- image: wikimedia commons
Writing as therapy is something that’s interested me for a while, so when I heard about WritetoLife I felt I had to share it. The group, part of the Freedom From Torture foundation, provides a creative outlet for those seeking asylum.
To sample some of the creative writing produced by the group, listen to this podcast compiled by the Words with Jam team. You can also get updates on their work and events by following Write to Life on Facebook and Twitter.
November 4, 2011
- Jane Austen via Wikimedia Commons
A plug for two things I like today: fellow Jane Austen fans and writers’ mag Words with JAM. Earlier in the year I took part in #A4T, a collaborative project on Twitter which introduced me to loads of lovely Janeites from all over the world. You can read all about it in this month’s WWJ here.
This might encourage you to subscribe to WWJ (and why wouldn’t it?) so visit their website to find out how you can do this FOR FREE. Bargain, eh?
August 6, 2011
I’m over on Voices for the Library today, talking about why libraries matter to me. There’s some stuff about swirly ’70s wallpaper (which isn’t important) and some other stuff about books (which are).
And I’m not the only one; founder Ian Clark and his team have been gathering stories from library users and staff as part of their campaign to save libraries. Check out the site for news on current campaigns, including the Women’s Institute petition against closures, as well as strong arguments in favour of libraries being run by trained, knowledgeable staff.
June 27, 2011
Reasons why you should subscribe to fab writers’ mag Words With JAM:
JK Rowling talks about cake. And sudoku. And some other stuff.
Plus there’s Judy Blume, advice from top literary agents, competitions, great columnists, even greater fiction and everything else writers need in their life. So,
subscribe today. Even if you’re only interested in cake.
June 13, 2011
Calling all Janeites!
Austen fans, writers and enthusiasts – you can be a part of the Twitter Austenproject if you submit your original idea for an Austen-inspired story by January 20th.
Simply pay a visit to Austenproject for details of how you can contribute to a Twitter-based collaborative story, bringing together a range of themes and favourite characters from Austen’s work.
This is a really exciting project which should unite Austen fans from across the globe via Twitter, so, dear reader - why not take part?
January 16, 2011
A shameless plug in the run up to Christmas – why not invest in a copy of the Slingink anthology, Secrets and Silent Times details here? The anthology is a collection of stories from the finalists of the Slingink Prize 2010 which was co-ordinated by Kirsty Stanley and judged by writers Sally Quilford and Eva Ulian. My short story, Fell-walking for Girls is also included and is a romantic comedy set in the Lake district featuring sinister sheep, a Bear Grylls lookalike and large wedges of carrot cake. Is that tantalising enough?
Go on – order a copy today. You know you want to!
November 28, 2010
Jane Austen Image via Wikimedia Commons
A Jane Austen theme today, thanks to the lovely Laurel Ann Natress of top blog Austenprose who has made me very happy indeed. Her review of Dancing with Mr Darcy placed my story, The Jane Austen Hen Weekend in her top three favourites from the collection! Thank you, Laurel – and I recommend her blog to all Janeites out there.
Also, according to the British press this week, it turns out that - gasp – Austen made use of an editor to polish her work before publication. Various journalists have commented on her tendency to use ‘regional’ words and dialect, and questioned whether her writing was actually up to scratch and of publishable standard. Well, literature fans – what do we think of that? Does this make her any less important as a writer? Personally, I think not. Editors are a crucial part of the process – in mainstream publishing at least - and to my mind, Austen’s unique style and the world she created is so much more important than whether her writing was always ‘technically’ correct. However, you, Dear Reader, may disagree…
October 25, 2010
Short stories have preoccupied my thoughts as I’ve had some exciting news in the past week. Firstly, my story Fell-walking for Girls has been placed in the Slingink Prize 2010 and will be published in their anthology. Also, a previous collection I contributed to is being re-issued by Harper Collins next month in the US details here.
Aside from this, it was Roald Dahl day on September 13th. I’m a huge fan of Roald Dahl and think he is the absolute master of the short story. The Landlady is a real gem (horribly dark and hilariously funny) and probably my favourite. There are lots of great short story writers out there - I love Deborah Moggach’s collections and Joanne Harris’s Jigs and Reels is excellent too. Interestingly, all these writers seem to favour the ‘twist in the tail’ approach ie. the shock ending that the reader didn’t see coming. Personally, I tend to create happy, more obvious endings – but then I write romantic comedy so this seems to work better.
Do you like the ends of a short story neatly wrapped up or left undone? And is there still a place for the ‘twist in the tale?’
September 19, 2010
Marian Keyes does it in bed. JK Rowling does it in cafes. And me? Well, I’m happiest at my own kitchen table with close proximity to the kettle (see above pic). Of course I’m talking about writing - or more precisely, where that writing occurs. I wrote an article recently for e-zine words with Jam where I discussed the trauma I suffered while my house was being refurbished. I’m not talking about walls coming down, builders taking over or the constant noise and dust (although that was pretty awful). No, the real trauma for me was being displaced, having to move from room to room, balancing my laptop on various pieces of furniture – or the floor – while the building chaos went on around me. I know some other writers can work anywhere when the mood takes them, but I just can’t! I need routine and the reassuring solidity of my table – and I need that kettle in arm’s reach!
So, writers – am I weird or do you feel the same way? I’d love to know where you most like to write.
August 23, 2010
The British Library Round Reading Room - Image from Wikipedia
Okay, so I love libraries – any libraries, big or small – but my favourite has to be the old British Library in Bloomsbury which (sob) is no longer with us. I used to work there and every morning I loved walking through the round reading room, past the chairs where Karl Marx and countless other notable writers sat and composed their great works.
Public libraries can also be inspirational; recently I saw a new library/community centre being built in an area of London as part of a regeneration project. I think it’s great that libraries can still be a central hub for local communities and even be a design statement in themselves, for example in Peckham and Norwich.
So, what I’d like to know is this: which library do you love and why?
July 18, 2010
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