Category Archives: People

Writing Heaven

Posted on by
5

The walls of Balliol College Oxford are too thick for wi-fi,* they tried it and it didn’t work. How do I know? I got it first hand from the porter.

Inside Balliol

Before Christmas, I went to Oxford with my friend, writer Wendy Robertson, for four days of writing. We stayed in rooms in Balliol which fronts onto Broad Street, and sits right in the heart of the city, only minutes from the Sheldonian and the Bodleian.

Being free from everything domestic so close to Christmas felt dangerous and delicious. It worked!  We wrote whenever we pleased, did whatever we pleased. We had four days of glorious blue sky, intense winter light, immaculate lawns and breath- taking architecture. We explored the city’s lanes and cobbled streets, its ancient gates and doorways:  glimpses into hidden worlds. Breathed in the immaculate gardens on our doorstep: tree ferns flourishing in sheltered corners and cyclamen flowering on the lawns under the beech. And at the end of the day we had impromptu readings, as well as on one occasion, a glass of champagne in The Randolph!

The Bodleian

It was all fun. I even did a spot of Christmas shopping in Blackwells. But we came to write and write we did. For what more does a writer need than a room of her own, a desk and chair and of course her best writing buddy with her – someone as obsessed as she is, who wants to talk writing into the night over a bottle (or two) of red and a plate of cheese and biscuits? (There’s a handy Sainsburys only minutes away.) You could say it was heaven and you’d be right.

* If you want to hook up to the internet you can borrow a cable from the porter for a £5.00 deposit – there is a connection in every room. As it turned out I enjoyed being internet free.

Balliol Lawns

 

Interview With Morgen Bailey

Posted on by
4

Morgen Bailey is an indefatigable spirit, a mere glance at her blog will convince you of that. Take a look and you’ll find it’s full of great interviews and lots of goodies for us writers.Today I am featured in her blog interviews with novelists, poets, short story authors, biographers, agents, publishers and more – number 206!

I thought it would be fun to reciprocate so here is Morgen Bailey answering some questions I put to her

Hi Morgen – please tell us something about yourself

Hello Avril. Thank you for inviting me today. OK, short answer (because I can waffle for England!): I’m a tall (5’10 / 1.78m) mid-40s English blonde who’s always been an avid reader (Stephen King in my teens, mellowed to crime and humour more recently) but came to writing after stumbling across crime writer Sally Spedding’s creative writing critique workshop late 2005 at my local university and haven’t looked back. I took over when Sally moved to Wales early 2008, added a writing workshop a year later and we’re still going strong. I’ve written four and a bit novels (three of those for NaNoWriMo), two anthologies (including Story A Day May), over 100 short stories, some poetry (although I still don’t ‘get it’ and admire those who do) and loads of flash fiction. Plenty of fiction fodder to eBook, mostly dark and light with a distinct grey area in between. :)

 

Where do you write? Can you describe the space – the things around you and how you get started? Do you for instance need coffee and music before you can write?

I’ve just moved desk actually. I converted my back bedroom into a study (the joy of living alone, well… with a dog). It’s the second biggest in the house and catches the sunlight (I have a gardener’s dream: a south-facing garden) and I’m a morning person so it’s perfect for me, plus it backs on to other gardens so little road noise. I have two Mac laptops; the main one on the old (proper) desk playing through my iTunes 2-star rated songs so I can delete the ones I don’t want to upgrade to 3-star (I’m a nerd by the way) – this I can do while emailing but I have to have classical (noise but no lyrics) when I’m actually writing – then on my desk (actually a fairly small round pine table given to me by my aunt / uncle when they upgraded their conservatory furniture – my whole upstairs is pine, suits the 1930s wooden floors) I have my smaller laptop (a MacBook Air – which goes everywhere with me) and a great 19” monitor so I can have two things open at once and drag from one to the other (see earlier ref to nerdiness – inherited from my brother – his studio apartment in Zurich looks like a scene out of Minority Report, although I don’t remember Tom Cruise having to step over things to get from one side of the room to the other, thankfully not something I’ve inherited from my brother). I also have a magazine rack of display books containing printouts from everything that goes on my blog and Morgen Bailey Daily e-newspaper. :) I also have a pot of pens, another of mints (I love humbugs) a clock (not sure why as I use the laptop’s), Bluetooth keyboard (I have long arms but not that long) and magic mouse and a couple of noteblocks for scribbling stuff (usually jobs lists).

I’d like to like coffee (I love the smell) but it’s tea, or at the moment the dregs of a cup of tea and pineapple juice and lemonade.

Oh yes, I missed a bit. How I get started. It depends really. I’m on a work-in-progress at the moment (anthology called ‘Calendar Girls’) which came from having written a story called April’s Fool and then I thought why not do another 11 stories about the other women. Unless it’s dreadful it’ll be buffed and polished to death and then go online next year as another $1.49 eBook.

 

You seem to favour stories and novellas. Any tips for other writers tackling either of these forms?

I do, well spotted. :) I used to read novels (see earlier reference to Stephen King) but I don’t have so much time now (although I love listening to audio novels – just finished the 7-hour ‘Girl With the Dragon Tattoo’, which was great by the way, despite having too many people hesitating /  pausing / deliberating – but then we writers will always have a pick at something) so I love short stories and novellas because I can read them in one go; plus I’m often too keen (either if it’s gripping or extremely dull) to get to the end!

As for tips, it depends on the story but best just to concentrate really on one scene or event. Don’t have more than four characters or you’ll confuse the reader (and make their names very different to each other). I’d say every sentence counts in a novel but every word counts in a short story. It should have the usual factors; mix of short and long sentences, dialogue and description – and everything written should be there for a reason; does it keep the story moving? Do we learn more about the characters.

You can obviously elaborate in a novella more than a short stories but the above still holds true. If a reader starts to glaze over, just one more bit of waffle (something I’m good at) will make them put the book down and move on to someone else’s. I really think that the eBook will be the making of short stories (certainly hoping so anyway) – we’re busy, our attention spans are shorter and I think now that established writers will actually start making their books shorter for this very reason. There aren’t many people out there who’d read 100,000 words on their iPhone, a Kindle maybe but I think it’s the way eBooks are going to lead writing… and I for one will be walking right alongside it. :)

 

Is there a kind of book you’d like to write but haven’t got round to yet or haven’t dared?

My NaNoWriMo book last year is probably the one that will never see light of day. It was based on an experience I had (not a good one) and I had my character (a Lara Croft, incredibly successful, version of myself) get her own back on the man involved. It’s inspired by what happened and I’ve kept his name (but not mine) because it’s also a great play on words. I’d have to change his name if it ever went out in to the ether and it would lose that meaning. It may go out in some form as I have a few wonderful prison scenes that I had such fun writing but generally it was a therapeutic write, one best left in a ring binder.

I’m fascinated by The 365-Day Writer’s Block Workbook – can you tell us something about it and where we can get hold of it?

Absolutely. This was my first eBook sale so it’s my baby. :) I have been podcasting since August 2010 and in the hints & tips episodes I usually include seven sentence starts for anyone listening to continue, one a day, if they wish (some have and told me so!) and I’d gathered over 3,000 of them (many written when I was temping and was on a too-quiet reception, something I’d relish now). I did put a load of them on Twitter but then I changed it to report the news of one of the writing groups I belong to and put the sentence starts on my blog.

Sentence starts are one of the exercises I use regularly in my Monday night workshops and they’re one of my favourite prompts so I thought I’d create new ones for a writing guide and The 365-Day Writer’s Block Workbook (Volume 1) was born (there will be other volumes of other exercises, not more sentence starts – not until volume 21 maybe). It contains over 1,000 sentence starts split into 21 a week (three a day) and a mixture of first person (days 1 and 4), second person (rarely used in fiction but my favourite – days 2 and 5), third person (days 3 and 6) and then any pov (i.e. As the piece of paper set light…) for day 7. At the end of each week there’s a tip of some description so plenty to keep a writer (whether they suffer from writer’s block or not) or writing group going for a year.

Like the Story A Day May anthology (they’re both $1.49) and free eShorts, it’s currently accessible via http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/morgenbailey. They’ve only been online since late October / early November (2011) and I’m very pleased with the feedback (although I’d love more reviews!) so far. Every time I receive a Smashwords ‘purchase notification’ or ‘review notification’ email comes in a stupid grin spreads across my face.

 

What does the future hold for writers and what do you hope it holds for you?

In a word ‘exciting’. We have more control than ever before and whilst it’s more difficult than ever to get an agent or publisher we can build up a reputation online before we catch their attention. And some, like me, will go their own way with eBooks with the thought at the back of their mind that one day they may have their books in bookshops but in the meantime have a wonderful time connecting with, and occasionally selling to, their potential readers. I have a LOT of content that can go online but it’s a slow process. I’ve gone through the Smashwords formatting hurdle (still with a smile on my face), enjoyed designing my own covers (it’s made me look at photography in a new light – leaving plenty of room for title, author name) and have Amazon next on the hit list with the seven items (four free shorts, the workbook and two variations of a 31-story anthology; one just the stories, the other prompts and author comments). I wouldn’t do it without an editor and I have a great one (hi Rachel!) which is why it’s slow, because we’re being thorough and for a writer who means business, that’s the only way to go.

 

Favourite inspirational quote:

<laughs> One of my favourites is a Douglas Adams but I wouldn’t call it inspirational. “I love deadlines – the sounds as they woosh by”. I’m generally very good with deadlines (the worst thing anyone can say to me is that’s there’s no hurry). A fellow Script Frenzy (I did http://scriptfrenzy.com April 2010) writer said “you can’t edit a blank page” and that does it for me.

Thank you Avril, I’ve enjoyed being on the other end of the mic. :)

Finding Stillness

Posted on by
Reply

As a child I loved ‘snowstorms.’ I don’t mean real snow storms, there weren’t many of those in the South West where I grew up, not like here in the wilds of the North-East. No, I’m talking about those transparent globes, with miniature scenes locked inside: penguins, snowmen, carol-singers, houses among the Christmas trees, skaters on a pond – globes which you held in your hand, shook then watched the snow fall and finally settle.

My mind has been a bit like a snowstorm this week; stirred up and not necessarily to good effect but on Thursday my novel-group writers Joy and Geri helped me find some stillness just by being the lovely, wise people they. They settled the snow, reminding me of what’s important. So did this when it appeared in my mailbox this morning.

Absolute Stillness

If you wish to cultivate absolute stillness and clarity of mind… sit down and imagine yourself on a peaceful shore or by a tranquil lake. If the mind is a snow globe whirling with thoughts …then the winds of internal energy and self-seeking – analyzing, evaluating, pushing and pulling, based on likes and dislike – are what keep it stirred up… Let the snow globe of your heart and mind settle by relaxing, breathing deeply a few times, and releasing all the tension, preoccupations, and concerns you’ve been carrying—at least for the moment. Let the gentle tide of breath carry it all away like the ocean’s waves, like a waterfall washing your heart, mind, and spirit clean, pure, and bright.

– Lama Surya Das, “Be Still”

Shake the snowstorm and let it settle

Send A Message of Hope

Posted on by
Reply

…just remember that your real job is that if you are free, you need to free somebody else. If you have some power, then your job is to empower somebody else… ― Toni Morrison

 I know how important cards and letters are to people in prison. In the run up to the festive season Amnesty International is appealing for people to send greeting cards to prisoners of conscience.

‘sending a card with a simple, personal greeting is a powerful way to show support… Every card matters….cards bring comfort and hope; they offer encouragement and support, and raise spirits. Above all they are a sign that people care.…Cards can also make an impression on police officers, prison staff and political authorities – and that can help to improve the way they treat individuals at risk.’

If you’d like to join me HERE IS THE LINK. Amnesty make it easy for you – address, suggested message any do’s or don’ts

Delicious Glassware

Posted on by
Reply

Just must tell you about the beautiful glassware and jewellery – made by the talented artist Jan Duyt- so beautiful it has recently been featured in Vogue! Do take a look at her website and online store – it’s delicious! If you’re looking for unique and stylish gifts, in fabulous colours you won’t be disappointed. I love her work and was so pleased to see it recognised by the style gurus.

 

Finding The Story In A Cornish Garden.

Posted on by
4

Cornwall is like another country, with its wild coastline, turquoise seas, subtropical gardens, estuaries and creeks, its dampness and warmth. Then there’s its belief in the sustainable and renewable, its wonderful locally sourced and organic food, its generous celebration of the arts.

We had a great trip around Trebah guided by the lovely Dan a former Assistant Head Gardener. He and Peter converted the seriously stylish but homely barn we stayed in, (highly recommended) as well as rescuing the nearby garden now known as The Potager (ranks as one of my favourite gardens ever) and a dog called Obie.

The Potager

Everywhere we went people were friendly and relaxed – they had time. But as always, everywhere we went, I was looking for the story. I found it at the bottom ofTrebah Graden on the beach where 7,500 of the 29th US Infantry Division embarked for the assault on Omaha beach, where many died. Like stories do, it played around in my head and connected with a beautiful blog post I’d read by Theresa Evangeline  from Minnesota,  about picking grapes. Then I found some names and the story began. It’s still in first draft in my notebook.

Here’s the beginning…

Growing Grapes In Minnesota

Alice Trego knew the chances of Duke Maynard turning up after sixty seven years were probably about the same as her making a decent return from Ladbrooke’s on a Super Yankee Special. What she hadn’t bargained for was Marvin Spinoza.

Every year the Major held a service on the beach and every year Alice attended, even though Roger had been dead twelve years. The nearest Sunday to June Ist Alice was there along with the decreasing number of those who remembered. They were mostly gone now, probably Duke with them, if he hadn’t died a lifetime ago. But something, other than common sense, told Alice he hadn’t died. Something made her cling to the notion that Duke Maynard had survived and that he was seeing out his time growing grapes in Minnesota, just like he always said he would…

Inow Barn where we stayed

Finding Inspiration

Posted on by
2

Sometimes you need more encouragement and inspiration than others. This has been one of those times for me and that’s why getting an unexpected e mail from my old school friend Rosemary was very special. I haven’t seen her since we were eighteen but my writing has brought us back in touch. I can tell by the way she writes that she is still the lovely, warm and generous person she always was.

I’ve also found inspiration in this beautiful weather and the blossom on the trees.

And ….I know tomorrow when I start my roomtowrite Spring Novel group that it will also inspire me and will encourage me in my own work.

If you are looking for inspiration then my onthewhite page blog may be the place for you.

My Autumn Novel Group Comes To A Close

Posted on by
Reply

On Tuesday evening it was the last of the six novel group sessions which I began in September. I have enjoyed these sessions enormously. They have reminded me how much I love facilitating/teaching/mentoring and the group have been just great – very hardworking and very serious about their writing.

By way of celebration we talked about what had been achieved, here are some thoughts:

  • written a lot more than I would have without the group
  • no longer worried about how it will work – the structure and shape of it have emerged.
  • I am a more self conscious writer
  • got my confidence back!
  • very happy with what I’ve achieved
  • more confident about what I write – my ‘voice is getting stronger’
  • appreciated the resources that have been discussed and provided –and the help with technical problems
  • learned the importance of editing
  • the sense of audience and the feedback have been very helpful
  • we’ve had fun and have bonded as a group – learned from each other’s issues
  • grateful for the time given to help with my synopsis
  • we’ve really looked in depth at our work, much more than is possible in most writers’ groups……

I intend to continue in the New Year – by offering a once monthly group – please do get in touch if you are interested

Katie

Posted on by
1

Chair, wallpaper and floorboards

On Thursday I’m off to London to my daughter Katie’s convocation at the Royal Albert Hall – her graduation from a two year M.A. at the Royal College of Art. I am so proud and I have a hat to prove it!

I’m looking forward to seeing Katie’s final collection of wallpapers, chairs, printed floorboards and chests – I remain totally impressed by her originality and her immense hard work. She is my hero.

For more images and a review of Katie’s work go to Phillipa Wagner’s blog

Suspended chair

Writers, Readers – and Bluebells

Posted on by
2

Today I walked in the bluebell wood near the Botanic Gardens in Durham - heavenly! Took my new camera

Writers need readers, without them we are nothing. When we write or when we  come to consider what we’ve written, it is vitally important that we ask ourselves if it will work for our readers and what their experience of our novel will be.

I recently had some interesting feedback on my current novel after a close reading by a perceptive American reader. It was invaluable to know about his experience of the novel: what he felt about about my characters -  how they might be developed further, what else he needed me as the author to tell him, where there was ambiguity, where he needed clarification or to be  ‘pointed in the right direction.’ His feedback made me see the novel from the reader’s perspective. It made me realise ways in which I could improve it and it reminded me of the duty we have as novelists not only to create fully rounded and satisfying characters but  also to guide our readers effortlessly through our narrative.

Eileen Elgey – friend, writer and reader, recently had a piece on being a reader published in The Journal (click to read)-  the first thing she does, she says, when she wakes in the morning is reach for a book….