@libby
Active 3 days, 12 hours ago-
JaneShuff posted an update 7 years, 1 month ago
Every single person in my novel is caucasian (which is a serious problem)and I want to introduce a character who isn’t but I’m absolutely terrified of getting it wrong. He’ll play neither a big nor a stereotypical role and I don’t want his enthnicity to be any more of a thing that another character’s hair colour and Scottish accent. Any pointers?…[Read more]
-
Daedalus joined the group
Andrew Wille’s DIY MA course 7 years, 1 month ago -
Athelstone posted an update 7 years, 1 month ago
URGENT!!! The weekend approaches. If you wish to enter the challenge “Songs of Innocence and Experience” then you only have until Tuesday at 22:00 to join the eponymous group and make your choices.
MORE IMPORTANT STILL there are several Denizens who have joined the group but have yet to POST their choices. You must both join AND post to be in…[Read more]
-
PS I’m travelling around until Monday PM (family wedding) so probably won’t be able to answer questions until then.
-
-
Kate joined the group
Andrew Wille’s DIY MA course 7 years, 1 month ago -
Athelstone joined the group
Andrew Wille’s DIY MA course 7 years, 1 month ago -
JaneShuff joined the group
Andrew Wille’s DIY MA course 7 years, 1 month ago -
-
The JW self-edit course, Ath? Yes. I think even a writer as good as you would find it worthwhile. D’you want to check the syllabus first to make sure you don’t know it all already? I can supply basic details, assuming it hasn’t changed much in the past three years.
-
Yes!! Even though you know what you’re doing, there are elements of it that are still useful. I think there will be lots you already know, but in reading others’ work and particularly seeing Debi and Emma’s comments (as well as fellow readers’) is like mini-critique course in itself.
-
Ta to you both for saying some nice things…but I know I need some pushing and shoving and just straight educating. Here’s hoping the January course is a classic!
-
-
-
Best l thing I got out of it was the friendship of a core of valuable fellow-attendees; we still regularly meet, though not as often as desired and have done since January 2014.
-
YES! I think this course is so good that it will help almost anyone. I would do it again in a flash. And the one to one attention is worth the price alone!
-
Definitely not as often as desired! But agreed – the course was great, but the group of friends is greaterer.
-
Hell, yes – to all of that.
-
-
All signed up.
-
Good luck!! I kind of assumed you’d done it already! Is January the course @johnt3 is also signed up on (for his second time around)?
-
No, I’ve just started. It’s a promising and very varied bunch of writers. Good luck, Athelstone, you’ll enjoy it. PS I’d forgotten how hard the first exercise is!
-
Nope, never done it, although I’ve been on various workshops etc. that touch on some of the modules. I have a feeling it will be a very different thing to be engaged on my own work and working with a group. When I looked the Sept one was full, but I wanted another few months to write some more crap (as Julie C puts it) before starting anyway. All good.
-
-
Yay! Starting when?
-
21 January. Really looking forward to it
-
-
-
-
Athelstone posted an update 7 years, 1 month ago
Joining and choosing, joining and choosing! A brief reminder that there are fewer than 10 days to join “Songs of Innocence & Experience”.
We now have 26 members and 19 choices.
-
26 and 20 🙂
-
26 and 21 🙂
-
-
-
JaneShuff replied to the topic National Creative Writing Industry Day in the forum Competitions, Open calls and Writing Opportunities 7 years, 1 month ago
I can’t @Raine. I’d love to though… But do tell us what it’s like.
-
Kate replied to the topic DIY soapbox in the forum Podium 7 years, 1 month ago
‘Step do Grave’ was definitely after the distillery! 🙂
-
Kate replied to the topic Flash fiction success in the forum Podium 7 years, 1 month ago
Thanks everyone. I’m still floating around in the clouds. Hopefully at the end of the month I will be able to put up a link so you can take a look. 🙂
-
JaneShuff replied to the topic Flash fiction success in the forum Podium 7 years, 1 month ago
Fantastic! Congratulations!!!! I’ll add a few more!!!
-
John S Alty replied to the topic Flash fiction success in the forum Podium 7 years, 1 month ago
Brilliant, Kate. Well done!
-
Kate started the topic Flash fiction success in the forum Podium 7 years, 1 month ago
I’ve just received an e-mail saying I was awarded first place in the Jersey Festival of Words flash fiction competition! I’m bouncing off the walls!
I get to go to a ceremony and everything! I’ll just add a few more of these !!!!!! to show how excited I am. It’s lovely to have a little success in the sea of rejections!!
-
Athelstone posted an update 7 years, 1 month ago
Calling all writers – this means you! There are 3 weeks left until the group “Songs of Innocence and Experience” becomes private and is closed to new members. This annual short story event has led to winning National Competition entries and inspired novels. It can draw out the best in you and at the very least is tremendous fun. To join, head…[Read more]
-
Kate replied to the topic September 2019 in the forum Monthly Competition 7 years, 1 month ago
What a fun idea. Who’d have thought there were so many weird and wonderful names for beige. I shall get my thinking cap on.
-
John S Alty replied to the topic Monthly comp – August in the forum Monthly Competition 7 years, 1 month ago
Thanks Kate, good comp.
-
Kate replied to the topic Monthly comp – August in the forum Monthly Competition 7 years, 1 month ago
Thanks everyone for taking part. These were all such great pieces its been incredibly hard to decide on a winner, so a few brief thoughts on them:
Baz – This one gave me a real prickle. Loved the feel those open ended questions gave it, and the ending is as if you’re slamming a door.
John – Bravo. Love the message in the last line of the first…[Read more]
-
Kate replied to the topic Monthly comp – August in the forum Monthly Competition 7 years, 1 month ago
I’ve read them all and am completely stumped as to which to choose. Will have to sleep on it. Being as I’m having so much trouble, I am open to bribes… 😬
-
Athelstone posted an update in the group
Songs of Innocence and Experience 7 years, 1 month agoSome intriguing choices being made. I hope that expectations are not knocked too far off kilter when the theme and meaning of the choices is revealed. I’m sure that kind, clever, wise, reliable and wholly impartial Jules will make my choices quite perfectly.
-
You’re not trying to butter me up there at all, are you, Ath?
😂-
Simply speaking the truth – as I learned to at my mother’s knee…
-
-
- Load More
Hi Jane, you don’t say where your setting is but for the UK you can give him a non Caucasian name and that will be sufficient?
@janeshuff, my book is full of varied ethnicity because of the region I’ve set it in. To help, I have gone with what I know. First, I looked at who I knew personally, who might help me factually. Secondly, people I know or have known more remotely, have inspired other characters and I took notes of what I remembered about them. In addition, I s…[Read more]
I’m inclined towards Libby’s way. You’re not out to solve the problems of a multiracial society, so if you start planting hints and plot devices then you’ll end up with the author waving at the readers.
Hi Jane, You can tie yourself in knots, trying to be PC and non-culturally appropriative (if that’s a word: it is now) and not offend anybody. I read an article a while ago, suggesting that if you have a walk-on part using someone called ‘Steve’, change his name to ‘Sanjay’ and leave it at that. i.e. doing just what Steve did with Steve’s joys and…[Read more]
Thank you all. Extremely helpful as always.