If you’re aiming to dive into writing That Novel in November – here’s yet another incentive: a £10,000 prize for previously unpublished writer: the Deborah Roger’s Foundation. Deborah was a literary agent, and so this prize continues her life work of supporting new, emerging writers. The entry level isn’t too strict about not having published before – the odd short story in a magazine or … Continue reading Another incentive to Write That Book
I found myself writing this encouragement to a young writer approaching a course in Literature at University – but much of it is useful to any beginning writers: 1. Believe that you are a writer already. This is tough. You think “But I haven’t had my first novel published!” “But I haven’t sold my first filmscript…..” and the minute you say “I’m a writer” to … Continue reading 7 actions for beginning writers
So – you like writing poetry – but how can you make it into more like a paying job?
Here’s a short article by Anthony Anaxagorou. It describes how he gradually moved from a shy 27 year old writer who printed his poems and made Youtube clips of himself reading his poems….. gradual interest led to poetry teaching work in 3 London schools….
The city. A song. Energising. The film “You got Mail” is firmly sited in New York, written and directed by Norah Ephron. One of the joys of having it on DVD is that you get to see one of the extras which is Norah explaining how she wove the different sites of the city into the film. You get a few minutes of this … Continue reading New York! Alicia Keys, Nora Ephron
Listen to this poem by Charles Bukowski if you want to follow a creative career, especially writing. It just take 2 of your earth minutes. It is compelling and clear. He lists the main reasons to be creative – and traps that hold you back. It’s that simple. It’s the entry level test for creatives. Continue reading So you want to be a writer/musician/director? (2 mins)
Don’t judge a book by its front cover, right – but what about the photo of the author on the back? Electric literature website offers picture/summary/author photos in a giant table. Challenge: Look through the list until you’ve counted 7 people you’d genuinely be happy to meet in daylight in a public place for a chat. Purely on how they look in the photos. When … Continue reading Authors’ Photos
Came across a wee gem of a book in local library: Nora Ephron “I feel bad about my neck, and other thoughts on being a woman.” (From the writer/director who wrote the screenplay for “When harry met sally” and “You got mail”.) This woman is talented, witty, writes in an engaging way and has interesting opinions. She’s a grumpy old woman with less of the grump and … Continue reading Nora Ephron nearly cooks
