Danielle Simpson

Fantastic!

Hi Elle,

I really enjoyed this, and it works for me! It’s the classic issue of the ex, right? The one you can never compete with properly. I like it.

Only spotted one typo: “She was the seed of doubt planted in me which feed on those silences” – should it be fed?

Great work!

@kazg, thanks so much for that link.

And you’ve expressed above so beautifully my exact thoughts on story structure – including the necessity of balancing all our technical knowledge with room for the subconscious to speak.

I often think “getting” story structure is like one of those damn magic eye puzzles. All these people around you are like “oh yeah! It’s dolphins!!” while you’re staring at it like, “whaaa?”

And then, you glimpse it (maybe in a CM Taylor workshop), but then it’s gone again. You glimpse it, it disappears, you glimpse it, you go…[Read more]

@janeshuff, that’s a great way of putting it. Yes, “the broad sweeps” and then refining in the edits.

Sorry – I didn’t actually mean that story structure depicts mental illnesses.

More that psychologists have many different models to describe particular MH conditions. For example, for depression we have the CBT model, the psychoanalytic model, the interpersonal model, the biological model etc. etc. Each model is trying to describe and explain…[Read more]

That’s great, @raine, and so nicely explained.

I find so many similarities between the many varied “models” of story structure, and the many evolving models we use in psychiatry to diagnose and treat mental health conditions.

Mental health conditions (the fairly predictable ways in which the human brain breaks down) have a sort of inherent…[Read more]

Hi Squidge,

No, I’m not super-involved, but the mentorship scheme was a huge and brilliant project for me. It’s definitely worth applying. I don’t find WEM especially highbrow! Generally very friendly, supportive and enthusiastic about writers and writing.

Love the sound of that, @raine, including setting up a group.

Go with the one you and your agent both like. 🙂

FWIW I like it too.

I might sort of do it from the sidelines… use the general impetus and ground swell to push on with book 2. Very much doubt I’ll be hitting those targets, but I’d like to get some more chapters written.

Maybe we can have DeNoWriMo (Den novel writing month)

What a beautifully written story. My favourite line: “You said she made you feel young. How did she do that? I replied. Did she read you bedtime stories?”

This is brilliant! A great publication, @elle

Control or to warn?

And I suppose that’s another thing…. we all choose the stories we want to hear!!

I’ve also come to realise that themes / controlling ideas are basically the reason why human beings have always told, written and read stories.

We are all trying to understand how the world works and how best to live our lives within it.

Maybe it’s something as simple (elegant) as “when desire burns too hot, it destroys”?

I think mine is: “only when culpability is deeply acknowledged can true reconciliation occur.”

Thanks guys! I’m going to try and draw up a shortlist for Sarah today…

I really appreciate all the help

I LOVE the sound of this book!!

How about…. (London’s) Queen of Time and Shadow