I think one of the best ways to learn about writing is to read lots of it. Discover what you like and what you don't like, then try to understand exactly what it is you do or don't like about it...
In the last few weeks I have been revisiting one of my favourite authors - Jane Austen. Why do I and so many others enjoy reading and re-reading her books so much? We know what happens, yet still they appear fresh and new. Sometimes we fall a little in love with Elizabeth or Emma or Mr Darcy, and sometimes they irritate the life out of us.
I am currently cross with Emma - she has fallen out of favour. I used to love her, but lately I keep being reminded of how limited she can be. But then she is a creature of her time and her upbringing, and at her heart she is kind. Faulty, but kind. I love that Mr Knightley calls her on her bad behaviour - isn't it time that all of us started to take more responsibility for our actions?
This book is as relevant today as it was when Austen wrote it - and that is one of the reasons we love it. But how does she achieve this? - that is the question. Just one of the many I ponder as I try to write my own works. Wouldn't it be wonderful if the scenes and characters that grow in our minds will also resonate with thousands of others for decades (or centuries) to come. Imagine...
Saturday 16 March 2013
Sunday 3 March 2013
Should authors have different pen-names for different genres?
In the past, most authors seem to have used different pen-names for writing different sorts of work. But I wonder whether that is still as relevant today as it has been? More specifically, I have been wondering about whether I should write in different genres under a different name. I have several projects on the go, from novels and a screenplay to a romance and an historical drama.
I wonder about the benefits and dis-benefits of having different pen-names for each genre. On the one hand, you can keep your work separate so that it is not confused with other pieces... Fans of novels may not be interested in romances or historic drama and vice versa. On the other hand, if one is considering e-publishing and self-publishing for some of the books, it would make it easier to keep them together and publicise them from one place...
I don't know the answer to this and would be interested in the experiences of other writers.
Joanna Penn has a good article on this - check out http://bit.ly/L79dn3
PS. I am currently finishing off a contemporary omance series and a historical romance set in French Revolution. I am thinking of keeping the same author name for both... One website... Any thoughts?
I wonder about the benefits and dis-benefits of having different pen-names for each genre. On the one hand, you can keep your work separate so that it is not confused with other pieces... Fans of novels may not be interested in romances or historic drama and vice versa. On the other hand, if one is considering e-publishing and self-publishing for some of the books, it would make it easier to keep them together and publicise them from one place...
I don't know the answer to this and would be interested in the experiences of other writers.
Joanna Penn has a good article on this - check out http://bit.ly/L79dn3
PS. I am currently finishing off a contemporary omance series and a historical romance set in French Revolution. I am thinking of keeping the same author name for both... One website... Any thoughts?
The search for beta readers
A week ago I was agonizing about who I would share my first book with, and whether I would be brave enough to let it go. And now I have shared it with 7 beta-readers!
I set my self the goal of thinking of one person who might be interested every day, and then approached them and gingerly asked if they'd be interested in being a guinea-pig. Just that small step took a lot of emotional energy I can tell you. I have to say I have been overwhelmed by the generosity and enthusiasm of those who agreed to beta-read my first book. So here goes...
I have finally shared my work with the world (or at least a very small part of it). That means I am one step closer to getting ready for publication. So far, this has been the hardest step, so it feels good to have got over it... Let's hope I get some helpful (and preferably positive feedback). :-)
I set my self the goal of thinking of one person who might be interested every day, and then approached them and gingerly asked if they'd be interested in being a guinea-pig. Just that small step took a lot of emotional energy I can tell you. I have to say I have been overwhelmed by the generosity and enthusiasm of those who agreed to beta-read my first book. So here goes...
I have finally shared my work with the world (or at least a very small part of it). That means I am one step closer to getting ready for publication. So far, this has been the hardest step, so it feels good to have got over it... Let's hope I get some helpful (and preferably positive feedback). :-)
Writer's block?
Are you feeling a bit uninspired today? Don't feel you've got anything to say? A bit tired and too many other things on your mind - perhaps no new ideas for your story either?...
Stop making excuses! You don't need to be inspired or even to have an idea of what will happen next, just sit down and try to write something. Read through where you got to last time - chances are something will flow from there. You'll slowly get back into the world of your characters, and then new scenes and ideas will emerge. Just read a bit and then write a bit, and suddenly it should start to flow again,. But nothing will happen if you don't at least sit down with it and try.
Just remember, you can't write a book all at once, you can only do it a little bit at a time. It's a bit like eating an elephant!
Stop making excuses! You don't need to be inspired or even to have an idea of what will happen next, just sit down and try to write something. Read through where you got to last time - chances are something will flow from there. You'll slowly get back into the world of your characters, and then new scenes and ideas will emerge. Just read a bit and then write a bit, and suddenly it should start to flow again,. But nothing will happen if you don't at least sit down with it and try.
Just remember, you can't write a book all at once, you can only do it a little bit at a time. It's a bit like eating an elephant!
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