Writing Magazine March 2020

8 MARCH 2020 http://www.writers-online.co.uk

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We want to hear your news and views on the writing world, your advice for fellow writers

• and don’t forget to tell us what you would like to see featured in a future issue...

Write to: Letters to the editor, Writing Magazine, Warners

Group Publications plc, 5th Floor, 31-32 Park Row, Leeds

LS1 5JD; email: [email protected]. (Include your

name and address when emailing letters. Ensure all

letters, a maximum of 250 words, are exclusive to Writing

Magazine. Letters may be edited.)

When referring to previous articles/letters, please state

month of publication and page number.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

After reading Lynne Hackles’ Show up for success (WM, Jan), I thought

I’d take her advice and start small, with my  rst letter.

I look forward to reading WM each month and  nd it informative

and inspiring, and from reading many letters and articles in the

Subscriber Spotlight, I take comfort in realising I’m not alone in

discovering writing through pain and illness.

I’ve started to enter competitions and I’m now working through my

 rst assignment with Lynne as my tutor on the ‘How to be a successful

writer’ course and hope to build up my con dence and skills. Here’s

hoping this letter will be my  rst piece of writing in print.

CHARLOTTE DALE

Walsall, West Midlands

A personal message

http://www.writersandartists.co.uk

The star letter each month earns a copy of

the Writers’ & Artists’ Yearbook 2020, courtesy

of Bloomsbury,

A (small) start

Imagine my surprise on reading the editor’s letter (WM, Jan) to fi nd he
was speaking to me!
Okay, forgive my little delusion there; however the message regarding
waiting for the right time could not be more pertinent to me. I have been
waiting for the ‘right time’ to start writing for the last few years, for a time
when life would be more settled and I could sequester myself for hours at
a time in my lonely garret.
While I was waiting, life has only become busier and even more
stressful due a family member succumbing to dementia. It felt as if I
would never get there. However, something strange has happened. Having
set aside a room to write in that’s just for me, I now fi nd myself writing
every day as escapism, and consequently having more creative ideas than
ever. As a result my stress levels have lowered and I am less anxious about
the future. So, my advice to other readers who are waiting for the right
time is don’t – just do it! You may discover some unexpected benefi ts.
CLAIRE GILLIAM
Shebbear, Beaworthy

Feeling myself again

I’m new to writing. After researching for two books I decided

to take a break and do a bit more reading of the type of books I

wanted to write. One of the books was to be non- ction but I

feared it would be a little dry and looked at other genres before

settling on a children’s book. But where to start? Reading my

 rst issue of Writing Magazine I came across

 ink of the Children by Amy Sparkes (WM,

Jan). And now I know where to start with this

great guide to write for children. 2020 is the

year that I attempt to write my  rst book.

MAL ROBINSON

London

I had reluctantly cancelled my WM subscription earlier this year.

However, with a recently adopted change of focus on 2020 plans I

have just taken delivery of the  rst issue (Jan 2020) of my new two-year

subscription. And am I glad I signed up again.

It seems like every article in the issue is written just for me, geared

towards the ambitions I’ve drawn up for next year. Rachel Brimble’s

excellent article on blog planning, social media scheduling, and using

time productively. Lynne Hackle’s encouraging advice on becoming more

commercially published. Even James McCreet’s great ‘novel in

a year’ roadmap (which I intend to adapt to produce my

novel in an even shorter space of time, hopefully).

Reading – and re-reading – this issue, I’ve felt

encouraged, invigorated, and, if I’m honest with myself, like

a writer once again.

PAUL DUNN

Bournmoor, Sunderland

To

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New year, fi rst book

settling on a children’s book. But where to start? settling on a children’s book. But where to start? Reading my Reading my

 rst issue of  rst issue of

 ink of the Children  ink of the Children

Jan). And now I know where to start with this Jan). And now I know where to start with this

great guide to write for children. 2020 is the great guide to write for children. 2020 is the

year that I attempt to write my  rst book. year that I attempt to write my  rst book.

62 JANUARY 2020

It’s the story which counts. Novelty picture books, such as pop-ups or touchy-feely, are usually produced in-house. Gimmicky books are expensive to make, which can put publishers off.

Look around you: we live in a diverse world. Ensure your story includes people or characters from different parts of its world. If you’re writing about our world, reflect the reality around you. It’s our job to get

inside other people’s heads – sometimes we must research in order to do this effectively. If you’re writing about an aspect which is unfamiliar to you, then find out more.

5 How can I ensure my characters are diverse? As well as having a clear beginning, middle and end, always remember escalating 6 How can I construct an exciting plot?

stakes – how are things getting increasingly worse for your protagonist? What is at stake if your character fails? And why is this important to the character?It can save time to plan the book out before writing. This can also highlight weaknesses or inconsistencies in the plot. If you break it down into focused chapters, plotting becomes more manageable and bitesize: like preparing individual

patches for a quilt, then sewing them all together. Try using sticky notes with plot points on and rearranging the order until you find the strongest arc. the unexpected. Find what works for you – it may be different for different books. Some writers prefer to just write as they go along and enjoy the excitement of

Think of the children

The best characters are original, relatable, and memorable. Think back to books from your childhood. Which characters can you remember and why? Making characters memorable is the best thing you can do: they stay with people forever. Do they have an unusual quirk or physical characteristic? Could someone say, ‘Oh yes, that’s the character who...’ and insert something

which could only relate to your character?Make characters as rounded as possible. Know them inside out. What’s their favourite cake? Which pet would they choose? Would they like surfing? Picture book characters should also be well-developed. Often, texts for this age group feature bland or unoriginal characters. Make yours sparkle.

3 How can I make my character stand out?

Want to write fantastic fiction for young readers?answers the top twenty questions to help you excite young minds Amy Sparkes

Last month we answered commonly asked questions about life as a children’s author. This month we conclude with twenty questions about writing fabulous children’s fiction.

4 Should I add a gimmick to my book?

The market is still strong. Rhyming books are harder (but not impossible) to sell overseas, which can make publishers wary, especially with debut writers.

There are a limited number of rhyming books taken on each year, so it’s absolutely essential your rhythm is 100% accurate if you want to be successful.

Opening lines must hook your reader – whether that’s an editor, an agent, a child, or an adult buying a book. When people browse in bookshops, they often read opening paragraphs as a sample. Similarly, agents and editors usually consider the opening line; the first paragraph, the first three 2 Will publishers/agents still accept rhyming texts?

paragraphs, the first chapter, the first three chapters. They can stop at any point: submitting three chapters doesn’t guarantee all three will be read. As you construct opening lines, ask questions like: Does

the first line hook me? Does it highlight a problem? Or set an intriguing scene? Why would I read on?

1 How can I write brilliant opening lines?

p062 Writing for Children.indd 62 19/11/2019 11:

I introduced myself to someone as a writer for the

 rst time in early 2019. It felt uncomfortable to

make such a bold claim. But, unnatural as it felt, I

told myself that if I wasn’t brave enough to start owning

the title in an everyday context, how could I ever expect a

publisher to take me seriously?

 e truth was, for the  rst time, I actually did feel like a writer. It was as though

the settings of my brain had clicked into place in a new combination. I was writing

regularly, I had joined a writing group and I was viewing the world through a

writer’s eyes. It was exciting to  nd ideas naturally coming to me, triggered by

everyday interactions and observations.

I didn’t notice at  rst when the creativity lost momentum and my mind slipped

into a di erent gear. Life happened. I missed one writing group, then another,

and eventually stopped going altogether. I was overwhelmed with exhaustion and

couldn’t seem to muster the enthusiasm to sit at my computer. Soon weeks would

go by without even thinking about writing, and if I did, the prospect of getting back

into it was so daunting that I put it o.

Now, suddenly, it’s 2020. So this letter is my way of getting that rusty

mechanism to turn again after all this time. It is time to call myself a writer again.

EMMA OWEN

Ashford, Kent

Name claim

STAR LETTER