Tag Archives: writing

May 23, 2011 · 5:04 pm

Is a blog writer really a writer?

The term ‘writer’ had blurred at the edges with new technology, so has the term ‘published writer’. All sorts of people are honing their skills in producing the written word by starting a blog in an area of their interest.

Because they are doing it for free, does it mean that they are no less ‘writers’?

The topics of these blogs are diverse to the extreme from Travel Logs, Gardening Tips, Thoughts of the Day, Religious Experiences, Writing, Fishing, Saving the Planet or just their little bit of it……… you name it; Someone out there is blogging about it.

A lady I know who, as it happens, was unsure whether she could call herself ‘a writer,’ has spent a year blogging about whatever enters her head. It is witty, poignant, thought provoking …… and she has gained up to 300 readers per post. Remarkable! ( Tales from Lewis Lodge    &      Everyday Life and Faith Rachel J Lewis)

Another lady I know has set up two blogs and a gallery sharing with us her amazing photos; snapshots of moments in life which she has captured whilst working on the small island of Dominica (A Day in the life of Dominica last post August 2010) and now more recently in Uganda (Ella Rhychlewski’s Portfolio & A Picture a Day -Uganda). Her following is now enormous, and her collection of photos and comments seem to encapsulate the essence of these far flung places; far flung to me, but not to those who live there.  My belief is that the populace could be flattered by her daily commitment to celebrate their everyday lives and scenes. She writes her posts in a batch, with timed daily publications so that it does not become a chore, and well deserves her following of over 1,000 readers on some days.

One day these two ladies will be snapped up by a journal  or some kind of publication and will be paid for what they do. Meanwhile, what a wonderful portfolio of evidence of their ability they are collecting for all the world to read.

Not only are both ladies successful writers in that so many people like to read or view their work that but they enjoy it and surely that’s what writing is all about?

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May 12, 2011 · 4:02 pm

The Albion Writers’ Group?

I don’t know what motivated me to suggest a local writer’s group in Ampthill. The reasons I gave last night were networking, support, encouragement and promotion. Not to mention the greater good of thinking of ways to promote our local bookshop and maybe set our sights on a Literacy Festival some time in the future.

Writing can be a lonely occupation. I only have the privilege of two days at home to write per week and I revel in my isolation, greedy to use every moment fruitfully. At lunchtime I sometimes link up with people on #amwriting on twitter; Great for tweeting and receiving tweets full of empathy, sharing in other people’s successes and frustrations.

I was at a local book signing recently at my favourite little bookshop in Ampthill, Horatio’s and got talking to the visiting author. We chatted for nearly an hour and the idea just popped into my head. What a good idea it would be to get together to share experiences and give real support. He agreed. The virtual world is fine but nothing can beat the real thing!

So, yesterday evening I waited nervously at the bar, peering at people surreptitiously, wondering if they looked like writers and feeling a tad self conscious. One writer hoping to attend had flippantly suggested wearing a flower but in the end we didn’t need them. Soon six of us had gathered, a good turn out for a first meeting.

We had no name,(I’ve called it The Albion Writers’, which sounds suspiciosly like Morris Dancers, because we met in The Albion pub, an excellent place with a back room which the greatest writers of the past would have approved of!) no agenda, just a time to share a bit about ourselves and where we are all at now. Conversation flowed. Each of us had such diverse backgrounds in the ‘writing’ field from and ex editor and published author of non fiction, a successful freelance writer, a man who once worked in publishing and had great knowledge of formatting and design, a writer with a book accepted by a Literary Agent and being looked at by a publisher as we speak, a lady who writes at least two blogs, one of which has up to 300 readers, and myself, a writer of historical romantic fiction (not M & B) with one book published and another completed.

One thought that has occurred to me since yesterday ‘What do other writer’s groups get up to in their meetings?’

 We’ve agreed to meet next month and so we’ll see, but I certainly came home buzzing with positivity.

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January 31, 2011 · 4:32 pm

The Many Layers of Proof Reading – A personal experience

I have learnt so much since my early years of writing a decade ago and something I’ve discovered quite by chance is that proof reading has many layers:

The writing in progress – layer of proof reading

At the end of every writing session I have tried to get into the habit of printing out a copy of the day’s writing. I leave this aside until my next ‘writing’ time and then I sit down and read it aloud. At first my husband thought I was forever talking to people on the phone and joked as to how little writing I must be achieving. As my characters took on voices of their own I can imagine it sounded just as if I was talking to someone. Most of the time I try to do this when he’s out, so that I can stretch out on the sofa in the lounge, but otherwise I have a small couch in the office and I close the office door. In this way I get rid of many glitches as I go along and it also settles me into a rhythm, ready to write again the following session.

The specialist chapters – layer of proof reading

With the nature of my current project I have the support of many experts in their own wide ranging fields from fishing to The Hampshire Regiment. As I prepare a section to be sent to be scrutinised I read it several times before I’m fully satisfied, often leaving it several days and rechecking before putting it  in the post or clicking the ‘send’ button.

The feedback can lead to mainly minor but occasionally major changes and then I need to scan the chapters once more.

The overview – layer of proof reading

I have to put my hand up here and admit the error of my ways. In my ignorance, and also because I was rarely free for a long enough period of time, I did not proof read ‘Riduna’ from cover to cover over a short period of time, before I had a request to send the full manuscript off to Pegasus Elliot Mc Kenzie. I can only thank them for their patience at that stage of the project, as they guided me though a proof reading process which sorted out any discrepancies in the story, as well as any errors I’d missed along the way.

This time I have carried out an overview proof read long before the novel is ready to be sent off.

The writing Buddy – layer of proof reading

How does your story read to someone else? Have you painted a picture of your characters or made the most of a dramatic, moving or humorous chapter? I get together with my writing partner about once every three weeks. We put the world to rights before talking about our writing, passing sections over for each other to read in the mean time. I find feedback of this nature as I am writing vital. It is wonderful to be spurred on by positive encouragement, but it is also excellent to discuss sections that do not scan so well or scenes which have not been set as effectively. A writing group would be equally beneficial and supportive in a similar way.

It’s all in the detail – layer of proof reading

Now, this is the layer that can be time consuming. I’ve heard it recommended that you do this by reading the sentences backwards, but that doesn’t work for me. There is also the common comment that an author reads what she/ he wants to read and not always what’s actually in print.  That’s certainly true. (I’ve found mistakes the following day on my blog when I’m sure that I have proof read it carefully before and after publishing) As you scrutinise the writing for errors in punctuation, spelling, grammar, repeated words and phrases, you mustn’t forget inconsistencies of formatting too, like an extra space or unnecessary line space.

It’s been said many times before, but it’s worth repeating that getting a friend whose knowledge of English you trust to check it at this stage is an excellent idea. Mind you, this is a totally different favour to ask than the friend who gives you piecemeal feedback on the content of the novel.

Well –so there you have it. Do any of you know of any other layers I’ve missed?

And remember the old adage – The mistakes are all mine and mine alone!

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