Deep into the research for the next book, and about to head for Europe to pursue it further. Historical fiction is a new genre for me; there's a different pace and heft to it. Have to say I'm loving it.
For updates on the digging and discovery, watch this space!
Tuesday, 20 March 2012
Thursday, 1 September 2011
August gadding
A month of festivals, workshops, teaching, touring - all good stuff, but pleased to be home. And then there's the writing to get on with: I'm loving the new book. Fresh, compelling, this story is just desperate to be told!
Tuesday, 5 July 2011
Giving and receiving
Writing is about long, lonely hours. It's about sitting at your desk and getting on with the job. There's also the delight of discovering each novel; unveiling its unique voice, exploring, unravelling, unpacking the story. There are the highs of completion and the lows of - well, there are lows. There's also the 'business' stuff - does anyone enjoy that? I doubt it.
Alongside writing and the business of writing, for some writers, there is teaching. It would be wrong to assume that because someone can do something they will be able - or will want - to teach it. I never expected I'd want to. The first workshop I ran came about as an accident - I'd agreed to talk for half an hour about being a writer and I ended up running a full day creative writing workshop for forty 10-13 year olds. No warning, no preparation, no experience. Cold turkey in reverse - maybe that makes it hot turkey. It certainly made it a challenge. It was full-on and exhausting, and I loved it. There is a special joy in seeing a kid get something - pick it up and understand it and make it their own, so that you know they have it, from there on, and can take it to new places of their own. And there's also the delight of hearing or reading the amazing pieces of work that come out of intensive workshops.
There's something particularly special about teaching teenagers. Writing is intently personal and brazenly public. There's a generosity to good writing that young writers have naturally - they haven't unlearned that skill yet. Being able to share in that is a gift.
A few days ago I ran a day-long writing workshop and it confirmed my gratitude that I somehow stumbled into running that first workshop - it was a challenge that goes on giving me rewards.
Alongside writing and the business of writing, for some writers, there is teaching. It would be wrong to assume that because someone can do something they will be able - or will want - to teach it. I never expected I'd want to. The first workshop I ran came about as an accident - I'd agreed to talk for half an hour about being a writer and I ended up running a full day creative writing workshop for forty 10-13 year olds. No warning, no preparation, no experience. Cold turkey in reverse - maybe that makes it hot turkey. It certainly made it a challenge. It was full-on and exhausting, and I loved it. There is a special joy in seeing a kid get something - pick it up and understand it and make it their own, so that you know they have it, from there on, and can take it to new places of their own. And there's also the delight of hearing or reading the amazing pieces of work that come out of intensive workshops.
There's something particularly special about teaching teenagers. Writing is intently personal and brazenly public. There's a generosity to good writing that young writers have naturally - they haven't unlearned that skill yet. Being able to share in that is a gift.
A few days ago I ran a day-long writing workshop and it confirmed my gratitude that I somehow stumbled into running that first workshop - it was a challenge that goes on giving me rewards.
Tuesday, 21 June 2011
Wintry chill and welcome warmth
Finder's Shore set sail with a crowd of 70 or so to see it launched. Thanks to all who attended, the speakers, the students who escorted people to the temporary door (landscaping in progress at KHS library!), booksellers Beattie & Forbes and Random House.
I've had some great feedback since; hope all my readers enjoy it as much as those who've so far been in touch.
And now, on with the next...
I've had some great feedback since; hope all my readers enjoy it as much as those who've so far been in touch.
And now, on with the next...
Friday, 10 June 2011
Three phases of writing
Finder's Shore has arrived: a carton of ten author copies; five days till the launch. Can't wait to have it out there and to start getting feeedback.
Meanwhile, Ebony Hill has been shortlisted for the LIANZA Award. Keeping my eyes crossed.
And then there's the new book...
Starting to write is like unwrapping a gift. Quite a complicated gift, with layers of tissue, lots of surprises - a 'pass the parcel' sort of gift, where there are things to be found every step of the way. Then at the heart, the essence of it, satisfying and complete. Oh, and then the work begins!
Meanwhile, Ebony Hill has been shortlisted for the LIANZA Award. Keeping my eyes crossed.
And then there's the new book...
Starting to write is like unwrapping a gift. Quite a complicated gift, with layers of tissue, lots of surprises - a 'pass the parcel' sort of gift, where there are things to be found every step of the way. Then at the heart, the essence of it, satisfying and complete. Oh, and then the work begins!
Sunday, 5 June 2011
Old books never die
Well, some don't - and that's a lovely thing to discover. Bookshops normally stock a title for 3 months and then it's mostly nudged aside. Even bookshops in your hometown, and award-winning titles - who can figure it? But schools are less fickle. Last Friday I spent an hour answering insightful and entertaining questions from a year 11 class who had studied Out on the Edge as a set text. Real fun, and nothing like teens to keep you on your toes.
In preparation, I reread the book - something I generally avoid, as there's nothing more disheartening than finding the bits you'd like to edit just a little (or the massive clanger where a name was changed late in the piece but the proofreaders missed one instance of it...). Pleased to report I still love this book, as much now as when I wrote it. Maybe more. Even better that a whole bunch of kids do too...
In preparation, I reread the book - something I generally avoid, as there's nothing more disheartening than finding the bits you'd like to edit just a little (or the massive clanger where a name was changed late in the piece but the proofreaders missed one instance of it...). Pleased to report I still love this book, as much now as when I wrote it. Maybe more. Even better that a whole bunch of kids do too...
Sunday, 29 May 2011
Sir Julius Vogel Award
Ebony Hill has been short-listed in the 2011 Sir Julius Vogel Awards for science fiction & fantasy.
The Sea-wreck Stranger was joint winner in 2007. Fingers crossed!
The Sea-wreck Stranger was joint winner in 2007. Fingers crossed!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)