Creating stories is fun in itself. It’s also a positive thing to do. Stories are practically as old as humanity itself and though the form in which they’re told changes, the need for stories will always be with us. Stories are also great for getting messages across without preaching. And a good story entertains, makes you think and sticks in the memory. I want some of my stories to stick in people’s memories - for good reasons!
What do I like best about writing?
Getting the first draft down as then I’ve got something to work with. Getting the first edit done as I start sensing the story “tighten” up. Getting the final version out knowing I’ve written and edited it to the best of my ability. What is nice is when the final version is a dramatic improvement on the first draft, as it should be. It’s also encouraging to keep coming up with ideas to write about. Whilst there are humans, there are always human conditions and whims and ways to write about.
What are your writing bug bears?
Bad spelling! I can understand this being used to show an illiterate character but that’s all it should be used for and should only be part of the story/novel. If authors can’t spell or be grammatical why should anyone else bother? Writers ought to set a good example here, giving we claim to love the written word! And texting is an abomination of the English language. We’ve got vowels for a reason! We need them!
What are your writing bug bears?
Celebrity “writers”. I’ve nothing against ghost writing in itself (I prefer to see ghosts properly credited as it is an art form stepping into someone else’s life convincingly in print) but the “writer” really should be writing something as a contribution to the work and not just their name on the contract!! There are enough luvvies in the acting world. Do we really need them in the publishing one?
What are your writing bug bears?
The difficulties of finding publishers and agents! Being told you can’t have one without the other when you’ve tried very hard, and professionally, to get one of them! Whilst I’m getting short stories out, which is great, I still want to get my novels out. The fact there are charlatans about complicates things. And when people claim they self published and you recognize the name of the publisher as a vanity company! Those authors will have paid thousands for the privilege of being published and lost their rights. Self publishing means you keep the latter!
What are your writing bug bears?
Authors generally being under-appreciated. Yes we fiction writers make it up but it is hard work doing so in such a way the making it up works. Okay the work is good fun but so many people dismiss writing as something they’d do if only they had the time. This is why it’s great going to a writers’ conference such as the one at Winchester. You know you’ve got a sympathetic audience there! Oh and never having enough time to do as much writing as I’d like!