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life-in-techni-colour-blog1 · 6 years ago

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Marseille, August 2019

After the life-changing experience I had in Marseille in July, same year, my heart was craving to go back to that city and expand the universe of episodes I have lived. I had the feeling, well, I still do, that Marseille has become a kind of sanctuary for me.

Is it the Mediterranean sea? Is it that I love bathing at la Plage du Prado?

Is it the chance to stare at beautiful sunsets every evening?

Is it the fact, that Marseille is the city in France with the most of sunny days during the year?

Is it that the sun kisses my skin and I feel that it injects me with interminable cosmic energy?

Or is it the language? That language that I started learning as a teenager and somehow never managed to speak fluently.

Or the Mediterranean culture? Is it the fact, that still in Europe, the “way of living” is similar to that in my country?

Or even the fact that I find Marseille highly erotic? That people show their bodies in a self-confident manner, expressing sensuality and sultriness?

Is it the sexy local accent?

Is it the sun tanning that makes the locals look similar to ancient Greek heroes?

Is it that I love seeing so many cultures sharing the same physical space, so well-integrated and functioning altogether in a chaotic, but charming environment?

Is it that people are loud, emotional, and like gesticulating and using their hands whilst talking?

Or that families watch the sunset at the beach, whilst kiddos play around?

Or the music that is played at the city centre every evening?

Or a combination of all of them?

I feel home in this sanctuary. I belong. I feel alive. My heart beats fast.

I have lust for life.

I most accept that it took me some days to decide if I really wanted to go back “so soon”. I guess I was afraid that my previous experience was just too good, that my expectation would be difficult to be met.

It was all met, in new ways.

I arrived. I left the airplane. I picked up my baggage. I went out of the terminal station.

As soon as the warm humid breeze touched my skin, I screamed loudly: “I am back Marseille, I am back for good”. I thanked life, I thanked the universe.

On the way from the airport to the city, listening the music that the bus driver had on, a question came to my head: how many people are able to do what I was just doing? How many people in this world have the possibility to take a flight, book a hotel, and just escape to their sanctuary?

Does everyone has a sanctuary? Is a sanctuary necessary at all?

How many people can decide where to go?

I felt blessed. And responsible.

I am free. I can decide. I have the means to chose and to execute.

How many people cannot do that? Can’t they, or they simply do not want to?

What to do with this blessing? Enjoy it on my own?

Or is there any way in which I could share it with the world? If so, how?

Besides being in my sanctuary, Marseille gives me new life lessons, some of them have become one-in-a-lifetime experiences.

And this second visit was not an exception.

Firstly. I had my first “date in French”. A real date.

Greg (Grégory, his fullname) had beautiful green eyes. His lips were thin and suggestive.

He had the characteristic sun tanning of a real Marseillais. He was indeed a local guy, born and raised in Marseille, with that wicked local accent.

The date was planned rather sporadically.

It was a Sunday, as I was on my way to the beach. La Plage du Prado is a rather common spot to go on a Sunday for bathing. Not the best beach in the city, nor my recommendation, but quite convenient as it is easily reached and you have all required amenities.

He called me. I did not pick up as I was on the bus. Well, that was the excuse. In reality, I was not picking any of his calls because I was terrified of speaking in French with him. I had the idea that my French would not be good enough for a conversation, and even worse, that I would make that noticeable to the other passengers on the bus.

Yes, even now that I am more awaken, such banalities and lack of confidence-moments appear in my life. Not so often anymore, but still present from time to time��

I knew that it would not bring me much to keep postponing the call, and based on the fact that I really wanted to get to know him, I called him back once I reached my destination.

I told him where I was and that I was planning to spend some at the beach and he offered himself to come over for few hours.

I accepted.

I felt so happy at the moment.

Opposite to what you might be thinking, I was not happy because I was about to meet a very good looking guy, but because I was brave enough to overcome my fear of speaking more than a couple of sentences in French. It was such a rewarding feeling.

After about one hour, he arrived with a bunch of things for a proper picnic.

He was, as already mentioned, charming. We talked about himself, myself, my interest for Marseille and my plans to visit more regularly the city.

We spend about three hours together and he needed to leave.

Regrettably, there was not a kind of funk between us, so we lost contact after that picnic.

What was the learning out of this experience?

Well, I made myself vulnerable, accepting that my French might not be fluent and error-free, and as a reward I had a picnic next to Mediterranean see. Me! Alejandro! That guy who many times felt not good enough.

Isn’t life a beautiful box of surprises, once you give it a try?

The second new learning that I had during that week involves a sex-shop.

The reasoning for me visiting the sex-shop is not relevant and therefore, not to be disclosed.

What I can tell you, in case you, yourself, have never entered to one: there is nothing special about them. I even fooled around with the employee who supported with my purchasing, who made some recommendations as well.

To be really honest, I was not afraid of the sex shop itself.

I was terrified of “what people would think of me” when entering and when leaving the shop. As this shop is located on a major avenue of the city, and I went there around 18 hrs on a regular working day, you can imagine that the probability of people seeing someone entering or leaving the shop was rather high.

Learning? A very basic one. No ones gives a fuck about what I do. If I enter or leave or stay for decades in a shop.

As I went it, I came out. No one really cared about it.

Isn’t is crazy all the ideas that I still have in my head? Terrified for what people would say?!

They did not even know me. They will probably not see me again. And I was still terrified.

Alejandro: so much for you still to learn.

Now we get a bit more serious.

Third learning during that week: I am blessed.

So, on the second weekend in Marseille, before departing back to Frankfurt, I decided to spend one day in the natural park Les Calanques. Go to your favourite web browser now and type “Les Calanques”. You will be stunned by the beautiful sceneries of this park.

Calanques are narrow inlets that are developed in limestone that are found along the Mediterranean coast. Because of fluvial erosion, these Calanques take the shape of valleys, which converge mostly into the sea. You will see some pictures attached to this post.

What do I like from them the most? The contrast between their colour and the intense blue of the sea.

So that Saturday morning I took the bus and arrive to one (very) small town called Les Goudes. Even if Les Goudes is a picturesque and cosy place, I saw most of it in less than one hour. As it was barely midday, I decided to walk on the coast with direction to the Calanques.

After few minutes I knew that I had made a very good decision.

My eyes saw a perfect colour-balance between beige and blue: on one site the massive Calanques in their beautiful beige colour and just next to it, a green-blue sea. Both fighting for physical space, and at the same time, embracing together in a perfect synergy.

I kept walking. As the time was passing by, more and more people were arriving. All of them astonished by the beautiful scenery. All of us making pictures, which will never be able to replace reality.

Even if I look at those pictures now, they cannot equal the still vivid images in my head.

Because it is not only about the colours, but the sound of wind (le mistral), the environmental humidity, the sun, the heat…

I spent quite some time making pictures and walking along the rocky coastline, until I felt hungry.

I was lucky that I had food in my bag, same that I bought that same morning in the only store I found in Les Goudes. Amongst those articles: a slice of pizza (I will elaborate more about my experience with pizza in Marseille in upcoming posts), a bottle of water, a bottle of orange juice and some cookies (Navettes à l’anis) that I still had in my bag.

I started looking for a place where to seat down and eat calmly. That was apparently not possible at the coastline, as it was already full with tourists (I do not consider myself a tourist in Marseille anymore) and families eating already (that just made me think of Greg and our picnic).

My eyes went then to the mountains themselves. Almost everyone was on the coast, but few were climbing to the mountains. I spotted at least three places that were perfect to seat down and have some lunch. So I decided to move there.

After few minutes I was about 300m above the sea level and from there, I had a beautiful scenery in front of my eyes. I could even see part of the city (Marseille).

I ate. Not only the food and beverages were feeding my body, but my soul was at the same time catered by what I was just discerning.

I felt a funk of happiness moving through my body. Was it the very first time that I had a love-attack? Yes, they exist, just as the panic-attacks do.

I ate, I observed, I felt happy.

When I finished, I decided to move further to the mountains. I sang, I spoke to myself, I made pictures.

After about 30 minutes walking to the top of the mountain, I found a valley, around 800m above level sea, I guess. Maybe a bit more.

From that valley I could see other Calanque in front of me, few houses at its bottom, gently placed next to the green-blue sea. Behind me only rocks and Les Goudes still in sight, although from the distance, the houses look pretty tiny.

To my right the blue sea. To my left three massive mountains.

I though of researching for their name whilst writing these lines, but I consider their names quite irrelevant, so no naming them for now.

In the background, I could hear the Cigales. The sound came from all directions. Even if the wind was strong and loud enough, that characteristic sound from the Cigales was louder.

So, I was there, on a Saturday afternoon, standing in front of three massive mountains. I looked at them, whilst listening to the Cigales.

My whole life cross my head as movie whilst standing there. That movie last at least 10 minutes. In that time I just stared at those three peeks.

I though of my way up. I though of everyone who helped me reaching the very best of me. I thought of the sacrifices my family made, especially my mom. I thought that she would have been astound as well, in case she would have got the chance to see those mountains herself.

She rarely left our town. She never left our country. She was never on the sea. She never got to walk barefoot on the sand.

I thought of my brother. Of the time we spent together as kids and the time we did not spent, as I left Mexico.

What would have happened if I have stayed in Mexico?

Would I have spent more time with him?

Would we love each other more just by being closer physically?

I thought of the friends that have shared the road with me. I thought of those that have been years with me, and those who appeared and disappeared because their mission in my life was over.

I thought of my dreams as a kid, as a teenager.

Of the man I have become.

I thought of Gustavo. I thought of Mark. I though of the people I have unintentionally hurt on my way up.

Moreover, I though of how blessed I am.

Blessed because of what the life has given me, sometimes even without requesting for it.

I cried tears of joy.

The fourth learning of that week is related to music.

By mere coincidence, I downloaded the latest album of the French singer Zazie. The album is called Essenciel and I can just recommend it to you. One of the few albums that I can hear from the very first track until the last one.

The first song of the album is called <Speed>. This song verbalises some of the characteristics of our contemporary society: a) living to work, b) spending our life in the own cages we have created for our ourselves, c) waiting for the day to end, imagining of a better future and pursuing happiness based on accomplishments, d) thinking that we are “too old” to do certain things, e) living in automatic mode…

Listen it for yourself and let the magic happens.

This song gives me hope.

It gives me hope that I am not the only one awakening.

It makes me feel energised and pushes me towards my complete realisation.

The song of my summer – so far.

Allez hop!

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bowlofprecious · 7 years ago

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Tie the rhythm of your #writing to the #pacing and #tension of your #story. #WriteMotivation #AmWriting #WriteGoal #WriteTip #WritersLife #WritingAdvice #Writers #Storytelling #Creativity #ChickLitGurrl

#writegoal #writetip #story #writingadvice #pacing #tension #writemotivation #creativity #amwriting #chicklitgurrl #writers #writerslife #storytelling #writing

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gloriachaoauthor · 7 years ago

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The #CampNaNoAdvice Twitter chat is happening tomorrow, Tuesday the 19th at 1pm EST/ 12pm CST/ 10am PST!! ✍ Join us for#writetips, #writeinspiration, and more! Bring your questions!! 📚 AMERICAN PANDA was drafted for #NaNoWriMo 2014 so I'm extra pumped to be a camp counselor! 🐼 . . . #writelife #amwriting #amediting #amdrafting #pubtip #writingadvice #writingtips #writemotivation #twitterchat #yalit #authorlife #writingadvice #writingquestions #writinghelp #authorsofig #writersofinstagram #campnano #writerscommunity #writingtips #writing #write

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kjsimmill · 6 years ago

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Someone in a group I am part of asked me for some tips on using Twitter for novices. Now, I am the first to admit that I am a long way from being an expert, however, I am more than happy to share what I know and have learnt. So in this article I will cover

Finding followers

How to Retweet

What to Tweet

How often to tweet

Common Hashtags for authors

and some Useful Tool

Once you have a Twitter account set up you’re going to want to start following some people, I find following people I share interests with help, as well as those I am in groups with. I am by no means an expert, but this is what worked for me.

Finding followers:

Start by typing your interest in the search bar with a # in front of it. For this example, I will use #authors, but look for people who enjoy your hobbies, your genre, etc

This brings up posts with this hashtag

Ignoring any accounts that show at the top scroll down, if any tweets catch your eye, retweet and follow them, often Authors will follow back.

To follow someone:

If using the above step you find someone you want to follow, hover over their name to open the profile

Click the follow button, this will then turn blue and say following. (PS I don’t know this person it is just who came up during my screenshot for the example)

The way is after doing the hashtag search click on the people tag. This displays all the people with the hashtag you searched for, read their profile and follow anyone you like

How to retweet:

Retweeting is one of the most important things when trying to establish an account, it shows people the kind of things you like, and if you share content they like they are more likely to follow you. By retweeting others, you make the page not all about you, but about others too. This is important in social media. The general guidelines, based on my digital marketing course are as follows, don’t worry about these too much, it is just to show what kind of balance you eventually want to aim for:

Posting tactics:

In my digital marketing course, the following Tweet strategies were recommended as best practises.

5-3-2 – 5 pieces of content from other people, three of yours, two personal status updates – this works best for people and small businesses

5-5-5 – 5 updates about you and content, 5 about other people, 5 responses to other people’s posts – these posts should add value and be relevant to you, your hobbies, or the market

4-1-1 – 4 posts from other people, 1 retweet for every 1 self-promoting update

Rule of thrids – a third of you, a third of others, and a third on personal interactions

How to retweet a post:

Using the search function find a post you think will enhance your feed and be of interest to your followers. Again I will use #authors as an example. Here I recommend instead of using the default page that comes up, you select the ‘latest’ tab. Scroll down until you find one you like.

For this example I will select the retweet button

When you click this the option to RT will come up. You can either just retweet, or rt with your own comment

Once it is done the rt button turns green. The number by it is how many times a post has been retweeted.

Retweeting your followers

Being engaged and retweeting your followers is really important. The tweets of the people you follow are displayed on the Home page

Using the same process above, scroll down to find the ones you want to retweet, and select the retweet button

What to Tweet

Content is all important. It is better it send out 4 or 5 tweets your audience will be interested in, than 50 they won’t. There is a fine line here, as you want to use it to promote your book.

Posts with pictures, according to my digital marketing course, get around 80% more engagement than those with text alone. So where possible include a relevant picture, gif, or in the case of authors, a book link often pulls an image from Amazon.

When promoting your own work, I find best practice is to offer pictures with teasers.

Another well-received option is to use quotes from your reviews, and short elevator pitches.

Think of a Tweet like a pick-up line, you want to entice and tease your reader, gain their interest so they want to know more.

However, it is not all about your book. You need to be personal, reveal and share snippets of your day. If you’ve written something you love or hate, tweet about it. Seen something which inspires you, made something you’re proud of? Take a picture, share it. The goal is to connect with your audience, let them see you, and your work.

How to Send a Tweet

Start by pressing the Tweet button

If you have some text highlighted in red when you write a tweet, this means it is over the character limit.

You can always find a way to save space if needed by changing things a little

Once your tweet is written, double-check it for typos and press the Tweet button.

How often to Tweet

The average lifespan of a Tweet is 17 minutes, after which, unless people have RTed or looked for it specifically then it is finished. This is because of the constant scrolling timelines. According to Internet Live Stats, every second around 6000 tweets are sent. However, despite their short lifespan this doesn’t mean you should be sending out something every 17 minutes. Here it is important to focus on quality over quantity. Before posting anything make sure it will add value to your customers.

If you don’t log into your account within six months, Twitter may shut it down.

What Hashtags to use

The author community has so many hashtags it is hard to keep track. The rules are simple.

First, make sure they are relevant, don’t use #nonfiction if your book is #fiction

Secondly, check what is trending. If you can, you want to turn a trending hashtag into a marketing push, some people call this trend hijacking. Trending hashtags are displayed on the left side of your Twitter.

Here, since my book donates to charity, I could utilise the current trending #internationaldayofcharity and highlight the donating aspect of my book in a promo tweet.

In this instance, you’ll also see I opted to link to the charity rather than the book. It is a day of charity after all, if someone is interested in my book, they can always check my profile, however, I want to promote the DMWS here.

Always be tactful and tactful when using trending hashtags

Common hashtags for authors

Books and Reading

#amReading #Bibliophile #bookreview #Books #BookWorm #GreatReads #MustRead #WhatToRead #bookswelove #FridayReads #TeaserTues #IlikebigBooks #recommendedreads #Weekendreads #whattoreadnext #WriterWednesday or #WW

Genre, examples

#ChickLit #classicbooks #contemporaryYA #cookbooks #crime #DarkFantasy #dystopian #EpicFantasy #erotica #Espionage #fanfic #Fantasy #fiction #graphicnovels #HeroicFantasy #histfic #Horror #indie #LBGT #LitFic #LitRPG #Love #MagicandWizardy #manga #mystery #nonfiction #paranormal #PictureBooks #Romance #SciFI or #SYFY #Suspense #SwordandSorcery #Thriller #UrbanFantasy #WomensFiction #yabooks

Promo

#99c #AuthorRT #BookGiveaway #BookMarketing #Authorfollowback (not popular anymore) #FreeReads #FreeBook #NewRelease

Publishing platform

#Apple #Amazon #eBook #BookBuzz #eReaders #KDP #Kindle #KindleBargain #Kobo #Nook #SmashWords #KindleUnlimited #FreeonKU

Useful Hashtags

#Bookboost (any tweet tagged with this gets a rt from Bookboost) #IARTG (Indie author RT group) #ASMSG (Authors’ Social Media Support Group) Writing Process

#AmWriting #AmEditing #CopyWriting #Creativity #Editing #IndieAuthor #WIP #WordCount #Author #Writing #WritingAdvice #WriteMotivation #WritingTips #WritersLife #WritingCommunity

Useful tools

https://tweetdeck.twitter.com/ – Free

Use to schedule tweets. Type your Tweet in the box, select date and time, and repeat with different dates for repeating tweets.

https://www.socialoomph.com – Free with limited features, or $15 a month to create a queue

https://www.vicconsult.com/buffered-bulk-tweets/ – great for text only tweet scheduleing – $5 a month, must keep adding content, so keep a notepad with the tweets on to copy and paste in. When I last used this it was still restricted to 180 characters

https://ifttt.com/twitter – Free – Great for finding and posting content you enjoy

https://ifttt.com/applets/SMvaxczG-if-hashtag-then-retweet-it is a great one to use if you often retweet specific hashtag, but be sure to keep the -RT in the hashtag line. There are so many, that you can opt to rt things from places like NASA, or simply say thank you every time someone follows you

Summary

When Tweeting the idea is to keep your audience entertained, give them insight into you, your work, your interests, while also engaging with them. It is not all about selling your book, it is about adding value to their day, be it a smile, a book teaser, or just something personal they may relate or be inspired by. Try to keep a balance between your things and everyone else’s. RT followers, RT things that interest you, doing this shows people what you like, and shared hobbies and passions help them to relate to you and form an online relationship.

As I said above, I am a long way from being an expert on social media, however, I hope you have found some of these tips useful. This is my Twitter strategy, based on things I have learnt in the digital marketing, associates degree I have just completed, as you get a feel for it you will develop your own best practices. If you have some tips you’d like to share, please feel free to comment below. I would love to know what works for you.

I hope to see you here again.

Article by K.J. Simmill (KS the Dreamer)

Since I still have your attention, and this is a marketing post, it must be time for some shameless self-promotion – check out my award-winning books here, and have a great week x

How to Twitter, and Hashtags for authors #TwitterTips #AmWriting #IARTG #howtoTwitter #DigitalMarketing #authors Someone in a group I am part of asked me for some tips on using Twitter for novices.

#author hashtags #b2b #b2c #Digital Marketing #hashtags #hashtags for authors #how to Twitter #how to use twitter #promoting books #promoting tips #Twitter #twitter tips #writers #Writing Tips

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oliverphisher · 5 years ago

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Shannon Horsfall

Shannon Horsfall is an author and illustrator based in Australia but living in fairyland.

Her head is a mess of stories, pictures and the occasional cake recipe.

She loves to draw, doodle, dream, design, imagine, write, dance, sing (badly), scribble, splatter & cook.

Although she is not young, she is very much a child. (Or immature, depending on how you look at it.)

She has published a number of picture books including Was Not Me, published by HarperCollins in July 2016, and shortlisted for Speech Pathology Australia's Book of the Year, Nomax, published by HarperCollins in June 2017 - a CBCA Notable Book for 2017 and illustrated Dear Santa, published by Scholastic in 2018, and another, My Unicorn Farts Glitter by Hachette published in July 2019. Her adult fiction short story Doomed was published in the University of the Sunshine Coast anthology Unravel in 2018 and she illustrated Issue 259 of WQ Magazine for Writers Queensland in 2017-2018. In 2020, Shannon published the poem Blight(y) and flash fiction Go Fish in the University of Sunshine Coast anthologies First You Get Hurt and Here Be Monsters.

Her awards also include BAD and AGDA awards for both her graphic design work and illustrations.

What are one to three books that have greatly influenced your life?

Green Grass, Running Water by Thomas King. I never realised you could write in this way, with so many layers and ambiguities.

Life after Life by Kate Atkinson. The premise of this story is incredible.

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. No explanation needed.

What purchase of $100 or less has most positively impacted your life in the last six months (or in recent memory)?

Any one of the books I buy regularly. Books are an escape, a way of understanding, a crow-bar into changing hard held opinions.

How has a failure, or apparent failure, set you up for later success?

Failure is a way to improve. It forces me to take another look, question what I thought was true, find an alternative that may be confronting, but will result in something better, more imaginative, something that expands my mind.

Are there any quotes you think of often or live your life by?

'You only die once, you live every day.’ - not sure who said that. And by Mark Twain: ‘Man is the only animal that blushes. Or needs to.'

What is one of the best investment in a writing resource you’ve ever made?

After I had two picture books published, I commenced a Creative Writing/English Literature double major degree at university. It is the best decision I have ever made. I am now undertaking my Honours degree and writing a Middle Grade fiction as part of it.

What is an unusual habit or an absurd thing that you love?

I adore children’s books. I really, truly do. They can challenge me even more than adult fiction at times. And I love that.

I have an unusual habit, in these modern times, of handwriting all my narratives. I cannot face a blank page on a computer screen.

In the last five years, what new belief, behaviour, or habit has most improved your life?

Endeavouring to write every single day. Although this does not always happen. I spend an inordinate amount of time staring out the window.

What advice would you give to a smart, driven aspiring author? What advice should they ignore?

Write every day. Don’t edit as you go (advice I should listen to myself). And write your own unique voice - it is easy to fall into the trap of emulating writers you admire. Trust in your own talent and ability.

What are bad recommendations you hear in your profession often?

There are many people and organisations that want to make money off aspiring authors. They will prey on your passion and desire to be published. Make sure you research anyone recommended to you in this regard.

In the last five years, what have you become better at saying no to (distractions, invitations, etc.)?

I am better at thinking I need to find time to keep everyone happy. Since going back to university full time I have had to time-manage myself down to the millisecond (or so it seems, at times).

What marketing tactics should authors avoid?

Avoid being shy about what you do. You do, unfortunately (because I know creatives often find it difficult) need to shout about your successes and talents.

What new realizations and/or approaches have helped you achieve your goals?

That I am actually pretty good at what I do. My writing, when I trust in my own self, surprises me with just how good it can be. University has helped me see that. Achieving my goals, though? Ironically, university has also meant I have very little time to write to my publishing goals.

When you feel overwhelmed or have lost your focus temporarily, what do you do?

Sometimes I need to step away from what I am working on. If I feel it is going nowhere, or I have lost my way, or I am drowning in creative self-loathing, I put it away and come back to it later.

Any other tips?

If a manuscript isn’t working, don’t try to force it. And sometimes, if a manuscript isn’t working, try writing it from a different perspective - change the narrator’s point of view.

________

Enjoyed this Q&A? Want to discuss in more depth? Join Community Writers. You'll get access to 100+ exclusive writing tips. Q&As with successful authors, an exclusive ebook on building an audience and much more. Sign-up for free as a community writer here

source https://www.thecommunitywriter.com/blog/shannon-horsfall

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oliverphisher · 5 years ago

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Christopher Currie

Christopher Currie is a writer and bookseller from Brisbane, whose fiction has appeared in anthologies and journals internationally. His first book, a novel for adults called The Ottoman Motel, was shortlisted for the Commonwealth Book Prize and the Queensland Literary Awards in 2012. Clancy of the Undertow is his first novel for young adults.

Clancy of the Undertow By Christopher Currie Buy on Amazon

He has proven himself to be one of the brightest young novelists in Australia, his writing having been short listed for The Commonwealth Book Prize, Pacific Region and The Queensland Literary Awards.

What are one to three books that have greatly influenced your life?

The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and Six More By Roald Dahl

1) The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and Six More by Roald Dahl - This was the book that made me think I want to be a writer. Like so many other books, I read them when I was likely too young, but I was floored by the way Dahl switched tone, time and humour, and I suddenly saw what was possible when you wrote.

What purchase of $100 or less has most positively impacted your life in the last six months (or in recent memory)?

I bought a two metre long phone charger to put by my bed, which is something everyone should do.

How has a failure, or apparent failure, set you up for later success?

I've been very fortunate throughout my writing career, and part of this I think was a decision very early on to tell myself that writing is a long term thing, and that it will very likely not be my sole source of income, and to be realistic about it being anything other than a hobby which brings me joy (all of which turned out 100% true!).

Are there any quotes you think of often or live your life by?

My favourite quote is something of an attribution turducken: a paraphrasing of Theodor Adorno embedding a quote attributed to Samuel Beckett

Art is a desecration of silence, wishing it were possible to restore that silence.

What is one of the best investment in a writing resource you’ve ever made?

Join your local library!

What is an unusual habit or an absurd thing that you love?

I love the eternal argument that the book is "dead", as if it hasn't already lived thousands of lives and will live thousands more.

In the last five years, what new belief, behaviour, or habit has most improved your life?

It's taken a decline in my creative output, starting a family and facing my own impending midlife to realise that you should find your happiness where you can and don't beat yourself up for not "achieving". Every day you're alive is pretty great.

What advice would you give to a smart, driven aspiring author? What advice should they ignore?

Be nice to other people. Practice daily. Enjoy yourself.

What are bad recommendations you hear in your profession often?

Anyone who professes to know the "secret" to writing is not a writer. Read and talk and listen but what you write and how you write is up to you. I said it before, but just write as much as you can. Don't do it for validation (even though we all do, I suppose), do it because you enjoy it.

In the last five years, what have you become better at saying no to (distractions, invitations, etc.)?

It's a cliche, I guess, but having kids has really given me perspective on what is and isn't important. When this tiny person appears in your universe and you suddenly realise you would give up your life for them in an instant, much else seems irrelevant.

What marketing tactics should authors avoid?

I suppose be authentic to who you are. Many authors are really great at promoting themselves over multiple platforms, but your heart has to be in it. Unfortunately as an author you're going to have to do a lot of public speaking, so practice up!

What new realizations and/or approaches have helped you achieve your goals?

I've probably covered a lot of this, but I've found my goals changing as my life has. And that's okay!

When you feel overwhelmed or have lost your focus temporarily, what do you do?

I've recently started a notebook dedicated to daily lists, which has helped me immeasurably in my work life. I'm the type of person who can instantly forget things, so having a list to check off really helps.

________

source https://www.thecommunitywriter.com/blog/christopher-currie

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oliverphisher · 5 years ago

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David Stavanger

David Stavanger is an Australian poet, performer, cultural producer, editor and lapsed psychologist. His first full-length poetry collection The Special (UQP, 2014) was awarded the Arts Queensland Thomas Shapcott Poetry Prize and the Wesley Michel Wright Poetry Prize. David co-directed Queensland Poetry Festival (2015-2017) and is a Senior Project Manager at Red Room Poetry.

The Special (UQP Poetry Series) By David Stavanger Buy on Amazon

He is the co-editor of Australian Poetry Journal 8.2 Spoken, Rabbit 27 Tense and SOLID AIR: Collected Australian & New Zealand Spoken Word (UQP, 2019.) His new collection is Case Notes (UWAP, 2020). David is also sometimes known as Green Room-nominated spoken weird artist Ghostboy. These days he lives between the stage and the page.

What are one to three books that have greatly influenced your life?

The Picture of Dorian Gray By Oscar Wilde

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

It: A Novel By Stephen King

IT by Stephen King

The Outlaw Bible of American Poetry Thunder's Mouth Press

The Outlaw Bible of American Poetry Edited by Alan Kaufman, S.A. Griffin

Conflict Resolution for Holy Beings: Poems By Joy Harjo

Conflict Resolution for Holy Beings by Joy Harjo

What purchase of $100 or less has most positively impacted your life in the last six months (or in recent memory)?

25 Almond Croissants. A Soda Stream. Actually, an $89 white panama hat I bought in Fitzroy last October.

How has a failure, or apparent failure, set you up for later success?

Having my new book Case Notes rejected by my previous publisher. It made me push the work out into wider stranger places then tighten it back in, and reinforced the need to publish my work with people who are willing to back the work I'm called to make.

Are there any quotes you think of often or live your life by?

“If you feel safe in the area you’re working in, you’re not working in the right area. Always go a little further into the water than you feel you’re capable of being in. Go a little bit out of your depth. And when you don’t feel that your feet are quite touching the bottom, you’re just about in the right place to do something exciting.” David Bowie

What is one of the best investment in a writing resource you’ve ever made?

Buying poetry books. Lots of poetry books, across the form. And decolonising my bookshelf, buying more First Nation writers.

What is an unusual habit or an absurd thing that you love?

I like armpits.

In the last five years, what new belief, behaviour, or habit has most improved your life?

To try and not pursue a victim narrative (on the page, in life.) Lived mental heath experiences and services tend to reinforce that idea. So does much of white culture. Realising there are far more important stories than mine that need to be heard, and trying to do the best i can to help elevate them (still got a long way to go with both.)

And - that swimming in the ocean all year round is the best thing for the body, mind and soul.

What advice would you give to a smart, driven aspiring author? What advice should they ignore?

They don't need advice from me. And, ignore that advice.

The only advice I ever really absorbed was from my mentor Emily XYZ who told me we all have to be a servant to our art form - in some way, at some stage. Give back to the art you claim to love.

What are bad recommendations you hear in your profession often?

Spoken word doesn't work on the page.

You have to do a Creative Writing degree to write.

You should be focused on your legacy as an artist.

Once your published everything will change for the better.

Fiction editors know how to edit poetry.

Awards and reviews matter.

In the last five years, what have you become better at saying no to (distractions, invitations, etc.)?

Full-time work. Underpaid work. Work that doesn't bring me or others some form of joy or insight.

What marketing tactics should authors avoid?

Doing online interviews for writers blogs.

What new realizations and/or approaches have helped you achieve your goals?

Actively seeking out key mentors in other writers - not just within my main medium - whose work I respect and who I know will extend and challenge my practice. I'm very lucky with this new book Case Notes to have worked with poet/playwright Jennifer Compton and author Laura Jean McKay because they care enough about what I'm trying to do to ask so much more from it when I'd decided 'that will do'.

When you feel overwhelmed or have lost your focus temporarily, what do you do?

Take beta blockers. Swim in the ocean. Masturbate. Hide.

Any other tips?

Connect with other artists who walk the edge but don't fall off it. Beware the view from the middle.

________

source https://www.thecommunitywriter.com/blog/david-stavanger-1

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oliverphisher · 5 years ago

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Aleesah Darlison

Aleesah Darlison is a multi-published Australian children's author. She writes picture books and novels, both in the contemporary fiction and fantasy genres. She also works as a book reviewer for The Sun Herald. She is the author of Our Class Tiger which made the Wilderness Society 2015 children¿s book award shortlist in the category of Nonfiction.

Quinn's Riddles (Unicorn Riders Book 1) By Aleesah Darlison Buy on Amazon

Aleesah's picture books include Bearly There, Puggle's Problem (NSW PRC) and Warambi (2012 CBCA Notable Book Eve Pownall Award, 2012 Wilderness Society Award for Children's Literature - Shortlist). Her chapter books include Fangs and Little Good Wolf. Her novels and popular series are I Dare You, Unicorn Riders and Totally Twins.

Aleesah has won numerous awards for her writing including an ASA mentorship. Aleesah's short stories have appeared in the black dog books Short and Scary Anthology, Chicken Soup for the Soul, The School Magazine and Little Ears Magazine. She is a founding director of Literature Live! an organisation delivering literary content to schools through video conferencing technology.

What are one to three books that have greatly influenced your life?

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (The Chronicles of Narnia) By C. S. Lewis

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

Wuthering Heights (Penguin Classics) By Emily Brontë, Pauline Nestor

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

The Mortymer Trilogy By Alexander Cordell

The Mortymer Trilogy by Alexander Cordell

What purchase of $100 or less has most positively impacted your life in the last six months (or in recent memory)?

I signed up for a 30 day home workout challenge through Betty Rocker. The challenge was free, but I paid for Betty’s meal plan AND converted to a plant based diet.

Without sounding like a weight loss advertisement, focusing on getting fit and healthy has had THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT on my life. My husband has joined in too so we do the exercises together.

As an author, I sit at my desk A LOT, and I travel A LOT so I’m often sitting to drive or fly. Moving more and taking care of my health has been the best thing I’ve done for myself in a long, long while.

How has a failure, or apparent failure, set you up for later success?

Failure and rejection as an author (on so many manuscripts!) has given me a thick skin to make me more resilient and better able to cope with the writing life’s ups and downs.

Are there any quotes you think of often or live your life by?

I’ve had this quote beside my desk for at least ten years, funny how it mentions failure…

If you have made mistakes … there is always another chance for you … you may have a fresh start any moment you choose, for this thing we call ‘failure’ is not the falling down, but the staying down.

Mary Pickford (1893 – 1979), American actress

What is one of the best investment in a writing resource you’ve ever made?

Workshops and courses through Writing NSW. Invaluable workshops that set me on the path to publication. Several were run by Di Bates. Learning from established, experienced authors set you up for life.

What is an unusual habit or an absurd thing that you love?

Salt and vinegar chips. Salt and vinegar with oranges and lemons. Salt and vinegar with most things, really1

In the last five years, what new belief, behaviour, or habit has most improved your life?

Yoga and the exercise I’ve been doing lately. A little ‘me’ time and fitness to feel good about yourself go a long way.

What advice would you give to a smart, driven aspiring author? What advice should they ignore?

Know the rules of the author game, but make sure you play your own game when it comes to writing. Don’t worry about what everyone else is out there doing – you’ll be eaten alive by self-doubt and worry otherwise. After all, it’s a competitive market. Just write the best story you can then submit to publishers only when the story is ready. And advice to ignore? That being an author will make you mega-rich like JK. Those successes are incredibly rare, so be happy with your success.

What are bad recommendations you hear in your profession often?

Probably the worst is: Don’t read other books in your genre because it will adversely affect your writing. This is so not true! Reading can only ever engage and enlighten the mind.

In the last five years, what have you become better at saying no to (distractions, invitations, etc.)?

Nothing! I’m terrible at saying no.

What marketing tactics should authors avoid?

Shamelessly and clumsily talking about their books ALL THE TIME. Sometimes listening is a better marketing tool than forcing yourself (or your book) on someone.

What new realizations and/or approaches have helped you achieve your goals?

Using Skype or Zoom and other online platforms to communicate with and teach other authors in the various writing workshops and mentorships that I run. It’s been a huge time saving advice but still allows for a one-to-one personal interaction.

When you feel overwhelmed or have lost your focus temporarily, what do you do?

Take the dog for a walk. Vacuum. Play with my kids. Read a book. All of the above if necessary!

Any other tips?

Write what you know, write what you love. Find happiness in your writing, even if you’re not aiming for publication, because writing is one of the greatest joys we humans have … and it’s all literally right at our fingertips!

________

source https://www.thecommunitywriter.com/blog/aleesah-darlison

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oliverphisher · 5 years ago

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Donna Maree Hanson

Donna Maree Hanson is a traditionally and independently published author of fantasy, science fiction and horror. She also writes paranormal romance under the pseudonym of Dani Kristoff. Her dark fantasy series (which some reviewers have called ‘grim dark’), Dragon Wine, was published by Momentum Books (Pan Macmillan digital imprint). Book 1: Shatterwing and Book 2: Skywatcher are out now in digital and print on demand. In April 2015, she was awarded the A. Bertram Chandler Award for ‘Outstanding Achievement in Australian Science Fiction’ for her work in running science fiction conventions, publishing and broader SF community contribution. Donna also writes young adult science fiction, with Rayessa and the Space Pirates and Rae and Essa’s Space Adventures were published by Escape Publishing.

Ruby Heart: Cry Havoc Book 1 By Donna Maree Hanson Buy on Amazon

In 2016, Donna commenced her PhD candidature researching Feminism in Popular Romance at the University of Canberra. Her first Indie published book, Argenterra, was published in late April 2016. Argenterra is the first in an epic fantasy series (the Silverlands) suitable for adult and young adult readers. This series is now complete. In 2018, Donna published Ruby Heart, the first book in the Cry Havoc series, which is steampunk fantasy, with Gothic horror and romance. Donna lives in Canberra with her partner and fellow writer Matthew Farrer.

What are one to three books that have greatly influenced your life?

The Last Dark (Last Chronicles of Thomas Covenant) By Stephen R. Donaldson

Stephen Donaldson’s Thomas Covenant books were my first real foray into fantasy. I hadn’t read Tolkein at the time so that was it. I was transported and I find that and the Mordant’s Need duology are a great influence on me.

The Ancient Future: The Dark Age (Ancient Future Trilogy Book 1) By Traci Harding

Later, I discovered Sara Douglass and Traci Harding and realized that Australians could write fantasy too and since then I’ve been writing. I was older of course.

Caliban's War (The Expanse Book 2) By James S. A. Corey

More recently the books of the Expanse series by James S A Corey have blown me away and created a new love of science fiction. They are so beautifully written.

What purchase of $100 or less has most positively impacted your life in the last six months (or in recent memory)?

We have had lots of bushfire smoke in Canberra where I live. I bought this foam stuff for sealing the doors. It had been on my ‘meaning to list’ for years and in the end it was cheap and easy. Under $11 for the two doors. Now we don’t have as much smoke leaking inside or wind for that matter.

How has a failure, or apparent failure, set you up for later success?

For over thirteen years I was trying to get traditionally published. I kept persevering even with rejections. Eventually, I did get published and it was a great feeling. But that’s only a first step and success isn’t guaranteed. I think those early years helped me now and I really understood that I loved writing and that was why I was doing it. Now I mostly indie publish and I understand that a book can be good and not be a best seller and I can be proud of what I write even if I’m not raking in lots of money.

Are there any quotes you think of often or live your life by?

I made one up for myself in my early years. When life kicks you down, you get up and kick it right back.

I’ve lived by that as much as possible. It’s kept me going through tough times.

What is one of the best investment in a writing resource you’ve ever made?

This had to be Vellum for formatting ebook and print books. It had saved me so much time and RSI aches. It’s so easy to do. Life changing.

What is an unusual habit or an absurd thing that you love?

I like watching reruns of Star Trek. Previous boyfriends thought that strange. My partner totally gets it that’s one of the reasons we get on so well.

In the last five years, what new belief, behaviour, or habit has most improved your life?

I think it is the understanding about the publishing industry. Rejection from an agent or publisher does not mean your work sucks. It might do when you are starting out, but after ten years writing, it shouldn’t. I’ve had books get to acquisitions and not get published because there are decisions about market and so on that don’t reflect on your work. I figured if they were good enough to go to acquisitions then they were good enough to publish. So this belief made my life so much more livable. With Indie publishing, I don’t have that end of year dismals of ‘you failed to publish a book’ again.

What advice would you give to a smart, driven aspiring author? What advice should they ignore?

Keep going. Persevere. Don’t give up. Research your market and write and write.

Also, don’t let people tell you, you aren’t a writer because you don’t write everyday. Don’t let others define you at all.

What are bad recommendations you hear in your profession often?

I’ve not heard too much bad advice. Don’t get conned. Be smart with your money. If you are going to get traditionally published the money comes to you. If someone wants to publish you and asks for money that’s a con. You can do it yourself and have all the profits and all the control.

In the last five years, what have you become better at saying no to (distractions, invitations, etc.)?

No. Not all all. When I first started writing, I was so keen it was like finding religion. I lost a relationship and my family were angry. I’ve tried to balance life more. I used to do a lot of writing related stuff, you know, running SF conventions etc but then I realised I needed to keep time for writing and make writing my focus.

I find committing to projects the best way for me to focus. Like a month on a schedule with goals rather than just a blanket you must write everyday. I have more periods of where I don’t want to write and I make deals with myself. Just half an hour I say but once I’m there at my desk, I keep writing. I think you need space so you can create.

I think you have to work out a routine that works. Writing everyday was great. Now I write when I can and I really commit to projects. This month is writing this book. I set goals and I have also had coaches who check up on me. I get breaks to do other things, like craft or be with family or travel.

What marketing tactics should authors avoid?

Advertising to your author friends. They aren’t your audience so friending them on Facebook and then asking them to like your author page is annoying. Don’t be annoying.

Also being a dick on Twitter. Don’t be a dick. Think about your brand.

What new realizations and/or approaches have helped you achieve your goals?

I’ve being undertaking a PhD in creative writing. One big lesson, research can help fuel your writing. Also, you get better the more your write and the more fiction and non-fiction you expose yourself to. I think I am writing better now but we will have to see when I finish this damn PhD.

When you feel overwhelmed or have lost your focus temporarily, what do you do?

Read, walk, binge watch something on Netflix. And if that doesn’t work I talk to my partner who is also a writer and that generally helps no end.

If I am having trouble focussing and that’s usually because I have another idea in my head, I’ll jot down notes for the new idea and then keep going with my project.

Any other tips?

Work out when it is the best time for you to write. Are you a morning person or a night person? What do you like most about writing and what do you like least? Concentrate on liking the bits you like least. Me, it’s revision. First draft a fun. Revision is work.

Get feedback on your work, it can give you better ideas and make a better story.

________

source https://www.thecommunitywriter.com/blog/donna-maree-hanson

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oliverphisher · 5 years ago

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Emma Viskic

Emma Viskic’s critically acclaimed Caleb Zelic series has been published worldwide and won numerous awards. RESURRECTION BAY won the 2016 Ned Kelly Award for Best First Fiction and an unprecedented three Davitt Awards. It was shortlisted for the UK’s prestigious Gold Dagger and New Blood Awards, and was iBooks Australia’s Crime Novel of the Year.

Darkness for Light (A Caleb Zelic thriller) By Emma Viskic Buy on Amazon

AND FIRE CAME DOWN won the 2018 Davitt Award for Best Novel and was long listed for the Dublin International Literary Award. DARKNESS FOR LIGHT is out now. Emma is currently working on the fourth novel in the series.

What are one to three books that have greatly influenced your life?

To Kill a Mockingbird By Harper Lee

To Kill a Mocking Bird by Harper Lee. Mocking Bird is a master class in how to combine character, social issues and story. Plus, I identified heavily with Scout as a child, and longed to be as gutsy as her.

Red Dragon (Hannibal Lecter Series) By Thomas Harris

Red Dragon by Thomas Harris. I’m not a fan of the psychotic killer trope, but Thomas Harris manages to paint a picture of tortured mind that is at once insightful, repellent and – dare I say it? – sympathetic.

The Golden Gate By Vikram Seth

The Golden Gate, by Vikram Seth. I was lucky enough to be given this novel in verse in my early twenties and fell in love with its delightful rhythms, wit and sorrow.

What purchase of $100 or less has most positively impacted your life in the last six months (or in recent memory)?

After putting it off for months I recently got my bike serviced. It’s a small thing, but I’d stopped riding to my studio because the gears weren’t working. Apart from the obvious health benefits, riding really clears my head and helps the ideas flow.

How has a failure, or apparent failure, set you up for later success?

I wrote two full-length manuscripts before my debut novel, Resurrection Bay. Some people are appalled that I ‘wasted’ that much time, but I learned more from writing them than anything else I’ve done.

Are there any quotes you think of often or live your life by?

Embarrassingly enough ‘Just Do It’ springs to mind.

What is one of the best investment in a writing resource you’ve ever made?

I don’t need much in terms of equipment or space. (I wrote Resurrection Bay on a Dell notebook computer without Word or spellcheck) I do, however, read a lot of books. In the past I’ve mainly borrowed them from the library. I still use the library a lot, but I buy a lot more of them now.

What is an unusual habit or an absurd thing that you love?

It’s not unusual for a writer, but I love spending time alone with my thoughts.

In the last five years, what new belief, behaviour, or habit has most improved your life?

Netflix! I’ve got a puritan work-ethic, and never used to watch daytime TV, but last year I took to bribing myself with bad renovation shows and they kept me going through a difficult patch of writing.

What advice would you give to a smart, driven aspiring author? What advice should they ignore?

First drafts are always terrible; the beauty comes in the rewriting.

If anything purports to be a writing ‘rule’ ignore it.

What are bad recommendations you hear in your profession often?

The instruction to ‘write what you know’ is one of the worst. It leaves no room for imagination, empathy or exploration. I like to flip the idea and think ‘know what you write’. That is, talk to people, listen, read, research, and be empathetic. And, most importantly, if you’re writing from a cultural identity outside your own, do the work.

In the last five years, what have you become better at saying no to (distractions, invitations, etc.)?

I’m slowly learning to say no to extra work. I also keep the all-important morning hours free to write whenever possible.

What marketing tactics should authors avoid?

Avoid spending your own money. Also, social media isn’t a great tool for selling books. It can be a great way of connecting with readers and writers, but any sales that come out of it are a bonus.

What new realizations and/or approaches have helped you achieve your goals?

My first career was as a classical musician and I think that helped set me up for life as a writer. I write like I used to practise – writing and rewriting over and over again until the piece is as good as I can make it.

When you feel overwhelmed or have lost your focus temporarily, what do you do?

Step away from the computer and get some exercise, watch Netflix, or sob quietly into my whisky.

Any other tips?

Try not to compare your journey with other people’s.

________

source https://www.thecommunitywriter.com/blog/emma-viskic

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oliverphisher · 5 years ago

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Will Kostakis

Will Kostakis is a writer of all things, from celebrity news stories that score cease and desist letters, to tweets for professional wrestlers. That said, he’s best known for his award-winning YA novels. His first novel, Loathing Lola, was released when he was just nineteen. His second, The First Third, won the 2014 Gold Inky Award. It was also shortlisted for the Children’s Book Council of Australia Book of the Year and Australian Prime Minister’s Literary awards, among others. The Sidekicks was his third novel for young adults, and his American debut. It went on the win the IBBY Australia Ena Noel Award.

The First Third By Will Kostakis Buy on Amazon

As a high school student, Will won Sydney Morning Herald Young Writer of the Year for a collection of short stories. He has since contributed to numerous anthologies, including Begin, End, Begin: A #LoveOzYA Anthology.

What are one to three books that have greatly influenced your life?

The Whole Business with Kiffo & the Pitbull By Barry Jonsberg

The Whole Business With Kiffo And The Pitbull by Barry Jonsberg. I read this when I was in high school. The voice was so authentic I thought an Australian teenager was talking directly to me. I knew that if I was going to be a YA author, I wanted to write a book like it.

Notes from the Teenage Underground By Simmone Howell

Notes From The Teenage Underground by Simmone Howell. After first meeting my publisher, I was given a stack of books to read. This was one of them. From the first page, I knew I was going to be a life-long fan of Simmone's writing. She gets straight to the point, and her prose is so sharp it cuts to the truth of everything.

Witches Abroad (Discworld) By Terry Pratchett

Any Discworld novel by Terry Pratchett featuring the witches. I've read Pratchett since I was 12, and he is the benchmark. If I become half the writer he was, then I'll be content with a life well spent.

What purchase of $100 or less has most positively impacted your life in the last six months (or in recent memory)?

A subscription to Audible (which might add up to more than $100 over 6 months, but if I ignore my credit card statement, it doesn't). The time I used to waste listening to political podcasts is now spent immersing myself in worlds that inspire me to create.

How has a failure, or apparent failure, set you up for later success?

My first book underwhelmed commercially, and after it disappeared from store shelves within months, I set out on the road with a box of books to connect with prospective readers myself. It was a baptism by fire, but I came out the end of it with so many skills that still help me to this day.

Are there any quotes you think of often or live your life by?

Julia Cameron's concept of "filling the well" (via YA author Dhonielle Clayton) is something that I've come to live by recently as I try to write more often:Art is an image-using system. In order to create, we draw from our inner well. This inner well, an artistic reservoir, is ideally like a well-stocked trout pond. We've got big fish, little fish, fat fish, skinny fish-- an abundance of artistic fish to fry. As artists, we must realize that we have to maintain this artistic ecosystem.If we don't give some attention to upkeep, our well is apt to become depleted, stagnant, or blocked. Any extended period of piece of work draws heavily on our artistic well. As artists we must learn to be self-nourishing. We must become alert enough to consciously replenish our creative resources as we draw on them-- to restock the trout pond, so to speak. I call this process filling the well. (https://ift.tt/3hq6Meg)

What is one of the best investment in a writing resource you’ve ever made?

Nothing beats the trusty pen and pad that I keep in my bag. Sure, sending emails to yourself from your phone is a great way to jot ideas down anywhere, anytime, but nothing beats what I produce when writing by hand. It sounds weird, but my brain just works differently when I do.

What is an unusual habit or an absurd thing that you love?

My unusual habit is, when I don't feel like I understand my character well enough, I record audio with my phone and waltz around the apartment, talking in character about my wants. I discard 90 per cent of it, but I almost always discover something about them.

In the last five years, what new belief, behaviour, or habit has most improved your life?

One new belief: 'Your prose doesn't have to be perfect, it has to connect.' Sometimes, a grammatically perfect sentence isn't what you need.

What advice would you give to a smart, driven aspiring author? What advice should they ignore?

As somebody who was intent on publication at 12, driven to send novels to publishers way before I was ready, I would tell them to wait. I know the desire to be an author can feel all-consuming, but having the desire doesn't mean you're ready. I wasn't ready when I signed a book deal at 17, I wasn't ready when that book was released when I was 19, and it showed in my work, I think. Take the time to find your voice and what you want to use it for. Achieving your dream sooner isn't necessarily better.

They should ignore any advice that doesn't work for them. The wonderful and frustrating thing about creative writing advice is, what works for one person might not work for another. Accept every piece of advice, trial it, but if it doesn't work for you, it's okay to discard it.

What are bad recommendations for aspiring authors, that you hear in your often?

It isn't really a bad recommendation but ... there's an entire industry built around aspiring authors. Just know that you don't need to pay to get published. You don't pay a publisher to consider or publish your work. You don't need to have your work professionally edited before you submit. Join a critique group! Swap manuscripts with a friend! Read a lot! Download free podcasts! You. Don't. Need. To. Pay. To. Be. Qualified. To. Create. Art.

In the last five years, what have you become better at saying no to (distractions, invitations, etc.)?

Unpaid labour in all its forms. I am still open to providing my services for free for deserving causes, and I still do, but there's nothing like having to pay rent in Sydney to force you to stop seeing payment in exposure as anything other than exploitation.

What marketing tactics should authors avoid?

"Buy my book, buy my book, buy my book!" on social media. It doesn't work. Never has. Use social media to connect with your readers personally. The hard sell is irritating. If you don't like it when someone does it to you, don't do it to others.

What new approach helped you achieve your goals?

Setting realistic goals. No longer setting the massive "write 2000 words today" and then feeling disappointed. Aiming to write 300 and being satisfied and inspired to write more ... usually results in writing more.

When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, or have lost your focus temporarily, what do you do?

Whenever I'm blocked creatively, even if under an intense deadline, I walk away and go do something (usually gym or play Pokemon Go), something that forces me to have some distance from my work, so when I return, I'm better able to tackle the problem.

Any other tips?

Read! Read! Read! Read! Be an active member of the literary community. Go to book launches. Listen to authors speak. Read! Read! Read! Read! Recommend books to others. Buy books for others. Fill your well!

________

source https://www.thecommunitywriter.com/blog/will-kostakis

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oliverphisher · 5 years ago

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Brooke Sivendra

Brooke Sivendra lives in Adelaide, Australia with her husband and two furry children—Milly, a Rhodesian Ridgeback, and Lara, a massive Great Dane who is fifty pounds heavier than Brooke and thinks she is a lap dog!

The Secrets of Their Souls: A Novel (The Soul Series Book 1) By Brooke Sivendra Buy on Amazon

Brooke writes novels that blend mystery, thriller and romance themes. She is known for creating strong characters, intriguing plot lines, and emotional stories that explore destiny, coincidence, and the power of love. Brooke is the author of the Soul Series and the James Thomas Series.

Brooke has a degree in Nuclear Medicine and worked in the field of medical research before launching her first business at the age of twenty-six. Brooke recently sold it to focus on her writing.

What are one to three books that have greatly influenced your life?

The Bronze Horseman By Paullina Simons

1) The Bronze Horseman. This is still one of my favorite books and it showed me how powerful a story can be.

The Opportunist (Love Me With Lies Book 1) By Tarryn Fisher

2) Love Me With Lies series by Tarryn Fisher. Tarryn inspired me to write outside the boundaries of a genre and that it was okay not to follow the rules.

The Alchemist: A Graphic Novel (an illustrated interpretation of The Alchemist) By Paulo Coelho

3) The Alchemist by Paul Coelho. I reread this book every year.

What purchase of $100 or less has most positively impacted your life in the last six months (or in recent memory)?

A good planner! That's a boring answer, but I own and manage two businesses in addition to writing three books per year, so organization is everything to me.

How has a failure, or apparent failure, set you up for later success?

Sometimes things don’t work out the way we expect them to…and sometimes that’s a blessing. It’s important to have goals and to work hard. It’s equally important to have flexibility about how you’re going to achieve that goal and be open to opportunities that you hadn’t considered.

Are there any quotes you think of often or live your life by?

Small, seemingly insignificant steps completed consistently over time will create a radical difference. – Darren Hardy

What is one of the best investments in a writing resource you’ve ever made?

A good editor! My editor truly has taught me how to write, and how to pace and structure books. Choose an editor that will give you tough, constructive feedback when you need it.

What is an unusual habit or an absurd thing that you love?

At the risk of sounding like a stalker, I love to see inside other people's homes. I love to see how they live, their design style, etc.

In the last five years, what new belief, behaviour, or habit has most improved your life?

Do the hardest thing first. I start every day by doing the hardest thing (the job/task/phone call I really don't want to do) first thing in the morning, and then the rest of my day is easier and more enjoyable.

What advice would you give to a smart, driven aspiring author? What advice should they ignore?

You need to operate your writing career like a business. Writing is only one part of the equation—you also need to learn how to market and sell your books. Also, respond to every reader email/comment on social media. Time is our most precious resource and don’t take it for granted if someone takes the time to comment, email or review your book.

What are bad recommendations you hear in your profession often?

Just keep writing and the books will sell. I agree you need to have a few books available (and it can be a great strategy to release a series all at the same time), but you have to spend time on marketing. It isn't optional.

In the last five years, what have you become better at saying no to (distractions, invitations, etc.)?

A few years ago, I was a real people pleaser. Not anymore, haha! Saying no means saying yes to me—to my goals and dreams.

What marketing tactics should authors avoid?

Anything that doesn't involve marketing to your target reader. There is no point doing a group promotion to a huge reader list if none of them are interested in reading the kind of books you write. Also, don't try and do everything at once. Focus on one social media channel first. Once that's doing well, focus on the second and so on.

What new realizations and/or approaches have helped you achieve your goals?

Focus is everything and I always ask myself "Does this (whatever I am considering doing) move me closer to my goal?" In a world of distractions, focus is imperative.

When you feel overwhelmed or have lost your focus temporarily, what do you do?

First, I organise and clean my office. I write lists and organize 'my mind.' And then I prioritize between urgent and important. Often the most urgent task you think you need to do is actually not the most important.

Any other tips?

Write every day. The words flow better with consistency. And when you end a writing session, end it in the middle of a sentence or a scene—it makes it easier to get started again the next day.

________

source https://www.thecommunitywriter.com/blog/brooke-sivendra

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oliverphisher · 5 years ago

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Corinne Fenton

Corinne Fenton is an award-winning Australian author of much-loved and memorable picture books for children. Although she cant say how it happens, almost always her books include animals. Writing books that touch readers hearts is what she would like to do forever.

For those who know Corinne, her affinity with animal characters is no random choice. Corinne has rescued so many strays over the years that she now never leaves the house without a pet lead.

Queenie: One Elephant's Story By Corinne Fenton Buy on Amazon

Corinne’s classic picture book, Queenie: One Elephant’s Story, illustrated by Peter Gouldthorpe, was an Honour Book in the 2007 CBCA Book of the Year Awards and was launched with great aplomb by Australian polymath, Barry Jones. Since then she has gone on to bring many memorable characters to young readers, such as The Dog on the Tuckerbox, Bob the Railway Dog, and Little Dog and the Christmas Wish.

When Corinne is not wearing her author hat, she has spent time as the Assistant Regional Advisor for the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators in Australia and as a judge for the Dorothea Mackellar poetry competition. But it’s writing that is her passion.

What are one to three books that have greatly influenced your life?

There are so many!

The Velveteen Rabbit By Margery Williams

The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams

Fox By Margaret Wild

Fox by Margaret Wild and Ron Brooks

My Dearest Dinosaur By Margaret Wild

My Dearest Dinosaur - Margaret Wild and Donna Rawlins

What purchase of $100 or less has most positively impacted your life in the last six months (or in recent memory)?

A squirrel puppet to keep me company when launching and talking about my latest book called Scruffle-Nut last October in London.

How has a failure, or apparent failure, set you up for later success?

When I had to lose 300 words because of a different illustrator's style. The book was better and became the theme for the 2015 Myer Windows.

Are there any quotes you think of often or live your life by?

All good things come to those who wait.

What is one of the best investment in a writing resource you’ve ever made?

Making Picture books by Libby Gleeson (it's my bible)

What is an unusual habit or an absurd thing that you love?

Taking my manuscripts out with me for a walk and reading them out loud.

In the last five years, what new belief, behaviour, or habit has most improved your life?

Driving less and catching the train more (I can work on the train)

What advice would you give to a smart, driven aspiring author?

Be persistent.

What advice should they ignore?

A picture book can be written quickly.

What are bad recommendations you hear in your profession often?

A statement. 'I'm going to write a picture book . . . when I have the time.'

In the last five years, what have you become better at saying no to (distractions, invitations, etc.)?

That's a work in progress for me.

What marketing tactics should authors avoid?

Too much self-promotion. Getting the right balance, a fine line.

What new realizations and/or approaches have helped you achieve your goals?

I have to love my characters, a lot. No love. No story.

When you feel overwhelmed or have lost your focus temporarily, what do you do?

Go for a long walk - every day.

Any other tips?

Listen to advice from the wise, quiet, experienced ones in our industry. Those literary treasures.

________

source https://www.thecommunitywriter.com/blog/corinne-fenton

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oliverphisher · 5 years ago

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Belinda Murrell

At about the age of eight, Belinda Murrell began writing stirring tales of adventure, mystery and magic in hand illustrated exercise books. As an adult, she combined two of her great loves – writing and travelling the world – and worked as a travel journalist, technical writer and public relations consultant. Now, inspired by her own three children, Belinda is a bestselling, internationally published children’s author with a history of writing in her family that spans over 200 years.

The Locket of Dreams (Belinda Murrell Timeslip Books) By Belinda Murrell Buy on Amazon

Her previous titles include four picture books, her fantasy adventure series The Sun Sword trilogy and her seven time-slip adventures, The Locket of Dreams, The Ruby Talisman, The Ivory Rose, The Forgotten Pearl, The River Charm, The Sequin Star, and The Lost Sapphire.

These books have been recognised by various awards, including Honour Book KOALAS 2013, shortlisted eight times for the Young Australians Best Book Award (YABBA), CBCA Notable List 2012 and 2017 and highly commended in the PM’s Literary Awards.

For younger readers Belinda has her popular Lulu Bell series and more recently, Pippa’s Island, about starting a new life on a tropical island, finding your courage and the best group of friends you could wish for. Belinda’s books have been published in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, USA, UK, Turkey, South Africa and Brazil, with translated into Afrikaans, Czech, Turkish and Portuguese. She is an Author Ambassador for Room to Read and Books in Homes.

Belinda lives in Manly in a gorgeous old house overlooking the sea with her husband Rob, her three beautiful children - Nick, Emily and Lachlan, and her dog Rosie.

What are one to three books that have greatly influenced your life?

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (The Chronicles of Narnia) By C. S. Lewis

As a child, the book that most fired my imagination was The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis.

Five on a Treasure Island (Famous Five) By Enid Blyton

I also loved Famous Five by Enid Blyton, especially Five on a Treasure Island.

Pride and Prejudice By Jane Austen

As a teenager I adored Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice.

What purchase of $100 or less has most positively impacted your life in the last six months (or in recent memory)?

A London Oyster card. As part of the research for our new book, I travelled to the UK with my sister Kate Forsyth and our daughters. My sister and I are writing a book together on the life of our great-great-great-great grandmother Charlotte Waring, who wrote the first Australian children’s book in 1841. I had been struggling with elements of the writing, particularly my memoir sections but wandering the streets of London where Charlotte grew up really brought her story to life.

How has a failure, or apparent failure, set you up for later success?

Four years ago, I had an idea for a realistic contemporary story about a girl and her family who move from London to a tiny tropical island offthe coast of Australia, leaving everything behind. I hadn’t written for this age group before and decided to write in first person, which was a new challenge for me. I wrote a large chunkof the book with great enthusiasm but was devastated when my publisher Zoe Walton at Penguin Random House, gently told me I was way off the mark with voice, tone, and story. She encouraged me to throw the whole lot out and start again. That hurt! It had been months of work. But I took her advice and started again. The result was Pippa’s Island, a five-book series, which has been hugely popular with 8 to 10-year-old girls, translated into Czech and pitched for a live action TV series. The TV series may never come off, but I get lots of letters and emails from kids telling me how much they love this series and my cast of feisty girl characters.

Are there any quotes you think of often or live your life by?

‘Aim for the moon, and if you fail, you’ll fall among stars.’

What is one of the best investments in a writing resource you’ve ever made?

My notebooks. I carry a notebook with me all the time, and scribble down my thoughts, observations, ideas and images whenever inspiration strikes me. When I travel, I usually keep a journal to record my experiences in greater detail.

What is an unusual habit or an absurd thing that you love?

I love getting sweaty and dusty in the cattle yards on my brother’s farm near Dungog. My whole family goes up there a few times a year to help with mustering, tagging and vet work especially when there are young calves. My favourite part is riding my horse while we muster the cows in from the distant paddocks. It’s hot, hard manual work but such a contrast to my usual writing life. I love it!

In the last five years, what new belief, behaviour, or habit has most improved your life?

To remember to stop and celebrate the small successes along the journey.

What advice would you give to a smart, driven aspiring author? What advice should they ignore?

Embrace your tribe! Become an active and generous member of the publishing community. Attend festivals and conferences to keep learning. Support other writers by attending book launches and buying their books. Some of my very best friends are the warm and wonderful writers I’ve met along the way.

What are bad recommendations you hear in your profession often?

That writers who are persistent enough will eventually get published.

In the last five years, what have you become better at saying no to (distractions, invitations, etc.)?

I think very carefully about every invitation and request. I found I was being asked to do so much for so many people (usually for free) that I was running myself ragged. Now I am much more careful to protect my time and my energy. I don’t appraise other writers’ manuscripts anymorebut I do volunteer for several children’s literacy organisations, such as the Children’s Book Council of Australia, Room to Read, Dymock’s Children’s Charitiesand Books in Homes.

What marketing tactics should authors avoid?

Being pushy.

What new realizations and/or approaches have helped you achieve your goals?

Taking time out to travel, spend time with my family and friends or have some fun, helps keep my my writing fresh and joyful.

When you feel overwhelmed or have lost your focus temporarily, what do you do?

Go for a walk with my dog along the beach. Swim in the surf. Make a cup of tea and talk to my kids. Escape to my brother’s farm to ride my horse. Cook a beautiful family meal.

Any other tips?

Write with Joy!

________

source https://www.thecommunitywriter.com/blog/belinda-murrell

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oliverphisher · 5 years ago

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Candice Fox

Candice Fox is an Australian novelist who won the 2014 Ned Kelly Award for Best First Novel for Hades. She was born in the western suburbs of Sydney into a large family. She spent a brief period in the Royal Australian Navy before studying and teaching at university level.

Hades (An Archer and Bennett Thriller) By Candice Fox Buy on Amazon

Hades, Candice Fox’s first novel, won the Ned Kelly Award for best debut in 2014 from the Australian Crime Writers Association. The sequel, Eden, won the Ned Kelly Award for best crime novel in 2015, making Candice only the second author to win these accolades back-to-back. She is also the author of the bestselling Fall, Crimson Lake and Redemption Point, all shortlisted for Ned Kelly and Davitt Awards.

In 2015 Candice began collaborating with James Patterson. Their first novel together, Never Never, set in the vast Australian outback, was a huge bestseller in Australia and went straight to number 1 on the New York Times bestseller list in the US and also to the top of the charts in the UK. Since then they have written Black & Blue, Fifty Fifty, Liar Liar, Hush Hush in the Harriet Blue series. Her books are printed in fifteen languages.

Born in 1985, Candice is the middle child of a large, eccentric family from Sydney’s western suburbs composed of half-, adopted and pseudo siblings. The daughter of an enthusiastic foster-carer, Candice spent her childhood listening around corners to tales of violence, madness and evil from the cops and childcare authorities who frequented her home.

What are one to three books that have greatly influenced your life?

Every Dead Thing: A Charlie Parker Thriller (1) By John Connolly

A friend got me Every Dead Thing by John Connolly when I was about 23. It bridged the gap for me between crime writing and supernatural stuff, which I had been exclusively writing. The book straddles the two genres so it was a way to ease myself into crime, which I found a little intimidating. I wrote Hades immediately after, which was a multi-award winning novel and my first to be published.

What purchase of $100 or less has most positively impacted your life in the last six months (or in recent memory)?

I’ve spent a lot of money on my baby over the last six months. Educational toys are a very seductive money pit. I bought a $2.50 loofah from the IGA the other day and it’s her favourite toy ever.

How has a failure, or apparent failure, set you up for later success?

My first marriage was a trainwreck. That’s what comes to mind first! But on the subject of writing, Hades was first acquired by an independent publisher in the Isle of Mann, of all places, when it had been rejected by every other publisher I could get it in front of. The guy running the company eventually ran out of money. If that deal had gone ahead I’d have sold maybe thirty copies and never been published again.

Are there any quotes you think of often or live your life by?

You can’t change people.

What is one of the best investments in a writing resource you’ve ever made?

Microsoft Word. That’s all you need.

What is an unusual habit or an absurd thing that you love?

I hate hearing other people scat (jazz singing). But I scat all day long, every day of the week. Driving, doing house work, whatever. I know, it’s weird.

In the last five years, what new belief, behaviour, or habit has most improved your life?

I don’t discuss religion or politics with anyone. Ever.

What advice would you give to a smart, driven aspiring author?

Get an agent. If you want to do this gig for a living, an agent is essential in building your brand, sourcing international income and being the bad guy so that you can maintain good relationships with the people who publish you.

What advice should they ignore?

Don’t try to build your social media profile as a means of getting published for the first time. Thousands of devoted followers would be nice, but that’s not going to get a bad book over the line with someone working in acquisitions.

What are bad recommendations you hear in your profession often?

Word count recommendations. When people say ‘you should aim for X amount of words per day’. There is no catch-all number for words. You fit in what you can, and don’t beat yourself up for not meeting other people’s targets.

In the last five years, what have you become better at saying no to (distractions, invitations, etc.)?

I’m still terrible at saying no. The fact is that every single time I do some promo I reach someone new. Maybe they will hate what they see but I still got in front of them, and that’s always worth it.

What marketing tactics should authors avoid?

It’s always best not to step on people to make way for yourself. People remember when you hogged the mic on a panel, or you bagged out their book in an article, that kind of thing. Everybody needs everybody in this game, and a sense of community spirit goes a long way.

When you feel overwhelmed or have lost your focus temporarily, what do you do?

Take a day off. Go for a walk. Clean out an old cupboard. Distract yourself with other things and a part of your brain will work subconsciously on your problems.

________

source https://www.thecommunitywriter.com/blog/candice-fox

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