Guest Post by Jill Borgiss and Emma Mactaggart Jill Borgiss from Inside Change spoke to Emma Mactaggart from Boogie Books about her important new initiative in supporting our children’s levels of literacy. Here’s what they had to say. ‘It takes a village to raise a child and it takes a child to inspire a village’ […]
I thought the beginning of the year was an apt time to put together a visual writer’s action matrix for those who want to progress on their writing path this year. These are all actions that have progressed my writing, my understanding of the industry and my sense of belonging to a supportive community of […]
In the last two posts on picture books, I explored what makes a successful book, and how best to utilise them. Today I’m reflecting on some past interviews with the very writers of those wonderful pieces of art, and more specifically, what creating these literary jewels means to them. Which responses resonate most with you? […]
And tips for adults searching for their inner child! ‘I just can’t think of a good idea…’ I want to tell you right now, you have thousands of ideas already in your head and it just a matter of letting them land on the piece of paper in front of you! You are looking at me, pleading […]
With all the awards and announcements of shortlists and winners in the last few months I am genuinely thrilled to celebrate with my author colleagues. I like to shout their success through social media and scatter smiley emoticons liberally. But sometimes the glare of my computer screen shines a spotlight on an area […]
Following several rides on The Giant Drop, I took a rather giddy step back. It felt as though the manuscripts I’d submitted were starting to turn on me. ‘Oh, you think we’re so good. You think you’ll be turning publishers away with all the attention we’ll bring. You think your books will be up in […]
Many times, I’ve been told the writing game is an emotional roller coaster ride. Ups, downs, hill climbs, racing downhill, loop-the-loops… From my experiences, I’m more inclined to match it to The Giant Drop; one of Dreamworld’s ‘Big 9 Thrill Rides’, particularly the vulnerability of submitting manuscripts to publishers. Note: If The Giant Drop is unfamiliar […]
6. Write You may be described as a ‘pantser’ – someone who can make decisions, flying by the seat of their pants, embracing creativity as it strikes. You may be a ‘planner’ – someone who needs to methodically map out their story, using page numbers and a prescribed plot line. Neither is right or wrong, […]
Today is Part 2 of my interview with Shelly Unwin – newly signed author. For part 1 go here (I’ve highlighted some themes […]
5. You need an idea! Whaaaat! I hear you say! So late in the process! You have already decided to create something from nothing haven’t you? Well, the actual idea of the topic or the subject matter doesn’t need to be determined until right now. Insane to shift the paradigm like this, but I am […]
