We all start somewhere, and for me, before I could even write by the age of 5, I was an avid reader, and knew I wanted to write books.
Fair to say it’s taken me a while to get to ‘books’ but the amount of poetry and jottings and diary entries I used to do are all over the house in fat folders. They make me laugh and chuckle and cringe. Things I put down were like I was talking someone and it helped on my journey to being a better writer.
Over recent years, with social media taking up our time, and quick bursts of words, the quality of writing isn’t the same.
This year I have been lucky to get a beautiful note book, chunky and A4, so every day, preferably morning, all my thoughts go down on the page; just like the old days. It’s a great feeling, having these empty pages to write and write until the bothersome things are dealt with, then I am open to getting on with the manuscript at hand.
Here’s a brilliant competition, free and closes today so if you can write under 600 words on the theme by midnight, good luck.
The Writers College contest is for original 600 words writing advice pieces on the theme.
‘The best writing tip I ever received.’
I’m having a go at this, just to get back in the swing of competition entries.
Closing day is today, better get on with it.
Rules are on the website.
Good luck if you have a go, and I already have mine, but what is the best tip you ever received that helped you with your writing.
It’s been a while since I’ve blogged, so to make up for that I’m doing a giveaway. Not one or two but three of my Redington paperbacks to give you some great sunshine reading. It’s a collection of short stories set in Norfolk, a mixture of happenings and characters to keep you entertained for a while. Obviously if you’ve read the book you wouldn’t want another one, so only for people who haven’t already got one can apply. Just pop a comment saying why you’d like one, and good luck if you have a go.
That’s not the story. I came home to find out that I’d won Morgen Bailey’s challenge to give the words for a story prompt. What she did with the words is lovely. Exactly the kind of story I had in mind.
Mr Polar bear is keeping an eye on the chocs under the tree and he brought a supply of glacier mints with him as well.
Susan Jones 
Seems there are a couple of follow up questions so:
Who do I test my jokes on?
Welllll, firstly I don’t really write jokes, I write funny; that is I find humour in characters in a given situation and their reactions to it. As for testing it, I rely on my instinct, you can only really write what you find funny and hope there’s an audience for it. My opinion anyway.
Do you know who will play the parts of the characters before you write?
Or do you write with anyone in mind?
Hmmm, I feel the need for a multi-part answer: If you’re writing for someone else’s show then obviously you know the actors playing the parts, but that shouldn’t really influence your writing – it has more to do with the house style of the show than the actors strengths or otherwise.
If, as in the case of Birds of a Feather, the show is being written with particular actors in mind then maybe consideration is given to what the actor can bring to the part. That said I’m of the opinion that you should write parts actors will want to play not parts they can play.
Finally unless I’m asked to write for a specific person I really never have anyone in mind when I create characters, I prefer to produce the most interesting and funny character I can with their own voice as opposed to hearing only one actor in my head. I mean why limit yourself to one when there are so many to choose from, bit like pick and mix.
Thanks all for the kind comments.
Keith