said. Silence is your Michael Schulman and Eve Mekler An anthology that will
most powerful tool. introduce you to professional sketches and monologues.
Having said this, it is
sensible to look at the rules for Creating Your Own Monologue by Glenn Alterman
these competitions, which can Offers advice and information on writing monologues.
help you to take your first steps
in writing for theatre.
We are usually told that SCRIPTWRITING WORKSHOPS
monologues should not exceed
five minutes playing time, and The ARTWRITE movement is a new initiative from playwright
a short sketch (with two actors) Angela Street, winner of this year’s Olwen Wymark Theatre
should not exceed 10 minutes. Award. She says: ‘The idea is to hold writing workshops in art
In practice, this works well. galleries and exhibitions, using the artworks as inspiration.’
It is sensible to write a few To kick things off, she will be leading workshops at an art
monologues and sketches, and exhibition called She Did That at Bath Artists’ Studios from
keep them on your computer 1-18 November, which is about female artists working in the
for the right occasion. Call-outs music industry. The poster proclaims the workshops ‘will
for scripts are often announced involve gazing at paintings, daydreaming, doodling and doing
at short notice, and busy weird writing exercises’. Should be thought-provoking and fun
#195 January issue for more writers who like to mull over a – and who knows what might come out of them?
information about this.) subject can be hard-pressed to
do work in the time given.
Many news items are linked OPPORTUNITIES
Connected comps to subjects that crop up over
and over again, so this system Square Peg Theatre, a touring company based in Manchester,
There are many comps out doesn’t mean that you can’t are looking for ‘neurodivergent’ writers for a public showcase in
there for monologues and short write about social issues. You April 2019. Neurodivergent covers autism, ADHD, dyslexia and
sketches. Everybody disagrees might find you produce some any neurological condition that affects your life. The organisers
about how long they should sketches or monologues in a hope to hear from people who experience the world in an untypical
be. Pinter famously said: ‘Don’t white heat of fury or in bursts way. See www.mainspringarts.org.uk/square-peg-scripts
count the number of lines… of manic laughter (the two
count the heartbeats,’ and this often go together) while some
makes perfect sense when you will evolve more slowly. PLAYWRITING NEWS
understand how you can use
silence in your plays, and how • Pippa Roberts trained in theatre The three winning scripts in this year’s International Windsor
it will affect the timing. writing at Cheltenham Writers’ Fringe Kenneth Branagh Award for New Drama Writing are
Never underestimate your Lab, Salisbury Emerging Writers’ The Claykickers’ Chorus by Kevin McMahon, Cut and Paste by
actors. They don’t need Group and Theatre Centre, Jeff Nolan, and Waiting for Hamlet by David Visick. The overall
hundreds of words – they can London – and now writes plays, winner will be announced at the festival in October. Find out
say everything in the silences poetry and stories for all ages. more about the comp and festival at www.windsorfringe.co.uk
What am I writing? Notes
Enter brief notes about what you want to achieve TODAY Important dates
(or plan your work for TOMORROW if you prefer) and deadlines
Flash comp #204
Mon 1
Tue 2
Wed 3
Thu 4
Fri 5
Sat 6
Sun 7
Mon 8
Tue 9
Wed 10
Thu 11
Fri 12
Sat 13
Sun 14
Fiction comp (rolling deadline)
Mon 15
Tue 16
Poetry comp #204
Wed 17
Writers’ Forum #205 on sale
Thu 18
Fri 19
Sat 20
– pin up this calendar and then use it to
keep track of your progress this month
Time to get serious about your writing
Sun 21
Mon 22
Tue 23
Wed 24
Thu 25
Fri 26
Sat 27
British Summer Time ends (clocks back 1hr)
Sun 28
Flash comp #205
Mon 29
Tue 30
Halloween
Wed 31
Writers FORUM
October 2018
‘To him, all good things –
trout as well as eternal
salvation – come by grace
and grace comes by art and
art does not come easy.’
Norman Maclean,
A River Runs Through It
Pin up this calendar and then every morning add a note

about what you are going to write that day – it really works! Image: Tithi Luadthong
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STORY COMP
Writers FORUM
fictioncompetition
Congratulations to this month’s winners, Charles W Warren, Sue Dawes and Sarah Mackey.
Do you have a short story that could impress our head judge Lorraine Mace?
Any subject, any style is welcome. Turn to the rules and entry form on page 41.
FIRST PRIZE £300
Spicy Food
Charles W Warren
Contains some strong language
W
HERE IS LITTLE EMILY?’ demanded the headline
on Ernest Johnson’s local paper. There was a picture
of a smiling girl of six wearing a purple Alice band.
Ernest sighed and folded the paper. Another child
missing and no one seemed to know why.
He shook out the last drops of coffee in the cap of his flask and
screwed it back on. He was sitting in a square of sunlight that had
followed him through the wide front door of a Victorian house. ‘You found this place OK?’ asked Trevor. ‘The lane went on so
Beyond him, the light surrendered to the shadows and faded wall- long, I thought I’d taken the wrong turn.’
paper of the hallway. ‘Looks like she moved some of the beds downstairs, so we should
Where the hell was Trevor? This was a big place and they needed be able to clear upstairs by lunch.’ Ernest didn’t feel like chit-chat.
to get a good start. ‘She?’ Trevor clearly did.
Ernest had a feeling about every house he cleared. This one wasn’t ‘The old dear that owned this place. Died two weeks ago in
good… but he couldn’t say why. Sometimes they were simply St Ignatius. I used to see her walking to church most Sundays.
disgustingly dirty, sometimes there was just too much stuff to shift Bloody long walk, out here. Lived on her own, husband shot himself
in the time he had… and sometimes, despite years in the business, ten years ago and they had a boy. He’d be forty-odd now.’
he simply did not know what to do with all the old crap after rela- ‘I remember. Edgar, wasn’t he? There was a thing in the Gazette
tives, auctioneers and charity collectors had picked through it. about him going off backpacking to some remote bit of India. These
Twenty tins of dried-out paint, anyone? days all the young ’uns do it.’
‘Sorry I’m late, boss,’ said a voice over his shoulder. It was accom- ‘Let’s get started.’
panied by a gust of Indian takeaway, vodka and vinegary sweat. ‘Edgar!’ snorted Trevor, picking up a roll of bin liners. ‘Name like
‘Big night out, Trev?’ inquired Ernest, knowing that his employee that, I’d change it.’
had almost no social life.
‘Na… good movie, few drinks and a curry. Can’t beat it.’ From the window of a rear bedroom Ernest looked out over the
They were on a frayed rug in the hall. Beside them a pair of vast garden. It must have been a beauty, landscaped with Lebanon
doors opened into a high-ceilinged reception room. It was dark, a cedars and copper beeches, but now the shrubs and roses fought a
few blades of sunlight cutting between the bay windows and the losing battle with the knee-high grass and weeds. Ivy swarmed up
wooden shutters that sealed them. the trunks of the trees. At the garden’s edge stood a dark regiment
‘We’d better get on. This is a big place and there’s a fair amount to of pines with a narrow gap for a gravel path that Ernest guessed
shift,’ said Ernest. He couldn’t get over his unease. He wasn’t going must lead to town.
to say anything about it to Trevor – he’d probably start blathering Behind him he heard Trevor swearing at a chest of drawers. He
about one of the horror films he liked so much. Most days he’d get didn’t care much for four-letter words so he picked up a pair of
on to the plot of the one he’d watched the night before. Gruesome,
cruel rubbish mainly. Continued overleaf
STORY COMP
Spicy Food continued

touched the cellar yet. A house like this was bound to have one.
He was tired, filthy and ready to go home. He prayed the cellar was
chipped dining-room chairs that had somehow migrated into the empty.
bedroom and waltzed them out of the door and down the stairs. Trevor materialised. ‘Ready to go? That last set of drawers was a
bastard.’ His pale face gleamed like the fat on a leg of meat and his
Those butcher’s knives, they must be worth something, thought hair was plastered on to his forehead. Dark circles had ballooned
Ernest, glancing across the kitchen worktops of cracked Formica. under his arms and threatened to reach the waistline of his tracksuit
He’d put them in the lock-up… along with the rest of the junk recov- bottoms.
ered from other houses that he thought he might one day get time Ernest’s nose shrivelled in the miasma of his employee’s body
to take to a car boot sale. odour. He wished there was some way he could stop inhaling it.
He’d already filled five bin bags and four big crates and moved the ‘We need to check the cellar.’
kitchen chairs out to the lorry. There wasn’t a huge amount in the ‘Fuck it. We could just say it wasn’t in the contract and if they want
cupboards. A lot of spices, which he’d binned, and a few shrivelled it done, they’ll have to get us back.’
veg from the fridge. Trevor could give him a hand with the kitchen ‘It’s in the contract.’
table when he got downstairs. ‘I’ll do it then. You finish your coffee and I’ll take a look.’
‘Lunchbreak, boss,’ said Trevor. Ernest watched him go, his boots heavy on the bare floor in the
Ernest looked at his watch. Indeed it was 12:30pm, but how typical hall, and totted up what he had managed to rescue from the house.
of Trevor to be so ready for it. In fact, he was a little tired of Trevor. The knives, some nice sets of cut glasses, an enormous Bible with
He was big and strong and didn’t mind the dirt, which what you a clasp on it and a huge meat cleaver, which he wasn’t even sure
needed in a job like this, but he was also always late, always dying he’d be able to sell. What on earth did the old dear need a thing like
to finish and always a bit ripe. Maybe it was that foreign food he ate. that for? A Tesco lasagne? Most of the old folks’ houses he cleared
‘I just chucked a lot of spices,’ said Ernest. ‘You should have a look were stockpiled with tinned food and ready meals. Sometimes he
through them. Right up your street.’ He sat down and pulled a foil- dealt directly with the deceased’s relatives, but often he was simply
wrapped sandwich from his canvas bag. instructed by solicitors, who didn’t care much if he commandeered
‘What is it today, Ern? Cheese and tomato or cheese and pickle?’ a few bits and pieces.
Ernest couldn’t hide his irritation. ‘How’s your move going? Is ‘Nuffin down there,’ announced Trevor. ‘Just a few old tins of
that why you were late again this morning?’ paint.’
‘Can’t find anywhere. Landlord wants me out pronto. You don’t Ernest nodded. ‘Can you put these last few boxes in the lorry. I’ll
have a spare room for a week or two, do you?’ give the place a once-over then we can call it a day.’
‘Nope,’ said Ernest quickly. He relented a little. ‘We have the Upstairs, Ernest went from room to room of the dry old house,
grandchildren over from time to time.’ past gaping cupboards, empty shelves and pale squares on the walls
‘You didn’t tell me you had grandchildren. What age?’ where pictures used to hang. Trevor had been pretty thorough, by
Ernest didn’t like sharing his personal life with Trevor and wanted his standards. From a front bay he watched his assistant loading the
to know as little as possible about Trevor’s – unless it affected his lorry, pausing to pick up the meat cleaver and look it over.
work. ‘You know, you could have taken today off, as long as you Trevor was still outside in the lorry when Ernest reached the
give me plenty of warning. I could have got Brian in.’ bottom of the stairs. The front door was propped open with an old
‘Brian doesn’t need the money like I do, boss. Anyway, I wanted paint pot and he could hear him puffing and cursing as he loaded
to see this place. I wanted to be here.’ the last few boxes. The paint pot reminded him… he really ought to
‘It’s like one of them old houses from those films you watch,’ said check the cellar himself.
Ernest and then regretted it. Get Trevor on to the subject of horror
films and it was hard to get him back to work. Trevor’s scent hung heavy as a blanket in the windowless space.
‘Kind of.’ Trevor was eating a cold samosa. ‘Which reminds me, So why didn’t he say there was so much stuff down here? Different
the one I watched last night was a classic.’ sorts of things to upstairs. There was big telly, a sofa of black imita-
‘I doubt it.’ Ernest changed the subject. ‘That Edgar, he would tion leather and behind it, in a corner, a single unmade bed. On the
have been at school with you?’ wall were row upon row of DVDs. He peered at the titles… Saw,
‘Na. Went to some posh boarding school, then fucked off to India Creep, Hostel and Night of the Living Dead, their names shouted out in
and cooked his head with drugs. Don’t think his Mum and Dad warped red capital letters. The sort of crap Trevor liked.
were impressed.’ The solicitor said nothing about a tenant, but someone clearly
‘How do you know all this?’ said Ernest, paying a bit more lived down here. There was everything but a kitchen and a loo.
attention. Whoever it was must just pop upstairs.
‘We knew him a bit. He was our age, so we talked about him in He started looking through the drawers. Just how much of this
the pub… years ago, this is. His parents were serious Bible bashers were they supposed to clear? He pulled out his mobile phone to ring
and I think his Dad went out to India to get him and topped himself the solicitor.
’cos Edgar was in such a state and wouldn’t come back. Something No signal. He was in a cellar, after all. He cursed. This lot would
like that, anyway.’ take the best part of a morning so they’d have to come back. He’d
‘We? You had friends then?’ ring Price and Lee tomorrow and arrange another visit.
‘Very funny, Ern.’ He was about to close a drawer when he glimpsed an old map.
It was water damaged and frayed along the folds but the title was
It was 4pm and Ernest was sat on a box of books, mostly religious clear enough – Assam and Arunachal Pradesh – and so was the name
stuff with hardback covers of navy blue and burgundy, names written across it in faded biro… Edgar Chaney. He pulled another
handwritten inside and spots of mildrew on pages that were closer drawer open. There was neat stack of school exercise books. He
to brown than white. Worthless. didn’t recognise the names written on the covers, but one of them –
He was finishing the last of his coffee and the shortbread Maude Emily Stock – rang a bell. Next to the books was a shoe box of other
had wrapped in foil for him when he realised that they had not childish junk, crayons, badges, hair grips… and a purple Alice band.
STORY COMP
‘You ever been really hungry, Ern?’ said Trevor. ‘So hungry you’d ‘You’re Edgar,’ blurted Ernest.
eat almost anything? Actually, forget the “almost” part of that.’ ‘I was Edgar. He died somewhere in India. Now I’m Trev and I’m
Ernest started. He hadn’t heard Trevor on the stairs. He was still househunting. Of course, I can’t always have exactly what I want
thinking about the Alice band. to eat, but any more young ’uns go missing and the police might
‘You could disguise the taste… the thoughts about what you ate actually do something. Time to move on.’
with spices, lots of spices.’ Trevor had reached the bottom of the Trevor looked at the meat cleaver. ‘You really didn’t need to come
narrow wooden stairs. He was holding the meat cleaver at his side. down here, Ern. You should have just taken my word for it.’
‘See, I got so lost, so fucked up, so out of my head, all those years
ago in Assam, in the hill forests, but I had to eat… I’ve always had
an appetite. Mum knew that, bless her.’
‘What are you talking about, Trev?’ Ernest tried to control the About the author Charles lives in Surrey and is a part-time
tremor in his voice as it dawned on him who he was looking at. national newspaper journalist who has been writing short
‘See, once you get a taste for such… such tenderness… it’s hard to stories for about four years, in between the demands of work
go back to ham, salad, spuds, fucking pickle. Good old British grub. and family. He is thrilled to have a story placed first.
I tried, I really tried. Mum understood.’
SECOND PRIZE £150
Treading Water
Sue Dawes
T
hey glance at each other across my hospital bed.
‘Do you remember anything that happened on Sunday
night, Jane?’
The man that speaks has such long arms that his uniform
doesn’t reach his watch. It’s black and plastic and fills the silence
with an irritating click-clack.
Sunday?
How long ago was that?
I want to ask but I can’t form the words and anyway, it’s painful to ‘Perhaps you should have waited until I called you. Like we
speak through lips that are glued together by scabs. agreed,’ he continues.
There it is again, that look passing between them. Arms shrugs and Eyes frowns.
I blink, and decide I’m going to call this man ‘Arms’ because I The doctor sneezes again and brushes the air with his sleeve. I can
can’t recall his actual name, even though he’s repeated it several see the pollen puffing in the strip of sunlight that bounces off the
times. The other one, the woman, I’ll call Eyes because she speaks starched white sheets that contain me.
through them, even when her lips don’t move. She’s easier to read so ‘It’s vital we speak to her. A man’s dead,’ Arms says.
it’s her I’m going to watch. Dr Singh sighs and it whistles down his blocked nose.
She shifts position. I move my head a fraction and glance across. ‘And it’s vital…’ he lets the word hang, ‘that my patient has time
Her black boots look heavy, weighing her down. to recover.’
They’ve been standing there a while now. He sneezes again.
‘Do you remember anything at all, the weather… anything?’ Eyes
asks. She softens the tone of her voice like a friend. Maybe she is, They’ve given me a mirror. I insisted. I wrote the instructions in
maybe she’s not. I have to rely on the information in front of me. capital letters on the white-board left by my bedside, just so they
I think about saying no I don’t remember, but the last time I tried to know it’s important enough to shout about.
speak it came out as a dry gargle and the sympathy was suffocating. It was a challenge to keep my hand from shaking as I tried to
They share that look again as I shake my head. remember the order of the letters.
A doctor walks into the room and immediately it’s overcrowded. I MIRROR
know this one’s name because it’s pinned to the pocket of his white I need to know who I am.
coat, underneath the pens, pin-light and used tissue, which I’m sure The HCA passes me the mirror and hovers by my bedside, not
is against health and safety protocol. Dr Singh sneezes, digs out the quite close enough to swat away. She is nervous and picks at a
tissue and blows his nose. The paper turns translucent. This time he hangnail.
throws it into the bin marked ‘hazardous waste’. The mirror is metal and has a hole in the handle. I put my finger
The police step back to let him pass and Arms moves a touch more through it to see what it feels like: cold and new.
than he needs to. I turn the glass towards me, close my eyes and count to five. I
‘She’s not ready to be interviewed,’ Dr Singh says. ‘I did tell your would count to ten but I can’t seem to remember the next number.
superior.’ It flits in and out of my head like a dragonfly. I look at my reflection.
He’s annoyed at not being heard, I can see it in his jaw, which is set Disgusting but they warned me I had serious injuries. Serious is
tight. Imagine how I feel. always better than life-threatening.
Apparently.
Continued overleaf I look slowly down my face but it’s hard to see with eyes so swollen
STORY COMP
Treading Water continued

opening it.
It smells of salt and plastic.
that the whites are slits between bruised knobs of flesh. There are The phone switches on when I press the button on the top. There’s
black stitches down one side of my face that continue round the back a photo of a dog, nose pressed up against the screen.
of my head. They’ve shaved half my hair off to accommodate them. I type the name Alice Haynes into the contacts.
The rest is knotted. Nothing is listed.
Maybe it’s better I don’t remember what I looked like before. I switch to Google and type it in again. There are several results:
I’m lucky to be alive. Tragic diving accident leaves young husband dead.
Apparently. I read the leading article, which is from the Daily Mail.
When the HCA takes the mirror, I see her shoulders relax under
her blue uniform. Honeymooners Alice and Robert Haynes were swimming off Corralejo
beach when a rip-tide took them under. Unable to assist, onlookers watched
Arms and Eyes are back. in horror as the tragic couple were pulled out to sea. The rips in this area
This time the doctor has arranged for extra chairs to be brought are strong enough to disarm even the strongest of swimmers. Mrs Haynes
into the room. They’re not comfortable: hard and plastic, definitely battled bravely to shore to raise the alarm but, sadly, for Robert Haynes it
not fit for purpose. was too late. He was declared dead after being pulled unconscious from the
I heard him say that I’m out of danger and can be questioned water. Mr Haynes had been suffering from a shoulder injury.
without risk of seizure; the surgery was successful.
Arms has long legs and has to man-spread them to get comfort- I wonder what this has to do with me.
able on the bucket seat. There are shiny patches on his trouser knees. I scroll down the page to the photograph of crystal clear waters
Eyes, in contrast, is compact and straight-backed. I can see the hem and white beaches, a vivid sunset and in the front of the frame,
where she’s taken her trousers up, a tiny row of dents in the navy Robert Haynes, wearing a Union Jack vest. He’s holding a bottle of
fabric like teeth marks. Budweiser, the label bleached, and his stomach presses against the
‘How are you feeling?’ Eyes asks, raising her eyebrows. They are fabric of his top.
thinner than last time, less expressive but better arched. I feel nothing.
I nod. I can move my head a fraction now without fear of it There is another picture underneath of the newlyweds.
exploding. I gasp.
‘Good,’ she says, taking a notebook from her pocket. She snaps Take away the hair and the heavy make-up and Alice Haynes is
open the elastic. me.
I glance across at Arms. He’s looking out of the window. There’s
nothing to see unless you’re into exterior walls. Whatever. Arms enters the room on his own this time. I look behind him
‘I need to ask you about Sunday night,’ Eyes says. She clicks the hoping to see Eyes but she’s not following. He glances above the
top of her pen. bed as he sits down, choosing the blue, wipe-clean, padded visitor’s
‘What about it?’ I try not to move my lips as I speak. I’ll make an chair.
excellent ventriloquist when I’m done here. I look up at my new-old name, written there.
‘Anything you can remember before… the accident.’ Alice.
No one has told me about my situation: how I came to be here; I am no longer Jane. The doctor said I must have heard the para-
who the dead man is. They are as tight-lipped as me, except theirs medics call a Jane Doe in, and then latched on to it.
is choice. ‘Your memory is coming back then,’ Arms says, without preamble.
‘Nothing,’ I say. ‘No.’ I still don’t move my lips to form the word. I prefer the way I
Eyes passes me a photograph. It must be of the dead man, why sound without it, like someone else. Someone new.
else would they show me? He’s young, fit and most definitely dead. ‘How then?’ he asks.
‘Do you recognise him?’ she asks. I reach over and show him the mobile. I have bookmarked the
I try to imagine him with life coursing through his veins rather article.
than formaldehyde. But I can’t. I don’t know him. It was eighteen months ago.
Eyes is watching me carefully. I feel her gaze like a hot flannel on ‘How did you get this?’ Arms frowns and takes the phone from
my face. me, carefully between his fingertips. He takes a bag from his pocket
‘A stranger?’ she asks. and seals it in.
Arms frowns. He glances back at the doorway.
She’s leading me. I realise he is here without permission.
‘Do you recognise the man or not?’ Arms asks, his voice drowning He looks back at me. His voice is a low hiss and I can smell the
out Eyes’ sigh. coffee on his breath. ‘I know what you’ve done, Suzanne.’
‘Not,’ I say but think it’s a pity he’s dead. He has a nasty bruise Suzanne?
on his neck. Arms leans forward, gauges my reaction to this new name.
‘Do the names Robert Haynes or Alice Haynes seem familiar to But there isn’t one.
you?’ Eyes continues, gently. He continues to sit, tells me he has all the time in the world.
I roll the names around in my head and over my swollen tongue. He watches the HCA assist me in sucking soup from a small
‘No.’ spoon. The only peace I get is five minutes when they change my
Eyes nods, writes something down. catheter bag, which has leaked urine.
‘Thank you, Jane.’ Arms is back in position before the clean sheet is tucked around
But I haven’t told her anything. me, covering the mottled red skin on my hip.
I have been lying prostrate, dangerously long according to the
I ask for my possessions. They give me a waterproof bag with a nurse. They need to get me up and moving.
watch and a mobile phone inside. No wedding ring. I hesitate before I’m exhausted. I close my eyes to blank Arms out.
STORY COMP
Writers FORUM
Want to see YOUR story published?
I wake to find an empty chair. Someone has put a wheelchair
next to my bed and switched the TV to Jeremy Kyle. A woman in a Three great prizes every issue
too-short skirt and black eye-liner is shouting on screen. Did Arms 1st £300 2nd £150 3rd £100
pay to watch while he waited?
I wince. All types of story are welcome, be it crime, comedy, history,
The door to the room opens and Dr Singh walks in. He frowns at romance, horror, sci-fi… but THEY MUST BE ENTERTAINING/
the TV and switches it off. RIVETING NOT UNREMITTINGLY BLEAK. Don’t rely on
I relax back against the pillows. subjects like death, abuse etc to add cheap emotion. Stories
Dr Singh looks at the chart at the end of my bed, at the print-out must work harder to engage readers.
they pulled from the heart monitor earlier. He nods at the numbers ● Entries MUST be between 1000 and 3000 words.
and moves to my bedside. ● Documents must be on plain A4 paper with double line
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It’s like moving concrete. ‘I heard something.’ only) should be made payable to ‘Select Publisher Services’
He frowns. ‘Omething? Oh right.’ or fill in your card details below.
It is hard to say ‘s’ without moving your lips. ● If your entry is placed you will be notified and asked to email a
Dr Singh flicks the light off. ‘Pupils normal,’ he reports. Word-compatible file of your story plus a brief bio and photo.
He puts the light back into his top pocket. I can see his nose is red, How to enter
despite his dark skin and thin moustache. Enter at www.writers-forum.com or post this coupon
‘You’ve had a major procedure,’ he says, as if that explains every- (photocopies accepted) with your payment and manuscript to:
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As they push me towards the door I feel an unwelcome panic: my Name
heart on double time, pulsating in my ears.
‘We need to get you moving,’ the nurse says. ‘Nothing to be Address
worried about.’
I want to stay here, in this room, but I don’t know why. I clutch Postcode
onto the arms of the chair until my knuckles bleach. Email address
The HCA takes my hand and rubs life back into it.
I’m shaking, my whole body reverberating. Phone number
‘It’s OK to be scared. You’ve been through a lot,’ she says.
But it’s more than that. Story title
My breath comes fast in a crashing wave.
Length words
Someone wants to hurt me.
I know this, yet I don’t know how I know. I declare the story has not previously been published or
My world turns white. broadcast and that it is my own work
I scream.
ENTRY FEE: £6 (non-subscriber) £3 (subscriber)
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Eyes and Arms are back. OPTIONAL: Please enrol me for an annual subscription
Arms looks agitated, standing by the window, like he’s at the £38 UK £49 Europe £56 Rest of world
start of a race but is being held back.
By me? FEEDBACK: I would like a story critique from the judges and
Eyes is sitting on the visitor’s chair, reading a magazine. include a large stamped addressed envelope plus the fee of £5
Arms steps forward, and close to my ear, whispers. ‘Got you.’
Eyes must notice him move because she shuts the magazine. I see TOTAL amount payable £
the title: Firearms.
I enclose a cheque My credit-card details are below
It’s my turn to frown.
I try to move away from Arms but I’ve been restrained and one of
my hands is cuffed to the bed. The metal cuts into my wrist. Visa/Mastercard/Maestro (delete) Total £
‘You’re under caution for attacking Gemma Campbell,’ Arms says. Card no
His smile is layered with threat.
Gemma is the HCA who was patting my hand. Expiry date Valid from (if shown)
I don’t remember.
Or do I? Issue no (if shown) Security no (last 3 digits)
A rush of blood in my ears and then… Signature
Continued overleaf I am happy for my story to be considered for a free fiction

workshop and to be featured in Writers’ Forum (optional)
STORY COMP
Treading Water continued

I remain passive, trying to relax as the story unfolds.
Body washed up.
I turn to Eyes. ‘I was frightened.’ I touch the back of my head and remember hitting it on the stern
She nods. ‘You’re on heavy medication. It might have caused a of the boat as David tried to pull me overboard with him.
reaction.’ He was stronger than I thought he’d be, even after the champagne.
Arms turns away, looks disgusted. A private investigator.
‘Is she OK?’ I ask. A liar.
‘You broke her arm. You’re stronger than you look,’ Arms says. Pretending to understand how much Robert’s affair hurt me.
I turn my attention back to the newsreader.
The CT scan is clear. There are no more clots, no physical explana- Suzanne Smith is in hospital with life-changing injuries.
tion for my outburst. They had to remove the handcuff because of Investigators found no damage to the boat. Police are keen for
the magnets and I’ve used the time to shake my aching wrist out. witnesses to step forward.
There’s a policeman standing outside the door of my room. Suzanne Smith is me.
He’s new. I changed my name to escape the past.
Or is he? I can smell the salt, hear him scream for help.
Maybe it’s the expression I recognise. Sneering like Arms. There was nothing I could do.
Or his smooth tanned skin. Nothing I wanted to do.
I feel it brushing mine, even though he stands several feet away ‘You’re a strong swimmer,’ Eyes comments.
from me. I don’t look at her. ‘I must be,’ I say.
I blink. To survive twice.
Eyes is still in the visitor’s chair. She’s typing something into her The news finishes and Arms walks into the room. He glances at
mobile phone. Eyes who shakes her head. It’s subtle but I catch it.
The porter re-positions my trolley bed and puts the brakes on. I smile at Arms, even though it hurts my cheeks.
‘Sorry,’ Eyes says, snapping the handcuff back on. ‘It’s procedure.’ I am my own witness and they are at sea without my confession.
She leaves her mobile on the chair and stands. I read the text, still Robert’s family needs to leave well alone now. I mean, who goes
sending on her screen. swimming with a shoulder injury?
She’s more likely to confide in me. I watch the weather forecast as the news plays out and think about
I stiffen. a new name: Annabel? Clara?
She’s not what she seems either. There are just too many to choose from.
We watch the news. Eyes thinks I’m ready to face the truth, thinks
it will help me.
I feel her scrutinise me. About the author Sue lives in Essex with her family. She’s
The newsreader wears a serious expression as he shuffles the had some success in writing comps and is working on a thriller.
papers on the desk. A picture of the dead man flashes up on the She contributes to the blog Wivenhoewriters. The way to her
screen, the dead man Eyes showed me. heart is through books, Border terriers and cake.
David Dixon.
THIRD PRIZE £100
Mrs Peacock and the

Broad Bean Baby
Sarah Mackey
N
ovember has turned our house as cold as Sunday mass. I
am wearing both my jumpers and an Aston Villa bobble
hat as I sit at the dining table, fiddling with our battered
Cluedo set. When I push the little silver dagger against the
tip of my finger I feel nothing.
I shiver. There is a whiff of last night’s bonfire on my clothes but
the memory of the flames doesn’t make me any the warmer. Still, cut down another tree to make the coal pile last longer and Mum’s
Dad is going to put radiators in the downstairs rooms next year – ‘all lips are tight.
being well’. Next year… all being well.
They say that a lot at the moment, Mum and Dad – ‘all being well’. ‘What does it mean, though?’ I ask my brother. ‘All being well?’
It is like an amen to our every prayer. We will go away at Whitsun ‘all ‘No more strikes,’ he says, rubbing his fingers together, eyes on his
being well’, but the caravan has not been booked yet. Our rusting, essay. He has short spiky hair. With the dark red tablecloth wrapped
clapped-out car will be swapped for a slightly newer one ‘all being around him he looks like one of our toy Roman soldiers.
well’, but for now we rely on Hail Marys to start it as the mornings ‘He’s not on strike, he’s laid off.’ I repeat what Mum always says.
get colder. The central heating will come. It will. But last week Dad My brother shrugs.
STORY COMP
Dad has been sent home a lot this year; his car factory runs out cardboard signs and chanted the bad chant. It was exciting, and
of parts when the one in Birmingham comes out on strike. A man scary. We were not allowed to shout back but when we stopped for
called Red Robbo says ‘stop’ and everyone has to do what he says. the speeches we sang We Shall Overcome and O Mary, Our Mother.
You’d think Dad would be pleased to stay at home but on the days When we got the coach home it was dark again and I dozed, floating
he’s not working he still gets up early and does jobs around the on the chatter of church ladies.
house. He mends our bikes, spends hours on the car and tends ‘Did you see Big Ben?’ asked my brother.
the vegetable garden. We will have a lot of cabbage this year. And ‘Yes’, I said. But I didn’t.
sprouts. I hate sprouts. The babies in the second box are not blue like the badge babies.
I put down the dagger and move Mrs Peacock off her start square They are pink, like skin, and made of hard solid plastic. There is
so she can chat with Professor Plum in the Lounge. Of all the rooms a shiny brown stand which, when it is put together, cradles each
in our house the lounge is the coldest, so we don’t use it much, of them in a baby-shaped hollow in order of size. There are six in
except at Christmas. We have a room called the sitting room, where all, the smallest no bigger than a broad bean – its face blurry on a
the fire is lit every day, and this one, the dining room, where there is too-big head and its body a lumpy blob. It’s a rubbish baby, really.
a fire for Sunday lunch. Dad builds it up just as Mum is putting the Although I am also a number six I don’t like it. My favourite lies near
hot food on plates and calling everyone to wash their hands ‘quickly the middle and is about three inches long. I can’t tell if it is a boy or
now’. Sometimes our food is nearly cold by the time Dad sits on his a girl – all the babies have their knees tucked up to their tummies.
special wooden armchair but the argument that follows has to stop ‘Hello, Rose’, I say to my baby.
while we say Grace. The gravy congeals on my sprouts and potatoes Mum was cross last time she caught me.
and I don’t feel at all like thanking God for giving them to me. For ‘They’re not toys’, she said. ‘You’re not to play with them.’
other meals we squash around the heavy blue formica table in the But when I asked what they were for she didn’t answer. Just
kitchen, where the cooker keeps us warm. I am the youngest so I sit picked the babies up and started putting them back in their box.
in the middle, clashing elbows on both sides. ‘You were this big once,’ she said, hand closing over pink plastic.
In the Cluedo house there is no Sitting Room. It has a Kitchen and ‘How big?’ I asked. ‘Which one?’
a Dining Room and a Lounge – sometimes the murder is done in ‘All of them’, she said.
there – but there is no Sitting Room. When I ask my brother where I don’t believe her. Babies can’t be this small. You would lose them
it is he doesn’t know. in the pram.
‘Perhaps it’s upstairs with the bedrooms,’ he suggests. I was not supposed to be the youngest. The summer after I started
But that doesn’t seem right to me. Why go upstairs to watch televi- school Mum said we were going to have a little brother or sister
sion when there are so many empty rooms on the board? Why is the but when I came home from staying at Auntie Eileen’s house Mum
Library in the house instead of on the corner of the road? And what had gone to bed and there was no baby anywhere. I checked all the
is a Billiards Room? rooms, twice. The house felt full of sadness, like on Good Friday, but
‘Go away’, says my brother. ‘I don’t want to play with you.’ no one said anything. I am glad she changed her mind. Six is a good
I roll the dice and leave, counting the squares between rooms. number. Six fits around the table. Six can play Cluedo.
One, two, three, four… Today I will be Mrs Peacock. She’s my When I have fitted the stand together I put the babies to bed in it,
favourite. She has a blue dress like Our Lady and silver-grey hair one by one. I lift the corner of a bobbly blue cushion and retrieve the
like my teacher. clump of pink toilet paper squares hidden beneath. Each baby has a
Everyone else is out except my oldest sister, who is in the kitchen. folded pink blanket to keep it warm. Even the rubbish, broad bean
‘Go away’, she says when I open the door. The heat of her scowl baby has a torn sliver of tissue, although it is so light that it falls off
pushes me back out. She has not forgiven me for saying she’s got fat. if I breathe too hard.
She has, though. I sing to the babies; one song each while I hold their little blankets
I roll the dice in my head and tiptoe through the house to the in place. I start with the eldest, because it is not fair that the youngest
lounge, counting twelve squares. One, two, three, four… I will hide always has to go to sleep first. I do Twinkle Twinkle, followed by Rule
and then when Mum comes home they will get into trouble for not Britannia, using Dad’s special words, and then the Shake’n’Vac song.
keeping an eye on me. If I cry when she finds me she might let me sit Baby Rose gets Away in a Manger, which is my favourite carol, but
on her lap. They will all be sorry. then my voice is tired so I say the Goodnight Prayer for number five
The lounge smells of corrugated cardboard, and of old soot and and then do the bad chant three times, very fast inside my head, for
emptiness. My breath draws little spirals on the still air and the brass number six.
doorknob chills my hand as I stand looking in. It is not a bad room. ‘Freeya-borshun-ondee-manda-WOMAN’S-rightto-choose…’
There is a bobbly blue sofa that I climb on when I am pretending to The babies sleep soundly. I find a patch of weak sunlight and
ride Champion the Wonder Horse, and matching armchairs, which curl up next to them. Reggie pads in, tail high. I want him to keep
are not suitable for riding, on either side of the fireplace. Our dark me warm but he sits on the upturned box lid next to my head and
wooden piano stands against the wall nearest the door. washes his bum. His breath stinks of Kit-e-Kat. I wonder if the
In the corner where the Christmas tree will stand – ‘all being Cluedo house has any pets. Perhaps Colonel Mustard has a dog?
well’ – are two boxes. Rolled sugar-paper posters with crumpled I think Mrs Peacock would have a white cat, with long fur and a
edges poke out of the larger box, above bundles of leaflets, lami- shiny silver collar.
nated photographs, plastic collecting tins and fabric banners. I run I have been lying on the carpet humming to myself for quite some
my fingers over the rough cardboard and close my eyes. The chant time when I hear our car growl and rattle through the gate and up
fills my head. It is rhythmic, hard to forget and a very bad thing to the gravel driveway outside the lounge window. I swing back up
say. I can still feel my mother’s slap. to sitting, head swirling and cold fingers fumbling with tissue and
‘Freeya-borshun-ondee-manda-WOMAN’S-rightto-choose…’ babies and stand and box. The two smallest babies are stuck and I
In London we walked and held the banners high. We wore white bend the plastic between my hands to ease them out. There is a loud
badges with little blue babies on. Groups of people gathered on the crack as the stand breaks and I watch numbly as the broad bean
other side of the metal barriers and shouted at us. Our side had
nuns and nurses: theirs had long hair and fierce faces. They waved Continued overleaf
STORY COMP
I
Mrs Peacock and the Broad Bean Baby continued
always enjoy a good horror with the kitchen table when he
story where I know some- got downstairs.
baby shoots through the air across the room, hits the back of the thing bad is going to happen
fireplace and falls through the empty grate into the ash pan. but I can’t work out what, or When Ernest checks for him-
I think perhaps I will not wait for my mother to find me here after who, the victim will be. self that the cellar is empty
all… Charles W Warren’s Spicy and discovers someone must
Outside car doors are slamming, voices arguing, footsteps Food is a satisfyingly tense have been living there, the fact
crunching on gravel. I scramble over to the hearth and rummage story that had me fooled for a we know Trevor is on hand is
frantically through the soft ash and fallen soot for the lost baby. It is while but, even once I’d figured reassuring at that point, rather
no longer pink and shiny but grubby grey, like a stone… like plasti- it out, definitely delivered on than menacing.
cine when the colours mix. I spit and rub; there is no time for more. the horror theme.
The dark dirt in its fleshy creases matches that in my fingernails. From the opening paragraph From a front bay he watched
The argument moves through the back door into the kitchen as I we know something nasty is his assistant loading the lorry,
cram everything back into the box, including the now-grey broad happening in the town. pausing to pick up the meat
bean baby, and thrust the cat-crushed lid on top. There is no time cleaver and look it over.
to roll the dice and count squares – I race back to the dining room, WHERE IS LITTLE EMILY?
where my brother is finishing his homework, and sit in a little ball demanded the headline on Ernest I was expecting the cellar’s
under the table, panting. My heart is pounding to the beat of the Johnson’s local paper. There was occupant to appear and Trevor
chanting London crowd… a picture of a smiling girl of six to save the day. The earlier
‘Freeya-borshun-ondee-manda….’ wearing a purple Alice band. misdirection sets up the per-
‘Why are you all sweaty?’ asks my brother, head upside down. Ernest sighed and folded the fect ending to a story of this
‘What have you been doing?’ paper. Another child missing and genre.
I ignore him and tuck my knees up tight to my achey tummy. no one seemed to know why.
He prods a question with his toe and a cold tear runs down my hot Trevor looked at the meat
cheek. My initial thought was that cleaver. ‘You really didn’t need to
‘Baby,’ he says, in disgust. Ernest might have something come down here, Ern. You should
A door bangs and someone stomps up the stairs crying. Mum to do with the disappearance have just taken my word for it.’
I
shouts from the kitchen and there is a defiant yell from above. It is of the children. It wouldn’t be
my oldest sister. The fat one. the first time readers have been also love being misled by
No one goes into the lounge. misled in this way, but Charles opening paragraphs. Treading
was a little too canny to do Water by Sue Dawes does
Later I lie in the bath. There is a draught blowing through the the obvious. The killer is none this very well by presenting
window frame and the walls are clammy with the captured steam other than Ernest’s co-worker the narrator as a victim – very
of not-enough hot water. A wet flannel is rapidly cooling on my Trevor, who appears late on convincingly too!
chest. Mum comes in. I cross my arms over the flannel and hold my the scene as if he has come We are invited to sympa-
breath. from far away. thise with this woman who
She kneels next to the bath and stares across me at the dripping We learn very quickly that has clearly undergone some
tiles. I look at them too, and her words cling to their soap-smeared Trevor loves horror films, lots terrible trauma, doesn’t know
surface. of curries and has no social her own name and has no idea
‘Has anyone said anything to you?’ she asks the tiles. ‘Anything life, but I am ashamed to say, of the days of the week.
upsetting?’ it didn’t occur to me until quite
I flick though memories. Does she mean the kids at the bus-stop? near the end that he might They glance at each other across
Or the man who chased us in the Passage? We said we’d never tell. be the killer – not even when my hospital bed.
I promised. Charles was kind enough to ‘Do you remember anything
‘Your sister has done a Very Bad Thing’, says Mum. ‘We are not spell it out for me! that happened on Sunday night,
going to talk about it. Not to anyone.’ Jane?’
Being bad is not kept secret in our family. Fingers are pointed, ‘Edgar!’ snorted Trevor, picking The man that speaks has such
slaps are slapped, words are shouted. As droplets of water weep up a roll of bin liners. ‘Name like long arms that his uniform doesn’t
from the tiles I puzzle over a sin too terrible to be named. The cold that, I’d change it.’ reach his watch. It’s black and
flannel sinks into my chest and wraps itself around a knotty mess of plastic and fills the silence with an
guilt. I wish Mrs Peacock was here. She would understand. The clues didn’t stop there. irritating click-clack.
‘She’s going to get married soon,’ says Mum eventually. Throughout the story there are Sunday?
‘All being well,’ I think. But Mum forgets to say it. She just gets references to spicy food and How long ago was that?
up, pulling out the bath-plug, and leaves, letting in a blast of cold air Trevor’s body odour because
from the landing. of his diet, but these are deliv- We see her as someone with
The greying water drains away. I think about Mrs Peacock and ered in such a way they don’t whom we can empathise and
the Lounge, the broken stand and the broad bean baby. appear to have any connection want to know not only what
I too have done a Very Bad Thing. to the missing girls. has happened to her, but also
who did it. The doctor’s protec-
There wasn’t a huge amount tion is used to set up another
About the author Sarah grew up in the Midlands and lives in the cupboards… a lot of spices, question for the reader to
in London. She writes short fiction as an antidote to her many which he’d binned, and a few puzzle over.
years of business writing and finds not having to stick to the shrivelled veg from the fridge.
truth very liberating. Trevor could give him a hand ‘It’s vital that we speak to her.
STORY COMP
Competition round-up
Expect the unexpected
Lorraine Mace explains why she chose this month’s winners
works, but is all too aware of

what is and isn’t allowed within
her own family. She is frequently
told there will be changes – all
being well. It makes it easy to
believe in her world view.
I particularly liked the image
of family mealtimes – Sundays
being a nightmare to endure.
From our perspective, the
‘fat’ sister is obviously pregnant,
but this is a house where an
unmarried mother is someone
to be vilified, not supported.
I like the way Sarah uses the
anti-abortion baby props to tell
the story. The narrator is not
allowed to touch the babies. She
does so anyway, but doesn’t like
the one the size of a broad bean:
…I say the Goodnight Prayer for

A man’s dead,’ Arms says. knowledge of the past rests that it begins to dawn on the number five and then do the bad
Dr Singh sighs and it whistles with a narrator who cannot reader that the narrator is not chant three times, very fast inside
down his blocked nose. remember any of it herself. She the innocent victim we have my head, for number six.
‘And it’s vital …’ he lets the word reads an account of a couple been led to believe. Having Freeya-borshun-ondee-manda-
hang, ‘that my patient has time to involved in a tragic accident murdered her husband because WOMAN’S-rightto-choose…
recover.’ 18 months earlier where the he was having an affair, she
man drowned. received her life-threatening The mantra appeals to the
Recover from what, and who injury in the course of killing young narrator. She has no idea
is the dead man? Sue teases Mr Haynes had been suffering the private investigator hired what it means, but says it to
out the information bit by bit from a shoulder injury. by the husband’s family to track herself as a form of quiet rebel-
so that we are absorbed by the I wonder what this has to do with her down. None of which is lion against her mother.
unfolding drama. me. obvious until the reveal. This is When told her sister has to get
Even when the narrator dis- good storytelling. married to counteract the bad
A
covers more about the couple The policeman then calls her thing she has done, this causes
the police are so interested in, Suzanne and she clearly has no s I have mentioned the narrator some concern.
we are none the wiser. Our idea why. It is after this point before, entries written
from a child’s point of I think about Mrs Peacock and
view are common so the Lounge, the broken stand and
Highly commended a story has to be exceptional to the broad bean baby.
There were nine other shortlisted stories this month: stand out from the pack. Mrs I too have done a Very Bad Thing.
Peacock and the Broad Bean Baby
Flowers for the Soul by Amanda Huggins by Sarah Mackey did just that. The storytelling and voice are
The Human Salamander by Craig Knight Starting with the title, which both excellent.
Devil’s Advocate by Lesley Mace is eye-catching and intriguing,
In Her Footsteps by Victoria Gebler the tale has everything I enjoy:
House Shifting by Jane Shand an arresting voice, a good plot Lorraine is co-author
Marc Populaire by Akeem Balogun that unfolds gradually, nicely of The Writer’s ABC
Markie and Me by George Rodger revealed characterisation and a Checklist (Accent
The Velveteen Boy by Pamela Iwantschak satisfying conclusion. Press) and author of
Unforgiving by Annemarie Carroll The young narrator has little children’s novel Vlad
knowledge of how the world the Inhaler (LRP)
SHORT STORIES
Fiction workshop with tutor

Lorraine Mace
Our head judge uses reader entries to show how to improve your writing
A ghost of a theme
W
hen plotting, it across. Take a story where a
is a good idea thief is caught and punished:
to know the the moral there is you should
theme of your not steal. That might also be
story. If you know the theme, it the theme of the story, but if
becomes easier to enhance the the thief was stealing to feed
storytelling as you go. his starving children in a war
But for many writers, the zone, the main theme would be
concept of theme is one that parental love. The father will
sends them scurrying under do whatever is necessary to
the desk! After all, why does protect his offspring.
anyone need to know what As you can see, a moral can
the author intended when he be a theme, but a theme does
or she sat down to write? The not have to be a moral.
reader will take their own
interpretations from the story. How to present a theme
True, but to give a story There are several ways a
the best chance of success the writer can express a theme. He
author should at least try to could use the protagonist to
have a theme in mind. This demonstrate how he feels about
month I’ll try to dispel the fear the subject matter by showing
so many feel when asked about the character’s reaction to the conflicts, or a personality flaw Love conquers all: in terms
the theme of their work. experiences within the story. that, if left unchecked, will lead of theme, this means the love
Similarly, the dialogue to their downfall. However, if for another is the direct or
What is a theme? between the various characters the character overcomes this indirect cause of resolving the
The theme is the underlying can show or enhance the defect, this will lead to… central conflict in the story.
message the author conveys in underlying theme. The love can show itself by
the writing. This is something The narrative arc also helps Coming of age: this generally sacrifice (giving up a loved
that touches on the human define the theme. refers to a progression into one and setting them free) or
experience and gives the story adulthood, but also applies by standing firm in the face
depth. A story can have more Examples of themes when a character is changed, or of adversity (staying with
than one theme. To illustrate what is meant by experiences personal growth, someone to enable them to find
If there isn’t a problem to be theme, I have compiled a list of due to events in the story. the courage or will to overcome
solved, or a difficult goal to be examples. This is by no means an obstacle).
achieved, there is no reason exhaustive, but should give you Overcoming the odds: this
for readers to care about what some ideas to use. is similar to coming of age, Good versus evil: this theme
happens to the characters. except the character has to is often simplistically shown
A theme binds together the Crime doesn’t pay: this is triumph in the face of adversity. with a righteous protagonist
essential elements of the story such a well-known theme that The character must find a taking on a corrupt antagonist,
to enable readers to understand I hesitated to include it. Bear way to overcome seemingly but this needn’t be the case.
the conflicts and experiences in mind this also applies to insurmountable odds. Evil can sometimes win, or
that the characters undergo. anything where a bad deed at least not be completely
comes back to bite someone, The tragedy of death: defeated, as long as the
Moral vs theme so could also be termed As ye this can be explored in many protagonist achieves a goal in
The theme is often confused sow, so shall ye reap. This leads ways, eg the mystery of what the process.
with ‘the moral of the story’. on to… happens after death, or dealing
The theme is an underlying with grief or loss. Perhaps the The different aspects of
message that readers pick up; Being your own worst characters find a temporary money: it makes the world go
a moral is an ethical lesson enemy: the theme here is way to cheat death, but know round, is the root of all evil,
that the author wants to get that a character has internal it has to be faced at some point. the basis of all power, can’t buy
If you’d like your Story Comp entry to be considered for a workshop, tick the box on the entry form or state it clearly in your email
happiness – and so on. of the house. Some 80 years three themes could have been what happened last year and know
earlier a murder took place worked into the story. I can’t go alone to this remote
Man versus machine: and the body was dumped country house. I wonder if this
ie technology being man’s in the cesspit. The wife was Show don’t tell one, too, is empty due to a death.
ultimate destructive force. suspected, although nothing Even if Biddy doesn’t elect to
was proven, but husband and use the themes mentioned Later in the story, after
Humanity versus nature: wife had both dabbled in the above, the story needs a rewrite Charles has been terrified by
this covers struggles against occult. to deal with the passive nature his experience, he exits the
the environment – usually a Charles is later diagnosed of the storytelling. shrubbery and collides with
fight to survive against almost with a benign brain tumour The story opens with four the prospective purchasers.
impossible odds. It serves and puts the experience down paragraphs of scene-setting Again, this is told not shown:
as a reminder of mankind’s to this, but harbours a lingering where the narrator gives
fragility. However, it can also doubt that it might actually background information on They’d arrived. Parked their car
deal with a character’s fight have been a haunting. the estate agency, the partners on the drive and the sound I heard
against his or her own nature. running it, and his own place then was the banging of its doors.
There is a lot to like in this within this hierarchy – none And no, they weren’t impressed.
Rebel against the world: story, but there are aspects that of which is necessary to the Not by The Laurels and not in
the theme deals with an could be improved, the most story. This is telling the reader the slightest by me. In fact, we
individual’s reluctance to important of which is that it backstory rather than showing received a complaint which set
conform to society’s norms. lacks a theme. the narrator’s situation. me back a bit, very nearly cost me
Charles doesn’t learn I would strongly suggest a promotion. They – that is, Mr
Family dynamics: loyalty, anything or experience Biddy start her story with a and Mrs Harris, told Press I’d
rivalry and upbringing all have emotional growth. The house slightly altered version of a ‘shot out from the laurels, gabbling
a part to play when dealing is left to fester with its grisly paragraph that appears towards like I’d completely lost my mind’.
with this theme. secrets, so nothing is achieved the end of the first page. Then, apparently, I’d clung to Mrs
in that respect. Harris and wouldn’t let go. He
War and peace: it is I feel that, had Biddy decided And even now I’m none too husband was finally forced to prise
impossible to list all the on the theme of her story, keen on fetching up solo at the me off.
topics this theme covers but she could have enhanced the more remote of our properties in All very, very embarrassing.
it includes tragedy, romance, reader experience considerably. the country. Especially if they’re
futility, sacrifice etc. This is a tale that could have empty due to a death. Can’t avoid As a reader, I would like to
encompassed good versus it completely, but I do my level experience this rather than be
The danger of writing evil – Charles finds a way best. told about it.
without a theme to overcome the evil spirit
The Laurels by Biddy Fraser is of the murderer. Or it could This tells the reader that I heard the sound of car doors
a ghost story, or perhaps a tale have dealt with being your something has happened to and fled towards it. I could feel
of the occult. It opens with own worst enemy – Charles’s make the narrator feel this way. the evil sucking me back into the
the narrator, Charles, giving arrogance in refusing to accept It could be slightly rewritten laurels. I had to get free.
backstory about how he came the word of his colleagues puts to provide a stronger opening I ran into the arms of the
to be present at a haunted him in danger, which then along the lines of: woman.
house. enables a theme of overcoming ‘Help me, don’t… oh my God,
Charles works for an estate the odds to come into play. I pick up the property details please, please.’
agency and is told there is With some plot tweaks, all and my hands shake. I remember The man dragged at my arms,
something drastically wrong but I clung to the woman. I
with a property, to the extent couldn’t let that thing get me.
that none of the agents will Finding the theme in your story Finally, the man’s grip tightened
go out for viewings. Although You might start writing with a theme or themes in mind, but and he threw me to the ground.
sceptical about the possibility sometimes they only become apparent as the story progresses, ‘Leave my wife alone, you
of there being anything in it, he or even when you start to edit. If this is the case, these maniac.’
nevertheless experiences fear questions could help you to identify themes in your work.
while waiting for prospective My example could be much
purchasers to arrive. ■ What is the central conflict that drives the protagonist? improved, but it gives an idea
On hearing noises, he ■ What does he or she achieve by the end? of the difference between
rushes from the house into the ■ Analyse the storyline (high and low points) in relation to showing and telling.
overgrown laurel shrubbery the above. How do the character’s actions reflect on his or her
where he experiences strange growth?
noises and is disgusted by ■ What does this say in relation to humanity as a whole? Lorraine Mace
a noxious smell. He runs is the author of
screaming from the shrubs into The answers should give you an idea of the themes running children’s novel
the arms of the female half of through your story. Once you have identified them, you should Vlad the Inhaler
the viewing couple. then work on enhancement edits. Are there areas that detract (LRP) and also
The owner of the estate from the theme? Are there sections that could be strengthened the DI Paolo
agency sets one of the office to clarify the theme – without overdoing it? Storey crime
staff to work on the history fiction series
TRAVEL WRITING
TRAVEL WRITING PART FOUR

Business matters
Solange Hando concludes her series for the occasional travel writer
H
ave you sent off your travel
piece? Brilliant. But don’t sit
and wait for a response. Uncross
those fingers and keep typing –
that’s what professionals do.
First, get on with your market research
and prepare new queries for other
publications. For instance, I’ve just
come back from Corsica and sent off an
article on trekking – but now who might
be interested in an Ajaccio city break,
Corsica’s food and wine, or the best
beaches or archaeological sites?
I have images, I have facts, I can
research, no problem…
Then, as soon as your feature has been
accepted, feel free to suggest one or two
futher ideas. Your new editor has pages
to fill.
Likewise, when your piece has been
published, thank the editor, say how lovely
it looks (everyone likes a compliment)
and unless you already have another
commission, send a new query.
editors change their mind. Otherwise,
Rates before you walk away, think how the
How much should you charge for your exposure would benefit your profile and
work, bearing in mind travel content and
If there is no contract, increase your chances of work. No fee is
images are usually treated as a package? state exactly what always disappointing but not necessarily
There’s no easy answer but to get an a ‘no way’.
idea, you might look up the NUJ rates and rights you are offering.
advice published on the following sites: Be firm, be clear Rights
What rights are you offering for content
■■ www.londonfreelance.org/rates and images? All Rights means you cannot
■■ www.londonfreelance.org/feesguide sell the feature or photos anywhere else
■■ But at the same time, also consider ever again, while First Rights allows you to
Although these sites list what are said what you are selling: how unique is your do so after the initial publication. Specify
to be minimum fees, there is no guarantee story, how amazing are your pictures? if this applies to Britain, Canada, Australia
you can secure them. A number of factors Is there a celebrity connection? Or is it a etc, as this will leave you free to publish
need to be considered: heart-breaking human interest tale (there elsewhere at the same time.
are plenty related to travel)? That could get Most writers consider All Rights
■■ The size of the publication or publisher: your fee into four figures – but it’s rare. unacceptable unless an exceptionally high
what can they afford to pay? Are you fee is offered. My approach is slightly
dealing with a glossy upmarket magazine If you are offered a low fee for your different: I always write for a specific
or your local paper? A high-circulation first piece, I suggest you accept, then after market and the angle, style and format
magazine which might do very well from another one or two, enquire tactfully about would not fit anyone else (perhaps with
related advertising or a small publication an increase. But remember that editors the exception of travel interviews).
unlikely to benefit in this way? work on restricted budgets and it may be However, it is different for images. I take
■■ Any competition from illustrious as difficult for them as it is for you. numerous shots so I have a wide range
writers? Their name on the cover will How about no pay at all? If you belong available for First Rights – but I would
increase sales, but yours probably won’t, to a professional association, mention it never sell All Rights.
so don’t expect the same fee. and you might be surprised how some Consider your options and if you have
PERFECT
for WRITING
a contract, read every line. If unsure, ask
before you sign.
Press trips
Fancy a free press trip? Let me start with
RETREATS
If there is no contract, state exactly what a warning: these are not holidays, it’s
you are offering, don’t just rely on typing business and hard work, every minute
FBSR (first British serial rights) at the accounted for from dawn until late.
bottom of the page. It may be forgotten, These days all hosted trips require a
deleted or even unnoticed. Be firm, be clear commission upfront, preferably from a
and be polite. Act like a pro. high-circulation publication with the right
readership for the operator – age, budget,
Networking interest and so on. Two commissions are
Freelance travel writers need as much
exposure as they can gather and social
better than one. Print is preferred but can
be backed up with an online commission, The Mount
media is a good place to start. Tell
everyone about your latest or forthcoming
depending on the number of page views
for the site.
Durlston, Swanage
adventure, set up a blog and post the Press trips are held in low or mid‑season,
relevant links. Whether it’s Blogspot, usually two nights in the UK, three in
Wordpress or a personal website, make it Europe and four elsewhere, although you
interesting and keep it short. can request extensions at your own cost.
Check other travel blogs, see which ones So how do you get invited on a group or
appeal to you most and follow up in your individual trip?
own way. If your name is on the PR list, you may
Next join a travel writers’ association so be invited to express your interest in a
you can network and exchange ideas with forthcoming trip. Apply once you have
like-minded people, learn about relevant a relevant commission, but you must
events, get known to industry partners. be convincing – there will be plenty of
Here are just a few: competition and the group may be small.
Accepted? Great, but when you are
■■ travelwriters.co.uk – for published there, act like a pro – your reputation and
writers; small membership fee. future invitations depend on it. Show
Large reception areas for group
■■ bgtw.org (British Guild of Travel Writers) interest and be willing to compromise. workshops and socialising
– professional writers, fee £160. Don’t complain or gossip and avoid
■■ travmedia.com (The Travel Industry’s chasing up commissions. Any editor on
Global Media Network – just register your trip is busy, just like you, so follow up
online. on your return. Thank your hosts for their
■■ travelbloggersassociation.com – hospitality and forward copies of your
reasonable fee, minimum content required. published work.
■■ internationaltravelwritersalliance.com – Alternatively you could contact a tourist
world’s largest association, reasonable fee. board, via their press PR, and request an
individual trip, once you have secured a
Some organisations will provide a press commission. Attach the commissioning
card. Otherwise design your own business letter in your email, explain exactly where
card (try vistaprint.co.uk) including you need to go, what you need to do and
personal contacts and memberships. I see, and simply ask for help.
prefer travel ‘writer’ to ‘journalist’, which If accepted, make sure you ascertain Six bedrooms with twin or
in my experience arouses suspicion in exactly what your host is offering: flights, kingsize beds and writing desks
some countries. local transport, food, hotel, entrance fees,
Now attend as many meetings as guides and so on. Don’t take anything for
possible, talk to other writers and industry granted.
workers, operators, tourist boards and so If neither works out, there is a final DIY
on. Hand them your business card and way where the arrangements are all up
ask to go on everyone’s list so you can be to you: approach airlines, rail companies,
informed of any new developments. hotels, restaurants, museums and so on,
Then if you can, visit one of the via their press or marketing department.
London travel shows, for instance the Be as reasonable as possible (don’t ask for
Holiday & Travel Show held at Olympia a first-class flight or a full week in a hotel)
early in the year, or the World Travel and offer credits you can guarantee. You
Market at Excel in early November. It is may not get freebies but a discount helps.
your chance to meet experts, writers and
sometimes editors. Now you’re all set and I wish you the
Themed shows are held throughout very best on the road to success. Surrounded by a private garden
the year – cruise, adventure, business, and Purbeck’s inspirational scenery
British Tourism and Travel… Most travel • Solange Hando is the author of Be a Travel
writers’ associations will publish an Writer, Live your Dreams, Sell your Features, To book The Mount for
annual list. available on Amazon
your writing group, please visit
www.themountswanage.co.uk
or call 01929 424163
BRAINSTORM
Writers FORUM POETRY COMP

#204: WEATHER
Whether the weather be cold
Or whether the weather be hot,
We’ll weather the weather,
Whatever the weather,
Whether we like it or not.
Anon
T
he theme for the
poetry competition
this month is weather.
And whether or not
you choose to enter the comp,
here are some things you might
like to consider when writing
about weather.
Homophones
The first thing you might like

to explore is words that sound
alike but are spelled differently
and have different meanings.
The technical name for these
is homophones. For example,
weather and whether.
■■ Weather (noun): the state of the

atmosphere at a particular place
and time as regards heat, cloud,
sun, wind, rain, etc; (verb) to wear
away or change the appearance or
texture of something by exposure
to the atmosphere; to survive a
hardship.

■■ Whether: doubt or choice of a building and is used to of vanities; all is vanity, which Cyclops with a single eye?
between alternatives; enquiry show which way the wind is occurs at the beginning of the What does this eye look like
or investigation; indicates that a blowing. The weather vane Book of Ecclesiastes in the Old and what can it see? For
statement applies whichever of the was independently invented Testament. example, might a weather eye
alternatives mentioned is the case. in ancient China and Greece see through solid objects or
around the same time during ■■ Does the weather have into the future and if so, what
You might also like to the second century BC. The veins? If so, what flows through might the weather forecast?
explore homophones that can word vane comes from the Old them? And if the weather Another ‘bodily’ question
be associated with weather, English fana meaning flag. has veins presumably it has you may want to ask is can
for example, vane, vain and a heart? And if it has a heart weather be beaten or does it do
vein. And if you need some ■■ Can the weather be vain? If presumably it has lungs? the beating?
inspiration to get you started: so, how might you portray the
weather’s vanity? What feature Weather eye The good, the bad and
■■ A weather vane, wind is the weather most proud of the ugly
vane or weathercock (other and why? Does this vanity or Talking about the weather
common motifs include ships, lack of it have consequences? having a bodily manifestation, The long, dull, monotonous
arrows and horses) is usually Here you might want to what exactly might a weather years of middle-aged prosperity
erected on the highest point ponder the statement, Vanity eye be? Is the weather like a or middle-aged adversity are
You can contact Sue at [email protected] HOW TO ENTER
Writers’FORUM
POETRY COMP
with poetry editor
Sue Butler Enter our themed poetry contest
with a first prize of £100
excellent campaigning weather The unexpected and a Chambers Thesaurus
O
for the devil.
CS Lewis Climate is what we expect. ur monthly themed poetry competition has a
Weather is what we get. first prize of £100 and a Chambers Thesaurus
Gardeners might find a drop Mark Twain for one winner. A number of runners-up may
of rain good but it might be
also be published, depending upon the nature of the
seen as bad by the organisers When writing about the
of a church fete. Skiers will find weather it is all too easy to
contest and available space. The entry fee is £7, including
a blanket of snow beautiful repeat things that have been a brief, helpful critique from poetry editor Sue Butler.
but even a light dusting can said many times before… many, You can purchase an entry by following the link on the
unnerve a frail old man who many times before. So be Writers’ Forum website – www.writers-forum.com
needs to go shopping. mindful of how to ensure your ■ Entry is strictly by email only, one poem per email.
Explore the different types poem includes something the
■ The fee is £7 per poem, which includes a short critique from
of poetic techniques you may reader will not be expecting.
have to use to convey weather poetry editor and judge Sue Butler.
that is good, bad or ugly. Be imaginative ■ Each poem must be a maximum of 40 lines.
Also explore how different ■ We want to encourage new writing. Poems must be
types of weather may be Conversation about the your original work and previously unpublished, including
described, ie positively or weather is the last refuge of
newspapers, magazines, books, pamphlets, websites etc.
negatively in different regions the unimaginative.
of the world and in different Oscar Wilde The judge’s decision is final and no correspondence over results
cultures. will be entered into. By entering, entrants agree to these rules
Take great delight in proving and for their entries to be published in Writers’ Forum.
Literal or otherwise Oscar wrong.
For there is no friend like a sister And finally... POETRY COMP 204: WEATHER
In calm or stormy weather; Deadline: 12 noon GMT on Wed 17 October
To cheer one on the tedious way, Still seeking inspiration? Here
To fetch one if one goes astray, are two quotes. Try to use Assignment: Write a poem on the theme of ‘Weather’
To lift one if one totters down, every word from the first in a using Sue’s advice on these pages.
To strengthen whilst one stands. sonnet about the weather:
How to enter
Christina Rossetti
Be thou the rainbow to the 1 Pay online by following the link on our website
If you choose to write about storms of life! at www.writers-forum.com/poetrycomp.html
a storm, does it have to be a The evening beam that smiles the 2 Send your entry either in the body of your email or attached
literal storm? Could it be cloud away, in a Word-compatible document (.doc/.docx/.rtf). PDFs are
a metaphor? Remember, a And tints to-morrow with
also allowed if the format of your poem has to be precise.
metaphor describes an object prophetic ray!
or action in a way that is not Lord Byron, The Bride of Abydos 3 Give your name, address and phone number at the end. Add
literally true but that helps your web order confirmation number (from the email sent to
explain an idea or make a Do the same in a haiku with you after you pay online), plus a brief biography about yourself:
comparison. It states that the second quote: age, occupation, what inspired you, etc. And be ready to email
one thing is another thing a nice author photo if you win!
for the sake of comparison or We live in a rainbow of chaos.
4 In the subject line write Poetry Comp #204: followed by your
symbolism. Paul Cézanne
poem’s title.
5 Send your email to [email protected]
Poetry feedback service by the deadline above.
Repeat steps 1 to 5 for any additional poems you wish to
If you’d like more detailed and targeted feedback from Sue, you can
enter, one poem at a time.
purchase an extended critique of three poems for £35. Email Sue
at [email protected] for details. Good luck! The results will be published in issue #206,
on sale from 15 November 2018.
POETRY
Poetry comp results with poetry judge Sue Butler
£100 winner
A Mekong Day
Jill Ruddock,Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Clouds cling to the mountain tops
until the sun
fatally weakens their grip.
Scintillas of sun give warning

of dangers lurking
below the seemingly serene surface.
Banana trees bunch together

a tell-tale sign
of vertiginous villages close by. Jill Ruddock, this month’s winner, calls her poem A Mekong Day. It is
not ‘the’ day, ie a specific day, it is just one of many, and in this subtlety
Swamp buffalo wallow happily lies much of the poem’s sense of unease.
in muddy waters As you read the poem, notice how each stanza uses two longer lines
resting from earlier labours. encasing a shorter line. Also notice how each stanza is a statement
the narrator presents as a fact and also as a tableau for the reader to
Lilting laughter of children observe and then contemplate. The narrator does not get involved,
who wave they just report. This is a technique you might like to explore this
at the long boat rushing by. month in your own poetry.
The one-sentence, one-subject stanzas give the poem a harsh and
Women wash clothes on rocks thought-provoking starkness and allow the narrative to develop at an
which protect appropriate pace. Then, in the final stanza, a full stop appears at the
the bank from the mindless river. end of the second line. After eight stanzas without a full stop this tiny
punctuation mark packs a real punch. It forces the reader to pause
A speedboat slices its way before facing the final statement.
through the water
and the calm of the afternoon.
Highly Commended
The sultry sun slowly subsides
leaving behind Returning to titles, the title of the highly commended poem A Quiet
a quickly reddening sky. Lake (44 years later) by Emily Brett-Greenacre, from Downham Market
in Norfolk, presents the reader with a lake that is quiet. Nothing earth-
Dusk descends swallowing shattering about that. But then, in brackets, nonchalant, as if it is an
all traces of colour. afterthought, is the information that the quiet lake is being presented
Blackness now covers the world. to the reader 44 years later. Later than what? Who has counted the
44 years? Is it 44 years from today, 2018, or 44 years from another
date? Three words in brackets that raise so many questions.
About the poet Jill Ruddock is 68 and is now retired after What is clever about this title is that once the reader starts asking
working in the city for 30 years. She enjoys travelling, reading, questions they will want to read the poem and find out the answers.
watching ballet and opera, eating out and socialising with friends. To go back to the fishing metaphor, the fish is hooked.
She has been writing poetry for about eight years. The poem opens
I
A lake
am delighted to report that many poets entering the competition almost like
this month have given serious thought to the titles of their poems. any other –
At the risk of stating the obvious, the title of a poem is important. smell of dirt,
It is a marketing tool. It is bait and a hook. So whenever you are smell of dust,
choosing a title for a poem, do take plenty of time to ponder whether black flies ready to bite,
the title is working hard to attract the widest readership possible. man-made pathways
POETRY
Each month our

winning poet wins
EXPERIMENT
ART AND LITERATURE
£100 and a £40
Chambers Thesaurus In the following passage from Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë, Mr
Rochester is insisting Jane show him her portfolio of artwork:
He spread the pictures before him, and again surveyed them

The intrigue created in the title is maintained and the reader’s
interest is kept, which is essential because of course, no mater how alternately…
great the title, if the opening lines are not of the same quality as the These pictures were in water-colours. The first represented
title the reader will go elsewhere.
clouds low and livid, rolling over a swollen sea: all the distance was
Another great title appeared above the highly commended poem
Fresh voices by Dave Shonfield, from London. With poetry being all in eclipse; so, too, was the foreground; or rather, the nearest billows
about keeping your voice fresh, alive and exciting, this poem opens for there was no land. One gleam of light lifted into relief a half-
by asking:
submerged mast on which sat a cormorant, dark and large, with wings
If we could change our voices like we can change our clothes, flecked with foam: its beak held a gold bracelet, set with gems, that
a different pair of specs, on that Roman nose. I had touched with as brilliant tints as my palette could yield, and as
If we could clean our voices, like we can clean our teeth,
discarding the twang of our native heath; glittering distinctness as my pencil could impart. Sinking below the
a make-over for the tonic sol-fa, bird and mast, a drowned corpse glanced through the green water;
would we recognise our new persona? a fair arm was the only limb clearly visible, whence the bracelet had
Poems are great places to try out new voices, ideas and new been washed or torn.
personas, so as you are writing this month give some thought to the The second picture contained for foreground only the dim peak of
stanza above and have fun exploring what might be possible within
a hill, with grass and some leaves slanting as if by a breeze. Beyond and
your own sphere of creativity. If you can aim for:
above spread an expanse of sky, dark blue as at twilight: rising into the
No more blurred speech, or adenoidal cadence sky was a woman’s shape to the bust, portrayed in tints as dusk and
Clear pronunciation in dulcet radiance.
soft as I could combine. The dim forehead was crowned with a star…
Another way of using a question as a title can be seen in the
highly commended poem The Norm by Peter Hickman, from Write a poem about either the drowned corpse or the woman
Purley in Surrey. There is not a question mark in sight but before crowned with a star but in earlier circumstances and different
they have read the first line, most readers will be wondering about weather.
the concept of normal. Who decides what is normal? Does being
normal matter? As you write, rather than simply saying it is raining, snowing
The opening line of this poem claims We’re creatures of habit or sunny, what evidence can you show the reader?
/ Creatures who will… and immediately the reader may agree or
disagree. Stanza two explores reason and stanza three passion. The And what does the weather tell the reader? How does
poem claims it’s the norm / that helps us to accept… and once again anything you say about the weather enhance the reading
the reader may agree or disagree. experience?
Using questions as titles can be very effective, so go on, write a
poem this month that poses a question in the title – either directly
or indirectly.
POETRY WORKOUT
Poems that might have been Do underworld inhabitants wear underwear? Go
underground and undermine accepted wisdom.
Here are three suggestions or questions about the
winning poem. Use them to explore the different
directions the poem might have taken. 1 Be underhand, under the thumb or get under someone’s
feet. Crawl under the skin of something and ferret around.
Alternatively be the hand, the thumb, the feet or the skin.
■ Rewrite A Mekong Day from the point of view of one of the (Perhaps even the ferret.)
2
people, plants, creatures or things in the poem, eg a banana tree or
Explain why something is under threat or underused.
whoever is in the speedboat. If you feel philosophical, how about
3
letting the calm or the blackness narrate?
■ Write a nine-stanza poem where stanzas one to eight are a single Explore the difference between an undertaker and an
undertaking.
4
sentence. Then, in the final stanza, change the punctuation. How
many different impacts can you create? Write a poem (three four-line stanzas) about being under
■ Write about a single day: 24 lines, one for each hour. the weather.
DIRECTORY
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Send your event listings three months ahead to [email protected] DIRECTORY
Literary diary
Kate Medhurst brings you
the pick of next month’s
writing and book events
FESTIVALS Folkestone Book Festival

16-25 November
Bath Festival of Children’s An eclectic range of topics from healthy eating
Literature to astronomy and fighting plastic, with Kit de
28 September – 7 October Waal, Jenni Murray, Alison Weir and more.
One of the UK’s largest festivals celebrating www.folkestonebookfest.com
children’s books and reading, Bath celebrates its
12th anniversary with over 100 events. David
Walliams, Jeremy Strong, Lauren Child, Terry AUTHOR & BOOK EVENTS
Deary and Cressida Cowell are all taking part.
www.bathfestivals.org.uk
Laura Purcell is in her
Laura Purcell, Colchester
home town of Colchester 1 October, 7pm
Small Wonder Short Story The award-winning Colchester author talks
Festival, Lewes about her new Gothic mystery, The Corset.
28-30 September Mere Literary Festival, Wiltshire Tickets cost £2 and include wine and nibbles.
This annual celebration of short stories has 8-14 October For more details call 01206 561307.
workshops and conversations with Ben Okri, Paul Hooley, Trevor Stubbs and Julia Grigg are
Kate Mosse, Miranda Richardson, Catherine among the authors taking part in this festival. Sarah Perry, London
Taylor, AS Byatt, Louise Doughty and others. www.merelitfest.co.uk 2 October, 6.30pm
www.charleston.org.uk/small-wonder The author will be at the French Protestant
Thame Arts and Literature Church, Soho Square, discussing her new novel
Henley Literary Festival Festival, Oxford Melmoth with the Guardian’s Alex Clark. Tickets
29 September – 7 October 18-21 October cost £20 and include a copy of the book.
This renowned festival hosts around 150 events With a host of art events packed into one For more details call 020 7437 5311.
with a host of authors and celebrities taking weekend, this festival has assembled a feast of
part, including Sebastian Faulks, Pam Ayres, delights to indulge your senses, from author Tom Fletcher, Bath
Clare Balding and Anthony Horowitz. talks to music, literature, plays, readings and 6 October, 11am-12pm
www.henleyliteraryfestival.co.uk debates. There is something for everyone. The bestselling children’s author is at The
www.talfestival.org Forum for a magical musical adventure
Birmingham Literature Festival with the Creakers and everyone’s favourite
4-14 October Harrogate Literature Festival dinosaur, the Christmasaurus! Tickets cost £8.
This festival has been a staple of the city’s 18-21 October For more details call 01225 463362.
autumn calendar since 1998 and is now a A long weekend at The Crown Hotel with
10-day long book bonanza. Previous year’s names from the worlds of comedy, history, Jacqueline Wilson, London
events have included Jess Phillips, Meera Syal, sport and literature, including Conn Iggulden, 7 October, 11am
Roger McGough and Liz Berry. David Starkey, Dr Jane Hawking and Gill Sims. The author celebrates the publication of My
www.birminghamliteraturefestival.org www.harrogateinternationalfestivals.com Mum Tracy Beaker with illustrator Nick Sharratt
at the Royal Geographical Society. Tickets £19.
Althorp Literary Festival, Yeovil Literary Festival For more details call 020 7591 3100.
Northampton 25-29 October
5-7 October Kate Morton, Adam Frost, Michael Parkinson, Bernard Cornwall, Newcastle
Julian Fellowes, Dan Snow, Simon Jenkins, Allison Ruby Wax and Alison Weir are among this 8 October, 7pm
Pearson and Tracy Borman help celebrate the year’s well-known literary figures, comedians, The bestselling author will be at Tyneside
written word, against the backdrop of one of celebrities and exciting new writers. Cinema talking about his latest novel, War of
England’s most beautiful, private historic houses. www.yeovilliteraryfestival.co.uk the Wolf. Tickets cost £8.
www.spencerofalthorp.com For more details call 0191 261 7757.
Bridport Literary Festival, Dorset
Cheltenham Literature Festival 4-11 November Adele Parks, Yarm
5-14 October BridLit goes from strength to strength and 16 October, 7pm,
An action-packed 10 days with Jacqueline its programme this year has something for The bestselling author returns to Waterstones
Wilson, Michael Morpurgo, Anthony Horowitz, everyone, including Gill Meller, Kate Hubbard, with her new novel, I Invited Her In. Tickets cost
Greg James, Philip Pullman and more. Simon Worrall and Patrick Gale. £3, redeemable against purchase on the night.
www.cheltenhamfestivals.com www.bridlit.com For more details call 01642 939720.
Guildford Book Festival Southwold Literature Festival Ian Rankin, Sheffield

6-14 October 8-11 November 18 October, 7.30pm
Surrey’s largest literary festival has a full line-up Part of the Ways with Words series of literature The author is at Victoria Hall Methodist Church
of speakers, from household names such as Jo festivals. The small Suffolk seaside resort hosts with a panel of crime experts from forensics
Brand and Anton du Beke to bestselling authors events with Julie Summers, Salley Vickers and to detectives, to reveal what really happens in
Matt Haig, Kate Mosse and Gill Sims. Blake Morrison, among others. a murder investigation. Tickets from £17.
www.guildfordbookfestival.co.uk www.wayswithwords.co.uk For more details call 0114 272 1749.
DIRECTORY
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Send your event listings three months ahead to [email protected] DIRECTORY
New courses
HELPFUL NEW BOOKS
Children’s Writer’s & Illustrator’s

Market 2019 by Robert Lee Brewer
(Writer’s Digest
Books, £22.99)
includes more
than 700 listings
for US book
publishers,
magazines, agents,
art reps and
more in American
children’s book
publishing. It
contains exclusive
interviews with
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York Times bestsellers as well as articles by
respected publishing professionals. Essential
for anyone looking to publish in the US.
Published 26 October.
Putting the Science in Fiction: Expert

Advice for Writing with Authenticity
in Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Other
Genres by Dan Koboldt (Writer’s
Digest Books,
£14.99) brings
together scientists,
physicians, engineers
and other experts
to help you
understand the
basic principles
of science,
technology and
Learn about creative
medicine that are
non-fiction in Shropshire frequently featured
in fiction. Avoid
common pitfalls
and misconceptions to ensure technical
RESIDENTIAL COURSES ONLINE COURSES accuracy, and write realistic and compelling
scientific elements that will captivate
Writing Popular Fiction, Fiction Skills readers. It helps you brainstorm and
Ty Newydd, Gwynedd 29 October – 25 November develop new science and technology-based
15-19 October This four-week course guides you through story ideas. Published 26 October.
During this course you will develop the building key techniques for building convincing story
blocks for your novel, looking at plot, character, worlds, and explores how different writers use
setting and point of view. Tutorials and exercises location to bring their characters and stories do you decide what to write about and which
will help you cultivate the skills to complete alive. It is tutored by Tom Bromley, takes place pictures will sell? This City Lit course based
and polish a manuscript to a publishable online and costs £120. in Covent Garden will help you focus, and give
standard. The tutors offer constructive advice www.faberacademy.co.uk you the skills you need to approach editors
on avoiding plot holes, saggy middles and other with confidence. It takes place over one day
writing pitfalls. It costs £395 including shared Malcolm Gladwell Teaches from 10.30am until 4.30pm and costs £59.
room accommodation at Ty Newydd (above), Writing www.citylit.ac.uk
a Grade II listed building with a rich history. Available at any time
www.tynewydd.wales In this course Malcolm Gladwell, author of
Blink and Tipping Point, shows you how to distil SHORT COURSE
Writing Creative Non-Fiction, complex ideas into powerful narratives. He
Newport, Shrops guides you through the writing process with Getting Started: Beginners’
16-18 November video lessons and assignments. It costs £85. Fiction
Award-winning writer and bestselling author www.masterclass.com 2 October – 18 December
Simon Whaley leads this course, which covers This 12-week course led by Keith Ridgway
everything from discovering the history of aims to foster a lively atmosphere in which
creative non-fiction to questioning others ONE-DAY COURSE discussion and the spirit of engagement create
and exploring the difference between quotes a supportive and inspiring environment. It takes
and dialogue. It takes place at the Lilleshall Travel Writing: a Taster, London place in the Faber offices on Tuesday evenings
Conference Centre and costs £255. 13 October between 7pm and 9pm and costs £995.
www.malagaworkshops.co.uk You love travelling and taking photos but how www.faberacademy.co.uk
MOTIVATION
Emily Cunningham of The Write Factor

publishing agency helps you find the way
forward with your writing
THE
MENTOR
How can I loosen up?
My writing seems too controlled and rigid.
I can’t help tinkering at a first draft, even
though I know I’m only succeeding in
making it more and more dense until it’s
so complicated and tightly wound that
it’s unreadable. What do you recommend?
Christina, Peterborough
T
he temptation to re-read and fiddle with the nuts and bolts and lose sight of hope appears ‘natural’ is so ‘unnatural’.
with what you’ve just written is the overall effect you’re hoping to achieve. Lethem likens it to painting a picture of
irresistible, isn’t it? If there was an When this happens, the style can become an octopus and hanging it in an aquarium.
app that tracked how long I spent reading unnatural. Why do it when the real thing exists? The
rather than writing a work-in-progress I’m I have a few suggestions for you to try answer is the satisfaction when the illusion
sure the results would be dismaying. to help loosen up, but first I wanted to is achieved; when the reader is so absorbed
There are plenty of reasons why it’s make an observation. Writing is unnatural. by the story that she forgets that it’s a
justified – at least, that’s what I tell myself. As novelist Jonathan Lethem said in the fiction. The problems occur when all this
Of course, you have to read your work Guardian: ‘All writing, no matter how industry becomes obvious and the writing
when you’ve just returned to it from a avowedly naturalistic, consists of artifice, of is stilted and overworked.
break; then there’s the need to refresh your conjuration, of the manipulation of symbols One idea to shake up your approach to
memory after a daydream, the hope of rather than the “opening of a window on to writing is to begin each session with some
gaining inspiration when you grind to a life”. We writers aren’t sculpting in DNA, freewriting. Just 10 minutes of non-stop
halt, even just to check for repetition and or even clay or mud, but words, sentences, pen to paper, a stream of thoughts. Resist
make sure you aren’t repeating yourself… paragraphs, syntax, voice; materials issued the urge to edit or even pause. When you
I’m sure you can come up with many more by tongue or fingertips but which dissolve run out of steam, write I can’t think what
reasons of your own, Christina. upon release into the atmosphere into to write… until something new pops into
And each time you revisit your work, cloud, confection, spectre.’ your head.
the urge to tweak is irresistible. The Lethem is right, it’s a magic trick and Emma Darwin in her excellent blog
only problem with this is that, as you’ve we’re all working hard at concealing the www.thisitchofwriting.com explains why
observed, it can interrupt the natural flow man behind the curtain. It’s curious that freewriting helps: ‘There is still a first stage
of the writing. You become too involved the process of creating something that you when the imagination must be free to till
Send your letters to Emily at [email protected]
interesting, you have to embrace the mess.

You have to find the courage to look inside
yourself and discover what you really
think.
‘You also have to feel, not just little blips
of emotion, but buckets of it, drowning
you in their intensity and power. As
writers, we wrestle not with words, but
with ourselves. Ideas, emotions, logic –
those are the real building blocks of great
writing, and if you’re to understand them,
first you have to understand yourself.’
Could the need to edit and revise be a
way of censoring your thoughts? Do you
feel self-conscious or vulnerable about
revealing yourself in your writing? Let me
reassure you that what you reveal will be
interesting. Absolute honesty is always
fascinating. Dare to bare all.
Ash Ambirge writes along similar lines
in her irreverent blog (https://www.
themiddlefingerproject.org/how-to-stop-
writing-with-a-stick-up-your-ass): ‘Don’t
write as if it’s for publication. Here’s
what’s going on: You may be aiming for
“personality” when really what you want
is human. The key lies in teasing out
the commonalities between what we, as
humans, experience when we go to that
place, or when we interact with that thing
or idea… and let us see our thoughts
in yours.’
Try to tap into the side of you that
bubbles out naturally, rather than wringing
it out like wet washing. English teacher
and writer Ken Macrorie coined the phrase
‘kitchen language’ for the tone to aim for;
that relaxed style that’s more at home
making scrambled eggs and chatting to a
friend, rather than the buttoned-up prose
of a lawyer’s office.
So kick off your shoes, let down your
When you’re freewriting it gives you hair and let the real Christina shine out.
the chance to switch off your critical left
For you, being brain and unclench. Darwin continues: Tips to take away
‘The first use of freewriting is simply to
‘out there’ and “centre down”, as the meditators would ■■ Encourage a freer style by changing
freewriting may be call it: to shed the clatter of the world your working environment. Be like Truman
around you, to slip into imagining instead Capote and write lying down, perhaps?
just the ticket of receiving mode, and get your mind to ■■ Freewriting not only helps to relax, it can
open the doors to your word-hoard.’ be useful to provide new themes, phrases
Freewriting also has an uncanny knack and ideas – mine it for potential gems.
the word-hoard and spill out the results. of tapping into your unconscious, of ■■ Try writing at unusual times – set the
If you don’t allow space and time for that spilling out what you really think rather alarm early instead of staying up late or
to happen, you will never write anything than what you think the readers want steal half an hour of your lunchbreak.
fresh; whether you’re writing highly to read. This is literary gold. You might
commercial women’s fiction, or super- surprise yourself with what you come up
literary short stories, you will forever be with, Christina. The Write Factor offers all
stuck in the mire of off-the-peg language Many people feel resistant to freewriting sorts of services to support
and standard-issue ideas. […] because it’s a little ‘out there’, but for you, your writing process, from
‘Creative work requires a flexible being ‘out there’ may be just the ticket. mentoring and writing courses to editorial
kind of intensity: not just concentration As John Morrow says in his entertaining feedback and assessment. Find out more at
but also relaxation. Sometimes it’s the blog (https://smartblogger.com/fix-your- www.thewritefactor.co.uk
relaxation which is hardest to achieve.’ writing): ‘If you want to make your writing
AUTHOR KNOW-HOW
Research secrets Popular crime writer Peter Robinson tells Anita Loughrey about the
research he undertakes for his Inspector Banks novels
A
fter a few abortive 1969 rock festival, even though
attempts at writing a I was at plenty of them, and
crime novel, I finally I found documentary and
hit on the idea of DCI Banks. performance DVDs of the Isle
I had read a number of series of Wight Festival very useful.
in which a writer takes a part I have also found the Famous
of the country he knows and Trials series of books useful
loves and puts a detective and for grasping the mores and
sidekick in it. attitudes of previous decades.
As far as I was aware at the Crime fiction is really a
time, only Reginald Hill had way of looking at society, or a
used a Yorkshire setting, and certain section of it, through
as I’d been living in Canada its crimes, so accounts of old
for a short while and was murders can really spark the
feeling homesick, I thought imagination.
writing about Yorkshire I also have a contact in the
would also be a good way to West Yorkshire Archives in
keep in touch. The first DCI Wakefield, and she tells me
Banks book, Gallows View, was about things that may make
published in 1987. Towns like Ripon inspired the
interesting stories, or details
Eastvale and its immediate fictional Yorkshire setting of stories, in addition to telling
area are all in my head. I did me where the old files are
draw maps when I started located.
and tried to keep a record child. He was a keen amateur Of course, so much has been
of everyone’s progress, age, photographer and would take The more I lost or destroyed in fires over
significant dates etc. But I me with him on his weekend the years that I still end up
found the more I wrote about trips to Richmond, Hawes, wrote about having to invent much of the
the places and people, the Aysgarth, Grassington and detail.
less I needed to rely on my such places. Mostly I would
places, the less
background notes. Sometimes sit on a stile or lean back I needed to rely Police procedure
I have to flip through one against a drystone wall and I’m no expert on ballistics and
of the previous books to read while he waited for the on notes that’s the kind of research I
find something I said about light to be just right for the don’t particularly enjoy. I use
someone. I usually have an idea photo he wanted to take, books, mostly American texts,
which side of the page it is on but I also came to love the techniques liberating. It’s a such as Geberth’s Practical
and how far down, but I never countryside. It was a nice joy to work on a crime story Homicide Investigation and the
seem to know exactly where. contrast to the working-class without computers, mobile Fishers’ Techniques of Crime
The landscape I invented is area of Leeds we lived in. phones, DNA and all the rest— Scene Investigation.
fairly flexible, and there plenty Over the years I’ve had many just a landline, a police radio I also use the internet. I
of unused areas in which I holidays there, and a few years and little grey cells. needed a rifle with power over
can introduce new villages or ago my wife and I were able Ultimately the reconstruction a certain distance and found
buildings. Most of the places I to buy a house in Richmond, of an old crime is an most of the information I was
write about are real and exist so we now spend part of each imaginative act rather than looking for on the AR 15
somewhere in the Yorkshire year over there immersed in a painstaking collection of online. You’d be surprised how
Dales, but I move them around. not only the geography but the contemporary detail. Old many gun freaks there are
I also spend a lot of time poring local atmosphere. newspaper accounts can be out there willing to tell you
over old Ordnance Survey useful, though, which I find in anything you want to know.
Author pic Pal Hansen
maps and travel literature Old crimes Leeds Central Library. Sell you it, too, if that’s what
about the county to immerse I’ve used old crimes on more Contemporary photographs you’re interested in!
myself in the area. than one occasion, and I find and films are also invaluable. A manhunt is mostly a
I used to visit the Dales often the freedom from modern When I was writing Piece of my matter of common sense, so
with my father when I was a scientific investigative Heart I had to ‘reconstruct’ a I haven’t really needed to do
LITERARY MARKETS
WRITING OUTLETS
with Janet Cameron
Brave new poetry

One Sentence
Poems
onesentencepoems.com
This is a fun way to write

a great deal of research into to know how certain things a poem, and it needn’t be
the way such searches are are done – such as visiting a particularly short if you use
organised. The problem for house where there’s a reported your skill and imagination.
me isn’t so much where you firearm – then ask. One Sentence Poems is an online publisher posting a new
look or how you organise your If you ask a few different poem five days a week. Have a look at the site and you will
resources but that you have to people, too, you might get see how varied and delightful these little poems are.
be very careful not to overlook different answers, which as far Tip: You need to follow their rules carefully – check out the
anything. as I’m concerned is a licence guidelines on site.
For example, most cities and to use your imagination, your Submissions: No semi-colons or colons (that’s cheating)
many villages are covered by greatest asset as a writer. and the poem must have at least one line break. Submit up
CCTV, and a writer would Don’t become obsessed with to four one-sentence poems at a time using the online sub-
look like a real fool if he had a research. It’s merely a means missions manager.
murderer walk away unnoticed to an end, and that is getting
from a site covered by CCTV. the reader to believe in the Matador Review
Of course, the quality of the world you are creating. For my www.matadorreview.com
images is variable, and it first couple of books, I didn’t
doesn’t take much for someone have any sources for police Matador Review is a quarterly online
to cover his face while making procedure so I took it from literary magazine that prides itself
a getaway. There’s also the the Ruth Rendell books I was on taking an alternative slant on
automatic number plate reading at the time. its subject. The editors say this is
recognition (ANPR) system in I mentioned this in a way of using voice and experience
place on major roads, which conversation with her once, to portray a progressive attitude.
can track vehicles by their years later, and she told me she Tip: Be provocative if you want
number plates. had made it all up herself. The your work to be noticed.
So for a crime writer the details weren’t bad, though. Submissions: Send fiction under 10,000 words, flash
problem is thinking one’s way And Ruth’s books are certainly fiction under 1000 words or up to to six poems to editors@
around these devices – and none the worse for it. matadorreview.com. Type ‘Submission’ with your name and
knowing they exist, of course. the genre in the subject line. Attach work as a .doc, docx or
That’s why I sometimes long The Banks TV series pdf file only, in 12pt New Roman. Include a cover letter with
for the old Dixon of Dock Green When Banks was adapted your name, email and title, and a 100-word bio, but don’t
era when there was none of for television, Left Bank, the identify yourself on your material as work is read blind.
that sort of thing. I’m not a production company involved,
scientist or an IT geek; I’m a were very welcoming, and Arc Poetry
writer. I was invited on set many http://arcpoetry.ca
times, which I really enjoyed.
Talking shop They would also send me the Arc Poetry is published three
My research tip to other crime scripts, usually the day before times a year, and its autumn
writers is talk to people – cops, shooting, but nobody really issue is themed. A digital-
forensic experts etc. You’ll find wants the author’s opinion on only edition costs CAN$20
that most of them will be very a TV series. a year.
helpful. They want you to get it If I disagreed with something Tip: They pride themselves on publishing ‘wild and cunning’
right. A secret meeting with an Banks said in the script, and work that would be declined elsewhere, and want brave
undercover cop in Tallin was if Stephen Tompkinson, who new voices. ngle for that new, exciting perspective.
about the strangest research played Banks, agreed with me, Submissions: Use their online Submittable to send three
experience I’ve had. It was all a then they might change it, but poems, one at a time, with a 50-word author bio. You may
bit cloak and dagger, but I got that’s as far as my influence not submit more than once per calendar year. Type in single
some interesting background went. It’s a pity the series took spacing, and put your name, email and mail address on each
on criminal gangs in the Baltic the direction it did in the later page. You should receive a response in four to six months.
states for Watching the Dark. episodes. I think they should The pay is $50 per page plus a free copy of the magazine.
Naturally, they won’t discuss have stuck with the books.
active cases with you, for • Janet’s ebook Fifteen Women Philosophers, published by
legal reasons, but if you want • See www.inspectorbanks.com decodedscience.com, is available from Amazon
COMP CALENDAR
Competitive Edge
That all-important first impression
Morgen hears from magazine publisher
and short story writer Jo Derrick
The first time I judged a This is where judging becomes

story competition was back so subjective. For me, it’s usually
in 1994 when I needed the story that resonates most
content for a new literary that wins. The story I can’t get
magazine I was about to launch. out of my head, whether because
Quality Women’s Fiction became of the author’s wonderful use
quite a success and I regularly ran of language, imagery etc, or
competitions, culminating in what because of a particularly arresting
was to become the Phillip Good character, setting or simply a
Memorial Prize, after the loss of compelling story well told. When
my husband. the competition has a theme,
This prize attracted hundreds how well the author interprets
of entries, most of which I judged that theme also comes into play.
single-handed. I was also reading Last year I judged two
several magazine submissions a competitions as part of a judging
day. Time was in short supply, so panel – the Bath Short Story
if that first paragraph didn’t grab Award and The Rubery Book
me, the story was cast aside. Award – and had to fight for a Morgen’s Motivation Northamptonshire Writer (if not
This is why it is so important particular story or book. That the winner of any other prize). See
for writers to make a good first was an interesting challenge. It is important to make a good www.hebatescompetition.org.uk/
impression. Editors and judges In those instances it’s always first impression. As Jo’s example competition-rules for details.
are busy people. They are usually gratifying when a story or book illustrates, unless your story has
writers themselves and fit their you’ve fought hard for makes a great ‘hook’, whoever is reading Reader feedback
reading around other work. Very it on to the shortlist or list of it – whether a judge, editor or
few judges have the patience to prizewinners. reader – is unlikely to get any Carol Long, non-fiction writer
read a 3000-word badly written My advice to budding further. They’re too busy. and management consultant, says:
story from beginning to end. competition entrants is to never What makes a good hook? ‘Entering writing competitions is
The title and first paragraph give up on a story. Keep rewriting Usually it’s quickly introducing often unsatisfying. They provide
have to interest me from the off and editing. Write the story from the conflict that is happening to an excuse to procrastinate,
and really stand out from the a different viewpoint and tense. the main character. By throwing distract from work in progress
crowd. There has to be proof Play around with the structure proverbial rocks at our hero or and add to expenses. There is
in that first paragraph that the and always ensure you know heroine, our readers will want rarely valuable feedback or return
writer has a good use of language, whose story it is you’re telling. them to be OK by the end of the on the investment in entry fees,
knows how to punctuate properly Aim for the best and most story. It’s how that happens that’s unless you win. But… distraction
and that the story has originality. original opening paragraph as the interesting part for them… can be useful too: new ideas
I think my favourite judging well as an arresting title. Try and us! and different topics can break
experience was the Bridgend editing down a 1000-word story “writer’s block”.’
Writers’ Circle short story to a 500-word flash piece. It’s an Comp of the Month Thank you, Carol!
competition in 2016. I’d come interesting exercise and a great
second the previous year with my way of learning that ‘less is Hosted by Northampton Writers
story Dulce Et Decorum Est. The more’. Remember, too, that Group, the HE Bates Annual ■■ Send your recommendations
theme of the 2016 competition plot comes from character. Short Story Competition has for ‘Comp of the Month’ as
was ‘Our street’. Members of been running since 2005 and well as competitions we could
the writers’ circle narrowed the • Jo Smith’s flash fiction collection, has a 3 December deadline this include. Morgen would also love
entries down to a shortlist of just Sounds of Darkness, is out soon year. You have up to 2000 words to know how you’ve got on with
six, which were posted to me to from Chapeltown Books. You can to tell your story, and as well comps listed in these pages or
judge. I must have read each of find out more about Jo at https:// as a £500 top prize, there are elsewhere. Get in touch at the
those stories at least four times. joderrickfiction.blogspot.com three other prizes including Best email address above.
Send your success stories, questions for Morgen, tips and comp news (three months in advance) to [email protected]
with writer, editor and

competition judge Morgen Bailey
COMPS NOW OPEN
Albedo One Aeon Award

Short Fiction Contest
Closes 30 Nov
Story: maximum 10,000 words.
Theme: any speculative fiction
genre. Fee: €8.50. Prizes: €1000;
€200; €100. Details: see www.
albedo1.com/aeon-award
Erewash judge
The Observer Anthony Helen Laycock
Burgess Prize for Arts

Journalism (IWC members); €50 (non-mem-
Closes 30 Nov bers). Prize: potential representa-
Arts review: max 800 words. tion and publication. Details: see
Fee: £10. Prizes: £3000 plus pub- irishwriterscentre.ie/collections/
lication in the Observer; 2 x £500. novel-fair
Details: www.anthony-burgess.
org/observeranthony-burgess- 30 SEP
prize-arts-journalism
Bedford International
Words Magazine Writing Competitions
Short Story Competition Story: 3000 words. Poem: 40
Closes 31 Dec lines max. Fee: £6 or three for £12
Story: up to 2000 words. (£4 or three for £8 full-time stu-
Theme: ‘Murder’. Prizes: £50; dents). Prizes: £500; £150; £100
£25; all entries will be considered per category; special Bedford Prizes
for publication in the magazine or of £100 in each category. Details:
future anthologies sold in aid of please see www.bedfordwriting-
RNLI. Details: see www.words competition.co.uk
mag.com/compcal18.htm
Caterpillar Story for
Children Prize
COMPS CLOSING SOON Story: aimed at children 7-11 yrs
old, 1500 words. Fee: €12. Prize:
27 SEP €1000. Details: see www.the
caterpillarmagazine.com
Erewash Writers’ Open
Short Story Competition Galley Beggar Press
Story: 2500 words max. Fee: £3 Short Story Prize
for one then £2.50. Prizes: £100; Short story: 6000 words max.
£70; £30; two ‘Highly Commended’ Fee: £10; FREE entry available to
receive free entry to 2019 comp. 70 low-income writers. Prizes:
Judge: Helen Laycock. Details: £1000 or year-long editorial sup-
see erewashwriterscompetition. port; £150 if shortlisted; £50 vouch-
weebly.com/2018-open-short- ers and subscription if longlisted.
story-competition-with-helen-lay- Details: see www.galleybeggar.
cock.html co.uk/prize
28 SEP Salopian Poetry Society’s

Open Poetry Competition
Irish Writers Centre Poem: 42 lines max. Fee: £3 per
Novel Fair poem, four for £10 (non-members);
Novel extract: five chapters £2 each (members). Prizes: £200;
(10,000 words max) plus full syn-
opsis (300 words max). Fee: €40 Continued overleaf
▲
COMP CALENDAR
Continued from page 63 26 OCT
£100; £50; 5 x £30 plus £50 for Dinesh Allirajah Prize

best humorous poem. Judge: Sir for Short Fiction
Michael Leighton. Details: please Short story: 2000-6000 words.
see www.thesalopianpoetrysociety. Theme: ‘Scent’. Prizes: £500;
webeden.co.uk publication. Details: commapress.
co.uk/resources/prizes
Tom Howard/Margaret
Reid Poetry Contest 31 OCT
Poem: 250 lines max. Fee: $12
per poem. Prizes: Tom Howard Walter Scott Prize for
TARGET Prize (a poem in any style or genre)
$1500 plus Duotrope gift certifi-
Young Historical Fiction
Writers
YOUR MARKET cate; Margaret Reid Prize (a poem
that rhymes or has a traditional
Short story / Non-fiction /
Poetry / Extract: 800-2000
THROUGH THE style) $1500 plus Duotrope gift
certificate; 10 x Honorable Men-
words. Rules: 11-19 yrs. Prizes:
£500 travel and research grant,
PAGES OF tions $100 each. Details: see
winningwriters.com/our-contests/
invitation to Borders Book Festival
2019; book tokens worth £100 for
Writers’FORUM t o m - h o w a r d - m a r g a re t - re i d -
poetry-contest
Writers’ College Times

runners-up; anthologies. Details:
www.walterscottprize.co.uk/young-
walter-scott-prize/how-to-enter
International Short Story 2 NOV

Call Competition
Short story: 600 words max. Bath Children’s Novel
Wendy Kearns on Theme: ‘The best writing tip I’ve

ever received’. Prize: AU$200 (or
Award
Novel: suitable for 7-17 yr olds;
£100). Details: see www.writers 5000 words plus synopsis. Rules:
01392 466099 collegeblog.com/my-writing-jour- indie or unpublished. Fee: £25;
ney-competition 50 x low-income sponsorships also
or email available. Prizes: £2500; Corner-
1 OCT stones online course worth £1800.
[email protected] Small But Mighty Young
Details: bathnovelaward.co.uk
Writers Competitions 3 DEC

Fiction: max 1000 words. Poem:
15 lines max. Age categories: HE Bates Annual
7-11 yrs, 12-15 yrs. Details: see Short Story Competition
smallbutmightywriters.com/com- Story: max 2000 words. Fee:
petitions-2 £6 for first story, then £5. Prizes:
£500; £200; £100; best Northants
Zoetrope All-Story writer £100. Details: see www.
Short Fiction Competition hebatescompetition.org.uk/compe-
Short story: 5000 words max. tition-rules
Fee: $30. Prizes: $1000; $500;
$250. Judge: Colum McCann.
Details: see https://all-story.com/ UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED…
contests Theme and genre are open. Entries
should be original and unpublished.
2 OCT Postal entries should be printed on
white A4 in a clear plain font. Include
Deborah Cass Prize a separate cover sheet with the title,
Short story or non-fiction: word count, your name, address and
3000 words max, can be complete postcode, phone and email. Stories
work or an extract. Rules: open should be double-spaced with good
to early career Australian writers margins.Where necessary include a
with migrant background. Prize: large enough sae with sufficient
AU$3000, publication, plus mentor- postage. Always contact the organiser
ing by established writer. Details: or check their website to confirm
please see https://writersvictoria. details.Writers’ Forum does not
org.au/calendars/opportunities- accept responsibility for errors in or
competitions changes to the information listed.
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WRITING ROOMS
Where I write for a story occurred to me, and almost

Phil Barrington catches up with mobile crime overnight I went from being an avid
writer Leigh Russell reader to a compulsive writer, staying up
far later than I should have done to type
I
up my handwritten pages. My touch-
have a desk at home and another at freedom which helps my creative process. typing skills came into their own and I
the university where I work as a Royal I also need the physical space of my desk was able to complete 2000 words a day in
Literary Fellow, but only about half of for edits because I use two screens – one to addition to my day job. Before I knew it,
my writing is done sitting at them. Portable read my editor’s comments and the other I had written a very rough draft of my
technology means I can write absolutely to make changes on the manuscript. It’s first book, Cut Short. My crime fiction
anywhere, any time: on a train, in a car, also essential to work in silence at this series featuring Detective Geraldine Steel
on a plane, in a cafe, in bed, in the garden stage so I can concentrate. My family know has sold well over a million books so far.
– nowhere is out of bounds. I was even to leave me alone when I’m editing. With 18 books published in 10 years my
able to send an edited manuscript to my While the time I spend editing is full on, writing process has become more efficient
publisher from a beach in the Seychelles. with my head down for several days, my with practice. Somewhere along the way
It’s a hard life. writing is piecemeal. I envy writers who I made the transition from paper to screen.
I work on two iPads which are synched, are able to take three months off to write. At over 70 words per minute, my typing is
so all my work is automatically stored on What with visiting my father, looking after faster than my handwriting, but it’s also a
both devices and in the cloud. Wherever my granddaughter, speaking at literary different kind of process and I find I now
I go my iPads go too, along with a wireless festivals and libraries, and serving on the write in a kind of ‘free flow’ – with a lot of
keyboard and charger. Whereas before board of the Crime Writers’ Association, rewriting and editing. This has made the
I used to obsessively print out all my somehow I never manage to have a whole process faster and simpler in many ways.
changes for fear of losing them, everything day free for writing. The many demands that take me away
is now saved automatically as I go. This For the first 50 years of my life I was an from my work should be frustrating, but
has undoubtedly saved a few forests. avid reader, spending as much time as I I love my life and thrive on the pressure
Although I can write anywhere, I like a could with my nose in a book. Although of publishers’ deadlines. My somewhat
sparse desk, plain white walls and a view I loved stories, it never occurred to me to chaotic way of working might drive many
of the sky. The space gives me a sense of try and write myself. But one day an idea people crazy, but it works for me.
Bring a new story home with you today.
That Day Has Come Dulk
This Is a Diary of My Travels, Four Months of New Experiences! I Had This Dream
Nicolette Florides K.G. Radford
Nicolette Florides shares her personal travel experience from fun Join Dulk in his garden of surprises. He learns how to talk with the
and exciting adventures to learning about history of countries such plants, how his vegetables have responded to his secret plant food
as Vietnam over four months in this travel journal. and meets his giant peas.
£26.99 paperback £12.99 paperback
978-1-5462-9029-2 978-1-5462-8493-2
also available in ebook also available in audiobook and ebook
www.authorhouse.co.uk www.authorhouse.co.uk
100 Physical Education Activities The Cellist’s Friend

Denis O’Driscoll Robert J Fanshawe
Simple, safe, enjoyable, and fuss-free, 100 Physical Education Set during World War One, The Cellist’s Friend is the story of one
Activities is an invaluable resource for teachers, parents, or man’s battle to redeem his own cowardice while recovering from
anyone looking to occupy energetic kids. Denis O’Driscoll a near-fatal war wound.
presents an accessible array of innovative activities guaranteed
£11.95 paperback
to capture the imagination.
978-1-5462-8833-6
£8.95 paperback also available in hardcover & ebook
978-1-4969-8447-0 www.authorhouse.co.uk
also available in ebook
www.authorhouse.co.uk
The Musician of the Heliopause The Books of Norene I

Hypatia Atheiria Wolves and Werewolves
Interspersed with a number of philosophical and theological essays, Jane Sefc
a schoolgirl who has troubling dreams and the ability to travel A wolf has found a lost necklace. Werewolves now must not only
between quantum realities finds herself in an alternate England plot to steal an enemy’s king crown, but retrieve their necklace.
where the fabric of society is under attack from creationists. But first they must find the wolf.
978-1-4969-9700-5 978-1-5462-8836-7
also available in hardcover & ebook also available in hardcover & ebook
Marrying Right He Has Come

Davison Kanokanga Patrick Gallivan
Avoid the pain of committing your life to the wrong person. Written by Patrick Gallivan, He Has Come chronicles the life of avatar
Marrying Right is a useful guide for anyone who may be and philanthropist Sri Sathya Sai Baba. The book also offers an
considering marriage. overview of the spiritual leader’s teachings and philosophies.
978-1-5049-9991-5 978-1-4918-9700-3
also available in hardcover & ebook also available in hardcover & ebook
Prime Poems Austen the Time Travelling Hero

Alison Fromager Austen Meets the Romans
Embark on a poetic journey with Alison Fromager’s first book of Jason Pratt
poems. Enjoy this diverse collection of Prime Poems. A small boy named Austen is whisked away on a time-traveling
£8.95 paperback adventure with the Romans. Will he be able to get back home again?
978-1-5462-9204-3 £12.99 paperback
also available in ebook 978-1-5462-8994-4
www.authorhouse.co.uk also available in ebook
www.authorhouse.co.uk
Moonbugs Fresh Litchies from Great Great Grandma

Clara Robson Kanu Cheri Susan Stewardson
Moonie Moonbug leaves her home on the moon for an adventure to A first reader, showing different generations and friends, loving,
Earth. When she makes friends and meets wonderful earth creatures, caring about and providing for each other while helping the
it’s harder for her to say goodbye and return to the moon. environment and future generations.
978-1-5462-8948-7 978-1-4969-9549-0
also available in ebook also available in ebook
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