WM32 Why do We Write Fiction?

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Word Maze podcast

Why do we write? I struggled so much during the re-write that I almost threw it all away and gave up this “I want to write fiction” thing.

Why I didn’t:

  • I hate dropping stuff before giving it a proper go – that’s why I went to drama school
  • I’m learning a lot
  • I know that what I’m doing is hard, so if I get through it, or almost there, it will be amazing
  • I’m paying for the process!
  • I still don’t know why we write / create art

2. Really glad I put the work in, because apparently, the writing has improved. Now the problem is the story, but that’s ok, because that’s fun. Now I’ve gone back to previous writing and seen how much MORE rewriting I need to do…

Still hard, I need to find the truth! Which means spending more time developing the relationship between Paula…

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So You’ve Been Publicly Shamed by Jon Ronson.

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It's not often I finish a book and say out loud, "Well, that was depressing". Though absolutely entertaining and enjoyable, the book left me thinking how much our penitentiary system (yes, that's not a typo, shaming is at the core of how we're punished) fails us as individuals and society, as well as how easy … Continue reading So You’ve Been Publicly Shamed by Jon Ronson.

‘The House We Grew Up In’ by Lisa Jewell

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In my last post, I shared how I had high hopes for November. And I did. I won't say that my hopes were dashed, but I didn't achieve everything I wanted to achieve. But that's ok, it was a good month anyway. Mainly, I didn't finish the novel I started working on for NaNoWriMo. However, … Continue reading ‘The House We Grew Up In’ by Lisa Jewell

I Have High Hopes for November

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I have high hopes for November. For a start it’s National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), the time of year when I make sure I get a bit of fiction writing every day - more or less. It’s the month when at some point, I realise that I am well behind my word count, and I … Continue reading I Have High Hopes for November

Drops of Happiness: Move Around

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Move around! Work / think/ play in different surroundings. In an office: have you got access to different areas? Move around! In public transport: do you always tend to sit (or stand!) in the same spot? In the city: do you often use the same parts of the city? And you don’t need to take … Continue reading Drops of Happiness: Move Around

Drops of Happiness: Read

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Start the day reading. Set some time aside if it makes you happy. It's food for the soul. You don't need to be learning, just enjoy it. You don't even need to know why you're enjoying it, though it's fun to wonder why: Is it the style, the plot, the story? Does it transport you … Continue reading Drops of Happiness: Read

‘The Organized Mind’ by Daniel Levitin

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First, a small confession, or at least, something you might want to know about why I read non-fiction. It's not always to learn what the author thinks I want to know. Or at least, not to take notes on what they want me to take from the book. I read non-fiction mainly for pleasure, to … Continue reading ‘The Organized Mind’ by Daniel Levitin

‘Fight Club’ by Chuck Palahniuk

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It took me a while to watch the film - I thought it would be violent and superficial, but I remember enjoying it A LOT and being surprised by the quality of the acting and script. Fast forward many years later, and the book has appeared on my radar through different avenues: - It's was … Continue reading ‘Fight Club’ by Chuck Palahniuk

‘Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear’ by Elizabeth Gilbert

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I often avoid "inspirational books" but I heard so many people I respect recommend Elizabeth Gilbert's 'Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear', that I decided to give it a go. I found Gilbert's story fascinating, especially her reflections and experiences after writing Eat, Pray, Love (which I haven't read by the way) and ironically, found … Continue reading ‘Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear’ by Elizabeth Gilbert

‘Over Hill and Dale’ by Gervase Phinn

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  I'd already read The Little Village School and so I knew I was in for a sweet read when I downloaded Over Hill and Dale by Gervase Phinn. Gervase Phinn was a school inspector and this series of books, he weaves anecdotes together to create beautiful stories that have the innocence and charm of … Continue reading ‘Over Hill and Dale’ by Gervase Phinn

‘A Far Cry from Kensington’ by Muriel Spark

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I call this type of books "cozy reading" - they're not hard work too read, they usually don't shake me emotionally and I know some of the characters are going to make me feel warm. And I always laugh when I read Muriel Spark and enjoy her social commentary. 'A Far Cry from Kensington' is … Continue reading ‘A Far Cry from Kensington’ by Muriel Spark

‘Open Secret: The Autobiography of the Former Director-General of MI5’ by Stella Rimington

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I love crime stories, detective books and spy novels. I've read quite a few of Stella Rimington's novels featuring Liz Carlyle and so it was about time that I found out more about the author herself. So here are my favourite quotes from 'Open Secret: The Autobiography of the Former Director-General of MI5'. Of course … Continue reading ‘Open Secret: The Autobiography of the Former Director-General of MI5’ by Stella Rimington