We can’t be the only experts on the topics of children’s books and writing. Our challenge to you is to supply a top writing tip in 20 words or less. In return, we’ll part company (sob!) with a fabulous prize, the winner selected by a random generator.
THE PRIZE
The Awfully Big Giveaway includes:
· Three ‘East of India’ book marks
· A calico bag bearing the immortal line, ‘I write this sitting in the kitchen sink…’ from Jodie Smith’s ‘I Capture The Castle’.
· A literary map tea towel
· A ‘Libraries: Where Sshhh Happens’ T-shirt
· Some alphabet parcel tape
· A library bag
THE CONTEST
Post a comment below with your writing tip in 20 words or less.
THE DEADLINE
The closing date is noon GMT on 20 July and the winner will be selected by a random number generator. We will email the winner for a postal address, so leave an email if you want to win. This giveaway is limited to UK residents only.
Spit, spot! Screw your thinking caps on. Believe us, it’s more difficult than you might imagine to kernel advice in 20 words. To inspire you, we asked some of our author friends to supply their own words of wisdom. Do their thoughts ring true with you?
1. ‘Write in thirty-minute bursts to avoid distraction and reduce the allure of washing-up, dog-walking and obscure internet backwaters.’
Tracey Turner, author of ‘The Comic Strip Big Fat Book of Knowledge’, out on 5 September with Bloombury UK
2. ‘Writing is for the right brain, editing for the left brain. They function better when I keep the two separate.’
Lil Chase, author of ‘Boys For Beginners’, published on 4 August by Quercus
3. ‘Declare war on the word, "was" every time you meet it, ask yourself: Can I show more and tell less?’
Jon Mayhew whose latest book ‘The Demon Collector’ is out in hardback with Bloomsbury UK
4. ‘Invest in a dog. Long walks are perfect for writing in your head and stop your legs withering away too.’
Helen Moss, author of the ‘Adventure Island’ series, launched in July by Orion
Sara Grant whose first novel, Dark Parties, is being published in Germany (as Neva) in March 2011, in August in the US and in October in the UK.
What tips would you give other authors? Now’s your chance to share! We can’t wait to see what you come up with. Thank you for being such faithful readers, thank you to the authors for their tips and an especial thank you to The Literary Gift Company for so generously contributing this prize.
Inspiration, tips, birthdays and Internet friends. It just goes to show what a blog can do.
Over to you!
Please visit my blog at www.karen-ball.com
44 comments:
I'm in for the t-shirt alone! V funny.
My tip would be:
write 300 words a day: that's 100k words a year. In other words, a novel.
Great tip! Why do I never follow it?
I want that t-shirt - my tip:
IF AT FIRST YOU DON'T SUCCEED, WRITE ANOTHER NOVEL.
There's one piece of advice which is absolutely crucial for me. It's 'Oh, just get on with it!'!
My tip would be:
Read your writing aloud. Chuck everything that makes you stumble.
To get yourself writing, consider your bills. Petrol, cost of university accomodation for off spring, and vets especially good. I think it is the adrenalin.
Mine is 'Creative Dreaming Time* is an essential plot-solving tool for any serious writer'.*aka A Nap.
My tip is especially for the writers mums out there. A sturdy chair, rolls and rolls of masking tape & Cbeebies playing on a loop.
Oh....and 300 words per cup of coffee. ;-)
My tip is to find someone who doesn't mind cooking for you - more writing time!
I hear ya on that one, Tam!
I am not sure this is advice or a statement, but it keeps me going:
Rowling saw Hogwarts, Tolkien - Middle Earth. When you can see through this world and see another, you're a writer.
Oh, I forgot to add my email to the post above: emma-obrien@live.co.uk
I doubt I'll win, but just in case :P
Can I add another one which I keep by my desk at all times? Only thing is, it's from Philip Pullman, so if his name comes up you'll have to send the giveaway to him! It's 'Read like a butterfly, write like a bee.' Elegant, much?
The advice I'd offer (which I never take myself) is this:
TURN OFF THE BLOODY INTERNET!
That is all. :P
My tip is turn off the tv otherwise you end up adding in a random phrase from a programme without even realising! Also make notes first so you don't end up going off subject (which I seem to do all the time!)
julie@puddlepaws.co.uk
advice from Mark Twain - eliminate using the word "very." use damn as a substitute
nealisyoung@sky.com
titchylin
Write like you wanna win!
Would love to see the states added!
Get an honest,reliable friend to proof read your work,in order to recieve constructive critism and not just praise.
Name: Leah A
Email: leahauty8@hotmail.com
Thanks xx
Thank you. As someone who doesn't get out much, this festival has been so much fun.
My advice to all writers is:
Don't forget to read, read, read.
i'm in the US, so i'm out, but must share this very important piece of advice:
always have a glass of wine at hand, and walk away for a piece of cheese when stumped.
you don't even need 20 for that gem.
Brilliant, Oonaballoona!
Don Draper says in an episode of Mad Men "If you don't like what's being said, change the conversation."
I'm stealing this as my advice. If you're stuck with what you're writing, take a break by writing something else. A letter, a list, a blog. Come back refreshed and with new perspective.
Roisin x
(thestreak@gmail.com)
Be honest, no matter how scary, but only with your own life unless you have permission.
My tip is - when you get stuck, walk away, do something else. I always take the dog for a walk. My best ideas come when I'm walking the dog. I guess I'm going to have to give him a credit when I get published!
Would love this prize. My advice - no distractions, includes twitter, facebook and chocolate biscuits!
@zoecampbellyork
I want that bag! Actually I want all of it!
My tip: Talk less, write more.
Just in case ... karen.bush@btopenworld.com
Oh I would love this kit. It would inspire me so much. I've spent days thinking about my top tip and in the end I keep coming back to the one which is on my pin board. I hope it works for other children's writers:
Nobody cares about the adults, write from the kids point of view.
My e mail is michelevhelene(at)gmail.com
Here is my advice in exactly 20 words:
Write from the heart, let people read your work BEFORE it is finished. It will save you time and energy.
My email is: aprilquinn@hotmail.co.uk
Write only what is real
To you anyway!
Make a big flask of coffee first thing in the morning - no excuses to keep getting up to make coffee.
Carry your notepad everywhere (even bed!) as you'll get inspiration in the strangest places
I want the T-shirt too: procrastination is your nemesis,so get organised and disciplined - create your own space where you won't get distracted.
suvisatu@yahoo.co.uk
take a notebook everywhere, as your ideas can come from anywhere at anytime!
Keep it short and sweet; cut redundancy ;-)
Everyone has a story to tell, they just need the courage to tell it.
rachdreaming@googlemail.com
Write about what you know and if that's not enough, learn about something else!
Try to write 750 words a day, even if it's just off the top of your head. It helps keep you creative.
Don't censor - don't be afraid of your unique voice.
The critic can come out and play editor later.
Backup PC every few minutes. Amazing how much work you can lose when PC crashes and train of thought doesn't.
Write what you know about.
Do your research!
Read everything you can get your hands on, and write something every day.
Find writerly friends and hold onto them, you can't buy the support they give.
What an amazing collection of top tips.
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