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

Friday Fun Competition & Writing Prompt

Friday Fun Competition

It's Friday.

I've got the stinky, stoopid flu and badly need to do something fun!

So, I've decided to have a Friday-afternoon-I've-got-the-flu-and-need-some-fun Competition :) 

The prize is a signed copy of my novel Dear Dylan, and the competition is to write a poem or piece of prose that makes me laugh so hard I forget that I've got a temperature and my head feels as if someone's drilling inside of it!

It doesn't matter what it's about - or how silly it is - the one that makes me laugh the most gets the prize.

Please send your entries to: contact[AT]siobhancurham[DOT]co[DOT]uk

Thank you. Cough. Cough. Sneeze.

Writing Prompt

For those of you who like writing prompts - here's a picture for you. One day, this beautiful carving just appeared in the field where I walk my dog. 

Take a good look at the pic and then free write about it for ten minutes and see what you come up with.

I hope you find it inspiring - and I'd love to see whatever you end up writing...

Till next time,

Happy writing!

Siobhan x

Collage - to make your writing come alive!

Whoops! I can’t believe it’s been so long since I last posted here – where did the time go? I’ll tell you where it went; it was swallowed up in the black hole that is a publishing deadline. The horrible irony is, I’ve been too busy writing to write my blog about writing! But I’m back now and I’ve got loads of fun writing exercises and tips for you. Including, today, how making a collage can be the perfect preparation for your story, novel or poem.

But first, let me offer a grovelling explanation for my long absence...

This year I found myself in the massively lucky position of having not one, but two books to finish for publication next year. As someone who once wondered if I’d ever have a book deal again I was totally grateful to be faced with this mammoth workload (and I’m living proof that you should never, ever give up on your writing dreams!) but it’s been a tough old slog. And sometimes, when you’re writing a novel, or two, you just have to get into the zone and focus solely on the work in progress.

But I’m chuffed to be able to tell you that both books are now finished. Finding Cherokee Brown will be out in March 2013 and Shipwrecked will be out in June.

Shipwrecked is a top secret project I’ve been working on for the past year. It’s been top secret because a TV series is being developed alongside the books. This is the first time my publisher, Egmont, have embarked upon a project like this – normally a TV adaptation would take place after the book has been published and completely separately – so I feel honoured to be the writer chosen for the job.

As Shipwrecked is a series, I’ve just started work on the second book – I know, no rest for the wicked! – and I’ll be honest with you, when I first sat down to write it I felt a little overwhelmed.

Do you ever feel like that when you start writing something new? Like the story seems so frickin’ huge you just don’t know where to begin? Or maybe the setting and characters haven’t quite come alive in your head yet so when you try to capture them on the page they seem stilted and two dimensional?

This is exactly how I was feeling the other day – and then I remembered the one fail-safe, fool-proof exercise guaranteed to bring your story to life before you even start writing it – making a story collage.

A story collage is pretty much what it says on the tin – a collage, made up of pictures of characters, settings, and any other images that symbolise what you want to write about. It’s a lot of fun to create and, as you get busy attacking stacks of magazines with your scissors, or printing pics from the net, you’d be amazed at how many extra ideas you start getting for your story too.

When I sat down to make my collage for Shipwrecked 2 the first thing I did was look for pictures of my new characters. As soon as I had these I found they gave me endless clues and ideas for the characters’ back-stories. Then I had fun searching through the travel sections of newspapers for suitably tropical pics – and found one photo in particular that gave me tons of ideas for the plot. Within an hour I’d gone from complete overwhelm to can’t-wait-to-get-writing.

My collage starts taking shape...

The photo above is of the start of my collage - it will get a lot bigger as and when I find inspirational pics. I’ve stuck it on my cupboard door so that I’m facing it when I write. That way I feel fully immersed in the world of the characters and location.

I seriously can’t recommend this exercise enough, and would love to hear how you get on if you try it too.

Till next time,

happy writing!

Siobhan x