Happy World Book Day!

Happy World Book Day – the booklover’s equivalent of Christmas, birthday and Easter rolled into one!

As my new novel, Finding Cherokee Brown is, in part, a celebration of the written word, it feels only right that I should give away some signed copies today.

"Young adult writing at its best." We Love This Book

So, if you would like to win a copy, please tell me the book that means the most to you – and why.

You can either post your answer below, or email it to me at: siobhancurham[AT]yahoo[DOT]co[DOT]uk

The three responses that move me the most will win a copy.

Happy reading, booklovers!

Siobhan x

Publication Day!

Hello!

Today, my new novel, Finding Cherokee Brown, was published.

Finding Cherokee Brown is the story of a teenage girl who decides to write a book about her life in the hope that it will force her to become more like the feisty literary heroines she loves to read about - and in doing so, help her stand up to her bullies.

Here are some early reviews:

‘Siobhan Curham has written a great book that deals with bullying, identity and being brave enough to be yourself. . . This is a lovely story that had me rooting for Cherokee all the way . . . and her journey of self-discovery is delightfully written.’ The Bookseller

‘I loved Cherokee as a character. Her voice and her plight drew me in from pretty much the first page. She is immediately likeable, and as a self-depreciating underdog, she is incredibly easy to root for. Not all authors can successfully pull off a witty, fast-talking stream of teenage girl monologue, but Siobhan Curham manages to do so in style. . . The strong writing and characters combine to form a mixture that feels meaningful, and had me emotionally engaged with the story throughout . . .The original narrative elements simply add to the enjoyment of the reading experience. The vividness of Cherokee's voice brought to mind that of Lennie from The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson.’ The Book Bag

‘A tightly woven, entertaining and moving story . . . Curham has met the challenge she outlines in a letter to the reader – Cherokee Brown is an ‘inspirational, interesting heroine’, a victim of bullying, ‘determined to fight back in her own original way…’ She is funny, resilient, but by no means perfect. She is never presumptuous, and always willing to fight back . . . A pleasure to read.’ The Nocturnal Reader

‘Anyone who is being bullied, has been bullied in the past, or is bullying someone should read this book. Cherokee is a very inspirational character and the book itself carries a powerful message. Overall, I loved this book! It is funny, poignant and really makes you think. 5/5!’ The Mile Long Bookshelf

‘I thoroughly enjoyed Siobhan Curham's debut 'Dear Dylan' which was published last year, so I've been looking forward to reading more from her ever since.  'Finding Cherokee Brown' is another great title which I read in one sitting because it was such a brilliant story.

It centres on fifteen year old Claire Weeks who decides that she is going to write a story about her life after finding an old copy of a book called 'So you want to write a novel?'.  What starts off as an attempt to escape from her day to day life, soon turns into something even more powerful and life changing when she discovers a huge family secret which makes her question everything she thought she knew about herself. Claire aka Cherokee was a great main character.  Curham can really write people who you warm to instantly and feel enormous empathy for.  She has several issues to deal with in the book, one being the fact that she is bullied at her school.  This is something that a lot of people have faced at one point or another in their lives and I enjoyed seeing her finally decide to fight back and not let the bullies get away with it.  I thought it was interesting that one of her teachers fails to deal with the teens who are taunting her.  It shows that even adults sometimes suffer confidence issues, feel powerless and cannot stand up against other people. Claire feels like she doesn't fit in with her family, since her mother remarried and had twins.  Throughout the book she gradually learns that everyone has the power to change their own life and that wonderful things can happen when you take control of your own destiny.  

Anybody being bullied or bullying others should read this book because it features a truly inspirational heroine and has a powerful message to convey about the power of both the written and spoken word.  It is also moving, poignant and funny and is another great title from a fantastic author.’ A Dream of Books

I feel very passionately about the subject matter of this book, so if you do read it, and enjoy it, please spread the word - especially if you know someone who has been a victim of bullying.

Thanks so much,

Siobhan x

In Memory of Max

Last week my beloved dog, Max was put to sleep. Max had become such a crucial part of my writing life that I felt I had to write a tribute to him here . . .

 I got Max eight years ago from The Dog’s Trust. They had found him as a stray so we never knew his actual age or where he had come from. However, within minutes of getting him home it became clear that wherever he’d been before he’d been very badly treated. For the first few weeks with us, he refused to leave the house for a walk and stayed stuck to my side at all times. In the end it took a box of his favourite cocktail sausages to get him to go out anywhere other than the garden. I would have to walk ahead a few feet and hold out a sausage to entice him to creep forward. It took us about half an hour to get to the end of my road! The first time I got him into a park I discovered that he had an absolute phobia of footballs – I can only imagine that whoever had him before must have kicked balls at him because just the sound of a ball being kicked would send him fleeing in terror.

But, as the months passed, Max gradually came out of his shell. It was so rewarding to see his fears dissolve and a fun-loving, affectionate dog appear. And for me as a writer, he provided the perfect companion. Writing can be such a solitary profession but whenever I sat at my desk, Max would plonk himself down at my feet and wait there patiently until it was time for his next walk. And our walks became an intrinsic part of my writing process too. Over the years we walked for miles and miles together. And as we walked, I would work on my book-in-progress in my head and every time without fail, plot problems would solve themselves, and characters would become more fully formed. And Max would be there next to me, every step of the way.

In the past few months, old age had started to set in, and my fun-loving, bouncy dog became tired and in pain. As Max had had such a traumatic start to his life I didn’t want him to suffer in old age. The vet told me that having him put to sleep would be the most loving thing to do. It also turned out to be the most heart-breaking. But Max died quickly and peacefully, with his head in my lap being fed his favourite treats.

For the first couple of days afterwards, I wandered around in a daze. My constant companion of eight years had gone and I felt utterly bereft. Then, on Friday night, I had to give a reading at an event at Keats House in London. It was my first reading from my upcoming novel, Finding Cherokee Brown. I always get really nervous when I’m reading from a new book for the first time, and when the host called me up to the microphone my heart was pounding. But as soon as I got there something really strange happened. A picture of Max appeared in my head and I imagined him plonking himself down at my feet. I instantly felt calm and my reading went really well. My trusty writing companion might no longer physically be at my side, but he’ll always be in my heart.

Diary of a French Book Launch

Being a writer is a real Jekyll and Hyde job. For months and months on end you lock yourself away and write – only coming out to do essential stuff, like feeding the dog and the son – and then, suddenly, Publication Week arrives.

Publication Week means three drastic changes to your daily routine:

1. You have to stop wearing your favourite writing outfit of choice (in my case baggy jogging bottoms with an attractive hole in the crotch, a pair of woolly knee-high socks, and an ancient Washington DC sweatshirt that I bought one time in an airport to use up my leftover dollars).
2. You have to start wearing ‘respectable’ clothes, involving really uncomfortable things such as heels, and belts, and zips.
3. You have to venture into the world outside of your imagination and talk to people that you haven’t actually made up inside your head.

This week, the French edition of my next novel, Finding Cherokee Brown was published. So, I had to do all of the above, and go to Paris and do it in French.

Once I’d got used to wearing a dress again it was so much fun. And I wanted to share my French adventure here because there was a time, not so long ago, that I didn’t know if I’d ever have a book deal again – let alone one in France! So, to all you aspiring authors out there, take note – this is what can happen if you refuse to give up on your dream…

My day began ridiculously early as I had to get to London in time to catch the 8.30 Eurostar. Over night, it had snowed quite heavily, so I was first notified that my cab had arrived when I heard it crashing into the wall opposite my house. Despite this rather shaky start, the cab driver managed to get me to the station just in time – and provide me with a whole new range of swear words. I got to St Pancras to discover that the Eurostar had been delayed, due to ‘the wrong kind of snow on the line’ but at least it was still running. And the extra hour of the journey flew by once I got into an engrossing discussion about Come Dine With Me with the guy sitting next to me.

My lovely French translator, Marie Hermet, met me at the station, where we caught a cab to the publisher’s office. On the way she told me that she is also translator for one of my writing heroes, Roddy Doyle, and I had one of those, if I die right now, I’ll die happy moments. Which very nearly came true as it turns out that French cab drivers are even crazier than English ones …

The ‘wrong type of snow’ meant that we were now too late to go out for our planned lunch, so I met all of the lovely team at Flammarion and they ordered lunch in instead. As we tucked into a delicious desk buffet of salad and assorted French cakes we compared notes on the French and UK book industry – I’d rather naively assumed that it would be exactly the same, but it’s not at all. It was really interesting to learn that YA blogging is only just starting to take off over there and Flammarion were just in the process of setting up their own blog.

After lunch, I was taken to a meeting room and an afternoon of interviews with French journalists began. Now, my French is embarrassingly bad, I literally know about twelve words (which includes the numbers from one to ten) so thankfully Marie was there to help me out. I had imagined that the questions would be pretty basic but au contraire, it turns out that French interviews are just like their movies – intense and emotionally forensic.

Being interviewed - French style!

Every so often, I would have to pinch myself that not only had these people read my books, but they had analysed them for themes and meanings, and had really got what I’d been trying to say. It was massively humbling and affirming – especially as the message behind my books is so important to me.

After the interviews were over my editor asked me if I would sign a few copies of my book. 

I think you can see me behind them. I have to tell you, my signing skills were slipping a bit towards the end!

I left Flammarion feeling like one of the luckiest people on the planet. Much as I love the months of writing hibernation, it is so nice when your writing sends you out on an adventure like this.

My day ended in a cosy Parisian restaurant with my American-friend-in-Paris, author / illustrator Doug Cushman. We chewed the fat about life, the universe and books then returned to his studio, which also doubles as a hotel for Hen & Ink authors whenever they’re in town.

Now I’m back at my desk in the UK, in my trusty Washington sweatshirt and woolly socks. It’s still snowing outside, but I’m keeping warm drinking gallons of hot chocolate – from my brand new I Love Paris mug.

Competition Time

Whoop! Whoop! It's competition time again :) 

To celebrate the upcoming publication of my next novel, Finding Cherokee Brown, I thought it might be fun to give away a signed copy before it hits the shops.

So, if you would like an exclusive sneak preview, either write a poem or a piece of prose inspired by one of the following pictures - both of which are settings in Finding Cherokee Brown.

This is a church in Spitalfields, East London, where Cherokee hides out right before taking a massively courageous step in her life.

And this is taken at the Old Truman Brewery, again in East London.

Please send your entries to me at: siobhancurham[AT]yahoo[DOT]co[DOT]uk by Monday 11th February.

Entries should be no more than 600 words long.

How Photography Can Help Your Writing

Dear Writer,

It is a truth universally acknowledged that unimaginative writing = sucky writing.

And nowhere does this apply more than when it comes to description. Check out the following examples:

‘It was as black as night’

'His heart pounded like a drum'

‘Her eyes were as blue as the sky’

Yawn. Yawn, Yawn,

But how can you get your description to stand out and remain imprinted upon your reader’s mind long after they have put your writing down?

The answer, or one answer at least, is PHOTOGRAPHY.

A few years ago I wrote a novel set in Hammersmith, London. As this was an area I wasn’t all that familiar with I decided to go there and take some photos. I ended up spending hours pounding the streets, looking for the kind of buildings my characters would live and work in, the cafes and bars they would drink in and the places they would shop. It was a lot of fun and hugely productive. I came home feeling like I knew a whole lot more about my characters and their world, without even writing a single word.

When I did get down to the writing of the novel I made a collage from the photos, which I put up over my desk. Whenever I got to a piece of description I would study the relevant photo, looking for any unusual details that would help bring my writing to life.

Using photography to complement your writing soon becomes a virtuous circle: the more you train your eye to look for an interesting or thought-provoking picture, the more you train your writing mind to focus on the unusual and imaginative.

So, your mission this week, should you choose to accept it, is to take yourself out with your camera and seek out some killer shots to help enhance your writing. They could be photos that are in some way linked to your work in progress, or you could use them as starting points for brand new pieces of work.

If aliens have abducted your camera / phone and you aren’t able to get out there and take any photos of your own I’ve included some pictures I’ve taken while I’ve been out and about in London the past couple of days. I hope they help and, if you do end up using one of them as a writing prompt I would love to see the results so please do email them to me.

Till next time,

Happy writing and happy snapping!

Siobhan x

Writing Resolutions

Dear Writer,

Happy 2013!

How was your Christmas? I hope it was happy and healthy and hearty – and all other good things beginning with H. And hope you’re now relaxed, rejuvenated and raring to get on with your new writing goals.

You’re not?

You’re too tired?

Too fed up of school / college / work already?

Got a terminal case of the January glums?

Okay, worry not – here at Dear Writer we just so happen to specialise in turning that writer’s frown upside down – and no, I’m not gonna get you to stand on your head.

The only good thing about January is that it’s clean slate time. A fresh new writing year awaits, and what better way to get focused and ensure you make the most of it than to get yourself a swanky new set of writing resolutions.

Writing Resolutions Action Plan

Now, before we go any further, I have to clarify one thing – I am not from the New Years Resolutions Should Be a Form of Torture school of thought. I have no idea why, in the bleakest month of the year, people draw up lists depriving themselves of life’s pleasures, like chocolate, wine and cake. I mean, seriously, why would you do that to yourself? New Years Resolutions should be fun. They should be about resolving to do things you’ve always longed to do, not depriving yourself of the things you love. So, when it comes to writing resolutions, set yourself goals that make you feel excited, not depressed.

And the very act of writing your writing resolutions should be fun too. So, set aside some time when you won’t be interrupted, put on your favourite feel-good tunes, and close your eyes.

While you have your eyes closed take a few moments to let go of any nagging irritations that might be buzzing round your mind. Focus on your breathing and, when you’re feeling relaxed, picture yourself living your writing dream.

Now, for the purposes of this exercise, there is no such thing as impossible. This is your writing DREAM – and the whole point of dreams is that you get to dream them up. So go ahead – if you could do or be anything writing wise, what would it be?

Really have fun with this. Try imagining a typical day in your Dream Writer Life. Where would you be? What would you be doing?

The very first time I did this exercise I was living in a flat above a chip shop in London. I hadn’t had a single word published yet, but my dream was to one day be writing novels in a cottage in the countryside. I pictured myself tapping away on my PC, stopping every now and then to check out the beautiful view from my window.

I’m typing this blog now in my bedroom, in my cottage, in the country. I just stopped to look out of the window at the woods on the other side of the valley. My seventh book is coming out in March. Life is good. Dreams come true. Believe.

With my seventh book, Finding Cherokee Brown

So, once you are clear on what your big, massive, writing dream is, it’s time to open your eyes and write yourself a set of fun and achievable writing resolutions for the year ahead.

Think of these resolutions as stepping stones to the big dream.

If your ultimate writing goal is to become a novelist, how about setting a writing resolution to write a short story first (this is one of the resolutions I made before I wrote my first novel).

Or you could resolve to find a new writing place – somewhere that makes you feel alive and inspired (I used to go up to London’s South Bank – it was people watching heaven!)

Or how about setting yourself the goal of developing the characters for your novel in the coming months? (Please see my previous blog post for a free character questionnaire to help you with this one).

Maybe this year you could resolve to start posting your work for feedback in online writing forums.

Or you could set yourself weekly word count targets – but if you do this one, make sure you come up with rewards for meeting them (remember, it’s got to be fun, people!)

When you’ve written your list of resolutions be sure to keep them somewhere you can see them – and tick them off as and when you achieve them.

Nothing is more satisfying than a ticked off resolution – apart from a ticked off resolution and a big chunk of chocolate cake.

May 2013 be the year all your writing dreams come true!

Siobhan x

Character Questionnaire

Okay, I have a confession to make. Sometimes, I can be a REALLY LAZY WRITER.

I don't know if any of you can relate to this, but sometimes, I'm so super-eager to get writing a story, I just can't be bothered to do all of the tiresome prep work - like working on my character backgrounds. 

The trouble is - every time I try to take this shortcut and plunge right into the story, it comes back to bite me on the butt.

It doesn't matter how exciting my plot might be - if I haven't got to know my characters properly first they emerge on the page as flat and dull as cardboard cutouts.

Tough but true - characters NEED fleshing out

One easy, quick and fun way to get to know your characters a whole lot better before you start writing, is to create a Character Questionnaire.

You can then use this as a template for each new character you create.

I always end up coming back to this tool and I always find that - as well as making my characters more 3 dimmensional - it actually helps hugely with plot ideas too.

And because it's nearly the end of the week, and I've just had a particularly delicious bar of chocolate, and I've just found out that Bruce Springsteen will be touring again next year, and I'm feeling in a particularly generous frame of mind, I'd like to share my Character Questionnaire with you too. (Just think of me as your writerly fairy godmother!)

Feel free to copy and paste the questionnaire below to your own pc - and add and remove questions as you like.

As always, I'd love to know if you already use anything like this in your own writing, and how you find it works...

Till next week,

Happy writing!

CHARACTER QUESTIONNAIRE

• How old are they?
• How do they get on with their parents?
• What was their childhood like?
• Think of one key event from their past and how it has shaped them – positive and negative.
• How do they speak? Accent? Catch-phrases etc?
• What are their core needs in life ie; love, security, power?
• How do they react when this core need is denied ie; under stress?
• What is their favourite meal?
• What are they most afraid of? And why? What is the root cause?
• What are their politics?
• What newspaper do they read?
• Do they believe in a God?
• What is their bedroom like?
• Do they have any secrets?
• What makes them jealous?
• What is their favourite swear word?
• What sports do they like?
• Are they superstitious?
• Have they ever been on a protest rally?
• What was their favourite toy as a child?
• What is their greatest hope?
• Who do they most admire?
• How do they behave at a party? ie; shy or outgoing?
• What is their favourite music?
• Do they have any pets?
• Have they ever lost anyone dear to them?
• What is their perfect Saturday night?
• What last made them cry?
• Is their glass half full or half empty?
• Are they popular?
• Who is their best friend?
• What is their favourite season and why?
• What do they think of vegetarianism?
• Do they or have they ever taken drugs?
• Are they happy?
• Would rejection make them angry or sad?
• What car do they drive?
• Do they love themselves?
• What is their motto in life?
• What are their best and worst points physically?
• How do they behave when outside – day and night?
• What physical objects do they associate with their parents?
• How have their attitudes to their parents changed over time?
• Describe their attitudes to: money, the opposite sex, love, insanity, suicide, violence, family life, food, animals.
• What is their motivating force in life?
• What is their mindset at the beginning of your story and what do they want?

The Importance of Writing About Your Writing

Yesterday, when I was clearing out my desk, I found an old notebook. Inside were pages of notes about an idea I’d had a couple of years ago for a book. There were notes about possible characters, notes about possible plot twists and notes about possible structure.

My Writing Journal

There were also pages and pages where I scribbled down all of my doubts about whether my idea would work or not. If you don’t already do this, I thoroughly recommend writing about your writing. It might sound a bit nuts but it really helps.

Let me give you an example. In my notebook I had written all about concerns I had regarding the plot of the novel. My notes read like a conversation with myself:

“I’m not sure whether the character should get on well with her mum. Part of me thinks that she should, but maybe it would be more dramatic if she didn’t…”

“Should she end up going to Paris – or America? I think Paris, they could be going to a music competition – a European music competition…”

“What would make a dramatic high point?”

“What quote should I use in the talk?”

And so on. I don’t know why, but there is something really powerful about writing about your writing concerns rather than just thinking about them. Writing helps you to formulate your thoughts and come to a conclusion, whereas thinking can often make you stuck – unable to see the plot for the fears.

So, if you only do one thing related to your writing this week, invest in a writing journal and start writing about your writing. I promise you won’t regret it.

And, as a happy postscript to this blog, the idea that I was writing about in my notebook ended up becoming a fully formed novel called Finding Cherokee Brown. It’s being published in the UK, France and Germany next year. So, you never know where those writing notes will take you – and what they will end up growing into…

The French Cover for Finding Cherokee Brown

Till next time,

Happy writing!

Siobhan x

Funny Poem Winners!

Howdy writers!

Well, it gives me great, big, huge pleasure to announce the winners of my recent ‘It’s Friday and I’ve Got the Flu’ Competition.

I’d been looking for fun poems that would make me forget my sky high temperature and thumping headache, and I was so touched by the lovely messages and brilliant entries I received.

So, thank you all very much :) 

In the end, I couldn’t decide between two of the entries, so I hereby declare the following two poems joint winners. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did.

First up is From the Chair’s Point of View by 13 year-old Chloe from Stourbridge. It was inspired by a conversation Chloe had with a medical professional when she asked if her wheelchair could be altered and the doctor uttered the immortal words, ‘Well, let’s look at this from the chair’s point of view'. Thankfully, Chloe kept her sense of humour about it and wrote this fantastic poem. I loved the rhythm of this piece, the sense of fun, and the clever way in which Chloe wove in her family life from the point of view of the chair. And most of all I loved the dry humour.

From the Chair’s Point of View

From the chair’s point of view, well.. from the chair’s point of view,

I wouldn't have thought that eating every single chocolate

in that 'Family Sized' box, all on your own, was really the best idea,

Dear Mother!

From the chair’s point of view, well.. from the chair’s point of view,

I wouldn't have thought that slumping and slurping while ka-powing

aliens all day, was absolutely the best idea

Dear Brother!

From the chair’s point of view, well.. from the chair’s point of view,

I wouldn't have thought that all that crying and sighing

with a worlds supply of chocolate

was really the best idea

Dear Sister!

Oh from the chair’s point of view, that poor chair’s point of view.

It's had to put up with such a lot

in its time.

So it's lucky that I'm here, really.

You may start to yell, and say that I'm being rude, now.

But, you see..

I'm only expressing the chair’s point of view!

Not mine.

Not at all!

So I can't be grounded

It's not right!

The chair seems so very

exhausted

I'm just being compassionate, caring

That's all.

Honest!

I just thought you'd like to know

the poor old haggard chair’s point of view!

  

And the other winner is the brilliant Shawty by Arianne from County Westmeath in Ireland. This poem was so well written and contained such great detail. I also loved the subject matter. Like Chloe’s poem, it had me hooked from start to finish and I loved the tongue-in-cheek humour.

Shawty

Shawty: noun; a modern term used to describe an attractive female, most commonly found in popular music.

I understand it’s not an expected thing to do 

But I figured I’d be hip and cool

And honestly I’m not being haughty

When I address this man-magnet we call Shawty

I’m just trying to wrap my head around

The idea that, not as a piece of dirt on the ground

On which boys like to hiss and spit,

This modern goddess actually exists.

She seems to originate from the United States

But in a sudden twist of all our fates

She’s recently been spotted in new locations

Though perhaps she’s just been on more vacations.

Her natural habitat is that of malls

Or otherwise strutting within high school halls

Carrying six shopping bags on her arms

And winning over jocks with her many charms.

She adores the brand new music scene

In fact she seems a little keen

To feature in so many raps

And receive her fair share of these claps

She is the perfect streetwise dancer –

Not one of these little ballet prancers –

And frequents a variety of top night clubs

Though she is allergic to good old fashioned pubs.

She wears the latest fashions with style

Without fuss, without care all the while

In fact she juggles many outfits a day

And once according to legend they say

Apple-bottom jeans and boots with the fur –

The whole club was looking at her –

At the same time as them baggy sweat pants

And not forgetting those Reeboks with the straps.

Oh yes, she regularly hits the floor

And never leaves by the main door

She’s an icon, you know, with needs

And a billion-member Twitter feed.

However there is strong evidence to suggest

She doesn’t get a lot of rest

Her constant popularity is such

And she’s in pop songs that much.

I think it’s time we give her a break

At least for her precious mental health’s sake

You never know with all this fame

She might end up thinking life’s a game

Though in reality it’s not easy,

Consistently avoiding all things sleazy,

Being stunningly beautiful as well as pretty

And downing eighteen shots in one sitting.

Yes, I vote to let Shawty of the hook

At least until she writes a new book

And let her get on with life

Free from all this media strife.

We’ll remember her fondly

And of course blondely

For the few seconds, in essence,

In which we can cope without her presence.

Thank you so much to everyone who entered - and there'll be more competitions here VERY soon...

Siobhan x