No matter the genre, the writer's challenge is to not only pen believable stories, but the tales told must leach into the reader’s soul. Punch them in the gut. Tear at their hearts. Evoke indignation at injustice or fill one with satisfaction when justice is served. Elicit tears of sadness or joy in empathy for the character. Build tension then scare the crap out of them. That is achieved through skilful writing. Proven by our litmus test–our readers.
The Pursuit Of Story
Listen, here's the thing about an English degree - if you sat somebody down and asked them to make a list of the writers they admire over the last hundred years, see how many of them got a degree in English. David Mamet Imagine that . . . attending university to formally learn the … Continue reading The Pursuit Of Story
Surviving Uncertainty
You create your life, and you can recreate it, too. In times of economic downturn and uncertainty, it's more important than ever to look deep inside yourself to fathom the sort of life you really want to lead and the talents and passions that can make that possible. Ken Robinson I’m stunned over the lapse … Continue reading Surviving Uncertainty
Life Full On
I don't think we realise just how fast we go until you stop for a minute and realise just how loud and how hectic your life is, and how easily distracted you can get. Meg Ryan How I wish an Enough Button existed in my life. A device enabling me to stop the world, to … Continue reading Life Full On
Life And Fairy Dust
As for goals, I don't set myself those anymore. I'm not one of these 'I must have achieved this and that by next year' kind of writers. I take things as they come and find that patience and persistence tend to win out in the end. Paul Kane Good grief. How crazy has life gotten? … Continue reading Life And Fairy Dust
Life’s Constants
Every twist and turn in life is an opportunity to learn something new about yourself, your interests, your talents, and how to set and then achieve goals. Jameela Jamil An excitement mounts I struggle to contain. A hopefulness. The prospect of attaining a goal seeded in my mind for years. All interference forbidden. Well, a … Continue reading Life’s Constants
Why Are Beginnings So Hard?
The first draft is just telling yourself the story. Terry Pratchett Any first step is a tough go. First baby steps, first day at school, first date, first day at your first job. How about your first attempt at a new writing or word-processing program? At this stage of my life, the hardest firsts I … Continue reading Why Are Beginnings So Hard?
Coping With Doubt
Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. Steve Jobs … Continue reading Coping With Doubt
Approaching Writeside-Up
Writing is a form of therapy; sometimes I wonder how all those who do not write, compose or paint can manage to escape the madness, melancholia, the panic and fear which is inherent in a human situation. Graham Greene Graham Greene's quote is a grand truth for many of us. It took years to … Continue reading Approaching Writeside-Up
What Is The Point?
Writing is an extreme privilege but it's also a gift. It's a gift to yourself and it's a gift of giving a story to someone. Amy Tan I often suffer from an overwhelming sense of guilt over the time spent creating a story. There is also a niggling resentment towards those in my life who … Continue reading What Is The Point?
The Journey To Writeside-Up 