COLD OUTSIDE, COSY WITHIN

Today our group had a good session. We delved deep into the subject of 'style', what is it? We say we like one writer's style and not another, but what do we mean? In my book and briefly because it is a complicated subject it is a balanced mix of elements such as narration, description, dialogue etc. It is also, and this is a hobby horse of mine: being true to yourself and your unique 'voivce' This i such a liberating thing as we don;t have to copy other writers nor think they are good an we are not...we simply have to be ourselves. The third and one of the most important factors, in my view anyway is the use of desciptive detail...the showing not telling school. Just a few telling details can set up such reverberation in the reader's mind and send them off on flights of their own imagination. Such power writing has, such energy and pleasure. We shared this, this afternoon. It might have been a nasty chilly day outside, but we five sat cosy and content in Nice Slice.

WRITING AT FIRST HAND

Thinking about the thorny subject of showing versus telling. Its really a question of slipping into the shoes of the person, emotion, situation and feeling it with all one's senses. It's not about describing feelings. I spend a lot of time in my own work going back over what I have written to make sure the scene is visual. 

But of course, there are times when telling is useful to whizz through a secondary episode and move on to the next drama. I suppose the secret is to understand rhythm. I am looking forward to discussing this with the group next Tuesday.

GOOD WEATHER FOR WRITERS

Just come in from paying bills and glad to be back in the warm. We have been lulled into thinking our climate was turning Mediterranean but, oh no, here it comes again. This is the time of year when our thoughts turn to escaping to a sunny clime. As a writer however, this is 'good' weather for finishing that story or starting work on another for a competition. Writers weather is very different from other people's. I can remember when I lived in Sicily the beach and the sun called and work was left in favour of a swim. So today I will make some hot soup and WRITE.

POINTO F VIEW

Getting point of view right is one of the arts of professional writing.  The reader  has to be given the illusion they are entering a story not written by the author but the narrater. This is the camera's eye with the ability to also smell taste and feel. Then the narrater steps into the point of view character's shoes. It is logical once you grasp it.

KNOWLEDGE IS A DANGEROUS THING

I have spent most of my life understanding what it is to be a writer. I trust myself and the knowledge I have gained. But sharing that knowledge with other human beings is often fraught with danger of exploitation. It seems to me that the world is peopled with givers and takers. The latter is very willing to take the knowledge I so willingly share and use it for their own ends. One is persuaded to think it is better to keeps things to oneself....but that is not my nature. I believe in inclusivity not to exclude and divide people. I would rather risk the danger than not be true to myself.

CHRISTMAS

Whether we like it or not, Christmas is well and truly on its way. Every year I say I am not sending cards, not decorating the house, I wish I could stay on my own and just read and write. But there is a child like part of me that sneakily starts to get into the spirit of Christmas. I am enchanted by the lights in Brighton strung like an enormous blue spider's web above the clock tower, and I'll be checking out the London lights next week in Regent street. I'll send cards, I like to receive them, I love having post. I suppose all those with a creative mind retain this child within so that we keep on observing, questioning, being surprised. And never grow old.

LET IT SNOW

I have been lost on my novel writing these last few days, I couldn;t go outside, the roads were too slippery.  I've been wandering again with Monet in his garden, sifting laundry with Blanche while she remembers how once she was a painter and now must be a full time carer. I can empathise very much with Blanche. I lived with my mother for the lst years of her life and experienced the mixed emotions of love, sympathy frustration and sometimes anger. It is a hard task for a single woman but it is still mainly women who carry out this role. I wrote a non fiction book called THE CARING TRAP and interviewed many people who had been in the same situation as myself. But of course life's experiences is what shapes us and shapes our artistic work. They are our raw materials which over time compost down to create the fertile soil for new blossoms. I do find it hard though to keep to this rule sometimes. It would be rather nice if one just had glorious experiences to draw on. I am not convinced that suffering is good for you!