Okay,
'tis the season of lists and resolutions. Let's limber up to answer the Call of this year's Writing Adventure. We're a sedentary bunch, us writers, so here's an 8-step workout to try from the comfort of your desk – or bed even. Pick a few exercises and don't sweat it.
- Warm-Up: Review 2017
2. Set Timer for 2018
First up, fish out that new calendar, (courtesy of Leicester Writes website), and plot out those key dates. East Midlanders like myself live in a region absolutely packed with writers' events. But your area will have its own highlights. In March 2018 alone, I've just pencilled in the WEM Writers Conference 2018 (3rd March), States of Independence Indie-publishers' fair (10th March) and Cultural Exchanges festival (26th Feb - 2nd March). Then there's monthly dates for LeicesterWriters' Showcase events, as well as Novel Exchanges, and Shindig and WORD for the poets amongst you. And don't forget the Writers' Shed programme of Saturday Masterclasses kicking off again in February 2018.
- Running on the Spot: Your Process
Every writer does it differently – but YOUR
PROCESS is the one that gets the job done for you. If someone
was to interview you and ask you how your writing happens, what would
you say? Do you make a date with your writing everyday for
however long? (a very good tip a writing friend once gave me.) Is
there a time of day that works best for you? Or is that determined by
work routines, family commitments etc? Is there a place or ritual
that gets you in the frame of mind to write? Maeve Binchy lights
candles. Some people put on music. Others prefer the bustle of a busy café. Know your own process and nurture it. It's where the magic
happens.
- Star Jumps: Your Brilliant Career
Maybe
you're already published and you're managing the expectations of
editors, agents and readers, whilst staying true to your own
interests and writing passions. Or maybe, your family and friends
think of writing as your little hobby. If you've committed to a writing
practice, take the time to consider where you want to go with it. Be
your own coach. Jot down where you'd like to be with your writing
in a year's time. And in 5 years' time? Start to set
yourself some goals for the next few months and ease yourself
in with smaller targets for January.
Talk to your writing friends about these goals - and if you don't have any, find some on-line or join local writing communities. I've benefited hugely this year from attending groups like Leicester Writers' Club, The Speculators and Poetry Stanza. Leicester Writes is an open friendly group that meets once a month in a city café and welcomes new writers for chat and networking. On-line, The Writers' Shed is happy to talk to you about your goals and how you can move towards them.
Talk to your writing friends about these goals - and if you don't have any, find some on-line or join local writing communities. I've benefited hugely this year from attending groups like Leicester Writers' Club, The Speculators and Poetry Stanza. Leicester Writes is an open friendly group that meets once a month in a city café and welcomes new writers for chat and networking. On-line, The Writers' Shed is happy to talk to you about your goals and how you can move towards them.
- Skipping: Current Writing Projects
Take
a good look at any current writing projects you're pursuing.
What's working well, what are the stumbling blocks? Is there any
research you need to do – whether on-line or visiting places
or ordering new resources. If you're quite advanced with a project
like a novel or screenplay or poetry chapbook, you might benefit from the input of other writers. See step 4 for writing communities. Consider
working with an experienced mentor in your field. WEM has a scheme
for writers to apply for or you can talk to people at The Writers'Shed about your goals and needs. The Writers' Shed also offers
manuscript critiques for that book you're honing. At the same time,
it's good to keep yourself open to potential new projects – jot down ideas
that have been kicking around in your back-brain for a while.
- Forward Lunges: Up-skilling
No
writer has to do it all alone. Why re-invent the wheel when you can
borrow the expertise of people who've been there already? One thing
you can do to take your writing to the next level is invest in a
course that addresses writing skills you're trying to improve. These could be one-day courses, weekend retreats or a longer
course, such as:
- Arvon Retreats have a good reputation. They offer tutored retreats for 4 or 6 days. Courses are also available. Look at who the tutors are first. They're not cheap but you can apply for a grant.
- WEM – Writing School. This writing school has been running in Leicester for over 60 years with an excellent track record of supporting developing writers. It now runs courses taught by published professionals in Nottingham too. I'm teaching a 6 week course on 'Building Your Poetry Collection' from mid-Feb. 2018 onwards on Sat. mornings in Leicester. But there's something there for everybody whatever your genre.
- The Writers' Shed is a new service for writers, based both on-line and in the East Midlands. Pitched at writers who are wanting to take their work to the next level, we offer manuscript critiques, one-to-one mentoring and a series of Saturday masterclasses on key skills to build towards publication. There are also free on-line resources to dip into. Pop in and browse our shelves.
- Dumb-bells & Resources
Yes, your shelves are groaning but there's always room for one more essential writing guide or must-read book. If you appreciate
the craft of modern short stories, I can recommend the sumptuous
anthologies produced by Dahlia Publishing (who are also
running the Leicester Short Story competition again this
year.) On my own wish-list is a new 'How to be a Poet' handbook from Nine Arches Press editor Jane Commane and the
inimitable Jo Bell. If you're wrestling with novel plotting or
screenplays, I'd always recommend Robert McKee's 'Story'
and a friend has lent me Christopher Vogler's classic study of The Hero's Journey.
Of course, January is the month of overdrafts and tax returns. So this month, I'm also hoping to dip into on-line
resources from authors including Niki Monaghan, Damien Walter and
Rod Duncan. Duncan is offering free pod-casts on 'Selling Your
Novel' covering everything from cover letters to synopses. Find links
to these at The Writers' Shed. And don't forget, apart from the world wide web, there's your local library. I happen to know Leicester's Central Library has an excellent creative writing
section. Use it while it's still there!
- Cool-Down with a Good Book.
Well, that's the heavy lifting done. Now for that tottering pile of
To Read books by the bed. Two favourites from 2017 I'd
recommend are the gorgeous 'What We Thought We Knew' by
Mahsuda Snaith and Jeanette Ng's delicious gothic
fantasy 'Under the Pendulum Sun.' And I can't wait for
a new Gas-Lit Empire novel from Rod Duncan, 'The Queenof All Crows', out this month. Why not get a bit
of light exercise re-shuffling that pile and then curl up with a book
you'd quite forgotten about? It's what the dark days of January were
invented for.