Writing Magazine - April 2022

COMPETITION SPECIAL

APRIL 2022

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CONTENTS WELCOME
42
CENTRE PAGES:
30
Your 32-page pull out Competition Special, with details of
hundreds of competitions to enter Competitions everywhere!

64 WRITERS’ NEWS And that’s just my desk.

Your essential monthly roundup of competitions, paying markets, Yes, it’s that time of year
opportunities to get into print and publishing industry news
again, when you frantically
INTERVIEWS AND PROFILES
turn to the centre pages of
14 Star interview: Cathy Bramley
The author reveals how her lighthearted books require thought, planning this month’s Writing Magazine
and hard work
for your bumper competitions
24 My path to publication: Kate Mildenhall’s writing journey began after
her daughter was born listing. (And we breathe a

32 Shelf life: Psychological thriller author Harriet Tyce picks five faves collective sigh of relief that Jonathan Telfer
39 Circles’ roundup: Writing groups share their news we’ve ticked off the biggest Editor
40 Subscriber news: WM subscribers share their success stories organisational nightmare of the
57 New author profile: How crime-writing chef Stephanie Sowden cooked
year.) But don’t skip past all our other articles in
up her debut
81 My writing day: How feel-good writer Jill Steeples’ day pans out your urge to start scoring some wins – you might

CREATIVE WRITING miss some essential reads on the way. If you are

12 The first five pages: Melissa Fu explains her debut’s first five pages in a competition mindset, you will certainly want to
30 Beginners: Keeping stories exciting is an older tradition than you might think
34 Under the microscope: A reader’s first 300 words critiqued take in the advice from Searchlight Awards founder
44 Writing for children: The knowledge you need to do the best job of
Kim Donovan on how to improve your chances
writing for kids
46 Fiction focus: Setting novels in the past brings creative possibilities of success, not to mention some of our featured
48 Masterclass: How to use the passage of time in your short fiction
50 Fantastic realms: A guide to writing short horror fiction authors whose paths to publication involved some

WRITING LIFE notable prize victories along the way.

10 Writing competitions: Give your comp entries a winning edge • Speaking of competitions, apologies to anyone
18 Cover design: Cover the requirements for romance genres
22 Writing life: Let’s hear it for World Book Day patiently awaiting our Picture Book Prize winners.
58 The business of writing: The tax implications of being a writer
98 Under the covers: Clock-watching Judging has taken long than ever (you’re all getting

Gillian Harvey is evolving a whole new theory of time too good now!) but we’ll finally reveal the winners

ASK THE EXPERTS next month.

9 From the other side of the desk: Publish and be damned COMPETITION SPECIAL
21 Ask a literary consultant: Make your submission appeal to agents
60 Research tips: Essential reference works for any writer WIN! Insider know-how Never miss
61 Behind the tape: Get the details right in your crime fiction an issue of
£1.6M undRerothme aconvceres
POETRY in prize money Writing
How tsohworrittes Magazine
52 Poetry winner: Winners of WM’s Childhood Games poetry competition 9f0or0yoCu tOoMenPterS horror
54 Poetry workshop: The process from observation to finished poem
56 Poetry launch: Enter WM’s villanelle poetry competition Practical advice Ideas for £4.99
fromWianncionmg ptipjusdge historical fiction
COMPETITIONS AND EXERCISES
SUBSCRIBE NOW see p99
26 Free-range writing: Unicorn-themed creative writing exercises Get FREE access to our app
27 WM short story competition launch
28 Short story winner GET THE WM DIGITAL EDITION
38 Writers’ circles: Crime-related writing group exercises Direct to your device

REGULARS ORDER A COPY DIRECT, with free postage
https://writ.rs/wmissues
4 Miscellany
6 Letters Cover image ©AdobeStock/faber14 SIGN UP FOR OUR REGULAR NEWSLETTERS
36 Editorial calendar at http://writ.rs/signupnow
69 Going to market
75 Novel ideas GET THE WRITER’S APP
79 Travel writing know-how For daily prompts and opportunities
http://writ.rs/writersapp

APRIL 2022 3

MISCELLANY

The world of writing

Controversy, creativity, flogging a dead horse and flogging a million dollar word game
– your monthly roundup of all the lit tattle from Miscellany Manors

WORDLE HURDLE?

Writers love words, and solving a simple word puzzle seems like a great way are going to pay £104 a year to
to get the brain cells firing before settling down to work. Hence the success subscribe to an American news
of internet phenomenon Wordle. Chances are you hadn’t heard of it until site/paper just to a play a word game for five
January, yet now creator Josh Wardle (yes, the game’s name is a pun on his minutes a day? The million dollar plus purchase
name) has sold it to the New York Times for a low seven figure sum. might just turn out not to be such a great idea.

Wordle was only launched in mid-October last year, Wardle having Meanwhile play Wordle for free (while
originally developed it as something for himself and his partner, Palak you still can) at www.powerlanguage.
Shah, to play during lockdown – though Wardle did create a prototype of co.uk/wordle/
a similar game in 2013, and it must be said, Wordle has a lot in common
with one of the rounds in the short lived 1988 ITV game show, Lingo. • Twitter and Facebook, especially, seem to be
drowning in Wordle addicts sharing their daily
By November Wordle had an average of ninety players a day. Then in late scores and tips for success.
December Wardle added the ability to share results online without giving
the solution away, and by early January the game was being played by two Most prioritise the most commonly used letters in the English language,
million a day, largely as a result of people shared their result on Twitter. so recommend starting with IRATE, RATIO or, to maximise those crucial
vowels early on, ADIEU.
Naturally this viral success attracted interest, with the result that on
January 31 Wardle announced on Twitter that he had sold Wordle to the The geekiest point out that it’s not natural frequency in the full language
New York Times. He added that that ‘When the game moves to the NYT that matters (so you’re not thrown out by all those Es in ‘the’, ‘he’, she’,
site, it will be free to play for everyone.’ However, the NYT itself only said etc), but frequency within words themselves. The more moderate point
that Wordle will ‘initially remain free’, leading to fears that the company out that the top eight has the same letters either way: E A R I O T N S
will quickly put the game behind their paywall, which seems a reasonable (followed by L C U D if you’re using within-word frequency).
suspicion given in a statement the news organisation said: ‘The Times
remains focused on becoming the essential subscription for every English- The WM Wordle-hounds used to favour a STEIN / STAIN start,
speaking person seeking to understand and engage with the world. New followed by FLOUR, WACKY or BRECK, but writing this has
York Times Games are a key part of that strategy…’ highlighted a new idea: opening with RIOTS and CLEAN gets the entire
top ten out in your first two picks.
It’s a strategy that might well backfire. How many people outside the US
What’s your Wordle strategy? Write in to let us know or tag us on
Twitter. @writingmagazine

A QUESTION OF IDENTITY

Derek Owusu, whose debut head I tried to rationalise it — I mean it uncomfortable. It suddenly clicked — this is
novel, That Reminds Me makes sense, you should make sure it’s the kind of strange I keep getting asked this. So
won the 2020 Desmond author. But then again who is really going I pulled out my driving licence and showed
Elliott Prize, has revealed to go into a bookshop and sign a book by my ID, he checked it and said “that’s fine” —
that he has more than once another author? It’s not like I just walked in even though the name on my driving licence
been asked for ID when offering and started scribbling in the book.’ isn’t even Derek Owusu.
to sign copies of his own work
in a bookshop. Speaking to The writer, who ironically is also the ‘I was feeling really bad about the whole
The Bookseller in January, he editor of Safe: On Black British Men thing. So I asked him is it normal that
explained, ‘Sometimes when Reclaiming Space went on to say: ‘Yesterday people come in and sign books that don’t
I’m just around a Waterstones I I was at Waterstones in Covent Garden, I belong to them? He replied “no, but in
will walk in and ask if I can sign was buying a book for myself, then I saw theory it could happen”.
copies for them. Normally they one of my books on the shelf, so I thought
say “wow, yes please” and hand I’d ask if it was okay to sign a couple. ‘Really strange. I was dancing around
me a sharpie and I sign away. When I went up to the till the bookseller what I knew just happened. Really odd. It’s
‘Foyles Charing Cross asked for ID, so looked at me and said “yeah, sure have you a frustrating thing to happen, I’m just really
I just opened the book up to the [author got any ID?” perplexed about it.’
photo] and said “well look, it’s me”. In my
‘There was a woman next to him who Waterstones has since issued an apology for
looked really uncomfortable, so then I felt what really is difficult to interpret as anything
other than racism.

4 APRIL 2022 www.writers-online.co.uk

MISCELLANY

WORDS CAN GET Bearding a creative lion
KNACKERED
We’re all about inspirational cross- inspirational quotes
A Dead Horse on a Knacker’s Cart fertilisation here in the tangled gardens of on creativity – there’s
by Thomas Rawlandson (1756-1827) Miscellany Manors. Which is why we’re usually only one up
excited to hear that Def Jam Records on his feed at a time.
Media and PR research company Perspectus founder Rick Rubin’s first book will be all ‘I set out to write a
Global recently conducted a poll of 2,000 people about harnessing your creativity. It’s called book about what to do to make a great
in the UK that revealed the once-common The Creative Act: A Way of Being, which work of art,’ said Rick in a statement.
phrases that they were no longer using. What is very appropriate because he knows ‘Instead it revealed itself to be a book on
was particularly notable was that the company what he’s talking about. Rick’s publisher how to be.’ It’ll be published in 2023 and
deliberately didn’t interview all age groups, but Canongate says that it gives ‘revelatory we can’t wait.
only people aged 18-50, with the aim of finding insight into doing great stuff.’ Something
out what words and sayings were gradually dying Rick has a long track history of. He started • Firmly in the creative cool corner
out among younger people. Def Jam when he was a teenager. He’s with Rick Rubin, WM’s favourite
released seminal tracks by Public Enemy, punk publishers Fahrenheit Press have
Knowledge like this is of especial importance The Beastie Boys, LL Cool-J, Run DMC demonstrated their usual savvy awareness
for writers penning dialogue, underlining the and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. He’s one of the value of merch with their new
fact that language constantly changes, and that of the most influential producers in the notebooks – hip, snarky and very cool in
18-year-olds use a different vernacular to their music industry. He revived the career of their stylish black jackets. You can choose
grandparents. The result of the research was American country hero Johnny Cash with between Bookish Weirdo (hands up – that’s
a list of the 50 phrases most at risk of dying 1994’s American Recordings. He refuses to most of us) and Kill Your Darlings (‘In
out, determined by what percentage of people work in an office. His beard is a work of our opinion it’s the best piece of writing
asked said they never used them. Topping the art in its own right. If you follow him on advice ever given,’ says head honcho
poll was ‘pearls before swine’, with 78% of Instagram you’ll already know about his Chris McVeigh). What could be better for
people aged 18-50 saying they had never used making notes for anything noir?
it. ‘Nail your colours to the mast’ came second,
at 71%, with ‘colder than a witch’s tit’ at 70%. Anti fascist Maus activity
Rounding out the top five were ‘know your
onions’ (70%) and ‘pip pip’ (68%). The issue of book censorship has raised its very ugly head after a McMinn
County Schools, a Tennessee School Board, removed the Pulitzer Prize
You can see the full list at https://writ.rs/ winning graphic novel Maus from its curriculum, claiming it contained
knackersyard, while the Daily Mail produced a material that was inappropriate for middle-school students: ‘Unnecessary use
useful annotated version explaining the history of profanity and nudity and its depiction of violence and suicide.’
of the sayings for young folk. You can find this
at https://writ.rs/pippip Art Spiegelman’s graphic memoir, originally published in 1980, was
based on his own father’s experience as a Polish Jew who lived through, and survived,
Whether you think it’s ‘a load of codswallop’ the Holocaust. The Jewish characters are depicted as mice. ‘This is disturbing imagery,’
(56%), ‘a storm in a teacup’ (55%) or ‘flogging Speigelman said on Holocaust Memorial Day. ‘But you know what? It’s disturbing history.’
a dead horse’ (54%), do ‘have a gander’ (49%). That a part of that disturbing history involves the banning and burning of books by Hitler’s
It’s a great way to get thinking about writing regime adds a further dimension to the Tennessee School Board decision on Maus.
age appropriate dialogue.
Spiegelman describes Tennessee as ‘demented’ and believes that one of the reasons that
some educators may find Maus threatening is because it’s told in comic form, which is ‘easy
to remember,’ he told The Washington Post. ‘The visual component as well as the underlying
thoughts that need to be communicated – because you can go from the past to the present to
the future and back and forth, as your eye flits across the page. Kids do it instinctively.’

In the wake of its being banned, Maus has topped many bestseller lists. ‘I’m grateful the
book has a second life as an anti-fascist tool,’ said Spielgelman.

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www.writers-online.co.uk APRIL 2022 5

LETTERS

STAR LETTER EDITING INSIGHT
Helen Corner-Bryant’s article ‘All about the
DEFINING SUCCESS edits’ (WM Feb) clarified something that had
AwrstrWWpdcuouwotuam‘amodIbhawaloefnlcnn’aeirirascuemcactyrntcskeeodhyhInlphtehioiekieiitanimtsnpnna,oaacrIriieesvmfnt’eaiiimgugv.yr.eewocnnasangteotynioIlIdegatfh’rndm?tuauhtumsaiihfahgbgabhtsaInluiclottaeokelllsudnylortgel-arardetnduilhtdtuecgn?mv-jpiWmoolaetaotrssrmdiyAtroIiaweeorttebiomorpayeulhssmmueeimitf.gneteasdIotnthinwehrnra(’rieIhnaitl.jenacdIter’erdjodetdiwstctoohIrig.dstayosethtusbaiaottAeowgMhmtfihtsnipilt,rprfonoomodutlaha.kedplIea.arortgstceIeremygnwIvM,dcedpjstea.nadoaeoeioh.flitonalagz,Mmredsoabshetmrr.kItiyhsaokcIerneot,n?peIryitieein’aulnewnwsatswnatewrht.itmgyyhigsaeohiirrofanoMhelrnuiscuienaleutitnagutttesgcclthvnih)lrhso,lgnricnatdeae-sentimsoaneifdttgbasdwnégvsltaibbea.eloyymhsK,,lcetyeivee.aaIhuhedlualeadaIeltdsceetwaadsnlfvhMathldaafo.ingyjieowoheuotnonlom,ipogRtvBntnagaabmuashoiteie’pboehnsnduEothldlciydpceetywcegcnrwonRmaekneiyrcu‘trraaarlrtfeLs,etaeiieinssuhlliuaogtvsebalh.etEdsinsleshcnesinrlveaaInuYaee,clditeoelcriyfyvsegc,fowrmdrrf!esRscg.soabnhmsareiIyfanEfuleutsts.tyueyolestbEayl, D been puzzling me for some time. I knew that
editing and proof reading were not the same
Filey, North Yorkshire thing and that there were layers of editing I
knew nothing about but it finally dawned on
The star letter each month earns a copy me why some books, both traditionally and
of the Writers’ & Artists’ Yearbook 2022, self published, were so unsatisfactory. We self
publishers always hope that having a beta
courtesy of Bloomsbury. reader (or two) and a proof reader is sufficient.
We expect to be able to read through our own
WHALEY GOOD work four or five times and find the errors, but
In the February issue, was delighted to read Diana Perry’s letter of appreciation reading about the different forms of editing
of Simon Whaley’s advice about article writing, Pitch Perfect (WM Dec 2021). made me realise we probably don’t have the
level of expertise necessary. I have found both
Many years ago I attended a conference in Wales at which Simon was continuity errors and name change errors in
speaking. He drummed in to us the importance of pitch, targeting, matching books I have published after the event, and have
style and tone to the publication and being aware of the readership. tightened up on spacing mistakes over the years
but, if I ever write another novel, I shall try to
I came home and followed his advice. Many acceptances of articles for find editors who can cover all the elements in
national and local magazines followed. They were picked up by a local editor Helen’s article. There is always more to learn
and this resulted in several local history books. More books, features, lectures about our craft and you are a great help.
and broadcasts have followed and I am still very busy.
JULIE C ROUND
HILARY TOWNSEND Worthing, West Sussex
Stalbridge, Dorset
Thank you for defining the differences between
developmental editing, line editing, copy
editing and proofreading.

I am a newspaper editor who once oversaw a
reporter who was headstrong that they did not
want me doing any ‘developmental editing’ to
their news stories. Through these definitions, it’s
clearer to me that they disapproved of any line
editing done to their work. Often I modified
their writing style to improve readability for our
broad public audience.

M. WHITNEY
Washington state, USA

6 APRIL 2022 www.writers-online.co.uk

COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS SEEING THE BIG PICTURE
My prized possession of January 2022 is to finally be able What a great article The Big Issues by Margaret
to hold a copy of WM, smell the pages and realise how James was (WM Jan).
much I’ve missed travelling the last two years! I write all
the way across from Mumbai, India and can’t stop going It covered almost every aspect of writing for a
through the three copies I ordered through a friend and the beginner or experienced writer.
journey these (September, November & December 2021)
magazines have made via the various restrictions, lockdowns For me it threw up many contradictions on the
and uncertainties. (The British Library in New Delhi would way I write and plan my work. I am always very hard
have had these copies but I’ve not been able to make it on myself and self critical as I think most writers are
there either). I can’t agree more with Helen Gaen’s letter but sometimes perhaps with no justification.
in the December edition. How I’ve longed for the human
connections these two years and something so small like Sometimes it is good to say to yourself, I am
having my own physical copy of WM - it’s as though all the doing the best I can in my particular situation,
people in it have made it across safely. It’s incredible how and just focus on the project in hand.
through the pages I feel the warmth, the connectivity and so
much more. Just to be able to hold WM in my hands till I The article was so helpful in teaching me to realise
can hop across and pick them up at a till in UK. I concentrate too much on my characters and that
obsession sometimes hinders the plot or dialogue.
I’m grateful to the entire team at WM and to every human
that has to do with these copies that sit on my desk as I Thank you for a great article with some useful
write this. Hello to every single life that is now connected tips which I will certainly use in the future.
to mine. You have no idea but you’ve all made my day(s). I
feel so alive and charged, all over again. GRAHAM COWLEY
Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands
Thank you!
DEEPTI RAO WBREISTINTGSEMLALGIANZIGNE HELPING YOU BECOME A BETTER WRITER
Mumbai, India
DREAMS COME TRUE JANUARY 2022
Where would I be without Writing Magazine?
I shall tell you. Sat behind my laptop screen, feeling very lonely I’ve been a subscriber to
and overwhelmed in my chosen career as a freelance writer.
Writing Magazine for a mmoicrhpauerlgo
I’d be pondering on the fact whether I am the only one who couple of years now and How he still finds
has this many rejection letters? I’d be questioning should my an aspiring children’s to write, and new ways
writing day be a little more structured? Where would I look for writer for far longer. I challenge
inspiration and ideas? always look forward to young readers
the monthly nuggets
Not to mention the subtle reminder that I receive through of wisdom but I would WIN Set yourself up for
the post once a month when Writing Magazine lands on my never have dreamt of £46,475
door mat, that I should get off social media and continue with having a writing process SUCCESS
my unfinished projects. I can almost hear it saying, ‘shouldn’t in common with the IN WRITING in 2022
you be writing?’ when staring at me from the coffee table. PRIZES
MASTERCLASS
Writing Magazine feels like a person rather than a NEWS YOU
publication I can turn to for advice and motivation that I CAN USE Writing a
crave in my own little writing world. monologue
42 Opportunities short story
SHARON CAREY to get published
Runcorn, Cheshire 01> £4.99
34 Competitions
Write to: Letters to the editor, Writing Magazine,Warners to enter 9 770964 916280
Group Publications plc, 5th Floor, 31-32 Park Row, Leeds
LS1 5JD; email: [email protected]. (Include 14 WM Reader Boost your business How to write dark
your name and address when emailing letters. Ensure success stories by giving away books stories for children
all letters, a maximum of 250 words, are exclusive to
Writing Magazine. Letters may be edited.) What do agents
really want?
When referring to previous articles/letters, please
state month of publication and page number. legendary children’s writer, Michael Morpurgo,

(Writing with Child’s Eyes, WM Jan).

No longer shall I feel guilty for ‘daydreaming’

as I now know it’s part of the creative process

– dreamtime. It’s not procrastination. Michael

Morpurgo has spoken: ‘You do not worry about

putting pen to paper.’ So it seems when I’m

reading, thinking, talking and walking I should

no longer feel like a lesser writer because chronic

illness doesn’t allow me to write daily. Now I

know – if it’s okay for 90% of Michael Morpurgo’s

time to be dreamtime, then that’s more than

okay for me. Those numerous moments in the

shower, washing up, awake in bed at four in the

morning, on a walk – it’s all dreamtime. My ideas

strengthen, plots percolate and characters develop.

These holes in my stories fill overtime. And

goodness does it take time? It could take weeks,

months or years. But I no longer feel guilty with a

head full of ideas and very little writing because I

know it’s all vital dreamtime.

CHARLOTTE DALE

Walsall, West Midlands

www.writers-online.co.uk APRIL 2022 7

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If you would like to book several webinars please call us so we can give you a discount.

From the

OTHER SIDE
OF THE DESK

PUBLISH AND
BE DAMNED

4MIVW &PSJIPH argues that the Kate Clanchy episode
shows that publishers need to take responsibilty

It has been a bruising few weeks for rule to apply here, which is that any professionals who advise them, to stay
publishing. Kate Clanchy parted passage which relies on race as a means abreast of that. 
company with her publisher of describing someone is a bad idea
Picador in the most terminal way unless it is strictly necessary. Apart Because having failed to do that, the
imaginable, with them ceasing from anything else it is lazy writing – situation spiralled out of control. The
publication of all her books and reverting do not describe someone’s character by two factions squared up to each other.
rights to her. I can think of no other the means of physical characteristics The debate on social media raced,
instance in which a publisher and author – and it amazes me that her agent and as it ever does, to the bottom and
have ended a very successful partnership numerous editors did not wave even reasonable voices – including those of
without clear cause. the tiniest flag next to those.  her own pupils – were drowned out. 
Picador themselves have remained
tight lipped about the reason for this, Secondly, having been caught out, The publisher made repeated efforts
but Clanchy herself has, without to go public saying it was all made up to pour oil on the waters, but at the
being too explicit about the details, when it simply wasn’t was a disastrous same time they must have wondered
talked in no uncertain terms about ‘how very dare you’ response. Again that if they apologised (as they did)
‘cancellation’.  though, I have to wonder at the without consulting Kate Clanchy it
One of the things that is so support she was getting. I have seen would not only alienate her, but also
frustrating about social media is that early tweets which make it clear that call into question how meaningful that
the storms which erupt on it are very she had been flagging these issues for apology could be. 
hard to get to the bottom of. There is some time – was there no one around
a chain of tweets and posts stretching her capable of saying ‘err, have we We now have the sad and depressing
back years in some cases – and the who checked?’ Or even, ‘those statements result of another painful line drawn in
what and why can be extraordinarily are actually in the book Kate.’  the sand of the culture wars arena and
hard to fathom.  for me the far more worrying spectacle
There are various things which are This was an award-winning author of a publisher dropping an award-
clear though.  who had made both publisher and winning, bestselling author without
One is that it astonishes me that agent a very great deal of money. It giving a reason for doing so. That
some of the epithets the books were rather gives the impression of taking silence is disturbing because it points
upbraided for made it through the that, and her, for granted. Authors to a profound confusion about how to
editorial process. There is a very simple can be difficult, that is most certainly deal with this situation. If publishers
true. But I am afraid that is their are not for freedom of speech, if they
prerogative, and it is up to us, the believe offence must not be caused,
then what are they for? 

www.writers-online.co.uk APRIL 2022 9

WRITING COMPETITIONS

WINTINOITIT

Want to give your writing WWWIIINNNNNNEEERRR
comp entries a winning
edge? Searchlight Awards

founder Kim Donovan has
the insider info you need.

With Writing your story. Winning a short story by approaching it from an unexpected
Magazine’s 2022 competition can lead to a publishing direction. You’d be surprised how many
Competition contract for a novel, so be open to similar stories, written in a similar
Guide inside this trying different things. Some writers style, we receive in our competitions;
issue and so many have told me that self-doubt stops them occasionally they even have the same
opportunities within reach, how can from sharing their work, especially if title! The problem is it’s difficult
you increase your chances of winning? they’ve been rejected by agents or have for these stories to be individually
I’m the founder of Searchlight Awards never shown their stories to anyone memorable to the readers and judges.
and with the help of our amazing before. It might help to know that In my experience, everyone who enters
reading team and judges we read for many competitions the entries are writes exceptionally well so it’s hard to
hundreds of submissions for each of read anonymously, so the readers and rise to the longlist or shortlist on purely
our Writing for Children competitions. judges won’t know which story belongs writing ability.
Several of us have been involved in to you until you’re announced as the
reading for other competitions as winner! I can also reassure you that STICK TO THE THEME
well. I’m also a writer who has entered competition readers absolutely love I know it’s tempting when you have
competitions in the past and achieved stories. Sometimes they are writers a great story, ready and waiting on
a small amount of success. Sitting themselves – everyone on our team is a your computer, to try and shoehorn
on both sides of the fence has been children’s writer – and each time they it into a theme it doesn’t fit. I’ve done
enlightening and I’m going to share begin reading an entry they are willing this myself! But it’s unlikely to win.
with you my top tips. it to be fantastic. Everyone wants to be Occasionally I find short stories entered
the one to find the winning story. into our novel competition, as well as
DON’T MISS OUT adult stories when we are looking for
Take every opportunity to get your MAKE YOUR STORY STAND OUT children’s fiction. However amazing the
writing noticed, whether that’s Allow yourself plenty of time to story, it’s not going to proceed through
submitting to agents, entering ponder ideas until you find a brilliant the reading rounds. Hold back and
competitions or writing for magazines. one that no-one else is likely to write find the right opportunity for it. In the
You never know who will read about or a way to reinvent a storyline meantime, why not write something

10 APRIL 2022 www.writers-online.co.uk

WRITING COMPETITIONS

new that is perfect for the theme? The RESEARCH THE COMPETITION may disqualify entrants that don’t adhere
more you write the better you will Look at whether the competition to their rules. It’s such a shame when so
become at it. publishes the criteria it uses for judging much effort has been put into crafting
on its website – we do. If so, this will the stories.
START AND END STRONGLY tell you what the readers are looking
First impressions really do count. for in your submission. I think most DON’T LEAVE ENTERING UNTIL
Give your story a great title. It sets an competitions, certainly in the UK, rely THE LAST MINUTE
expectation from the outset that the on experienced and trusted readers using When writers are hurrying to meet the
writing will also be good – a potential their judgement about which stories are deadline this is often when mistakes
winner. Then start with a brilliant first the best. A few use a scoring matrix; you occur: wrong files submitted, typos
sentence and keep the readers gripped can find examples online. The matrix creeping in, competition rules not
until the very end. Try and show what is would include a list of criteria, sub followed... If you enter early and the
unique about your story near the start, in criteria and scores on a numerical scale. competition organisers find a first draft
the opening paragraph if you can manage Once you’ve produced a reasonable draft covered in editing notes, they are likely to
it. To ensure readers connect emotionally of your story, it’s worth taking a step back let you know and you will still have time
with your piece, present a character and thinking about how well you meet to resubmit. At 11.59pm, one minute
they will want to root for and give that the criteria. before the competition closes, you can
character a problem or something they guarantee this is when your computer
desperately want. Every line must drive If the competition doesn’t publish its will crash. It happened to one of our
the story forward, especially in a short criteria, look at what the organisers and entrants. It pays to enter early.
story competition where you have fewer judges say they hope to read. Find the
pages than a novel. Edit ruthlessly. previous winners’ stories in anthologies, KEEP GOING
magazines or on-line. It will inform you First and foremost enjoy writing the
Finish with a highly satisfying ending about what wins. piece. Whether you win the competition
too. Perhaps because the writer is or not, be proud of your achievement.
mentally exhausted by this point, we EDIT YOUR STORY You will have an amazing new story
sometimes read strong entries that end Take time to edit your story. If time for your collection! Entrants usually
weakly. With each reading round the allows don’t look at your piece for a only learn about the final results. You’re
standard gets higher and higher until couple of weeks and then you can revisit unlikely to hear about how your story
only a small number of exceptional it with a fresh pair of eyes. If possible, excelled in earlier reading rounds, beating
stories remain in the competition, so ask a writer friend to read it for you. hundreds of other entries.
even a slightly disappointing ending If you’re not in a writing group, either
can be the deciding factor that stops an locally or online, consider joining one. You can submit your story to more than
entry making the longlist/shortlist. In These groups are always welcoming. You one competition, if the rules allow. I’ve
contrast, a story with a fantastic ending can receive valuable feedback, learn to personally had the same story rejected
that truly delights or surprises the critique other people’s work − which will in one competition and longlisted in
readers can be elevated. benefit your own writing – and they’re another. This is because winning or losing
a great place to meet other writers and is dependent on who you find yourself
VOICE find support. up against, which will change every time,
Like literary agents, readers and judges and your entry will fit the judging criteria
are looking for new voices that ooze Competitions have varying tolerances better for some competitions than others.
personality and are instantly recognisable to typos and grammatical errors. We’re If your story isn’t successful, give it some
as belonging to a particular author. quite lenient but mistakes can give space, then think about what you could
In Harry Bingham’s post Voice in the the impression that the writer doesn’t do to improve it and make those changes.
Novel (or Finding Yours: https://writ.rs/ care about their story. When readers Find another competition and try sending
voiceinthenovel) he writes: ‘If you, as a are trying to whittle down the entries it out again.
debut author, can stride into the agent’s it can be small things that affect their
consciousness sounding like nothing choices. Proofread. Writing for competitions can help you
else in his/her slushpile – sounding like hone your craft, find your voice and
yourself and no one else – you force FOLLOW THE RULES improve your stories. Knowing your work
the agent to pay you attention.’ This is Before you submit your entry, check and will be judged encourages you to think
true for competitions too. When readers double check that you have followed intently about every word. Time entering
are judging hundreds of stories it’s an the competition rules on word count, competitions is never wasted. One of our
original voice that often leaps out at them line spacing, text size, whether your entrants found a publisher before our
and brings the story alive. Writing for name can be included etc. We regularly competition even closed for judging.
competitions is a great way to experiment receive entries that are significantly
with voice and to find your own. over the required word limit, as well as Pick a competition and go for it!
authors’ names on files. Competitions
Website: www.searchlightawards.co.uk

www.writers-online.co.uk APRIL 2022 11

CREATIVE WRITING

8LI ½ VWX ½ ZI TEKIW

Peach Blossom Spring

Melissa Fu analyses the first five pages of her debut novel, which
looks at 20th century Chinese history through the story of one family

1 ‘He is from walking and walking him. Ah well, never mind intentions, beginning of the manuscript. The
and walking.’ this line had an urgency of its own section is called Origins, and the line
This line was always going to be the and I followed it. itself became an origin, a starting
beginning of my novel, even before point, for me.
I knew it was a novel. The line came What I wrote from the exercise
from a writing exercise I was leading became the beginning of a short 1. ‘Tell us, they say, tell us where
in one of my workshops, based on story about my father and his peach you’re from.’
a poem by George Ella Lyon called trees. But the story still didn’t Careful readers will note that the
Where I’m From. The exercise is to sufficiently address the imperative very first line is not the one about
finish the sentence ‘I am from…’ but contained in that first line. I had walking, but this: ‘Tell us, they say,
in a metaphorical, not geographic, to write bigger. I decided to let the tell us where you’re from.’ Who is this
sense. For example, I told the story take me wherever it wanted to ‘they’ and why do they keep popping
participants, instead of saying ‘I am go. I committed to writing 80,000 up and asking for something else?
from Los Alamos, New Mexico,’ I words, the nominal length of a Tell us where you’re from, tell us your
might begin, ‘I am from snow fall and novel draft. Somehow, making that memories, tell us more, tell us a story.
leaf shadow, from hot bubbling tar on commitment was like firing a starting Insistent and affectionate, they serve
summer streets,’ and go from there. gun; the project took over my creative to push the opening lines forward and
imagination and began galloping give a sense of the story arc to come.
When they started to write, I away. I held on tight and wrote and These playful voices were the very last
picked up my pen, planning to wrote. Not that everything flowed out part I added to the final manuscript.
carry on with my example. Instead, easily from that point, but there was
the line ‘He is from walking and a momentum and sustained interest I guess it was a case where I had
walking and walking’ appeared the that I hadn’t experienced before in to write to the end to know how to
page. Intrigued, I continued: ‘He is any writing project. The writing frame the beginning. The ‘they’ are
from shoes filled with holes, blistered evolved into a manuscript which meant to evoke children, specifically
toes and calloused heels that know brought me to my agent, a fellowship, grandchildren of the ‘he’ in the
the roughness of gravel roads and research trips to China and Taiwan, section. Their tone is that of children
the relief in straw, in grass.’ I wasn’t and eventually, a book deal. who know they can sweet-talk an elder.
expecting this. As I wrote, I knew I In their clear-eyed innocence, they can
was drawing on a story my father had Throughout the entire drafting, get away with asking the questions
told me about his childhood, but I revising and editing processes, the their parents might avoid. Without
hadn’t been intending to write about line ‘He is from walking and walking giving away any spoilers, I’d say that
and walking’ stayed at the very

12 APRIL 2022 www.writers-online.co.uk

they link to the final pages. While the I repeat the line ‘their names are not not enough historical context. Then I
book is mostly about three generations, important’ in this early section, in part, overcorrected and there was too much.
I couldn’t resist the opportunity to slip to be a gadfly to make the reader want I drafted and redrafted this section,
in a fourth generation, even if mainly to challenge the assertion. I also repeat losing count of the many versions.
through suggestion. the line in hopes that the reader will Finally, after revising and editing the
pay extra attention to when the first rest of the book, I found a way in. I
2. ‘Dao Hongtse had three wives.’ female name appears in the story. needed to land the story early and with
Once I realised I was going to be empathy via one character’s perspective:
writing not only about my father’s 4. ‘Though it is clear that he is her Shui Meilin.
peach trees, but about his life, I looked superior, both in age and position,
at the notes I had from the only day there is an air of mutual respect.’ It is no accident that Meilin’s is the
he had ever told us stories from his As we move away from the family first female name we learn. She will
childhood. The first thing he said was, tree, a dramatis personae of sorts, I carry us through much of the book.
‘My grandfather had three wives.’ imagine a curtain rising on a stage Therefore, it is her concerns in which
where we, the audience, look through we are immersed. Her happy news is
It always intrigued me that in order the windows of a two-storey shop. We of a Chinese victory and the imminent
to tell us about his life, my father felt see two figures: a man and a woman return of her soldier husband. We
he had to back up two generations and in conversation. Before revealing learn of the war, not by a recounting
start with his grandfather, filling in the who they are, I wanted their body of political viewpoints and military
family tree until he got to himself. I language and interaction to suggest a strategies, but by the way the turmoil
assumed this was a personal quirk. So, relationship in which they hold one touches Meilin’s life: A husband gone
I nearly yelped in recognition when another in high regard. to fight. Rising prices and shortages
I read in Gish Jen’s Tiger Writing – in the market as supply chains are
Art, Culture, and the Interdependent We soon learn that the man is Dao disrupted. Refugees pouring into
Self that when her father was asked Hongtse, the patriarch, and the woman Changsha, crowding the city where
about his biography, he went back is his daughter-in-law. Traditionally, as she lives.
not just two generations, but 4,500 wife of the youngest son of the third
years, tracing their family ancestry wife, she would be among the lowest in It is the everyday, the tangible, that
back to the legendary emperor who the family household. But the spirit of hooks my interest when I’m trying
founded Chinese civilisation! On appreciation, even good-will, between to grasp an unfamiliar context. In
reading more of her essay on the role them indicates that she is remarkable hopes that it might be the same for
of interdependence in Chinese culture, and Hongtse recognises this. Herein my readers, I put us right by Meilin’s
I came to appreciate the logic of both lies a hint that this first female side so that we could wonder at her
of our father’s explanations. If you character does not follow all the rules changing world with her.
are asked who you are, the question and roles that might be expected.
is not about you, the individual, but 6. ‘Meilin’s thoughts are interrupted
about where you sit in the context of 5. ‘He delivers news that illuminates by shrieking and giggling, followed
an extended, interdependent family. her face.’ by the sound of footsteps running
In a nod to this tradition, I decided to I wanted to catch the reader’s across the courtyard.’
introduce my character Dao Renshu curiosity here. What is the news? But Meilin is a young mother, and
by funneling down from the family Why is she happy? young mothers rarely have much time
patriarch, Dao Hongtse. for quiet reflection. Our reverie is
In writing a novel, achieving balance soon broken by the shouts, laughter,
3. ‘Their names are not important.’ between pacing and character and and the approach of Meilin’s son,
When I asked my father for the names plot within the first pages is a big Renshu, and his beloved cousin,
of his grandfather’s wives, he brushed challenge. With a historical novel, Liling. They tumble into the scene,
the question aside, saying they weren’t there is the added difficulty of bringing motion and commotion.
important. For a long time in China, providing enough context to establish Along with relationships, questions,
it was not uncommon for women to a connection to a time and place that context and character, a novel must
be known primarily by their position a reader may not know. Yet too much have action. Above all, things must
in the family. Though they had names, background weighs down the pages. happen. And now, we are five pages
they would more often referred to by a I needed to drop the readers into the in, the stage is set, and the characters
title such as third wife, fourth sister, or middle of China, during the Second- have arrived. Let the story unfold.
sixth daughter. Sino-Japanese war and give them an Website: www.melissafu.com
immediate emotional investment. Melissa Fu’s debut novel, Peach
It irked me that ‘their names were not Blossom Spring is published by
important.’ Names are very important, This section was one of the most Wildfire Books. Read her first five
not only in the novel, but in general. difficult to write. In the first draft, pages in full at http://writ.rs/wmapr22
my editors and I agreed there was

www.writers-online.co.uk APRIL 2022 13

STAR INTERVIEW

Carefree on the
surface, Cathy Bramley’s
books require thought,
planning and hard work,

as 8MRE .EGOWSR
discovers

T here’s an old adage that open letter of complaint to its
says the easier something literary editor, Andrew Holgate.
looks, the more work has ‘We’re ignored at every turn and
gone into it. It definitely regarded as lesser writers with
applies to the kind of lesser books but the commercial
feelgood fiction that leaves its reader side of writing is propping up
feeling warm, emotional, satisfied and publishing. There is an army of
uplifted – the kind of fiction that Cathy people writing women’s fiction,
Bramley writes. professional women treating it as
a business. Dealing with critics
Cathy’s new novel, The Summer who say our books are superficial.’
That Changed Us, is a case in point. The Summer That Changed Us
It’s a lovely, relatable, story, set by the refutes this. One of the characters,
seaside, about three friends helping coerced into an exploitative
each other through some of the photoshoot as a teenager, is being
toughest times in their lives. It’s full trolled. Another is a new widow.
of wit, warmth, and romance. It’s got And the third is coming to terms
hard-won happy endings. Its genre with an elective mastectomy. ‘In this book, we deal with
heading is ‘lighthearted fiction’, but there’s a lot going grief, grieving and then giving them hope that there
on beneath the froth and it’s no accident that Cathy’s is light at the end of the tunnel,’ says Cathy. ‘Terrible
bestselling brand is one of the most successful in things happen because life is like that. I write uplifting
commercial fiction. books full of hope but I don’t shy away from hard stuff.’
The Summer That Changed Us incorporates Cathy’s key
‘There’s a lot of snobbery about lighthearted, easy themes. ‘Friendship, community, kindness are all really
to read, frothy, fluffy fiction,’ says Cathy. She’s as key aspects of life. So, female friendship, helping each
upbeat and friendly as her books but this has got her other through tough times, starting their own businesses
riled. ‘You’ll see us breathing fire on Twitter because – all the elements of a Cathy Bramley book,’ she says.
we are so angry.’ At the end of 2021, members of The book’s three central characters meet on a beach,
the Romantic Novelists’ Association were so incensed where they gather sea glass. The idea came from a real-
at romantic fiction being excluded from the Sunday
Times’ Best Books of 2021 list that they wrote an

14 APRIL 2022 www.writers-online.co.uk

life encounter which sparked an idea. get on with it, it’s being sensitive and looking for a way
‘Quite a few years ago I was at a party with friends of through. You use a light touch, touch on the darkest
subjects, but in a way that’s entertaining or escapist.’
my husband’s from school,’ recalls Cathy. ‘One lady had a
framed picture she’d made of seaglass. It was lovely. She’d It’s vital to Cathy that her characters are people that
made it. She said, my friends and I walk along on the readers can identify with, and relate to. ‘I like my books
beach picking up seaglass and putting the world to rights. to be about ordinary people who can find the strength to
Better than therapy I thought. What a
lovely thing to do with friends.’ do extraordinary things,’ she says. ‘So
I think in order to be able to reflect
One of the trio, Katie, runs an ordinary life you have to reflect the
underwear shop. Again, there’s issues going on in my readers’ lives.’
a reason for Cathy picking that
particular retail element. ‘I wanted Her key themes strike deep
to write about an underwear shop chords with contemporary readers.
for a while – a place where people ‘My things are women who find
wear their souls,’ she says. ‘They’ve themselves in the shit and manage
stripped down and it’s the sort of to dig their way out of it. That’s the
environment where you do share regular theme. But also kindness,
your secrets.’ community, friendship. And doing
the right thing. And families
The elective mastectomy thread come into my stories a lot. Like
given to the character Robyn comes
from close to home for Cathy. ‘I have A Patchwork Family, looking at
a friend who had the same thing, had how we create families who aren’t
to make that decision. I thought it necessarily blood relations. Family
was an incredibly moving story. I said is in the nearly every book. It’s very
you’re so brave and she said I’m not important to me.’
brave, I am being a coward trying to
make sure I don’t get cancer. And I She’s very aware that in order for
thought, you’re so wrong.’ fiction to be heart-warming and
uplifting for readers, the writer
The oldest of Cathy’s friendship has to take them from darkness to
group in The Summer That Changed Us is recently
widowed Grace. Her character demonstrates how this “It’s not denying the hardship and
author of lighthearted fiction is prepared to put her saying pull your socks up and get on
characters through the mill. ‘I thought, a woman who with it, it’s being sensitive and looking
is grieving and thinks they’re at rock bottom – but of for a way through. You use a light
course then secrets emerge and she’s got further to fall touch, touch on the darkest subjects, but
before she can pick herself back up.’ in a way that’s entertaining or escapist.”

Cathy acknowledges the influence of another hugely resolution. Without drama, her characters wouldn’t have
successful commercial fiction writer. ‘Julie Cohen a story. ‘Fiction always needs conflict,’ Cathy says. ‘You
said what’s the worst thing that could happen to this have to have conflict to create interest, but I like to do it
character – that’s what needs to happen. I will think of in a realistic, relatable way.’
the absolute worst that can happen. You want to put
your characters through hell. You think, what’s happened She’s honoured that her readers frequently apply what
and how are you can turn it on its head. The solution they’ve read to their own lives. ‘Kind of Happy was about
is the premise for the book – three women helping each finding happiness and what happiness meant to you and
other through their problems.’ I had so many letters from people saying it made them
think about how to make the best of life. That’s a really
Although Cathy doesn’t shy away from creating big responsibility and hugely flattering to think I might
problems for her characters, the books’ overall arc is have made a difference.’
towards problem-solving and positivity. ‘The way we
deal with it is how are we going to get through this? Cathy writes for her readers because she identifies very
Move forward? Make it okay? We don’t get too bogged
down in the doom and gloom. The focus is on the
positive and hope we can make the positive from this.
Robyn, who had the mastectomy, is still suffering but
she has to do her gratitude in the morning. It’s not
denying the hardship and saying pull your socks up and

www.writers-online.co.uk APRIL 2022 15

STAR INTERVIEW

closely with them. ‘I see my readers says. ‘I took it home and read it and I
as very similar to me. I have a wide was hooked. I thought, gosh this is so
range of readers but 45 to 60 is lovely. After a week I was still thinking
where the bulk of my readers sit. I about it and I thought this is what I
think I write for people looking for want to do. Could I write a novel?’ So
escapism, entertainment, friendship, she did.
comfort – and there’s a lot of people
who like an emotional read.’ When she first decided she wanted
to write a novel, Cathy thought she
An essential element in creating was doing something a bit darker.
that emotional pull for a reader, is, of ‘My first book was people buying
course, romance. But Cathy doesn’t an old house and finding bones but
see romantic love as the be-all and I kept wanting to put jokes in. So
end-all of her books. I started again and looked what I
really enjoyed reading – and I love
‘Romance is a movable feast,’ Cathy crime but I’m more comfortable
believes. It is important and I’m
classed as romance, so the romance with Millie Johnson, Veronica
is always there and always important. Henry. That was Conditional Love,’
But the woman doesn’t need a man to she says.
come along and save her. When the Cathy originally self-published it in 2013. ‘By
character gets her life in a good place, then she’s in a Christmas it went to the top of the Amazon charts. I’d
good place to have a relationship. Romance is important written a second at that point and I was approached by
but not always the key theme of the book.’ an editor at Transworld. So that’s how Ivy Lane came
about. It’s all happened very quickly – I thought if I write
Cathy’s male characters are relatable human beings it I know I can do the marketing. And the rest is history.’
rather than archetypal romantic heroes. ‘I like to write Her first books were written as four-part serials. ‘I
normal men, but the ones we’d like to meet – loyal, love binge watching a series on TV – usually dramas –
good humoured and kind. And it helps if they’re and that’s how I first started structuring my books. A
attractive at the same time with a good pair of forearms. number of my novels, up to My Kind of Happy, were
Someone my readers will fall in love with, and want the issued as four part serials so it’s a bit like reading a four
characters to fall in love with.’ part drama – a fabulous way of writing because it keeps
up the momentum, keeps it fast and moving, lots of
The demands of the genre mean that happy-ever-after cliffhangers. It was my editor at the time who had this
endings are essential. ‘I think readers would kill me if idea for serialising women’s fiction I said, following the
the books didn’t have a happy ending,’ Cathy laughs. seasons on an allotment which was Ivy Lane. So that was
‘I do alright in the genre and one of the expectations is a great idea of hers.’
happy ever after. Or happy for now. I like writing happy Cathy’s marketing career has provided inspiration for
ever after. It gives me a big buzz.’ her fiction. Two of her recurring themes are food and
women setting up their own businesses. ‘I’ve had a big
She acknowledges that although the bulk of her interest in food for a long time, and in PR a lot of my
storytelling involves the women characters’ stories, the clients were food related. Cooking and baking are a big
male characters need to be much more than cardboard part of my life. It’s grounding, it’s real, the nicest thing
cutouts. ‘Most of the plotting is the women’s back stories, you can do for people is cook for them. It’s showing you
but the men are just as important. If you hope they’ll get care. It’s comforting. We always talk about the kitchen
together you have to know what each one will bring.’ being the heart of the home.
‘One useful thing I got from work was the actual
Cathy used to work in marketing and PR, and her settings. I had a client who had a cookery school. I
own backstory as a writer began with a blog. ‘We built also worked for Mary Berry for a while and we’d have
our own house and I thought it would be a good way of meetings in her kitchen – so kitchen table ideas. She
remembering. I did a weekly blog and it was featured in was the inspiration for one of the books’ characters. I
the Nottingham Post and it is lovely to look back at.’ had the right job to get insight into those worlds. Also I
have an entrepreneurial angle to a lot of my books. So I
She’d always loved reading, but until then it hadn’t love coming up with these problem-solving ideas.’
occurred to her that she might be a writer too. ‘I hadn’t Working in marketing also made Cathy pragmatic
thought of being a writer. I went to a conference about
blogging and listened to Jane Corry talking about
writing short stories for magazines.’ Shortly afterwards,
she picked up a book from the local book exchange. ‘I
took Jenny Colgan’s Meet Me at the Cupcake Café, Cathy

16 APRIL 2022 www.writers-online.co.uk

“I can look at it from the readers’
perspective. What are they looking for? How
can I give them value? I always approach

publication from a marketing angle. I’ve
always got time for another idea!”

about being customer-focused and aware of what love writing dialogue and I can see these characters and
readers of commercial genre fiction require. ‘I can look hear them. When you’re in the café and overhear two
at it from the readers’ perspective,’ she says. ‘What are characters, you pick up who’s got big dramas going on
they looking for? How can I give them value? I always and you sort of absorb that. It takes a while to get to
approach publication from a marketing angle. I’ve know these characters. When you start off it’s about a
always got time for another idea! Looking for ideas, woman but you don’t know what she likes to wear or if
keeping it fresh, keeping myself accountable for readers. she’s good in the mornings. I love writing story because it
I understand branding and trying to stay true to that.’ will be what the story needs them to be. I let them grow
and develop. I plan my books in great detail, my chapters
Cathy takes the writing process very seriously. ‘I’m and what happens – but characters do inevitably develop
very intense about my writing. I use Pacemaker, putting lives of their own. It brings it to life, like real people.’
an end date and start date. I write Monday to Friday,
sitting at my desk. I plan, make notes then sit there She enjoys going on writing holidays. ‘I do love
and write until I think that day’s scene is done. It’s writing with other people. I go away with friends
quite rigorous. I don’t think there is a formula. There and will write and write and write. During Covid I
are certain ingredients – dayness, relatableness. I like to managed to go to Corfu three times. I was writing
write in settings where people say, I’d love to live there. about Christmas a lot of the time. At home I write
It’s just, bum on chair and I write. There is no shortcut quite diligently but my favourite thing is to get away
to writing a book. It’s a case of sitting there and writing and write. Near the end I’ll shut myself in the room
the words down.’ and write for two days.’

Each book has its own demands. ‘It’s different Writing can be a lonely activity
every time,’ Cathy says. ‘There can be and Cathy, whose books concern
a number of things that trigger an idea sociability, recommends finding
I’ve always got a couple of elements. I’m a community, even if it’s just
trying to get what the central thing is one other person. ‘Get yourself a
that will bring them together.’ writing buddy if you can who can
help you get through it’ she says.
The most important part of Cathy’s
process involves getting to know the As the author of books where the
characters, their stories, and their characters often create themselves
secrets. ‘I design the different threads a new life that involves a business,
and write a synopsis and then write Cathy takes an entrepreneurial
touch points, when we bring them approach to the business side of
together, what they share. I’ll write a writing commercial fiction. You
couple of chapters to get to know the need to know what’s happening
characters. To begin with I need to get in your chosen genre,’ she says.
really into it. For my next Christmas ‘Read, read, read. Be aware of
book I had to write 10,000 words from what is selling, where you sit on
the perspective of one of the characters
before I could leave her and write the the supermarket shelves. Writing
other one.’ commercial fiction is a business.
So immerse yourself and learn
Finding their voices is key. ‘I really about it.’

www.writers-online.co.uk APRIL 2022 17

COVER DESIGN

Dressing
FORsuccess

.IWW 1SVIRG] delves into the book cover
requirements for the main romance genres and sub-genres

L ast month we looked at the of the primary couple than general will be more sophisticated in style.
different categories in the women’s fiction. * Typeface usually sans serif.
romance genre, and touched * Title typeface: usually serif.
on how important it was that [Note from romance author and cover Surface appearance
the cover makes the genre clear designer Lisa Firth: ‘There’s a term What is immediately apparent if you
to its prospective reader. So how can we “book club fiction”, which may be look along the lines of bookshelves is
break down the main signifiers for the general women’s fiction, romance, that it’s impossible to come up with
broadest categories of cover? If we work literary fiction, or anything else likely definitives; not least because styles
to a hierarchy of light to heavy, it might to get picked up by book clubs. Some are constantly changing; including
vaguely look something like this:- publishers are keen to have their publishers mirroring other successful
• Light lit/rom com more serious romance titles cross over covers. ‘When Josie Silver’s One Day
* Cartoon-style illustrations and block into this category. For this reason, I’d In December was a big hit,’ says Lisa
primary colours. say there’s a trend for contemporary Firth, ‘a similar cover style became
* Title typeface: often a curly script or romance titles to feature figures of popular for rom-com: minimalist,
fun handwriting-style font couples less frequently than in the bold text on a cream cover and a
– sometimes a mix of the two. ‘A past, to signal they’re not solely simple but sophisticated line drawing.
man and a woman signifies the story romance.’ – thanks Lisa!] That style isn’t now as prevalent but
is mainly going to centre around a • Women’s fiction is still popular.’
romance,’ says book blogger Linda * Can be painterly, photographic or
Hill (www.lindasbookbag.com). watercolour. May feature a lone female What’s often mentioned is a lack
• Contemporary romance figure to signify the genre. of desire for real people. ‘I cannot
* May be illustrated or photographic * Typeface more likely to be serif. convey how much I dislike them on
in style. Illustrated covers are less light • Literary romance covers,’ says Linda Hill. ‘They remove
hearted in tone; often in a painted * More likely to feature everyday the chance to create a character’s
watercolour style. Sometimes film- objects (eg a toothbrush). There are appearance in my mind’s eye and
poster. More likely to feature figures some with illustrated figures, but these amount to showing not telling. Very
often their position seems so contrived

18 APRIL 2022 www.writers-online.co.uk

that it puts me in a negative mood so it might have the opposite effect. thumbnail size. People want you to
before I begin and may mean I miss I’m getting to the point where I’m produce something that’s unique to
some excellent fiction.’ not reading books that I’d actually them and represents their story. But
probably really love because the commercially, at the end of the day
The blurb cover feels so clichéd. I think, does they want readers to read their book.
If it’s impossible to absolutely tell a that mean the writing’s going to So it is a case of same but different.’
book by its cover, is the blurb the be like too? I do a whole load of
defining element? Linda Hill places questionnaires for various publishers Then there’s the issue of genre
its importance at 80%, and fellow and in every single one I say I don’t cross-over – for instance between
book blogger Anne Williams (www. like this, it’s exactly the same as all the contemporary romance and women’s
beinganne.com), who only reads on other covers I’m seeing.’ fiction. ‘We see this a lot,’ says Jan
Kindle, ranks it even higher. Jaggard when I show her the original
Same but different book cover for my self-published novel,
Waterstone’s Dorchester branch So how does someone tell what a Shoot the Moon. ‘My advice would be
manager Jan Jaggard, however, has book is from its cover when on the to always go for the “top” level. So, you
some words of caution. ‘Most people one hand there’s too much variety should market this as women’s fiction.
will look at the blurb, as well as the to be able to absolutely pin down Whereas your cover screams rom-com
first few pages or the middle to see its sub-genre, and on the other, so to me, and little else.’
if they’re going to like it. But in the much homogeneity within genre
shop we often say things like, “Don’t categories that, as Lisa Firth says: Lisa Firth also suggests you focus
look at the back because it sounds ‘In book groups you sometimes on just one category. ‘Whether it’s for
bloodthirsty, but it’s not.” People do hear people complaining that they a big publisher or an indie author, the
accept the blurb can’t say everything, thought they’d already read a book, designer has to decide which readers
but sometimes it’s as off-putting as but actually hadn’t.’ the book is mostly targeting. It’s quite
the cover can be. And we often see difficult to show something that’s
books where the content just isn’t More more importantly for women’s fiction, serious romance, has
what it says on the tin and readers authors, how do they work out how got some humorous elements and a
find that really irritating.’ to market their novel? suspense plot. If you try and signal all
these it’s going to end up not looking
One of the reasons Linda gives ‘Same but different’ is something like any genre. I do try to hint at all
for the importance of the blurb I get asked for a lot,’ says designer
is because of the homogeneity of Andy Bridge (www.andybridge.com),
both covers and titles. ‘For example, whose unique woodcut and metal
I’ve reviewed two books this year mixed-media illustrations adorn the
called The Therapist. I would say covers of authors as varied as Hilary
this approach started happening Mantel, Alexander McCall-Smith,
maybe three years ago but more so Yann Martel and Meg Wolitzer. ‘And
over the pandemic. I think that’s that’s quite a difficult thing to get
because people haven’t been in shops your head around as it’s two opposite
browsing and looking at blurbs, ends of a scale.’
covers have become generic so that
people can order things online Lisa Firth agrees. ‘You want your
knowing they’re going to get a similar book to look like it belongs to its
sort of story. genre – you don’t want a thriller that
looks like a romance or vice versa.
‘But for me if it feels like too generic So you need to choose things that
a cover I may well just bypass it and signal that. But at the same time you
look for something else that feels a don’t want it to look like every other
bit more individual, more unique – thriller on the shelves, especially at

www.writers-online.co.uk APRIL 2022 19

the elements, but the main focus is to something offering universal appeal. take the advice of your editor and the
think of the biggest group of readers ‘Over the past ten years I feel like designer and think, well if they think
and try to create something that will jackets have improved immensely and that’s best...’
appeal to them.’ publishers have invested an awful lot
in design. Now they’re often a work However, for self-published authors
Books without borders of art and help us sell books. But we navigating their way through the
Another solution, if you find would love more jackets that appeal quagmire of genre signifiers, I’d
categorising your romance book too to everyone. For instance, Madeleine suggest there are two main approaches
hard, is to move away from genre Miller’s jacket is just beautiful: the gold to take. The first is to create a cover
altogether. Andy Bridge admits that and the Circe word really stand out. We that is ‘same and only a little bit
it’s not something he’s ever paid much see people buying it just because of the different’, mimicking many of the
attention to. ‘I don’t go out and try to cover. Unattractive book covers can be genre conventions of your ‘top’
fit into one specifically, but I suppose repellent, but a beautiful book cover category in order to attract the
the art directors know my style so can draw people in.’ maximum readers.
they’ll have thought that through before
they even get to me.’ This is a point on which everyone The second is, as Jan suggests, to ‘Go
agrees. ‘I think going the route of just with something you love personally
At this point I’ll put my hands up choosing a beautiful cover is the right that makes your heart sing. So you can
and say, this is the conclusion I reached decision,’ says Anne Wiliams. “Because proudly look at it in ten years’ time and
personally and yes, Andy is re-designing if your blurb is good enough, people think, “I was absolutely right about
my cover. So I thought it interesting will pick it up because of the cover that. And I still love it now.”’
that when I show his work to Lisa and blurb. And to a casual browser,
Firth, nervous that it doesn’t shout the combination can make a real For me, that’s the approach I’m
‘contemporary romance’ she suggests: difference.’ Andy agrees. ‘If I thought taking – and yes, it’s possibly more a
‘There’s nothing that excludes it either.’ the cover was really beautiful it would personal than a commercial one. But it
She then adds, to my great relief, ‘If make me want to read the blurb.’ took me six years to write and publish
you’ve got one of his covers you’ll Shoot the Moon. So why wouldn’t I
appeal to people regardless, because Obviously traditionally published want a cover illustration that matches
they’re beautiful.’ authors still have very little say over my artistic sensibilities? One I love so
their covers. As both an author and much I’d happily hang it on my wall
This is something echoed by Jan designer, Lisa Firth has an interesting for the hand-crafted art that it is. And,
Jaggard: that when you’re stuck between perspective. ‘It’s much more difficult she whispers slightly nervously, damn
a rock and a hard place, you should to design your own books as you’re the genre.
consider going down the route of just too close to the story. So you do
www.fullybookeddesign.co.uk

LISA FIRTH’S TIPS FOR INDIES

• Don’t scrimp on your editing as the finest cover won’t save you from bad reviews
• Don’t scrimp on the cover design as it’s the most important sales tool. A cover that looks
unprofessional, as if it’s been amateurly designed, can definitely deter people.
• Try to ensure your book is produced as closely as possible to the standards of a professional
publishing house. Readers won’t differentiate between indie and the big four – they’ll just
notice the title, the cover, shout line and blurb.
• Don’t underestimate how important it is how your book will appear at thumbnail size. The
choice of typography and colour selection are vital when it comes to attracting readers.
• If you are on a budget then pre-made covers are a really good option. Try the Book Cover
Designer or some of the marketplace groups on FB. The standard is mixed (and often focused
on the US market) but some of it is really good;

20 APRIL 2022 www.writers-online.co.uk

ASK A LITERARY CONSULTANT

Draw attention the write way

Make your submission appeal to agents by following
,IPIR 'SVRIV &V]ERX’s advice

Getting an agent seems harder than attracting a most agents will make a quick judgement call of whether the
publisher: how do I make my submission stand out? story is relevant to them.

A Try to put yourself in their shoes and aim to make it Then, most likely, they will skip the synopsis and turn to the
easy to spot your brilliant submission. first page. It will be your opening, your style, your character’s
Ask anyone in an agency or publishing house faced voice, the setting, the theme, that will draw them in. If they’re not
with piles of submissions or full submissions inboxes and they connecting, they’ll reject and move on to the next submission.
will most likely tell you that 99% of submissions contain
obvious no-nos and are easy to discard. You want yours to be Make you first page sparkling, and then the next.
the one that makes them pause and read on.
A question of subjectivity
The good news is that most agents want to unearth the
next big thing and many leading agents will personally go You’ve done all your checks – there are no typos, and your beta
through the unsolicited pile. If there is an assistant who sifts readers say it’s brilliant and good to go. Therefore, if you receive
through the agency submissions inbox, they too are very a rejection, it may not be a reflection of your book! It might
much on the lookout for original, high-concept, confidently simply be that it’s not right for that agent and only that agent
handled and well-written stories. They want to be able to will know why. Hopefully there will be something in your first
pass on anything that catches their eye with the right agent page that hooks the agent and they’ll want to read on.
within the agency in mind.
To be published, you need an ardent belief in your book.
You’ll have done your research and should have a list Then it’s verve and perseverance, often a happenstance of
of choice agents. You’ll already have an idea of why that timing, and a sprin-kle of good luck. See the writer journey in
agent would be perfect for your book. Or, as we’re putting building blocks, as if you’re climbing a mountain. Take some
ourselves in the agent’s shoes, why your book might be breaths, have a look at the view and don’t give up.
perfect for that agent.
CORNERSTONES
As your submission is targeted – rather than a scattergun
approach and hope for the best (avoid the 99%) – you’ll have LITERARY CONSULTANCY
a good idea of how they’d like to receive your submission and
why your book might interest them. It might be that you read The Edit Your Novel course was absolutely
an article and they said they were currently on the lookout for invaluable and eye-opening [...] If you’re looking
thrillers set in Scotland, which yours is, or you heard them
talk at a conference and they said they like cats and yours is all for the fastest way to sharpen your editorial
about a cat who’s lost its meow. The message here is do your skills, to identify the right ‘tools’ for improving
research and aim to make your submission relevant to that your book, and to get to work using them, Edit
agent. If you can’t find a specific link, keep it simple. It might
be that you admire a certain author they represent, or you’ve Your Novel is exactly what you need.
seen they’ve just set up their own agency, and so on.
– Kristen Loesch, THE PORCELAIN DOLL
Check your submission package: a one-page letter (Allison & Busby, 2022)
introducing you and your book and anything writer-related.
Your one-page synopsis and three chapters – typo-free, of Cornerstones is the world’s leading transatlantic
course – is the norm, but make sure you’re meeting whatever literary consultancy, offering a range of services to
specific guidelines they have on their website.
bring your book to the next level. Our editorial
What catches an agent’s eye? packages include: industry-style reader’s reports,
one-to-one mentoring, final-stage copy-editing and
An obvious no-no is a cover letter that’s long-winded with proofreading, and our intensive Edit Your Novel
warning signs such as: ‘this is my one and only book’; ‘there’s a
load of rubbish out there and mine’s better’; ‘I’m giving you the masterclass online course.
chance to make millions’; ‘this would make a great film’.
+44 (0) 1308 897374
Your one-page query letter will cover a bit about the book and www.cornerstones.co.uk
you as the writer. It’s a template for what you’re submitting and

wwwww.wwr.witerritse-orsn-loinneli.nceo.cuok.uk AJUPRNILE 20221 2211

WRITING LIFE LET’S HEAR IT FOR

With its 25th anniversary the day this issue of WM comes out, Rosalind Moody
explores the power of World Book Day, and why this year is so important

W orld Book Day® is who has to whip up both a last-minute but include recognisable organisations
a charity sponsored costume and a batch of pancake mix... such as BooksAreMyBag. It was founded
by National Book by Baroness Rebuck with the intention
Tokens. Its catchy Never given much thought to the that more people know that ‘reading is
tagline is ‘Raising history of the day? It’s so important, in fun, relevant, accessible, exciting, and has
money, raising readers’, and like you fact, that it’s pre-printed in my diary along the power to transform lives.’
I’m sure, I was raised almost religiously with the national bank holidays. A day
on a love for books. My main influence begun by Unesco in 1995 originally set Cressida Cowell, author of the How
was not just my bookworm lit graduate for 23 April (to commemorate authors’ to Train Your Dragon series and the
mum, but how reading for pleasure deaths like Shakespeare and Miguel de Waterstones Children’s Laureate 2019-
was celebrated in school on days like Cervantes) but moved to avoid clashing 2022, even says ‘reading is magic’. I most
World Book Day. I proudly handed my with Easter and St George’s Day, it’s been certainly agree, as growing up with it
teacher the supermarket book tokens celebrated in the UK since 1997. It even has helped make me into a writer on the
Mum would have thrust into my hand used to be called, and still is by Unesco, brink of my first book deal. What makes
that morning, then purchased my World Book and Copyright Day. Its me really sad, though, is that not every
carefully chosen £1 book (or €1.50 for official partners are too many to count, kid is lucky enough to even own a book
our continental friends) on the big day.
And for that to have resisted inflation in
25 years? Just the first of many miracles
brought about by World Book Day – read
on for more.

Each year on the first Thursday of
March in the UK, reading for pleasure
is celebrated across schools and libraries,
books brought to life in the form of fancy
dress days, parties, special experiences and
more. This year, its 25th anniversary lands
after Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday.
Pancakes, books and fancy dress all in
the same week... what more could you
want? Unless, of course, you are a parent

22 AMPARRILCH2020222 www.writers-online.co.uk

– in the UK even, nearly 400,000 children of their first book: ‘I just want to dress-up characters such as the BFG,
don’t have a book of their own. Not only treasure it because I never get things Angelina Ballerina or The Very
is developing a love of reading for pleasure that are new.’ Reading for pleasure Hungry Caterpillar on there too.
vital for a child’s future, says the WBD is so important, says the charity,
website, but in my opinion it is also vital that it concludes: ‘Reading for The best bit? The free
for our collective future, ensuring there pleasure is the single biggest downloadable party packs from
will be a new generation of consumers. indicator of a child’s future
On top of that, yet another miracle success – more than their the main WBD website, with
of reading for pleasure was discovered family circumstances, their posters for your party, bunting,
in 2015, when a study conducted for parents’ educational cake toppers, bookmarks
the Reading Agency found it gave young background or their
readers ‘increased empathy and improved income’. Imagine your and certificates all illustrated
knowledge of the self and other people’. own childhood without by official illustrator
I’m not saying book-obsessed people are the company of books – Allen Fatimaharan or left
nicer than non bookworms, but it sure who would you be now? blank for kids’ colouring
doesn’t seem to hurt... And how else would your in sessions. Or, join in
mum embarrass you if with Unesco’s Bookface
This year’s theme ‘You Are a Reader’ she didn’t have pictures Challenge (en.unesco.
is inspired, with the focus on reaching of you playing dress-up as org/commemorations/
children from disadvantaged backgrounds. your favourite characters when worldbookday). There’s
What a timely opportunity for it, post- you were little? almost too much to
pandemic, with the cost of living on just do, read and watch.
about everything set to increase. Even in a pandemic year like 2020, For teachers looking
where digital tokens were currency instead for inspiration, I’d also
25 years of such a successful campaign of the traditional printed currency, 1.03
is no mean feat, either, and talking of million £1 books still were gifted in the UK recommend following key magazine
25th birthdays, Harry Potter is celebrating and Ireland in five weeks and an incredible platforms and pages such as Teach Primary
the same. Its publisher Bloomsbury has 66% of primary schools said World and Plazoom, and local library services
partnered with World Book Day to Book Day had changed reading habits. like mine, Essex Libraries, will be putting
feature an exclusive competition offering Considering books by famous authors such on special displays and events all easily
fans a chance to win a magical Harry as Matt Lucas and Michael Murpurgo, as searchable online.
Potter trip, as well as runners up prizes of well as countless others, were so heavily
Harry Potter books and National Book discounted, it’s a win-win for everyone. And how can those of us childless adults
Tokens. The competition is open until 27 If you want to celebrate in any way big who now mostly work from home celebrate
March – enter at worldbookday.com/ or small this year, the first place to go for it too? Short of dressing up in our own
harrypotter (are adults allowed to enter, I resources is online via worldbookday.com living rooms for our cat’s entertainment,
wonder...?) And, while you’re in the Harry and on Instagram @worldbookdaysocial there are no WBD-themed adult socials
Potter spirit, check out the wanderful and @worldbookdaycostumes. that I currently have an invitation to. If
Wizarding World Wand Tour, which will you’re in a book club which is celebrating,
be in Hull, Birmingham, Stoke-on-Trent Even without going full steam ahead on please get in touch with your party pictures
and Reading during March and April in a costume, you can get WBD T-shirts, and – I’d love to see them. Maybe the rest of
celebration of the new Harry Potter spin-off if you’re lacking in activity ideas other than us can invest in kids’ futures by simply
Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets Of Dumbledore, fancy dress, read 25 alternative ways to donating, so that the new generation of
in cinemas 8 April. It seems March is the celebrate on the website (my favourite ideas kids who read for pleasure may grow up to
month to get young readers engaged in being starting a book club and hosting a write for pleasure too, and we may delight
fictional worlds more than ever before. booknic or book bingo event). in their talents and imaginations one day.

World Book Day has such an impact on There are heaps of online events, too. How to donate and
this core demographic (specifically 8-11 And don’t tell me you don’t want to hear change young lives
year olds) that The National Literacy Trust MC Grammar’s brilliant World Book Day
was commissioned for a special report. song, because trust me, you do. You can Donate online, or by sending a cheque or
The report found that for nearly three in watch last year’s family-friendly music video using BACS.
ten primary school-aged children eligible featuring the Gruffalo and the Grinch at
for free school meals, the book they chose worldbookday.com/mc-grammar. Want • To donate online, visit www.
with this token in 2020 was the first book a book recommendation for your little one justgiving.com/world-book-day-
of their own. It also saw that a variety of or class? There are plenty of recommended charity
activities and experiences (which WBD reading lists online for abilities from early
promotes) is essential for building life-long readers to frequent readers and independent • Make cheques payable to: World Book
readers. It even quotes one child who said readers, and enjoy stealing tricks for easy Day and send to: World Book Day
Ltd, 6 Bell Yard, London WC2A 2JR

• To donate by BACS, email hi@
worldbookday

APRIL 2022 23

MY PATH TO PUBLICATION

Kate Mildenhall

The Australian author of The Mother Fault describes how her
writing journey began after her daughter was born

‘L ike so many young bookish kids I wrote ‘At a literary event l listened to a panel of writers and
verbose poems and scribbled stories and publishers talk about the need to be brave and take chances.
filled pages of journals with dreams. But At the end of the event I took one of those chances, cold
even though I adored writing, I still knew pitching my as-yet-unfinished manuscript to one of the
that being a real-life writer was a dream both panelists, who scribbled her email on the back of my
magnificent and impossible. programme and told me to send her the first three chapters.

‘At different times I harboured the possibility that it ‘Six months later I had my first publishing contract and
might work. When I was thirteen, I wrote a story that felt like I’d won the lottery.
was published in a collection and when I held the REAL
BOOK in my hands I had my first thrilling taste of ‘My second novel – The Mother Fault – did not have
publication. At seventeen, I told my school careers teacher I such a smooth journey into the world. Two years deep
wanted to enroll in a creating writing degree for university, in the writing I lost my publisher and almost gave up. I
but she laughed and told me that wasn’t a good option wanted to burn this manuscript I couldn’t seem to make
for ‘smart girls’. A couple of times I entered local writing work, and I put it away for months before I realised
competitions and had success, but by then I understood (or that the story was demanding to be written and I would
thought I did) that the dream was indeed impossible and I finish it, regardless of any publishing deal. In the end,
gave up writing, enrolled in a teaching degree and set out that rejection was the best thing to happen to me. I
on the path to become a proper grown up. secured a mentorship with writer Charlotte Wood and
with the gentle, steady help of writer friends and the
‘Years later, after my daughter was born and deep in the growing community of writers I knew via The First Time
intense world of a newborn, I felt compelled to scribble podcast, which is a project I’ve worked on with fellow-
madly. Then, two years later, late at night as I fed my writer Katherine Collette about the first time you publish
second daughter, I read a book written by one of my a book, I finished the next draft of the manuscript, was
teachers and it lit me up. I was hungry to make a reader feel accepted by a magnificent agent at Curtis Brown and then
something as intensely as she had made me feel. landed a dream publishing deal.

‘I got in touch with my old teacher and with her ‘The nutshell version reads a little like a dream, but
encouragement, I enrolled in a creative writing degree and there were many many days when I was ready to throw
in snatched moments as I juggled my two young kids and it all in. I now know that’s just part of the process. One
part-time work I was writing again. Not only writing, but of the things Charlotte Wood taught me is to trust my
also playing with words and ideas and being introduced to instincts, to recognise that the novel would tell me how
other people who harboured the same desires as me. to be written, to hold my nerve when the going (both
creative and on the path to publication) got tough.
‘I often describe my first book – Skylarking – as a lucky Conversations with other writers, especially through the
accident. I literally stumbled across the seed of the story podcast, have shown me there are a thousand different
during a camping trip I took with my family when I was paths to publication, all of them legitimate and most
in the first year of the writing course; an old grave with a of them with some rocky patches before the thrilling
tantalising story about two girls growing up in a lighthouse moment you hold your book in your hands.
and a tragic early death.
‘Turns out being a writer isn’t impossible. But it is
‘Gripped by snippets of information I could find in the magnificent.’
archives about the event, I soon wrote the first words of
what would become my first book. That first time, weekly Kate’s top tips:
fiction classes where we workshopped each other’s work,
gave me accountability along with the delicious taste of • No one can publish a book from your head. Focus on
readers wanting more. By the time I had forty thousand getting words on the page (AKA bum glue!)
words I knew I could write it all the way to the end.
• Find yourself a writing community and get involved.
‘One of the best pieces of advice we were given as eager Learning from and with other writers is one of the best
first year students, was to get involved in the writing (and most fun) parts of being a writer.
community – to submit writing for publication or
competitions, join Twitter, attend events and festivals and
book launches and to try not to be terrified of saying hello
to real life published authors.

24 APRIL 2022 www.writers-online.co.uk

Phoebe Morgan, Kate’s UK editor at HarperCollins:

‘I loved The Mother Fault from in my role at HarperCollins, and it really does feel so
the moment I picked it up. exciting when a manuscript as accomplished as The
Kate is a beautiful writer, and Mother Fault comes along. It’s a fascinating look at
she created such a believable, a world in which the government has total control –
empathetic character in Mim, something I find so interesting anyway, particularly
who will do anything to in a year blighted by government lockdowns due to
keep her children safe, even the pandemic – and the way it depicts the strength of
if it means putting them in a mother’s love is outstanding. So many novels try to
danger. Part adventure, part tackle the latter subject, but it was the scope of this
futuristic take on an all-too-easily believable world, one that particularly stood out to me; Kate has created
and part love story, this is a truly unique novel by an a big, ambitious story that even feels epic at times,
incredibly talented author. I see so many submissions and I’m so proud to be her UK publisher.’

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Brian K
https://writ.rs/critique

www.writers-online.co.uk APRIL 2022 25

wRFrARiNtEiGEnEg Fantbaesatsict Let your
imagination take

flight in these
unicorn-themed
creative writing
exercises from

Jenny
Alexander

When it feels as if the walls are closing in on us in rescuing, like the alien and the humanoid amphibian, it also
real life, we can always escape in imagination, has the power to bring positive change for the protagonist.
and we do it naturally, without even noticing, So, what is wrong or missing in your protagonist’s life? How
daydreaming possible futures for ourselves, can meeting the unicorn make their life better?
playing with different versions of the past.
So, fire up your imagination and go full fantasy with this Jot down some notes about how the situation might
month’s free-range writing, because April 9th is National develop. Perhaps this could be the beginning of many
Unicorn Day. Be playful, and enjoy your playfulness, adventures, or a single longer story. Then write the scene of
because that is the essence of the first draft, whatever you are this magical first encounter, taking about fifteen minutes.
writing. As Brenda Ueland says in her book on becoming
a writer, you shouldn’t come to it feeling like a famous Non-fiction
poet pontificating on a mountain-top, but ‘like a child in
kindergarten, happily stringing beads.’ With sparkly unicorns featuring so strongly in books and
clothes for small girls, you could be forgiven for thinking
I think free-range writing is like that, playing with a unicorns are just a commercial opportunity dreamed up by
theme, seeing what it does in different genres, and there’s manufacturers and marketeers, but the unicorn has been
only one rule: stick to the timings. around for centuries, across the globe.

Memoir It appeared in early Mesopotamian artworks, and in the
ancient myths of India and China, where it was believed
In childhood, we all encounter magical fantasy figures such to have healing powers. In Christian mythology, it is a
as Father Christmas and the tooth fairy, and many children symbol for Christ and Mary. It was adopted as Scotland’s
believe in dragons and unicorns and have imaginary friends. national animal in the fifteenth century. In modern dating,
I was a more literal child, preferring adventure stories to it denotes… well if you don’t know, you can find out!
elves and fairies, and staying awake to test my belief that
Father Christmas was, in fact, my dad. Do some research. Write a list article of unicorn facts. Take
twenty minutes.
I’ve grown more open to fantasy fiction as I’ve got older;
in fact, the first adult novel I sent to my agent was about TIP: When you are writing an article, imagine it being
aliens visiting the earth for their holidays. published. What kind of magazine or website does it appear
on? Picture it on the page. This will help you to visualise
How did you engage with magical figures in your your reader and get the voice right.
childhood? Have you held the magic into adult life? How
do you feel about fantasy books and films? Which ones Poetry
have you enjoyed over the years? Write whatever comes, for
twenty minutes. There’s a poem that I like by David Hernandez called
Sincerely, the Sky, in which the sky speaks to a person who
Fiction often comes out onto their veranda at night and stares up at
it. It starts, I see you there….and ends with the sky’s advice to
Some fantasy fiction is set in completely imagined worlds, the stargazer. You can find the poem online.
but some simply introduces a fantasy element into a real
world story, such as the alien in the family film E.T. or The voice of your poem is a unicorn, speaking to a
the humanoid amphibian in the romantic fantasy, The person who is looking at it in wonder, or maybe confusion,
Shape of Water. or happiness or shock. Start by imagining yourself as the
unicorn, using all your senses. Fully inhabit that body; feel
Creating a whole new world is probably outside the scope the air on your skin and in your nostrils, your four legs,
of a twenty-minute free-range writing task, so your story your hooves, your strong back, your head, ears, mane. Your
here will be about a unicorn in a real life situation. Who sees magical horn.
or finds it? If you are writing for children, your protagonist
will be the same age or slightly older than your reader. Make Imagine the scene where this encounter takes place.
some character notes – their name, age, something about Picture the person, their body language, their face. Where
their circumstances. are they? How old? Have they seen you before? Did they
seek you out? What do you feel they need? What advice can
A unicorn is a magical creature so, even if it needs you give them?

Write your poem, taking about twenty minutes.

26 APRIL 2022 www.writers-online.co.uk

WIN! £ 5 0 0
IN CASH PRIZES & PUBLICATION

SuSpCHOeOMrRPTnESaTTItTOuIROrYNal £250

TO BE
WON

SEE P62

FOR ENTRY
DETAILS, FULL

RULES AND
ENTRY FORMS

With results publishing in time for Halloween,
submit stories from the other side for this

competition, from classic ghost story or folk
horror to monster mashup or urban fantasy,

and everything in between.

STILL TIME
TO ENTER

With its closing date of 15 April,

there’s still time to enter last

month’s competition for short £250 The closing date is 15 May.
stories up to 750 words. The winner will receive £200, with
Prizes are as above. TO BE £50 for the runner-up, and publication
See p62 for full details. WON
in Writing Magazine for both.

750 WORD COMPETITION WINNERS Read
LXXc[TothQm em Ej[uTednVVgt MseX s a’VtW
Beauty?

by Charlie Place

Having always been a reader rather than a writer, Charlie started entering Writing FIRST
Magazine competitions for something to do during lockdown when it got too cold PLACE
to go walking and he ran out of box sets to watch. He loves reading the competition
winners, and is always blown away by the talent that’s out there, so is really excited to £200
have joined their ranks with something he wrote to be seen in the same light.

T ake a journey through the seen them win at Grimsby. watch. He’s seen this film many times
murky world of social media On the coach they’re discussing before and the end is so predictable.
and you find a society that
is obsessed with beauty. ‘My Chester’s chances this afternoon. It’s Then deep into stoppage time
beautiful clothes!’ ‘Look at not looking good. Various reasons are something incredible happens.
my beautiful banana bread!’ ‘Kim offered for the gloomy predictions. Attempting to change the angle for
Kardashian is so beautiful!’ The choice of goalkeeper. The team’s a one last attack, the Grimsby left-
formation. Big Si forgetting to put his back plays a sloppy ball across the
And we all admire beauty, right? lucky boxer shorts on. Whatever, it’s pitch but he’s unaware of Patrick
But beauty and beautiful are powerful unanimously agreed that Chester are in Underwood, the Chester striker who
concepts and I worry that we risk for a pasting and yet here they all are, is lurking in the vicinity. Quick as a
cheapening the words when we use and John loves them all like brothers flash Underwood latches onto the stray
them to refer to some tacky jewellery and sisters. pass and hares towards the Grimsby
or airbrushed soap star and then goal. He pauses briefly to draw out
maybe we won’t appreciate real beauty Because this is what John lives for. the keeper before slotting the ball into
when we see it. He loves hard earned points away on the bottom corner of the goal with a
a Tuesday night. He loves seeing old calmness and a skill that belies his day
Let me tell you about John. friends on the coach. He loves Chicken job as a sheet metal worker and sparks
At seven o’clock on Saturday Balti pies with molten meat fillings absolute scenes behind the goal.
morning John was sipping tea, that burn the roof of your mouth. He
munching toast and contemplating the loves that sinking feeling in the pit of John rises from his seat and he’s
day ahead. Grimsby away. One to sort your stomach as the opposition get a celebrating, waving his scarf, hugging
the men out from the boys. It’s a good corner deep into injury time. But most all around him, but soon he knows that
five hours on the coach from Chester of all, he loves his team. something isn’t right. There’s a tightness
and on a brutal February afternoon in his chest and a stabbing pain from the
the wind will be whipping in from Half time and the Chester fans back of his head which brings him to
the North Sea, chilling you to the are buzzing. Pre-match pints are still his knees. It would appear that the final
bone. But it’s Saturday and Saturday’s flowing round their systems and whistle has blown for John too. And as
the day John goes to the football, no contrary to all predictions Chester are he closes his eyes for the final time, the
excuses, so he tightens his scarf, pulls winning. A scrappy goal to be fair, last thing he hears are the voices of the
on his hat, buttons up his coat and he’s ‘hard to see who got the final touch’ Chester faithful who are still focussed
out the door. the local paper will admit later, but the on the drama on the pitch and blissfully
John is 77. He’s been doing this for narrow one nil lead is something to unaware of the drama unfolding in the
60 years now. Jobs, wives and money cling onto. stand and have launched into a chorus of
have come and gone, but there’s always ‘Chester ‘till I die’.
been one constant, the love of Chester, The second half is a different story.
the love of his club. He’s seen them Grimsby have equalised and are He died doing what he loved. With
beat ex-European Champions and he’s pushing for a winner. the people he loved, watching the club
seen them lose to small villages you’d he loved, from the town he loved, and
struggle to place on a map. He’s seen it The atmosphere has changed. he finally saw Chester beat Grimsby.
all. Well, nearly all, because he’s never Darkness is falling now, and it reflects And I ask you. What could be more
the mood of the Chester fans. All the beautiful than that?
banter and joviality has gone. Tense
faces stare on anxiously. John can’t

28 APRIL 2022 www.writers-online.co.uk

Blinded by the Light SECOND
PLACE

by Dianne Bown-Wilson £50

As a long-term WM subscriber Dianne Bown-Wilson has won a few prizes over the years and is
delighted to see this story make the grade. She enjoys writing character-led short stories and has
drafted two novels. A new collection of her prize-winning short-stories, Degrees of Exposure was
published in 2021. She has a PhD in a subject unrelated to writing. Twitter: @BownWDianne

‘ A nything you want,’ she sea. His parents say little, staying mere besprinkled; the ice-cream stuff of dreams.
says. Mummy’s voice, while seconds and once they leave, he realises he’s Later, lunch over, Auntie Liliane
always gentle, is husky from entered a parallel universe where minutes
that cough. The boy looks pass as slowly as years. sprawls on a bench on the promenade,
to his father, anticipating rhythmically jiggling the pram.
disagreement, but finds that he too is After an initial hard stare, Auntie
smiling, warm as melty cheese. ‘You can Liliane barely acknowledges his presence, ‘May I go and paddle?’ the boy asks,
buy a lot with thirty pounds,’ he chuckles. spending the morning polishing brassware, half-expecting a knockback but wondering
’Just make sure it’s not all sweets.’ muttering as she buffs. When finally he if somehow she’s thawed.
finds the courage to whisper that he’s
Mummy holds out his coat, and hungry, her sigh is as deep as the wind. ‘Don’t drown,’ she tells him curtly, not
reluctantly, he pulls it on. He ought to ‘Wait!’ she hisses. bothering to look his way.
be euphoric; birthday money usually
gets funnelled into a savings account for He stands for an eternity while she *****
unfathomable ‘future needs’. But fear has crams her gnarled feet into walking boots Today, out with his mother on his
obliterated excitement. All he wants now is and checks each lock on the windows and spending spree, the boy tries to ignore
to lose himself in building Lego castles in doors. Outside, when he dares to enquire how slowly she’s walking and that when
the safety of his room. where they’re going, she doesn’t bother to they stand in front of shop windows, her
reply (but her little dog, Coochee, ugly reflection floats like a ghost.
Of course, he knows why they’re as a gargoyle, is coming along with them, ‘Do you want to go in?’ she asks
doing it. riding royally in a baby-sized pram). repeatedly.
He shakes his head, swallowing the
Two days ago, on the night before his Twenty minutes later, with no panic that rises in his throat. His hands are
birthday, his father announced they were comment or consultation, they’re eating rammed in his pockets, one gripping the
cancelling their trip to the waterpark, and dry sandwiches in silence at a rundown purse, the other caressing an ovoid pebble
he’d be spending the day with a rarely- beachside café. Without warning, Auntie that he stole from yesterday’s beach.
mentioned stranger, Auntie Liliane. Liliane speaks, her voice rumbling up like ‘You should have told me!’ he wants to
an unblocking drain. ‘You look a lot like yell at his mother. But of course, it’s too
‘Your mother and I have an your mother did at your age. She’s going late now.
appointment,’ he said, ‘And unfortunately, to need you - and your father - though I She keeps peering at him anxiously,
we can’t change it. So for once, you’ll have doubt either of you will be much use.’ matching every glance with a smile.
to be a big boy.’ Finally, after an hour, sensing his
He’s baffled. ‘Why? What do I have mother’s exhaustion, he forces himself to
For once? to do?’ make a decision – a pair of heavy-framed,
***** reflective-lensed sunglasses, fifty pence
‘Nothing,’ she snaps. ‘Just make sure you from the charity shop.
In the morning, on their way to the don’t cause her grief. She’s got enough on He doesn’t try them on.
city, his parents detour to the coastal her plate.’ ‘Really? Nothing more?’ His mother
town where Auntie Liliane lives. He’s queries.
been here before with his mother and He waits, but Auntie Liliane says He shakes his head. Inside himself,
remembers having liked it - but now, nothing more, although she seems to be the boy hears her voice as if she’s
abandoned here on his birthday? He sees thinking hard. ‘Ice-cream,’ she says finally, already left him. Anything you want,
it in a different light. looking straight at him. ‘I suppose you it says.
deserve a treat.’ Out on the street, he pulls the purse
Half witch, half scarecrow, Auntie from his pocket and places it in her hand.
Liliane lives in a decomposing cottage Without waiting for a response, she
festooned with cacti and crocheted knick- calls across to a waitress and orders him
knacks and odd items reclaimed from the a Sundae Royale, multi-coloured and

SHORTLISTED
Also shortlisted in the 750-word short story competition were: Jane Ayrie, York; Deb Bridges, Bovey Tracey, Devon; Michael
Callaghan, Glasgow; Jess Crandon, Wokingham, Berkshire; Sue Gale, Brookwood, Surrey; Phil Gilvin, Swindon, Wiltshire;
John Holmes, Sunderland, Tyne and Wear; GP Hyde, Grimsby, NE Lincolnshire; Colin Lee, Thame, Oxfordshire; Jeanette
Lowe, Sheffield, South Yorkshire; Damien McKeating, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire; Janine Pulford, Ferndown,
Dorset; Joanne Rush, Trowbridge, Wiltshire; Jane Scampion, Ilkley, West Yorkshire; Karen Tucker, Tunbridge Wells, Kent.

www.writers-online.co.uk APRIL 2022 29

BEGINNERS

Set in
stone age

Since time immemorial it’s been essential to keep stories exciting, says %HVMER 1EKWSR

Y ou’re a writer, a storyteller, a spinner of tales, on about planting and gathering, without any mention of
a painter of dreams; capable of drawing danger or excitement, but where’s the fun in that?
readers out of their everyday and into your
world – or, at least, the one you’ve created. Put simply, an uneventful tale of tracking game without
It sounds almost noble, even un peu seeing anything the least bit dangerous or interesting
pretentious. But at heart, it’s what storytelling has always was no way to educate or entertain the ankle biters.
been about, ever since the first humans capable of forming Come forward many millennia and the jesters and court
words got their kids around the fire and told them what entertainers in the middle ages had the same approach…
they’d been doing that day. For some these activities would only their risk of incurring boredom was a lot nastier than
have been repetitive, mainly for survival; foraging, planting someone falling asleep. ‘Off with his head!’ wasn’t invented
crops, skinning game, avoiding enemies or simply making by modern pantomime or in Carry On films.
a big round disc-shaped thing and putting legs on it to
make a coffee table. Holding an audience’s interest is still vital – even more
so now there are so many other calls on potential readers’
(Rumour has it that the family on the other side copied time and attention. Our job is to make sure they don’t turn
what they were doing but drilled a hole in the middle, too often to one of these other distractions.
thereby creating the first wheel. The table family missed
out on all the credit which followed, but that’s the nature A careful read-through edit is one way of achieving this.
of invention; if you create something, it’s no good keeping Editing, which I believe I may have mentioned once or
it to yourself. The same applies to your writing). twice before, gives you an excellent chance to not only spot
typos, but to spice up your story and make sure it has a
This is a roundabout way of saying that the family certain balance.
who spiced up their daily stories with a touch of drama The first thing to do is read it through and check
and tension (aka, the occasional mention of mammoths, for variations in the tempo. Think, if you will, of an
avoiding snarly sabre-toothed tigers and fighting off electrocardiogram. What you need is some variation in the
pterodactyls to dig up their eggs for a nice omelette) were base line; lots of ups and downs signify things happening.
no fools. What they picked up on was getting an audience Flat-lines not so much.
hooked and keeping them that way until it was time for bed. A couple of other points: if a sentence reads a bit
I suppose they could have bored them to sleep by droning long, prune it. More than a couple of commas and a
reader will need at least three mental breaths to get

30 APRIL 2022 www.writers-online.co.uk

through it. Keep it moving, keep it snappy, keep ƒ Detailed critical assessments by professional editors
something happening. for writing at all stages of development, in all genres

Don’t forget, this will also make your writing a lot ƒ Links with publishers and agents, and advice on
more interesting and fun for you, too. And who wants self-publishing
to read a bored author’s work?
ƒ Submission Package Reports, Online Writing Surgeries
In the same vein, if a paragraph seems to take up and Copy-editing/Proofreading
more than a fair share of the page, look for excess
words and trim them. There’s nothing likely to put ƒ Six one-to-one sessions with a professional editor,
people off more than turning a page to find a solid online or in person
wodge of words with no dialogue, no action and too
much blah, blah. ƒ Includes separate manuscript assessment and
industry day with publishers and agents
Storytellers of old had an advantage: they could
always move about a bit in front of their audiences ƒ NEW Being a Writer Festival, June – July 2022, online.
to emphasise a point, painting pictures in the air How to Be A Writer… and Thrive …
to demonstrate something big, dangerous, exotic or
wondrous. (It helped to keep on the move, anyway, ƒ Literary Adventure writing retreat
to avoid any extreme action from early reviewers T 0203 751 0757 ext.800 (Mon-Thurs)
who’d brought along a basket of rotten fruit to show E [email protected]
their displeasure). W www.literaryconsultancy.co.uk

As writers we don’t have that visual advantage APRIL 2022 31
(well, not unless we get a film deal). We have to
use descriptive narrative interspersed with action or
dialogue to break things up – the painting a picture
thing. A long section of nothing much happening
risks being skipped to get to the next good bit. Too
many pages like that and the reader not only loses
interest but loses track of what’s happening.

This doesn’t mean your story has to be an all-action
fest to be interesting. More characters or viewpoints
can help, with tension conveyed in dialogue and
movement. Humour, too, can break up an otherwise
uneventful part of your story. Used judiciously it can
also show characters in a different light to others.

Anything that stands out and catches the reader’s
interest is a bonus. Readers love the unexpected, even in
small doses; the clash of personalities, a threat of danger,
the sudden shock event or even some snappy dialogue.

As an example, think about a film or television series
you may have watched and found a character who
caught your attention. It might not have been laugh-
out loud funny; it might have been action rather than
words that made that character stand out in your
memory, no matter how fleeting.
If you can have the same effect on a reader, then
you’ve done your job as a writer.

TOP TIPS

• Trim excess words.

• Shorter chapters keep up the pace of the book.

• Varying the viewpoints can add a welcome

change to a story.

• Use your words to paint a picture.

Shelf life

8LI FIWXWIPPMRK 7GSXXMWL TW]GLSPSKMGEP XLVMPPIV EYXLSV TMGOW ½ ZI FSSOW XLEX LEZI QEHI ER MQTEGX SR LIV PMJI
The Wolves of Willoughby Chase
by Joan Aiken

‘One of my favourite books as a child was The Wolves of Real Fast Food by Nigel Slater
Willoughby Chase. It’s set in an alternative version of Britain
in the early 19th century, under the rule of King James III, ‘Returning to writing about food, my
where wolves run wild, and follows two cousins, Bonnie next choice is Real Fast Food. This was
and Sylvia, as they go on the run from a wicked governess, Nigel Slater’s first published recipe book
Miss Slighcarp. I loved everything about it, from the plucky and reading it was transformative to my
heroine to the descriptions of landscape and the villainous understanding of food. I’d just moved
way in which Miss Slighcarp wore a wig. Featuring secret passages, geese, snow, to London after university and was
an orphanage, the best toy room known to humanity and a classic reversal of learning to cook, moving on from the
fortunes right at the last moment, it’s a classic that I’ve reread year after year. pasta pesto and lentil soup from a recipe
Most memorably, it contains descriptions of food that jumped off the page, from in the Oxfam vegetarian recipe book that
sandwiches made with the thinnest slivers of ham, to baked chestnut cakes, raw I’d cooked throughout college. Slater
eggs, sliced cheese, and a roast partridge dinner that confirmed my love of bread taught me to add tarragon to scrambled
sauce. It showed me that including details of food not only makes the reader’s eggs, to make teriyaki mackerel and to
mouth water, but brings the text to life.’ dip the white bread into the cooking fat
before making a bacon sandwich. It was
The Secret History by Donna Tartt the first time I’d read recipes that were
both instruction and description, some
‘I was at university between 1991 to 1994 and it’s then that more freehand by far than the teaspoons
I read my next choice, The Secret History. I had done Latin and tablespoons of the home economics
and Ancient Greek at A-Level, including a close study of The classes I’d done at school, and reading
Bacchae by Euripides, and on that first reading I longed to the book now takes me straight back to
be part of that inner circle seeking the oblivion of Dionysus. that little kitchen in the flat I shared in
Through the perspective of the narrator, Richard, we see Holloway Road.’
so clearly what it feels like to be on the outside looking in,
the desire to be part of an elite group that’s defined by the
exclusion of others. And as it disintegrates, we also see the
darker side of that insularity, how a group might be held together by altogether
more sinister bonds than friendship. I read it again last year, bringing a more
adult understanding to the page, less impressed this time by the intellectual
pretension than I was as a student, but still compelled by the lyricism of the
prose. I also saw this time round how masterful a study of grief it is.’

32 APRIL 2022 www.writers-online.co.uk

Photo by Rory Lewis

A Fine Balance by Rohinton HARRIET TYCE
Mistry
‘To change the mood completely, ‘My next book is going to be published in April. It’s called It Ends
my penultimate choice is A Fine At Midnight, and it’s about a New Year celebration that ends in
Balance. This grim story of four tragedy, with a toxic friendship at its heart that’s lasted for decades.
characters brought together into I wrote it during lockdown and I found great escapism in writing
an unnamed city in India in 1975 about teenage exploits in Edinburgh back in 1989 and 1990.
during a State of Emergency is
both history lesson and a study ‘When I’m working on a first draft I try to write a minimum
of the human spirit. At over 600 of 1,000 words a day, and to write every day until I’ve pushed
pages it’s a long and immersive read, and by the end I through to the end. I’ve tried many different approaches to
was almost screaming at two of the characters not to planning, but what I’ve invariably found is that regardless of how
make a fatal choice that would ruin their lives. Despite much detail into which I’ve gone, as soon as I start writing, the
knowing almost from the start that no kind of happy characters will always find their own way and make different
ending is possible, Mistry still builds an illusion of decisions to those which I had hoped they would.
hope, to which I clung with increasing desperation.
There’s a point near the end of the book when that ‘If the writing goes well, I can have written my 1,000 words
choice is made, when everything looks for a moment before 8am, which frees up the rest of the day. But if it goes badly,
as if it could work out all right, only to have the hope and I allow myself to be distracted by Twitter, I can still be sitting in
snatched away with a ghastly inevitability, and I still front of my computer screen at 4 or 5 in the afternoon, frustration
remember how it felt to read that tragedy unfold. steadily building against my lack of productivity. Every time I start
I hope one day I might be able to inspire the same a new book I tell myself that this time will be different, that this
feeling in my readers.’ time I’m going to have the self-discipline to work for several hours
and produce a better chunk of words, 2,000, or even 3,000. Every
The Book Your Dog Wishes You Would Read time, it ends up falling into the old pattern of displacement activity
by Louise Glazebrook and procrastination, researching irrelevant details and doing deep
‘Finally, my fifth choice is The Book dives into processes of body decomposition and the like. But as I’m
Your Dog Wishes You Would Read. moving onto my fourth novel, now, perhaps I should have more
Over the last few months my life faith that even if my method is so shambolic it can’t even be called a
has been dominated entirely by Islay, method, it works for me.
our new golden retriever puppy, and
I consulted any number of resources ‘There are two pieces of writing advice that I’ve found very
on puppy training before being useful. The first ties in to my non-method method above, which is
given this title as a recommendation. to get to the end of the first draft. Everything can be fixed in later
I’ve found it transformative in how edits. I know this is not an approach that works for everyone but
I deal with my dog. Like Real Fast I need to work out the story first before I can fix any problems,
Food, the huge amounts of practical advice it contains and I can’t do this without a full draft in front of me.
is elevated by its writing, Glazebrook’s love of dogs and
concern that they should be cared for properly shining ‘The second piece of advice is not to be afraid to start again.
through. It’s a brilliant example of taking a subject that Early in my writing life I had a near-complete draft of a novel to
can be rendered incomprehensible by overly technical which I was very attached, but which was very flawed and I was
description (I simply can’t get my head round clicker considering reworking it again when I got a new writing mentor.
training for dogs, for example) and showing how She asked why I wasn’t taking the opportunity to start something
straightforward a subject can be if approached with new, and it’s as a result of that advice that I started a new book.
practical compassion.’ This wasn’t published either, but it did show me that the genre I
most enjoy writing is psychological thrillers.

‘That advice of not being afraid to start again leads to the advice
I want to give to aspiring writers. Don’t be afraid of failure, either.
You don’t ever only have one idea. Have faith in your creativity
and your power to be able to generate a new idea if the old one
hasn’t worked. To quote Beckett, fail again, fail better – it’s by that
perseverance that you will improve and your success will eventually
come.’

www.writers-online.co.uk APRIL 2022 33

UNDER THE MICROSCOPE

Your writing critiqued
.EQIW 1G'VIIX
Emily Foster-Tomkinson has wanted applies his forensic
to be an author since she was nine years gaze to the first
old. In 2016 she graduated with a degree 300 words of a
in Creative Writing from Kingston reader’s manuscript
University and has been submitting to
agents and publishers ever since.

It started like most unexpected tragedies start; uneventfully.1 They stopped talking14 while they tried to navigate a
The day was grey and overcast with a constant stream of patch of marshy ground without sinking up to their knees.15
drizzle2 that did nothing to dampen Zoe’s spirits.3 The forest
was a wash of reds, oranges and yellows.4 Leaves were falling “George asked Jess out the other day,” said Zoe, leaping
as quickly as the rain5 and the smell of damp foliage mixed onto a rock sticking out of the mud.16
with that of bonfire smoke that seemed to be constantly
around that time of year.6 “Finally. How long has everyone been saying they should
get together?”17
“Aren’t you cold?” said Oliver, looking at Zoe in just her
jumper.7 The son of a mother from Berkshire and a father “She said no,” replied Zoe,18 jumping from the rock to
from Edinburgh, Oliver’s accent constantly swapped from the solid ground.19 Misjudging her footing, she slipped
English to Scottish, sometimes mid-sentence.8 and had to put her foot back to steady herself.20 Her
trainer sank into the stinking mud, filling with goop and
“A bit,” she admitted.9 “But I don’t mind the cold. It freezing water.21
reminds me I’m alive.”10
“Why would she say no?” said Oliver, as Zoe cursed and
“Most people don’t need reminding.”11 tried to wipe the dirt and water off with a handful of fallen
“Yeah they do,12 they just don’t realize it. It’s why people leaves.22 Zoe shrugged and wiped her hands on her jumper.23
like rollercoasters and scary films. Reminds them they’re
more than a drone working in a boring box.”13 “Because she doesn’t like him like that. They’re friends.”24
Oliver jumped nimbly25 to the rock and then to the
path,26 avoiding the marshy puddle completely.27

1 I have mixed feelings about this kind 2 A ‘stream’ of drizzle? A ‘stream’ 6 A lovely allusion to the smells
of beginning. The author wants to suggests a weighty, linear flow of autumn, though the idea that
tell the reader that a tragedy is imminent whereas drizzle is lighter and more the air always smells like this is a bit
so that everything that follows has ambient. It falls but it also just is. throwaway, a bit sketchy. Make the
added weight. The technique comes description specific rather than generic.
with problems, however. The longer we 3 Cliché.
have to wait until the tragedy actually 7 Why is Oliver wearing just her
happens, the more it looks like an 4 Wait a minute! We’ve just been jumper (grammar!)? He’s naked
obvious technique. Wait long enough told it’s a grey and miserable day, from the waist down? OK – it’s clear
and the reader can be become frustrated but now the scene is one of brilliant that you meant to say that Zoe is
or forget about the notional tragedy, thus colours. I’m dubious about ‘wash,’ the one with the jumper, but she’s
nullifying the first sentence. Also, it’s a which suggests that that the colours are also wearing other clothes. It’s poorly
very tendentious way to begin, like saying weak and intermingled. Is that right? phrased. Also, where are they? I
‘They didn’t know that something terrible assumed for some reason that they were
was going to happen...’ Why signpost 5 Is it rain or is it drizzle? Or is it looking at the drizzly scene through
it? Why put the author so overtly into both? I’m no physicist, but I’m a hotel window but it doesn’t become
the prose? You get more engagement suspicious that the leaves are falling clear until later.
from the reader by creating a suspenseful as quickly as the rain. Moreover, it’s a
or ambiguous tone so that they discern comparison that implies the leaves are 8 I’m not sure what the reader
for themselves that something is about as plentiful as the raindrops, which is is supposed to do with this bit
to happen. The semi-colon is wrong; it impossible. of character detail. It doesn’t add
should be a colon. anything to the scene and his spoken

34 APRIL 2022 www.writers-online.co.uk

If you would like to submit an extract of your
work in progress, send it by email, with synopsis
and a brief biog, to: [email protected]

words were completely without accent. changes whatever visual concept the has Zoe found a handful of leaves (that
reader had prior to this line (and makes presumably aren’t wet or muddy) to dry/
9 I generally advise against using Zoe’s jumper a terrible decision in view wipe herself?
redundant reporting verbs. There’s of the relentless rain/drizzle.)
no need to use ‘asked’ if there’s a question 23 Why not wipe her hands on the
mark. There’s no need for ‘replied’ if it’s a 16 Is it mud or is it a marsh? There’s a jumper in the first place? The
reply, and we don’t need ‘admitted’ here. difference. It’s also quite difficult to leaves probably made her hands wetter
‘Said’ is the best choice in 95% of cases if leap from ground that is wet and spongy. and dirtier. Maybe such comments
the dialogue is clearly expressed. seem pedantic, but the text puts a lot of
17 Again, Oliver’s response is concise emphasis on these details so the reader
10 I’m assuming this somewhat and convincing. Sounds like a real is forced to look carefully at things
cringy sentiment is designed to person. that may have very little relevance over
show that Zoe is callow and youthfully all. The trick: mention only what’s
naive, in which case it works well. 18 It’s a reply so we don’t need necessary and keep the focus clear (see
‘replied.’ below.)
11 A nice, snappy line from Oliver
(still without a discernible accent). 19 Where’s the solid ground? Why 24 A good reply. Is it just me, or
weren’t they walking on it in the would a ‘just’ work well in front
12 Can’t use a comma like this. It first place? of ‘friends’ for emphasis?
should be a full stop, a semi-
colon or a dash. 20 She slipped on the solid ground? 25 There’s a lot of guff spoken about
Where did she step back to? On whether we should use adverbs.
13 Again the sentiment doesn’t to the rock? It’s difficult to visualise the I think we should, but not when a well
really stand up, but it works if it scene. chosen verb will do the job better. Instead
expresses Zoe’s homemade philosophy. of ‘jumped nimbly,’ why not ‘sprang?’
21 Where’s the mud in relation to
14 Don’t tell the reader they stopped the marsh and the solid ground? 26 What? There’s a path? Why were
talking. Just have them not talk The freezing water is a nice touch. they in the middle of a bog?
and it will be clear. We’ve all felt that.
27 Now the marsh that threatened
15 Here is where we discover 22 Hold on... They’re in a marsh to swallow them up to their
that they’re walking outside. It and it’s raining/drizzling. Where knees has become a humble puddle.

In summary Read James McCreet’s suggested rewrite of this extract at LXXT [VMX VW [QETV

There are two main issues with the piece. The first is focus. or vague. Where are they initially? Is it grey or colourful? Is
This is a conversation between two people about friends it raining heavily, or drizzly, or both? Are they walking on a
they know, but the majority of the scene seems focused on path that has a marshy part, or are they lost in a bog and find
the muddy details of their ramble. Whenever we’re close to a path by chance? Why are they walking and where?
learning more about the people, there’s more damp earth to
negotiate. What is the reader more interested in? The good news is that the piece manifests a passion for
writing. This, too, can be a fault. Passion is great, but the
Focus is also apparent in that aside about Oliver’s past writing should always be in service of creating images and
and accent, which has no bearing on the scene. This kind sensations for the reader. The writing should be ‘invisible.’
of detail can come later. More urgent is some immediate When the reader has to stop and ask micro-questions such
character detail. We might be able to guess their ages from as ‘puddle or marsh?’ it means the writing is at the forefront
Zoe’s philosophy, but we have very little idea what they look rather than the scene and the characters.
like. What colour is her jumper? Is Oliver a Henry VIII
lookalike? We don’t need much. A single adjective would There are many blips and tics in the piece. Remove them,
work: slender, athletic, handsome. make the prose do its work invisibly, and we have a great
scene in which two characters reveal themselves in a highly
The other thing is narrative organisation. The scene is very visual setting. I do hate a cliché, but ‘less is more’ really is
difficult to picture because the details seem contradictory the secret to a lot of good writing.

www.writers-online.co.uk APRIL 2022 35

Editorial calendar

Strong forward planning will greatly improve your chances with freelance
submissions. Here are some themes to consider for the coming months.

100 years ago:JUNE1922 80 years ago:JUNE1942

• Legendary entertainer, actress and singer Judy • Wartime romantic film Mrs Miniver
Garland was born. was released.

90 years ago:JUNE1932 • American parachutist Adeline Grey
became the first person to jump
• Irish novelist Christy Brown, who wearing a nylon parachute.
wrote My Left Foot, was born.
• Anne Frank was given her diary as a 13th
• Actor Billie Whitelaw was born. birthday present. She died in Birgen-Belsen
• American novelist Rona concentration camp in 1945, and her diary
Jaffe, author of Mazes and was published in June 1947.
Monsters, was born. • Soul singer, guitarist and
• Country music and producer Curtis Mayfield was born.
rockabilly singer Charlie • Paul McCartney was born.
Feathers was born. • Brian Wilson, co-founder of The
• Actor Prunella Scales Beach Boys, was born.
was born.
• British pop artist Peter 70 years ago:JUNE1952
Blake was born.
• Under the natinal Health Service Act
75 years ago:1947 1952, a prescription charge of one
shillling was introduced for drugs
• The first Llangollen International dispensed by the NHS.
Musical Eisteddfod took place.
• Len Hutton became the first professional
• The Retail Price Index, once the cricket player to captain England
principal coffical measure of inflation, at the Test Match.
was first caluclated. • Actors Liam Neeson and Isabella
• Christmas film favourite Rossellini were born.
Miracle on 34th Street was
released. 60 years ago:JUNE1962
• Welsh actor Jonathan
Pryce was born. • The BBC broadcast the first series episode
• Rolling Stones guitarist of classic sitcom Steptoe and Son
Ronnie Wood was born.
• American avant-garde • Britain’s first legal casino opened at the
artist and composer Metropole in Brighton
Laurie Anderson was born. • The Beatles’ first test recording
• Author Salman Rushdie was born. session at Abbey Road took place,
• Fleetwood Mac co-founder and with Pete Best on drums. The
drummer Mick Fleetwood was born. tapes were destroyed.
• Nigerian musican Femi Kuti,
son of Afrobeat pioneeer Fela
Kuti, was born.

36 APRIL 2022 www.writers-online.co.uk

50 years ago: 40 years ago:

JUNE 1972 JUNE 1982

• David Bowie released • The 20p coin first came
his fifth album The Rise and into circulation.
Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the
Spiders from Mars. • The ten-week Falklands War
• Elvis Presley played his first ended when Argentine troops
live shows in the US since surrendered to the British.
the 1950s at Madison Square • Prince William of Wales,
Gardens, and released the live Duke of Cambridge, was
album eight days later. born.
• Video game and home computer • Steven Spielberg’s ET
company Atari Inc was founded. the Extra-Terrestrial and
The first game it developed was Ridley Scott’s Blade
table tennis sports game Pong. Runner were released.
• French football legend Zinedine
Zidane was born. 30 years ago:

25 years ago: JUNE 1992

JUNE 1997 • The Sunday Times
printed the first extract
• JK Rowling’s first Harry from Andrew Morton’s
Potter book, Harry Potter controversial biography
and the Philosopher’s Stone, Diana: Her True Story.
was published.
• Tim Burton’s film Batman Returns was released.
• Shakespeare’s Globe, the
modern reconstruction of the 10 years ago: 2012
16th centry Globe Theatre,
was opened. • The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee
included a river boat pageant and
• The Prodigy headlined at a four-day bank holiday weekend.
Glastonbury.
Looking ahead
20 years
ago: JUNE 2002 In 1923, the most popular
book to be published was Kahlil
• Celebrations for Gibran’s The Prophet, which still
the Queen’s Golden sells consistently. This is a great
Jubilee included the hook for looking at what people
Party at the Palace. are reading, what makes a book a
reader favourite and the capacity
• England lose to Brazil some books to have endure.
in the World Cup
quarter finals.

• The first episode of
HBO crime drama The
Wire was broadcast.

Pics, all Wikipedia, CC BY-SA: Prunella Scales, John Thaxter; Curtis Mayfield, nl AVRO Beeld en Geluidwiki; Paul McCartney, Eric Koch/Anefo; Jonathan Pryce, Georges Biard; Ronnie Wood, Mike Johnston; Laurie
Anderson, Bert56; Salman Rushdie, Andrew Lih; Mick Fleetwood, Ralph_PH; Liam Neeson, Georges Biard; Isabella Rossellini, Towpilot; Metropole, The Voice of Hassocks; Abbey Road, Tom Swain; Femi Kuti, Carlos
Fernández San Millán; Pong, Chris Rand; Zinedine Zidane, Tasnim News Agency; Prince William, OGL3 Royal Navy; Jubilee, Karen Roe.

www.writers-online.co.uk APRIL 2022 37

WRITERS’ CIRCLES

Doing time for
the write crime

Writing group members are in for a long
stretch with these crime-related exercises

from .YPMI 4LMPPMTW

Crime, whether true life or fictionalised, is big not be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.
business and is one of the most popular genres. Unreliable narrators are interesting and can really throw the
Readers cannot get enough of murder, intrigue police and the reader off the scent, especially if the unreliable
and a good old whodunnit. So this month it’s witness has something to gain by lying and everything to lose if
time for your writing group to think about the the truth came out.
criminal world.
How do you begin to unravel a tangled crime? What sort of
Choose a real-life crime that has happened in any time questions and information do you think you need? If there are
period. Write down what you remember from news reports people trying to covertly derail proceedings, how do you discover
or books or know about that crime – the people involved, what is truth and fact? What can you do to try and decipher who
the nature of the crime, the police investigation, and any the victim really is, who the perpetrator is and what circumstances
subsequent jail sentences or punishments. Think about what led to the alleged crime, if indeed a crime has been committed. Is
fascinates readers of crime? What are the elements that crime it a case of hearsay and can it be proved either way?
writers, whether of fact or fiction, draw upon to pull their
readers in and keep them there? Make a note of all the different Think about diaries, both work and private, mobile phones,
sub-genres of crime: psychological, thriller, police procedural, security cameras. Consider eyewitness accounts that tally or
sci-fi, historical, cosy, etc. What are the commonalities between disagree, the relationship between the victim and perpetrator,
them and the differences? Analysing texts like this will help you if any, phone records, bank records, any other source of
to narrow down the type of crime writing you want to try and information you could access.
recognising the differences and similarities could help you write
a better piece. What if the victim doesn’t want police involvement? How
might they conceal that a crime ever took place and why?
Think about the different types of crime: murder, What would their motivation be for that? Perhaps they want it
manslaughter, espionage, theft, assault, fraud, etc. Does the investigated privately using a private detective on the quiet, to
type of crime dictate how the piece is researched and written? monitor and track the perpetrator or suspects and administer
What is the subject of most of the crime fiction and real-life their own personal brand of justice because they know the
crime you have read or heard about? Are there any crimes that police and criminal justice system won’t deliver. How can you
aren’t so commonly written about that you could use? People work that into a story?
are always looking out for something different, or a different
angle, for example, a crime investigation from the viewpoint of Thinking about true crime, who would you need to speak
a family liaison officer. with to get the information you need? Most of it might be
freely available on the internet or through the media reports
Going back to the crime you thought of earlier, ask group but how would you approach the victim’s family for the inside
members to write a short piece from the viewpoint of first the story? They may have a very different story to tell than the
victim, then the perpetrator and the investigating police. You official reports and accounts.
could structure it as an interview with someone – the police or a
reporter asking the questions. Perhaps it could be a monologue, Stage a crime in your meeting room or virtually. Give each
with the victim lamenting their predicament – even a murder member a character to play with some information pertinent
victim from beyond the grave. it could be the aggressor denying to that role and their involvement that only they know. Have
all knowledge of the crime or, perhaps, taking full responsibility a member who is the victim, someone the perpetrator, some
for it and showing off, bravado with no remorse on the outside detectives and some witnesses, some who may or may not be
but fearful of the consequences on the inside. Maybe the police entirely truthful or reliable. See if the group can solve the crime.
can discuss what they think happened and who is to blame. A Writing crime is a great way to learn about plotting, pace and
bystander or witness could offer testimony that may or may story and also character and if you want a publisher to feel your
collar and love your arresting writing, delve in to the murkier
side of life.

38 APRIL 2022 www.writers-online.co.uk

WRITERS’ CIRCLES

CIRCLES’ ROUNDUP

If your writing group would like to feature here, whether you need new members,
have an event to publicise or to suggest tips for other groups, email Tina Jackson,
[email protected]

SPOTLIGHT ON... Frome Writers’ collective

Planning events for Frome Writers’ Collective’s ninety-plus my own group has met for nearly nine
members has proved a challenge over the last couple of years – years now and assisted at the births of
but one to which its steering group has risen! writes joint chair some eight publications. Others, such
Brenda Bannister. as the new poetry and scriptwriting
groups, have formed quite recently: it’s
Small working groups take the lead in scheduling talks and one of FWC’s aims to put members in
social events, organising the annual Small Publishers’ Fair touch with existing groups, or help them
(returning in July after two years’ enforced absence), producing start new ones.
the monthly Writers on Radio programme for our local radio
station, and working on social media and publicity. We were proud to hold a fifth birthday
celebration for FWC’s own imprint,
Social events – talks, shared writing and quizzes– were mostly Silver Crow Books, last November, when a new murder
held via Zoom last year, although we did manage an outdoor mystery and a children’s adventure story brought the total
writing ‘away day’ and a flash fiction celebration in the summer. number of publications to sixteen. Silver Crow is a unique
We also got together in a local pub for our October ‘spooky service to members intending to self-publish, providing a cost-
stories’ social, but attempting to make this a ‘hybrid’ event had effective manuscript evaluation and guidance through and
an unforeseen outcome, when our Zoom link crashed the bar’s beyond the publishing process (www.silvercrowbooks.co.uk)
card-only internet payments system. Not everyone likes Zoom,
but it did enable a talk by an ‘ex-Fromie’, best-selling ebook We’re lucky that Frome is known for its collaborative and
writer Kerry Wilkinson, all the way from his home in Canada. supportive community – and its wonderful independent
bookshop. FWC benefits enormously by linking up with
There are circles within our circle, however, and the real other creative individuals and organisations. We hope we
strength of FWC lies in the various individual groups which benefit them too.
exist under its umbrella. A few pre-date our collective itself:

Clerkenwell Writers Asylum

Clerkenwell Writers Asylum has published its fourth anthology of sadly the Free Word Centre has
short stories, writes David Douce. now closed. Undaunted, we have
found a pub in Clerkenwell with
The group started in 2008, after members of a creative writing an available meeting room, and
course at London’s CityLit decided to carry on meeting and intend to start again with real
writing after the end of their course. It has evolved over the years, human meetings as soon as the
with some of the original members leaving, and new members situation allows this.
joining. We have retained a focus on short fiction, but have
added non-fiction and other prose forms when members choose The group has a core of six or seven members who have kept
to write them. together over Zoom, but we hope that once we can start meeting
in person again we will be joined by new members, or perhaps
Publishing the collections of stories has helped to give the previous members will return. There are no formalities about
group cohesion and keeps up a certain momentum. It is a membership, a willingness to read stories before meetings does
co-operative effort, with editing, proof-reading, selecting and help as we do not read them out during the meetings.
deciding the order of stories, adding introductions and final
assembly of the book shared between the members. Anyone interested in joining the group might consider
taking a look at any (or all) of our anthologies, all available on
Seeing the final product as a published book may be one of the Amazon at astonishingly low prices. And if even after reading
reasons why the group has held together and kept functioning for the stories the intention persists, we can be contacted through
so long. Before Covid we met every three weeks or so in the Free [email protected] or clerkenwellwritersasylum@
Word Centre in Clerkenwell, with several pubs handy for carrying wordpress.com
on the discussions. Covid has of course forced us onto Zoom, and

www.writers-online.co.uk APRIL 2022 39

SUBSCRIBERS’ NEWS

SHARE YOUR NEWS

To feature in subscribers’ news contact: [email protected]

MICE AND EASY

‘It was a good forty years ago that I first thriller with a focus on the local underclass
entertained the idea behind my third novel, plus a collection of short stories.
A World Ruled by Mice,’ writes subscriber
John Phelps. ‘After that, I embarked on a whodunnit
with a newspaper office as a backdrop.
‘What would happen if power was turned
upside down, with big animals weak and ‘Then, suddenly, that idea of forty
small ones strong? The idea did not linger years ago resurfaced. I don’t know why it
for long, though. I had other things to think did, but, for some reason I am unable to
about… such as a young family and my job explain, I had to give it priority and put the
as a journalist in Cambridge. whodunnit on the back-burner. Not long
after that, Covid kicked in and, with more
‘I did, however, have a lifelong ambition time on my hands, there was no excuse not
to write a novel, and it was not long after to get cracking.
taking early retirement eighteen years ago
that I got down to it. ‘A World Ruled by Mice, a quirky, futuristic
fantasy with a hint of what climate change
‘Much of my career had been spent can do, is now in print. The whodunnit is
writing about property. So my first novel, finished, too, but still sitting in my laptop.
Agent From Hell, was, to the amusement of
colleagues, about a crooked estate agent. ‘The former can be bought through
bookshops, such as Waterstone’s and WH
‘After resting on my laurels for a while, Smith, online or directly through the
I then wrote Underbelly of Cambridge, a publisher Matador.’

Promise fulfilled

‘I have been a subscriber of Writing ‘My debut stand-alone young adult emotional murder cases. One of the
Magazine for many years and I always mystery novel, Follow Me, was released in inspirations of this story was my
find it inspiring when reading about October 2015 by Strident Publishing Ltd. memory of the sensationalist press
other members’ writing journeys,’ writes I decided to request the rights back for my coverage of convicted Scottish teen
Victoria Gemmell. second YA mystery, Promise Me, delving Luke Mitchell and the demonising
into the world of indie publishing. language and character assassination
‘My love of writing started young, my used in reporters’ narratives. Promise
confidence growing when my shorter ‘Promise Me centres around seventeen- Me is a work of fiction, set in an
fiction slowly started to get accepted for year-old Darcy who writes to local affluent fictionalised Scottish village,
publication in journals and anthologies. convicted teen, Christian, convinced and is not about this case, but I hope
witch-hunt style social media coverage my book makes people think about
on the run-up to his trial led to a how damaging media narratives can be.
miscarriage of justice. When Darcy
starts to uncover secrets from the night ‘My writing journey has definitely
of the murder threats begin and she taken a lot of twists and turns,
doesn’t know who to trust. but thanks to many inspiring and
encouraging writers and readers I’ve
A big theme of Promise Me is the kept on the rollercoaster, enjoying where
way in which press coverage and social my imagination might take me next.’
media has the power to portray a Website: https://victoriagemmell.com/
certain narrative during high profile,

40 APRIL 2022 www.writers-online.co.uk

TREASURE TRAVELLING
TROVE DANGEROUSLY

‘As I prepared to write to Subscribers’ News, ‘One of the most enjoyable things about writing
the blurb on WM’s February 2022 cover, travel crime is reliving the holiday that inspired
“Your words, your story,” kept ringing in my the setting for the novel,’ writes subscriber Judith
Cranswick. ‘None more so than when I was
ears,’ writes subscriber Rolic Oboh. writing Peril in Persia.
‘Those words aptly describe my
‘Darius the Great is one of my heroes, and
ongoing writing project, a civil engineer’s our holiday to Iran in November 2019 fulfilled
career notes titled Parallels or Parallax. my dream of visiting his ceremonial palace at
I am still searching for a publisher for Persepolis. The holiday was everything and more
it, though it is only a fraction of the that I hoped it would be from glorious palaces,
estimated 50,000-75,000 words that I beautiful gardens to mud-brick fortresses.
have so far written.
‘Throughout the holiday we were accompanied
‘My earlier fiction story, The Treasure by an historian which helped to make the whole
Hunt, published by an American publisher, Book Whirl, was experience come alive. It was this same historian
featured at the Frankfurt International Book Fair in October last who came with us several years ago on our trip
year. I continue to keep my fingers crossed; hopefully I will get an to Morocco and who inspired the idea of using a
offer for the book’s right this year. protagonist who travels to exotic locations.

‘I love writing, but wish I could have set aside more time ‘When I returned home, I realised I’d
for it, while working in my former job as a civil engineer. found the perfect location for the third of
It was during that period that I attended a correspondence my Aunt Jessica Mysteries. Aunt Jessica is a
writing course and began to write The Treasure Hunt. Writing, retired archaeologist and historian who now
as someone has said, gives a second chance for the experience accompanies tour groups as a guest lecturer.
of events that originally led to writing, or that aims for some
symbolic truth, out of events.’ ‘I wanted the crime to be related to the country
in which the book is set. I was telling a friend
Brain pickings about our holiday when she mentioned that her
mother had lived in Iran when the last Shah of
‘I am the author of the groundbreaking and Persia was still in power. She talked about the
award-winning book, The Neuroscience of royal family, their association with the CIA, and
Mind Empowerment, published in 2017,’ the Shah’s secret police. I was fascinated and soon
writes subscriber Anees Akhtar. began researching the last days of the Shah. A new
‘My mission is to lead the world in Mind idea came to mind, and I began to develop a plot
Empowerment, by non-pharmaceutical practices and creativity. based on a forty-year-old conspiracy.
‘I am working on my own designed project popularly
known by my writings as “Neurocosmic Project of Mind ‘Peril in Persia began to take shape and was
Empowerment”. The second part of my project, The Creative eventually launched on 31 January this year.
Model, is under the publishing process and by early this year,
this model will be available to public domain on the internet ‘I also posted a pictorial journey of the itinerary of
and the global book market. the tour with photos of the places where the story
‘Through my writings, I am actively promoting the idea of the takes place on my February blog on my website.’
establishment of creative culture and industries in developing
countries to develop the roots of democracies and creativity in Website: www.judithcranswick.co.uk
these regions of the globe.
‘Being a brain researcher and explorer of natural tools of
brain development, I am very concerned about slow growth of
brain development in those areas where brain is at the risk of
extinctions due to lack of creative culture and creative industries.
‘My concern about linear brain models in developing nations
needs to be addressed by developed nations through promoting
creative culture in these regions.’

www.writers-online.co.uk APRIL 2022 41

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www.writers-online.co.uk APRIL 2022 43

WRITING FOR CHILDREN

KISNPOWOLWEEDGRE

What do you need to make the best possible
job of your writing? %Q] 7TEVOIW fills you

in on the knowledge you need

When you want to push ahead with a project, it’s really titles (for books similar to yours), if requested.
helpful to have amassed all the knowledge you need It can also help you direct your energy. For example, at the
in order to do the best job in the quickest time. Gaining
understanding saves time, saves energy, and saves you falling moment, picture books seem to be particularly difficult to
into potential confidence-rocking, soul-destroying holes. So, shift, either going directly to publishers or being picked up
if you’re setting out to write for children this year, what are by agents. So perhaps you might be better off focusing on
those important things you need to know? Here are some that chapter book you were thinking of writing.
suggestions.
3) Know your genre
1) Know your readers Knowing your genre (or mix of genres) is also valuable. It
The most helpful starting point is working out who the helps you get to grips with your story, and where it would
majority of your readers are. Although any book can be read sit on a shelf. Genre doesn’t mean the type of book regarding
and enjoyed by anyone of any age, having a rough idea of readership age – so, for example, ‘picture book’ is not a
who your book is primarily aimed at will help hugely. genre – it’s a category. Genre means the type of story it is in
content. Is it a funny story? A mystery story? A fantasy tale?
For example. word count is a big factor. There’s no point
writing a 3,000-word picture book. Or a lower-middle grade Understanding the genre of your book also means you can
with 60,000 words. Or a chapter book with 2,500-word- communicate this to your reader (child or gatekeeper), and
long chapters. Do your research and make an educated guess they can feel confident what kind of story they are reading
about where your book sits. What kind of other books will (or would like to read). Being clear about the genre also
your readers be enjoying? helps you to market your book and pitch it to agents and
editors, who can in turn pitch it further up the chain, from
2) Know the market sales team to booksellers.
You don’t need to write to trends as such, because publishing
trends are as fickle as they come. However, it does help to 4) Know your reasons
keep tabs on what is or isn’t selling well at the moment. Understanding why you are writing this story is also
This can help you when you are planning and pitching your important. This can help bring focus to the story, and also
children’s book – for example when providing comparison motivation for getting the job done! Why do you want to
share this story with children? Why is this story important

44 APRIL 2022 www.writers-online.co.uk

to you? Or... is it perhaps not that important to you? If it’s 8) Know your goals
not, is there another story you might be better focusing on Another way to help yourself to move forward to is to set
instead? Know your reasons for choosing this story to work yourself goals. This can you get the most out of your time and
on right now. give you something tangible to aim for. It could be an external
goal, like a competition deadline. But it’s also hugely helpful to
5) Know your story get into the practice of giving yourself a personal – and realistic
Knowing your story well can save you a huge amount of – deadline to achieve a goal by. If you don’t meet it, don’t be
time and ensure your writing keeps on track. If you know hard on yourself, but learn from the experience, and adjust your
what kind of story you’re telling, what the premise is, what approach for the next goal you set. If you do finish a piece of
the themes are, what the tone is (and why), what the style is, work by a certain time (whether that’s just a chapter, or a whole
then it can help you as you begin to write. book, or a synopsis, or three new story ideas to explore, etc.),
then make sure you reward yourself.
Obviously, sometimes these things only become clear as
your write, and that’s absolutely fine. There is no one way to If you know what your projects are, and you know what
create and write a story. And it may even be different with your goals are, then immediately you have something to aim
every story you write. But the quickest way to create a story for. Something you can achieve. And as writing can sometimes
is being aware of what your story is and what it is trying to seem a long and endless winding road, knowing these things
achieve. can be a great advantage and a great motivator.

If you’re not sure what your story is, or it seems a jumbled 9) Know your gatekeepers
mess of perhaps two or more different stories or concepts, go When you start thinking about submitting, knowledge is also
back to the drawing board. Ask yourself what exactly your definitely power. Don’t underestimate the value of research.
story is about and understand what the strongest version of Which agents are a good fit? Which children’s authors do they
itself is, or what your favourite version of it is. represent? What are they interested in? Why will they think of
you as a welcome addition to the list? Which publishers would
Think premise. Think theme. Think tone. Think style. be interested in your story? Why? Can you find evidence for
Streamline as and where necessary, cutting out those factors these things?
which muddle or compromise the heart of your story idea.
You can always keep those trimmed elements safe and use Follow editors and agents and other gatekeepers, such as
them for other story ideas in future. competition judges, or competition accounts on Twitter,
Facebook, Instagram, and so on. Get a feel of who the
6) Know your characters gatekeepers actually are, without obviously being too much
As most stories are character-led, knowing your characters of a stalker! People often tend to overshare on social media,
inside out makes your life much easier. If you truly so it’s relatively easy – read what people post and get a feel
understand their motivation, their background, their for their preferences and personality! Use this knowledge to
emotions, their personalities, then it’s much easier to your advantage.
understand and predict the choices they will make as the plot
unfolds. If you’re not clear about your characters, or they are 10) Know yourself!
too woolly or two-dimensional, you can risk having a story It’s also incredibly helpful to increase your
which doesn’t quite feel authentic. self-awareness. Know the kind of stories
you want to write and understand why you
7) Know your story plan want to write them. Read as many children’s
Whether you’re a plotter or a pantser or plantser, or any of the books as you can – what stories affect you
above on different days of the week, it helps to have an idea of emotionally? Which speak to your soul?
where your story is heading. Being aware of the external conflicts Which make you laugh? Which authors
(what your characters want) and internal conflicts (what your inspire you?
characters actually need) will keep every beat, every scene and
every chapter in check, working towards those end internal and Know what deadlines or workload
external goals, which, in turn, will help direct the plot. you can cope with if you’re juggling
writing and other demands. Don’t
Knowing your story plan is different from knowing your entire be afraid to test your limits from
plot. You do not need to have the entire thing plotted out before time to time. You might be surprised
you start writing, but a vague idea of beginning, middle and how what you find! Equally, don’t be afraid
the story is likely to resolve is incredibly helpful. It can keep it to step back and reset if you need to.
heading in the right direction and not going too off-piste.
Increase your knowledge and understanding
If you do plot a story in advance, it can save time not only in in these areas and it will help set you up for
the writing, but in the indecision which may happen along the a productive and motivating 2022. Good
way. If you choose to fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants through the luck with your writing.
story, make sure you know – and actively keep in mind – what
you’re ultimately working towards.

www.writers-online.co.uk APRIL 2022 45

FICTION FOCUS

Making up

history

1EVKEVIX .EQIW considers the creative possibilities of writing novels set in the past

Why write fiction set in the past? happened years ago, if that’s even possible, should read
a history book, but that anyone who wants a good story
Surely all the amazing stuff that goes on in the world today should read a novel. As I read historical fiction, I’m always
should be enough to inspire even the most jaded author and happy to believe that Queen Elizabeth I or Alexander the
engage even the most exacting reader? Great said this, wore that or did whatever, provided my
credulity is not stretched beyond the bounds of possibility.
Maybe not, because the huge popularity of historical
fiction, in both novel and short story format, and of I also enjoy fiction in which actual historical mysteries are
costume drama on stage and screen, suggests our appetite for solved, or which at least suggest some plausible resolutions.
stories set in the past is still insatiable. What, for example, happened to those two Princes in the
Tower? Did their wicked Uncle Richard murder them
What kinds of historical fiction do you love to read and himself, or have them killed so that he could be-come King
might therefore enjoy writing? Richard III? Or is this a Tudor slander, and might the truth
about their disappearance be somewhat more prosaic? After
Do you live in a place that’s steeped in history and all, back in the 15th century plenty of children sadly died of
tradition? Do you enjoy imagining what might have what are now preventable diseases, didn’t they?
happened in the very streets and buildings you see every
day? There are plenty of authors who’ve found bestselling The past, either recent or distant, also offers authors many
success after researching their own local history and then opportunities to investigate alternative realities, as Robert
writing compelling fiction set in the places they know well, Harris did in his novel Archangel, set in post-Stalinist Russia,
as exemplified by the late Catherine Cookson. She wrote and Susanna Clarke did in her magical fantasy Jonathan
extensively about her own beloved Northumberland, both Strange and Mr Norrell, set mainly in England during the
past and present. Nowadays, the regional saga remains a Napoleonic Wars, and in which the British and their allies
hugely popular genre, embracing both the present day and use the power of magic to gain the upper hand.
the recent or even remote past, too.
Crime fiction set in the past offers both authors and
Do novelists have a duty to offer readers a historically readers a chance to escape into darker, dirtier versions of
accurate view of the past? I don’t think so. I subscribe to
the view that anyone who hopes to find out what really

46 APRIL 2022 www.writers-online.co.uk

the towns and cities they might know well today, but which could I wish I’d
have changed almost beyond recognition even in the last forty known
or fifty years: worlds in which the police or other investigating
officers have no access to the HOLMES computer database, with Emma Robinson
DNA profiling or mobile phones, thus making some crimes
much more challenging to solve than might be the case today. ‘When I teach my students about plotting, I use
Or more challenging in some respects. A Georgian or Victorian the analogy of a rollercoaster. Getting into the car
fugitive from justice couldn’t hop on a flight to Rio or undergo is the beginning of the story. The inciting incident
transformative plastic surgery in Paris, anyway. happens when you start to move. As you climb
upwards, the tension rises. The climax comes at
Some historical crime fiction features rather higher stakes than the very top. Then – whoosh – you are hurtling
its contemporary cousin, at least for convicted criminals, because downwards for the most exciting part of the ride
until relatively recently the death penalty was common for a and hopefully, so the analogy goes, of your story.
whole range of crimes, not just murder, and of course miscarriages
of justice couldn’t be rectified. There isn’t the same urgency to ‘I wish I’d known how well this analogy
save a character from the gallows in fiction set in the UK today, illustrates a writer’s career, too.
although of course that doesn’t apply to stories set in other parts
of the world where innocent people can still end up becoming the ‘Like most authors, I’d paid my dues in terms
victims of judicial murder. of rejections. So, when I got that phone call
offering me a three book publishing deal, I ran
Historical or contemporary – if you can’t decide when to set the around the staff room like a small child jacked
unwritten novel that’s been buzzing around inside your head for up on too much candy floss. Editing a book
ages, have you considered writing time slip, in which you would be with a professional editor was a steep learning
able to send a contemporary central character back into the past, curve, and not without its own moments of self-
maybe to solve long-standing mysteries, or to find love? Diana criticism and imposter syndrome. But I loved
Gabaldon and Barbara Erskine are two authors who could show you the process and waited eagerly for my debut
the way. novel to be published.

What about history as comedy – could you write a comic novel or ‘Though it didn’t set the world alight, my first
even a series of comic novels that are historically accurate, more or book did okay. So did the second. The third?
less, but which could also make your readers laugh? Not so much. Even now, two years later, its sales
are pretty poor. I was heartbroken. Not just for
Lindsey Davis’s long-running series of Falco novels, set in Ancient that book, but because it was the last in my
Rome, are promoted as historical mysteries and crime. But her wise- three-book deal. What would that mean? Was
cracking, world-weary detective hero makes sure these stories are the ride over already? For about three days I was
wryly entertaining, too, and Falco has deservedly won the Sherlock tearful and miserable, convinced that I’d blown
Award for the Best Comic Detective. my one chance.

Davis also writes a crime and mystery series featuring Flavia Albia, ‘Thankfully, my editor called and reassured me
which the Observer describes as light-hearted, witty and effortlessly at length that she believed in me and my writing.
clever, just like its wonderful heroine. This is a window into ancient She offered me another two-book deal there and
Rome, a tonic and a joy to read. So, if your talents and inclinations then. We discussed a genre change and ideas for
run to writing comic novels, don’t forget that in the right hands future stories. After that call, I cried again. I was
historical fiction can be funny, too. back on the ride.

Does historical fiction merely offer us the chance to escape from ‘Since then, there have been many highs and
our everyday lives? Yes, but most fiction, set either in past or in the lows, and it’s hard not to pin my mood and self-
present, can do that. It seems to me that historical fiction can serve esteem on the vagaries of a chart position or the
one other essential purpose, and this is to remind us that wherever number of stars in reviews. Would I swap the
and whenever and however people live or have lived, human nature emotional highs to be spared the difficult lows?
doesn’t really change. Not in a loop-the-loop minute.’

NOW TRY THIS

• As you write any kind of historical fiction, don’t forget that

customs, politics and religious observances have always differed

from country to country, and even from family to family, just as they

do today.

• Also remember that our real and imaginary ancestors were like

us in that they fell in love, grieved when their children, friends or

family members died, made mistakes, and found happiness or failed

NOVEMABPERRIL22002212 4477

Abtiomuet

,IPIR 1 ;EPXIVW explores a
short story by O Henry to look
at how you can use the passage

of time in your short fiction

This month’s story is cleverly put together, and a wrong. Notice how at this point he is described as ‘grimly’
good example of how to organise a timeline in wrenching his glove apart. This reflects the wrenching of his
a short story, marshalling events and releasing heart and mind.
information to the reader in the most effective
order. We’re going to look at how The Cactus Throughout the story, Trysdale attempts to unravel the
by O Henry is structured in order to deliver a satisfying mystery of how he managed to lose the woman he wanted
set up and pay off. As always, you’ll benefit most from this to be his bride. Was it his foolishness in allowing her
masterclass if you read the story yourself, and to avoid spoilers adoration and flattery to give him ideas above himself? Was
it’s best to read the story first: https://writ.rs/thecactus. it lack of communication between the two of them? Well, it
turns out to be a bit of both.
We know that time is going to be important in this story
because it is highlighted in the very first line. In fact, we are For the reader, there is some clever foreshadowing of what
told we are going to get the story of an entire courtship in might have happened. We have already had our attention
the time it takes to remove a pair of gloves, and that’s exactly drawn to the cactus, and as it recurs it gives us some more
what we get. important clues. We find out that the cactus was given to
Trysdale by his lady friend the day after he had told her of
The other thing we know is going to be significant is the his intentions towards her. He expected her answer that day,
cactus. After all, it is in the title and it also gets a mention but all he got was the cactus. No note, no message, just the
early on. Note the description of the movement of the cactus. Notice also the reference to the ‘prick of the thorn’
leaves, as that will be important later. that he would feel later just after the conversation in which
he misleads her into thinking he can speak Spanish.
So, while our main character, Trysdale, is taking off his
gloves and contemplating a cactus, how does the story This story also demonstrates a couple of things to
unfold? This is where the neatness of the structure becomes remember when writing a story with a twist or a surprise
apparent as we go into flashback. Trysdale, as he unbuttons at the end. It is only at the very end that we realise that
his gloves, first of all takes us into a review of the last few the name of the species of cactus, which had been on a tag
hours, in which he has had to endure witnessing the woman in the pot, but ignored by Trysdale, has a very significant
he loves marry someone else. Note how his language gives message when translated from Spanish to English. And
the effect of time slowing down as he talks of the ‘drawling although the story presents us with a mystery, and we don’t
words’ and her slow move up the aisle. understand the significance of some elements of it until the
end, the writer plays fair by giving us some clues. At what
He then goes further back in his contemplations to point did you, as a reader, begin to have an inkling of what
think about the days leading up their relationship going

48 APRIL 2022 www.writers-online.co.uk

MASTERCLASS

might have happened? VISITBut as with The Cactus, even though you might be starting
Note how ending the story where we do has also taken us your story and finishing it in the same place in either time or
location, you will still need some sort of change in your story.
full circle. We started with Trysdale contemplating the cactus,
and we end with him contemplating the cactus. Nothing It could be an emotional change in your character, or
has changed, and yet everything has changed, because now some sort of epiphany. Your story may be circular, and
he finally understands the meaning of the cactus. At last he your character may not have moved from where they were
is looking for the answer in the right place, even though it standing at the beginning of the story, but there still needs to
isn’t the answer he really wants. Finally, he understands that be some sort of direction and if it’s not physical it will need
he has lost the thing he most wanted in the world due to his to be intellectual or emotional.
own vanity.
You’ll need a process for sparking change and if that’s
Note how this final reveal comes in the last four words something internal in your character’s head you might want
of the story. That’s what we mean by revealing the twist or to use flashbacks as part of the process. Flashbacks can enable
surprise in a story as late as possible. An explanation of what you to tell the reader about things from the character’s past
has happened would be anticlimactic as well as unnecessary. that feed into whatever emotional journey you are taking
We don’t need it. We can imagine it for ourselves. them on.

Let’s start at the very end You’ll have noticed in the O Henry story that the cactus
Very often, creative writing students ask me if they should acts as a catalyst for the flashbacks in Trysdale’s head. This
plan their stories or not. This is one of those questions that works well because you need a reason for your character to
doesn’t really have an answer, because as with so many things be digging back in their mind for past experiences. It could
related to writing there is no right or wrong way and it’s be something someone says, an old letter or postcard, or
important to find what works for you. perhaps a particularly resonant smell. But there needs to be
something.
But, for some writers, knowing how their story is going
to end can be really helpful in writing it. This month we’re Reverse chronology
going to look at some ways in which starting at the end This one is really challenging and not something you’ll see
rather than the beginning can be a good way of writing or done often. It essentially means the whole story is told in
structuring a story. reverse, so that what appears at the beginning of the story is
in fact the end of it. One of the advantages of this technique
Plotting backwards is that it can allow you to start your story in a really dramatic
If you know how your story ends, that could be really useful place with no need for build up. A possible disadvantage
in working out what events need to happen to get to your might be that the story is more challenging for readers to
end point. After all, it’s easier to work out how to get from follow.
‘A’ to ‘B’ if you know where ‘B’ actually is.
If you want to read some examples of reverse chronology
Let’s take an example. Imagine you’re plotting a romantic fiction, the novel Together by Julie Cohen is a great example.
story and you want to give your characters a happy ending. Other well-known examples include Time’s Arrow by Martin
You know you want the final scene to be one of them Amis and All The Missing Girls by Megan Miranda. Movies
proposing to the other. But how are you going to get them that use the reverse chronology technique include Memento
there? You’re going to need to put some obstacles in their and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. So if the technique
way. And also some solutions to those obstacles. If the appeals to you why not try immersing yourself in a couple of
obstacle is lack of money, maybe one of them finds a way to these examples?
make extra cash. Or maybe they decide their love is the only
thing that matters and the wedding can be on a shoestring. I have read some short stories in women’s magazines that
use this technique, but I haven’t managed to find any online
Or perhaps you’re writing a crime story. If you know that to point you to. However, my best advice for handling this
you want an ending where the crime is solved and justice technique would be to take it a scene at a time and make
is served, then you can work back from that to make sure sure you give the reader plenty of chronological markers to
your criminal leaves enough clues and evidence behind them hang on to so that they know where they are in the timeline.
to ensure this outcome. In both these examples, the desired This could be as simple as marking scenes ‘Two days ago’
ending will give you the prompts to work out the way you ‘Two weeks ago’ and so on, or dating scenes as though they
need the rest of the story to be crafted. are in a diary. But you can probably come up with other
more inventive ways than that.
Taking the story full circle It won’t be easy, but if you’re feeling really brave, why not
Another way of using a known ending to shape your story is give a short story with reverse chronology a go!
to start with a scene that has the seeds of the ending in it, in
a similar way to O Henry has done in The Cactus. https://writ.rs/thecactus

Crafting a story that goes full circle gives a satisfying TO READ THE STORY
structure because it gives the reader a sense of completeness.

www.writers-online.co.uk APRIL 2022 49

FANTASTIC REALMS

Scary shorts
and super
creeps

A guide to writing short horror fiction from %PI\ (EZMW

Genre fiction has always had plays a big part in the reader feeling the Consider subgenre
a lively and thriving scene right sort of chill down their spine – and Subgenre can absolutely be one of
of short stories, with much in a novel or novella you may have lots those rabbit holes down which you
of fantasy and science- of time to get this over. In a short story, can get lost, but in horror it is a
fiction’s early growth you may want to lean a little more on highly relevant question. Ghost stories
positively impacted by a popular scene location to help this along. Description have a venerable history in the form,
of magazines from the 1930s onwards. is of course often how we would get at and will require a distinctly steadier
For horror short fiction, we have the atmosphere, but we don’t have the same approach in pacing, leaning more on
opportunity to look a little further sort of word count to get this over. As atmosphere before building to a punchy
back, with authors the likes of Le Fanu, such many horror short stories will lean and highly significant reveal. Genres
MR James, Poe and Lovecraft doing on more foreboding, dark locations of like body horror and extreme horror
their part to shape the genre from its the ilk we might associate with the genre will be far more ‘in your face’ from
earliest Gothic guises to the stories we as a ‘shorthand’ approach – one that the get-go, serving to confront the
know and love today. often works very well. reader with disturbing or gory images.
‘Creature feature’ stories will give you
Of course, short stories in any Isolation some chance to get a monster over but
genre require a distinctive approach, Short stories across genres tend to little time to ultimately get into their
something very different to novels, naturally use smaller casts of characters background or their creation. So there
novellas and even flash fiction. And – after all, there’s comparatively little is genuine value in considering what
in this piece – the first of three – we’ll time to develop them. But for horror type of story you are creating, because
be taking a look at how to write great this necessity would be an ideal anyway that will make a big difference to how
horror tales in the shorter form, before – putting a character on their own, away you approach the story both in terms of
we give science-fiction and fantasy their from civilisation or at the very least plot and writing style.
turn in the limelight. away from easily getting help, is great
to ratchet up the tension and make the Strong closure
Get the atmosphere right – reader feel increasingly uneasy. Even if Last time around we took a look at how
and quickly! you want a larger cast, there is value in to start your genre stories in just the
Atmosphere has always been pivotal separating them from one another and/ right way, and I don’t want to diminish
to horror, and in its shorter form you or putting them in a location that leaves the importance of that here – though
can argue it’s every bit as important as them separated from society as a group. I won’t explore the same ground again.
a genre identifier for the sort of story Embrace this as a core concept – it But conversely, it is very important to
a reader is about to embark upon. Put might even be possible to combine it consider how to finish your story off
simply – a reader would ideally know with location as above for an impactful with a line or an image that is bound
they are reading a horror story from the double-whammy. to leave an impression with a reader. I
very start. But equally the atmosphere

50 APRIL 2022 www.writers-online.co.uk