Last summer I decided to learn about script reading. There was a course down in London run by Lucy V Hays who also runs Bang2Write. The main reason I went to was improve my own writing. I'd already discovered earlier in the year that when you help others with their scripts you learn a huge amount yourself. It acts as a relief to know others make the same mistakes as you and to see what impact it has. Then, when you hear the rewrites, you realise how much difference it makes if the feedback is good.
Just before Christmas there was a call for readers for a short story competition so \I decided to volunteer. I'm not being paid, but I want the experience.
One of the most interesting things I've learned from reading is what a difference voice makes. When written in a passive voice even the most exciting idea is as dynamic as a police report. And telling rather than showing? It really does kill a manuscript.
The best manuscripts have flowing English so you zap from idea to idea. The plot points are coherent and the characters intrigue. Ideally they draw you into their world and then surprise you. Some manuscripts have great English but the odd plot fault. Shame, but this is correctable. Some are enviably good.
Writing short stories is damn difficult. It makes me appreciate how well people in Wirral Writers perform. I've heard some cracking stories on a Friday night there. Keep it up guys.
Monday, 28 December 2015
Sunday, 29 November 2015
The Million Pound Question
I read an article about money when I was on the train to London. It asked what would you do if you were given: £100k, £500k and £1 million? The aim was for you to prioritise personal value. If you chose to spend the money on objects that was classed as giving away your income.
As an exercise it's excellent. I don't want a bigger house. My car could do with a modest upgrade but I see the auto-mobile as a workhorse not a status item. Designer clothes, no. I toss my threads onto a chair. Travel, yes. But I consider that an investment. And I don't want to trail around the world via a chain of boutique hotels. Working or having a food tour, now that would interest me.
Writing comes up of course. But I could still do that on a £100k budget. This exercise makes you realise when you don't and don't need to spend. But the £1 million makes you think bigger. I realised I would love to run a theatre company. Write scripts myself, encourage others to do so, give actors both old and young an apprenticeship. The demise of the rep company is often rued. It's so hard for anyone gain professional experience without backing.
In London I watched the play Stephanie Kempson directed. Despite a dark subject matter Score has lots of humour and female leads with fantastic singing voices. I really enjoyed it. But even more, here is a twenty eight year old director starting a theatre company, touring with a play from the West Country to London and back. Just goes to show, a million pounds isn't always needed.
As an exercise it's excellent. I don't want a bigger house. My car could do with a modest upgrade but I see the auto-mobile as a workhorse not a status item. Designer clothes, no. I toss my threads onto a chair. Travel, yes. But I consider that an investment. And I don't want to trail around the world via a chain of boutique hotels. Working or having a food tour, now that would interest me.
Writing comes up of course. But I could still do that on a £100k budget. This exercise makes you realise when you don't and don't need to spend. But the £1 million makes you think bigger. I realised I would love to run a theatre company. Write scripts myself, encourage others to do so, give actors both old and young an apprenticeship. The demise of the rep company is often rued. It's so hard for anyone gain professional experience without backing.
In London I watched the play Stephanie Kempson directed. Despite a dark subject matter Score has lots of humour and female leads with fantastic singing voices. I really enjoyed it. But even more, here is a twenty eight year old director starting a theatre company, touring with a play from the West Country to London and back. Just goes to show, a million pounds isn't always needed.
Monday, 9 November 2015
Growing My Tribe
Being with people who are inspired lifts you. This weekend I'm going down to London to meet up with friends from an Arvon writing course. One of them, Steff, has a play she directed which is on in Camden. She is an actor who has started to direct and has a very clear vision. She is brave, Money is not always regular. A home of your own is a dream. But she ignores that and carries on.
I did a sensible degree and have had safe jobs all my life. This makes life comfy but not always challenging. The idea of not having a regular income has scared me until this year. Rather than focussing on Life-After-Pension I want to focus on life now. And learn to budget. Be creative with cash and generous with time.
Everyone knows how regimented the school day is. The holidays are fixed years in advance. Lessons all last an hour. Dinner time is controlled by the bell. Meetings last an hour, an eternity. Much is said but little is accomplished. Greedy use of time and energy. But next year a life without bells...
I did a sensible degree and have had safe jobs all my life. This makes life comfy but not always challenging. The idea of not having a regular income has scared me until this year. Rather than focussing on Life-After-Pension I want to focus on life now. And learn to budget. Be creative with cash and generous with time.
Everyone knows how regimented the school day is. The holidays are fixed years in advance. Lessons all last an hour. Dinner time is controlled by the bell. Meetings last an hour, an eternity. Much is said but little is accomplished. Greedy use of time and energy. But next year a life without bells...
Saturday, 24 October 2015
A Year of Living Magically
Yesterday I was told that the governors had approved my sabbatical - so long as they can get a good enough teacher to replace me. Scary, no pay for a year, but exhilarating. I call my own shots for a year. Now come the decisions.
Do I try for a Masters in Creative Writing and have a qualification to flog plus advice for a novel or play? Expensive but could replay long term if I want to teach.
Do I use an mentor (paid) and develop two or three pieces? Cheaper, more flexible option. But if I want to change teaching subjects, will it serve me as well?
Do I spend part of it doing a VSO?
Do I spend a lot of it volunteering at our local theatres and reading?
Do I do an acting course? I loved the one I did earlier this year and it really helps to understand the theatre?
Do I teach TEFL abroad for a spell and fulfil two ambitions? To work abroad and to improve my English by teaching it?
Do I spend some time with my brothers who live abroad?
How much can I write this year? Can I learn how to self-publish? What can I afford?
Do I tutor to have some income?
Do I exam mark? Tedious but a nice little pay packet. Or do I just say, sod it?
Everything I do is with a husband and grown-up kids back home.
I feel like a starving woman at the All-you-can-eat-buffet. I can load my plate but what will give me the most joy and the biggest sense of accomplishment? I want a year of living magically.
Do I try for a Masters in Creative Writing and have a qualification to flog plus advice for a novel or play? Expensive but could replay long term if I want to teach.
Do I use an mentor (paid) and develop two or three pieces? Cheaper, more flexible option. But if I want to change teaching subjects, will it serve me as well?
Do I spend part of it doing a VSO?
Do I spend a lot of it volunteering at our local theatres and reading?
Do I do an acting course? I loved the one I did earlier this year and it really helps to understand the theatre?
Do I teach TEFL abroad for a spell and fulfil two ambitions? To work abroad and to improve my English by teaching it?
Do I spend some time with my brothers who live abroad?
How much can I write this year? Can I learn how to self-publish? What can I afford?
Do I tutor to have some income?
Do I exam mark? Tedious but a nice little pay packet. Or do I just say, sod it?
Everything I do is with a husband and grown-up kids back home.
I feel like a starving woman at the All-you-can-eat-buffet. I can load my plate but what will give me the most joy and the biggest sense of accomplishment? I want a year of living magically.
Sunday, 18 October 2015
The Egg Hatches...
Yesterday crystallised why I need to create a different type of life for myself. I love writing and feedback is good, but I don't have the energy to finish my projects and get them out there. Why? Teaching is the Dracula of my energy. Constant demands, no replenishing of the bloodstock and dark forces at work. Then there was this conversation from a truly lovely teacher who had just retired.
She: What are you teaching?
Me: Science in a high school.
She: Oh no. How can you cope? It's so awful at the moment.
Me: I am struggling...
She: You must have something good of your own to do. It's the only way to survive without destroying yourself. All those targets...
I hadn't started moaning, the comment was spontaneous. Do something you love. Something you aren't desperate to retire from (and that's a long time away).
Then I read the opening chapters of Donna Tartt's - The Goldfinch. It is magnificent. It is an inspiration. It reminded me of a chapter in my own novel.
Tomorrow I am handing in a letter asking for a sabbatical. No-one in school has done this before. I've no idea what the answer will be, but I know it can transform my existence.
She: What are you teaching?
Me: Science in a high school.
She: Oh no. How can you cope? It's so awful at the moment.
Me: I am struggling...
She: You must have something good of your own to do. It's the only way to survive without destroying yourself. All those targets...
I hadn't started moaning, the comment was spontaneous. Do something you love. Something you aren't desperate to retire from (and that's a long time away).
Then I read the opening chapters of Donna Tartt's - The Goldfinch. It is magnificent. It is an inspiration. It reminded me of a chapter in my own novel.
Tomorrow I am handing in a letter asking for a sabbatical. No-one in school has done this before. I've no idea what the answer will be, but I know it can transform my existence.
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